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HIDDEN ENEMIES

‘All of it.’

‘Everything?’ I asked in surprise.
She shrugged casually. ‘That’s what he said.’
It didn’t sound smart to take all the money in one go like that. But it was Abregon’s money and I presumed he knew what he was doing. I gave her the twenty thousand and made her sign a letter and count the money in front of Julián, our new section delegate.

Abregon’s call came two days later. I woke to someone banging on my door in the middle of the night and I opened it, still half asleep. It was Orlando. He was wearing only his pyjamas and he was wet from running barefoot through the rain to bring me his phone. He was too out of breath to say who it was, but I guessed straight away.

‘Is it him?’ I asked, taking the phone. Orlando nodded then stood shivering in the cold while I took the call.

‘¿Aló?’
‘Thomas, you have to listen to me,’ I recognised Abregon’s voice, but the line was terrible.

‘Speak up, brother – I can hardly hear you!’ I yelled into the phone, but Orlando motioned for me to keep my voice down.

‘Listen to me, Thomas. I can’t talk long. I’m on someone else’s phone.’

‘OK,’ I whispered loudly, holding the mouthpiece right up against my lips. Orlando nodded that that was better.

‘Thomas, I need money. I need you to get my money to me. I think I can get transferred back to San Pedro, but I’m going to need money. I’ll send Raquel around to pick it up. Get it ready for her, OK?’

‘Yes, I know. She already came.’

‘What?’
I was suddenly wide awake. ‘She was here two days ago. I gave her everything.’

‘When?’

‘Two days ago. On visitors’ day.’ I wasn’t sure if it was the bad connection or if Abregon had fallen silent on the other end. ‘Are you there? Hello . . . Abregon? Can you hear me?’ The line was still crackling so I moved around, changing the angle of the phone to get better reception. ‘Abregon?’ Finally, he answered.

‘What the fuck did you do that for?’ he asked angrily.

‘I didn’t want to without speaking to you first, but she said it was

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