It had been several months since our friend of the Federal Police, Captain Riestra, had promised Dortmund and me to invite us to take something as a sign of gratitude for all the times we helped him solve his cases. But due to situations of force majeure, the meeting had never been possible. But so much waiting was worth it and took us to a Coffe Concert in San Telmo to enjoy one of the greatest Argentine traditions: tango. The appointment was at 8:30 pm because that Friday at the indicated time was presented Érica Castañares, along with his recent new dance partner, Diego Leguizamón. And according to Captain Riestra's own assessments, they were the best 2x4 dancers the country had given at that time. We arrived at the punctual antrum at 20 and sat at a table for four right next to a window that our friend had reserved six hours in advance. The air that was breathed was typical of a traditional Buenos Aires night: women, drinks and milonga. The tables were perfectly square, made of plywood oak and with a rustic style of the early 1940s, and the chairs matched them, all elegantly arranged around the dance floor, which was a gap in the middle of the prepared and designed room especially.
_ I thank you for your invitation, Captain Riestra_ expressed Dortmund, once installed in our respective places._ I find a particularly pleasant and interesting environment. A kind of culture that I had not experienced before.
_ You will learn great things about one of our most sanctified rites_ commented Riestra friendly.
_ I know something of its origin. Its beginnings go back to the era of the conventillos, the Río de la Plata ... It was born as a popular party or something like that. In addition, I know great figures like Homero Manzi, Aníbal Troilo, Astor Piazzola, Discépolo and of course Carlos Gardel.
The captain smiled friendly and with some satisfaction.
_ I do not argue his intellect, Dortmund_ added later.
_ Have you ever questioned it?
_ Never, of course. Then, you must be informed that contemplating a tango dance is something that is accompanied by a good glass of whiskey and good cigarettes ... Of the strong, of course.
_ I accept cigarettes. Smoking two or three a year does not cause any harm to health. Pleasures gratify the well-being of the soul.
_ And what about whiskey?
_ There he declined his proposal. I will be faithful to my culture and to my Nation and I will drink a good cup of Irish coffee, if it is prepared here.
_ As you like. Here we have what we least expect and imagine. And you, doctor ? Will it please me or will it follow the tradition of the inspector? "He asked addressing me.
_ To be good with both _ I replied in a joking tone, _ I will try both.
And we let out a laugh spontaneously. And the truth that gave me great satisfaction on a personal level to see Dortmund so relaxed, relaxed and enjoying the meeting, leaving for once in his life the crime aside.
Dortmund drank a cup of Irish coffee to its slow and leisurely pace and I went in feeling the captain Riestra because I drank a glass of whiskey l better. Our friend told us about many Argentine customs that Dortmund and I completely ignored, but he focused his attention on the tango and especially on the two dancers that we were going to see that same night.
_ Miss Castañares_ explained to us Riestra_ has been dancing here for more than twenty-five years. I saw her for the first time on one occasion when two men fought, argued and tried to fight a duel for the honor of that beautiful lady.
_ A femme fatale _ interposed Dortmund.
_ Rather I think both gentlemen were quite past the cup_ Captain Riestra clarified._ I intervened just in time and avoided what could have been a real tragedy. She felt guilty and thanked me for the favor. I stayed that night to see her dancing and she dazzled me. I congratulated her after the show and since then we have an unbreakable friendship until today. Every time my work allows me, I come to visit it and enjoy tango, which is my great passion. Dance the second and fourth Friday of each month. I told him that today I would bring two very special friends.
Dortmund made a small bow in gratitude for those last words.
_ And when will we have the honor of introducing you to such a graceful young lady, Captain Riestra? _ Inquired the inspector with an interest on the outside because of the common.
_ As soon as I finish dancing, I will do the honors.
_ It seems that you have some particular interest in that woman, Dortmund_ I said to my friend, giving him an insightful look.
_ Pure ridiculous of yours _ Dortmund escaped immediately._ And what can you tell me about your dance partner, Mr. Leguizamón?
_ Little and nothing_ replied Captain Riestra._ They have only been dancing together for two months and, because of the little I know, they do not get along too well. But these differences are very frequent within the art world.Absolutely harmless things.
_ And after the dance ends ..._ I said hesitantly.
_ The orchestra is still playing so that the audience dance_ answered Riestra._ It is a very sociable space.
We contemplate the environment in silence: men sitting at the bar smoking, drinking and talking about women and football. Groups of women chatting peacefully sitting at the tables, whole families and couples of all ages. It was a very pleasant and relaxing climate. The lights went out suddenly, the ovations invaded the place and the first chords of a milonga invited the two dancers to be present in the center of the track. Erica Castañares was a woman in her mid-fifties, with jet-black hair pulled back with a bun, a flashing look and a mystical and captivating smile. His beauty was shocking. I immediately understood Dortmund's interest in her, Captain Riestra's fascination, and the old duel between those two gentlemen that our friend referred to earlier. His hands were protected by a delicate pair of black gloves and his legs showed a glint of perfect neatness and unparalleled finesse .
On the other hand, Mr. Leguizamón was rather a vulgar gentleman, without any outstanding detail, neither in his appearance nor in his personality. He would be about ten to fifteen years younger than his companion, brown hair neatly combed with hair gel and a dark gray suit of simple elegance.
The dance lasted around fifteen minutes in which they danced three different dances, and in each interval between them they were applauded until they were tired. After the show, our friend made the corresponding presentations with Miss Castañares.
_ He has a very particular accent ..._ Miss Castañares said to Dortmund with suspicion.
_ I am Irish_ replied my friend with a smile.
_ He is a retired inspector of the Irish Police and helps us in several cases_ added Riestra with kindness. _ His talent to discover the culprit is always out of the question.
Remember that I also carry out investigations of a particular nature, the inspector said modestly.
"He seems to be a very interesting man, Mr. Dortmund," said Miss Castañares, with some interest in her person.
We kept talking a few more minutes until Mr. Leguizamón interrupted the calm of the place. He appeared suddenly from the dressing rooms in a state of absolute excitement , nursing his chest and having great difficulty breathing. We immediately come to your help. We rest it slowly on the ground and apply the protocol required for such cases. But we could not do anything: he died agonizing and almost inexplicably. We move the curious away from the scene and the three of us look at each other totally bewildered. Moreover, Captain Riestra had to isolate Erica Castañares and comfort her because she was completely paralyzed, dismayed and decayed.
_ Everything seems to indicate that he died because of an unpleasant heart attack_ I suggested hesitant.
_ It is necessary to make all the pertinent inquiries_ indicated Sean Dortmund, little convinced of my theory.
Captain Riestra reunited with us as quickly as he could, after he took care of his faithful dancer friend.
_ I checked the entire area of the dressing rooms_ said and everything is in order. Mr. Leguizamón was alone when he died. After all, maybe it's just an unfortunate accident.
_ Perhaps ... Or maybe not_ Dortmund put in doubt._ The decompensation of Mr. Leguizamón responds more to a poisoning than to a myocardial infarction.
_ That ... That is not possible_ hesitated Riestra , amazed.
_ Yes. And I am surprised that a man like you keeps in his mind the preconceived idea that the poison works as soon as it comes into contact with the body. Many poisons, and I speak of the most powerful, kill several minutes after their supply. They begin with minor symptoms, such as stomach pain; vomiting, dizziness, which gradually increase until the end result is death. The first minutes of your intake are crucial to use the indicated antidote. But if its nature is unknown, there is nothing then that can be done.
_ I have no idea, Inspector Dortmund. Simply that the mere idea of supposing a poisoning seems to me incredulous and absurd. Besides, who would have reason to kill Mr. Leguizamón?
_ It's our job to find out. And I suggest starting with Miss Castañares.
_ Do not believe that she ... ?
_ Everyone is innocent until proven otherwise. She seems to me an appropriate starting point. If I'm right and Diego Leguizamón died poisoned, the lethal dose was administered to him before the show began because of how the poison acted.
_ Now that you mention it _ I intervened thoughtfully, _ after the second dance Mr. Leguizamón seemed somewhat dizzy and with headaches. He held his forehead a lot.
Dortmund nodded.
_ You also noticed it, right, Captain Riestra? _ My friend told him, solemnly_ Do you understand why now Miss Castañares is my priority? It was the only one that had opportunity_ added often.
_ The autopsy will tell us what happened.
_ But, meanwhile, the time factor is something very valuable.
Twenty minutes later the Criminology team was duly assessing the scene under the supervision of Captain Riestra and the competent judicial authority itself, while Dortmund and I were in an isolated place with Miss Castañares.
_ Accept my condolences_ my friend said to him, moved. Now, if he is in conditions, we need to ask him some questions.
_ Go ahead_ the lady agreed.
_ How was your relationship with Mr. Leguizamón?
_ To be honest, very bad. On the dance floor everything was happiness and laughter. But in privacy, it was the opposite. His manners were very aggressive and dominant. With only two months working here, he thought he was the star of the show and on more than one occasion he tried to overshadow me and humiliate me in public.
_ Can you be more precise about that point , Miss Castañares?
The woman sighed and dropped into a chair.
_ On more than one occasion_ he continued_ he made me dance during the choreography in front of the people claiming that I was a clumsy person who only managed to ruin everything. Later in the dressing room we argued strongly about this issue and on more than one occasion even threatened to hit me. I could not stand it anymore.
_ Do you have any idea why this was the case with you?
_ I dont know. The first days everything was fine. And then he showed himself as he really was.
_ Did the owner whiten this situation? What did he say?
_ Of course I spoke with Fernando. And he answered that he was a man with a difficult life, that only gave him time. But the coward was not able to intercede and defend me, as if I protected him and cared more about him than me. If this place gathers people, it's thanks to me.
_ Excuse my ignorance. Is Mr. Fernando the owner of the Café?
_ Yes. And all this tangle of situations produced some instability in my relationship with him.
_ I understand your anger. And I understand that therefore his death does not displease her, miss.
_ No way. Also, three weeks ago, 80,000 australes disappeared from my wallet. I'm sure it was Leguizamón because it was the only one who could access my things, since after ending a dance, the dancers go straight to the dressing rooms and do not let the public. I absented myself only five minutes to go to the bathroom, so he had enough time to get the money. I told Fernando of my suspicions and what had happened, but he did not believe that Diego was capable of such an outrage and said that it was my fault for not knowing where I left things.
After asking him some more minor questions, we thanked him for his time and went directly to meet with that Fernando.
_ What do you think of his testimony, Dortmund? _ I asked him about the march.
_ A sincere woman with clear motives to kill Mr. Leguizamón. And if the owner defended so much a man who came to work here just two months ago instead of applying for his defense in favor of a lady who works with him for twenty-five years, as Captain Riestra assured us, then he hides something.
I agreed with your assessment. It seemed to me that the relationship between Miss Castañares and Mr. Fernando had been discontinued since Leguizamón's arrival at the place. I do not think that the good Captain Riestra was aware of all these things, since Erica Castañares gave me the impression of being an extremely reserved woman and of capricious habits.
Fernando Worosky, such was his full name, was a man of average height, green eyes, a bushy beard and a small face. We informed him about what Miss Castañares told us.
_ Diego never liked him, but he was a good man. I think she exaggerated a lot. "Worosky explained, moved.
_ According to Miss Castañares herself_ Dortmund said, _ he humiliated her in public.
_ I never thought that was possible. But, of course, I spoke with both of them separately, even though he denied things and she was dissatisfied with my position. They argued several times, but he was a good man and she is a great person and an excellent professional.
_ Have you never talked to both at the same time?
_ I did not think that was a good idea. I was afraid that things could get out of control. Both are strong character.
_ How did Mr. Leguizamón get to work here?
Fernando Worosky was suddenly touched.
_ He had some problems with the family_ he said again and I did him a favor. I've known him for many years. More than Erica. That's why I put my hands on fire for him.
_ And because he was his partner too, right?
Worosky blushed.
_ How did you know? _ Asked stunned.
_ It shows by the way he talks about him. And because of how he referred to what Miss Castañares told us, I think that she was madly in love with you and even confessed to you. But you rejected her not for another woman, but for another man; who ended up working here and above was his dance partner. A very explosive cocktail of emotions.
Worosky remained silent, staring at the inspector with an inquisitive and defiant look.
_ One last thing_ indicated Sean Dortmund: _ Did Érica Castañares always wear gloves to dance?
That question even seemed totally absurd to me. But the interrogated answered it without opposing.
_ No, he released them today. He said they would match his new dress.
_ What happened to the dancer who was before Mr. Leguizamón?
_ Quique resigned because of a family problem. But I think it was a vile excuse that he invented so as not to admit to me in the face that he went to dance to another club of more category and greater recognition. Erica took it quite dislike.
Dortmund and I abandoned Worosky instantly.
_ Do not you think that ...? _ He asked from afar.
_ I do not think so: I am sure_ answered Dortmund in a loud and sure voice of his deductions, of which he did not make a mere allusion and of which I did not dare if n if you want to ask something. Captain Riestra intercepted us as soon as he saw us approaching him.
_ I questioned some people who did not say anything relevant_ we pointed._ They saw as usual: waiters and regular diners of the place. I do not think it's a murder. The experts analyzed the glasses of the drinks that he ingested before going on stage and found no traces of any poison.
_ However, now I am completely sure that it was a homicide and I know where the poison was _ cheered Sean Dortmund, triumphant._ Moreover, I can tell you with certainty what poison was used to kill him. The autopsy will confirm it.
Riestra gave my friend a stubborn and expectant look.
_ I hear it, Dortmund.
_.No until I give a small performance tomorrow night and you will help me with that_ the inspector replied with his typical impertinent smile of always._ We will give an agape in homage to Mr. Leguizamón and you will be the star, captain_ and gave him a pat on the shoulder. The captain looked at him without understanding anything.
_ What's your idea? _ Riestra inquired, visibly upset.
_ I'll just tell him we'll catch the killer to the beat of two by four_ replied Dortmund, suspiciously._ I'll update you on my idea later. But first I have to talk to Mr. Worosky to fix some vitally important things.
And he went straight to talk to him, leaving Captain Riestra and me adrift and not understanding too much about the matter.
Saturday night was a special gala. Dortmund convinced Fernando Worosky that a dancer outside of Erica Castañares would dance with Captain Riestra, whom he undoubtedly intended to humiliate, since we knew by law the lousy dancer he was. He accepted the idea almost obligatorily by unquestioning imposition of my friend. He chose another lady to dance with our friend since Miss Castañares was one of the suspects and it did not serve her purposes. The bar was filled with people, perhaps in the midst of a gloomy climate due to the latest events. Captain Riestra and his companion, a slender woman with provocative eyes and big blue eyes, came on stage as soon as the first chords sounded, just like the fatal night. They started dancing. People seemed extraordinarily moved by the artistic display of both. Even I was surprised to see our friend show off on the track. And suddenly a complaining cry from Captain Riestra stopped the dance loudly. The public became impatient.
_ What happened to him, Captain Riestra? _ Dortmund asked, worried.
_ This is the woman who bit my leg with her needle.
_ I'm sorry_ the girl apologized, tormented.
Dortmund turned his gaze to Miss Castañares, present among the audience, with an insolent and turbid smile.
"That's what he did yesterday night, is not it, Miss Castañares?" Asked my friend , disciple.
The place fell sordidly and Miss Castañares opened her eyes enormously and visibly frightened.
_ As the old spies of the KGB _ continued the inspector_ killed their enemies by impregnating ricin the tip of an umbrella, you did so by impregnating the tip of the angular and pointed shoe with acontonine , a powerful pseudoalcaloid that enters through the skin and only two milligrams are enough to produce death. You should have used less quantity. I would say something like a milligram and a half to delay its lethal effects, be able to conclude the dance and not have anyone suspect you. That's why he put on gloves, when Mr. Worosky confirmed that he had never used them before during a dance: to manipulate the poison. Now, help me understand one thing: with so many supposed reasons you had to do what you did, which one will you choose to accuse her in a court?
The silence remained close to the surface. The defendant swallowed and stood up authoritatively.
_ I will not say anything without the presence of a lawyer_ he said firmly.
_ That will not be necessary_ confirmed Dortmund, and he made a sign to some officers who entered and took Eida Castañares detained. His gaze quickly turned to the face of Captain Riestra who was disillusioned and disappointed at the same time.
_ Do not be anguished_ the inspector told him, heatedly._ The appearance is a disguise that we all carry. But this does not exonerate him at all. He still owes us a way out of friends.
And he winked at her.
_ I do not understand, "he said with his head down, our friend.
_ The matter is much simpler than it seems. Erica Castañares had fallen deeply in love with Fernando Worosky. I think the resignation of the previous dancer , a certain Quique, responds to the fact that he could not convince her that Mr. Worosky was not for her. At first, Miss Castañares supposed that her former dance partner was in love with her and that since her love for Mr. Worosky could not be made to decline, she resigned so as not to suffer for an unrequited love. For he would not tolerate seeing his great love given to another man's arms. And in part, this was true. That modest gentleman in effect resigned to avoid a greater evil, but not because he was in love with Miss Castañares, but because he knew the sexual condition of Mr. Worosky, who for some reason, he hid from her for several long years. Mr. Quique loved her dearly and could not bear to see her suffer unnecessarily.Because I believe, and I am sure that I am not mistaken on this point, that Fernando Worosky knew very well that Érica Castañares was crazy about him and did not want to hurt her with the truth.
With free way and ignoring the truth in the background, Erica Castañares finally gathers the necessary courage to confess his love to Fernando Worosky but to his surprise, he is elusive. She accepts her statement in part but does not react as she expects her to do. That catches his attention but he assumes he needs more time and gives it to him. And suddenly Diego Leguizamón arrived and everything changed. His closeness to Mr. Worosky was eerily striking and made Miss Castañares think that there was something wrong. It was very explicit when I questioned her: " But the very coward was not able to intercede and defend me, as if I protected him and cared more for him than I did ". And he was not wrong. He confirmed his suspicions when on one occasion he found both gentlemen in a compromising situation. He was horrified by this scene and it was when he decided that he should take matters into his own hands and leave out the man who ruined his life: Diego Leguizamón. With him dead, she would continue looking for Worosky's love at any price. And for the same price, she would reconsider her decision about his inclination toward his sexual tastes so that he would finally notice her. She is a cold and manipulative woman. So it is probable that Mr. Leguizamón noticed the intentions of Érica Castañares and that is why he humiliated her in public during some dances. And the theft of the 80,000 australes that she founded, in fact I'm sure it never existed and she invented it to create tension between Worosky and Leguizamón.
_ It's a wonderful story, Dortmund, worthy of you. But it is frustrating when there is not enough evidence to support it.
_ The scant information I gathered is enough to know that it is true. I know, you too, Captain Riestra. We do not need more.
_ Go to jail for the assassin ... P or the absurd murder of Diego Leguizamón. Only the physical evidence that connects it to the crime is meager .
_ You will find everything you need for the Justice to judge and serve your sentence properly for what you did.
_ So shall. And I trust that I will count on your help for that, Dortmund.
_ In case you doubt _ the inspector praised him later , _ you defend yourself very well dancing , Captain Riestra.
