to do.
I called one of my men over. “Cancel my meetings for today. Set up one instead with Don Martino.”
He seemed confused. “Don...Martino, Senor? The detective?”
I didn’t answer. I only glared at him until he thought better of questioning me and scrambled off to do what I had asked.
I suspected Don Martino would be too curious to refuse my meeting, and thankfully I had been right. I got into a carriage and was taken to a private room of a restaurant in a nearby city. Don Martino was already waiting for me in a booth. I hesitated for a moment before stepping into his line of sight. For all the years I had come face to face to him with potential criminal charges against me on the line, this was the only time I had ever been nervous about meeting with him.
He stood to greet me before we both settled into our seats across from one another. He wouldn’t look me in the eye, which was an odd behavior for him. He seemed like he was doing his best to hold something back. I could only imagine what Alicia must have said to him.
“I’m sure you are wondering why I asked to see you today,” I started slowly.
“I imagine you want some sort of thank you for bringing my Alicia home,” he huffed. “Some sort of pardon or leniency on whatever new terrible thing you’ve done. When she told me you were the one who pulled her out of the market and brought her home, I assumed it wouldn’t be long before you wanted to use that as some sort of bargaining chip.”
“A few months ago, perhaps you would have been right.”
“And what has changed exactly?” His voice grew stern, and finally, he looked me dead in the eye. “Alicia may think that you are some kind of savior, but I still see you for exactly what you are. A criminal.”
“In my past, I have been what some would call a criminal. Si. But I have come to declare to you my intention of changing my ways. Today, I come to you as a man who is in love with your daughter.”
His eyes lit up with anger and fear and sadness all at once. “No.”
“I have come to ask for her hand in marriage.”
“No! Absolutely not! My daughter is a good woman! The finest there is! She deserves a decent, hardworking man who lives an honest life! Not some seedy criminal who cuts corners and hurts people to line his own pockets!”
I couldn’t help but smirk just a little. It was obvious where Alicia had gotten so many of her ideals from.
“I suppose you think you can bully and negotiate your way into marrying my daughter just as you do with all of that land you swindle from innocent, struggling people!”
“I will not attempt to bully my way into anything. You see, quite the opposite has happened. It is Alicia who has bullied her way into my heart.” I paused for a moment, surprised by my own admission. It was strange to hear it out loud. “She has inspired me to change. To try and be a man that she can be proud of. If you cannot accept me as a man who truly loves her, then consider this...You have wanted to put a stop to my dealings for my entire career. And now...I am offering to do just that. But I have no reason to change unless it is for her. If you won’t grant me her hand as her father, then please do it as a detective facing his nemesis.”
He sat in quiet consideration for a long time. He didn’t seem happy about any of the outcomes he was reviewing in his mind, but I didn’t expect him to burst into laughter so suddenly.
“The funniest part is,” he chortled. “Is that if Alicia was here she would probably tell me to take your offer! She cares more about putting a stop to your shady business than I do!”
We both laughed at just how true that was. “Yes,” I agreed. “She is more than willing to martyr herself for the causes she believes in. It’s very admirable. She is the strongest, most courageous woman I know.”
Don’s laughter slowly faded, but he seemed softer to me and more open to what I had to say. He even called for a round of drinks to be delivered to the table. I let out a deep breath. The conversation stood a chance