The Devil's Assassin by Brian Page A

Their story is too ridiculous and he
can feel his deputy bristling with incredulousness next to him. But he doesn’t
have a shred of evidence against the man in his jail cell.
    “Give me some
phone numbers of people who can verify this or your credentials. And give me
the disks and whatever else you have. I’ll call you at your hotel later.”
    Pablo can hold
his tongue no longer and bursts out in Spanish. “Detective! You don’t believe these, Norte Americanos, do you?”
    His reply is in
Spanish. “We’ll work it out, Pablo. If they aren’t telling the truth, I’m sure
they know how unpleasant it will be for them in Argentina.”
    He looks to Linus
and June as he says this.
    Linus is
unruffled by the comment and June doesn’t understand it. Linus writes a few
names and numbers on a sheet of paper and hands over his disks. June writes a
few more names and numbers on the same sheet.
    “Thanks,
Detective,” says June sincerely.
    The detective
gives her a look that says he’s not so sure if he’s doing the right thing. The
two start to leave and he speaks to them. “If your story checks out, I expect
to get some help finding the killer.”
    Linus answers
over his shoulder. “That’s why we’re here, Detective. I didn’t come to
Argentina to see the sights with Dr. Dituro here.”
    Arroyos raises an
eyebrow. “Though who could blame you if you did, aye Señor?”
    Linus smiles and June chuckles. The two walk outside into the sunshine of Villa
Huidobro. They stand in front of the police station thinking about what to do
next.
    “I like how you
handled old Arroyos in there,” says Linus.
     “Thank
you,” says June. “So, do you have anything against seeing the sights of
Argentina with Dr. Dituro?”
    Linus winces. “I
just meant to suggest that my focus was searching for the creature. Nothing against you, of course. I appreciate that you are
here, especially considering that Van Horn could have come in your place.”
    June smacks Linus
in the arm playfully and smiles. “Not exactly a ringing endorsement. And it’s
Van Houten!”
    “I am kidding, of
course. I’d vacation with you anywhere, and have a grand time.”
    “Wow, Mr. Hather.
I’m honored by the compliment. I’d enjoy vacationing with you too.”
    Linus smiles. June
looks down and then directly at Linus. Their eyes connect for a while.
    “Well, it’s not
Paris, or the Bahamas,” says June. “But let’s pretend we’re seeing the sights
while we wait for Arroyos.”
    “There’s a good
idea,” says Linus. He hadn’t planned on doing so, but he reaches down and takes
her hand in his. “Okay, let’s see what Villa Huidobro has to offer.”
    June is surprised
and looks down in pleasure at their hands. It’s been a long time since someone
held her hand. She cannot remember when. She grasps his hand tighter and looks
at his smiling face, something he hasn’t done very much since she’s met him.
His smile increases his attractiveness tenfold she thinks. He starts to pull
her along at a leisurely stroll.
    “What do you
think?” he asks. “See the sights? Get something to eat?”
    “I’m still full
from that wonderful steak at lunch,” she replies. “How about
some coffee and churros?”
    “ Bueno . Shouldn’t be hard to find either of those in
Argentina.... Then, assuming Arroyos believes us, we
get ready to help find the real killer.”
    June stops
walking. “Sounds like a short vacation.”
    Linus is still
smiling. “Okay, okay. Let’s forget about that for now. I agree. Churros, coffee
and see the sights with my lady friend.”
    June smiles and
the two resume their walk hand in hand toward the center of town.
    ›
    Linus is sitting
at the small desk in his hotel room and speaking on the phone. A picture of the
capitol building in Buenos Aires hangs on the wall over the desk. The floor is
wood and the room looks more like a bed and breakfast than a typical hotel
room. Two windows throw sunshine into the room.
    “So the