Down Among the Dead Men

97

“ What are you doing?”

The drug they had given Jennifer seemed to have worn off a bit.

But that didn’t matter now.

“What does it look like?” Marta said. “I’m taking her robe off.”

“But why?”

Marta looked up at Jennifer. She was no longer the beautiful young woman Marta had met at that party in Los Angeles so long ago. Would never again be the object of desire that she was that night-using her hands and body and mouth and tongue to spread the joy of God-but Marta still loved Jennifer with her heart and soul and did not want to see her die.

Even if it was meant to be, even if El Santo commanded it, Marta could not bear the thought of a life without her Jennifer.

And this was her chance to change that.

Elizabeth’s presence here was a surprise, but coupled with Rafael’s sudden failure to call, it meant only one thing to Marta. That Rafael was gone and this bitch surely had something to do with it.

So it seemed only fitting that Elizabeth take Jennifer’s place. El Santo would be angry when he found out, but when Marta explained that this was vengeance for their beloved Rafael, he would understand. And he would forgive.

“You’re not going to die tonight,” she told Jennifer. “Take your robe off and help me put it on her.”

“What?”

“It’s simple,” Marta said patiently. “We will dress her in the ceremonial robe, put the baby in her arms, and be done with her.”

Jennifer shook her head. “No…I have offered myself and the life of my child to La Santisima. I won’t let you or her take that from me.”

Marta went to Jennifer, kissed her. “And I will not let La Santisima take you from me. Not now.”

But Jennifer pulled away. “Why?” she cried. “Why would you do this after all the promises that this day would come? Look at me. Look at what I’ve done to myself. Look at what I did to my own sister. Do you think I take my commitment lightly? I want to prove my love to La Santisima. To offer her my soul, and the soul of my-”

Marta slapped her across the face. “I am the daughter of El Santo,” she said. “You do not dictate what will and will not be done.”

Tears sprang into Jennifer’s eyes. “You lied to me. First you say my sister is dead, then you promise me a chance to see my mother and father in the loving arms of La Santisima. But it was all lies, wasn’t it?”

Marta stared at her. No matter how she felt about this woman, Jennifer had no right to speak to her this way.

Reaching to the floor, she picked up the gun that lay near Beth and pointed it at Jennifer. Marta had no intention of using it, but Jennifer didn’t know that.

“The decision is made,” Marta said. “And you will obey me.”

Then a horn sounded and the crowd roared, and Marta snapped her fingers.

“The robe. Give me the robe.”