"This is where I should have spent my life, John. I may have lost my taste for the law, but I have found revenge to be quite sweet."
She lifted the tumbler, a little unsteadily. "Like new sidra on the tongue."
I was about to tell her she'd had enough when the glass slipped from her hand and thumped onto the grass. Roja's eyes rolled up into her head as she slid down and out of her chair, hitting the ground before I could catch her. The impact knocked loose one of her silver combs.
On my knees, I cradled Roja's head in my right palm. "What did you take?"
Her lips barely moved. "It is too late."
"Inés, what did you put in the cider?"
The eyes came back, but unfocused. "I did all my research well. See, I even cheat the hangman."
"Inés – "
"Tell me, John. Do you really believe in the law?"
The wind whipped a hank of hair across her face. I brushed it away from her mouth. "Like you once said, Inés, I'd rather put my faith in people."
The merry laugh spooked the gull. Its shadow passed over us as Inés Loredo Roja went slack against my hand
Jeremiah Healy
