Luna Tango (32 page)

Dani eyed the art nouveau lift with the elaborate ironwork. Beautiful as it was, she wasn't going near. Instead, she climbed the twelve flights of stairs to the penthouse suite, wishing she would get over herself and take a damn lift. Arriving on the landing, Dani caught her breath and let the burning in her legs subside while she admired the formidable double doors of Gualberto's apartment. Carved into the wood was an intricate pattern of raised swirls painted with gold. Impressive.

She raised her hand to knock but the door flew open before she had a chance.

‘Dani!' Gualberto stepped forwards and folded her into his arms. She leant into him and gulped back sobs but the harder she tried to hold it in, the stronger the tears pushed until they rushed out in a heavy stream. Pulling away, he said, ‘Come in, come in.'

She followed him into the entrance that was larger than her apartment in New York. Crystals from the chandelier twinkled against each other in the warm breeze drifting through the open doors that led out onto a terrace.

‘You look terrible.' Gualberto held her hand. ‘Let me get you something cold.'

‘Thanks,' she said and wandered into his living room. The large maroon sofa looked like it would swallow her up should she sit on it, so she did. Her body basked in the excessive stuffing and the velour's softness while all her aches disappeared. She ran her hand gently across the furniture's curves. ‘This is amazing.'

‘Thank you.'

‘Where is your wife?' Dani studied a photo sitting on the table beside her. The woman had large, dark eyes, a heart-shaped face and delicate nose and lips. ‘She's beautiful.'

‘Yes, she is. She is sleeping now.'

‘I'm sorry to call on you at this hour. Maybe I should go.' She went to stand but couldn't find the strength to push herself upwards.

‘No, no. Mariela is fine, she doesn't mind if I have the visitors at strange hours.'

‘Not even women?'

‘She is used to me entertaining the women—usually musicians and singers and dancers.'

‘I'm impressed with your wife's attitude. Doesn't she ever get jealous?'

‘No. She has no reason to.' Gualberto disappeared for a moment and returned with two large glasses of ice and juice. He took a seat on the Edwardian chair opposite, handed her the drink and she took it, grateful for something cold in her hands. She rubbed the glass across her forehead then took a sip, enjoying the freshly squeezed oranges.

Sipping his own drink, Gualberto said, ‘I am sorry, but I have not seen or heard from him.'

‘How did you—'

‘I can see it in your face, Dani. You have looked in the mirror, yes? Your skin is more pale than an albino and there are bags under your eyes that are as red as tomatoes.'

‘No wonder your wife doesn't mind you entertaining women if that's you being charming.'

He smiled, took another sip and waved a finger at her. ‘I have not seen Carlos since you two left for Mendoza. I thought he was with you until you called. While I waited for you to arrive, I contacted some people but not one person has seen him.'

‘He wasn't at the dance studio or his apartment, either.' She paused before asking, ‘You didn't seem surprised when I told you Iris is my mother.'

‘Why would I be? At first I didn't think there were any similarities but the more I got to know you I could see the resemblance.'

‘I'll tell you the unabridged version one day.' A sigh escaped her lips and she stared at the half-melted ice cubes.

‘We will find him, Dani. So, how may I help?'

Breathing deeply, she readied herself, hoping her words didn't trip over each other as she spoke. ‘I need to understand Diego's connections. I want to know who he owes money to—'

‘You need to speak to Pablo Mendez. He is a benefactor who takes struggling musicians and turns them into superstars. Diego is his pet project. Mendez is financing Diego's latest masterpiece, although I have heard the money may not be where it should be. Mendez is angry and is threatening to close the show before it opens but he doesn't want to because he has been promoting this as the biggest tango event in history. Mendez is relying on the world's most influential critics and performers to see this show, but without money—'

‘It'll flop. Why can't Mendez get someone else to do the show?'

‘Because Diego is the drawcard. Before
La Gringa Magnifica
retired, she would have been the number one attraction and Mendez could have done the show without Diego.'

‘But that's not going to happen.'

If Mendez hassled for the return of his money then Diego would do anything to get his hands on some cash. And if he already suspected Iris had clues about the Canziani case, he'd want to get enough evidence so he could swagger down the street clutching a fat reward cheque.
Shit
.

* * *

Dani had left Gualberto's by taxi just after seven. She'd jumped out a few blocks shy of her hotel, keen to stretch her legs. Taking a sharp left, she ambled through Recoleta Park where shadows barely concealed the plethora of couples pawing each other on benches even though it was barely breakfast time. The more she pretended the lovers didn't exist, the more obvious they became. Putting her head down, she scooted across the grass and almost ran head first into a couple canoodling in the middle of the path.

‘Get a bloody room,' she muttered.

They didn't appear phased by her grumpiness and they carried on whispering sweet nothings into each other's ear and giggling like the world was one big love fest. Taking off again, Dani chastised herself for being so cranky. Just because she couldn't hold on to a relationship didn't mean others couldn't bask in the joy of love. Buenos Aires, the Paris of the Americas, certainly lived up to its name, with the overabundance of canoodlers on every street corner. When she'd first arrived and was trying to get over Adam, she hadn't paid much attention to the fornicating couples, but after a glimpse of happiness with Carlos, seeing these lovers added salt to an already deep wound. It pained her to think of Carlos out there, angry as hell and bitterly disappointed with her. She felt the same way about herself.

In theory, it should have been easy for Dani to give up on Carlos and walk away but he'd tapped into emotions she hadn't known existed. She now needed his support if she was to have any hope of bandaging her family's wounds.

Dani's phone beeped with an incoming message. Fearing it was Adam, she ignored it for a couple of minutes and quickened her pace. The shops were barricaded with metal shutters and the streets remained quiet, a stark contrast to the frantic activity that would take over in a couple of hours. Then curiosity got the better of her and she stopped to look at the message.

Dani, your grandma wants you to call her urgently. Don't panic, she's fine. She just wants to talk. Hope that makes sense. Ness xoxo

If Stella had gone to the effort of getting her young neighbour, Vanessa, to text Dani, then something had to be up. Especially since it was late evening in Australia. Breaking into a run, she rounded the corner, dashed into the hotel foyer and up the stairs, reaching her room in record time. Shoving her key card in the door, Dani burst into the room and found Iris lying on her bed, wearing glasses and leisurely reading a Regency romance novel.

‘You read that stuff?'

‘It's my guilty pleasure, okay?'

‘Fair enough.' Throwing her bag on the bed, she said, ‘Stella wants to talk with me.'

‘Really?' Iris removed her glasses and sat up.

‘I just got a message from her neighbour.' Flopping on the chair, Dani reached for the phone then put it down.

‘Why wouldn't she call your mobile phone?'

‘You know Stella, doesn't like to spend money if it can be saved.' Dani exhaled with a puff and sent her fringe flying. ‘I don't know what to say to her.'

‘She's the one who wants to talk. Let her start the conversation.'

‘Hmm.' She stared at the phone, unsure what to do. Perhaps Stella had finally come around and wanted to apologise. Although she doubted Stella would ever say sorry—Dani had never heard those words leave her grandma's mouth.

Dialling the number, the phone rang half-a-dozen times before it clicked.

‘Hello?'

‘Grandma! It's Dani.'

‘I know it's you. Who else calls me at this hour?'

‘Oh, sorry.'

‘Never mind. I take it you received my message?'

‘Yes.'

‘That Vanessa, such a reliable young lass. It's nice to see people of your generation looking after the elderly.'

The barbed comment stung. Of course she looked after her grandma, it just wasn't in the way Stella wanted—in other words, Stella's way.

‘Ness said you had something you wanted to talk about?'

Iris moved off the bed, stood next to Dani, and leant in close. Iris's nosiness should have annoyed her but instead she gained comfort knowing her mother was nearby to help deal with whatever Stella had to say.

Silence.

‘Grandma, whatever it is you want to say, I'm listening.'

Stella breathed heavily through her nostrils. ‘I'm sorry.'

The words spun around Dani's head. Wow. If the conversation started like this, what else did Stella have to say? ‘What are you sorry for, Grandma?'

‘I'm sorry I gave you grief about Argentina and your new career. Of course you are capable of being a features journalist. I was just scared.'

Bingo! The apology she'd never thought she'd hear. Dani looked at Iris with wide eyes, trying to convey her surprise.

‘Thank you, Grandma.'

‘But that's not why I want to talk to you.' She sounded ominous.

Dani's stomach flipped then flopped.

‘I received a letter today.' She cleared her throat. ‘I need you to go to Brazil.'

‘What? Why do you want me to go to Brazil?' Dani repeated the words to keep Iris updated. Her mother shot a questioning look.

‘I need you to find someone for me.'

‘I need the full story before I agree,' Dani said evenly.

Stella was quiet for so long Dani wondered if she'd walked away from the phone.

A long sigh eventually filled her ears. ‘You were right.'

‘About what?' Dani frowned, unused to this agreeable Stella.

‘I am Louisa Gilchrist.'

Words escaped Dani as she tried to comprehend the gravity of Stella's admission.

‘Dani?' It was weird to hear her grandma sound so concerned.

‘I ... uh ... You're really Louisa Gilchrist?'

Iris stepped back, hand to mouth. ‘Oh my god!' she mouthed then grabbed Dani's arm.

Shaking herself free, Dani said, ‘Who do you want me to find?'

‘Roberto. He's alive.'

‘Roberto's alive?' Dani moved to the side to avoid Iris grasping her again.

‘I have no idea how you worked out my secret but that's not important right now. I need you to find my Roberto. I can't believe he made it there.' Her grandma fell silent.

‘Where?'

‘Brazil. I stayed there until I was forced to move on but my Roberto made it, he really did.' Inhaling sharply, she said, ‘You're very close to where he is.' A paper rustled in the background. ‘My Roberto, my sweet Roberto, sent me a letter.'

‘How could he possibly know you're Louisa?'

‘I have no idea but he's a smart cookie. Something must have given him a clue. Although it worries me that if he can work it out, others can, too.'

Dani didn't add that Diego Alonso had the information at hand.

‘I'm trusting you with this, Dani.'

‘I know. Thank you.' And she meant it. After all the disagreements they'd had, Dani knew her grandma still loved her.

‘I know it's him. It couldn't be anyone else. The letter was in Spanish and addressed to Lunita and made reference to things only we could know about. He was very careful, though, so anyone else who read the letter wouldn't have a clue what it meant.'

Dani desperately tried to process the information. ‘Wow.'

Iris waved her arms, trying to get Dani to repeat what Stella had said. Dani frowned and turned her back to her mother.

‘I need you to go to Roberto and tell him about me. It needs to be done in person. We've spent a lifetime apart when we should have been together.' Stella sounded like a lump had formed in her throat.

Dani's heart went out to the woman who had kept her emotions buried for so many years. What kind of suffering had she endured, keeping her past hidden?

‘Will you go see him?' Dani asked.

‘I want to more than anything but you're so close. You can go there, tell him about me, then we can work out a way to be reunited.' Stella sighed. ‘I spent a lifetime wishing for this but it's come when I'm old and decrepit and have one foot in the grave.'

‘Don't be ridiculous, Grandma. You can run rings around sixty-year-olds.' Dani's eye twitched.

‘Thank you, Dani. You're lying but I appreciate your sentiment.'

‘I'm sorry things turned out the way they did. You've been through so much.'

‘Don't worry about me. Now's the time to get things moving,' she said, returning to her typical matter-of-fact tone. ‘Will you do it?'

‘Of course I will. Where does he live?'

‘In Chapada do Russo in northern Brazil. It's a small town, at least how I remember it. The name of the ranch is Sonho. It means dream. Rather romantic, isn't it?' Stella sounded like a lovesick schoolgirl. ‘That's the only information I have.'

‘It should be enough. I'll keep you updated.'

‘Thank you, Dani. I don't know what I'd do without you.'

She gulped down the lump of empathy lodged in her throat. ‘I feel the same way, Grandma.'

Stella hung up and Dani stared at the receiver.