CHAPTER 3

HENRIQUE ENTERED the delegate's room in handcuffs, and in fits and starts pushed by the two policemen who had approached him on campus, while he screamed like a canary after years trapped in a cage.

Henrique was completely altered – many would say he was possessed by a demon or something – his eyes were red, it looked like he was going to boil because he was so altered.

–– Let go of me – he shouted desperately – I want to see my grandfather right now, come on, you big monkeys, let me go, I'm telling you, is anyone seeing this? I want to see my grandfather and call the press, this is a violation of rights, I have rights.

The policemen abruptly placed Henrique sitting in the chair in front of the deputy while they smiled with satisfaction at the little show that the boy had given them.

These are the ones I like the most... – thought the big cop.

THE DELEGATE, MARCUS SALDANHA, looked quietly at that cinema scene right in front of him, after all, it wasn't every day that a "good life" playboy came into his room giving such a scandal.

Calmly he lit a cigarette, inhaled and blew smoke upward as if nothing had happened.

–– If you don't improve your language, Mr. Cardeñas – said the delegate calmly while adjusting his glasses and after that he put the cigarette in his mouth and took another drag –, I will be obliging you to jail him until he calms down, and if you call the police here again "monkeys", I will be forced to arrest you for contempt of authority and prejudice, do you understand me? Know in advance that if you are accused of prejudice, it is an unspeakable crime, you will be arrested, you will be the girl of my prisoners who will taste this bourgeois little butt that you proudly display.

Despite the low and soft voice – almost feminine – of the delegate, there was an authority that even his grandfather did not have with the students, that somewhat calmed the restless Henrique.

Henrique swallowed hard, wondering what could happen to his precious tail.

For a moment he remembered the character Smeagol, Lord of the Rings saying he needed to protect his precious ring...

The chief offered a cigarette to Henrique who gave a thumbs up and the chief placed it in his mouth and lit it while he waited for Henrique to take a drag to calm himself.

After a few minutes, Henrique said more calmly.

–– I did not do nothing! – Said Henrique almost regretting – Why did they arrest me?

–– That "for now" is innocent, we know, and we haven't arrested him yet, but if you continue to strive for it, we will gladly answer your request, we just want you to answer a few questions, nothing more, I have your cooperation?

Henrique nodded quietly.

–– From what you have already told me, you were told that your grandfather was murdered a few hours ago.

Henrique nodded again without saying anything.

–– Well, can you tell me anything about it? Had he been threatened by anyone in the past few days?

–– My grandfather was the most docile and peaceful man in the world, delegate, it was impossible for anyone to want to kill him.

–– Is there anything about him that we don't know about? I don't know, friends, relatives.

–– Friends... – he thought for a few moments – none, he was kind of closed, you know, they say that whoever is a friend of books doesn't have time for friends in the real world – he laughed, but the deputy just nodded – relatives, none but me, my parents died in a car accident when I was a child, terrible thing, we lived in Spain, it was very small, after the funeral, my grandfather decided to come and live here in Brazil for some reason he never wanted explain me.

–– Is that the whole story of your grandfather?

–– Ah! He was involved with these freemasonry moves, he kept talking about it, I don't know if it helps.

–– Maybe it helps, do you know what is special about the 1.62x18 number?

–– Aren't the Mega–Sena numbers accumulated? – Tried to make this joke to no avail.

–– I want you to understand that what we are doing here is very serious, so, no more jokes, understood, Mr. Cardeñas?

–– Yes sir... – he said humbly, trying to redeem himself – but I would like you to remove those handcuffs.

The deputy nodded in agreement to the interrogate's request for the policeman behind Henrique to release him.

The policeman removed the handcuffs and Henrique stroked both fists with a smile.

–– Now, I am much better.

–– Tell me more about your grandfather's relationship with Freemasonry.