Part 8 (2/2)

”So it was the Jesuits, eh?”

”Exactly.”

”That would explain several inexplicable things.”

She has spent hours, Coy said to himself, in that house I know across from Atocha station, going over and over all this. She has spent days and months lying on that bed I glimpsed once, sitting at the table covered with books and doc.u.ments, tying up loose ends in that cool head of hers, the way someone plays a game of chess having planned all the moves in advance. Setting courses for all of us. I'm convinced that this conversation, this bearded, smiling man, the landscape here at La Caleta, and maybe even the hours of high tide and low tide, were calculated ahead of time. All she's doing now is outfitting her s.h.i.+p carefully, nailing down every last detail before setting out to sea. Because she is one of those women who don't forget anything on sh.o.r.e. She may never have sailed, but I'm sure that in her imagination she has already dived dozens of times on the wreck of the Dei Gloria. Dei Gloria.

”At any rate,” said Gamboa, ”it's a pity we don't have more doc.u.mentation.” He turned a little toward Coy. ”The archive here in Cadiz is the only one that wasn't sent to the general marine archives at Viso del Marques, where they centralized nearly all the important doc.u.ments in El Ferrol and Cartagena, postdating what was conserved in the Archivo de Indias in Seville. Here, a pigheaded admiral refused to let go of them. As a result the complete collection was destroyed in a fire, all the papers from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, including some original cartographical plates of Tofifio.”

Gamboa took another drag and chortled jovially.

”Bound to happen, no?” he said to Tanger. ”The obligatory fire. But I suppose that lends the charm of adventure to your job.”

”Not everything was lost,” she replied.

”Not everything, that's true. Some of it had been misplaced. No one knows what we have lying around here. The plans of the Dei Gloria, Dei Gloria, for example, were forgotten, and in a totally illogical place-under mountains of dusty papers in the storeroom for for example, were forgotten, and in a totally illogical place-under mountains of dusty papers in the storeroom for nautical instruments in the naval dockyard at La Carraca_______ Thrown in with stuff from sc.r.a.pped s.h.i.+ps, logbooks, charts, and a thousand things that have never been catalogued. I saw them by chance about a year ago, when I was looking for something else. And when I got your telephone call, I remembered- It was pure luck that the s.h.i.+p was built here.”

In fact, Gamboa clarified to Coy, it wasn't the plans for the Dei Gloria Dei Gloria herself, but the herself, but the Loyola, Loyola, her twin, because both were built in Cadiz between 1760 and 1762, within a short period of time. But Lady Luck didn't favor either of them. The her twin, because both were built in Cadiz between 1760 and 1762, within a short period of time. But Lady Luck didn't favor either of them. The Loyola Loyola was lost in 1763 in a violent storm near Sancti Petri, before her sister s.h.i.+p went down. Funny how things turn out. Very dose to the place where she'd been launched only a year before. Some s.h.i.+ps are just bad-luck s.h.i.+ps, as Coy undoubtedly knew from professional experience. And those two brigantines had a bad star. was lost in 1763 in a violent storm near Sancti Petri, before her sister s.h.i.+p went down. Funny how things turn out. Very dose to the place where she'd been launched only a year before. Some s.h.i.+ps are just bad-luck s.h.i.+ps, as Coy undoubtedly knew from professional experience. And those two brigantines had a bad star.

Gamboa had provided Tanger with a copy of the plans after he had showed the two of them around the observatory-white facade with columns and cupola s.h.i.+mmering in the sunlight, whitewashed corridors with showcases of antique instruments and nautical and astronomy books, a line on the floor indicating the exact delineation of the Cadiz meridian, and the magnificent library of dark woods and overflowing shelves. There, on a vitrine table that contained works by Kepler, Newton, and Galileo, the Viaje a la America Meridional Viaje a la America Meridional and the and the Observaciones Observaciones of Jorge Juan and Antonio de Ulloa, as well as other books on eighteenth-century expeditions for measuring a degree of the meridian, Gamboa had unfolded various plans and doc.u.ments. Some copies were meant for Tanger, and the rest, originals difficult to reproduce, she photographed one by one with a small camera she had in her leather purse. She had taken two rolls of thirty-six exposures, her flash reflecting in the paintings on the wall and in the gla.s.s of the showcases, while Coy, out of professional curiosity, took a look at the ancient tables of nautical ephemerides and precision instruments scattered around the room, vestiges of a time when the San Fernando observatory was the essential reference in the Europe of the Enlightment: a Spencer octant, a Berthoud watch, a Jensen chronometer, a Dollond telescope. As for the of Jorge Juan and Antonio de Ulloa, as well as other books on eighteenth-century expeditions for measuring a degree of the meridian, Gamboa had unfolded various plans and doc.u.ments. Some copies were meant for Tanger, and the rest, originals difficult to reproduce, she photographed one by one with a small camera she had in her leather purse. She had taken two rolls of thirty-six exposures, her flash reflecting in the paintings on the wall and in the gla.s.s of the showcases, while Coy, out of professional curiosity, took a look at the ancient tables of nautical ephemerides and precision instruments scattered around the room, vestiges of a time when the San Fernando observatory was the essential reference in the Europe of the Enlightment: a Spencer octant, a Berthoud watch, a Jensen chronometer, a Dollond telescope. As for the Dei Gloria, Dei Gloria, Coy was presented to her when Gamboa, after a deliberate and theatrical pause, pulled out four plans on a scale of 1:55 that he'd had photocopied for Tanger. A slim brigantine ninety-eight feetrin length and with a twenty-six foot beam, she had two masts, square sails, a gaff sail on the mainmast, and was armed with ten iron four-pounders. Those copies were there before them now, spread on a table on the terrace. Coy was presented to her when Gamboa, after a deliberate and theatrical pause, pulled out four plans on a scale of 1:55 that he'd had photocopied for Tanger. A slim brigantine ninety-eight feetrin length and with a twenty-six foot beam, she had two masts, square sails, a gaff sail on the mainmast, and was armed with ten iron four-pounders. Those copies were there before them now, spread on a table on the terrace.

”She was a good s.h.i.+p,” said Gamboa, contemplating a distant sail that had pa.s.sed the beach and was disappearing beyond the castle of Santa Catalina. 'As you can appreciate on the plans, she had clean lines and was very seaworthy. A modern s.h.i.+p for her time, constructed of heart of oak and teak, with the usual flush deck and guns mounted on it; five gunports on each side. Swift and trustworthy. If a xebec could catch her, she must have suffered a lot of damage during the Atlantic crossing. Otherwise...” Now the observatory director was looking at Tanger with smiling intensity. ”That's another point of the mystery. Why she didn't put into Cadiz for repairs?”

Tanger didn't answer. She was playing with her silver pencil, focused on the white cupolas of the resort to their left, built on pilings in the sand.

'And the Chergui” Chergui” Coy asked. Coy asked.

Gamboa, who was watching the woman, turned slowly. Oh, the matter of the corsair was clear, he answered. And they were in luck, because among the new doc.u.ments was valuable material. For instance, a copy of the description of the Chergui, Chergui, the original of which had been located in the Privateering and Prizes section in Viso del Marques. Unfortunately, there were no plans for that s.h.i.+p, but he had found one for a xebec of similar characteristics, the the original of which had been located in the Privateering and Prizes section in Viso del Marques. Unfortunately, there were no plans for that s.h.i.+p, but he had found one for a xebec of similar characteristics, the Hakonero, Hakonero, which was very close in length, armament, and rigging. which was very close in length, armament, and rigging.

”We don't know the place or year of construction,” Gamboa explained, taking a folded piece of paper from his s.h.i.+rt pocket, ”but we do know that she operated using Algiers and Gibraltar as bases. There are also detailed descriptions of what she looked like, given by her victims or by people who saw her in ports when she was flying British colors-which she changed as the occasion demanded, since she was fitted out by an Algerian businessman and by a Maltese located on Gibraltar. We have evidence that doc.u.ments the Chergui's Chergui's fortunes between 1759 and 1766. The most meticulous, however,” the observatory director consulted his notes, ”was that of don Josef Mazarrasa, captain of a small coastal boat, the fortunes between 1759 and 1766. The most meticulous, however,” the observatory director consulted his notes, ”was that of don Josef Mazarrasa, captain of a small coastal boat, the Podenco, Podenco, which succeeded in escaping a xebec he identified as the which succeeded in escaping a xebec he identified as the Chergui Chergui in September 1766, after a skirmish near Fuengirola. Since they were on the point of being boarded, he was able to observe her, much to his displeasure, at close quarters. There was a European on her quarterdeck, whose description may coincide with that of an Englishman known as Slyne, or Captain Mizen, and the rather numerous crew seems to have been composed of Moors and Europeans-the latter undoubtedly English.” Again Gamboa consulted his notes. ”The in September 1766, after a skirmish near Fuengirola. Since they were on the point of being boarded, he was able to observe her, much to his displeasure, at close quarters. There was a European on her quarterdeck, whose description may coincide with that of an Englishman known as Slyne, or Captain Mizen, and the rather numerous crew seems to have been composed of Moors and Europeans-the latter undoubtedly English.” Again Gamboa consulted his notes. ”The Chergui Chergui was a xebec with a jib boom and cla.s.sic high p.o.o.p, polacre-rigged main and mizzen masts, and a lateen-rigged foremast; she was relatively swift among s.h.i.+ps of her cla.s.s, some one hundred and fifteen feet in length and with a twenty-six or thirty-foot beam. According to this Captain Mazarrasa, who sustained five dead and eight wounded in the encounter, she was carrying four long six-pounders, eight four-pounders, and at least four was a xebec with a jib boom and cla.s.sic high p.o.o.p, polacre-rigged main and mizzen masts, and a lateen-rigged foremast; she was relatively swift among s.h.i.+ps of her cla.s.s, some one hundred and fifteen feet in length and with a twenty-six or thirty-foot beam. According to this Captain Mazarrasa, who sustained five dead and eight wounded in the encounter, she was carrying four long six-pounders, eight four-pounders, and at least four pedreros, pedreros, devices for throwing rock and sc.r.a.p iron. It seems she had been fitted out in Algiers with good bronze pieces, old but efficient, off a captured French corvette, the devices for throwing rock and sc.r.a.p iron. It seems she had been fitted out in Algiers with good bronze pieces, old but efficient, off a captured French corvette, the Flamme. Flamme. That armament made her fearsome against s.h.i.+ps of lesser tonnage and more fragile lines, like the That armament made her fearsome against s.h.i.+ps of lesser tonnage and more fragile lines, like the Podenco Podenco and the and the Dei Gloria.... Dei Gloria.... Supposing, that is, she did in fact meet up with your s.h.i.+p.” Supposing, that is, she did in fact meet up with your s.h.i.+p.”

”Of that much I'm sure,” said Tanger. ”They met.”

She had stopped gazing at the domes of the resort and was frowning slightly, with a stubborn set to her jaw. Gamboa folded the paper and gave it to her. Then he raised a hand, as if he was not contesting her conviction.

”In that case, the captain of the* Dei Gloria Dei Gloria had to be a pretty cool customer. Not just anyone would have stood up under the pursuit, chosen not to take shelter in Cartagena, and engaged the had to be a pretty cool customer. Not just anyone would have stood up under the pursuit, chosen not to take shelter in Cartagena, and engaged the Chergui Chergui in almost yardarm-to-yardarm combat. And that voyage from Havana without port calls...” Gamboa studied Coy and then the woman, smiling knowingly. ”I guess that's what it's all about. Nor in almost yardarm-to-yardarm combat. And that voyage from Havana without port calls...” Gamboa studied Coy and then the woman, smiling knowingly. ”I guess that's what it's all about. Nor Coy leaned back in the chair over which he had draped his jacket. Why are you asking me, his gesture said She's the one in charge.

”There are things I want to dear up,” said Tanger after a brief silence. ”That's all.”

Very carefully she put the paper with Gamboa's notes into her handbag. Gamboa sent her a penetrating look. For a moment the observatory director's placid expression seemed to lose its innocence.

”A pretty piece of work, anyway,” he said, cautious. ”Besides, maybe there was something on board- I don't know.”

He reached for the pack of cigarettes in his pocket. Coy observed that he took more time than necessary, as if he had something in mind he wanted to say.

'Although the truth is,” he said finally, ”that neither the s.h.i.+p, nor the route, nor the period are good indicators if you're looking for treasure.”

”No one's talking about treasure,” Tanger said very slowly.

”Of course not. Nino Palermo wasn't talking about that either.”

Dead silence. They heard the voices of the fishermen below, working on boats in dry dock, or rowing among the small craft anch.o.r.ed bow to the wind. A dog was racing along the beach, barking at a gull that planed undisturbed before winging off in the direction of the open sea.

”Nino Palermo was here?”

Tanger watched the gull grow smaller in the distance, and she voiced her question only when the bird was nearly out of sight. Gamboa bent his head to light a new cigarette, protecting the flame of the match in both hands. The breeze filtered smoke between his fingers as his pale eyes sparkled with amus.e.m.e.nt.

”Of course he was here. To pick my brain, like you two.”

THE southwester had freshened a couple of knots, Coy calculated. Enough to splash seafoam on the breakwater that ran along the ancient south wall of the city. Gamboa told his story slowly, enjoying the telling. It was obvious he liked the company and was in no hurry. He smoked as he walked between his two companions, pausing from time to time to gaze at the sea, the houses in the barrio of La Vina, the fishermen sitting like statues beside fis.h.i.+ng poles lodged among the rocks, contemplating the Atlantic. southwester had freshened a couple of knots, Coy calculated. Enough to splash seafoam on the breakwater that ran along the ancient south wall of the city. Gamboa told his story slowly, enjoying the telling. It was obvious he liked the company and was in no hurry. He smoked as he walked between his two companions, pausing from time to time to gaze at the sea, the houses in the barrio of La Vina, the fishermen sitting like statues beside fis.h.i.+ng poles lodged among the rocks, contemplating the Atlantic.

”He came to see me about a month ago_____ He came, as they all come, everything very ambiguous, lots of smoke and mirrors. Asking about this s.h.i.+p and that doc.u.ment, various things that prevent you from getting a good idea of what they're really looking for.” At times Gamboa smiled at Tanger, and the gap in his teeth accentuated the smile. ”He brought a very long shopping list, and on it, in eighth or ninth place, camouflaged among other things, was the Dei Gloria. Dei Gloria. I already knew you were on that trail, because we'd talked several times by phone. It was obvious that this Palermo was panting after a fresh clue.” I already knew you were on that trail, because we'd talked several times by phone. It was obvious that this Palermo was panting after a fresh clue.”

He fell silent, watching a fish struggle at the end of a line. A bream. The fisherman, a skinny type with bushy sideburns and wearing a white s.h.i.+rt and suspenders, delicately removed it from the hook and tossed it into a pail, where it lay weakly flicking its tail among other silvery reflections.

”So as soon as Palermo mentioned the Dei Gloria, Dei Gloria, I put it together.” Gamboa started walking again. ”Then I let him invite me to eat at El Faro, where I listened attentively, nodded, made four or five general comments, gave him information about what I thought were the least important things on his list, and got rid of him.” I put it together.” Gamboa started walking again. ”Then I let him invite me to eat at El Faro, where I listened attentively, nodded, made four or five general comments, gave him information about what I thought were the least important things on his list, and got rid of him.”

”What did you tell him about the Dei Gloria?' Dei Gloria?' Tanger asked. Tanger asked.

The wind pasted the light cloth of her skirt to her thighs and whipped the open neck of her blouse. She was very well favored, but she didn't play the part of the beautiful girl. Or act helpless. Coy liked that. She seemed cool, competent. Talking like old friends with Gamboa: being colleagues, why should we hide anything from each other? Let's talk friend-to-friend. We're civil servants in a hostile world, et cetera, et cetera, and what can I tell you that you don't know? Life is hard and everyone navigates through it as best he can. Of course I'll keep you informed. I owe you that.

She's clever, Coy decided. She's very clever, or maybe so intuitive that it's almost sick, with a sharp sense of ways to manipulate men. He remembered the commander in the Museo Naval in Madrid, his expression as he talked with Tdnger in the hallway outside her office. She's obviously one of ours, Admiral. And it came to mind that things were going the same way with the observatory director. One of ours.

Now Gamboa was smiling again, as if her question was unnecessary.

”I told him what I should,” he said. ”That is, nothing. Whether he believed me, now that I don't know.... At any rate, he was very guarded.” He turned toward Coy, as if he expected confirmation of his words. ”I suppose you know Nino Palermo.”

”He knows him well,” she said.

Too quick to point that out, Coy thought. He looked at Tanger, and she was aware he did, because she turned with exaggerated attention toward the ocean. I may know Palermo, he said to himself, but not all mat well. You said that a little too fast though, darling. You said that probably a second too soon. And that's not good. Not in a clever girl like you. Too bad that at this point you're still making that kind of mistake. That or you take me for a fool.

”Not that well,” Coy answered Gamboa. ”In fact, I don't know the guy as well as I'd like to.”

”Well, you must be the only one in this business.”

”He isn't in this business,” said Tanger.

The observatory director stood looking at diem. Again he seemed to reflect upon the relations.h.i.+p between them. Finally he spoke to Coy.

”Gibraltarian, with a Maltese father and an English mother... that is, one hundred percent pirate genes. I've known Palermo for a long time, since the time I worked cla.s.sifying archives in the museum in Cadiz. He made one of the attempts to salvage the Santisima Trinidad, Santisima Trinidad, maybe the most serious. In her time the maybe the most serious. In her time the Trinidad Trinidad was the largest wars.h.i.+p in the world, a s.h.i.+p of the line was the largest wars.h.i.+p in the world, a s.h.i.+p of the line with four decks and a hundred and forty guns; she sank after the Battle of Trafalgar as the English were trying to tow her into Gibraltar.” He pointed somewhere out to sea, toward the south.

”She's out there still, a little off Punta Camarinal. He tried to do what the Swedes did with the Wasa, Wasa, or the English with the or the English with the Mary Rose, Mary Rose, but the attempt, like most of these things, foundered because of the Spanish administration's lack of enthusiasm, that is ” but the attempt, like most of these things, foundered because of the Spanish administration's lack of enthusiasm, that is ”

”Like the dog in the manger,” Tanger interjected.

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