Chapter 20: The Hill House

Three men with cameras stood at the gate of the hill house in Tlaquepaque.

They had not been there on any other day of Lorena's life.

"Your mother called them," Ignacio said quietly as the car stopped.

"I know."

"Do you want to turn around?"

"No," she said. "I want my mother to see me walk past them."

The table in the dining room was laid for four, with the good plates.

Her mother sat at the head in green silk.

Her father sat at the foot with his hands flat on the cloth.

A single sheet of paper lay beside Lorena's plate.

She did not need to read it.

It was the release, the one her mother had promised her at the first lunch.

"Sit, mija," her mother said brightly. "Ignacio, you too. We will be a family today."

"You called the press," Lorena said.

"I called nobody. Those men are neighbors' guests."

"Mamá."

"Sign the paper, and we will all be very happy."

Her mother lifted her glass.

"Señor Rangel was so kind. He says Ignacio's company will be sold, and the girl will need a family to come home to."

"He said that?"

"He has been a friend to us."

Lorena looked at her father.

He was staring at the cloth.

"Mamá," she said. "Who gave Octavio Rangel the photograph of my contract?"

Her mother's glass stopped halfway to her mouth.

"The page in the newspaper had no stamp. Only your copy has none."

"He asked to see it. He promised he would protect you."

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