Alive on Arrival

Chapter 9

9

Juan Juarez sits in the leather swivel chair behind a massive mahogany desk. The desk has been in his family for decades. He had it moved to his Albany mansion when he was selected as the boss of the Northeast territory. Set on a small wooden table against the wall to his right-hand side, is a shrine to his newly departed son. There’s a framed eight-by-ten color photo of the handsome young man snapped at his prep school graduation, the proud graduate smiling for the camera like he had his entire life to look forward to. A rosary almost as old and valuable as the one Juan carries on him is hanging from the picture frame. A thick candle is set before the photo. A flame is presently burning from its wick. Set beside the candle is the stature of the Blessed Virgin of Guatemala. Set at the base of the table are dozens of fresh rose petals.