Sands of Time

At eight A.M., a car bomb exploded across the street from the prison, wounding half a dozen bystanders. Under ordinary circumstances, the guards would have left their posts to investigate and assist the wounded. But they had strict orders. They remained at their stations and the Guardia Civil was summoned to take charge.

The incident was promptly reported to Warden de la Fuente.

"They’re getting desperate," he said. "Be prepared for anything."

At nine-fifteen A.M., a helicopter appeared over the prison grounds. Painted on its sides were the words La Prensa, Spain’s prominent daily newspaper.

Two antiaircraft guns had been set up on the prison roof. The lieutenant in charge waved a flag to warn off the plane. It continued to hover. The officer picked up a field telephone.

"Warden, we have a copter overhead."

"Any identification?"

"It says La Prensa, but the sign looks freshly painted."

"Give it one warning shot. If it doesn’t move, blow it out of the sky."

"Yes, sir." He nodded to his gunner. "Put a close one in."

The shot landed five yards to the side of the helicopter. They could see the pilot’s startled face. The gunner loaded again. The helicopter swooped up and disappeared across the skies of Madrid.

What the hell is next? the lieutenant wondered.

At eleven A.M. Megan Scott appeared at the reception office of the prison. She looked drawn and pale. "I want to see Warden de la Fuente."

"Do you have an appointment?"

"No, but – "

"I’m sorry. The warden isn’t seeing anyone this morning. If you telephone this afternoon – "

"Tell him it’s Megan Scott."

He took a closer look at her. So this is the rich American who’s trying to get Jaime Miro released. I wouldn’t mind having her work on me for a few nights. "I’ll tell the warden you’re here."

Five minutes later Megan was seated in Warden de la Fuente’s office. With him were half a dozen members of the prison board.

"What can I do for you, Miss Scott?"

"I would like to see Jaime Miro."

The warden sighed. "I’m afraid that is not possible."

"But I’m – "

"Miss Scott – we are all aware of who you are. If we could accommodate you, I assure you that we would be more than happy to do so," he said with a smile. "We Spaniards are really an understanding people. We are also sentimental, and from time to time we are not averse to turning a blind eye to certain rules and regulations." His smile disappeared. "But not today, Miss Scott. No. Today is a very special day. It has taken us years to catch the man you wish to see. So this is a day of rules and regulations. The next one to see Jaime Miro will be his God – if he has one."

Megan stared at him, miserable. "Could – could I just look at him for a moment?"

One of the members of the prison board, touched by the anguish in Megan’s face, was tempted to intervene. He stopped himself.

"I’m sorry," Warden de la Fuente said. "No."

"Could I send him a message?" Her voice was choked.

"You would be sending a message to a dead man." He looked at his watch. "He has less than an hour to live."

"But he’s appealing his sentence. Isn’t a panel of judges meeting to decide if – ?"

"They’ve voted against it. I received word from them fifteen minutes ago. Miro’s appeal has been denied. The execution will take place. Now, if you’ll excuse me – "

He rose, and the others followed suit. Megan looked around the room at their cold faces and shuddered.

"May God have mercy on all of you," she said.

They watched, silent, as she fled from the room.

At ten minutes before the noon hour, the door to Jaime Miro’s cell was opened. Warden Gomez de la Fuente, accompanied by his two assistants, Molinas and Arrango, and Dr. Miguel Anuncion, entered the cell. Four armed guards stood watch in the corridor.

The warden said, "It’s time."

Jaime rose from his cot. He was handcuffed and shackled. "I was hoping you’d be late." There was an air of dignity about him that Warden de la Fuente could not help but admire.

At another time, under other circumstances, we might have been friends, he thought.

Jaime stepped out into the deserted corridor, his movements clumsy because of the shackles. He was flanked by the guards and Molinas and Arrango. "The garrote?" Jaime asked.

The warden nodded. "The garrote." Excruciatingly painful, inhuman. It was a good thing, the warden thought, that the execution would take place in a private room, away from the eyes of the public and the press.

The procession made its way down the corridor. From outside, in the street, they could hear the chant of the crowd: "Jaime…Jaime…Jaime…" It was a swelling, bursting from a thousand throats, growing louder and louder.

"They’re calling for you," Pedros Arrango said.

"No. They’re calling for themselves. They’re calling for freedom. Tomorrow they’ll have another name. I may die – but there will always be another name."

They passed through two security gates and came to a small chamber at the end of the hallway that had a green iron door. From around the corner a black-robed priest appeared.

"Thank heavens I’m in time. I’ve come to give the condemned man the last rites."

As he moved toward Miro, two guards blocked his way.

"Sorry, Father," Warden de la Fuente said. "Nobody goes near him."

"But I’m – "

"If you want to give him his last rites, you’ll have to do it through closed doors. Out of the way, please."

A guard opened the green door. Standing inside, next to a chair with heavy arm straps that was bolted to the floor, was a huge man wearing a half-mask. In his hands he held the garrote.