Shadows Of The Past

DISTURBING NEWS

Daniela stretched out in bed, yawning as the sun filtered in through her bedroom. Summer had begun in Spain, and she savoured the early light. She rose from bed, put on a dressing gown and rubbed her eyes. Still tired, she regretted staying up late last night, talking with Blanca about her business expansion plans. Her phone by the bedside displayed six o’clock as she went to the kitchen and put bread in the toaster. Once it popped up, she spread jam on it, then pulled out a cup and poured espresso coffee with low-fat milk. While sipping on her steaming coffee, her friend and housemate, Blanca, came in.

“Hey, how did you sleep?” Blanca walked zombie-like into the kitchen, yawning. She dropped a slice of bread into the toaster.

“Okay, I guess.” Daniela answered, scanning her roommate. “I haven’t seen Carlos in a while. How are things between you guys?”

Blanca buttered her toast and sat across from her. She held the cup with both hands and blew on her coffee. “He’s been busy with his photography business, but we’ve been great. I love him more every day. Who would have thought he’d move here?”

Daniela leaned forward. “I am amazed at how you two met in Brazil and now you’re both back here. That’s true love.”

She smiled. “It is, and you will find yours soon.”

Daniela shook her head. “I love your idealism, girl. But no. The man who will stay loyal to me is not out there”

Blanca finished her coffee. “Not all men are like your father, Daniela.”

She winced. Why ruin her morning, thinking about a man who stopped caring for his wife and two daughters? She had moved on with her life.

Daniela’s phone rang. “Hey, Mum. What’s up?” Silence. “Mum? Are you there?”

Sobs filled the line. “Dani. Can you come over please?”

Her chest tightened. Something wasn’t right. “Is Eva okay?”

“Eva’s fine, darling. But please. Come over. The police need to speak to you, and I don’t want to tell you over the phone. Just get here.” The police! Before she could reply, her mother ended the call.

Daniela felt a heaviness deep in the pit of her stomach. “I have to go, Blanca. Would you mind ringing Sofia and getting her to take over at the dance studio for me today?”

Blanca nodded. “Of course. What happened?”

Daniela put her dishes in the sink. “I don’t know, but my mum’s upset about something. She wouldn’t tell me over the phone. Probably because she thinks I’ll have an accident if I hear bad news. Anyway, I’ll talk to you later.” Rushing to her room, she quickly dressed, then jumped into her sporty car and drove as fast as she could.

She reached her mother and sister’s home in Puente De Vallecas in fifteen minutes. She wondered why a police car was parked at the curb. The warm wind brushed her flushed cheeks as she walked up the cracked concrete path. Waiting on the doorstep, she felt as if she was being watched. She shrugged it off, and after what felt like an hour, her mother answered the door.

Her mother, Adriana, ran a hand through her wavy, shoulder-length hair; black tinged with grey. Wispy strands had fallen to the sides of her face and her eyes were blood-shot.

Adriana wrapped her in her arms, holding her tight.

“Mother, what is it?” She pulled away and followed her mother to the kitchen where two police officers sat at the table, holding cups of coffee.

They rose, looking glum. One officer was short and mousy-looking, while the other was average height with freckles and a moustache.

The short officer said, “I’m Officer Rodriguez.”

“And I’m Officer Fernandez.” He looked briefly at his partner. “We are very sorry to inform you that your father died late last night.”

Daniela’s legs wobbled as if she’d fall any minute. Fernandez held her arms and led her to the chair. Her vision blurred and nausea overcame her. Surely, she hadn’t heard right. “What did you say?”

Fernandez’s expression softened. “Your father appeared to have died in his sleep from unknown causes. We are very sorry for your loss.”

Daniela turned to her mother who poured out fresh tears. “Was he sick? He couldn’t have just died from unknown causes. Will there be an autopsy?”

Rodriguez nodded. “Yes, there will be an autopsy due to the sudden nature of his death. We can keep you abreast of the results. But for now, we have to ask you a few questions.”

Daniela’s body turned numb. She didn’t know how to feel, as she had after her father had left them. Her mother joined her at the table and held her hand. The officers sat down again, making the kitchen appear even more cramped than usual. “We haven’t seen my father for six years, so I don’t know what to tell you.”

Rodriguez nodded. “We need to rule out foul play. We’d like your perspective about your father’s departure from your home. Do you know why he left? We asked your mother, but we need your perspective. You might have understood something else entirely.”

Daniela briefly closed her eyes, thinking back to the night before he left. “He said goodnight to me in bed the night before and kissed me many times. I didn’t understand then why he was so affectionate, but I understand it now. He was saying goodbye, but he was too gutless to tell me to my face.”

“I see,” said Rodriguez. “Has he been in touch with you recently?”

Daniela knit her brows. “No, I haven’t heard from him. I had no idea of his whereabouts, Officer. What he did in the last three years is a mystery.”

Her mother leaned forward. “Are all these questions really necessary? My daughter and I would like to grieve in private.”

Fernandez intervened. “It is protocol that we question all family members, and to rule you both out as suspects. We will need to return to question your other daughter. Do you know what time she’ll be returning from her work trip? You mentioned that she will be back tonight?”

“Yes, Officer,” said her mother. “At around nine o’clock, but she won’t have anything new to tell you.”

Fernandez nodded. “We are still bound by law to return and question all family members. We also found something of interest in his home.” He sipped the last of his coffee, then put the cup down. “A crossword puzzle by his side in bed. It had been completed, and Daniela’s name was written on it. Did he like crossword puzzles?”

Her mother nodded. “He enjoyed crosswords, and used to do them with Daniela sometimes. It was their bonding time.” She whimpered and bowed her head.

Daniela sighed. “It might have been an old puzzle we did together.”

The officers stood. “We’ll be in touch with the autopsy results,” said Rodriguez. “Once we can release the body, you can make funeral arrangements.”

Daniela closed the door behind them, threw herself into her mother’s arms and cried her heart out.

NEWS STORY

Rafael carried the worst hangover of his life into the office of Le Vardadera Noticia newspaper. He had spent the evening before watching football on TV and drinking scotch after scotch with his friend and boss. He took a few deep breaths, and rubbed his temples to soothe the stabbing pain and throb in the back of his head as he sat at his desk. At least he was the first in the office that morning and could enjoy the quiet. Soon, the long grey desks would fill with the other reporters and editors, and a hubbub of activity and noise.

Curtains drawn across the windows blocked out the morning light, except for those at the far end of the room, which gave a view of the Madrid city centre. Thankfully, the carpet muffled the footsteps as staff members dribbled into the newsroom. Someone flicked on the lights hanging from the ceiling and brightened the room.

Rafael needed strong coffee. Legs unsteady, he walked to the staff room, put a mug in the machine and clicked the button for an espresso. He closed his eyes to savour the bitter liquid that warmed his stomach. With a shaky hand, he returned to his desk to check his emails.

While deleting spam, the subject line of one email seized his attention: embezzlement. When he opened it, he saw that the message was a one-liner: Not who he appeared to be. It came with an attachment, a spreadsheet file. Who’d be sending him emails about this type of subject? Or it might be a prank. He got a lot of those in his spam messages.

He ran the malware-checking program, and when it was done and opened the verified file, Rafael saw financial statements. Every week for three years, someone named Abel Lopez had deposited two hundred Euros into a cash account. It amounted to a lot of money. Small amounts so as not to be noticed, but it was clear that the money was coming from a financial analyst company he recognized. Finanzas de Armonia. He didn’t know who Abel Lopez was, but he resolved to find out.

Footsteps interrupted his thoughts. “Hi Rafael. You’re in earlier than usual,” Blanca said as she walked in, looking pale. He enjoyed working with Blanca. She was an amazing journalist with strong ethics and a can-do attitude. She worked on human interest stories, and the hectic pace of a daily newspaper meant he never knew what she was writing about until the article appeared in print. “Do you ever sleep?”

Rafael decided to keep the mysterious email to himself until he figured out what it was about. “Of course, I do,” he answered, closing the file as she approached his desk. “I get at least four hours a night. Plenty for me to get enough energy for the next day. What about you? Getting little sleep, too, I’d say by the looks of those dark circles under your eyes. Is Carlos keeping you up at night?”

Blanca chuckled. “Seriously? My private life with Carlos is none of your concern,” she said jokingly. “What are you looking at?”

He shrugged. “Nothing.” He picked up research notes from his in-tray. “I have to finish the article about that burglary. Not to mention a hundred other things I need to do; ringing sources, verifying facts, that sort of stuff.”

Blanca nodded. “I hear you, but take a break, too. I’m sure Fernando will understand that you have a life.” She headed to the staff room.

Rafael returned to his computer, searching for the finance company he had read about in one of the earlier editions of the newspaper. He found the firm, Finanzas de Armonia. Clicking Services on the top menu, he scanned the names of the staff, but he didn’t find Abel Lopez. This had to be the company, but the man must no longer work for them. Slouching, he did an internet search for Abel Lopez, but all he found were news stories about awards and accolades he’d received for his work as a financial analyst and saving companies who were on the brink of bankruptcy. That was ironic if he embezzled as the email claimed.

His phone buzzed, the display showing his boss and drinking buddy, Fernando. “Hey, man. What’s up? It’s only seven-thirty.”

“I’m texting you an address. We have a story. Can’t explain now. Get to it.”

“On it, boss.” He ended the call and headed to the underground car park. He still couldn’t decide whether the email was a lead, or fake news. He got false leads all the time and he didn’t plan on wasting his time on trolls.

As he drove his black Audi to the address in Fernando’s text, he wondered whether his friend ever slept. This wasn’t the first time he’d called this early in the morning for a story. But he appreciated the early calls from Fernando as they usually meant an important assignment, and he’d want Rafael to get into the story before the rival newspapers.

As a journalist, Rafael thrived on investigating controversial topics, and used his contacts in the police department as well as other sources to verify statements. He had developed a reputation as the reporter who got stories fast enough for the next day’s newspaper. His beat was general news, and he wanted to be known for his balanced stories. He had won an award for a story about a political protest.

Rafael preferred to delve deeper into crime stories, but sometimes wondered whether it was heartless of him to hope for people’s suffering so he could get that bigger and better story.

At his destination in the centre of Madrid, Rafael saw police officers outside a villa-like, two-storey house, talking to an older woman who wiped her eyes and shook her head. Neighbours on either side watched.

He made a beeline for the young neighbour on the right side of the house. She had blue eyes and wore a dressing gown. She had to have heard something.

“Hello, Miss. I’m Rafael, a reporter from Le Vardadera Noticia. Do you know what happened here?”

She nodded. “I overheard the housekeeper saying that Abel was dead.”

Rafael’s blood turned cold and he ignored the tightness in his chest. “I’m sorry, did you say Abel? What was his surname, and did you know the man?”

She tightened the belt on her robe and looked at the house. “I did know him, and the surname is Lopez. Abel Lopez.” She sighed and placed a hand over her chin. “He was a nice man who kept to himself. He was always busy with his work but always said hello when we saw each other outside. It’s such a shock.” She focused on the front entrance of her house as a little boy wandered outside. “Listen, I wish I could tell you more. But I need to go.”

He nodded. “Thank you for your time.” Rafael waited until the older woman he assumed was the housekeeper stepped away from the officers. “Excuse me, miss.” He introduced himself. “Can you tell me what happened here?”

The lady’s hands shook and her high ponytail fell down in a tangled mess as she threaded her hands through the back of it. She appeared to be in her sixties. “Abel was a good man, and did not deserve this. Not at all. I clean his house twice a week.” Tears streamed down her cheeks. “This morning, I arrived to find him dead in his bed. The police don’t know what happened, but they will investigate. Oh, dear Lord! He was such a nice man and so young, too. How could he die like this? Such a shame. On his own. No family by his side.”

“Do you know how it happened?”

She shook her head roughly. “No, I don’t know. The police will investigate. Sorry, but I have to go.”

He handed her a business card. “If you remember anything else, please call me.”

The lady nodded. “Such a shame really. Too young to die.” She rushed off and got into a compact car, sniffling all the way.

He had the makings of a big story here if this death wasn’t accidental or natural, but who had sent him that email about the victim?

FRIENDSHIP

Daniela sat with her hands clasped in her lap, watching people enter the restaurant. Sunlight streamed through the wide bay windows, illuminating paintings of famous artists and celebrities on the walls. Rough-timber tables came with matching chairs. She took a deep breath on seeing a towering man whose eyes briefly bore into hers. Wearing a well-pressed suit, he strutted to the counter. The man reminded her of her father. She didn’t need to dwell on such reminders and shook those thoughts away to concentrate on the menu.

It had been a week since the police had told her about her father’s death under suspicious circumstances, but she still awaited the autopsy results. She had to keep living her life and not think about a man who had abandoned them six years ago. Leaving without a word. Without a note. Without an explanation.

Over the years, she had racked her brain to figure out what had caused him to leave, but she couldn’t think of anything. It had been unlike him to leave like that, especially after he’d quit drinking alcohol. He’d changed.

She pressed a finger to her temple to soothe the tension in her head as Blanca and another friend, Kim, headed towards her. She rose to hug them both.

“I want to say again, Daniela, how sorry I am about your father,” Kim said. “Are you okay?” Kim sat across the table, her dark brown eyes and full, pouting lips displaying a sweet and innocent attractiveness. Her family was Chinese and had arrived in Madrid when she was a young child. Jet black hair draped neatly down her shoulders.

Blanca’s green eyes burned into Daniela’s. “I wish I could do more for you.”

Daniela gave her a reassuring smile, a warmth penetrating her chest. She didn’t know what she’d do without her friends. They had both endured their own traumas. “I am meeting with my sister and mum later tonight, having a few friends and family over to give their condolences.” She rubbed her hands together and fought the sharp pain in her back. “I still can’t believe it. After all these years, he dares to come back into our lives only to crush us again.

Kim leaned forward, her dainty fingers resting underneath her chin. “The autopsy results will give you answers.”

Blanca squared her shoulders. “I am sorry about that article by my colleague, Rafael. If I had known what he was writing, I would have put a stop to it. But the information checks out, Daniela.”

A slim waitress approached. Blanca ordered hot chocolate, and the others ordered coffee and sweets to share.

Daniela turned to Blanca. “It’s not your fault, but the jerk could have waited until we had a bit of time to grieve. It was out there straight off the bat, him embezzling money and getting away with it for all these years. I hate not only my father, but that damn reporter, too. I hate him with a passion.” Bile rose in her throat. “If I never meet that jerk you work with, it’ll be too soon.” She didn’t want to be associated with a man who supposedly embezzled money. Shame overwhelmed her as she thought about her father possibly committing a crime. She clenched her fists and briefly closed her eyes to shut off the burning pain in her chest.

Kim shook her head. “This will die down, Daniela. Give it time.” She caressed her friend’s hand, offering a reassuring smile.

She bowed, staring into her hands. “What I don’t get is that my father put money into our accounts a couple of years back, with strict instructions to a lawyer that it not be returned. We didn’t know how to find him anyway. I deposited the money into an investment account, and it’s earned some interest. I felt guilty about the money, but then I thought, hell, he abandoned us for no reason. Why shouldn’t he have contributed and helped us succeed in life?” She shook her head. “I don’t understand why he would embezzle money when he made a good living in his profession.”

Blanca nodded. “I hear you, Dani, but I am sure you’ll eventually get answers.”

Daniela tried to make sense of that article, ignoring the chills in her spine. “You mentioned your colleague had a source, but how reliable is it?”

“It was backed up by your father’s employer, who did their own investigating, not to mention the proof in the paperwork. I am sorry.”

Daniela frowned, her eyes darkening. She was about to speak up when the waitress brought over their hot drinks and churros. When she had walked away, Daniela leaned forward. “I just have to put it out of my mind. Clear my head and think about other things. Tonight, I’ll be there for my family. Then when we have the funeral, we’ll give him a proper send-off. In spite of what he did, he was still my father.”

Blanca nodded. “As Kim said, give yourself the time to grieve, and know that we’re here for you.” Her eyes focused on Kim for a moment as if they were hiding a secret.

Daniela stared. “What’s going on?”

Blanca glanced nervously at her before refocusing on Kim. “I spoke to Rafael, and he wants to apologise for writing that article so soon.”

Daniela ignored the tightness in her chest and quivering hands. “I don’t need an apology. What’s done is done, and I just need to move on.”

Blanca’s eyes turned a shade darker. “He insists on meeting you to apologise.”

Daniela sipped her drink, thinking about the other articles this reporter had written. He was a gifted writer, but that didn’t mean she had to like him for aggravating their grief. “Fine. I’ll give him a damn piece of my mind, then hopefully he’ll stay out of my way and not write anything else about my father.”

Blanca smiled. “I will set a time for him to come over. Thanks, Daniela. He’s not a bad guy. A bit ambitious, but he’s been nice to me since I’ve known him.”

Kim shifted. “Listen, why don’t you start back at my yoga studio? I have the perfect class for you next week. You need to destress. What do you think?”

Daniela smiled. “Maybe. We’ll see.” She needed the distraction. But she wasn’t looking forward to meeting this reporter, Rafael. He sounded t too ambitious and cut-throat for her liking.

GRIEF

Daniela opened the front door nervously to see a tall man with jet-black hair in a crew cut that brought out his dark, piercing brown eyes. His large hands held a manila folder, and the way his tight black jeans and white, fitted shirt pressed against his well-toned muscles made her stomach tingle. His awkward smile brought out the dimples in his cheeks.

What was she doing? This guy was the enemy, and she was checking him out like he was a piece of meat to be eaten.

Where was Blanca? She had organised this meeting. Daniela needed support and refused to talk to this arrogant man on her own. Taking a deep breath, she was about to shut the door when Blanca came out from within the house, giving her a reassuring smile.

Blanca pushed forward and hugged the tall man. “Rafael. Good to see you. Come in.” She brought him to their sofa and sat beside him while Daniela sat on the armchair opposite. “This is my dear friend, Daniela.” She faced her colleague. “This is Rafael Martin.”

Rafael rose slightly and put out his hand. “Pleased to meet you, Daniela. I am sorry for your loss” She turned away and ignored it. His eyes bore into her own.

“Just say your damn piece and then leave,” Daniela said.

Blanca cleared her throat. “Why don’t I make us a cup of coffee.” She went to the kitchen, leaving them alone.

Daniela’s body shook as if she was cold, but the air in the room was warm. “Kindly explain to me why you’d tarnish a dead man’s name when his family is grieving?”

Rafael pressed his hands into his legs, glancing after Blanca as if she could rescue him. “I apologise, but I was just doing my job. It’s the name of the game, and I had facts to back it up. It was not a baseless article, but a factual one.” He shifted. “It’s my job and I do it well.” He played with the collar of his shirt and avoided her eyes.

Daniela couldn’t believe the arrogance that seemed to ooze from him. He does it well? “You know, it could have waited until we’d processed the news. My father had his faults, but he was a good man. And I wonder if you do have your facts straight.”

He angled his head. “So good that he left his family. Interesting perspective.”

Daniela pushed down her rage, clenching her hands and gritting her teeth. She had to compose herself or she didn’t know what she’d say. What was taking Blanca so long? “You do not know anything about my father. Not a clue, Mr. Martin.”

He pressed his lips together and narrowed his eyes. Rubbing the back of his neck, he fixed his eyes hard on Daniela. “I know how to do my job, Ms. Lopez, and that is reporting the facts. I don’t need you telling me what I should and shouldn’t write.”

Blanca returned with a tray and set it on the table. She handed both Rafael and Daniela cups of coffee. The doorbell rang and she rushed to the door. “That’ll be Carlos.”

Carlos walked in, pressed his body against Blanca’s and kissed her long and hard. He pulled away from her and flicked his dark hair out of his eyes. “Hi, Daniela.” She smiled at him and he kissed her on the cheek. He was a man with principles, and his love for Blanca shone through. Then he slapped Rafael on the shoulder. “It’s good to see you, man.”

Rafael stood up and shook Carlos’s hand. “Hey, Carlos. How’s the photography business going?” Daniela wasn’t surprised that they knew each other, as Carlos visited Blanca at the newspaper often.

“It’s doing well. Luiz is keeping it going in Brazil. We make it work.” He cleared his throat. “We might consider expanding the business soon into other countries. You can join us if you like.” He sat next to Blanca and brought her hand to his lips. She blushed.

Oh, young love. Daniela remembered how she thought she had loved her ex-boyfriend, Esteban. But he had proved to be like her father. Abandoned her without a reason, other than saying he needed to find himself and wasn’t ready to commit. He had broken her heart, but she recovered well, resolving that she would no longer let herself be pulled into love without following her intuition.

Rafael laughed. “I have a marketing background, Carlos, but those days are long behind me. I love investigative reporting.”

“Speaking of marketing …” Blanca turned to Daniela. “My friend here is planning to expand her business. She has a dance school that’s doing well. You might be able to give her some pointers on how to promote it better.”

Daniela glared at her friend. How could she do such a thing? “I do not need help. Especially from a man who doesn’t have any principles.”

Rafael’s face tightened and he crossed his arms. “I have principles, but I write about the facts. Emotions do not play a part in good reporting. I believe you should know that.”

Daniela scoffed. “But how about providing a balanced perspective regarding a man who had a family and worked hard in his job? Why not report on that?” She didn’t let him respond. “Oh, I know. Because that wouldn’t sell newspapers, would it?”

Carlos looked at Blanca with a raised eyebrow. “Daniela, I know I have said this before, but I am so sorry for your loss. Emotions are running high now. We need to take a breather here.”

Blanca frowned. “I am sorry, guys. I shouldn’t have done this so soon. Daniela, you’re still grieving, and I rushed this meeting.” She gave Rafael a reassuring smile. “Maybe we can do this another time, Rafael. I’m sorry, but Daniela needs time.”

Daniela got up and put her hands on her hips, fighting back tears. “I do not need time, Blanca. I know a self-absorbed, egotistical man when I see one. He’s just like—” Why was she about to mention Esteban? It was none of this creep’s business. If she never saw him again, it would be too soon. “Sorry, Blanca, Carlos, but I can’t do this.” She scurried out of the living room, down the corridor and into her room, and slammed the door behind her. Throwing herself on the bed, she let the tears fall.

NEW ARTICLE

Rafael tapped out an outline for a new article a few days later. The clicking of his computer keyboard mingled with the voices of other reporters, some on the phone, while others chatted to co-workers about new stories. He could also hear the digital subscription team having a meeting in a nearby conference room.

He’d spent the day after meeting with Daniela fuming and wondering how she could be that angry with him. More was going on with her, and he’d been in the firing line. How dare she say those things to him when she didn’t even know him? Assuming he was arrogant and had no principles. He had principles, but he also had a job to do, and he planned to do bigger and better things in his career. Another award or two wouldn’t go astray. Daniela would not foil his ambitions just because she was grieving and couldn’t see straight. He had a story and went with it. It was his job and she had no right to tell him how to do it.

Since that day, he’d had trouble sleeping. Her long, dark brown hair tied up in a low ponytail, her green eyes boring into his. She might be attractive, but she had no tact. So what if she had a trim and toned body to die for? He wasn’t falling for that.

He stared at the screen, struggling to focus on his next words when someone tugged on his shoulder. He turned to see the short, stout form of his editor hovering over him. Fernando was thirty-five, five years older than him, but they got along well both personally and professionally. “How are you coming along with that article about Abel Lopez? We needed it yesterday, buddy.” His friend rubbed his bushy eyebrows.

Rafael nodded. “It’s coming along, but I have to get this right. His daughter hates me for tarnishing his name in the last article.”

Fernando’s eyes narrowed as he played with his stubble. “I hear you, but if we don’t get this out today, it won’t make production for the morning’s edition. Get a move on, Rafael. We have other news stories to cover.”

“If you leave me alone, I will get to it, Nando.”

Fernando scoffed and put up his hand, directing his attention to a features editor sitting behind him. “I am coming, Alma. Do not miss my charming presence so soon.” His friend was conventionally handsome, married with two children, but he liked to flirt with some of the female staff, and they tolerated it.

Blanca returned from the break room and sat at her desk, facing Rafael’s. She looked radiant in her flowing, cotton dress. Love with Carlos showed. “Thanks for doing this article, Rafael. I’m sure Daniela will appreciate it. I hope you don’t mind doing it, but it can repair things. Abel was a good man.”

He turned to her and rested his back against his chair. “She’d better appreciate it. Otherwise, she’ll have my head in a guillotine.”

Blanca pulled out research notes from her drawer, placed them on to a document holder next to her screen and started typing. “Daniela’s still hurting, so be kind. I imagine you’re still questioning the source of those documents about the money?”

He stopped typing. “An anonymous source bothers me, Blanca, but it also checks out. Lopez appeared to embezzle the funds, but I don’t know who the source is. It had to be someone working with him. I’ve asked around and no one at the company seems to know anything about who could have sent me those financial statements.”

Blanca tilted her head, typing as she talked. “It is weird, that’s for sure. But I imagine it’s someone who has a reason for doing what he did. Either to ease his or her conscience, or because they hated Abel with a vengeance. It doesn’t matter whether it turned out to be true or not.”