He told her that what she was saying was very serious, that accusing Don Erasmo without proof was dangerous, that it could cost her her life. Catalina replied that she had proof, that the body was there chained up and anyone could see it, that the gold was hidden there and that Don Erasmo had admitted it himself. Father Anselmo sighed deeply and stood up. He told her that if what she was saying was true, then they had to act quickly before Don Erasmo suspected anything.
He told her he knew someone in the city, an honest judge who wasn’t on the chieftain’s payroll and who could help them, but they needed time and, in the meantime, Catalina had to stay hidden, avoid drawing attention to herself, and not do anything that would put her in danger. Catalina agreed, but asked him for one more favor. She asked him to give her some food for her children because they had nothing left. Father Anselmo agreed and gave her a bag with bread, dried cheese, and a few wrinkled apples left over from the previous year’s harvest.
Catalina took the bag, thanked him with tears in her eyes, and left the priest’s house unnoticed. But someone did see her. From the window of the store, Don Roque, the shopkeeper, had been watching. And as soon as Catalina disappeared down the road, Don Roque ran to Don Erasmo’s ranch, eager to tell him that the widow had been snooping around, asking questions, talking to the priest. Don Roque knew that Don Erasmo paid well for information, and Don Roque needed the money.
