LITMIR.BIZ

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Colombians.”

      Isaac nodded, then asked, “And is he willing to let us do what it takes to monitor him and make sure he’s on the level?”

      “He said he would allow that, as long as we promise never to burn him. He’ll give us the ship, the dope, and all the bodies we can snag as long as we keep him out of it and promise to seize it before his guys unload it.”

      Isaac shook his head and said, “I never would have believed he would turn.”

      “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Jack. “Won’t cost us that much, and if we take him to Colombia we’ll find out pretty quick if he is being straight with us.”

      “Corruption among the Colombian police forces is rampant. We can’t risk that someone down there might tip off Ramirez that Damien is working for us, if, in fact, he actually is.”

      “Sir, the Colombian government has formed an elite police squad that is proving to be trustworthy. To provide extra safety, we wouldn’t have to tell everyone down there what is going on. As long as the LO has a few people he can trust, we can make it look like we’re targeting Damien. If Ramirez is tipped off, it would still make Damien look legitimate.”

      “If we don’t do this,” said Laura, “I suspect Damien will simply go ahead and import tonnes of cocaine without our knowledge.”

      Isaac let out a deep breath, then said, “Okay, I’ll approve it.”

      “Sir, I don’t anticipate his cooperation unless Laura and I go along as his handlers. We’ve built up a trust.”

      “That goes without saying.” Isaac then pointed his finger at Jack and Laura and said, “But I want full electronic surveillance on him from the time he lands until he returns.”

      “He won’t be able to wear a wire when he meets with Ramirez. They are bound to sweep for bugs.”

      “Then how will we know he’s not deceiving us?”

      “We’ve already discussed this with him. Laura and I are both operators. I could play the part of Damien’s financial consultant and Laura could play the part of his mistress.”

      “He’ll agree to that?” said Isaac, sounding surprised.

      Jack and Laura both nodded their heads.

      “It would also provide the appropriate cover and protection for us to stay in the same hotel as Damien,” said Laura. “We could monitor him closely and pass on information to our people. As Jack said, it would be safer if not everyone knew who we really were.”

      “I agree. Get on it, but I still want you to bring some equipment with you. If there is a chance to record any of this, it could later prove valuable. I’ll leave it up to your discretion if you think an opportunity arises where it is safe to use it. You’ll need to have Damien sign the waiver forms before you go, giving permission for electronic monitoring between the three of you. It will give you a chance to appraise his integrity, even if you decide not to use it. If he refuses to sign it, then I would look at it as a sign that he is trying to deceive us.”

      “I’m sure he won’t object, sir,” said Jack, “as long as there is no chance of it being detected.”

      “Good. You better get started. I’ll notify Drug Section myself. I’ll have them send a team and contact our LO in Bogota to meet you in Cali.”

      “Thank you, sir,” said Jack.

      Isaac looked pensive, then said, “You will both have to tread carefully. Heed the advice from the LO. Colombia averages over a hundred kidnappings a month, mostly Colombians, but some foreigners as well. Safety comes first. If something doesn’t seem right, I want everyone back here, pronto.”

      “Yes, sir,” they replied.

      On the way out of Isaac’s office, Jack leaned over to Laura and whispered, “I hope Elvis likes redheads!”

      Isaac waited until Jack and Laura left his office before placing a call to Drug Section. They would send a team of four.

      Isaac then called Staff Sergeant Legg in the Anti-Corruption Unit. They would be sending representatives as well, in advance and on a separate flight. Elvis would not be one of them.

      Isaac also informed Legg that waiver forms giving permission for electronic monitoring would be signed, with Jack believing that he was in control of whether to use it. Legg smiled. Dirty pool, perhaps ... but legal. In view of this, it was decided that they would also send two men from a more technical unit. Men whose training and reputation indicated they could plant a bug up your butt without you knowing it.

      chapter thirty-five

      It was eleven o’clock at night when Jack, Laura, and Damien checked into their rooms at the Intercontinental Cali Hotel under fake names. Their flight from Vancouver had taken ten and a half hours. It took another hour to clear customs and then half an hour to rent a car. Despite this, with the two-hour time difference and an added boost of adrenalin, none of them felt like sleeping.

      They adjourned to the hotel bar and all ordered a local beer called Aguila. Jack noticed that four members from the Vancouver RCMP Drug Section were already seated in the bar, but they pretended not to know each other. Jack and Laura were scheduled to meet with them the following morning upon the arrival of the RCMP liaison officer stationed in Bogota.

      “Narcs?” asked Damien, with a nod of his head toward the other table.

      Jack nodded silently.

      “They get to pack pieces?”

      “Not allowed,” said Laura. “None of us have any authority to pack heat.”

      “Trust me,” said Jack, “the local authorities covering us will be armed to the teeth.”

      “You, I sort of trust,” said Damien. “The local authorities, I don’t!”

      “Tomorrow, when we meet Ramirez ... how much do you trust him?” asked Laura.

      “Diego? Well, he sounded okay when I called him last week. A little surprised but seemed friendly enough.”

      “We’ve got to do this fast,” said Jack. “In and out quick.”

      “Just like a boy losing his virginity,” said Damien. “You don’t have to tell me. Can you imagine what Carlos would do if he knew I was here? Fuck!” He glanced at Laura and said, “Sorry about that ... but think about it. Carlos is less than an hour’s drive away. I’d be happy if we could fly back tonight!”

      “Any chance of us meeting Ramirez someplace public?” asked Jack.

      “I doubt it,” said Damien. “His place is probably safer. Lots of bodyguards and less chance of some rival trying to take him out. If he did agree to a restaurant, his guards would kick everyone else out and the whole place would be jittery.”

      Jack looked into Laura’s eyes and knew they were both thinking the same thing. If anything went wrong tomorrow, there would be no hope of a cover team being able to extract them — at least, not alive.

      “Down here, you also got to really watch for bikes,” warned Damien. “Small ones, like Yamahas or Suzukis, with two riders. One guy drives and the other one shoots. They can disappear in traffic before the victim hits the ground. Real pros.”

      Jack took a sip of beer and thought about the men who killed Holly’s husband. He knew the sound of motorcycles would haunt her for the rest of her life.

      “I’m going to call it a night,” said Laura. “I want to give Elvis a call before I turn in.”

      Jack nodded. He would call Natasha as well. Tell her how much I love her ... but try not to have her worry...

      It was nine o’clock the following morning when Jack and Laura went to a room two floors above where they were staying

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