LITMIR.BIZ

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and Laura both forced themselves to smile when Damien stopped at the guard house at the entrance to the Ramirez estate. One guard, carrying an M16A1 automatic rifle, checked their faces carefully while another guard used a telephone. Moments later, the electronic gate opened and they were allowed to proceed.

      The estate was treed with a variety of pine, teak, and palm trees. The long driveway that eventually meandered up to the mansion was lined with palm trees. Jack and Laura caught glimpses of guards, with M16s slung over their shoulders, patrolling the grounds.

      Jack grimaced. Jean-Louie was right. We’re on our own. He exchanged glances with Laura and Damien. He knew they were thinking the same thing. All we have is each other...

      Introductions were made inside the front entrance to the mansion. Above their heads hung a chandelier that was slightly larger than a Volkswagen.

      Ramirez was cordial, spoke excellent English, and his eyes sparkled when he met Laura. Jack guessed that he was about sixty years old. He was a tall, solid-looking man with grey hair that contrasted sharply with his dark skin. He had a long ponytail that made his balding head more obvious. Despite the heat and the humidity, he was dressed in a long-sleeved silk shirt and slacks. Leather sandals adorned his feet.

      They were ushered out to the rear of the mansion, past an Olympic-sized pool where a bevy of young and beautiful women either lay on lounge chairs or cooled themselves in the water. Most wore thong bikinis and some had elected to go topless.

      Minutes later, they took a seat in a gazebo and drinks were offered. Both Jack and Laura chose a Chilean Riesling, while Damien settled for a beer. Ramirez also chose the Riesling.

      Conversation was light until after the waiter poured the wine and placed an Aguila beer in front of Damien. As soon as he had left, Ramirez looked at Damien and said, “So, amigo, you have brought ... your friends with you on this trip?”

      “They’re acquainted with the business,” replied Damien. “Jack here is good with numbers.”

      “Numbers?” asked Ramirez.

      “I am like a gardener,” said Jack. “I know how to make them grow ... safely.”

      Ramirez laughed, then raised his glass to salute Jack. As he took a sip, he paused to look at Laura and asked, “And you, my beautiful lady. Why is it that you are here?”

      “Oh, I’m just here to help murder you,” said Laura.

      Ramirez’s eyes widened and he spit wine from his mouth while signalling to a nearby guard who quickly dropped his weapon from his shoulder.

      “Christ!” said Damien.

      “Oh! I’m sorry,” said Laura, looking at Ramirez. “I take it that Damien has not explained that part to you?”

      Ramirez gestured for his guard to wait while Damien quickly explained the situation. When he was finished, Ramirez looked at the three of them and said, “So ... this worthless dog, Carlos, he has hired a beautiful woman to lure me away to be murdered.”

      Jack studied Ramirez’s face as he spoke. His words were calm, sounding matter-of-fact. His face revealed his true feelings. Despite his dark skin, there was a noticeable redness, and the tendons in his neck protruded slightly more than usual. He was clearly angered.

      “We’ve rented a place nearby,” said Jack, “called Maria’s Cabinas. We thought we would tell Carlos that Laura had lured you there.”

      “This does not seem right to me,” said Ramirez, while scratching his chin and frowning. He looked at Damien and said, “I have heard that after we last met you went to Carlos to do business. Is that correct?”

      “That’s correct,” replied Damien. “His prices were a little better than yours.”

      “So why do you not still do business with him? Why come to me?”

      “When he saw Laura, I think it gave him an idea. Obviously this was something he intended to do but had not yet figured out how, until now.”

      “You have not answered what I asked! Why do you not work for him?”

      “His price was cheaper ... but my instincts say not to trust him. He only thinks of himself. He wants to have Laura in the room with you when he and his men decide to attack. He wants her to stand in the window and give a signal. When I mentioned I was concerned for her safety, he threatened me.” Damien then clenched his fist on the table and added, “I will not be threatened ... by anyone!”

      Ramirez appeared unimpressed and said, “But Carlos would know that I would not travel to such a ... rendezvous ... without protection,” said Ramirez.

      “He thought if you believed that Laura was my woman,” said Damien, “so as to be discreet, you would not surround yourself with bodyguards.”

      Ramirez did not respond and looked perplexed.

      “You do not think that I would be worthy of such a rendezvous?” asked Laura mischievously.

      Ramirez blushed, then chuckled and said, “For such a beautiful lady as you,” he said, “I would meet you in Carlos’s own bedroom.” Ramirez paused and added, “After he was dead, of course!”

      Everyone laughed. Ramirez then excused himself from the table for a few minutes. When he returned, he asked, “Whose idea was it to rent a place in Cali — Maria’s Cabinas?”

      “Mine,” said Jack. “I thought it would be convenient for you. I have not told Carlos about it yet.”

      “So it is you who talks with Carlos?” asked Ramirez.

      “Carlos wanted you to think you were having an affair behind Damien’s back. As it would appear that the situation does not involve me, it would be easier for me to converse with Carlos.”

      “I do not think that he would dare try to do this so close to where I live. If he made a mistake ... the road back to Buga would become very long. I will pick another location. Palmira would be good. He will feel safer there.”

      “Palmira?” asked Laura. “Where is it?”

      “Cali, Buga, and Palmira ... think of it as a triangle on the map,” said Ramirez. “Buga is to the north and Palmira is to the northeast. All three cities join each other and are all less than an hour away. Buga belongs — no, used to belong — to Carlos. I enjoy the business in Cali. Palmira will be a good spot. He will not be so suspicious there.”

      “I spoke to Carlos this morning,” said Jack. “I told him that tonight was the only opportunity. I was afraid that if we stalled, he might choose some other means. He is expecting me to call and let him know.”

      Ramirez nodded and said, “The sooner we take care of this problem, the better it will be. Allow me a couple of hours to make some arrangements, then you can call Carlos.”

      “I would prefer to call him from our hotel,” said Jack. “I could appear to be more open with him then. Perhaps you could phone me later and give me a location to tell Carlos?”

      “The three of you will be my guests for dinner tonight. Seven o’clock. You will phone him after that. It will give me time to make preparations.”

      Jack knew that the dinner invitation, like the call he was to make, was an order and not a request. He nodded in agreement and said, “Perhaps I will tell Carlos that you are having a party tonight. I’ll tell him that Damien is drunk or has passed out. Laura will say she has a headache and ask you to escort her home. He will understand.”

      Ramirez smiled and said, “Very good, my new friend. Very good.”

      For the next half-hour, the conversation around the table was light. Ramirez bragged about the abilities of his chef and the various paintings and statues he had acquired. Jack saw that his eyes frequently glanced in Laura’s direction and knew that something was on his mind. Soon it was revealed.

      “Have you dyed

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