LITMIR.BIZ

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smiled and replied, “We will talk after dinner.”

      At eight-thirty, a man arrived and stood quietly in the doorway. Eventually, Ramirez excused himself from the table to talk with him.

      When Ramirez returned, he smiled as he sat down. “I have just been informed,” he said, “that Carlos’s Mercedes, three vans, and two SUVs have left Buga on the road to Palmira. It is estimated that he has thirty men with him.” Ramirez paused to sip his wine and then said, “So many men. Carlos is a coward, is he not?” He added, “Does he think that I am Superman?” and laughed.

      Jack, Laura, and Damien also laughed politely.

      “Now,” said Ramirez, “we have one hour before we should leave. I recommend the dessert tonight. Grilled banana with a rum glaze topped with ice cream.”

      “Sounds good,” said Damien.

      “Ah, my friend,” said Ramirez, looking at Damien, “after tonight I will give you the best price I have given anyone.”

      “That sounds good, too,” said Damien. “After dessert, let’s discuss it further and I will call my men in Canada to arrange the details.”

      Jack glanced at his watch and looked at Laura. What will happen when I meet Carlos? One thing is for sure ... Damien will keep right on going — with me to thank for bargain prices!

      chapter thirty-eight

      Jean-Louie received the report that Ramirez’s Land Rover, accompanied by three Hummers, was leaving the estate.

      “What do ya think?” asked one of the narcs.

      Jean-Louie didn’t respond as he dialled Jack’s cell.

      “Hey, Jack! How are you, my friend? This is John calling from Canada. I hear you are out of the country someplace?”

      “John! Good to hear from you,” replied Jack, relieved that the Land Rover he was in had tinted windows. “I am out of the country. Partying with a friend,” he said, smiling as he glanced at Ramirez. “They really know how to have a good time here. They’re even providing limo service to the guests. How’s it going up there?”

      The call was brief, but when Jack hung up, Ramirez looked at him and said, “No more calls ... for any of you.”

      Jack glanced at Laura and Damien, who stared ahead in silence. There was no mistaking the icy tone in Ramirez’s voice. The remaining half-hour trip to Palmira was made in silence.

      As they approached Palmira, Jack looked around and realized that their small convoy had become well spaced. None of the Hummers were in sight.

      Ramirez watched Jack, then smiled and said, “You are observant, my friend. If Carlos has men watching for me to arrive in Palmira, it is better if he thinks I do not have security.”

      Ramirez might have been right. At the outskirts to the city an SUV appeared to follow loosely behind them. It only took minutes for Ramirez’s driver to lose him in traffic.

      “The dog does not want to alert the chickens too soon,” observed Ramirez, wiping the palms of his hands together in anticipation. He looked at Jack and said, “They will rely on you to tell them where I have gone. We will park my Land Rover at the villa to bait the trap. I have another vehicle there too.”

      Ramirez paused to take a call on his cell. When he hung up, he said, “Good! Carlos’s Mercedes and two of his vans have been seen driving near the church.”

      Jack realized that he was holding his breath and slowly started to exhale. I almost feel disappointed that he showed up. Great time to think that this isn’t such a good idea!

      A short time later, they slowly drove past a row of buildings. Most were homes, with about half of them in darkness. Others had a few lights on, including the occasional porch light.

      Some noise and a bustling of activity came from one building in the centre of the block with an Aguila sign above the door. The street had no sidewalks, but a few people could be seen walking along the edges of the road. Just past the bar, the road turned to dirt. The Land Rover slowed and turned onto a single-lane bridge that spanned a creek, marking the entrance to a driveway.

      The dirt driveway led up to a modest two-storey building. They parked and Jack walked around the villa. With the exception of a small mango grove behind the home, there were few trees for protection. A short distance away from the side of the villa was a small shed where some of Ramirez’s men waited. It was a perfect place for an ambush.

      “What do you think, my friends?” asked Ramirez.

      Damien smiled and slapped Ramirez on the back and said, “I like it. You have done well!”

      “Good. When it is over, I will have my men pile the bodies like a monument. It will be a symbol for those who cross me!”

      Damien smiled and said, “I think your competition will get the message.”

      “We will go to the plaza now,” replied Ramirez.

      “I would like to stay here,” said Damien. “If one of your men would lend me a gun, I would like to be here when Carlos arrives.”

      “But it is not your fight,” said Ramirez, looking puzzled. “It is me he wishes to kill! Besides, it is too dangerous. Carlos will enter the villa, and then my men will switch on the lights when they climb the staircase. There will be much shooting.”

      “It was me he insulted,” replied Damien, “when he told me to risk Laura’s life. I consider it a matter of honour to take part in his execution. I hope he sees my face when he dies.”

      Ramirez stared intently at Damien but did not respond.

      “I could hide out here, under the bridge,” said Damien. “If Carlos tries to run back, then I will be waiting.”

      Ramirez relented, shrugging his shoulders and said, “As you wish!”

      “Speaking of shooting,” interjected Jack, “should I be forced to go with Carlos into the villa, let your men know that as soon as the lights go on, this gringo will drop to the floor. They’ll have about two seconds of surprise to shoot everyone standing. Make sure they know who I am!”

      Ramirez chuckled and said, “Don’t worry. I will tell them not to shoot you!” He then spoke with his men and Jack watched as Damien was handed a snub-nosed, five-shot .38-calibre revolver.

      “It is all that is available,” said Ramirez. “It will not penetrate Carlos’s car, but maybe if any of Carlos’s men escape you will find a use for it.”

      Jack pondered over Damien’s unexpected decision as he and Laura were driven back to the centre of the city. A true survivor. If things go wrong he has a chance to escape.

      Twenty minutes later, Ramirez ordered his driver to park in an alley before turning to Jack and saying, “Walk to the end of the street. You will see the steeple. It is only two blocks away. A couple of my men will be watching.”

      Jack nodded.

      “Do not worry,” said Ramirez. “If you must go with him inside the villa, my men have been told not to shoot the gringo.”

      “If Carlos knows that it is a trap, it will not be necessary for me to worry about your men,” replied Jack.

      “By the time that happens, Carlos will be dead. He must trust you, or he wouldn’t have asked you to carry out this mission. I am sure that you will be permitted to remain outside. Perhaps you could wait in the bar down the street.”

      Jack nodded silently.

      “You seem troubled,” said Ramirez, looking at him closely. “Perhaps there is something I do not know about? Between you and Carlos?”

      Jack shook his head and said, “I’m just the cautious type.” He then glanced at Laura and said,

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