Читать книгу Dying for You - BEVERLY BARTON, Beverly Barton - Страница 11

“I AM NALDO SALAZAR, Senorita Bedell,” the man told her, his voice deep and soft. “I mean you no harm. But I must speak to you. Privately.”

“Then why not set up an appointment with me?” Cara asked. “You’re a friend of the Delgado family. You could visit with me at Felipe and Suelita’s home—”

“No, that is no advisable. At present, I am—” he searched for the correct term “—persona non grata. Since losing the presidential election, it has become necessary for me to, as you Americans say, go underground. I do not wish to create problems for my friends, those such as Felipe and Suelita, who might put themselves in danger by welcoming me into their home.”

“I don’t pretend to understand the complexities of Amecan politics, senor,” Cara said. “But accosting me in this manner is hardly the way to gain my approval.”

“I apologize, but I had little choice. If perhaps you will allow me to ride with you for a few miles and my men follow in a separate car, I can explain. You may have your guards check me for weapons, if you like, before we leave.”

Lucie could tell that Cara was considering this man’s request. An uneasy feeling settled in the pit of her stomach. Before she had a chance to voice her opinion, Cara instructed Jason to frisk Salazar. Once that was done, she invited the man to join her. He ordered his guards to follow; or at least that’s what Lucie thought he said. Her command of Spanish was so-so, enough to get by, but she certainly wasn’t proficient in the language.

Jason remained outside the Rolls until Cara, Senor Salazar and Lucie were seated in the back, then after scanning the area, he slipped into the front with the driver, one of Delgado’s trusted employees. Once outside the gated palace grounds, Salazar faced Cara in the semidark interior, the only illumination coming from the lights of San Luis as the car eased through the late-night traffic.

“I wish to plead my case in person,” Salazar said, his dark eyes searching Cara’s face for any expression of understanding.

Lucie eased her handgun back into her evening bag, but kept the bag open. She studied the man who had made a reputation for himself worldwide as a radical reformist, a man intent on dethroning Ameca’s privileged kings of finance. He didn’t look dangerous; if anything, he looked like the stereotypical mild-mannered professor with his graying hair, his outdated black-framed glasses and his seen-better-days suit that was slightly too large for his tall, lanky frame.

“I am certain that you have much information about Ameca at your fingertips and you have, no doubt, investigated both Felipe Delgado and Tomas Castillo and their oil companies,” Salazar said. “I also know that you are the chief benefactor of Helping Hands, yes?” He nodded, but didn’t pause for her reply. “You are a very wealthy woman, but one with a big heart who wishes to do much good with your money. My people need the kind of help that a contract between Delgado Oil and Bedell, Inc. will provide. If you sign a deal with Tomas Castillo, there will be no benefits for the poor and needy of Ameca.”

“Senor, I assure you that I will make an informed decision, one that will benefit both my company and the people of Ameca.”

“I had hoped that while you were staying with Felipe and Suelita, they could sway you to our side. But I was informed that you spent a great deal of this evening with Senor Castillo. He can be a charming man, one very popular with the ladies, and when he wants something, he goes after it without thought of the consequences to anyone involved. I warn you, Senorita Bedell, you cannot trust this man.”

Lucie noted the way Cara didn’t respond immediately and knew she was thinking, going over everything in her mind. No doubt, she was wondering just how Salazar had known that she had been in the company of Tomas Castillo for a large portion of the President’s ball. And how Salazar and his men had managed to get past the guards at the gate. Just as Lucie surmised that Salazar had spies within the palace walls, she knew that Cara would come to the same conclusion.

“I appreciate your concern,” Cara said. “And I realize you took a risk by coming here tonight to plead your case and warn me against Senor Castillo. But as a business-woman who must consider all aspects of any deal I make with an Amecan oil company, I intend to have lunch with Senor Castillo tomorrow and listen to his proposal.”

“Por qué?” Salazar asked, obviously upset. “I tell you that he cares nothing for others. He is not a good man.”

“I understand what you’re saying. And if Tomas Castillo is not willing to include provisions in the contract that will return a portion of his profits to Ameca, then I won’t—”

“To Ameca? No, senorita. Be careful. He may agree to your terms, but giving profits to Ameca through the government will help only Castillo and Ortega and their kind.”

When Cara reached out and touched Salazar’s hand, Lucie sucked in a deep breath. The opposition leader, the radical reformist, tensed at Cara’s touch, but did not withdraw his hand.

“I promise you that any decision I make will benefit those in greatest need here in Ameca, as well as make profits for both Bedell, Inc., and either Castillo or Delgado.” Cara lowered her voice to a whisper and said, “Unless Tomas is more convincing at our lunch tomorrow than he was wooing me tonight, then I can promise you that Bedell, Inc. will be signing with Delgado Oil.”

Salazar sighed heavily, but he didn’t smile. Nor did he thank Cara. He merely spoke to the driver in Spanish, asking him to pull over as soon as possible. The driver asked Cara for permission, which she gave. When Salazar got out of the car, he turned, leaned into the backseat and looked directly at Cara.

“I will be waiting to hear about your decision. For all our sakes, I pray it is the right one.” He walked away and got in the car that had pulled in behind the Rolls.

Cara glanced at Lucie. “Should I take what he said as nothing more than him stating his opinion or should I take it as a threat?”

“With a man like Salazar, it’s difficult to know,” Lucie replied. “But from what I’ve read about him, he’s a man who backs up his words with actions.”

THE RESTAURANT WHERE Cara met Tomas Castillo for lunch the next day was no doubt one of the most elegant and expensive in all of San Luis. Cara wasn’t surprised. After all, Tomas would want to impress her. The tile-roofed building faced the bay, and the tropical garden patio, shaded by enormous umbrella-covered tables and towering palm trees, was bright and airy and caught the afternoon breeze off the ocean.

In typical old-world macho style, Tomas ordered for both of them. She smiled indulgently, fully aware that objecting was not worth the effort. It was obvious that this man had no idea what it took to truly impress her. He ordered cream of prawn soup, a seafood mousse, veal chops with shitake mushrooms and an excellent wine to complement their meal. In true gentlemanly fashion, he complimented her in every way possible and refrained from mentioning business until the end of their delicious meal.

As they sipped on hazelnut daiquiris, he said, “Castillo, Incorporated has much to offer, far more than Delgado Oil. You received our initial proposal, yes?”

She smiled. “Yes, but I must admit that it lacked a great deal of what I need to see in such a monumental deal, one that will have long-range effects on both my country and yours, as well on both of our companies.”

Tomas frowned, but quickly erased the negative reaction, once again smiling cordially as he reached for her hand. What was it with this guy? Did he actually think that kissing her hand would affect her ability to reason?

As soon as he planted a featherlight kiss on the top of her hand, she eased out of his grasp.

“Simply tell me what you require and it will be done,” he said.

“Other than the fact that I don’t care for a few of the minor particulars about percentages and just whose oil tankers would be moving the product, my chief concern is that there are no provisions to provide any financial benefits to the people of Ameca.”

Tomas laughed, the sound hollow. “I promise you that regardless of what you may have been told about me, I care deeply for Ameca and want only good things for our people. If funneling some of our joint profits to Ameca is, as you would say, a deal breaker, then I will make sure my attorneys include a clause stipulating a generous percentage—say one-sixth of our profits—is to be invested in Ameca.”

“Invested in what way?” Cara asked.

He eyed her curiously, as if surprised she would question him about details. Hadn’t he ever dealt with a woman whose business sense was as sharply honed as any man’s? Was she actually a first for him? It was all Cara could do not to laugh.

“There are government agencies that could easily handle overseeing the funds,” Tomas told her. “As my personal friend, Emilio Ortega would exert his influence to make sure the money was channeled properly.”

Yes, of course, President Ortega would most definitely handle the money exactly the way Tomas told him to. He’d put it right into his own pocket! “I prefer that the profits we donate to Ameca be channeled through charity organizations such as Helping Hands, headquartered in the United States, and your country’s relief association, supervised by the church.”

Was that another vaguely disguised frown she saw marring Tomas’s handsome face. A smile twitched the corners of her mouth, but she managed to keep her expression placid.

“Now that I fully understand your desires, I am certain we can come to an agreement that will be good for both of us,” Tomas said. “I will need a few days to discuss all the particulars with my lawyers, but if you will be kind enough to grant me the necessary time, I am sure I will be able to make Bedell, Inc. an offer it cannot refuse.”

Interesting. Unless she had seriously misjudged Tomas Castillo, she didn’t think he would ever agree to turn over even a small percentage of his profits to his impoverished countrymen. No, he had something else in mind. The problem was Cara didn’t know what his next move would be.

“Of course, feel free to present Bedell, Inc. with an offer to equal Delgado Oil’s offer and I will certainly consider it,” Cara told him.

“Muchas gracias. Now that our business for the day is concluded, allow me to be your tour guide and show you around San Luis.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I’m afraid I have other plans,” Cara said, fabricating a white lie in order to escape an afternoon of pretending she enjoyed being with Tomas. “Perhaps some other time.”

“May I see you to your car?” he asked.

“No, thank you. I have my people here with me.” She inclined her head toward the table across from theirs where Lucie and Jason kept watch.

Tomas rose to his feet swiftly, bowed, forced a smile and said, “I shall count the hours until I see you again, senorita.”

After he left the restaurant, Cara finished her delicious daiquiri, then motioned to her bodyguards. “I have the afternoon free. I’d like to go shopping in the market. I know my being in the middle of a crowd is something y’all would rather avoid, but if I don’t take the opportunity now, I may not get to soak in any of the authentic atmosphere of San Luis before I leave Ameca.”

“You’re the boss,” Jason reminded her. “But I’d suggest you try to pass yourself off as a tourist.”

“I suppose that means ditching the Rolls and either walking or taking a taxi or bus, right?” Cara wanted a few hours free from business. Tomorrow would be soon enough to tell Felipe Delgado that Bedell, Inc. would be going into a lucrative partnership with his oil company. Whatever repercussions she’d have to face before leaving Ameca and then once back in Chattanooga, she didn’t have to deal with them today.

“I suggest that you and Lucie change clothes,” Jason said. “Go to one of the local boutiques first and buy items that tourists would buy and wear. Lucie can stay at your side and the two of you will appear to be two American women on vacation. I’ll keep a low profile, but remain close by. Lucie will be the frontline defense in case of trouble. I’ll be monitoring the crowd and alert her to any sign of trouble.”

“I want a floppy straw hat, some big sunglasses and flip-flops,” Cara said. “What about you, Lucie?”

“No flip-flops for me, but I’ll take a big straw hat and a colorful outfit.”

Cara draped her arm through Lucie’s. “Then let’s go. And buy whatever you want at the clothing boutique. Don’t even look at the price tags.”

WHEN HIS CELL PHONE RANG, Arturo glanced at the caller ID. Josue did not telephone him unless the matter was urgent.

“Good day, my friend.”

“The package must be obtained today,” Josue said. “The client insists that this matter cannot wait.”

“I will not take undue risks, but if it is possible to collect the package this afternoon, we will do so.”

“Our client will wish to be informed. Once the package is in your possession, please contact me and I will inform the client.”

THE PLAZA BAZAAR was two blocks south of the trendy boutique where Cara and Lucie purchased their new attire, so they walked to the open-air market that boasted a vast range of wares and supposedly the best bargains in San Luis. Cara had changed into a flowing, green cotton skirt, lemon-yellow blouse and cushioned green flip-flops. Lucie had chosen the same colors, but in reverse. She wore a yellow skirt, a green blouse and sandals in a soft yellow leather. She had removed her shoulder holster and placed it in the open-top shoulder bag she carried. As they weaved in and out of the crowd, stopping at various booths in the market, Jason kept a discreet distance, all the while staying in bodyguard mode. Anyone seeing him wouldn’t suspect he was tailing the two attractive American redheads in their bright attire and large sunglasses.

“Look,” Cara said. “There’s a booth with nothing but hats. Maybe we can find what we’re looking for there.”

Lucie followed her boss, who was acting more like a friend this afternoon, someone Lucie could learn to like a great deal. They had stopped at numerous booths—pottery, guitars, mirrors, rugs and wooden masks—but this was the first booth containing hats, and already Lucie saw the one she wanted. Yellow straw with a green grosgrain ribbon tied in a loose bow around the crown of the wide-brimmed hat. When they stopped at the booth, Cara reached up and grabbed the exact hat Lucie had chosen, plopped it down on her head and turned to Lucie for approval.

“What do you think?” Cara asked.

“I think it’s perfect. It matches your outfit and suits your coloring.”

Cara studied Lucie for a moment, then reached up, pulled down an identical hat and placed it on Lucie’s head. “There. It’s perfect for you, too.”

They both laughed as Cara turned to the vendor and asked the price. When he quoted the amount, not outrageously expensive, but apparently more than Cara thought they were worth, she began haggling with the vendor. Lucie grinned as she tried to keep up with the conversation taking place in a mixture of Spanish and English. Finally Cara and the vendor agreed on a price.

The afternoon passed quickly while they explored the market, and by early evening they both carried large cloth sacks filled with a variety of purchases, everything from silver bracelets to heavily embroidered white blouses.

“I’m starving,” Cara said. “Didn’t we pass a couple of restaurants about fifteen minutes ago, just before the pottery display?”

“El Recoveco looked like a nice place,” Lucie said. “I think there was a buffet on the patio.”

“Perfect, but first I need to make a stop at the ladies’ room. What about you?”

“Yes, definitely,” Lucie replied.

“I imagine Jason could use a short break, too.”

“El Recoveco was an indoor-outdoor restaurant, with a buffet meal served on the patio, but they probably have an order-from-the-menu three-course dinner available inside.”

“I vote to eat inside where it’s cool.”

“Sounds good to me,” Lucie said.

Jason followed them as they backtracked through the market until they reached the restaurant. Using her wireless communication device, Lucie contacted Jason to explain that she and Cara were going to the restroom, so he should take this opportunity for a break.

“I’ll be waiting for you outside the restrooms,” Jason said.

After ordering drinks and putting their names on a short wait list, Cara and Lucie asked about the restroom and were given directions. The men’s was on the left side and the women’s on the right, both marked with cute primitive drawings, one of a man and the other of a woman. The poorly lit interior of the restroom was like a stucco cave, the walls painted a cinnamon-red, the two stalls a dark green, and the ceiling a mustard-yellow. There was an out-of-order sign nailed to one of the stall doors.

“You go first,” Lucie said, as she removed her sunglasses and hung them on the elastic neckline of her blouse.

“No, go ahead.” Cara removed her hat, fanned herself and then shoved her sunglasses up on top of her head. Then she put her heavy bags on the floor, laid her hat on top of the bags and removed her cell phone from her purse. “I should call Suelita and let her know not to expect us for dinner. I’ve been having so much fun that I forgot about our host and hostess.”

Lucie placed her shopping bags on the floor beside Cara’s, but she carried her purse with her as she shoved open the door of the in-working-order stall. “Don’t leave the restroom.”

“I won’t,” Cara said, then Lucie heard her begin a conversation with Senora Delgado, explaining where they were and what they were doing.

HECTOR AND PEPE entered the men’s restroom directly behind Cara Bedell’s bodyguard, the man who had done a good job of stalking his employer without being obvious about it. They each smiled and spoke to the American as they approached the urinals. After he finished and washed his hands, Pepe walked out of the restroom a couple of minutes ahead of his companion, just as they had planned. Their instructions had been clear. They had to do the job today.

Pepe lay in wait for the bodyguard. When he saw the man exiting the restroom, he went over to him, keeping his broad, toothy smile in place.

He tapped his naked wrist. “I do not have a watch. Do you know what time it is? My wife will be angry if I’m late.”

Although it was obvious that the man was uncomfortable with Pepe’s friendliness and probably suspected him of being up to no good, he didn’t immediately reach for his concealed weapon. While Pepe tried to distract the bodyguard, Hector came out of the restroom, moved in behind the man with silent precision and before he could react, Hector drove his knife into the man’s back, puncturing a kidney. Pepe grabbed the man as he slumped forward, holding his body upright. Hector assisted Pepe and together they dragged the dying man out into the alley behind the restaurant.