Ramirez stepped back when the call ended. His face was contorted in anger and he reverted back to his Spanish tongue as he let loose with a barrage of obscenities while looking at Jack.

Laura turned her back to the desk but put her hands behind her and picked up the letter opener. Two bodyguards in the room ... if I can take out Ramirez while Jack and Damien jump the other two ... oh man!

Ramirez then spun toward Laura and said, “I am sorry, Laura. For what I have said. I hope you do not know such Spanish words.”

Laura smiled sweetly and said, “I’m ashamed to admit that I haven’t learned Spanish.”

“That is okay. I am ashamed of the words I just spoke,” replied Ramirez. “It is unbelievable what he said he will do to me with ... a stick.” Ramirez paused momentarily, then said, “Very barbaric. I do not understand such rage. I thought he and I had an agreement. He is a lunatic.”

“He really is,” said Damien in agreement.

Ramirez looked at Laura and said, “Do you know that he always wears a little green tam? He pretends he is a soldier. He is not. He is just a lunatic.”

Laura let out a deep breath. She then thought of Rellik with his stringy red hair and chipped front tooth. How could Ramirez understand such rage? Perhaps if he had a brother and knew Rellik, he would understand. Carlos isn’t the only lunatic who should be put down!

Laura gently laid the letter opener on the table and stepped away when Ramirez said that they would have dinner now.

On their way to the table, Laura whispered to Jack, “Think maybe you should call Jean-Louie? Have them pull us over when we leave? Ramirez isn’t going to let us take our car but if we let Jean-Louie know, then...”

“Not a chance. We’re this close to Carlos. I’m not going to let him slip through my fingers now. You stay close to Ramirez. He’ll be protected. He’s not the type to risk his neck.”

“Yeah, he’s really different than you. Probably smarter.”

Jack chose not to respond.

The dinner, consisting of a main course of garlic buttered prawns and wild rice with mushrooms, would normally have tasted succulent. Neither Jack nor Laura felt like eating. The anticipation of tonight’s activity did not seem to affect Damien, who was pleased to accept a second helping.

“Tell me, Jack,” said Ramirez, “Damien said that you are not with his club, but that he has hired you for your knowledge of money.”

Jack nodded.

“What would you propose that I do as an investment strategy for your country?”

Jack took his time to chew and then swallow a prawn before replying, “I would presume that a man of your calibre would already own a bank someplace — perhaps in the Grand Caymans?”

Ramirez smiled and said, “Perhaps more than one.”

“Your official business is inspired by leather. Shoes, jackets ... correct?”

“Yes,” Ramirez replied, then looked at Damien and said, “Officially, of course!” then laughed.

“Then,” said Jack, “I would propose you open a chain of such stores in Canada. You could get a tax break by borrowing money from your own banks while paying yourself interest. Naturally, the paper trail would be hidden through different companies so that the government would not know you owned the banks. On paper, it would appear normal that you would send large amounts of money back to the banks as well as to shoe or leather distribution companies in Colombia.”

“Your government would give me a tax break?” exclaimed Ramirez.

“If you have to borrow money to invest in a company in Canada, it is expected that you would deduct such an expense from your cost of doing business. On paper, you would say that you are selling a large volume of expensive leather goods. You would only send a few high-quality and expensive items for show. The rest would be of a very low quality. Practically worthless. Once these cleared customs, the poor-quality merchandise could be destroyed. As long as large amounts are being imported, it would appear that they are being sold and money is being sent back to order more and pay for loans.”

Ramirez beamed, then looked at Damien and said, “You have picked your people well.” He then glanced at Laura and added, “Very well.” He raised a glass of Pinot Blanc. Everyone followed suit and gave a silent toast.

“Perhaps,” said Ramirez to Damien, “some of the shipping containers of shoes might contain a much more expensive product.”

“That,” said Damien, “would depend upon how expensive it is for me!”

Ramirez 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!