“I’m not interested in this Ruiz. I want to know if you found where that weasel, Montez, went to ground.”
“I have an address in a village close to the border. I’m heading there now. I’ve already sent word ahead to our men in a nearby village to move in and verify that Montez is still there.” He paused. “But I’d bet Ling and Cameron are heading there, too. Dario is a very good man, with connections all over Central America. He might not have had to question Montez’s sister. We tried to hire him several years ago, when we were hunting for one of the bastards who was skimming money on the coke deliveries to the U.S.”
“He turned us down?”
“Dario said that he preferred not to be involved with someone who would not accept it when he was forced to say no on occasion.”
“Damn right I wouldn’t accept it. You should have cut his throat.”
“It didn’t seem worthwhile at the time.”
“But now we have to deal with him. Dario might lead Ling to Montez.”
“I’ll take care of it.”
“Yes, you will,” Santos said softly. “This was supposed to be a simple retrieval, and now it’s becoming a problem. Get Montez and bring him to me.” He hung up.
But nothing was simple where Catherine Ling was concerned, Santos thought. He should have known that she would cause Dorgal difficulty. For the first time, he was feeling a hint of uneasiness at the thought of Ling’s moving closer to Eduardo Montez. He didn’t want him dead, but he might have to take him out rather than let Ling get her hands on him.
But that was a worst-case scenario. There were still many ways he could attack Ling and ward off her interference.
It will be fine, Delores. This is only a little bump in the road. Trust me. I’ll see that you’re protected from that bitch.
He had always protected Delores, from the time he’d first met her when she was sixteen.
She had been lush and beautiful and belonged to one of his men, Javier. One night, he had found her in his bed and what had followed had been a sexual marathon that had still left him hungry for her. He’d known even then that he’d always have to have her.
“So good.” She curled up closer to him and rubbed against him like a cat in heat. “I knew you’d be like this. I’ve been watching you. Javier didn’t like it. He said if I cheated on him, he’d beat me.”
“Screw him.”
She laughed. “Not anymore. I’d rather screw you. I have other plans for Javier.” She kissed him and whispered, “Would you like to hear them?”
“Yes.”
“You send for him. We tie him in a chair and make him watch us make love. Then you remove his penis in the most painful way possible. Doesn’t that sound exciting?”
He was getting hard just thinking about it. The blood, the pain, the emotional hell. “He must have really displeased you.”
“Not really. He was easy to handle. But I don’t like threats, and I’m through with him. He might cause trouble for us later. And I’ve watched you, and I know you like what I like. The blood. The terror.” She raised herself on one elbow. “Don’t you like the idea of making a man who’d had me into a eunuch? It would make me all the more yours.” Her eyes were glowing down at him. “I knew from the moment I saw you that we were going to be together. I want to be only yours … except when we want to play a little. This would seal it, wouldn’t it?”
“Sealed in blood.” His finger outlined her nipple. His mind was full of the picture she had drawn, and his body was excited and ready. “And then we’ll do a little more fine carving before we put poor Javier out of his misery.”
“Poor?” She chuckled. “He’ll deserve it. He’s in my way. He’s in your way. I’m your woman. You’ve got to protect me, don’t you?”
“Of course I do. Forever.” He reached for his phone. “I’ll call Javier.”
Forever, Delores. I promised you forever. I won’t let Ling steal it from you.
*
“Santos has to know about this airport,” Catherine said as she got off the private jet. She glanced around the ten or twelve hangars that had been well camouflaged from the air. “It’s perfect for drug trafficking and within miles of the border.”
“Which is exactly why he doesn’t use it,” Dario said as he jumped down to the ground. “The police keep a close eye on what goes on here.”
“And that doesn’t bother you?”
“Why should it?” He grinned. “I’m an honest businessman who contributes generously to the children-and-orphans fund of the police department. Plus a little on the side. They prefer dealing with me rather than the cartels. Their bribes are more generous, but I make sure that mine can’t be traced. Occasionally, I’ll take out a cop killer or a child molester, and I’m a hero for a while. In short, I’m very … comfortable for them.”
“And very clever,” Cameron said as he joined them. “But I don’t need a hero at the moment. I need to know where I can find Eduardo Montez. He’s in this village?”
Dario nodded. “That’s the word I have.” He nodded at the Jeep parked by the third hangar. “He’s supposed to be living in the basement of San Marcos’ church at the edge of the village. He’s been there since he fled Guatemala City after his brother was killed.”
“A church?” Catherine repeated. “A strange hideout.”
“Not really,” Cameron said. “Not when you know his background. I told you that he had three other doctorates besides his medical degree.”
“And they are?”
“Chemistry, mechanical engineering.” He paused. “And theology.”
“So he would feel very at home in a church. But the resident priest must be very lenient,” Catherine said dryly as she got into the passenger seat of the Jeep. “Particularly if he had to confess to causing the death of his brother.”