Rachael. We don’t want any Government officials assassinated. Don’t mean to scare you, but we need to be cautious. You don’t get much privacy from now on. You’ll be staying in one of the VIP suites inside the embassy with a lot of Marines around.”
“Sounds secure. Did you coordinate my agenda?”
“Partly. Tonight we’re having dinner with Carmen Peña. She’s chief of Mexican Central Intelligence.”
“What about their Attorney General, or whatever it’s called here?”
“Let’s start with the spooks. They aren’t in the mainstream of corruption aimed at the police and military, so there’s a slightly better chance of an honest dialogue.”
“Hmm, not much confidence in the government, is there?”
He loosened his collar and slumped slightly, folding his hands in his lap, “Nope, it’s part of the survival training down here. Hopefully, we’ll get some real help with the Cardenas problem.”
“You really think so?”
“Well, we can only hope. This is a poor country, and the druggies can buy a lot of immunity. Hell, they say Cardenas has better protection than the President.”
“So what are the chances that he’ll be arrested and extradited to the U.S.?”
He looked grim. “Actually -- none.”
“So what can we accomplish?”
“Maybe we can get some intelligence support that can help us eliminate the drug gangs.”
“You mean the only option is to kill Cardenas, not to capture him?”
“Very perceptive. It’s the Latin way.”
Back Home
In Washington, Peter remained unhappy. He could accept personal danger, but not for Rachael. His day was tedious and he was distracted, imagining her working in a different time zone in a dangerous location. It was late at his apartment when she called. “Hey, d’ya miss me?”
He smiled to himself. “Yeah, you know I do. What’s going on down there?”
“You know I can’t talk about it much, except it’s ‘interesting’.”
“Interesting? Like good interesting or bad interesting?”
“Just interesting.”
“So, when are you coming home?”
“Probably tomorrow. I’m meeting some of my bureaucrat counterparts, so need to try to be cordial. Things work a little slower here.”
“Maybe they’re just slow-rolling you.”
“Yeah, well, there’s some patronizing. That’s for sure. At least there are some female officials, so we’re getting something done.”
“Um, so men aren’t efficient?”
“Let’s just say that these men spend too much time flirting and less on business.”
“So. Do I need to be jealous?”
“Not a chance, big boy.”
“So, when do I get to hold that gorgeous body again?”
“Like I said. Maybe tomorrow night. It all depends on how it goes down here.”
He became serious. “The news isn’t good on the border. We’re getting whacked every week. Americans are getting more pissed.”
“Yeah, I know. Some of us are paid to try to stop it. It’s kinda tough when the Mexican police don’t do much.”
“I guess we can’t treat Mexico like other countries.”
She responded, “You wouldn’t think catching one cutthroat who operates openly would be difficult, but my spook buddy here says it’s the way things go. Our ‘Mexican Problem’ controls the government.”
“So, come home tonight!”
“Wish I could. I have to open every door possible, even if it leads to a dead end -- pun intended.
“Yeah. I guess you’re in the ‘bigs’ now, so you have to go through the motions.”
“Well, gotta go. I’ll call you tomorrow and let you know when I’ll be home.”
They exchanged loving messages before ending the call.
He should have ignored her before and gone after Cardenas when he was close. There was no chance of surprise now.
The Surprise
“You worry too much, amigo.” Cardenas was feeling good.
Padilla stood rather than sit, watching the evening sunset. “With all respect, Jefe, it is imprudent not to be careful. I am getting much criticism for not finding you and bringing you to jail.”
“Criticism from whom! Tell me, and I’ll have him eliminated.”
“It’s bigger than that, Señor. The American Government is pressuring everyone.”
“Are you not happy with your new position, ‘Jefe de Policía’!”
“Oh, si, Señor, but many people are suspicious. We should not kill so many. I am not trusted.”
“There are none to be trusted in government. You are not unusual.”
“I am alive after so many are not.”
“That can be changed, hah!”
“Jefe, you know what I mean.”
Si, my friend, but as long as I pay you, you will do as you are told! Now, I am preparing a little surprise for the Norte Americanos.”
Illinois
Stokes began a remarkable recovery. After returning home with Carolyn under military disability, he began physical therapy at a VA hospital, going every day for several weeks to restore the strength and motion in his arms and legs. He was able to walk normally after a couple weeks and even did some short jogging along the street by their home. He attended school functions for his daughters and generally enjoyed the time with his family. His arms were a larger problem.
After the VA, he continued therapy on his arms and shoulders weekly at a local hospital. He regained about eighty percent of his shoulder rotation and was able to begin light weight training after two months.
One night after a brisk walk and dinner with the family, Peter called. “Hey, buddy. Ready to go a few rounds with Rocky?”
“Hi, Peter. How’s it going?”
“Oh, I’m lonely in DC while my girl is away on business. Just thought I’d call to check up on you.”
Stokes went into another room, “Yeah, well. I’m doing great. Lots of pain killers for the shoulders, but it’s getting less all the time. I’m starting to work on the weight machine and fast-walking. Bet I could out walk you now!”
“Hey, don’t press it. Take advantage of the time off.”
“I am, buddy. But, I wanted to talk to you anyway. I think I’m ready to get back on duty — go back to Texas.”
“John, are you nuts? Correction, you’re nuts! You dodged the big one and don’t need to press your luck.”
Stokes was speaking softly. “Peter, I did something stupid and almost paid the stupid price. I’m not going to do it again. But, I didn’t do my duty either. I want to help out. The guys are fighting a war down there.”
“Have you talked to Carolyn?”
“No. I don’t know what to say to her.”
“John, listen to yourself. You have everything a guy could want. Don’t blow it!”
“I don’t want to, Peter, but you know how boring life is sitting around and exercising all day.”
“Get a job.”
“I’ve been a green-suiter my whole life. It doesn’t really translate into anything on the civilian side. I tried before.”
“I hear you, brother, but I’ve also learned the hard way that there are more important things.”
The chat ended a short time later. Peter knew that it was only a matter of time before Stokes would return to Texas and suffer the consequences at home. Peter had wrecked his engagement with Rachael once and vowed never to take the chance again.
Hell Gate
The trip to Mexico was wasted time. Rachael met with dozens of ineffective diplomats and police authorities at the national and state levels. All promised to take actions to stop the brutality by the Cardenas Cartel, but she didn’t expect anything to change. She was packing her laptop and papers from the guest office she used, which also doubled as a bedroom, when Steve Harris knocked.
Rachael had learne
d that he was an egotistical creep with bad breath, small man syndrome, and an over-active sex drive. He never took his eyes off her and made oblique sexual references.
“Well, Rachael, I hope your visit wasn’t a total waste of time.” He pressed a forearm against her doorframe.
She kept packing, fearing he would ask her out after being sequestered in the embassy for two days. She responded, “I don’t get it, Steve. I didn’t feel like anyone down here takes this seriously. Are all the Mexicans on Cardenas’ payroll?”
He dropped his arm and strolled to a chair at the edge of the table to get a better look at her legs. “It’s hard to tell, Rachael. A lot of them are. Most of the good cops and military leaders have been killed, so the rest are scared.”
She tried to ignore his stare. “Well, I’m going to recommend some changes in relations when I get home, this patronizing bullshit doesn’t cut it with me.”
“Whoa, lady, take it easy on the natives. We get along okay down here, and Mexico is our neighbor.”
“Good neighbors don’t try to burn down the house next door.”
“This thing will blow over. It’s only a matter of time before things settle down and return to normal.”
“And what is ‘normal,’ Steve? We’ve got people getting killed on our side of the border, and that’s not acceptable.”
“Neither are broken diplomatic relations. So, how about we go out tonight and celebrate? I know a great little restaurant that serves big steaks and great Paella.”
“Sorry, can’t. I’ve got some reporting and packing to do. I’m eating-in tonight.”
“Great, I’ll get something delivered up here. Do you like red wine? Mexico has some of the best reds that get re-bottled in California.”
“No, Steve. I need to be alone. You’ve been very kind, but I need to be alone now.”
He looked at her in