General Discussion

James Ortega knew the abductors would communicate, even if it meant leaving body parts somewhere prominent—communication in its most brutal form.  The negotiator didn’t think this was one of those cases.  In his rumpled clothes, James looked out of place working beside the other professionals, but he took charge, monitoring every facet of the set-up.  Roberto had no problem giving him complete command of this operation.  This was his specialty.  With his low scratchy voice, he called for an informal meeting of the group.

“Gentlemen, we have a ransom situation here and I want everyone to be clear on our strategy during the negotiations.”

He pointed to Carmelo and Mary.  “First of all, many thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Torres for allowing us the use of their home for our operation.  They are amazing hosts and we appreciate their trust in us to get their granddaughter back home safely.  We will respect their property and their privacy as much as possible.”

Roberto chimed in.  “Even though I head up this investigation, I brought James Ortega in to lead the negotiations.  As soon as we got a ransom note, it changed the investigation from a missing persons recovery to a kidnapping.”

James continued his instructions.  “We’ve been through numerous hostage events over the past ten years and we need to project a united front.  They will threaten to do all kinds of bad things—that’s part of the game.”

Carmelo asked him, “What part do you want us to play in the conversations?”

“None, unless I call on you to take part.  Is that understood?”

Everyone around the table agreed to the conditions, except for Carmelo.  He wanted to be included more.  He was upset by all the pandemonium in his house—technicians running everywhere, dragging cables, hooking up telecommunications gear.  He just wasn’t accustomed to such activity—all out of his control.  Constantly pacing the hallways, he seemed more distraught every hour. 

James attempted to console him but was making little progress.  He approached Raoul for some help.  

Raoul explained, “This whole situation is d...difficult for him.”

James looked him square in the eyes, pondering his words carefully.  “But this is necessary for us to get the kids back.” 

Raoul agreed, “He understands that.  That’s why he’s d…doing all this.  But, he’s used to his solitude.”

Carmelo’s daughter wasn’t doing much better, becoming more hysterical with every passing hour.  Jaime had interrupted some of their meetings, trying to convince James she could help.  Just the opposite, she was compromising the work of the entire team.  After another confrontation with James, her emotions rocketed out of control.  She ran to her bedroom, sobbing, remaining there for the entire day, refusing to talk with anyone. 

James needed to eliminate this distraction, asking Raoul, “Could you get Maria’s mother calmed down a little?”

“That’s a t...tough thing to ask, James, but I’ll try.”

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Jaime watched Raoul walk into the living room, as she sat on the couch watching a late-afternoon news update.   She looked up at him. “Escaping all the madness?”

“Yeah, it’s chaos.  What do you say we get out of here for a while?” 

“I’d love to!” she exclaimed, getting up from the sofa immediately.  “Give me five minutes.”

“Okay.  I’ll bring the c…car around.”

As soon as he left, an image of him as a young boy flooded her brain.  She saw him practicing his bullfighting all by himself out in the corral.  He responded to a roaring crowd as he fearlessly faced down the imaginary bull.  His matador dreams had come true.  As much as she detested his chosen career, at least he’d been successful.  Her life, on the other hand, had been one disappointment after another.

They headed toward downtown San Luis Potosi.  Raoul looked over, admiring her and smiling.  “You look great tonight.”

She could feel the heat in her cheeks.  “Thanks.   Where are we going?”

“I know a p…place called Marengo—excellent food.” 

“Sounds good.”  She watched him concentrate on the road.  His profile was so handsome—straight nose and high cheek bones.  She’d always had a crush on him.  Realizing she was staring, she quickly filled the awkward moment with small talk. “I needed to get away from all the commotion.”

He nodded.  “Me too.  Can’t help much at this point.”

 She admitted, “I’m hurting the investigation more than helping.”

“We need to let the experts do their jobs.”  As he pulled into the restaurant parking lot, he patted her gently on her thigh, saying, “This is the p…place I was telling you about.”

After meeting the hostess, Jaime was pleasantly surprised to be escorted through the elegant but noisy dining room to an outside table.  Candles glowed on most of the patio tables, providing a romantic ambiance—much quieter and private out here.  After a glass of champagne, she was feeling calmer and asked him, “Raoul, I heard rumors about the parties at your house.”

He sheepishly replied, “That comes with the territory.  I hate to admit it, but I’ve done a few things I’m not p…proud of.”

“Tell me about them.”

“I can’t.”

She held his hand across the table, looking deeply into his eyes.  “We both need to be open with each another.  I can handle it.”

He looked down at the table.  “I know everyone thinks I’m so p…perfect, but I’m not.”

She countered, “None of us is perfect.  We all have flaws, but look how successful you’ve been throughout your life.”

He shook his head and looked down. “Not as much as you might think.”

“What do you mean?”

“Jaime, there are things I’ve never told anyone, especially Carmelo.  Never wanted to d…disappoint him.”

“You can tell me.”

“No, I really can’t.”

She decided not to press it. They ordered dinner and talked more about the  investigation.  It was hard for her to hide her fear.  At least she knew her daughter was being held for ransom.  That seemed better than what she’d originally envisioned—a random rape and murder—discovering her daughter’s bloody corpse somewhere.  This was all about money.  Her biggest concern now was if the kidnappers lost patience. 

Raoul reassured her that he and Carmelo would somehow scrounge up the necessary money.   They’d borrow it from Enrique if necessary.   She temporarily forgot her dilemma when dinner was presented by the waiter—steak fajitas and caramelized onions smoking on a sizzling platter.

She was ravenous and after a couple of bites, exclaiming, “These are the best fajitas I’ve ever had!”

He smiled.  “Told you it was good food here.” 

After ordering coffee and dessert, she asked, “If there’s anyone in the world you can trust, wouldn’t it be me?”

He nodded. “Sure, I trust you completely.”

She relaxed in her chair.  His response made her feel warm again, but she challenged him.  “Enough to tell me those things you keep hidden?”

Now, he looked uneasy, fidgeting with his napkin, asking, “Are you sure you want to know?”

“I want to know everything.”

“Really?  The good and the bad?”

“Yeah.”  She could sense he wanted to open up a little.

He reluctantly mumbled, “Like I said earlier—can’t risk telling this to anyone, because it could get back to Carmelo.”

Jaime crossed her arms indignantly.  “I thought you said you trusted me completely.”

He looked directly into her eyes.  “I do trust you completely, but now is not the right time.  You have enough to deal with at the moment.  I’ll tell you everything when the time is right, I promise.”

 ___________________________________________________

Fernando was riding in the back seat of the Escalade.  Snake was driving the SUV with Enforcer riding shotgun.  As they approached the Green River and the small suspension bridge leading into town, Fernando leaned forward, “Slow down, Snake.  Want da see up close.”

Several mutilated bodies hung from the orange bridge tower.  One was decapitated, another burned.  Their stomachs had been carved with a “Z”.  A sign next to them read:  Here is what Zetas do to squealers.”

“Dat good job, Snake.   Scare da shit out of dem.”

Snake replied, “Got a few more to add later, Boss.”

“Good.  Don’t take no chances.”  His cell phone rang.  “Que?”

“Boss, Marquez here.”

“Hello, Colonel.  Anything to report?”

“The investigator was here, doing his thing.  Consuela has her bodyguard close.  They aren’t taking any chances.”

“Have dey found anything?”

“They found some traces of blood.  That’s about it as far as I know.”

“Keep me informed.”

“The entire investigation will go through my office. You know you can count on me.”