of the end of a gun barrel nuzzling his back.
Ramirez looked up, then said, “Of course!” He barked out a command and the guards quickly shouldered their weapons. He smiled and walked over to the gardener. A moment later, he bowed slightly as he handed Laura a freshly cut rose.
Damien was the first to speak as he drove Jack and Laura through the gate and out onto the street. “What the fuck just happened?”
“I said it was obviously someone who worked for Carlos. I suggested he show some affection toward Laura, so Carlos would think his plan was working.”
“We can thank Jean-Louie for almost getting us killed,” said Laura angrily. “I thought he said he was going to keep the troops far back!”
Jack expected Damien to voice his anger as well, but he remained strangely silent. Perhaps just thankful to be alive ... at least, for now.
chapter thirty-seven
Jean-Louie breathed a sigh of relief when Jack, Laura, and Damien drove out the gate from Ramirez’s driveway. Seconds later he knew his worries were not over. Two motorcycles, each containing two men, departed as well. They were followed by four SUVs that were all packed with men. It was soon apparent that Ramirez had ordered his three guests to be followed.
Jean-Louie quickly conferred with his Colombian counterpart. Being naturally suspicious is one thing, but this many men? What the hell happened in there? Yet, if Ramirez wanted to kill them, he would have already done so.
Jack saw one of the narcs in a car that was driving past them. The narc made eye contact with him and slowly gestured with his head to look behind them. Jack nodded that he understood and the narc disappeared in the traffic ahead.
“We’ve got a tail,” said Jack.
“Damn it,” replied Damien. “With all these strange streets and traffic, I’ve been too busy to notice.”
“Think we should lose them?” asked Laura.
“No,” replied Jack. “Ramirez is paranoid enough. Drive easy back to the hotel. When it’s clear, we’ll slip up the stairs and thank the narcs and Jean-Louie for heating us up. Also want to kick whoever was up that tree in the balls.”
Jean-Louie was adamant. None of his people had climbed a tree or even left their vehicles. He slammed his fist on the coffee table and said, “We know that Ramirez’s grounds are infested with guards! Only a fool would do such a thing!”
“Perhaps the fools were us,” suggested Laura.
“What do you mean?” asked Jack.
“Perhaps Ramirez made up the whole story, just to see our response.”
“He is cunning,” said Jean-Louie. “That is one scenario I hadn’t considered.”
Or perhaps a different police unit, thought Jack. He looked intently at Jean-Louie’s face and then asked, “Are there any other police units that could have been watching us?”
Jean-Louie stared briefly at Jack, then replied, “No operational units that ... were in the vicinity of Ramirez’s estate without our knowledge. I am positive that the tree climber, if he actually existed, was not a policeman.”
Jack and Jean-Louie briefly stared at each other. Now, without actually saying it, they each knew there was another police unit involved, but apparently not at Ramirez’s place.
“I would suggest that you use extreme caution,” said Jean-Louie.
Jack nodded, then said, “Thank you. I will.”
“At first I was more concerned when so many men and vehicles appeared to be following you,” said Jean-Louie. “I was relieved when I learned that three of the SUVs headed northeast out of the city. The other SUV was last seen heading north. Right now there are only two motorcycles, each with two men who are hanging around the hotel here.”
“Not totally unexpected,” said Jack. “We’ll do the tourist thing this afternoon. Buy Laura a new pair of shoes from his store. Maybe even lounge around the pool. Wouldn’t hurt to try and catch a few winks. I suspect this party we’re going to might last all night.”
“I don’t like the idea of the three of you going back in,” replied Jean-Louie.
Jack shrugged and said, “We certainly felt welcome this afternoon, although it was a little uncomfortable when he said someone was watching. Partying with him will make him trust us more.”
“Besides,” said Laura, “I expect lots of people will be coming and going from the party. It wouldn’t be the time for him to try anything serious, even if he was suspicious.”
“If he wasn’t suspicious,” said Jean-Louie, “he wouldn’t have four goons outside watching.”
Jack, Laura, and Damien arrived promptly at seven o’clock. Jack and Damien each wore slacks and a golf shirt. Laura wore an emerald green silk blouse and a white skirt. Her new high-heeled shoes were also an emerald green.
A servant nodded politely and gestured for them to follow. Ramirez was at a desk in his study. He was not unfriendly, but his demeanour had changed considerably since the afternoon. As they entered, he complimented Laura on her choice of shoes — and on which store she had purchased them in.
“You were watching me?” asked Laura, portraying anger.
“Do not be offended,” Ramirez replied. “Cali can be a dangerous city. I have many bodyguards. It was no inconvenience to ensure that no danger came to you. As you are my guests, I feel it is my responsibility.”
Jack studied Ramirez’s face as he spoke. Subtle intimidation or a need for absolute control? Likely both.
Ramirez dismissed any further comments from Laura simply by turning to Jack and saying, “You will call Carlos now.”
“Now?” asked Jack.
“Yes. Here, with me. You will say that I will be with Laura in Palmira tonight. Tell him that you will meet him in front of the church at the main plaza in Palmira at eleven o’clock. Say you are in my house and do not have time to talk now, so he cannot ask many questions.”
“There is no need for me to meet him,” said Jack, feeling a rush of acid to his stomach. “I can simply phone him.”
“No,” said Ramirez. “You will meet him. He will be less suspicious then. Many of my men are already in place.”
Jack and Laura exchanged a look. Each thought the same thing. A simple plan has just become complicated and dangerous.
“In front of a church in a plaza,” said Jack. “It does not sound like a good place. Lots of people could get hurt or he might escape.”
Ramirez smiled and shook his head. “We will not kill him there. His car, a Mercedes, it is bulletproof and heavily protected. Personally, I prefer my Land Rover. It also has such protection but is more suited for the roads in Colombia.”
“Where do you intend
