One Rough Man - Brad Taylor [62]
I felt better right away. Even though the odds almost guaranteed my failure, I felt at ease.
I LEFT THE LUGGAGE, taking only the small backpack. I left the room as I had found it, with the note lying on the bed. I was surprised that I hadn’t been attacked yet, since Machete clearly knew where we were staying. I took it as a good sign. I ran to our Jeep.
I merged onto 2 Calle and headed in the direction of the man’s house, wondering just what the hell I was going to do. Thinking through my courses of action, I decided to simply continue with the plan. While the end state had changed, not much in the plan had been altered.
My original idea had been to find a place that would facilitate multiple exits, forcing Machete to spread out in an attempt to cover all bases. Since I was now about to attempt an assault on his house, I needed to get as many men out as possible to even up the odds. Plaza Mayor worked either way. The only difference was that I had to keep Jennifer in the house while the hired guns came to find me. I hoped I would accomplish that through a phone call. I’m hoping for a lot to happen. Not a great way to plan.
My first order of business was to get a weapon, and I was pretty sure I knew where to get one that was top of the line. Stopping the Jeep at the same pullout I had used earlier for my recce, I exited and raced through the woods to the chain-link fence surrounding the compound. I sat still for a few minutes to make sure I was alone, then pulled out the cell phone I had taken off the dead man in Charleston. I dialed Machete’s number, using the lighted keypad to see in the darkening gloom.
He answered the phone on the first ring. “Hello, Mr. Pike. I’m so glad you decided to call. I was beginning to wonder what to do with Jennifer.”
I fought to control my anger, needing to play a role. “Look, let’s skip the small talk. I’m sorry I ever came down here. I want to give you the package right away. I’m located at the Plaza Mayor. I’ll meet you at the peace monument with the flame. I’ll be in the crowd. One man, and one man alone, should stand at the monument every half hour starting at eight P.M. You got that so far?”
“Yes. I understand. We’ll meet you then?”
“No. The man should light a cigarette with his right hand. When I see that, I’ll throw the MP3 player to him sometime between eight and ten. I won’t come close enough for anyone to identify where the MP3 player came from. If I suspect that you’re more intent on getting me than the device, I’ll disappear and you won’t hear from me again.”
“And the girl?”
I paused, knowing that I was about to put Jennifer into extreme danger, but also knowing that I had to ensure she remained behind.
“I don’t care about the girl. I just want to get you off my back. I thought about leaving the package in the hotel and hauling ass, but I want to make damn sure you get it. Once you get the player, we’re through.”
“Smart man. I’m good with that. We’ll be at the monument. If I don’t get the player, I’m going to find you. Don’t fuck with me.”
I gritted my teeth at the threat, thinking I would enjoy killing this asshole. “Understood. You only have about forty-five minutes, so you’d better get moving.”
JENNIFER, lying on the floor shackled and gagged, saw Miguel hang up and waited to hear what he said to Jake.
“He’s pretty smart. He has a good plan to keep himself in one piece, although I’m sure you’ll find a way to defeat it.” Miguel then relayed Pike’s demands.
Jake said, “That makes it harder, but not impossible. The Plaza Mayor will be jammed with a thousand locals. I’m going to need everyone for this, or he’ll get away. Security here will be a little light while we’re gone.”
“Take whoever you need. I want him almost as much as the package.”
Jennifer saw Jake glance her way. “What about the girl? Are we taking her?”
She perked up, waiting to hear the exchange plan.
“No. He’s a man after my own heart. He doesn’t give a shit about her. He only wants out. I’ll give her to the remaining