Above Ground

by Don Easton

  Ramirez did not respond and looked perplexed.

  “You do not think that I would be worthy of such a rendezvous?” asked Laura mischievously.

  Ramirez blushed, then chuckled and said, “For such a beautiful lady as you,” he said, “I would meet you in Carlos’s own bedroom.” Ramirez paused and added, “After he was dead, of course!”

  Everyone laughed. Ramirez then excused himself from the table for a few minutes. When he returned, he asked, “Whose idea was it to rent a place in Cali — Maria’s Cabinas?”

  “Mine,” said Jack. “I thought it would be convenient for you. I have not told Carlos about it yet.”

  “So it is you who talks with Carlos?” asked Ramirez.

  “Carlos wanted you to think you were having an affair behind Damien’s back. As it would appear that the situation does not involve me, it would be easier for me to converse with Carlos.”

  “I do not think that he would dare try to do this so close to where I live. If he made a mistake ... the road back to Buga would become very long. I will pick another location. Palmira would be good. He will feel safer there.”

  “Palmira?” asked Laura. “Where is it?”

  “Cali, Buga, and Palmira ... think of it as a triangle on the map,” said Ramirez. “Buga is to the north and Palmira is to the northeast. All three cities join each other and are all less than an hour away. Buga belongs — no, used to belong — to Carlos. I enjoy the business in Cali. Palmira will be a good spot. He will not be so suspicious there.”

  “I spoke to Carlos this morning,” said Jack. “I told him that tonight was the only opportunity. I was afraid that if we stalled, he might choose some other means. He is expecting me to call and let him know.”

  Ramirez nodded and said, “The sooner we take care of this problem, the better it will be. Allow me a couple of hours to make some arrangements, then you can call Carlos.”

  “I would prefer to call him from our hotel,” said Jack. “I could appear to be more open with him then. Perhaps you could phone me later and give me a location to tell Carlos?”

  “The three of you will be my guests for dinner tonight. Seven o’clock. You will phone him after that. It will give me time to make preparations.”

  Jack knew that the dinner invitation, like the call he was to make, was an order and not a request. He nodded in agreement and said, “Perhaps I will tell Carlos that you are having a party tonight. I’ll tell him that Damien is drunk or has passed out. Laura will say she has a headache and ask you to escort her home. He will understand.”

  Ramirez smiled and said, “Very good, my new friend. Very good.”

  For the next half-hour, the conversation around the table was light. Ramirez bragged about the abilities of his chef and the various paintings and statues he had acquired. Jack saw that his eyes frequently glanced in Laura’s direction and knew that something was on his mind. Soon it was revealed.

  “Have you dyed your hair?” asked Ramirez abruptly, looking at Laura. “It is not real?” he added, sounding disappointed.

  “My natural hair just has red highlights. I did dye it, just on the pretense of enticing you.”

  “Ah,” said Ramirez. “That is most unfortunate. Highlights, as you say, is how I do prefer it. That is a secret that my enemies do not know. Perhaps, for me, that is a good thing. Come, I will walk you all to your car.”

  They walked to the front of the mansion and were just approaching their car when Ramirez said, “Jack, walk with me for a moment.”

  Jack, Damien, and Laura all raised their eyebrows at one another, then Jack did as instructed. Ramirez walked with Jack until he was just out of earshot and then said, “Laura. She does not really belong to Damien, does she?”

  “No, she doesn’t,” replied Jack.

  “I see her look at you sometimes ... like perhaps you are her boss? She does not look at you like a lover. Am I correct?”

  Jack felt uncomfortable. Ramirez was more observant than he had expected. He also did not want to put Laura into a position where it would appear that she was for sale. He replied, “She looks to me because she values my opinion. But you are right. She belongs to no man, although there have been men who have belonged to her.”

  Ramirez chuckled, then said, “Perfecto!” He smiled as he walked with Jack back toward the car.

  As they neared the car, Jack noticed a security guard answer his portable radio. Seconds later, he barked an order in Spanish. Another guard quickly levelled his M16 at Damien, who was leaning against the driver’s door of their rental car. A second guard pointed his weapon at Laura, who was standing a short distance away where she had been watching a gardener prune some rose bushes. Jack heard a noise behind him and knew that a third guard was covering him.

  Ramirez looked startled and the guard spoke to him rapidly in Spanish. The word policia was used as the guard gave a sweep of his arm to indicate the three guests.

  The eyebrows furrowed on Ramirez’s face and his dark eyes looked like black marbles. He looked at his three guests and said, “A man has climbed a tree just outside the fence to our property. He is watching with binoculars. My guards believe it is a policeman! You have come to try and trap me! Yes?”

  Damien’s hands were behind his back and he slowly used his fingers to feel for the door handle. My only chance ... keys are in the ignition ... if I can get it started ... keep my head down and crash the gate. Maybe the Mounties will try to run and distract them...

  Laura glanced around. No place to run ... gardening shears in this guy’s hand ... won’t stop an M16 ... oh, man! Elvis, I’m sorry.

  “A policeman!” Jack exclaimed, then let out a chuckle that he hoped sounded genuine. “This is great news!” He then whispered to Ramirez, while conscious 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 to do this?” asked Jack, feeling irritated that Ramirez could be so casual about planning a murder.

  “You will take him to a villa on the edge of the city. It is a good spot. The driveway to the villa goes over a small bridge. When he enters the villa, I will have a truck block the bridge. More men will be inside the villa and also in a shed outside. He will not escape once he is over the bridge.”

  “I think I should come to Palmira as well,” said Laura.

  “Definitely. I intend for you to come,” said Ramirez. “You will leave your car here and all three of you will come with me,” he added, while getting up and walking around his desk to face Jack. “Call Carlos now!” he ordered.

  Ramirez watched closely as Jack dialled, and then he placed his head close to the phone so he could listen. Out of the corner of his eye, Jack saw Laura move closer to the desk, her hand within grabbing distance of a thin knife used as a letter opener.

  “Carlos! This is Jack.”

  “What news do you have for me?” demanded Carlos. “Tell me where the pig is!”

  “I am a short distance from him now,” said Jack, looking at Ramirez, whose face indicated a rise in blood pressure. “I do not have time to talk. He will be with the lady in Palmira tonight. I do not have the address now. I will meet you at eleven o’clock in front of the church at the main plaza in Palmira and show you where he is.”

  Carlos let out a tirade in Spanish that Jack did not understand. He felt his muscles contract as the rage showed on Ramirez’s face.

  Carlos then said, “Si, amigo, we will meet in Palmira!”

  Ramirez stepped back when the call ended. His face was contorted in anger and he reverted back to his Spanish tongue as he let loose with a barrage of obscenities while looking at Jack.

  Laura turned her back to the desk but put her hands behind her and picked up the letter opener. Two bodyguards in the room ... if I can take out Ramirez while Jack and Damien jump the other two ... oh man!

  Ramirez then spun toward Laura and said, “I am sorry, Laura. For what I have said. I hope you do not know such Spanish words.”

  Laura smiled sweetly and said, “I’m ashamed to admit that I haven’t learned Spanish.”

  “That is okay. I am ashamed of the words I just spoke,” replied Ramirez. “It is unbelievable what he said he will do to me with ... a stick.” Ramirez paused momentarily, then said, “Very barbaric. I do not understand such rage. I thought he and I had an agreement. He is a lunatic.”

  “He really is,” said Damien in agreement.

  Ramirez looked at Laura and said, “Do you know that he always wears a little green tam? He pretends he is a soldier. He is not. He is just a lunatic.”

  Laura let out a deep breath. She then thought of Rellik with his stringy red hair and chipped front tooth. How could Ramirez understand such rage? Perhaps if he had a brother and knew Rellik, he would understand. Carlos isn’t the only lunatic who should be put down!

  Laura gently laid the letter opener on the table and stepped away when Ramirez said that they would have dinner now.

  On their way to the table, Laura whispered to Jack, “Think maybe you should call Jean-Louie? Have them pull us over when we leave? Ramirez isn’t going to let us take our car but if we let Jean-Louie know, then...”

  “Not a chance. We’re this close to Carlos. I’m not going to let him slip through my fingers now. You stay close to Ramirez. He’ll be protected. He’s not the type to risk his neck.”

  “Yeah, he’s really different than you. Probably smarter.”

  Jack chose not to respond.

  The dinner, consisting of a mai
n course of garlic buttered prawns and wild rice with mushrooms, would normally have tasted succulent. Neither Jack nor Laura felt like eating. The anticipation of tonight’s activity did not seem to affect Damien, who was pleased to accept a second helping.

  “Tell me, Jack,” said Ramirez, “Damien said that you are not with his club, but that he has hired you for your knowledge of money.”

  Jack nodded.

  “What would you propose that I do as an investment strategy for your country?”

  Jack took his time to chew and then swallow a prawn before replying, “I would presume that a man of your calibre would already own a bank someplace — perhaps in the Grand Caymans?”

  Ramirez smiled and said, “Perhaps more than one.”

  “Your official business is inspired by leather. Shoes, jackets ... correct?”

  “Yes,” Ramirez replied, then looked at Damien and said, “Officially, of course!” then laughed.

  “Then,” said Jack, “I would propose you open a chain of such stores in Canada. You could get a tax break by borrowing money from your own banks while paying yourself interest. Naturally, the paper trail would be hidden through different companies so that the government would not know you owned the banks. On paper, it would appear normal that you would send large amounts of money back to the banks as well as to shoe or leather distribution companies in Colombia.”

  “Your government would give me a tax break?” exclaimed Ramirez.

  “If you have to borrow money to invest in a company in Canada, it is expected that you would deduct such an expense from your cost of doing business. On paper, you would say that you are selling a large volume of expensive leather goods. You would only send a few high-quality and expensive items for show. The rest would be of a very low quality. Practically worthless. Once these cleared customs, the poor-quality merchandise could be destroyed. As long as large amounts are being imported, it would appear that they are being sold and money is being sent back to order more and pay for loans.”

  Ramirez beamed, then looked at Damien and said, “You have picked your people well.” He then glanced at Laura and added, “Very well.” He raised a glass of Pinot Blanc. Everyone followed suit and gave a silent toast.