Page 124 of When The Storm Passes

“My name,” he finally said, his voice tiny.

“Yours, exactly! Seventy-five million euros in the name of Osvaldo Salazar, the Scorpion of Cali himself. I’ve also had time to do a little research on you ...” He smiled. “Sadly, you don’t have the access code to the account.”

Osvaldo gulped, a hot flush running through him. But that was nothing compared to the whirlwind tearing through his mind.

A whirlwind of possibilities.

A whirlwind of ramifications.

All of which, at best, concluded with him ending up just like the man in his video.

“Just so we’re really clear,” Roberto continued mercilessly, “I have no interest in keeping that dirty money for myself, but it is my life insurance.”

Osvaldo tried to say something, but his eyes were glassy as if he’d just been dealt a knockout blow.

“If I see you again, even from afar, I’ll send the video and the bank account information to your boss. If anything happens to me or toanyone close to me, the email will be sent automatically. If you should so much as breathe within a hundred yards of me again, the email will be sent. If you chew in a way I don’t like, the email will be sent. Anything, any attempt to fuck with me, the email will be sent. Have I made myself clear?”

“Very clear.” Osvaldo sounded like he was being strangled. He said nothing more. He didn’t need to. They both remained silent for a few seconds, staring at each other. The game was up; there were no pieces left to move.

“It’s time you left,” Roberto sighed, and pointed to the door. “There are lots of people waiting. And tell Antía and Diego to come back in, if you’d be so kind.”

Roberto gestured to the next man in line, who stepped forward, paying the stunned Osvaldo no mind.

Osvaldo Salazar was not a coward, but he wasn’t stupid either. No one reached his age in his line of work otherwise. He knew when he had lost.

With slumped shoulders, he turned and signaled to his men that they were leaving.

“Osvaldo!” Roberto called out, and the man swiveled back around. “You’re forgetting this.” Roberto held up the signed book. “So you have something to read on your way home.”

Osvaldo gave him a withering look but grasped hold of the book without a word. There was nothing to say.

Roberto held his breath until the gunmen had gone out, away into the crowds of Plaza de Callao. When Antía and Diego entered again, both looking confused, he finally exhaled. He smiled to signal that it was all over, and the relief on their faces was obvious. He would explain everything later.

They had survived the storm.

More important, they had survived its consequences.

And for now, the sun was shining.