It tooktwo days to pass through Peru. Once again, they stopped about an hour before the border, switched him and Glennon from the back of the truck into the hidden compartment, and made the border around noon. Luckily, traffic was minimal this time of day, and they were able to get through quickly. An hour later, Steel stopped the truck and let them back into the rear area.
Glennon struggled on her own to get onto the tailgate and needed to be lifted into the back. He hopped in first. “Turn your back to me,” he instructed.
Once she did, he gently grabbed her under the arms and slid her up into the nest they’d made for her.
Demon frowned as he handed two water bottles through the sliding window. “Check her dressing. Make sure she hasn’t popped any more stitches or that it hasn’t become infected.”
Eyes shut, she didn’t stir as he carefully lifted the T-shirt hem so he could inspect the wound. “What should I be looking for?”
“The skin should look like it’s knitting together. Might be a little pink, even red, but it won’t have any drainage, especially pus. Swelling should be down.”
“Nothing appears to be wrong then. I think maybe she’s just tired. She fell asleep almost immediately. She’s not waking up, and I’m touching her skin directly.”
Demon conferred quietly with Steel, who pulled to a stop almost immediately. Demon hopped out of the passenger seat and came to the back. “Grab your tablet and switch places with me. We need Midas’ and your computer skills. Steel will tell you what to do.”
He didn’t want to leave her, but obviously the men had a plan of some sort. These guys were the experts at navigating impossible situations, so he’d trust they knew what they were doing.
Secure in his seat, Steel took off again down the road. “The radio power button, press it once. When the screen goes red around the outside, it will give you a secure link to Midas in Los Angeles. If we end up getting stopped, hit the power button twice, quickly, and it will switch to local radio.”
“Got it.”
After hitting the power button, he secured the tablet and powered it on. Midas appeared on the dashboard screen of the truck. “Gentlemen,” he greeted them. “I’ve got you on my satellite feed. How’s it going?”
Steel told him, “I need you to link to the tablet for Triumph. We need a safe place to land for the night. Glennon’s in rough shape. She needs real rest.”
Midas’ fingers were already working on the keyboard. “Can you afford the time?”
“Not really, but Demon said we need at least a few hours. Six minimum.”
“Okay, I’m syncing to Triumph’s tablet now.”
Midas watched as the screen went from a white background to black.
“Are you going to hit the border by nightfall?” Midas asked.
“Barring any stoppages, yes,” Steel confirmed. He looked at his watch. “Probably about eight p.m.”
“That’s getting late. Fewer vehicles on the road. You’ll be more vulnerable then.”
“But it will also be easier to see anyone following us,” Steel reminded him.
Triumph looked up from the map he’d pulled up on his tablet. “They know where we are?”
Without taking his eyes off the road, Steel replied, “Best to assume it. Guillermo never gives up a prize, and he would definitely consider her to be one. And he’ll especially want back a prize he feels was taken from him.” He chuckled derisively. “For all the power they wield, the cartel doesn’t worry about tactics. They prefer to flaunt their strength, hit hard, often and publicly, rather than be quick and quiet. At least, that’s how they are with Guillermo in charge and me not there to advise him. But once we get to Turbo, we should be able to lose them in the crush of people.”
“I don’t understand. If they’re following us, then why aren’t they taking us out? Why let us get so far away and continue even further?”
Midas interrupted their conversation. “Your links should all be good to go.”
“What am I doing?”
“You, my young padawan, are going to use the satellite to find some backroads for when you get into Colombia. Once you hit the home stretch, Guillermo’s fuck-nozzles will likely close the gap.” He began muttering to himself, and his fingers were flying over the keyboard. “Mocoa is too far. At least six hours, more like eight, even with low traffic, and horrifically out ofthe way.” He tapped a few more keys, then swung to another monitor.
“Ipiales will give us more options to hide,” Steel told him. “We can fuel up easy. Grab food so we can take some back routes.”
“If you’re suggesting it, then I’m guessing the cartel will expect that,” Midas told him.
“Possible. If Guillermo’s ego is running his brain, we might be able to get away with it. Again. He knows how my brain works, but he was always trying to outsmart me. Thinking too hard isn’t always a bonus. If not Ipiales, what about Pasto? I don’t dare go much past two hours.”
