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"Their efforts on behalf of the people of Sonora will not go unappreciated. They will be compensated."
It was an obvious fish story and nobody in the room bought it.
Admiral Sandecker was the highest American official in the room. He stared at Matos and gave him a disarming smile. "I will be meeting with our nation's President tomorrow morning. At that time I will brief him on the alarming events occurring in our neighbor to the south, and inform him that your law enforcement officials are dragging their feet on the investigation and throwing up a smoke screen on the kidnapping of our highlevel representatives. I need not remind you, Senor Matos, the free trade agreement is coming up for review by Congress. When our representatives are informed of your callous treatment of one of their colleagues, and how you cooperate with criminals dealing in stolen and smuggled art, they may find it difficult to continue our mutual trade relations. In short, senor, your President wild have a major scandal on his hands."
Matos's eyes behind the glasses were suddenly stricken. "There is no need for so strong a response over a minor disagreement between our two countries."
Pitt noticed thin beads of perspiration on the Mexican official's head. He turned to his boss from NUMA. "I'm hardly an expert on executive politics, Admiral, but what do you want to bet the President of Mexico and his cabinet have not been informed of the true situation?"
"I suspect you'd win," said Sandecker. "That would explain why we're not talking to a major player."
The color had drained from Matos's face, and he looked positively sick. "You misunderstand, my nation stands ready to cooperate in every way possible."
"You tell your superiors in the National Affairs Department," said Pitt, "or whoever you really work for, that they aren't as smart as they thought."
"The meeting is over," said Starger. "We'll consider our options and inform your government of our actions this time tomorrow."
Matos tried to retrieve a shred of dignity. He stared balefully and when he spoke his voice was quieter. "I must warn you of any attempt to send your Special Forces into Mexico--"
Sandecker cut him off. "I'll give you twenty-four hours to send Congresswoman Smith and my deputy director, Rudi Gunn, over the border crossing between Mexicali and Calexico unharmed. One minute later and a lot of people will get hurt."
"You do not have the authority to make threats."
"Once I tell my President your security forces are torturing Smith and Gunn for state secrets, there is no telling how he will react."
Matos looked horrified. "But that is a total lie, an absurd fabrication."
Sandecker smiled icily. "See, I know how to invent situations too."
"I give you my word
"That will be all, Senor Matos," said Starger. "Please keep my office apprised of any further incidents."
When the Mexican official left the conference room, he looked like a man who had stood by and watched as his wife ran off with the plumber and his dog was run over by a milk truck. As soon as he was gone, Ragsdale, who had sat back and quietly absorbed the conversation, turned to Gaskill.
"Well, if nothing else, they don't know we knocked over their illegal storage facility."
"Let's hope they remain in the dark for another two days."
"Did you take an inventory of the stolen goods?" asked Pitt.
"The quantity was so great, it will take weeks to thoroughly itemize every object."
"Do you recall seeing any Southwestern Indian religious idols, carved from cottonwood?"
Gaskill shook his head. "No, nothing like that."
"Please let me know if you do. I have an Indian friend who would like them back."
Ragsdale nodded at Sandecker. "How do you read the situation, Admiral?" he asked.
"The Zolars have promised the moon," Sandecker said. "I'm beginning to believe that if they were arrested, half the citizenry of the state of Sonora would rise up and break them out of jail."
"They'll never allow Loren and Rudi to go free and talk," said Pitt.
"I hate to be the one to mention it," Ragsdale said quietly, "but they could already be dead."
Pitt shook his head. "I won't let myself believe that."
