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"You checked inside?" he repeated.
Castillo nodded. "Argentine VIPs, but neither the President nor the foreign minister is across the aisle."
"They probably want to come in last, for the show," Santini said.
"The ambassador and Darby and wives are here," Castillo went on. "Darby and his wife want to go to Ezeiza with you and the Mastersons. The ambassador wants to go with the casket."
"And you?"
"I thought that's what I'd do."
Santini nodded. "Scenario," he said, "Masterson family convoy leaves. We head for Ezeiza via Avenida 9 Julio and the autopista. As soon as the street is clear, the ambassador's car, the embassy Yukons-three, one for the casket, two for the honor guard-plus a bus for the Argentine soldiers, back in here with the SIDE tail vehicles. Mass is over, honor guard moves casket to Yukons, that convoy takes same route to Ezeiza. Okay with you?"
"Fine."
"Where's your car?"
"Around the corner," Castillo said, gesturing. "With two SIDE cars."
"I'd say go with the ambassador, but these SIDE people are not going to like it if they're not in the parade. Your call."
"I'd say screw them, but they're liable to insist and cause trouble."
"I agree. I'll have your car and theirs lined up back there," Santini said, pointing to the rear of the cathedral. "When the SIDE and embassy lead cars pull out of the street, the ambassador's car will get in the line, and then after the Yukon with the casket passes, you'll get in the line with your SIDE cars, then everybody else. Okay?"
"Tony, you know what you're doing. We'll do whatever you think we should."
Santini nodded, then turned to the man with the Uzi. "You heard that?"
"Yes, sir."
"Set it up."
"Yes, sir."
Santini raised his voice for the benefit of those out of earshot: "I'm going to check inside. If everything looks all right, we take the Mastersons in."
"You want me to go inside with you?" Castillo asked.
"Your call, Charley."
"I'll follow the Mastersons in," Castillo said.
Santini nodded and entered the cathedral. Ninety seconds later, he came out again.
"Okay, we move them!" he ordered, and walked quickly to the closest Yukon and opened the rear side door.
A very tall slim girl of thirteen or so got out first. Santini smiled at her, then showed her the door to the cathedral. Then a ten-year-old boy got out and followed his sister into the cathedral, and then Mrs. Masterson climbed down from the Yukon. She looked at Castillo, and then turned back to the truck.
"Just climb over the seat, Jim," she ordered, and then a six-year-old appeared in the open door.
Mrs. Masterson put her arm around his shoulders and led him toward the door in the cathedral wall.
As she passed Castillo, she said: "I can't tell you how sorry I am about Betty and the Marine."
Castillo didn't reply.
The only difference between the Masterson kids and Pevsner's kids is the color of their skin. Same sexes, same ages, same intelligent eyes.
