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"I think he was contacted by the villains, who told him where to meet them, and threatened his wife's well-being if he didn't come alone. So he went alone. How, I don't know, but he was desperate, and he got away from us, and made it to somewhere where he could find a taxi-the San Isidro railroad station, probably-and took it to wherever he was told to meet them. Did Your Excellency notice the taxi is not a Buenos Aires city taxi?"
"Yes, I did, as a matter of fact," Ambassador Silvio said.
"And I was thinking that's what probably happened."
"I am both deeply sorry and grossly embarrassed, Your Excellency, that I have failed my duty," Munz said.
"If you and Sieno were sitting up all night in Paul's car, Colonel," Silvio said, "I don't think anyone can fairly accuse you of being derelict in your duties."
"I fucked up big time, Mr. Ambassador, that's the bottom line," Paul Sieno said.
"I don't feel that you did, Paul," Silvio said kindly, then turned to Alex Darby. "Alex, will you stay here to learn what you can? And at the hospital?"
"Yes, sir."
"Mr. Castillo, can I see you for a moment?"
"Yes, sir, of course."
Silvio took Castillo's arm and led him out of earshot.
"We're going to have to talk, Mr. Castillo," the ambassadorsaid. "Is there some reason we can't do that now? Would you ride to the embassy with me?"
"Yes, sir, of course." "Do you have any idea what's going on here, Mr. Castillo?" Ambassador Silvio asked when they were in the ambassador's big BMW. "Is there something I should know?"
"Sir, I have no idea what's going on," Castillo said, and then blurted, "except that it's a fucking outrage."
"I'm a diplomat, I'm not supposed to use language like that, but I quite agree."
"Sorry, sir. That slipped out. He was such a nice guy!"
"Yes, he was," Silvio agreed. Then he said, "Excuse me," and took out his cellular telephone and pushed an autodial number.
"Jack has been murdered, my love," he said in Spanish. "At the moment, that's all I know. Betsy, who has been drugged, has been taken to the German Hospital-
"No. Drugged. Not sedated-
"I was going to suggest that you go to the hospital, but until they bring her out of it, I can't see what good that would do. Alex Darby's wife is with the Masterson children-
"Thank you. Make sure you have at least one of Lowery's people with you, and that the Policia Federal are following you-
"None of us would have believed what just happened, my love. Do what I tell you. I'll call you shortly." [TWO] The Office of the Ambassador The United States Embassy Avenida Colombia 4300 Palermo, Buenos Aires, Argentina 0635 23 July 2005 "I expect that you will want to make a report to your superiors, Mr. Castillo," Ambassador Silvio said as he led Castillo into his office.
"Yes, sir."
"You might as well do that from here," Silvio said.
"That's very kind of you, sir, but I don't mind-"
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"We really haven't finished our conversation, have we?" Silvio interrupted him. "Just as soon as I speak with the secretary of state, I'll have them put you through."
Is he doing that to be a nice guy-which he certainly seems to be-or so that he can hear my report?
"Thank you very much, sir."
"Having said what I just said, I realize that I have no idea how to get through to the secretary at this hour of the morning-it's what, half past five in Washington? And I think she would want to hear this directly from me."
