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“Yo?” he responds promptly.
“How are you?”
“Are you dying?”
I scoff. “Why would you ask that?”
“The last time we spoke, you were wounded in a hospital somewhere in Europe.”
“That was seven years ago. I’ve called you a few times after the incident,” I remind him.
“It’s not my birthday or a holiday.”
“Ben, stop. I get it, this is unusual. I’m calling because I need a favor.”
That’s not exactly true. I don’t need anything for myself, but for his sister. I don’t know if they get along. As far as I know, we all hate each other. Their mother made sure of that.
He sighs loudly. “What do you want?”
“Sharon—”
“I don’t care about her latest telenovela.”
“So, you know she’s getting a divorce.”
“Yep. She called me a few days ago. She mentioned something about making amends… I don’t know. It’s in my voicemail. One day when I’m bored, I’ll play it again and pay attention to it.”
Should I remind him that this is his sister? She’s only my half-sister, and even I’m doing something for her.
“I’ll be working out of the country for the next few months. She’s staying at my apartment. If she needs something—”
“Don’t tell her to call me. I don’t want to sound like an insensitive asshole, but I don’t give a shit about her life.”
“That’s fair.”
“Anything else? I have shit to do.”
“Stay safe, and call if you need anything.”
He laughs and hangs up the phone.
I’m not surprised that he’s not concerned about our sister. He’s the youngest and had to deal with most of the shit his mother and our father put their children through. Thank fuck I was never part of their family. Dad made it clear from the beginning that his new family wouldn’t be tainted with his old life.
It’s not like he was any better to his other children though. And because of the same reason, I try to reach out to Ben, though I should do it more often, shouldn’t I?
August 5th
I board the charter that takes me to Panama City. It’s only a five-hour trip. When I arrive in the city, I check in to a hotel using another identity. I don’t want Zamudio to learn I arrive before I have to be at his property. There are several things I want to do before we come face to face.
Thanks to the forum, I learned people assume he’s dead after an attack on his properties in the Amazon rainforest. People might be looking for him, and I want to be able to leave without a scab. I didn’t die in a war, so I'm sure as hell not going to die working for a drug cartel lord.
After settling in, I picked up the armored SUV I rented last week. My next stop is an arms dealer. Does this make me look shady? Probably, but I need to be prepared for everything. I doubt Zamudio is going to give a shit if I live or die. I have to look out for number one.
The next morning, I go to the realtor to pick up the keys to the houses I bought and the rental. As I said, I’m ready for any contingency. Two of the houses will be my haven while the other is the front and my known address.
It takes me another week to set up everything, including the satellite internet and the bunker, in case I have to hide. Once I’m set up and ready, I drive to Pedasi and check into the hotel where Zamudio’s people made the reservation. I don’t need to call him. The concierge has a message for me, “Be ready, the welcome committee will pick you up in less than twenty minutes.”
I nod and don’t even bother to head to my room. It only takes them five minutes to arrive at the lobby and pick me up.
