Part 31 (1/2)
Surprise Package
Colonel Felix Rojas fingered the eagle on one shoulder ”It took me thirty years to beco, Colonel Rojas will be Private Rojas byYou know that?”
”If Lazada is at hoolden skull If he is not at at home, and doesn't come home, it will mean that he has it”
”You need not worry, Sahib Colonel Rick has plenty bright idea Lazada will not find that skull, believe me,” Chahda assured him
Chahda and Scotty had beaten Rick to the hotel, and had found both Rojas and Tony Briotti waiting as a result of the otten away easily, and he had lingered in Paranaque, parked in shadow, until he saw Scotty go by Then he had picked him up When Rick did not appear, they went to the hotel to wait for word
Scotty had ditched his pursuers easily by cli until they passed He wasChahda
Tony Briotti asked, ”Does your father knohat kind of chances you take, Rick?”
Rick grinned ”He's been along on a few expeditions, remember He knoe can take care of ourselves”
”So do I, now Colonel, I have faith in the boys' theory I think we had better go to Lazada's”
Rojas nodded ”Even if iton thatIt cannot tolerate men like him in public office Without proof we cannot touch him, but if the proof is there”
”It will be,” Rick said confidently
Rojas picked up the phone and asked for a nuave his naave orders A platoon was to meet him at Lazada's in fifteen minutes No earlier and no later Then he phoned Dr Okola and requested that he, also, be at Lazada's
”Now,” Colonel Rojas said to the Spindrift group, ”let us go”
Ten ot out of the colonel's car in front of Lazada's house A Sikh guard started to open the door for theuard replied
”He here, also car,” Chahda said
Colonel Rojas consulted his watch ”We'll wait here”
The hts of a truck appeared The truck pulled up and a young captain got out of the front seat He saluted Rojas gave his crisp orders in Tagolog, which the captain relayed to the men on the truck They climbed doith a minimum of noise and went to surround the house
”Now,” Rojas said, ”let us visit Mr Lazada”
He pushed open the door and roup close behind At the top of the stairs the constabulary colonel brushed aside a houseboy and strode into the living room where Lazada sat with Nast The two leaped to their feet
Lazada turned red ”What is theof this?” he deret to inforrand larceny, atteold out of the country”
Lazada snarled ”I'll have you broken for this, you fool! I don't knohat you're talking about”
”I think you do These Aentlemen have told me quite a story”