Part 20 (1/2)

”Watch the gla.s.s back there,” said David. ”I'll stop about ten miles south of town so we can clean that out.”

”I'd prefer you didn't stop until we reached Mexico City.”

”We're not going to Mexico City,” said David.

”Maybe we should be.”

Keira was starting to have second thoughts about crossing into the United States at Nogales-or anywhere, for that matter.

CHAPTER 28.

Leeds shook his head as Olmos steered their SUV between the two gaudy, illuminated marble pillars that marked the entrance to La Araa's gated estate. He had to give this Spider guy some credit. Instead of building a mansion on a sprawling tract of land on the outskirts of town, he had declared the drug cartel's equivalent of eminent domain and confiscated something a little closer to the action. The digital maps still listed his estate as a public park. Impressive.

Leeds tensed when a few guards appeared inside the gate and pointed flashlights at the SUV, still wary of the safe pa.s.sage guaranteed by Chukov. The men kept their rifles and submachine guns pointed away from the vehicle despite the murderous glares directed at the tinted gla.s.s windows. They had reason to be angry. He just hoped their fear of disobeying La Araa's orders would trump any drug-fueled vigilante notions. Chukov's team hadn't been subtle when they'd breached the compound. They'd cut a wide path through the guards on their way in.

A ma.s.sive Mexican wearing a black suit over a stark white collared s.h.i.+rt waved them through.

”Drive slow and steady,” said Leeds. ”Don't give them an excuse.”

”I don't see how this is supposed to work for us. Why can't Chukov go to work on Spider-Man and leave us out of it?”

”Because we need Seor Talamanco's cooperation and blessing, no matter how insincere, to continue operating in Mexicali. If the cartel turns against us, we won't last the hour.”

”I'm worried about later,” said Olmos. ”I can't imagine he's going to take Chukov's stunt lightly. These guys build their reputations on fear and respect. Chukov just knocked him down the ladder a few notches.”

”We just need to get through the night.”

”I don't know. These guys look hungry. Never know who's got their eyes set on the big mansion.”

”I think we can reach a satisfactory agreement with this guy,” said Leeds.

”I hope so.”

Leeds didn't exactly trust the situation either, but Chukov hadn't left him much of a choice. He'd been just as surprised as Olmos when the Russian's call came through. Somehow Petrov's ragged bandits had managed to infiltrate the cartel boss's compound and capture a man who had, until tonight, respectfully declined any a.s.sociation with Cerberus. Now he was politely requesting an audience.

They were directed to park beside a Range Rover under a carport set behind a line of trees. When they got out, one of two men standing at a thick, black gate set into a tall, brick wall gestured for them to follow. Leeds was pleased to see that neither man appeared armed, as he had insisted.

They followed the men into a lush courtyard. Apparently, the water crisis hadn't reached Seor Talamanco's private gardens.

The guards guided them across the exquisitely manicured grounds, past a brightly glowing pool to a softly lit, open-air dining room attached to the main house. A man Leeds a.s.sumed to be Talamanco sat alone at the head of a thick wooden table, casually eating from a plate piled with food. Chukov faced him, seated at the opposite end. Three Russian mercenaries were visible, forming a loose perimeter around the alfresco dining room.

As Leeds and Olmos reached the brick patio connected to the room, Talamanco waved the two escorts away. They disappeared into the gardens, never looking back.

”Welcome,” said Talamanco, gesturing to the chairs next to him. ”Please join me for a late dinner. My kitchen staff always prepares enough food to feed an army. Little did they know, I'd be entertaining one.”

”I'll let you handle this,” whispered Olmos, nodding respectfully at Talamanco before stepping to the edge of the room near one of Chukov's men.

Leeds nodded. ”I don't normally eat this late, but there's nothing normal about tonight. Thank you.”

He'd reached out to pull back the chair next to Talamanco when he noticed the plate was already full. Leeds decided to stand.

”That was my wife's plate. We don't normally eat this late either,” said Talamanco, cutting into a steak without looking up. ”And we've never had uninvited guests-until tonight.”

”I trust Seor Talamanco's wife and children are being treated well,” said Leeds, glancing at Chukov.

”With white-glove service,” said Chukov.

Talamanco took a sip of red wine. ”I a.s.sume you are familiar with the term Mexican standoff?”

Leeds smirked. ”Of course.”

”And your friend?” said Talamanco, waving the gla.s.s of wine at Chukov.

The Russian shook his head, as if the Mexican's question was a waste of time.

”Then let me put it into terms a Russki might understand,” said Talamanco. ”It's similar to a stalemate in chess. There is no winning situation for any party involved.”

Chukov's expression remained the same. Unimpressed.

”I'm here to break the stalemate,” said Leeds. ”We can all walk away from this winners.”

”All of this was rather unnecessary,” said Talamanco.

”We're operating under a strict timeline, and you haven't exactly made yourself available to us today.”

”I'm a busy man, Mr. Leeds. I don't have time to pursue petty cash offers made in bars or on street corners.”

Leeds tried to conceal his surprise that Talamanco knew his name.

”Don't strain too hard to keep a straight face. I knew who you were within an hour of your arrival, along with Raymond Olmos, former Navy SEAL. I have dossiers on both of you.”

Chukov stifled a laugh.

”Don't laugh, Mr. Chukov. Your team has made a name for itself in and around Mexico City,” said the cartel boss.

Chukov's face hardened. He placed his elbows on the table, interlacing his fingers. Talamanco put his winegla.s.s down, smiling cordially at Leeds.

”What are you offering to break the stalemate?”

”The lives of your wife and children,” stated Chukov.

The Mexican shook his head. ”He truly doesn't understand. We're all dead. You. Me. Olmos. Chukov. His team. My family. That's where this negotiation starts. The neighborhood surrounding this place is filled with my soldiers. Word is out. n.o.body survives. So, what are you offering for me to sell out one of my best-paying clients?”

Leeds shook his head at Chukov, who had reached one hand below the table and leaned forward. The Russian eased back against his seat.