Mercenaries R Us

.

previously: "…Think it over. Call me if you decide to go ahead with this." This time he gave me a phone number.

Stephanie shook her head and turned the page…

Chapter 3 - The Interview

[journalist pov]

.

The Newsweek article continued:

How could I not meet this man? Even if he didn't tell me much, what an opportunity. And so, one morning in a few weeks ago I found myself being ushered into the office of this very hard to find man.

Initial observations: No secretary. A guard at the main entrance of a discreet building in Trenton, New Jersey of all places. Another security guard to escort me to Manoso's office. The décor—high tech, yet plush. Sophisticated, classy. It said Money, money, money.

Manoso rose to greet me. He was not quite what I expected.

First impression: well-dressed executive with a firm handshake. Don't-mess-with-me eyes. Custom tailored suit, perhaps Armani, with black t-shirt. Average height, short well-cut hair. Dark complexion, racially mixed Latino. Anglo features. Very faint scent of expensive soap or cologne.

I looked closer and decided that the expensive tailoring probably disguised a very muscular body and perhaps some weapons. The diamond stud earrings were the only non-corporate touch that was readily visible.

As we got seated on the black leather sofas and designer bottled water was offered and served, my next thought was what an unusually good-looking man this is.

Manoso looks like a movie star playing a Wall Street executive. He is so handsome it was hard to take him seriously in those first moments. I found myself staring in disbelief. Despite having viewed the CNN tapes many times, I somehow had expected either a tough grey-haired ex-Marine or a ghetto gangbanger. The GQ cover model looks were a surprise.

The next thing I thought was that he is also very young. Late twenties, maybe 30 at the most. His eyes met mine and I shivered involuntarily. Carlos Manoso is an intimidating man.

This is what I recorded that morning.

I said- You seem to be very successful for someone so young.

Manoso- Is that a real question?

Journalist/ myself, the interviewer- No, no. Just an observation.

CM- (silence)

J- So tell me about Rangeman. What is it you do here?

CM- Rangeman supplies a variety of security services to private persons, businesses and other select clients.

J- By other clients, do you mean government clients? Are you a mercenary, as is rumored?

CM- Rangeman guarantees absolute confidentiality unless otherwise specified. I can't comment on the types of clients we serve.

J- But some are US government agencies?

CM- No comment.

Interviewer regroups.

J- Maybe you can tell me something about yourself. Where are you from? Are you married, kids? Where did you go to school?

CM- I don't discuss my personal life.

J- Were you in the Army? Your street name is Ranger…. Were you in the Army Rangers? Special Forces? Delta Force? Or?

CM- I was in the Army. I can't comment on the other questions.

J- What rank did you hold?

CM- No comment.

J- Did you fight in Iraq? Afghanistan? Bosnia? Somalia?

CM- Somalia and Bosnia were before my time. I was, maybe, twelve….

J- The other conflicts?

CM- No comment.

We went round and round. The man was polite but he definitely knew his lines. I tried coming from a different angle.

J- Are you an American citizen?

CM- (looking a bit amused) Yes, of course.

J- Where were you born?

CM- Born in the USA.

Did he intentionally quote Springsteen? I noticed he was finally lightening up just a little, and looking more approachable.

J- Can you be more specific?

CM- No.

J- What did you want to be when you grew up? Did you always dream of being a mercenary?

CM- I wanted to be a relief pitcher for the New York Yankees. I wanted to be a closer.

J- Were you good at baseball?

Thinking of his reputed Cuban background.

CM- Yeah, just like all 10 year old kids are.

J- Did you play a sport in high school?

CM- No comment.

J- How can you refuse to comment on what sports you played in school? Isn't that a bit—extreme?

CM-(pause)- I played every sport you can imagine, I was a typical kid.

J- Name your four favorites?

M-(pause) (sigh) Baseball. Ice hockey. Surfing. Golf.

J- Golf?

CM- No comment.

J- I can't help but notice that you are a very good-looking young man. Did you ever consider a career in the media? Acting or….?

CM- GQ covers?

Some people had sworn Manoso has ESP.

CM- (continuing) No, my mom disapproved, it wasn't what she wanted her son to be. I was always—sheltered?—no, insulated, I guess is the word, from that sort of thing. Plus it didn't interest me.

J- Do you think your mother prefers it that you are a mercenary?

CM- (laughs) No comment. Well she probably wanted me to be a doctor…. (still laughing).

I think, This man has some smile…. He is amused, not insulted. He has a truly stunning smile, think toothpaste ads. Crest Premium Whitestrips, anyone?

I ask- Are your parents living?

CM- No comment.

J- You seem to be a charismatic and intelligent man. Have you ever considered a political career?

CM- No.

I notice this is a flat No, not a No Comment. Manoso has a slight "you gotta be kidding" look on his face. I get the impression his clout may be extensive but is entirely behind the scenes as far as our government goes.

J- Let me ask you this, if I wanted to retain Rangeman's services would I find out more about the company?

CM- We would find out about you, you would not receive any information about me personally and only about the company as it pertained to your needs. If you were truly a potential client, I'd meet with you to decide if what we offer addresses your security needs. If not we would refer you to another security company that would be more appropriate.

J- You mean if, for example, I needed a burglar alarm you'd send me somewhere else but if I required a potential stalker, let's say, "removed" you might do that?

CM- No, we don't do hits for private citizens. You'd have to look elsewhere for your hitman and we don't refer for that. Perhaps you've been watching too many Sopranos reruns, Mr. Rosen. I assure you that is not what I do.

J- OK, sorry, go on.

I notice now that he is speaking a bit more that he has a very attractive voice and is quite soft-spoken. He has no detectable regional accent, no trace of Spanish or the ghetto. The overall impression is East Coast, educated.

CM- Then if it is mutually agreed upon that Rangeman can supply what is needed we discuss fees, can you pay them, do you want to pay them. I don't come cheap, but I'm good….Then you sign a confidentiality agreement so that nothing we do ever finds its way into a magazine article.

R- I see. Now, you said your firm does not do hits for private citizens. Does that mean you do so for, perhaps, governments? Or government agencies?

CM- No comment.

J- But, sir…

CM- Do I look like an assassin to you, Mr. Rosen?

J- Um…Yes?

CM- Is that a question?

J- Uh….

CM- And yes is the wrong answer, you're supposed to say No.

I think, Omigod, have I offended this man? I start to perspire.

Carlos Manoso sat relaxed and alert in his expensive suit, handsome face neutral. The man exudes an almost tangible aura of power and wealth and entitlement.

Manoso may or indeed may not be an assassin, but he is definitely not a hard-scrabble soldier or a gangsta from some urban ghetto. His almost-black Latino eyes are intense and serious, his manner assured and composed. Again I am impressed with his good looks, trying to imagine what it must be like to responsible for the deployment of a private army yet to be so young and so exotically beautiful.

The intimidating black eyes stop me from following up on that thought. Instead I pause and refer to my notes. Then I try a new line of inquiry.

tbc

lol! You didn't really think Ranger was gonna tell this guy anything, did you!

Thanks for reviewing!