Andrew S. Fairchild paced back and forth across his office. Phillip. There was no way under heaven that Frank, Nancy, and Joe would be able to take Phillip on single handedly. True, most likely he wouldn't seek them out. Phillip believed in delegation. Surprising for such a criminal who couldn't afford to trust anybody. Phillip would only send a gang after them, or send assassins to kill them, or at least have attempts made. He wouldn't hunt them personally. There was a story, a swordsman who had never been defeated, who had met his first defeat after an astonishing career at the hands of a farm boy with a quarterstaff.
Phillip knew the story well. However, if they hunted Phillip, and sought him out, Phillip would crush them to a pulp, if they were lucky.
Andrew sighed. There was no way for it. He was going to have to go to Colombia and hunt Phillip down, and then kill him. What threatened the United States now would die with Phillip. Andrew began to pack his bags.
*********
The Raven sat at his desk in a dark and shadowy room. His secretary was giving a report. Apparently agents had been sent to find and rescue young Elayne. He toyed with a black pen absently as the young man droned on, and on, and on.
"Does this. . . trio appear to have any skill?" Raven asked.
"Our correspondent does not know." the nervous young man replied.
"Fool. The dumb fool. What does he think he gets payed for? Have them watched. If they appear to be getting too warm do something about it."
"Yes sir." the young man replied meekly turning to scurry from the office.
"One minute," Raven said, stopping the secretary. "Have their movements watched carefully. The absolute last thing I need is for them to see my face when I go out on the streets."
"May I ask why sir?"
"If they see my face you incompetent fool they WILL mention it to Fairchild, whether or not they comprehend the importance of my face. I don't need the head of the United States Central Network hunting me down."
*******
Frank, Nancy, and Joe strolled down the streets as the sun slowly set. They were doing their best to hid their nervousness.
"Just walk quickly," Frank advised, "don't look anyone in the eyes."
"I wish we could find a taxi," Nancy said faintly.
Joe looked down at the direction the desk clerk at the hotel had written down for them. "Don't worry you guys, its on the next block anyway. We'll be there in no time."
Frank nodded absently as he scanned the crowds. For the past twenty minutes it had felt as if someone was following them. There were too many people to try and spot familiar faces, and he didn't see anyone that looked as if they were following him. Maybe it was just his imagination.
"What do we do once we get there?" Nancy asked as she also scanned the streets.
Frank thought for a moment. "Once in the club we'll just hang out and have fun. Try and socialize with the locals and see if you spot anyone fitting the description of Santiago or Raphael. Then we'll strike up a conversation or something with them."
Nancy and Joe nodded slowly as they passed several street booths closing down for the night. "That seems fine to me." Nancy commented. "Joe, why don't you act like a bachelor or something? Talk to all the girls and see what you can get from them. Gossip, news, anything. Frank and I can work together. We'll act like we have stuff to sale and we're looking for a market. That ought to attract the attention of a crime lord."
Frank and Joe nodded in agreement. "Excellent plan Nancy," Frank commented.
"Hey guys," Joe said, "see that one girl back there? The one with that red scarf?"
"What about her?" Frank asked, frowning.
"I think she's following us." Joe replied.
Just then they came to an alley. "Duck in here!" Frank whispered tersely.
The trio quickly dodged into the alley with Frank in the lead. "Keep going!" Joe urged. "We're losing her!"
Frank, Nancy, and Joe burst from the alley into the next street and ran to the left. "Back down the next alley," Joe directed as they walked quickly. "It's the one next to the club."
Frank and Nancy nodded affirmatively and the three dashed down the next alley and came out right next to the door to the club. They stopped and as Nancy smoothed her skirt they walked into the crowded and wild environment.
Music echoed off the walls and couples danced wildly on the dance floor. Patrons sat in booth and tables along the wall sipping various beverages and eating food. A few of the people hanging about looked as if they had had one to many sniffs of cocaine, or some other drug for that matter.
"Well," Frank said, "see any potential drug lords around?"
"They're not that easy to spot," Nancy said as she looked around.
"I know, I know, I'm just kidding Drew."
"Well, see you two later," Joe said as he spotted a cute girl and sauntered off.
"Well, I guess that leaves the two of us," Frank said nervously to Nancy.
Nancy smiled. "Let's grab that empty table over there and order something. I'm famished."
The two walked over and sat down opposite each other on a table. "Pretty wild place." Frank commented.
"Do you think we should call Fairchild about these guys if we can't find anything on them?" Nancy asked.
"Don't know," Frank replied thoughtfully. "If he had known who was who he would have told us I think."
The couple stopped talking as a waiter came over and took their orders. They resumed again when he left.
"Bet he works for either Santiago or Raphael," Nancy observed sourly as she sipped some water.
"In this place everyone works for somebody," Frank answered as he studied the dance floor and other patrons.
Nancy sighed. "All too true."
About fifteen minutes later the waiter appeared with their orders. Frank had ordered a sort of taco salad dish and Nancy had ordered chicken fajitas. "Looks like Joe has gotten into trouble." Frank said.
"How?" Nancy asked, slowly turning her head to look in the same direction.
"Looks like he went and flirted with someone's girlfriend." Joe was having a conversation with a fairly average, but very well dressed Hispanic. He then pointed towards Frank and Nancy.
"It looks like he's decided to dump it on us too." Nancy said.
The man approached their table with two toughs trailing behind them. Frank and Nancy stood up, smiled and shook his hand when he reached the table.
"My name is Santiago," he addressed them in a mildly accented voice, "your friend over there tells me that you might have some. . . material I might be interested in."
"Indeed," Frank replied, "for the right price we can get anything."
*******
Joe discreetly watched as Santiago sat down with Frank and Nancy. It had been an absolute streak of luck to bump into him! Of course, if he hadn't come up with that story about Frank and Nancy being arms dealers, Santiago would have punched his lights out. Smart move Hardy, flirt with the local drug lord's girlfriend.
He wished that those two toughs would go somewhere else. The fact that they were hanging about at Frank and Nancy's table worried him. The wrong move and they could all find themselves in extremely hot water. Either that, or in a bucket of cement. That had happened to he and Frank before while working for the Network. It had not been pleasant.
Joe scanned the patrons again. Nothing had changed at Frank and Nancy's table. They must be pulling this off well, Joe thought. Abruptly he noticed that someone was watching the table, and trying to be discreet.
Joe studied the man. Late twenties perhaps. Hispanic. He didn't seem to fit into the club's atmosphere. He didn't belong, and from the look on his face, it seemed he didn't like the club, especially Santiago it seemed. Maybe this guy could help. Joe shifted over towards the man.
"What up amigo?" Joe asked.
The man jumped. "What does it matter to you, gringo?" he replied in English with a very thick accent.
"Oh nothing," Joe replied casually. "Just wanted to know why you've taken such an interest in that man over there."
The man studied Joe suspiciously. "Why it matter to you?"
"I'm interested in him too. What's your name?"
"I am Juan." he replied.
"Tell me Juan, why are you so interested in him?" Joe said.
"He is evil man. He steal many villagers from my village. Make them work for him, for nothing. The government, it do nothing. I watch him, and follow him. I maybe kill him, then free friends and neighbors."
Joe was getting excited. "Have you seen a white teenage girl within the past day, or maybe two?"
Juan nodded sadly. "Yes, when I watch Santiago hacienda very early in this morning I see her brought there. Keep her prisoner. I sometime heard her scream."
Joe's heart clenched. How could they do that? How could anyone have the heart to do that? He was going to get them for this! "Is she alive?"
Juan spread his hands. "I do not know. I think maybe."
Joe's mind raced. They could use Juan! He was a local who knew the area and the movements of Santiago quite well. He could lead them to where Elayne was. The only problem, convincing Juan. "Hey, my friends and I need to save that girl. If you help us get to the hacienda and serve as our guide we could also free your people with the girl."
"I don't know senor," Juan replied nervously, his eyes darting back and forth scanning the crowd. "What if you're one of Santiago's agents and this is a trap?"
"I swear, I'm not a agent for Santiago. My friends and I hate him just has much as you do. Together we could bring him down and free the prisoners."
"How do I know that you speak truly?" Juan replied doubtfully.
Gee, Joe though, it's a little late to be having reservations. He pulled out his wallet with his CIA card and showed it to Juan.
Juan's eyes bulged out. "American CIA?" he whispered.
Joe nodded. "Just keep it quiet. Okay? You can trust us."
"My friends follow CIA better than they follow me," Juan said.
"That's good." Joe replied. "When do we head out to the hacienda? When's the best time?"
"As soon as possible," Juan said quietly, "If you want rescue girl speed is essential. Tonight maybe. I gather up friends and we all go together."
Joe nodded. "Good." He pulled a piece of notepaper from his pocket and wrote on it. "Meet us here." he directed.
Juan looked at the note and nodded before tearing it up and destroying it. "You should never write stuff down. Even if you are CIA."
Joe could have smacked himself on the head. Whoops! He watched as Juan threaded his way through the crowds and left. Joe stood there in the same spot for a moment longer before heading near Frank and Nancy's table. They and Santiago were still talking. Joe grabbed Frank's eye and he motioned his head outside. Frank nodded slightly.
Joe stuck his hands in his pockets and strolled outside something caught his eye but when he looked again it was gone, must have only been his imagination. He was joined several minutes later Frank and Nancy. "What's this about?" Nancy asked in a fierce whisper. "We nearly got him to drop something and then you motioned at Frank."
"Forget that," Joe replied smiling broadly. "I talked with one of the locals. He said he knew where Santiago's hacienda is and that a gringo teenage girl was brought there this morning. I convinced him to take us there tonight."
"Good work Joe!" Frank congratulated him.
"What if it's a set up?" Nancy asked.
"We'll just have to be extra careful," Frank replied.
"Hey you two," Joe said his mind going back to just before he walked out the door. "When I walked out the door I could have sworn that I saw Mr. Fairchild somewhere in there. When I looked he was gone."
Frank looked thoughtful. "It must have been your imagination."
Joe shrugged, "That's what I reckon as well."
"Oh well," Nancy said.