………………………..POLLUX ………………………………………
Honduras
Vera slammed the cab door shut and glanced at the place. It was one of those rich neighborhoods in the outskirts of every Central American city with high fences and cautious security men guarding precious villas which were, under the surface, nothing more than convict settlements. Brotec fitted into this place like a rat in its hole. He originally came from Yugoslavia where he had is own drug trafficking going on. After a while he got uncomfortable and settled to Honduras.
She walked up the doorway and was soon led into Brotec's living room.
He hadn't really changed since the last time she saw him, sitting on his sofa in his fashionable designer clothes. But the woman next to him was new. It was the woman from the café. She put on the smug smile that she had given Vera earlier.
"Hello dear!" a smile crept up Brotec's face. "I have the pleasure to introduce you to my love, Lola."
They shook hands. Vera returned her smile, more out of reasons of politeness than friendliness.
"We've met before, haven't we?" Lola asked.
Vera studied her face for a brief moment. Something was wrong with this woman.
She didn't fit into Brotec's usual pick of women. Years ago, he would have never let his girlfriend get involved into work. Whatever.
"Lola, tonta mia, hand me the file and something to drink." He waved her question off with a gesture. Well, something in his attitude to women would never change.
"Listen Vera, this is the job: José Vasquez," Brotec showed her the picture, " he used to be a man I could trust my dear life. Nowadays something rare." Brotec sounded pathetic.
"He worked at the police's drug trafficking department here in Trujillo and always kept the investigators at arm's length for me. I mean I paid him on a monthly base so I could keep myself a low profile! But one day, without a warning, he just left the department to start a new life searching for antique bullshit! Didn't give a damn about how hard it is to find a new leak in that system accepting his payment. Thought he could get rid of me by sending his friendly colleagues to my place. But he didn't now who he was playing with.
Find him and bring him to me. One of your easiest jobs."
Brotec's face had gone red during his speech. So it was all about revenge. Vera took Vasquez's file wordlessly.
The silence broke as Lola poured red wine into Brotec's glass. He hastily took a sip.
"You'll get your money as soon as you've finished the job."
Vera nodded and headed outside.
………………… CASTOR …………………………………………..
Los Angeles
Later the evening Sydney had just changed into her running clothes as she received the usual call from Joey's Pizza.
"Fran, I'm off for a walk. I have to clear my mind."
Francie poked her head around the corner. The expression of her face showed the usual confusion.
"Literally, your constantly running around, Syd. As your friend I think it is time for a ladies wellness weekend on Hawaii, don't ya think?" Sydney smiled at her playful tone.
"Sorry Fran, not at the moment. Maybe in two weeks or so." Sydney apologized and waved her friend goodbye.
As she walked in the warehouse, everything was at the same place.
"Hi" Sydney's CIA handler Michael Vaughn always started their conversation with a short greeting.
"Hey."
"Sorry I didn't call you earlier but lately all were doing is analyzing the pages of the Rambaldi journal you found in Argentina.
"Oh yeah?" Sydney smiled at him mockingly. But she still had to admit that he looked somehow worn out.
"Sloane gave me the next few days off so I can restore my energy for my next mission. So either ways you couldn't have reached me earlier because I was having my nails fixed with Francie."
"What a generous offer. I think I am working at the wrong place." Vaughn replied sarcastically and Sydney grinned.
"So what's my counter mission?" Sydney questioned.
"You'll just have to take pictures of the monogram on the catafalque. Here is your camera. It will automatically send the pictures back to the CIA."
"Not very complicated."
"Well no, but you still have to be careful. Ana Espinosa has been reported in the Central American area. We have been watching her movements and lately she hasn't shown any activity. Probably she slipped out of our radar. Ana might be on the same case as you. Be cautious."
Sydney's face darkened as she heard the name of her nemesis. It was like a game of Ping-Pong they both played every time they met. Either she or Ana had the lead.
"Do you want a peppermint?" Vaughn jerked her out of her thinking.
"What!" Sydney quickly thought of a reason why he asked. Did she have bad breath?
"Oh no no!" Vaughn nervously shoved his hand through his hair.
"No, that was definitely not what I was aiming, sorry."
Sydney painfully realized that she had spoken her question out loud.
"It's from Weiss. Well, actually from his nephew. The kid is a boy scout and he had to sell peppermints to get the newest version of a game boy. So Weiss had pity on him and purchased about a ton from his nephew so he could afford it. And now it is mid may and the office smells merrily like Christmas."
Sydney laughed at the thought.
"I'd love to have one." Vaughn gave her the peppermint. For a millisecond his hand brushed hers like electricity.
"Thank you. Goodnight, Vaughn." She said warmly and left the warehouse somehow affected with a glowing smile.
