9. / Clandestine Business

"Is there a mens' room?" Lisiado chokes, trying to turn sudden laughter into a coughing fit. He bolts from the table and through the door to the service hallway. Making it as far as the restroom, he gives way to mirth. When the door opens behind him and Manito enters, he isn't surprised. The guitarista seems nonplused to find him leaning against the wall, helpless with hilarity.

"That man Sands - he doesn't know who I am, does he?"

"No, of course not."

"My god, it was all I could do to keep a straight face. So tell me, little brother - was your blood cold when you were shooting at me?"

"Not at all. And I wouldn't recommend laughing at Sands without explanation. He doesn't like being kept in the dark." There's a dry undertone to his brother's voice.

"Who the hell is he?"

"He's CIA," says Manito meeting his gaze with perfect solemnity.

"Not unless it stands for Certifiably Insane American." For a moment, as his brother's lips twitch, Lisiado sees the innocent kid who looked so much like his son looks now. "Take Ché," he says suddenly. "Please, Manito."

"Why?" Manito is taken aback. The look of wariness returns.

"Do you think I want him to watch me do what your friend is asking me to do? I can do it, we both know that, but I don't want him to see it. I don't want him to think it's alright. I don't want him entangled any deeper in this life than he already is. If he's with you..."

"What makes you so sure I won't destroy him?"

Despite the bitterness in his brother's words, Lisiado shakes his head. "I'm sure you have killed in cold blood often enough, but your quarrel is with me; murdering a child, even my child...no, Manito. Ché is safe with you."

"If you know what happened to Carolina and my daughter, you know that isn't true."

Lisiado chooses his words with care. "He is my life, and I trust you with that, in spite of everything that's happened between us."

"You would take him from his mother?" His brother watches him, a question in his eyes. They both have scarred souls from the war between their parents.

"If he's going to be a hostage, I'd rather he was your hostage than theirs."

"And tell him what...?"

"I tell him, 'Ché, you're going to be staying in a safe place because I don't want anything bad to happen to you like what happened to Marisol's father.' "

"Marisol was the girl in the limousine? That's ironic. We thought Eduardo liked his playmates young. That's part of what got him killed. Look, if we stay in here much longer, Sands is going to get suspicious. "

"Who is he, really? What's your part in all this?"

"That's a very long story. But when I said he was CIA, it was the truth. If you chose to involve yourself in this scheme of his, don't turn your back on him. If you don't go along with it, I suggest you get yourself and anyone you care about out of Culiacan and stay far, far away. He regards this as his territory, and he's very territorial."

"Is Sands the one behind everything?" He's not completely convinced, although Lisiado knows how inconvenient his brother's honesty can be. He wonders where the American woman fits into the story, and whether both sets of raiders who have attacked them are affiliated with Sands, but his questions will have to wait for a better time. Clearly, he is a long way from having gained his brother's confidence.

"I wouldn't cross him, Cesar." Manito shakes his head in warning. "You have no idea what he's capable of."

It's been many years since anyone except Dolores has called him by his given name, and that usually when the situation is serious. She prefers endearments: Sweetheart, Darling, Beloved... "Will you take Ché?"

His brother sighs. "Yes. I'll take him. But I won't tell you where. You'll have to stay in contact with Sands if you want to see him."

"Understood." He smiles. "Thank you."

"Don't let Sands know how happy it makes you. He lives to be difficult. After you."

They exit the men's room and return to the table where Sands is waiting for them.