Ch2 –Poison

"I failed to see through her!" Camila paced around the bar and annoyed James tremendously. "But Finch agreed to do business with me and …that's all that matters, James!"

"Hmm...for now!" He lit a cigarette and waited to see if her brain worked as it had before or if her inopportune affiliation to Teresa Mendoza had deprived her of this skill.

Camila lit a cigarette herself and exhaled slowly.

James finally said: "Her absence may be good because you don't have to…ahh…deal with her on a daily basis…but once the ton we got from Bolivia is sold and we need another one, you'll feel her absence very fast!"

"No, you're wrong…that's why I have you!" Camila smiled at him, and James felt like punching her in the face. She had treated him like a piece of garbage, when she owed him her life several times, only to indulge in fostering a 'partnership' or a 'mentorship' with Teresa, who had upped and run after her sleazy boyfriend. All of it at his expense! And now the bitch had the gall to suggest he dealt with El Santo. That's because she hadn't seen the man first hand and had no idea how crazy he was! But she would soon find out.

James scoffed: "That's where YOU are actually wrong! But you're excused because you think the crazy lunatic is like any other man that you can sweettalk…Maybe I should give you a detail recount of our several near death experiences down there…you know…the tests we went through to be vetted…until the loco admitted Teresa to his cult…after demanding one of us be sacrificed and …ahh… after feeding her a poisonous insect, which put her out cold for a half hour!" James observed Camila's face get more astounded and then terrified.

"Yeah…she went through quite some shit for you in the jungle…after almost overdosing in a coke bar…So if I were you…I'd be a little more concerned that she's gone!" and he headed for the door.

Then he stopped himself and said: "You know…sometimes the grass will appear greener on the other side …because it has been fertilized by bullshit!" And this time he walked out without turning and without allowing her to respond.

Four days later, exactly one day after the next payment to El Santo had been due, he was sprawled on the bed in his room in the safe house after having demolished the tacos he had ordered, when his cell rang. It was past 11 pm and he wasn't surprised it was Camila and she sounded scared: "Please come to the bar right away! Our supplier has sent someone to talk to us!"

Christ! James thought as he grabbed his jacket and ran to his car. Would El Santo be persuaded to take Camila's money after the coke got sold, or would his crazy self insist it had to be Teresa, his Follower? He hoped to God he wouldn't be forced to chase her down. He didn't want to have to face her again. He feared it, he realized. What would he say? How would he act? It had seemed like an open book between them and now after she had bolted, it would be more than awkward!… Strike fearing! He didn't fear seeing her again. He dreaded it because he could not control what he would feel!

"Mr. Ladrino here…has informed me that his boss El Santo would like his payment in cash by the end of the week…", Camila started talking to James as he walked in. He took a brief glance at the sicario with his weird clothes and hair do. It was definitely one of the men who had saved them from La Capitana three weeks before in the pool of the rec center in La Paz.

"I assured him that this would be no problem as we have just firmed our relationship with a very powerful distributor up north, correct?" and Camila looked at James for confirmation.

She was scared, he could tell. He had been by her side for five years now and he had seen her deal with all sorts of men, yahoos and mafiosos. But not with a crazy sect leader and his disciples!

James felt his mouth go dry and swallowed hard: "Yes, that's correct. The arrangement as made will be followed. We paid the first week; we intend to pay the second one as well. We are just a day late!" The first week Epifanio had been extorted for $5 million cash by being made to believe El Santo had targeted his daughter. Now, they had to deliver to Finch to get paid. There was a chance this could work!

"I'm supposed to receive assurance by Teresa herself!" Ladrino touched the handle of his huge knife gingerly.

Just as James contemplated what to say, Camila jumped in: " She doesn't work for my business anymore. You can advise your boss that he will be dealing with me from now on!"

The man coughed to clear his throat and said in a slow methodical voice: "This, Senora Vargas…this right here is the problem. El Santo only deals with his followers. Where is Teresa? She is our sister!"

"We don't know, " James said quickly before Camila had divulged more information.

"James? Was it?" The man turned to him and after James nodded, he said: "You saw with your own eyes how difficult it is to become a buyer of the best producer there is! Teresa was approved as she passed the test! She is part of the family because she is pure of heart!" Camila stifled a laugh and James could only force his fists to relax as the man didn't seem to have noticed her reaction.

Or maybe he had? Because he pulled the knife out of its holder in one fast and brisk movement and stuck it in with force in the expensive wooden desk.

Both Camila and James jumped startled. Camila's face was pale and shocked, while James said slowly, keeping his voice even: "I'm very well aware how particular El Santo is. Let me get you paid this week and for the next payment, we will ensure Teresa is here!"

Ladrino put his knife away, then said slowly measuring every word: "You do that! And make no mistake: she needs to come back. Find her! The boss does not tolerate disciples who run. They need to be punished. Then, he may consider doing business with you!" and he spared Camila a glance before turning to the door.