Chapter 12: Open Arms

Sam watched from behind his paper as the young man flirted with the young girl behind the desk and he smiled again remembering his own talents. He was pleasantly surprised when she put up a small desk sign that said she would return in 15 minutes and the two of them walked toward the café at the other end of the lobby.

"That-a-go boy!" he said to himself before looking at his watch. Fi had been gone a little over an hour and finding the jeep again in the light. She had called him with an update. The jeep was dead and still no sign of Michael. They would go to the meeting and get an order for guns, weapons and explosives that they would never deliver, but it would get them in the compound. It would allow them to check out the buildings, the security and force behind all of it.

Now Sam waited. He needed to speak with this girl at the desk. The jeep needed to be towed and Sam needed the driver. He needed someone that knew the area. A tow driver would be familiar, at least he hoped. If Michael had not been picked up by men from the compound, maybe someone else helped him or not. Maybe there were other elements out there. Without a helicopter and a guide they couldn't search, and all that would attract too much attention. No, a tow driver with a little information could go a long way.

Sam finished his paper just as the two returned smiling and chatting as they did. She returned to her desk and Sam watch as she flirted back. The young man lingered for a few minutes more before stepping away and out the door but not before he took one more look. Sam approached the young lady who still held her bright smile.

"Good morning." He said politely.

"Good morning." She returned. "How may I help you?" her English was nearly perfect.

"My colleague, Fiona Glennanne rented a jeep for a few days."

"Yes, I remember." She said back to him.

"I am afraid, she will need a tow truck. The jeep has broken down."

The young lady looked upset. "I am so sorry. I will send someone to collect her right away."

"Oh, that is OK. She is already back and out shopping, but I can show the driver where the vehicle is."

"I will give the shop a call. It may be a little while. Would you mind giving Ms. Glenanne a note for me?"

"Sure." He said confused. "I can do that." As she handed him the note. "I will wait over here for the driver, is that all right?"

"No problem Mr.?"

"Mr. Finley." Sam answered.

Sam walked back to his paper. He could start his crossword puzzle while he waited. In his hand the small folded paper. He opened it and read the note.

Fi,

I am safe but sick so I can't get to you. I am with a family that thinks I have Dengue Fever and they do not have transportation. They say I will be fine in a few days, but we cannot wait for that. This boy will show you where I am, at the Medina Country home.

Mike

Turning around quickly he said to the girl, "Who gave you this note?"

"That young man I was just talking to." She said nonchalantly, as she pointed to the doors he had just left through.

Sam ran for the doors and out them into the parking lot, looking around quickly. From the corner of his eye he could see the young man getting into a taxi about 20 meters away.

"Hey wait, wait." Sam yelled, but the taxi left.

Returning to the girl "Did he say anything else to you?"

"Well, a few things." She said looking almost embarrassed and confused. "Is everything all right?"

Sam looked at her, not knowing how much to say. "He has some information for me, will you see him again today."

"No, not today."

" Do you know where the Medina country home is?"

"No, but the driver of the tow truck might? He should be here soon."

"Thank you." Sam said as he walked back to his paper. At the moment there wasn't much he could do. He only hoped Mike was OK. He was familiar with the virus. It could be bad.

Jesse pulled the car to the front gate of the stone wall. The wall was at least three meters in height and nearly covered in old growth from the surrounding forest. The gate was of blue iron with several men milling in front and behind it. It would not be easy to get by unless they had permission.

Fi sat in the backseat, her hair pulled up in a bun and her blue linen dress wrinkled slightly from the ride. He heels didn't go with the terrain, but they would go far at the meeting. She reapplied the light pink lip gloss and closed the snaps on her leather brief case. She was set for her meeting.

"Fiona Glenanne to see Mr. Manuela." Jesse said as a guard approached the car. Fi kept her eyes open and her hand on the trigger of her weapon neatly placed between the door and the seat.

"Abre!" the man yelled as.

The gate opened inward as the men around the gate backed away, but remained with their hands on their weapons. This was always a tense moment in a meeting. Trust must be earned and not by reputation only.

The car entered the compound, the lush green lawns and brilliant flower beds lined the front of the palatial home of tan stucco. Rich deep woods of varying size and color were built into the very framework of the building. The front door was high above the gravel driveway and Fi wondered just how many step there were to get up there. As they pulled in front, a man began to come down the stairs. He wore khaki pants and a Cuban linen shirt of fine quality. A sentry opened the door for Fiona as the man reached the bottom stair and offered her a hand to exit.

Fi used the moment well. She slid out her long tan and shapely legs to the ground as her dress slid up to her upper thighs. The man kept his eyes on them as she stood.

"Hello Miss Glenanne. I am Carlo, Mr. Manuela's assistant." Carlo looked into the car and then to Jesse.

"Hello." She noticed him looking at Jesse. "This is my assistant, Trace."

"We were expecting the infamous Mr. Weston." He said surprised not to see him in the car.

"Mr. Weston is under the weather and will join us on a later day."

Carlo paused for a moment before continuing. "Are you hungry? . Lunch will be served on the front terrace shortly?"

Fi smiled and looked at Jesse. "I think we would both enjoy that, thank you."

Carlo looked at Jesse and frowned slightly before gesturing to the steps for Fi. She began to climb but turned half way up as she could hear the engine of a tuck as it entered through the gate behind her. She glanced at Jesse and he looked at her. Guests were always unwanted at a party that was already over flowing.