"What's up?"
"Well, I'll tell you it's not good news," Darby said, and hung up.
V
[ONE] Avenida Tomas Edison Buenos Aires, Argentina 0640 23 July 2005 There had been a small gray Alfa Romeo-as far as Castillo could tell, they were identical to Fiats, except for the nameplates-with Argentine civilian license plates waiting on the drive outside the Four Seasons hotel when Castillo pushed through the revolving door.
As Castillo looked at it, wondering if it was meant for him, the driver pushed open the passenger door. "Senor Castillo?"
Castillo walked quickly to the car and got in. The car took off with a squeal of its tires before Castillo had time to fasten the seat belt.
"You speak Spanish, Mr. Castillo?" the driver asked in American English.
Castillo took a good look at him. He was an olive-skinned, dark-haired man in his thirties in a business suit who could, Castillo decided, easily pass for a porteno, a native of Buenos Aires.
"Si," Castillo said.
"Say hello to Colonel Alfredo Munz of SIDE," the driver said, in fluent porteno Spanish.
The windows of the Alfa Romeo were heavily darkened; Castillo had not seen anyone in the backseat. He turned on his seat and saw a stocky blond man in his forties. Castillo put out his hand.
"Mucho gusto, mi coronel."
Munz's grip was firm.
"Mucho gusto," he replied, adding, "Senor Darby has told me about you, senor."
I wonder what he told you?
The car was now passing the French embassy, its horn blowing steadily in short beeps. The driver ran the red light and nearly got clipped by a Fiat delivery truck going up Avenida 9 Julio. The Alfa Romeo made a squealing left turn onto 9 Julio, and then raced down the autopista in the extreme right lane, reserved for emergency vehicles.
"What's happened?" Castillo asked. "Where are we going?"
"The cocksuckers shot Masterson," the driver said.
What did he say? They shot her? Oh, Jesus H. Christ!
But that sounded as if he meant him.
"Mrs. Masterson, you mean?"
"No. Masterson."
What the hell?
"I thought Darby had somebody sitting on him."
"Yeah, he did. Me. I fucked up big time."
They came to a row of tollbooths. Without slowing, still blowing the horn, the driver went through the right lane, despite the furious arm-waving of a policeman who saw him coming. The policeman jumped out of the way at the last minute and reached for his pistol.
"SIDE! SIDE! SIDE!" Colonel Munz shouted out his open window.
Christ, I hope that cop believes him!
There was no shot.
At least none that I can hear.