The Hostage (Presidential Agent 2)

"Thank you, Alfredo." [THREE] The German Hospital Avenida Pueyrredon Buenos Aires, Argentina 0930 24 July 2005 The embassy BMW had been crowded. Colonel Torine had claimed the front passenger seat because of his long legs. Special Agent Schneider rode in the middle of the backseat, between Castillo and Britton.

While Special Agent Schneider's right calf did come in contact with that of Castillo, what he had been most aware of was something hard and sharp-edged pressing against his lower left rib cage. He endured the discomfort, deciding that saying, "Schneider, your Glock is stabbing me in the ribs" would not only provoke mirth from the other passengers, but probably result in Betty sitting so far away from him that the calf-to-calf contact would be lost.

The SIDE car-two burly men in a Peugeot-had taken a fairly circuitous route from the Four Seasons, and had turned off Avenida Pueyrredon two blocks before they had reached the German Hospital. As they followed, Castillo could see that the street and sidewalk at the hospital were crowded with television vans with satellite link dishes and journalists of one kind or another festooned with microphones, and still and video cameras.

The SIDE car led them to the basement of the hospital, past doors that opened as they approached, and closed the moment they were inside.

Gendarmeria National troops guarding the elevator passed them through somewhat reluctantly, and only after the SIDE agents had vouched for them.

The corridor outside Mrs. Masterson's room was crowded with more uniformed and plainclothes security personnel, Argentine and American, and the walls were lined with floral displays. Two of them-the ones on each side of the door-were enormous.

"Is Mr. Santini in there?" Castillo asked one of the Americans. He didn't know his name, but he had been in the brainstorming session.

"Yes, sir."

"Would you tell him I'm here, please?"

The man went into the room and Castillo bent over the largest of the floral displays to get a look at the card.

I wonder if anyone took a look at this to make sure it won't blow up?

Of course they did. Munz wouldn't let it into the building, much less up here, without checking.

The card was impressive. It had a gold-embossed representation of the seal of the Republic of Argentina at the top, under which it had the name of the President.

The message was handwritten: "With my profound condolences for your loss and my prayers for your rapid recovery."

Just as Santini came through the door, Charley looked at the card on the other floral display. This one carried the gold seal of the foreign minister, who also offered his condolences and prayers.

Can I read anything of significance in them being outside her room, instead of inside?

"Good morning," Santini said, and then saw Colonel Torine and Jack Britton and Betty Schneider.

"This is Colonel Torine, who's flying the C-17," Castillo said. "And Special Agents Britton and Schneider."

Santini smiled at Betty Schneider.

"Did you really put all fourteen rounds in the bad guy's face?" he asked.

"Thirteen," Betty said. "One went in his ear."

"You have an admirer in Joel Isaacson," Santini said. "He told me. When this business is over, I think they're going to want you on the protection detail."

When this business is over, Tony, Special Agent Schneider is going to give all this fun up, and come live with me in a rose-covered cottage by the side of the road.

Or maybe on the ranch in Midland.

I wonder if she's ever been on a horse?

Santini shook Britton's and Torine's hands, and then, gesturing down the corridor, said, "Come on. They gave me a room to use. The ambassador's waiting for you."

Castillo wondered about the security of the room, and looked with a raised eyebrow at Santini. When Charley mouthed swept? Santini blinked once slowly and made a slight nod. "You must be Miss Schneider," Ambassador Silvio said, offering his hand with a smile.

"Yes, sir."

"I'm very glad you're here. Mrs. Masterson will probably be delighted to see a feminine face in the sea of men around her."

"Let's hope so, sir," Betty said.