“We’ll be in touch,” Torine said and broke the connection.
Artigas stopped the BMW outside the parking lot at the Carrasco airfield and got out. Yung stepped out of the passenger’s door, walked around the BMW, and slid in behind the steering wheel.
When Artigas, now at the wheel of his Chrysler PT Cruiser, came out of the parking lot two minutes later, he waited until Yung had backed the BMW away from the parking lot, then followed him at a discreet distance into Carrasco.
[FIVE]
The Belmont House Hotel
Avenida Rivera 7512
Carrasco, Montevideo, Uruguay
0225 9 August 2005
Yung’s apartment on Avenida Bernardo Barrán in Carrasco was two blocks away from the small, five-star luxury hotel and their route took them past it.
That naturally triggered in Yung’s mind the memory of the sound of the cop’s riot shotgun going off and of the double-aught buckshot pellets that riddled Yung’s Chevy Blazer.
When I go to the States with Lorimer’s casket, what happens to the Blazer?
I won’t be coming back here, certainly not permanently. Which means I’ll have to get rid of the Blazer.
How the hell can I sell it with a dozen holes in it?
How am I going to get it fixed from long distance?
Jesus, what’s the matter with me? I’m supposed to be concentrating on the Munzes, not worrying about my damned Blazer!
At the Belmont House Hotel, after Yung drove the BMW into the circular drive in front of the hotel, Artigas pulled to the curb and shut off his headlights.
A doorman and a bellman immediately appeared at the BMW. Señora Munz and her daughters, all appearing very sleepy, got of the car and walked into the hotel.
Yung checked to see where Artigas was.
If the cops see him parked there, they’ll be curious, but with the CD plates on the car they can’t ask him what he’s doing.
What they’ll probably decide is that he’s waiting for a pal who is inside the hotel and not yet ready to leave the arms of love.
Yung walked into the hotel as Señora Munz was registering. The desk clerk obviously knew her.
That’s convenient. Their appearance this late after midnight will not raise questions.
“If there’s nothing else I can do for you, ladies, I’ll leave you and see you in the morning. You know how to reach me.”
“Thank you very much,” Señora Munz said. “You are very gracious.”
Yung smiled at the girls again, then walked out of the hotel. He got in the BMW and drove to his apartment.
I don’t have the clicker to open the goddamned garage door. I’ll have to leave the car on the street.
He pulled to the curb and started to get out of the car, but changed his mind as he took the keys from the ignition. Instead, he took out his cellular.
Jake Torine answered on the second ring.
“They’re in the nest. And Julio is sitting outside,” Yung announced.
“Don’t forget to make sure your phones work,” Torine replied. “We don’t want to have to send out a search party for you tomorrow…I mean, later today.”