The Hunters (Presidential Agent 3)

“Colonel Castillo, this line is not secure. Your party is on the line.”

“Thank you, I understand,” Castillo said, then asked, “Abuela?”

“I’m very impressed, Carlos. Or should I call you ‘Colonel’? It’s been a long time since I had a call from the White House.”

“Don’t be.”

“Are you all right? Is Fernando with you?”

“We’re both fine. He’s getting the airplane ready. We’re about to leave Buenos Aires for home.”

“By home you mean San Antonio?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“How long can you stay?”

“Just long enough to drop Fernando off. Then, via Midland, I’m headed for Washington.”

“And you can’t—or won’t—tell me about Midland?”

“The same people who murdered Mr. Masterson have threatened the family of a man who works with me. An Argentine. We’re bringing them with us to protect them until we get this mess straightened out. That’s why I don’t want you anywhere near the Double-Bar-C.”

“They’ll be in danger at the ranch?”

“They’ll be protected at the ranch by the Secret Service until I can make other arrangements for them. I’m sorry I have to use the ranch, but I just didn’t have any other options.”

“You can do whatever you please with the Double-Bar-C, Carlos. You own it.”

“That was an inheritance tax thing and you know it. It’s your ranch, Abuela.”

“Whose ever it once was, the Double-Bar-C is now yours. Your grandfather left Hacienda San Jorge to Fernando and the Double-Bar-C to you. He thought you both should have a ranch for your families.”

“Yes, ma’am, I know.”

“How many people are you taking there?”

“My friend’s wife and two daughters. Young women.”

“When will you be going there?”

“We should leave in two or three hours. It’s about a thirteen-hour flight.”

“It’s ten after nine here. If you leave there in three hours, that should put you in here about one in the morning, right?”

“And don’t even think what I know you’re thinking about,” Castillo said. “Fernando can take a cab from the airport. And please don’t tell Maria he’s coming.”

“I hadn’t planned to say anything to Maria. Your plans have a way of changing.”

“We’ll only be on the ground long enough to clear customs and take on fuel, Abuela,” he said, reasonably, “so don’t think of coming to the airport.”

“Won’t you be tired after a long flight like that? Too tired to fly on to Midland and then all the way to Washington?”

“I plan to sleep all the way to San Antone,” Castillo said. “Fernando may be a little tired. But that’s not a problem.”

“Well, I suppose you know what you’re doing,” she said.

“Fernando will tell you all that’s happened,” Castillo said. “I don’t want to do that over the telephone.”