The Shooters (Presidential Agent 4)

Does Mr. Clean, who Munz warned me was above taking a bribe, want my birds?

Confirmation of that wild theory came immediately.

"It would then be credible, if your helicopters somehow made their way to a field somewhere in Uruguay, for me to find them and announce that they probably had been in the use of drug dealers. Criminals who arrived at the field to refuel them, found no fuel, and had to abandon them."

"Whereupon they would enter the service of the Policia Nacional?" Castillo said.

Ordonez nodded, then asked, "Parts would be available for them?"

"Ordonez, if you let me refuel the choppers at Shangri-La, I'll fly them anywhere in Uruguay you say when I'm finished my operation. Even if I have to fly them there myself."

When Ordonez didn't immediately reply, Castillo added: "And I will get you all the parts you need for them. Either through government channels, or black."

"This 'black' would be better," Ordonez said. "It would continue to keep Ambassador McGrory out of the picture. Also, it would be better if you had someone other than yourself bring them back into Uruguay, Colonel."

"Then we have a deal?" Castillo asked.

Ordonez nodded and exhaled audibly.

"But let me clarify it, Colonel. I don't think it's quite what you're thinking. You haven't bribed me with a gift of helicopters for which you will no longer have a need and which in fact give you a disposal problem. What they represent is a sugar pill for me to accompany the bitter one I have to swallow-that of assisting you in an operation which is really none of my business and which I am really afraid is going to end in a disaster.

"I realized that I was going to have to help you, not because I want to, but because I have no choice but to hope-even pray-that you are successful. Your failure would be a disaster for me. Do we understand each other?"

Castillo nodded.

Ordonez went on, "You mentioned the Buquebus. Why don't you fly back to Buenos Aires?"

Castillo pointed at Max, who was lying beside him with his head between his paws, and said, "Yung told me that taking him on Austral or Aerolineas would be very difficult."

Ordonez considered that, then said: "And even if I helped you overcome the difficulties, it would still attract attention. Let me make a suggestion: If you could arrange to have someone meet you at the customs house at the International Bridge at Fray Bentos-Gualeguaychus, I'll fly you there in one of the Policia Nacional Hueys. We have four very old ones, two of which are flyable. It will perhaps make you understand why I am so interested in yours."

"That's very kind of you, Jose," Munz said.

"You, Alfredo, and your animal. Anyone else?"

"My communicator."

"Give me an hour to set it up," Ordonez said. "Call me when you're ready to go." He stood up. "I presume Alfredo will keep me advised of what's happening?"

Castillo nodded.

"Thank you for your hospitality," Ordonez said, offering Castillo his hand. He embraced Munz, went through the hug-and-kiss rite, and walked out of the room.

[THREE]

Embassy of the United States of America

Lauro Miller 1776 Montevideo, Republica Oriental del Uruguay 1835 9 September 2005 The Honorable Michael A. McGrory, the ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the President of the United States to the Republic of Uruguay, was a small and wiry, well-tailored man of fifty-five with a full head of curly gray hair. His staff referred to him as "Napoleon" and "Senor Pomposo." McGrory looked across his highly polished wooden desk at Special Agent David W. Yung, who sat beside Colin Leverette. Robert Howell, the embassy's cultural attache, stood near the door.

McGrory smiled and said to Yung, "If you'll be good enough to give me a minute alone with Mr. Howell-I need to speak with him on another matter-you can be on your way."

"Thank you, Mr. Ambassador," Yung said.

"And it's been a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Leverette. If you need something for Ambassador Lorimer-anything at all-that either Mr. Yung or Mr. Howell can't arrange, please feel free to come see me at any time."

"Thank you very much, sir," Leverette said.

Yung and Leverette stood up, shook the ambassador's hand, and walked out of the ambassador's office, closing the door behind them.