"We have a visual from a very good man," Castillo said. "Master Sergeant Ludwicz, who is Captain Urquila's intel sergeant." He pointed to Urquila. "First name Tony, right?"
Urquila nodded. "Yes, sir."
"This is Ed Delchamps, known as The Dinosaur, and Two-Gun Yung of the Federal Bureau of Ignorance."
The men nodded at each other.
"For real, Urquila?" Delchamps asked. "You got a man into this place and got an eyes-on?"
Castillo said, "What Ludwicz saw was two guys in brown uniforms and a gringo in a suit. Chained to a pole, and probably doped up. That's what we're going on."
"I asked him, Ace, but okay. That's enough really good news to start pouring the sauce, Lester, my boy, but the colonel don't get none."
"Might I dare to inquire why not?" Castillo responded.
"There are several obvious reasons," Delchamps said. "But primarily because you're about to fly Two-Gun and me to Montevideo. And I have this perhaps foolish aversion to being flown about by a sauced-up pilot."
"Curiosity overwhelms me. Why am I flying you and Two-Gun to Montevideo? Why can't you go commercial? And what are the other obvious reasons to which you allude?"
"Well, Ace, if you insist-about three inches, please, Lester, two ice cubes and no water-for one thing, Ordonez wants to see you before Ambassador Lorimer arrives, which will be about seven P.M. if Miller is to be believed. And what is The Gimp doing flying that airplane? I am wondering. For another, before you slip into your armor and gallop off on your white horse to do battle with the forces of evil, we have to have a long chat about what the CIA is up to in Asuncion, and I want you to be sober for that."
"And what evil is the CIA up to in Asuncion?"
Castillo was having trouble restraining a smile. Captain Urquila had absolutely no idea what was going on, and it showed on his face.
"When I explain that to you, Ace, I'm sure you will have cause to shamefully remember what you said about Two-Gun being a member of the Federal Bureau of Ignorance."
"Oh, I doubt that!"
"That's because I haven't told you what splendid service Inspector John J. Doherty has rendered to our noble cause."
"Which is?"
"I will tell you on the way to Montevideo, on which journey will we embark immediately after Brother Davidson has explained to me the computer game he is playing. And, of course, after I finish this drink and probably another. I always need a little liquid courage in order to fly with you at the wheel."
He turned a chair around and sat in it backward, facing the monitor.
"You may proceed, Brother Davidson," Delchamps said. "And speak slowly and use itsy-bitsy words, as Two-Gun will also be watching, and I don't want to have to explain everything all over again to him."
XIV
[ONE]
Jet-Stream Aviation
Jorge Newbery International Airport
Buenos Aires, Argentina 1735 12 September 2005 Corporal Lester Bradley was in the copilot seat of the Aero Commander, holding Castillo's laptop, with which Castillo was going to navigate their route to Montevideo. Edgar Delchamps and David Yung sat behind them, trying with little success to get Max to move to the area behind their seats.
"We're up, sir," Bradley announced.
Castillo looked at the laptop screen. There was a representation of an automobile-Casey's programmers had yet to add the option of an aircraft icon-sitting just off the single main runway of the downtown airport.
"You guys ready?" Castillo asked over his shoulder as he reached for the main buss switch.
"Don't wind it up just yet, Ace," Delchamps said. "Daddy has a confession to make."
Castillo turned to look at him.