“We had to get outta there. I set the timers for five minutes,” Rain explained.
“Why didn’t you use remote detonators?”
Rain shrugged her shoulders. “Didn’t have any.”
“That’s right, it wasn’t a planned operation.” Black shook his head. “Are you hungry?”
“Starving. Why, we going to your house to eat?” Rain asked, because she loved his mother’s cooking and missed it.
“No, I had Chef make something for us.” Black reclined in his chair and pointed at Rain. “But under normal circumstances, that’s where we’d be going; she’d insist. But she doesn’t know you’re here. Neither does Cassandra.”
“Nobody knows I’m here?”
“Napoleon and Jake … and Nakeisha.”
Oh shit.
“Are you going to kill me?” Rain asked jokingly, but she needed to know.
Black laughed. “No. We’re gonna have lunch and as soon as Jake has the jet ready, you’re gonna fly us to Venezuela to talk to Rodrigo Iñíguez about this shit … and hopefully he’s gonna give us something we want,” Black stood up.
“What’s that?”
“I’ll tell you over lunch.”
They were just about finished the lunch that Chef prepared for them by the infinity pool when Jake called and said that the Cesena was ready to take off whenever they were ready for the flight to Venezuela. When they exited the plane in Caracas, they were met by Rodrigo Iñíguez’s men and taken to his house. When they arrived, Rodrigo was out on his deck, and he stood up when he saw them coming.
“Mike, it is good to see you again,” Rodrigo said and shook Black’s hand. “And this must certainly be the indomitable, Rain Robinson.”
“Yes, and it’s an honor to meet you, Mr. Iniguez,” Rain said graciously.
“It’s Rodrigo, and believe me, the honor is mine.” Rodrigo bowed. “Please … sit,” he said and signaled to the man and woman who were standing by the bar. The woman immediately brought two glasses and placed them on the table before Black and Rain. Rodrigo pointed to Rain’s glass.
“Patrón, isn’t it?”
“Yes, thank you,” Rain said and that told her that Rodrigo knew everything about her.
“How long will you be staying in my country?”
“Unfortunately, we have other matters to attend to, so we’ll be flying back as soon as we conclude our business in your fine country,” Black said.
“Then let’s get right to it, shall we? The situation between your people,” he said looking at Rain. “And El Decreto de Guerra.”
“As you are aware, one of my best men was murdered on the order of Mr. Custodio. Naturally, many of his friends would like a measure of payback.”
“I understand, all too well, the passions of men when their blood runs hot with the sweet taste of revenge.”
“I am glad that you understand,” Black said and wondered, if you understand, then why are we here?
“However,” Rodrigo said and raised his finger to emphasize his point. “Personal matters of revenge should not interfere with business.”
“I agree,” Black said.
“Damián Custodio having your man killed was a personal matter,” Rodrigo said.
“How so?” Black asked.
“It was my understanding that your man was having relations with Mr. Custodio’s wife.”