Uneven Exchange (8 page)

“Yes, but then what are we doing to her?”

“We are keeping her alive, that’s what we’re doing. It won’t be enough to merely play the part, she has to live it.”

Natalie sighed deeply. “In reality, I know you’re right.” She checked her watch. Time was fleeting, and she still hadn’t given him a full report. Without further hesitation, she broke into a capsulized version, updating Kevin on each aspect of Alexandra’s progress.

“Thanks, Sparky,” Kevin said when Natalie had finished. “As always, you’re doing a great job. So if we need Alex, when do you think she’ll be ready?”

“Two weeks.” Natalie waited a beat. “She’ll be ready in two weeks, max.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

HOT BLOOD, COLD SHOWER

Cancun, Yucatan Peninsula, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Armando

Daniela’s condominium and her soon-to-be-completed restaurant occupied the same expanse of waterfront along the Cancun marina. A well-worn eighty-two-foot yacht was gradually being converted into Daniela’s dream dining establishment. It had previously been christened the
Huachinango
, pronounced Wa-chee-nan-go, which translated into English as the “Red Snapper.” From the beginning, Daniela felt the original name was perfect, especially considering her plans for an all-seafood menu.

After arriving at the airport, Armando and Conner stopped to purchase a taxi voucher to prepay their cab fare from the airport to the Marina Plaza condominiums on Avenida Kukulkan. Yet while en route, they changed their minds and asked to be dropped off at the main entrance of the marina, approximately a mile closer than their original destination. This would enable them to check how construction on the
Huachinango
was progressing. Willingly, the cab driver accommodated their request.

Armando tipped the driver as Conner stepped from the taxi and grabbed their two small duffle bags. As they sauntered along the wide cement boardwalk, the partners lingered to savor the many sights and sounds of the late-afternoon activity. Several full day fishing boats had recently arrived with a group of happy but sun-beaten tourists. Other local fishermen were already dockside, cleaning their catches with the skill of surgeons while daring seagulls hovered closely above, delighted with the tantalizing morsels they managed to pilfer. The combination of sea air and fresh fish created a surprisingly pleasant aroma.

Armando’s gaze zeroed in on a nearby vessel as four bronzed, bikini-clad females waved vigorously at them.

“They want me,” Armando said, tipping his sunglasses.

“Give it up, lover boy,” Conner mocked while waving back. “It’s me they’re really after, not you.”

Armando tossed his head back and laughed. “Ha, you wish! Would you like to make a wager?”

“I might if we had the time, but we don’t, so pay attention. Daniela’s yacht is up ahead.”

“Now I get it. You’re afraid to take me up on the bet.”

“Knock it off, Mando,” Conner teased. “Just face it. You’re not always going to get the girl.”

“I have so far. Tell me, what kind of fun have you had this year?”

“Hey, don’t bum me out,” Conner whined. “You know, life is not fair. When I didn’t want to settle down, I had plenty of opportunity, and now that I’m ready to settle down, where are all the women?”

Armando patted Conner’s shoulder. “Married, my friend, married. Since you wouldn’t marry them, they had to settle for second best.”

“Great! Now I’m going to die old, bald, and single!”

Armando laughed. “You forgot to add
ugly
!”

“Thanks a lot,” Conner said sarcastically as he scanned the marina. “Hey, look.” He pointed suddenly. “There it is.”

Armando stopped to scrutinize the yacht. “It still looks the same, doesn’t it? Man, they’ve been working on that thing for over a month now, and it doesn’t look like they’ve made any progress at all. What do you think?”

“Who knows? Maybe they’re only working on the inside. Can you see Daniela?”

Armando lowered his sunglasses and squinted at the men on deck. “No, I don’t see her. Come on. Let’s head for the condo.”

“Good idea. Let’s go. This bag may be small, but it’s definitely not light.”

“I’m having no problem carrying my bag,” Armando taunted.

Conner shot him a look of mock contempt. “That’s because I have all the equipment,” he reminded him. “Say, would you like to trade?”

Armando grinned. “Not on your life. My mama didn’t raise a fool!”

Within minutes, the agents reached the grounds of the Marina Plaza condominiums and zigzagged through the many pathways leading toward their individual unit. As they approached the front door, Armando searched his pockets for the project master key.

The condominiums consisted of seven separate buildings, built to follow the gentle curve of the marina. Each housed four units. The two more desirable ocean-front units in each structure were naturally the first to sell. However, since most of the buildings had at least one non-view condo left unsold, the developer easily accepted Armando’s offer to rent one of them. A substantial security deposit and three month’s rent paid well in advance ensured Armando of his privacy. If anyone asked, Conner Reeves would be just a friend on vacation. Securing the unit abutting Daniela’s to the rear was simple. Armando only had to ask.

After reaching their destination, Armando unlocked the door, and both men immediately began executing a series of routine tasks as soon as it closed behind them. Conner grabbed the tool box and ladder from the hall closet and removed the slotted cover from the heating-and-cooling system. Housed inside was the main camera with direct visual into Daniela’s condo.

In order to originally install their equipment, Conner and Armando had taken advantage of the common wall between the two units. They guided most of the cable through the air vents after the heating and air conditioning systems were combined. Fortunately, they were able to complete the majority of the work before Daniela moved in. They then repaired and repainted her unit, covering all traces of the modifications.

While Conner checked the main recorder, Armando used the screwdriver attachment of his Swiss Army knife to loosen the four tiny screws holding the plastic light switch cover in place. The single on/off switch operated the entry-hall light, but the round dimmer switch camouflaged the lens of a hidden micro camcorder. Armando dropped each screw into his T-shirt pocket and carefully pulled the switch plate away, keeping it level until it was clear of the camera lens. Then he easily removed the camcorder from its mount to check the digital counter. “Twenty-four seconds,” he called out to Conner.

“Not bad. It’s probably us coming in.” Conner paused, then added, “And, of course, a close-up of your ugly mug as you were playing around with that wall plate.”

“Did you notice I got to use my knife?” Armando beamed like a young boy. Conner had given him the knife as a birthday present last year, and ever since, he anxiously waited for any chance to use the knife, the can opener, the scissors, and any of the other fourteen different tools.

Conner cracked up. “Yes, I noticed! Hey, you better run it just in case. Twenty-four isn’t much, but let’s be sure.”

“I’m one step ahead of you, my friend. I already pushed Play and am watching it now.”

Armando and Conner had installed the micro camcorder as a security measure for their own condominium. The cameras in Daniela’s condo easily let then keep an eye on her movements, but they also needed to make certain no one kept an eye on them. For that reason, they had positioned a camera to record anyone who might attempt to enter their unit.

Armando watched the recording as it played back on the tiny screen located in the rear of the camcorder. He saw an instant replay of his earlier movements, including an extreme close-up of his own face as he worked to remove the switch plate. When finished, he repositioned the equipment and joined Conner. “How are you doing? Any sign of her?”

“None yet. I’m thinking she probably went out to eat.”

“Yes, food!” Armando gasped. “That’s what I’ve been missing. Are you almost done?”

“Give me ten minutes, max. I want to free some space on the DVR, so I’m copying to another hard drive.”

“Okay, if you don’t need me, I’m going to catch a quick shower.”

“Thanks, but I’m fine here. Go right ahead.”

Armando ambled through the master bedroom toward the bathroom. The suite was devoid of furnishings except for two rolled-up sleeping bags and a couple of pillows, although the master bathroom was slightly more equipped. Move-in day consisted of unpacking a few towels, shampoo, soap, and a blow-dryer.

After the long flight, Armando welcomed the invigorating shower, but his hunger pangs soon overcame the refreshment of the cool water. He rushed to finish, quickly towel-dried, and dressed. Then as he stood blow-drying his hair, Conner entered the room.

“Where do you want to eat?” Armando asked.

“In town, of course.” Conner’s eyes widened with the excitement of going there. “Where else?”

Conner took a total of five minutes getting ready, and on their way out, both men rummaged through their bags, grabbing wallets, keys, and searching for any loose change. The twenty minute bus ride into town cost a mere ten pesos but required exact change.

They managed to scrape together the right combination of coins by the time the well-worn bus rumbled to a stop in front of their complex. A taxi would have been faster but never as much fun. Too many tourists missed much of what Cancun had to offer by their failure to venture past the hotel zone or away from the comfort of taxi cabs. The warm hospitality of the people and the tantalizing flavors of the Yucatan were best experienced socializing with the locals in town.

On their first visit to the peninsula, Armando took great pride in sharing this area of Mexico with his close friend. Conner’s receptiveness further enhanced the distinctive bonding between the partners. He too, like so many others, felt the warmth of Mexico’s breath as she whispered his name.

When their corner came into view, Armando thumped twice on the side wall of the bus, executing the appropriate, and required, procedure to inform the driver that he needed to get off at the next stop. As they made their way to the front of the bus, the agents kept their balance by weaving from side to side and grabbing on to the backs of the seats as they passed. When the bus stopped, the driver held out his arm, cautioning them to stand back as he yanked on the rusted lever. The door squeaked open inwardly.

Anxious to eat, they jumped down from the high step onto the asphalt roadway. One of their favorite restaurants was a short walk away, up the unpaved side road. Although it was situated less than two blocks from the main road, few tourists were fortunate enough to find the hidden jewel. The owner never advertised, yet, night after night, the restaurant was filled with faithful followers, mostly locals of Cancun.

The owner enthusiastically welcomed Armando and Conner as if they had been dining there for years. He personally escorted them to their table, as he did with all of his patrons, and graciously granted their request for patio seating.

After a server took their drink orders, the men buried their heads in the oversized menus and drooled over the selections. As they discussed their options, Armando glanced slightly to his left and over Conner’s shoulder. Still staring, he said, “Oh no. Look who’s here!” But when Conner started to turn, Armando hurriedly instructed, “Don’t look now!”

Conner snapped his head forward. “You told me to look. Now tell me! Who is it?”

“It’s Daniela.”

“Is it really?” Conner’s eyes ballooned. “Is she with anyone?”

“She’s with some guy.”

“Santiago?”

“No, of course she’s not. Plus, you didn’t see his two thugs outside, did you?”

Conner laughed. “You mean Aleman and Camacho?” he confirmed more than questioned.

“Well, yeah. You know he never goes anywhere without them.”

“Tell me, then. Who’s the guy?” Conner pressed. “Do we know him?”

“Nope, I’ve never seen him before. She’s doing most of the talking, and he’s taking a lot of notes. He probably works for her on the jobsite. Maybe he’s the foreman or some other guy in charge. Wait, he’s getting up. Look now, quick!”

Conner turned around just as the man pulled out his chair, and Armando smiled in Daniela’s direction. “What do you think you’re doing?” Conner asked in a loud whisper after looking back at his partner.

Armando ignored him while raising his glass to Daniela. “
Salud
,” he mouthed the Spanish word for
cheers
.

Daniela returned the smile and raised her glass to his. Both took a sip.

“Armando!” Conner’s shouted whisper seemed to come out louder than he expected. “Mando,” he repeated more softly. “What the hell are you doing?”

Armando finally tore his eyes away from Daniela. “What can it hurt?” he asked. “Besides, she doesn’t even know us.”

“Believe me when I tell you, I firmly intend to keep it that way.” His warning sounded playful, but Armando knew it was sincere.

“Don’t worry. Her dinner date has returned.”

Every so often while eating, Armando casually glanced in Daniela’s direction. However, he soon became distracted by his meal. After what seemed to be just a few moments, Armando was surprised when he looked up and saw Daniela walking directly toward him.

She wore a matching black linen button-down blouse and wrap skirt with black espadrilles. Their ankle ties accentuated the firmness of her bare, sculptured calves. The arm openings of her sleeveless blouse were cut inwardly at an angle, revealing the graceful line of her shoulders. The skirt hit right below the knee, but as Daniela walked toward him, her movements caused the split to flap open, revealing a provocative and ample view of her inner thigh with each step.