IMBERADO

                                   Chapter Nineteen

Dave and Alejandro arrived at the hotel and checked in, it was midafternoon. During check in Dave looked at the register for the pilot’s signature and the room he had been given. Then he made sure their rooms were on the same floor that the pilot’s room was on. When they went up to their rooms they surveyed the exits, housekeeping room, and stairwells from that floor. Then they went back downstairs walked out to the street, got back into their vehicle and drove to the airport. They wanted to make sure the pilot was still near the hanger and know when he headed to the hotel.

                                                                    *****

Not long after that, the other two vehicles parked at Casino Maruma. They did not pull in together, nor did they park close to one another. The three young women got out separately and over the next thirty minutes each entered the Casino one at a time. A short while later both Bob and Rick entered the main entrance. Travis and John walked around the building after an hour and entered later through a rear entrance for employees that Rick had found during his previous visits. No one had seen any of the three men when they did as Rick had waited until the opportune time to tell them over the two-way that the coast was clear. Then the three of them went up to the floor where Correro and his body guard had their suite of two adjoining rooms. They went into a room they had reserved under an assumed name, after Rick picked the lock, this room would look as if the reservation was never kept that night and since it was paid in advance, the room would not be booked again until they planned to be gone tonight.

Rick left as soon as they were inside. He would let them know on the two way when Correro and the guard were inside the Casino itself. Then, they could get into the guard’s room, hide and wait.

When Rick got back to the main Casino lobby he walked around a while and then sat down at a Roulette table where he had a good view of the entry coming down from upstairs. He had already spotted Bob having a drink with his friend Diego. As soon as one of the women or a different one was engaged with Correro, Bob would make his goodbyes and leave the Casino. It was Bob who would drive the women back to the compound that night. Rick, John and Travis would be leaving with Correro and the bodyguard.

Zemmy, Camila and Luciana were sitting around the main bar sipping on cocktails. They were all dazzling to look at that night. They had made it as difficult as possible for Correro to pick anyone except one of the three of them.

                                                           *****

Dave was sitting in the parked Rover watching the pilot tinker around with the Huey. Alejandro was hanging out with the friends he had made at the airport until they were to get off work for the day. He had already found out that the Huey had already been refueled and serviced. Their plan was that if Alejandro’s friends asked him to join them for after work drinks he would decline graciously saying he was tired but maybe next time, he was only there for the day and had to return to work tomorrow morning.

Dave got out of the Rover and walked slowly in the direction of the Huey. He stopped at another small aircraft and looked interested in it, then meandered closer again. As he got closer he spoke to the pilot, in a loud enough voice to be heard but in a tone that would sound entirely friendly.

“Hey there, is that an old Huey? Man, I haven’t seen one of those in fifteen years at least.”

“Yeah, it’s a Huey. Anything I can do for you, friend? You sound like an American.”

“Good guess, I’m from Pennsylvania. How about you. You don’t sound like a local either?”

“I live here. But like I said, anything I can do for you?”

“Not really just wandering around until dinner time. I saw you with the Huey and just thought I would wander over and see if I was right. I didn’t expect to find another Yank down here. I didn’t plan to interrupt you though. Just being friendly.”

“Down here, being friendly with a stranger, can get a guy in trouble. You need to be careful. This is not like PA, people here are suspicious of every shadow, get my drift.”

“Yeah, sorry if I disturbed you. Just thought I’d have a look. Do you live here in Maracaibo, not trying to get nosy or anything, but you said you live here and thought I’d ask if you know a decent place to get something to eat. I don’t care for Casino’s and that’s where my boss went tonight. But I would like a good meal before bedtime.”

“I agree with you about Casinos, they’re not my glass of whiskey either. Are you at the airport hotel?”

“Matter of fact, I am. You?”

“Sure, it’s the only decent place close. Anyhow, there’s a decent café just a block down the street from the hotel. It’s not much to look at, but the foods good and the prices are really cheap.”

“Thanks, if you’re not busy I would be up for some company, my treat. Maybe we could talk about the Huey?”

“Usually I would tell most people to buzz off. But tonight, sure. I’ll be done here in an hour or so. I’ll meet you in the lobby, say an hour and a half and we can walk down together. Anything else I need to do here, I can do tomorrow, thanks for the invite.”

“Cool, I’ll see you then.”

Dave turned around and headed back in a circuitous route to the Rover. When he got there Alejandro was sitting in the driver’s seat.

“Let’s head back to the hotel, just don’t drive where you can be seen by the pilot.”

“Okay, why?”

“I went over and met him. He and I are having dinner tonight about a block from the hotel.”

“Are you nuts?”

“I don’t think so. This is one of those changes Travis was talking about. I’ll tell you my plan when we get back to my room.”

“Okay, I can’t wait to hear this.”

                                                               *****

At just after seven PM Rick saw Correro and his bodyguard come down the stairs and walk into the Casino. He had just made his bet on the wheel, so he turned enough to whisper into the two way that Correro was in the Casino. Then he turned back around to find he had lost on his last bet. Nothing much new here tonight.

Correro walked around the Casino floor for about half an hour stopping at one table or the other and then moving on. His guard was hanging out near a back wall watching him. Then slowly he made his way to the main bar. Once the bartender brought him his drink, Correro leaned on the bar slightly and started perusing the entire Casino and then the patrons seated at the bar itself. Finally he seemed to pause in Zemmy’s direction and the gaze became more of an assessment. Which turned into a wry self-indulgent grin. After some long moments he started to casually walk in her direction. Once he was behind her, he leaned slightly over and spoke.

“I don’t believe I have ever seen you in here before?”

“I’m sorry, were you talking to me?”

“Si.”

“Oh, I don’t remember seeing you here before either. But I have only been here a few times. So it is quite possible that we have not been here on the same nights.”

“That must be it. I am sure I would not have missed the opportunity to talk to one as beautiful as you.”

“Well, you know how to peak a ladie’s interest. But tell me, why you would single out such a one as me, from all the truly beautiful ladies here tonight.”

“Senorita, you jest with me, I am sure. You are the most dazzling woman in the entire Casino tonight, and I would guess on any night you were here. May I sit next to you and have the barman bring you another cocktail?”

“Of course Senor. I would enjoy such company.”

Rick was glad to see Correro seemingly engaged with Zemmy, and he wasn’t lost on noticing that Bob had risen from his table, shook Diego’s hand just before heading for the main lobby doors. He took this cue to stand up from the Roulette table and walk in the direction of the other end of the bar where Luciana was seated. Once there he made some seemingly small talk for a couple of minutes and then sat down next to her. After a short while Camilla stood up and went to one of the slot machines and began placing bets and pulling the one armed bandit lever, occasionally letting out a small gesture of excitement or dainty squeal of joy.

                                                         *****

Travis and John waited looking out their door’s peephole until the hall was empty of people going down for dinner or to the Casino. Then they made their way to the bodyguard’s door. Travis quickly picked the lock and they both slipped into his room closing and locking the door behind them.

The room was much like theirs except for the adjoining door to Correro’s room. There was a travel bag on the desk. John opened it and saw that nothing looked as if it had been unpacked yet.

“Okay, now all we have to do is wait.” John said to his friend.

“The way this is laid out, when Rick lets us know they are leaving the Casino you get around the corner in the room. I’ll stand in the bathroom next to the sink. He’ll either walk on into the room, or start in to relieve himself. Whichever that one grabs him from behind and clamps his mouth shut. I’ll give him the injection of the heavy sedative in his neck with the syringe we got from the infirmary. All we have to do is be quick enough and keep him quite enough until the drug takes effect. This stuff is strong enough to knock out a horse in a few seconds.”

“Sounds good when you say it. Let’s just hope this guy is that easy to subdue without alerting Correro in the next room. I’ll pick the lock now and we can close the door back so there shouldn’t be any noise when we open it to nab Correro.”

“Good, then all we need to do is wait.”

“Yeah.” With that said it was John who picked the lock. Then they took a long look into Correro’s room. It looked as if he had unpacked at least. The shower had moisture on the curtain, like he had showered before they went down to the casino. There was no gun to be found, so he was probably packing a gun on him. Once the door was closed behind them and looked just as before, John settled into the chair in the bodyguard’s room while Travis stared out the rooms window and down onto the roofs below.

                                                          *****

Dave had explained his plan to Alejandro before he went down to the lobby to meet the pilot. Once he and the pilot left for the café, Alejandro would pick the lock on the pilot’s room and wait inside for their return. Then the timing had to be just right and Alejandro had to get lucky enough to knock out the pilot before the man knew anyone was inside his room. The locks on the hotels rooms were old school and easy to pick, Alejandro had told him it would be no trouble at all.

Over dinner Rick and the pilot chatted about the Huey for a while, then they talked about the places they were from in the States. The pilot was a former Army helicopter pilot. He drifted some once he was discharged and had ended up here in South America a few years ago, finally finding this gig as the pilot for this Huey. He didn’t mention it belonged to the cartel or that he was working for them. Which meant his story was probably less then genuine.

Once dinner was over and they had drank a couple of beers, Dave said he was ready to get some shuteye. The pilot agreed without any seeming curiosity. So they headed back to the hotel. When they reached their floor Dave went straight to his door, telling the Pilot thanks and goodnight. As he unlocked his door and stepped inside he heard the pilot doing the same. As soon as the man was inside his door, Dave moved back out of his and quietly retraced his steps to the Pilot’s room. He had no more than stood outside the pilot’s room when Alejandro opened the door for him. As Dave stepped through the door he saw the pilot laying on the floor of the bathroom, out cold.

“That was quick.” Dave said in a low quiet tone.

“Lucky for me, he needed to relieve himself first. I was in the shower with the shower curtain closed. As he flushed the toilet I hit him on the back of his head, then he fell onto the sink hitting his head on it as well. He didn’t even get a sound out for anyone to hear.”

“What did you hit him with?”

“This wrench, I brought it up from the Land Rover. I went down and got it after the two of you went to dinner.”

“Good thinking. Now let’s get him down the stairs and into the Rover’s back seat. When we get outside we’ll make it look like he’s passed out drunk. Then we can head back to the airport hangar. I want to be ready when the others get there.”

“Si, I will get our stuff from the room, come back in here and gather his up, once I get that in the Rover I will come back up here and help you down with him.”

“Good. I am going to give him a strong sedative while you’re doing that, he’ll be out for hours.”

Half an hour later Dave and Alejandro were driving toward the airport with the pilot stretched out in the back seat.

                                                                  ****

After a while Correro and Zemmy stood up and headed to the dining room. Rick was taking note of the change in their location. Luciana had seen the same and leaned over to Rick.

“It seems that he will be taking Zemmy upstairs before the evening is over. I hope Mister Travis is ready?”

“Travis has probably been ready and waiting within minutes of Correro walking down to the Casino floor. He and John will have him and his bodyguard under wraps and outside shortly after they get to their rooms, if there are no complications.”

“You have known him for a long time then. You are compatriots.”

“Yes, we are brothers of different mothers.”

“Senor?”

“Yes, we are closer than many brothers.”

“Oh, I see.”

“You do not have a Senora at home.”

“No, that is one battle Dave, nor I have not fought yet. Travis is engaged and John is married. We have worked together many times.”

“You are a Lobo then and do not wish to have a mate?”

“I am not sure I would make a good companion for a woman. I would probably be hard to live with. Don’t get me wrong I like women, I have just never had good luck with them in that way.”

“Maybe it is you have known the wrong ones. I do not know you well, but from what I have seen, I believe I know quite a few who would think themselves lucky to have a man such as you, or your friend Mister Dave.”

“Maybe so, but that is not what I have found. Right now my focus is on getting this job done though.’’

They continued to chat, until Correro and Zemmy walked back into the Casino and went to one of the Craps tables. Once they had been there for several minutes Camilla stood up from the slot machine she had been at, walked to the cashier booth and then left the Casino. Both Rick and Luciana knew she was headed outside to get in the car with Bob.

It was close to ten when Correro and Zemmy started to walk out of the Casino and looked as if they were headed to the elevators. Correro’s bodyguard was leaving just a few feet behind them. Rick picked up the two way and let Travis know they were on their way. This was Luciana’s cue to leave and join Bob and Camilla in the parking lot. Rick would make his way to the elevator, go upstairs and be ready to help Travis and John when they were ready.

                                                               ****

Travis and John moved into place and quietly waited to hear the door unlock and open. The entire plan counted on stealth now. Everything hinged on subduing the bodyguard without alerting Correro in the adjoining room. Seconds seemed to linger like an eternity. Finally they heard the door unlock. The room was dark, only the glow around the edges of the window curtain allowed the dimmest of light into the room. Then the hallways lights began to light the room’s entrance when the bodyguard opened the door and stepped in. He flipped the switch by the door and stepped immediately into the bathroom. As he turned to face the commode and unzip his trousers John pushed through the flimsy shower curtain and grabbed the man around the shoulders with a large brown hand clamped down over his mouth. Before he could react enough to break free Travis had the hypodermic needle in his neck through the curtain and pushed the plunger down sending the sedative into his body, then held the man’s lower arms and waist as still as possible.

The man was powerful, but no match for both Travis and John. Although he fought against them he was unable to free their grip or yell out and as much as he fought to kick or flay around there was nothing in the bathroom he could get to make any loud noise. Within a couple of minutes he just slumped against Travis and John losing consciousness. They carried him to the bed and stretched him out.

Quickly the two men moved silently to the door between the two rooms. Both of them pulled their pistols, just in case. Travis turned the door knob slowly and silently. He pushed the door open as quickly as he could and thankfully the hinges made no sound, both men rushed into the room quickly sighting Correro in an embrace with Zemmy, his back turned to the adjoining room’s door. Before he could turn, reach for his gun, or grab Zemmy as a hostage Travis and John were on him.

Correro immediately yelled for his bodyguard, now John had the other hypodermic out and plunged it into Correro’s neck sending the heavy sedative into his system. Both men kept death grips on Correro’s body until he started to drift into deep unconsciousness. Once he was out, Travis and John released their grips and pulled the limp body off of Zemmy.

“Are you okay, you didn’t get hurt did you?”

“No, I am fine. I can’t remember ever having three grown men on top of me at the same time.” Then she gave a small sigh and chuckle at what she had just said.

“No doubt. Sorry, let me help you up.”

“Thank you.”

“That actually went better than it could have. We were lucky and you did your part perfectly, having him with his back to the door and close enough for us to jump him so quickly before he knew what was happening.” Travis told her as he helped her to her feet.

“So what is next?”

“Next you need to straighten yourself up. Then open the door and look outside in the hall. Rick should be close and see you. When he gets in here, you go down to the lobby and out the main doors. Walk directly to the car you came in. Camila and Luciana will be there with Bob. When you get inside Bob will start the car and all of you will leave here and drive back to the compound tonight.”

“And the rest of you?”

“Don’t worry. We will be fine. We have more to do now. Once we have Correro and the body guard to the airport and Dave takes off John, Rick and I will be back as well. We need to tidy up here first. We don’t want it to look as if there was any struggle in either room.”

“And Alejandro?”

“He and Dave may not be back until just before morning, if all goes well. Now, you just head downstairs and leave. We will see you later, and Zemmy I can’t tell you enough how much I appreciate everything you and your friends have done to help. You have all been very brave.”

“You don’t need to thank any of us, we did this for ourselves and those we have lost. We would have done more, much more, if it needed doing. It is we who are thankful to you and your friends,” with that said Zemmy brushed off her dress and opened the door.

Rick was already standing outside waiting. As she walked into the hall and turned for the elevator, Rick walked in and closed the door behind him. Once he was inside he turned to look at Travis and then the body of Correro on the floor.

“I didn’t hear any shots so I guess they’re both just sedated?”

“We were lucky. They are both just out. Go back to the room we were in make sure it doesn’t have anything that looks like we were ever there. Then come back with that laundry cart.”

“Got it, I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Rick turned and went back into the hall. First he went to the room they had reserved and made sure there was absolutely nothing to show anyone had been there. Then he went and retrieved the laundry cart from the housekeeping room and came right back and rolled the cart into Correro’s room.

Over the next twenty minutes the three men picked up Correro’s body and laid it in fetal position in the bottom of the cart. Then they did the same with the bodyguard. On top of them they put both men’s luggage. Some of their clothes they piled on top of both men so you couldn’t see either man. Lastly they turned their attention to straightening up both rooms of any signs of the struggles. They didn’t clean the rooms, they wanted them both look like the men had been there but just left without checking out. Since the rooms were reserved for two or three days, it would be at least tomorrow before anyone would miss them. With all this done they opened the door and pushed the cart to the freight elevator and took it down to the first floor where the main laundry, kitchens and service rooms were. Once there John went to the vehicle he and Travis drove, pulled it up close to the door and loaded the Land Rover with everything. Correro and the guard they put in the back seat sitting up and belted in. the luggage they put in the back.

Once Rick returned from putting the laundry cart back in the laundry room he got in the back seat with the two bodies and they pulled out of the parking lot and headed to the airport.

Alejandro was waiting at the gate near the hangar where he and Dave had the Huey ready. Dave had filed a flight plan for that night with the tower using the pilots name so it would not be suspicious, the flight plan was to fly to Aruba and return in the early morning before dawn. When the Land Rover pulled up to the gate, Alejandro let them in and closed the gate behind them. He then rejoined them at the hangar.

Travis pulled the Rover next to the Huey. “You ready, Dave?”

“You bet. Let’s get them in so I can radio the tower and get clearance for takeoff.”

‘Sounds good, but I have a change of plan. Leave both Correro and the bodyguard with Matias at Aruba. Just bring the Pilot back with the Huey and ditch it in the lake.”

“Okay, that will make it easier for me in the ditching anyway.”

Fifteen minutes later Dave was in the pilot’s seat with the three men strapped in and all of their luggage in the storage compartment. He radioed the tower and got clearance.

“Alejandro, I’ll buzz you at the place we talked about. Then bring the boat out and pick me up. I really don’t want to tread water any longer than I have to.”

“See you there, Dave. Don’t worry.”

They all backed away from the Huey and Dave lifted off circled about northeast and vanished into the dark late night sky. Travis and John jumped into the Rover, Rick and Alejandro got into the other vehicle and they drove to the gate. Once it was open and the two vehicles through it, Alejandro closed the gate back and they headed to Avenicia Intercommunal and turned south for Bachaquero.

A couple of hours later Travis and John were driving into the compound in Bachaquero. Travis had already explained his change of plan to John and John whole heartedly agreed with it. Travis could explain the change to everyone after Rick, Dave and Alejandro returned later.

                                                            *****

Dave didn’t try to hide his flight path until he dipped below radar near Aruba. He sat the Huey down in the large parking lot at the refinery. Matias was there waiting. They unloaded both Correro and the body guard into a vehicle Matias had waiting, Dave told him there had been a change in plans. Then they put all the luggage and clothes in the vehicle. Once that was done. Matias drove away and Dave lifted off.

Once he was in the air he radioed the tower for landing clearance at the airport. No one questioned his slight delay at being off the radar. Dave got out with the dummy bag of what looked like letters and went into the airport. He returned twenty minutes later and moved the pilot into the pilot’s seat and strapped him in, then he climbed into the copilot’s seat and took control of the Huey from there. Then he radioed for takeoff clearance. As soon as it was granted he lifted off the tarmac and headed south again in the direction of Maracaibo.

Again he made no attempt at hiding his route. Two hours later he buzzed the location where Alejandro and Rick waited. Both men were already in the boat ready. Dave pulled back up to altitude and then made a nose dive for the lake. The impact made a huge wave at first with a few pieces of the chopper breaking on impact. Then it started sinking below the lakes surface. Dave had every door open and water was gushing into the cockpit. As it started to sink Dave propelled himself out the copilot’s door and swam as fast as he could to be as far from the sinking Huey before he could get caught in any possible undertow. Before the chopper’s tail was submerged Alejandro and Rick were there with the boat. Rick helped his longtime friend into the boat and Alejandro pointed it back to shore where the vehicle was parked just off the road.

Once there Rick and a soaking Dave got out of the boat and turned around long enough to push the boat back into the water where Alejandro put up one hand in a wave but turned the boat around and headed back into the lake enough to head for the compound. Rick and Dave then walked to the vehicle and took off south down the road in the same direction.

An hour later everyone was now back in the compound safe and sound. Travis met Rick and Dave as soon as they were parked.

“Any problems?”

“Not unless you count going down in a Huey and having to swim out of the way before she sank and pulled me under.”

“Oh quit belly aching, I saw the look on your face when I pulled you into the boat. That was pure glee on your face.” Rick chided his friend.

“OH YEAH! Man what a rush. Like doing an Australian repel down the Matterhorn.”

 Travis was laughing at his friend’s banter before he continued. “The Pilot?”

“If they find him it will look like pilot error. I put him in the pilot’s seat during the stop at Aruba. Gave him another injection of the sedative. He was too drugged to even know he was drowning.”

“Great, no loose ends here. Tomorrow we will get on the barge and head from the refinery. All we have to do now keep being lucky until we reach Florida.”

“Yeah, real lucky. No problems at three different airports, three different sets of airport personnel, customs agents, blah, blah, blah.”