Imberado

                                                            Chapter 17

Travis, Dave, John and Rick had dinner consisting of a beef stew with hot fresh baked bread and beans and coffee in the compound mess hall and afterwards sat at their table talking for about thirty minutes. Travis and Dave talked about the possible use of the Medellin helicopter.

“I could see your interest peak when Alejandro mentioned the Huey. I can surely fly it, if you can think of a way we can commandeer it from the pilot.” Dave told him. “The trick would be to get it in the air without the tower knowing it had been flown by anyone other than the pilot.”

“I’m thinking about just that. Do you think you could find a way to immobilize him without attracting any attention? Also do you have any ideas on how to use it and not create suspicion from the tower or airport personnel? ”

“Sure, I’ll go there tomorrow with Alejandro and get the lay of things. The only question is would you want him taken out permanently or just temporarily? The only way to avert suspicion would be for a flight plan to be filed with the tower and them think it was the pilot who had filed it.”

“Let me know what you think is best after you see the facilities and personnel there.”

“Will do.”

After that Dave and Rick went to their bunks Bob had assigned them. Travis and John, both went back to the office and sent emails to Andy and John’s wife before joining the others and going to sleep for the night.

The next morning while the four of them were having a breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage and pancakes with Bob in the cafeteria on the compound, Dave asked Bob a question. “Bob, what would the possibility be of Alejandro getting a day or two away, so he could accompany me up to the airport in Maracaibo?”

“Just ask, when would you like to go? I can let him have one of the small boats, it’s easier and faster than trying to go up in a vehicle along the sometimes poor at best road conditions and winding route it takes along the coast and around some of the steeper terrain between here and Maracaibo.”

“Today, if you’re okay with that? We might spend the night there. I need to look around in both the daylight and after dark. Especially late. So I can tell if what Travis and I are thinking, is more possible at daytime or later at night.”

“Okay, I’ll let Alejandro know and he can have a boat ready. I’ll tell his foreman that I’m sending him to Maracaibo for supplies. You two can bring a few things back as you return. I’ll have Zemmy call a hotel we use there to get you reservations for tonight.”

“That sounds great. Thanks, Bob.”

Travis then looked to Bob and asked him another question. “Bob, can you and Zemmy find time to have a chat with me this morning, after you’re done getting Dave and Alejandro all set up?”

“Sure, say in about an hour, in my office?”

“That would be super. John will probably be needing access to a computer line for a while today as well.”

“No problem both of you can come over at the same time. I’ll show John where he can set up.”

Rick interjected. “If it’s okay, Travis, I’ll tag along with Dave and Alejandro. I think I’ll go over to that casino and wander around, kind of reconnoiter the lay of things there. I can be seen placing a few bets here and there, eat in the café, maybe hang out in the souvenir shop or lounge outside having a few smokes. Then I’ll come back with them tomorrow.”

“That’s a good idea Rick, don’t lose too much at the tables though.”

“Who said anything about losing?” Rick chuckled back.

Within an hour and a half, Alejandro, Rick and Dave were shoving off in the boat and headed north to Maracaibo. John was all set up in a small office a couple of doors down from Bob’s while Bob, Travis and Zemmy had just closed the door to Bob’s office.

The day was already warming up outside and the humidity was going to be high again today. This was the kind of heat that drained your body of moisture even if you were not physically working. A day in an air conditioned office was the best place to be, when and if you could.

Once they were all seated Travis spoke to them both to get the discussion started.

“Bob, you and Zemmy are going to be playing a very important role in my forming a plan to make this work. I have been thinking since our talks last evening, and one thing I really need, if at all possible, is to talk to one of those women still around that were with Correro on one of his visits. Between you both, do you think we can find one of them that would be willing to talk about their time with him?”

Zemmy answered first. “I had thought about the same thing before. But so far I haven’t asked too many questions that might seem out of the ordinary and draw too much attention to me directly. I don’t want to disappear like some people have.”

Then Bob Franks spoke as both an answer to Travis and in defense of Zemmy. “It probably was better for you not to ask too much yet. I do know a man at the casino, who I could ask an indirect question  without him getting too suspicious. We have talked a few times of some of the more notorious patrons of the casino and he has made inferences to some of their idiosyncrasies. I could call him and see if he would like to have dinner tonight and play cards afterwards. When he gets loosened up and comfortable is when he talks the freest.”

“I could go with you Mr. Franks, if I was seen with you like a date, the word might get around that I like being seen with older influential men. That might be helpful next week when Correro is in town. It is only a hope that he might pick me to be with anyway. But if someone was to say I had been seen recently with you, a respectful American, who knows that might help.”

“Sure, if you don’t think it would be dangerous. I’d be glad to have you go along, might even help steer the conversation the way I hope we can.”

After hearing this exchange, Travis added his own thoughts. “When it does come time to put a plan in motion next week, are there any others that we could trust, who would be willing to help in some small way?”

“Do you mean women, or men?”

“I am thinking women, mostly. Between myself, Dave, Rick and John, I think we can handle whatever the final plan is, when it comes to capturing Correro and getting him to the US. I wouldn’t ask any of you to put yourselves at real risk, if I can help it. But like you said yourself, Zemmy. Hoping he would pick you as his date for this visit, is at best only hopeful. I’m thinking about ways to hedge our bet into that happening, or maybe salting the field with others we could trust if that is possible. What do you two think?”

“I’m not sure, Travis. What do you think, Zemmy?”

“I know there are others who hate the Medellin, and yes, there are a couple of my women friends who might be willing to help. Both are good looking and about my age. Whether or not any of us would be the one he picks is the question. Neither of them are known yet at the casino, like I have made myself lately.”

“Who are you thinking about?” Bob asked with a questioning look on his face. “We have not talked about anyone except you and Alejandro before.”

“I am thinking about, Luciana Hernandez and Camila Quinones. I know both hate the cartel and don’t you agree that they are attractive?”

“Oh yes, both of them are good looking young women. I just didn’t know they both hate the Medellin, isn’t Camila Venezuelan?”

“Yes she is, but some her family is from Columbia and she had a cousin who disappeared a couple of years ago.”

“I didn’t know that. So, let’s see what we find out tonight at the casino. Would you like to go along tonight, Travis?”

“I think, John and I should be at least two of us who haven’t been seen there too often just before anything happens. That way if we are suspected, it won’t tie back to any of you. This plan as it will become will need to be multilayered if it is going to work. Again thank you both for being so helpful. I think I’ll go now and see just what John has been doing, once he gets started on a computer he never ceases to amaze me at the things he uncovers.”

“Sounds fine, Travis. The two of us will leave midafternoon. We may stay in Maracaibo tonight as well. Depends on how the evening goes at Casino Maruma.”

Travis got up and walked out the office door closing it behind himself. Then he walked two offices down and went in the door where John Little Horse was engrossed in his computer screen. Seeing the large Cheyenne leaning over the computer looked out of place at first glance, rather like some bear playing a piano. But Travis had complete respect for his onetime hacker contact and now friend.

“Find anything useful yet, John?”

“Some, maybe. For sure the Medellin use the dark web to communicate. But it looks like most of what they do, they keep old school. Most of the good sources I have get skittish, as soon as they know you’re looking at the cartel. Can’t say I blame them much. Most times if it’s the government or some corporation you’re breaking into the most you might be looking at is jail time, if you get caught. But drug cartels are known to kill people without a second thought. So only those with a real hard on for drug lords will dig very deep into their business or take the risk of acting on what they find.”

“Understandable, so what do we have?”

“Well, like I said they do use the web. If I could get into one computer or find out where they are using one, I could probably hack into it. But right now I just keep trying doors. I want to hurt their operation in some way while we’re here, that’s why I wanted to come. This close is my best chance of ever doing that. I did find what I think is one front they have in Riohacha, but I haven’t been able to break in yet. It’s a Stoneware factory and I feel sure it’s one of their outlets for the drugs.”

“Good, keep at it we might be able to use that. For the plan to work we may need some of their drugs so there’s a solid charge to get Correro arrested on.”

“You don’t think any innocent local could be blamed or arrested if do you?”

“Not thinking about locals. Thinking more along the lines of the DEA. If we can get Correro with drugs into US jurisdiction.”

“Okay, I’ll keep at it, but that seems like a tall order. Killing some of them would be easier.”

“Easier maybe, more dangerous for sure and besides I want Correro to pay worse than just a bullet.”

“You got it, Travis. I’ll keep digging.”

“Thanks, John. You call home yet?”

“Yeah, use that phone over there.”

Travis walked across the office to another desk, picked up the receiver and placed the international call to Andy. She picked up on the second ring. They talked for about fifteen minutes. She was relieved that everyone was safe and that they were making headway. Donna and Maria Gustafson were still there and Davis was improving, but slowly. Levi and Helen were still staying with her and her Dad checked in frequently. She and Travis told each other that they missed one another and would be glad when all this was over. The Travis told her he would call again in a couple of days.

John and Travis had a late dinner in the mess hall, hung around outside in a couple of deck chairs and then were in bed rather late since all the others were in Maracaibo for the night.

Around noon the next day John had succeeded in hacking into the stoneware factory system. He was surer now than before it was a front for the Medellin. But they were hiding their tracks well and he hadn’t found when or how it would be possible do to what Travis wanted successfully. But he was sure within a day or two he would.

Around three in the afternoon Bob and Zemmy returned from Maracaibo, but Travis told them to just relax a while; Alejandro, Dave and Rick should be back by dinnertime. He was right, at just before six the boat docked with the three on board. After thirty minutes to unload the supplies Bob ordered and the three cleaned up, all of them met at the compound mess hall for dinner. Zemmy brought Luciana and Camila with her. After she made all the introductions the three women sat down with the group. Once they had ate and adjourned to the deck outside the real conversations could begin.

Bob Franks started the conversation. “It went pretty well last night at the casino, Diego did start opening up as we were having drinks after dinner and having Zemmy there was very helpful. He even warned her about Correro’s history with beautiful young women.”

 “So I take it this Diego is the man you told me about?” Travis asked.

“Yes, his name is Diego Munoz. He is one of the Pit Bosses and has worked at Casino Maruma for several years. I’ve known him for quite a while. He does not like Correro or the Medellin Cartel. From what Diego said, I think your plan about having more than just Zemmy there is a good one. I know Luciana and Camila and I think we have a better chance of him picking one of them.” Bob then turned to the two young women. “I know you have agreed to help us and that Zemmy has told you of the danger involved. I just want to assure you that we will make it as safe as we can, there are just no guarantees.”

It was Luciana who answered first. She had dark skin like many young women here, long black shining hair below her shoulders and big brown eyes that spoke volumes even when she was quiet. “We know the cartels, Mr. Franks, and we hate them. So we know the risks as well as anyone here. We thank you and your friends for letting us help in any way we can.”

“Thank you Luciana. The three of us will be talking more about how we can make ourselves his primary choices that night.” Zemmy answered her and then to spoke to all the rest at the table.

“Then you ladies should start joining us, if you are certain you are committed. I want you to know that we will protect you as completely as we can, but that there are risks involved.”

“We know that. We will gladly start joining your gatherings here on the veranda in the evenings. I am sure we will do everything we can.” This time it was Camila who spoke up. “As Luciana and Zemmy have said we are grateful for the opportunity to help.”

John Little Horse interjected “I dug around a little more before dinner. I am sure that the stoneware factory is a Medellin front in Riohacha. Travis’s idea for acquiring some drugs to have, to incriminate Correro, makes sense and this factory would be good place to get it. Besides we could deal a blow to their operation as well. If I could get into the computer they use there for only a short time, I could do even more damage that they might not find for days or more.”

“Do you know exactly where it is in Riohacha? And what kind of damage are you talking about? It can’t be something that might risk our capturing Correro.” Travis added before John could continue.

“Not that kind of damage, Travis. A back door that I could access remotely and a virus I could trigger once we have Correro out of Venezuela. I could leave false tracks that would make it look like another cartel was skimming off their profits and trying to ruin the Medellin operation.”

“I like that plan, but it might be better if you made it look like Correro was behind it. Then when he comes up missing and turns up arrested by the DEA in the US, with his body guard and pilot nowhere to be found, they would be more likely to try and have him killed rather than break him out and bring him back here to Columbia.”

“I could do that. Hell that would be even easier to manipulate. In answer to your other question, yes I do know where it is. It is close to Calle 12 on the western side of the town. Within four blocks of the coastline near Calle 10. That is an area of shoreline that does not have a beach. So it is steeper than beachfront, more remote from houses or buildings but with an area that’s better vegetated for us to land the boat without as much risk of it being seen and yet close enough for us to get to the factory and back with the best chance of being spotted. The problem is it would take around four hours for us to get there in one of the boats like Alejandro used to go to Maracaibo and back. ”

“That sounds about right to me, Mr. Travis, and that’s not counting going through port at Maracaibo where we could be stopped about a trip at night.” Alejandro answered.

“I have a thought about that Mr. Travis, if Mr. Franks agrees?”

“What is that Zemmy?” Bob Franks asked.

“I have a cousin who works in the refinery on Aruba. He would be glad to help I am sure my father was his favorite uncle before he went missing. If he could get one of the boats from the refinery to Punto Fijo and we met him there then we could not only avoid Maracaibo and the government men, but the boat trip would be almost half as long.”

“If that works for you Travis. I know the Chief Engineer at the refinery, he is an American and an ex-Marine. I am sure he would agree. I wouldn’t tell him what we were doing, but he owes me a favor. I could say we were going to the Trupial Casino in Willemstad on Curacao for a little R and R, even he has gone there, just to get off Aruba occasionally.”

“Good, I like it. John and I will work on a detailed plan. How about you Dave?”

“Alejandro and I agree on one thing for sure. Commandeering the chopper will be better done at night. Just as it will be more likely to abduct the pilot when he is asleep in his hotel room. We found out he stays in the same hotel we were in, getting to him there will be a snap. If I could get Correro back to Aruba and watched. Then I could come back and ditch the chopper here in the lake, say somewhere near the western shore, with the bodyguard and pilot in it. If Alejandro could pick me up close to where I ditch the Chopper, in one of the boats then we could make it back here. But that means timing is crucial. We don’t want to be too long here after we grab Correro.”

“Agreed, but what if we only brought Correro here to the compound and took him out with all of us on a return trip to Aruba in the oil barge?”

“Your choice old friend, but I personally think getting him out of Venezuela faster and under wraps makes more sense. The longer he is close to his bosses the more we risk losing him, dead or alive to face a judge.”

“That I can agree with. So in your plan both the bodyguard and pilot need to die first. Then you plant them in their own chopper and ditch it in the lake.”

“That’s the way I would plan it, the less loose ends we leave, the less we risk of being tracked down.”

“How about this, Zemmy if your cousin is willing to help us with getting to Riohacha and back. Then do you think he would take the drugs we steal from the factory with him and hide them at the refinery, so we have the evidence we want to get Correro locked up for a long time?”

“Yes, I am sure he will. I can call him tonight and talk to him. He will be eager to strike a blow to the Medellin. I will tell you in the morning.” Zemmy’s voice was elevated now and continued. ”I am also sure he could be the one who would gladly keep Correro locked up until you get there. It would be easy, all he would need to do is keep him drugged up and out cold. It would be fitting for him to be an addict before he gets locked up in an American prison.”

“Even better. John and I need to set a plan we can put into action by the day after tomorrow at the latest, if we are going to be ready before Correro is thought to be coming to the Casino. Bob can you get your engineer friend in agreement tomorrow as soon as Zemmy lets us know her cousin has agreed.”

“Maybe I can let you know tonight if he is at home and not in the casino in Oranjestad, there is a server there he likes.”

“That would be great Zemmy, then I could talk with Chuck first thing in the morning. Travis, should I bring Chuck in on what we are actually doing, or keep him in the dark.”

“If Zemmy’s cousin is dead sure he can do all this and not get caught, with only your friend thinking we went to Curacao. That would be better. The less people who know the better. Also he will be a good alibi thinking we were at Curacao in a casino, no way could we have been in Riohacha.”

“I see your point.”

“Okay, everyone we all have a lot to do tomorrow. Let’s get some sleep.” With this said Travis stood up from his chair, as did everyone else.

The three women turned and walked in the direction of their quarters, followed by Bob and Alejandro. John turned to Travis, Dave and Rick before they took a step off the veranda and said. “We are going to get this done. I just really hope none of these people pay the price in the doing of it. We all signed up for this gig before we got here and knew our chances. I would really hate to be the reason any one of them gets dead because of what we came here to do. All of us are or at least were once the professionals, these people are just civilians with an axe to grind.”

It was Rick who put a large hand on John’s shoulder. “Me too brother man, me too.”

“We all agree on that John, it’s just an added task we have, to keep them as safe as we can. Let’s get that shut eye.” Then the four men were close behind the others in heading toward their own bunks.

Lying in his bunk Travis rolled over in his mind tangible facts that could not be disregarded. He and his friends were here in a country fraught with tensions and corruption. They were now allowing into their confidence strangers that none of them knew or had been researched even nearly close enough to trust, under even the most modest of circumstances. They were forming plans that would normally takes weeks and possibly months in merely days about locations and dangerous people with less than complete knowledge or detailed and proven reconnaissance, with a time sensitive schedule that allowed for no mistakes. Yet there was no turning back, his commitment to bring Correro to justice for Jim Whiteside and his family was nonnegotiable. He knew his three comrades were of the same mind. He just prayed that none of these others ended up dead as he rushed to kidnap and bring Correro back and get the punishment he deserved.

Eventually his thoughts drifted to ones of Andy and then into the much needed darkness of sleep.

Once everyone was seated around their tables at breakfast the next morning in the mess hall, Bob started the conversation as they ate. “Zemmy came and told me last night that her cousin, Matias, was more than agreeable to help in any way he could. So I called Chuck Nichols and he was more than happy to let Matias drive one of his boats to Punto Fijo and take us to Curacao from there. He wasn’t even curious as to why we wanted to go there, he probably just assumed that his boats were more sea worthy than the ones we have here on the lake. All I need to do is tell him when.”

“Great, so let’s talk about just that. Correro is expected to come to Casino Maruma five days from today. We don’t want to break into the stoneware factory until the evening before he is to arrive, less chance of his trip being canceled and him going to Riohacha instead. And we don’t want to get to Riohacha too early and chance being seen hanging around looking suspicious of anything either. So, four days from today Alejandro can drive John, Dave, Rick and I to Punto Fijo, which will probably take most of the day. We need to leave there with time to arrive and beach the boat shortly after dark. That way we have most of that night to break in, grab some of their drugs and John get into the computer and leave the back door he needs. I would think Alejandro should stay with the vehicle, say fishing or beach combing close to where we park, but keep watch for us when we get back. Matias can stay with the boat where we beach it in Riohacha, guarding our escape. All John, Dave,Rick and I have to do is not get caught.”

“You don’t think they will discover the theft early in the day and Correro’s plans change?”

“Hopefully, no. I think he would be in the air early himself it’s a long chopper ride from Medellin to Maracaibo. That’s one of those best guess’s I am making. If we can get back to Punto Fijo early enough that morning we will be driving back here while Correro is flying to Maracaibo. That means Matias would have that boat and the drugs hidden at the refinery before any discovery would be made.”

“We could leave a false impression of a failed break in by a rival cartel, say killing of a guard or something. So their attention is focused on that instead of looking for anything stolen. Say by making sure the factory doesn’t look as if they got inside.” Rick added.

“Good thought. We know there will be more than one guard. If we take the first one out, leave him unconscious not able to know how the attack happened. Kill any other guards….as quietly as we can, then leave a blood trail, as if they escaped. Then when the first guard comes to, say with a wound, he will surely take the credit for saving the day, his Compadres would not be there to disagree. We just need to have a blood bag with us to leave a trail.”

“I can help with that Travis. You can take one of our O positive bags from the infirmary here. We keep a few just in case of emergencies. The actual closest hospital is not very close.” Bob added.

“Thanks, Bob.”

“So what do we do for the next three days?” Dave asked.

“The next three days will be crammed with everything we need to complete and insure success. Bob, Rick and the ladies will be making themselves seen in the casino at least twice. Rick needs to be seen picking one of either Luciana or Camila at least once and Bob with Zemmy at least once more. While this is going on all four will be looking at more detals, like room service, exits, staff, so that our plan for kidnapping both Correro and his body guard is as close to fool proof as possible. Dave and Alejandro need to spend one more night at the airport and hotel there for the same information. John and I must get all the information we can on the factory, beach where we will be placing the boat, streets, alleys, anything that makes that part of breakin work.”

“So I think I should try and get to meet Diego another time while we are in the Casino?”

“Exactly, maybe the next time when you and Zemmy are together. But at least once she should be there alone or with one of the other ladies, she still needs to look available.”

“Surely. I can make sure that Alejandro has some time off, a small holiday. That way no one will question his being gone during a work day.”

“Good so let’s start our day with these things as our targets. John and I will be in the office with the computer most of today and most of the rest of you will be gone to Maricaibo tonight and stay day after tomorrow. Those nights John and I will work out details here. So lets meet here at breakfast and share information. Dave you and Alejandro we’ll see in two days.”

“You got it Travis.”

During the next three days Travis and John spent hours upon hours gleaning information on Riohacha, the coastline near Calle 10, and the stoneware factory. John found how and where he wanted to install the back door in the factories computer and worked on the backdoor program he was going to use. Travis spent time outside near the veranda at times making models from the information they gleaned so he could work on his plan of attack. When he wasn’t on that he was taking the information from Rick, Bob and the women on the Casino to formulate the kidnapping of Correro.

The day Dave and Alejandro came back Travis spent time with them and their plans on how to capture the pilot and chopper. After the three discussed options for about three hours, the three of them agreed to the best workable solution.

Alejandro had decided he would spend the night at Punto Fijo night fishing and Travis thought that was a good idea. It would be less questionable than just sleeping on the beach or beach combing later after dark, while he would be waiting for their return from Riohacha.

After a night’s sleep for everyone, they all met in the compound dining hall for breakfast. The tone was silent as they ate and had coffee. Everyone thinking about the coming events, today was the day of no turning back. Alejandro, John, Dave and Travis would be leaving in one of the landrovers this morning. By afternoon Bob and the young women would be making their last visit to the Casino before Corerro’s arrival.

By tomorrow afternoon, with Matias back at the refinery on Aruba with the stolen drugs hidden, all of them would be headed for Maracaibo to either the casino or airport and the count down clock would be ticking. It would be either a ticking time bomb or ticking towards a victory, only time itself would tell.