Malcolm shook his head. “Can’t reveal that. But they said it was the perfect cover. You know about the arms shipments?”
“Yeah, you’re ripping off the American people and destabilizing the legitimate democracy of one of our neighbors. You should go to jail for life.”
Malcolm leaned forward and folded his hands. “Have you ever asked yourself why none of the weapons ever leave Miami?”
“You’re in cahoots with Evangelista ripping off your partners in crime?”
“Serge, the arms can’t leave Miami. That would be destabilizing. Meanwhile, I’ve gained the trust of the generals and Evangelista in a way no covert agent ever could.”
Serge formed a sarcastic mouth. “They came to you because you’re a prick?”
“Precisely. We’re building an airtight case. Bank transfers, taped conversations, everything.”
Now Serge leaned forward. “Okay, purely for sporting value, what’s this proposition? But realize that if I get half the chance, I’ll use it against you and nail your ass.”
“Fair enough.” Malcolm nodded again. “The case is coming together like planned. Except things have started moving too fast in Costa Gorda. Guzman’s pushing through all these reforms. I told him it was crazy. Just wait and be patient, and he’ll get everything he wants. Right after our case…”
Serge’s eyebrows went up. “You talked to Guzman?”
Malcolm nodded harder. “He knows everything I’m doing. And he’s got the generals shitting themselves.”
“So where do I come in?”
“The summit. The best time for a coup is when the president is out of the country. And after that idiot Scooter killed himself, the generals moved up the schedule. They already tried to hit him at the Diplomats’ Ball.”
“I know.”
“I know you know. I sent in a capture team for you,” said Glide. “But lucky for us-and Guzman-we didn’t succeed. That was some nice work of yours taking out the asset.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“In any case, what you did at the ball changed my mind about you,” said Malcolm. “And I need your help.”
“What for?”
“They’re going to make another attempt at the big summit finale at Bayfront.”
“Know who they’re using?”
“Evangelista.”
“That’s the smart move,” said Serge. “He must have contacts with all the top freelancers.”
“We think the hitter he hired is already in town, but his whereabouts…”
“So why don’t you pull Guzman out of the summit?”
“Won’t budge. Says his nation’s enemies will win.”
“I like him more and more.”
“Then help your country,” said Glide. “Make sure they don’t succeed.”
“But if you and everyone else can’t find the shooter, how can I?”
“It may come to more drastic measures,” said Glide. “These things go down to the last hour, even minute.”
“Cut the head off?” said Serge.
“And the mission collapses.” Malcolm sat back and folded his arms.
“You’re actually serious,” said Serge. “You want me to do Evangelista?”
“Only as a last resort. Right now he’s too valuable. We’ve never gotten so deep inside the Latin American arms network. All his houses and mobile phones are tapped, even his yacht and the car that got blown up. Can’t tell you how hard it was to wire the second Ferrari.”
“One question: Why me?”
“Because of your particular skill set. I’ve gone over your police record.” He pulled a packet of folded paper from his jacket. “Did you really kill all these people?”
Serge grinned like a schoolboy. “We may have had words.”
Malcolm flicked his wrist. “I don’t want to know. They all look like regular crimes, and the odds are astronomical that you’ve never been caught. So the only answer is you had clearance-and protection. Plus the trail is so insane and random. Only a completely organized mind with ten million dollars of government training could have meticulously planned every last detail of a madman’s profile…”
“But I really am insane.”
“And that’s exactly what you’d be ordered to say. You have discipline, deny everything.” Malcolm returned the document to his jacket. “But we went over your record ten times. Never seen an operative so thorough. No trail to the government whatsoever.”
“And?…”
Malcolm paused and stared earnestly into Serge’s eyes. “If things go south, you’re expendable. The perfect patsy.”
Serge smiled for the first time. “I knew that was the answer before I asked the question. And you were honest about it, so we’re halfway to trust.”
Malcolm stood abruptly. “Great. Glad to have you on board.”
“I said half way.”
“Realize that,” said Glide. “We wouldn’t want you if you just went by what I’ve said here today. When we meet again, I’ll provide solid proof.”
“Where do you want to meet?”
“You pick again. I’m sure I’ll get a laugh.”
Serge picked.
Malcolm laughed. “I was right. Tomorrow at one?”
“Thirteen hundred.” Serge pressed a sequence of buttons on his wrist. “I’m resetting my watch to military time. You should, too.”
“Why?”
“Because we’re within a day of the strike. I learned it from the TV show 24.” He clicked a last button. “We’re now on Serge time.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
One P.M.
“Can I help you find anything?”
A man in a tailored suit set down a five-hundred-dollar purse. “No, just looking. Wife’s birthday.”
“Please let me know if you need any assistance.”
A curt nod.
The saleswoman left.
Another man picked up a purse.
Malcolm Glide turned and checked his watch. “Serge, right on time.” He smiled and tapped his lapel: Miami Seaquarium pin.
Serge nodded his approval, then opened his mouth.
Malcolm stopped him: “I know…” He removed the souvenir and stuck it in his pocket.
“What have you got?”
Glide reached in another pocket and looked around the department store to make sure no one was in earshot. “First time I ever met in a Saks Fifth Avenue.”
