'Let me see the plan of the Willington estate,' I said.
He scratched some more under his shirt.
'What's that got to do with this?'
'I want to look at it.'
'I've told you, soldier, Diaz's men will be there. Get that idea out of your head.'
'There will only be four of them.'
'That's plenty. They are professionals.'
I had to bluff him if I were to work out this idea.
'I once killed a sniper who was surrounded by more than a hundred trained troops. Four good men wouldn't worry me.'
He stared at me.
'You mean you think . . .'
'We're wasting time!' I put on my Army bark. 'Show me the plan !'
We left the room and went down to the sitting-room. He found the plan and spread it out on the table.
'Okay, take some fresh air,' I said as I sat down.
He hesitated, not liking being ordered around, then shrugging, he went out on to the balcony where Carlo was sleeping.
I spent some minutes examining the map. The Willington house stood in a couple of acres of lawns and flower beds. At the back of it was dense forest land with paths cut through it. To the right of the house was a swimming pool. Away from the house was the guest bungalow. This too had its swimming pool and was also backed by trees. The forest extended from the bungalow down to the sea where the boat house was. The other boundaries were surrounded by high walls. If I had charge of four bodyguards, I would have two men patrolling the paths by the boat house which was obviously the most vulnerable entrance. I would have the other two men patrolling around the bungalow.
I sat staring at the map while I considered the idea that had come into my mind. It was a ninety-five to five bet, but even odds as low as this must be taken.
I called Raimundo.
'You've had a look at this place?'
'Sure. I told you.'
'How about the walls?'
He made an impatient movement.
'They are fifteen feet high with an alarm cable operated by an electronic system. You have only to touch the top of any part of the walls to set off the alarm.'
'You're sure?'
'I'm sure! I set the alarm off. The two resident guards and two patrol cops arrived in less than ten minutes.'
'How about the boat house?'
'You can't take a boat in there. There's an alarm wire outside the harbour that sets off a warning.'
'Could you swim in?'
He thought, frowning and uneasy, then he shrugged.
'I guess so, but there'll be a guard there.'
'Can Timoteo swim?'
'Yes, he's good, but you're wasting time, soldier. Suppose you and Timoteo get into the estate, how about Lopez?'
I had forgotten Lopez.
'I'm looking for angles,' I hedged. 'I'm taking a look at the estate. It's just possible I might find a better way of getting at him than trying to hit him on skis.'
Raimundo became suspicious.
'You're wasting time.'
'We have time to waste. I'm going.'
He hesitated.
'I'll come with you. When are you going? Tonight?'
'I'm going right now.'
'Are you crazy? There are two guards there. We could walk into them and cook the deal.'
'You didn't tell me guards were there already.'
'They're always there. Willington has valuable stuff in the house, but when Diaz arrives, they leave. The girl has fixed it with the Security Agent. The negress told us. They come back when Diaz leaves, but they are there
