Sin relaxed, rolled a cigarette, and lit it. Inhaling, she thought, the boy will get word to Veloz that I’m here. Instead of getting nervous, Sin smiled. Game’s on. Let’s see who chokes first.
29
Sin crouched low in an alley in front of the Condominio Elegante. From this vantage point, she was able to see Veloz’s security force—three guards by the front doors, one on each side of the condo, and two undercover. She could tell that only the two undercover were true guerrillas. The others were hired locals. Sin watched the activity of the two ‘soldiers.’ One was a cigar roller who had his stand across the street from the port and the other was a cab driver standing outside of his cab. Their footwear and posture gave them away. Most people here were dressed in a Caribbean style complete with flip-flops and their stance was relaxed, bordering on lazy; they were wearing combat boots, their shoulders were square, and their heads were held high.
From her peripheral vision, she saw the young boy from the cantina run towards the front door of the hotel yelling, “La Perla Angel de la Muerte está aquí!”
The Pearl Angel of Death is here!
The Pearl Angel of Death was the moniker Sin had acquired as a mercenary due to her affinity towards pearl-handled weapons.
Twenty minutes later, the front doors of the hotel opened. The boy was escorted out by one of Veloz’s men.
It would only be a matter of minutes before Veloz’s guerillas began to search the area.
Due to the destruction of Hurricane Felix back in 2007, the Condominio Elegante was considered unstable and was targeted to be knocked down in order for a new condominium to be built. Sin was going to use that to her advantage. It allowed for a lot of hiding spots. It was close to seven p.m. and the streets were fairly busy. Because of the rain, most people were under cover of an umbrella.
Sin entered a small shop and bought the largest umbrella she could find. Once again outside, she opened it and kept it low to her head. Although she wanted Veloz to know she was near, concealment was everything.
This had been the biggest point of contention between her and Charlie when she devised the plan of attack. He didn’t understand why she would want to give Veloz any warning.
She recalled her conversation with Charlie.
“I need his men to scramble,” she had told him. “Most of the men Veloz uses are locals without any military training. The last time I faced Veloz, these men were sent out on the perimeter to search―they are dispensable. Most just ran. I expect the same thing to happen when they find out I’m gunning for Veloz.”
“But you’ll also be alerting his elite force,” Charlie retaliated. “That’s a big gamble.”
“Not as big as you think. Veloz is very leery to let people close to him. He uses a very small security force outside of the locals. My men and I can handle them.”
Sin stood outside the shop and looked down the street at the condominium. As busy as this city is, there is very little foot traffic near the building, she noticed. Makes sense since it has been deemed unlivable. But she still had the professionals to deal with. She figured she had two choices. Go after them and possibly get a civilian caught in the crossfire or go straight for Veloz and deal with the men when they came to his protection. She opted for number two.
30
Late that night, she made her way to the back of the condominium. This was the side facing the water and where Felix had done most of its damage. Having been born and raised in the Florida Keys, Sin knew hurricane damage when she saw it. There was a white, hazy line that went up to the third floor of the building―salt left over from the storm surge.
This matched Charlie’s reconnaissance which said that the first three floors were at total wash out. She also knew from Charlie’s reconnaissance which room Veloz was in. The condo was a seven story structure with balconies on all of the units. The only thing behind the building was the Caribbean ocean.
She didn’t see any security. Everyone must have retreated inside, Sin thought.
Sin pulled the layout of the condominium out and gave it one last look before proceeding. She headed to an exit on the northeast corner of the building. Inside that door was a utility room that led to the lobby. She pulled her weapon and made her way to the entrance. The door’s hinges were busted and it was ajar.
Looters after the storm, Sin thought.
She removed her backpack and hugged the rough cement of the building to make entry easier. Sin reached in the pack and felt her gun belt and her Colt 45s. She felt a calming effect just touching the cold steel of the barrel. As much as she wanted to strap on her holster, she knew this wasn’t the time. She released the steel and grabbed her night-vision goggles. Sliding them over her head, she wedged her body through the opening, trying to make as little noise as possible.
Sin stepped inside the building and slung her pack back on as she surveyed the scene. She could see why it had been condemned. There was nothing salvageable. The only thing in the room was sand, mildew, and a few errant crabs.
With stealth-like movements, she made her way to the door which led to the lobby. She pressed her ear to the door and listened for voices. She heard two.
Time to bring the pigs to slaughter.
She went back to the exterior door and shoved it open, hoping that the rusted hinges would be heard from the lobby. She quickly positioned herself behind a
