I went to the desk and was handed a sealed envelope. The message inside was short and to the point. “Senor Burnett, do not trust Mendez. He is a dangerous man.” No signature. Now, where in the hell did this come from? I thought as I headed into the dining area and was seated by the waiter. Five minutes later, Joe and Dimitri arrived and sat down. The carafe of steaming coffee was waiting for them as I sipped my first cup. When they had filled their cups, I laid the message on the table in front of them and said, “This came during the night.” They both read it at the same time.
Dimitri said, “Well, that’s interesting; wonder who it’s from?”
Joe was looking at the note and the envelope. “This looks like it has been around for a while, smudges and all,” as he turned both note and envelope in his hands. “The note is hand-printed and looks like it may have been written in a hurry.”
“Well, aren’t you the Sherlock Holmes,” Dimitri said, chuckling.
“No, look, the sentences don’t line up, and Colt’s name is written at a slight angle more to the center of the note—not like someone sat at a desk and penned it. I think this was done in a hurry.”
“I think you’re right, Joe, but the question is, who wrote it?”
“Well, it’s someone who knows Mendez and knows we visited him. So, maybe it’s someone who works for him.”
“Maybe,” I said, “whoever it is, they’re worried about our connection with him and worried about our safety.”
Dimitri finished his coffee and poured himself a second cup as he said, “Just another piece of the jigsaw puzzle that is our trip to Ecuador.”
“Amen,” Joe said, filling his cup.
We finished our breakfast, walked to the Beast, and headed for Sean’s.
Eduardo and the young lady were at their station behind the service center check-in desk. They were discussing some paperwork she was holding when we pulled up. We were greeted with huge smiles as we approached the counter.
Eduardo spoke first, “Senor Colt, Senor Dimitri, and Senor Joe, so happy to see you. I was beginning to wonder if you had forgotten about me or maybe left for the mountains without me.” He came around and greeted us with bear hugs. I realized then that he had indeed grown since our last visit. He was not the same skinny kid we had met on our first trip here—he was taller and stronger.
Joe said, “No way would we do that. In fact, that’s why we’re here. Colt needs to talk to you,” and he turned and looked at me.
“Right, is there somewhere we can talk in private?”
His face clouded with concern as he said, “Si, follow me.”
He led me to a small office next to the reception desk and closed the door. There was a small desk and three chairs. I took a seat, and he pulled up a chair next to me.
“What is it, Senor Burnett; is there a problem?” he asked, his facial expression growing more concerned as he waited.
I paused for a few seconds and then jumped right in. “Well, yes and no, but you are going to have to make a serious decision, so hear me out before you ask any questions.” He nodded, and I went through the whole story, Brotherhood, Vatican mercs, and the warning about Mendez. I figured the kid deserved to know what we may be in for since his decision could put his life in danger—also, the fact that we may be gone for a month or longer. As I was speaking, his eyes grew wider and wider.
When I finished, we sat there in silence for a bit. Slowly, a grin began spreading across his face. “So, you are not telling me I can’t go, but that it’s my decision.”
“Yes, that’s what I’m saying. You need to be aware of the potential risks before you decide, and I’m serious; this could be very dangerous. I’m talking life and death serious.”
Now, his smile was full-blown as he jumped from his chair and said, “Are you kidding, Senor Burnett? You bet I’m going,” and stuck out his hand to shake mine.
I said, “Are you sure, really sure?”
Now, he was a little more subdued but standing tall and looking straight at me.
“Si, Senor, I understand completely and have never been surer of anything in my life. I am part of the team, and I won’t let you down. Now, I must go let Senor Sean know that I will be accompanying you.”
His handshake was firm and strong; his face now hardened with a look of resolve that dispelled any notion that I had as to his desire and abilities.
“Then it’s settled, we leave Thursday morning at 8:00 sharp; don’t be late.”
“Never, Senor, I will be there.”
Chapter Ten
He was sitting behind the large mahogany desk with the phone to his ear. The call was one-sided as he spoke to the person on the other end of the line.
“They are leaving for the mountains on Thursday. Follow them; I do not know if they have new leads to follow. Find out what they know, but they must not come back. Do you understand? They must be stopped by any means—eliminated—but it must be done in the mountains.”
“Si, Senor.”
“No mistakes this time, or you will answer to me. Also, there may be others following them; they must be eliminated as well. Take all the men and make sure you get the job done this time, and
