'I told you no, senor. These are drug waters—narcoticos—and very dangerous. Mexican and American patrols can be summoned quickly but still the island must be guarded.'
'Summoned quickly?'
'The owner is a powerful man.'
'Is his name Grinell?'
'I do not know, sir. All I know is the island itself.'
'You speak fluent English. Why didn't you speak English before?' Evan gestured towards the dead Mafioso. 'To him!'
'I say it again, I wanted no part. I was told where to take you, and as we grew closer I began to understand… No part, senor. But I have my family back in El Descanso, and the men who come here are powerful men.'
Evan stared at the man in indecision. It would be easy, so easy, to end his life and eliminate a risk, yet there was a glimmer of opportunity as well if the frightened Mexican was not a liar. Kendrick knew he was negotiating for his life, but there was another life involved, too, and it made the negotiation easier. 'You understand,' he said, drawing closer to the man, raising his voice to be heard clearly, 'that if you go back down to the house without him and he doesn't appear or they find his dead body up here or washed up on the rocks, you'll be killed. You do understand that, don't you?'
The Mexican nodded twice. 'Si'.'
'But if I don't kill you, you've got a chance, don't you?' asked Evan, raising the Mafioso's gun. The member of staff closed his eyes and nodded once. 'So, it's in the best interests of you and your family back in El Descanso to join me, isn't it?'
'Si'. The Mexican opened his eyes. 'Join you in what?’
'Getting out of here—away from here. There's a boat down at that dock next to a fuel tank. It's large enough to handle the trip.'
'They have other boats,' interrupted the executioner's guide. 'They go faster than the government drug boats and there is a helicopter with powerful searchlights.'
'What? Where?'
'Down near the beach on the other side of the island. There is a cement landing ground… Are you a pilot, senor?'
'I wish I were. What's your name?'
'Emilio.'
'Are you coming with me?'
'I have no choice. I want to leave here and go home to my family and move to a town in the mountains. Otherwise I die and they will go hungry.'
'I warn you, if you give me any reason to think you're lying, you'll never see El Descanso or your family.'
'It is understood.'
'Stay at my side… First I want to check out my hangman.'
'Your what, senor?'
'My friendly executioner. Let's go! We've got a lot to do and not much time to do it.'
'To the boat?'
'Not yet,' said Kendrick, a vague, fragmented plan coming into abstract focus. 'We're going to disrupt this goddamned island. Not just for you and me but for everybody. Everybody. … Is there a tool shed—a place where they keep things like shovels, picks, hedge clippers, those kinds of things?'
'The mantenimiento,' answered Emilio. 'For the gardeners, although we are often required to assist them.'
'We'll make a stop first, then take me there,' continued Evan, moving awkwardly and in pain back to the dead Mafioso. 'Come on!'
'We must be careful, senor!'
'I know, the guards. How many are there?'
'Two on each of the four passable beach areas and the pier. Ten for each shift. All carry radio alarms that set off
