Suddenly remembering that Zavala was in the room, Molina pivoted in his seat toward him. 'No, there is no need for me to confirm the list so long as it has not changed from last week. Simply take it over to Colonel Obregon at the Supreme Court. With everyone on the first list accounted for, it is time to begin collecting the next level.' Zavala, realizing that he was being dismissed, picked the list of names off of Molina's desk and briskly left the room. The list Zavala carried contained the names of those members of the old government, officials, and private citizens that the council referred to as level-two threats. These were people who had to be dealt with as soon as all level- one threats, such as the president and the governor of Tamaulipas, had been 'removed.' Some of the people waiting outside Molina's door were on the second list.
With Zavala gone, Molina turned back to Guajardo. To Molina's surprise, Guajardo was standing, his peaked cap tucked under his left arm.
'Since it is time to move on to level two, I must be on my way. We must not keep Senior Alaman waiting.'
Motioning to Guajardo to resume his seat, Molina surprised him by announcing that Alaman could wait. Other matters, according to Molina, required Guajardo's immediate attention.
Thrown off guard, Guajardo, with his cap still under his arm, sat down on the edge of the chair. What, he thought, could be more important than crushing Alaman and his private empire built on drugs and corruption? As it was, Guajardo thought it had been a mistake to not to classify Alaman as a level-one threat. At every opportunity, Guajardo had pointed that out. Any delays would most certainly play into Alaman's hands, especially since his private army was superior to the Mexican Army in every way when it came to weapons and secrecy. 'What could possibly be more important than eliminating Alaman?'
Leaning back in his chair, Molina let Guajardo hang for a moment before he answered. 'The Americans, my friend. The Americans, and what they think, are very important to us right now.'
Impatient, Guajardo blurted, 'Yes, yes, we knew that going into this.
But dealing with the Americans is Barreda's task. As the acting minister of foreign affairs, he is better prepared to deal with that. I feel it would be a mistake to have me, charged with defense and national security, becoming involved in diplomacy and foreign affairs.'
Molina patiently waited while Guajardo stated his objections. When he was sure that Guajardo was finished, Molina responded with smooth, controlled tones. 'Yes, that is the way it should be and will be, except for one interview. This morning, we found out that our former president had an interview scheduled with an American film crew from Austin, Texas. The correspondent conducting the interview is a very famous, well-connected international correspondent, a female by the name of Jan Fields. At first, we were going to cancel the interview. But Barreda thought that we could use her, and the scheduled interview, as a means of presenting to the American public the goals and objectives of our actions. Therefore, on his own initiative, he contacted Miss Fields this morning and offered her an opportunity to interview one of the leading members of the Council of 13. She, of course, accepted.'
Listening to Molina, Guajardo nodded in agreement. Yes, he thought, this made perfect sense. But what did that have to do with him?
Seeing the quizzical look on Guajardo's face, Molina continued. 'After the decision to keep the interview had been made, the next question was who would be the best person for the task. As you have pointed out, Barreda, who is responsible for foreign affairs, should do it. Unfortunately, Barreda does not speak English and physically, he does not present the kind of image we want the Americans to have of us.'
The last part of Molina's statement was surprisingly blunt, but true.
Barreda's ancestry was heavily Indian, giving him dark skin and features that could best be described as chiseled. To say that Barreda was not photogenic would have been an understatement.
'Besides, Barreda is unknown to the Americans. You, on the other hand, my friend, speak English like a yanqui, attended their staff and war colleges, and you are almost pure Spanish.'
Guajardo did not like how or where the conversation was going. ' 'None of those things should make a difference. We had a plan of action and methods of dealing with such things. I see nothing that indicates that we need to…'
Putting up his right hand, Molina cut Guajardo off. 'You, of all people, know that in any operation, plans seldom survive initial contact with the enemy. We must continuously assess the situation and alter the plan to take advantage of opportunities that were unseen when the plan was created. This revolution, our revolution, is no different.'
Resting his elbows on the arms of the overstuffed chair, Molina settled back a little deeper into its cushions and put his hands together, with his fingers interlocked and held just below his chin. 'This interview, and your presence in Mexico City, is one such opportunity. By having you do the interview, the American public will see a member of the council who looks like them, talks like them, and uses terms that they are used to.
Your experience with the Americans and knowledge of their culture will be invaluable in a free-flowing interview. In addition, the American intelligence community will be able to access your files with their military and quickly see that you are both intelligent and reasonable. As you were trained in their staff and war Colleges, they may believe that there is the possibility of influencing the council and its decisions through your training and association with Americans. While all this is merely a hope, we must do everything that we can to keep the American government and public neutral while we consolidate power and institute our reforms.'
As Molina spoke, Guajardo watched his friend's face and expression.
By the time Molina had finished, Guajardo knew there was no point in arguing or protesting his new assignment. It was not so much the words and logic Molina had used, although both were convincing in their own right. Rather, it was Molina's expression and the manner in which he presented himself. In his mind, there was no other solution. He had seen a problem, considered it from all angles, and evolved a remedy. Besides, Guajardo thought, when you're in his home waters, it's pointless to argue with a shark. Shrugging, Guajardo indicated his acceptance of the task.
'So, my leader, when and where do I meet my fate?'
Relieved that Guajardo was agreeing without further protest, Molina smiled and leaned forward, patting his friend's right arm. 'It's not so bad. It will definitely be more enjoyable than sticking a pointed stick in your eye.'
Caught up in Molina's lighthearted mood, Guajardo chuckled. 'Obviously, my friend, you have never worked with American women. I have a chance of controlling a sharp stick.'
'Don't worry, Alfredo. Jan Fields is a beautiful and spirited woman.
Treat her like a thoroughbred.' Molina, holding his hands as if he held the reins of a horse's bridle, moved his body ever so smoothly as if he were riding. 'You must make sure you are in control, using a gentle hand and soothing voice to control your mount.'
Shaking his head and smiling, Guajardo stood. 'You could sell the devil ice in July. But unfortunately, my fearless leader, you know nothing about American women. If I try to handle her like a horse, she will bite my arm off up to here, or worse.'
Molina laughed. 'In that case, keep your hands in your pocket and your legs crossed.'
4
Truth can never be told so as to be understood, and not be believed.
Throughout her years as a correspondent, Jan Fields had been asked many times, 'What is the secret of your success? How did you make it in such a demanding business?'
Jan enjoyed playing down her considerable success, answering that question using the same charming and graceful style that she used to disarm people she interviewed. With a slight, almost imperceptible flick of her head, she would toss her long brown hair to one side. For a moment she would pause while she looked from the corner of
