Eyes of the Hammer

"There were some survivors at a roadblock near Suarez's camp and they report that helicopters were used in the attack. Since we know they weren't Colombian, that points to American involvement. Maybe they are reacting to the slaying of Santia."

Roberto considered this. "Maybe. But that still leaves us with unanswered questions. How are the Americans getting their information? How did they manage to get Suarez at his lab? Our informants are telling us nothing. And how is the Ring Man involved? His moves on the distributors in the United States are too quick not to have been preplanned."

Roberto rubbed his chin. "We need to find out if the Americans are indeed behind all this.

See what you can do about that. Also, contact our people in Medellin and see what we can salvage out of Suarez's operation. We cannot allow the Ring Man to get too strong."

BOGOTA 9:45 a.m.

The Ring Man was satisfied with the way things were going. Suarez's organization was crumbling. Already the man's former lieutenants were fighting like jackals over the carcass of the organization left in Medellin.

Ring Man would let them fight each other. He was going to cut them out at both ends. His people were prepared to outbid them on the supply end for the coca paste, and at the distribution end he was already gathering in the major East and West Coast American buyers. He expected more of Suarez's and Rameriz's American buyers and distributors to come around when they realized those sources were no longer able to keep up with the demand.

Ring Man lit a large cigar and leaned back in his chair. All in all a very profitable week.

With a few bold strokes he had become the strongest man in Colombia. Now it was time to consolidate his winnings.

LANGLEY, VIRGINIA 11:30 a.m.

Hanks walked with Strom through the executive dining room. "What have you got?"

Strom laid it out in one sentence. "Alegre insists that we terminate the Ring Man for him."