Eyes of the Hammer

Montez had seriously considered not passing on the message from the Ring Man's aide.

The whole thing stunk and Montez didn't trust the Israeli. The problem was that this was the only way to get things back to normal. They would have to take a chance that the offer was legitimate.

Montez had waited patiently while Alegre finished a meeting with the mayor of Bogota.

The mayor was complaining about the increasing toll the revenge of the cartel was exacting on the city. Montez found the whole thing darkly amusing, considering it was well known that the mayor was on the payroll of the Ring Man. Appearances were important, though.

After ushering out the still-protesting mayor, Montez joined his old friend at his desk.

Alegre poured them both a stiff shot of brandy, then waited until Montez had swallowed his before querying him. "Any news?"

Montez put his glass down. "I have heard from the Ring Man's representative. He says they agree to the truce but they cannot speak for the other members of the cartel."

The news didn't make Alegre feel any better. He felt as if he had sold a part of his soul.

"They agree to stop the bombings and killings?"

"The representative, one of those Israeli mercenaries named Ariel, said that they would stop any attacks against what he called 'civilian targets,' but that the fighting in Cartagena and Medellin would go on as long as there was opposition to the Ring Man's rule. He promised peace here in Bogota but said they could not be held responsible for any attacks instigated by other families."

Alegre nodded. That was the best they could expect. The problem was that this truce assisted the Ring Man more than it did him. It allowed the Ring Man to concentrate on the war against his fellow drug dealers, with no interference from the government. Alegre's main concern was that the Ring Man would once more turn his attention to toppling the government when he had secured his power base within the cartel.

Montez poured them both another brandy. Handing one to the president he added, "The Israeli also added something to the terms of the truce."

"What?"

"As a sign of good faith he says they are willing to turn over an American soldier they captured during the raid on the Ring Man's lab."

Alegre looked up in surprise. "Another secret the Americans did not tell us. Do you think they really have a prisoner?"