System Corruption by Don Pendleton

Author:Don Pendleton [Pendleton, Don]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

An hour later, with the day brightening around them, they were on the narrow strip of road that led to Puerto Laredo. The car they had rented from the Mexican was a Dodge 4x4 around ten years old. It had been well maintained and the motor ran smoothly.

"Did Carella's lady friend actually pin down where he might be hiding out?" Casper asked.

"She told me they sometimes stayed in a small house about three miles the other side of Puerto Laredo. Near the beach. But there was also a larger place they used in the hills overlooking town."

"Or he might have gone native and just decided to camp out in the brush."

"Another possibility."

Puerto Laredo had most likely not changed its outward appearance in the last century. The architecture was classic Mexican, the atmosphere laid-back and the people presented a friendly face. The wide town plaza opened on the curve of the deep-water bay that provided Puerto Laredo with its harbor. A half-dozen ancient fishing boats were tied up at the quayside. Even at this early hour the plaza was busy. As Bolan guided the Dodge across the plaza he spotted the hotel Soterro had told them to visit. Bolan parked just beyond.

"Stay here and..."

"Keep my eyes open," Casper said.

Bolan crossed to the entrance and went inside the hotel. The surprisingly large lobby had a decorated tile floor and a carved reception desk that would not have looked out of place in any high-class hotel. Large fans, suspended from the ceiling, stirred the air. To the right of the lobby an arched doorway, which led into the bar. At the desk a young Mexican woman raised her eyes as Bolan approached. She smiled at him.

"How may I help you, senor?" she asked in perfect English. Her voice was soft, with a gentle accent, the words slipping easily over her plump, soft lips.

"I see you were expecting me, senorita. Then you will know I wish to speak to Senor Pascal."

"He will be right with you."

Bolan watched her walk toward the door behind the desk, appreciating the gentle sway of curving hips beneath the slim skirt, her long black hair shimmering. The woman stepped through the door and Bolan heard the murmur of conversation. The woman returned and beckoned for Bolan to step behind the desk and enter the office. As he walked by her he caught the tantalizing scent of her perfume, saw the slight movement as she parted her lips in the moment before she turned and left.

The office was cluttered and dominated by a huge, ornate wooden desk. Bolan noticed the modern laptop sitting in the middle of the chaos. Behind the desk a lean, dark man, dressed in immaculate whites, stood and extended a slim hand. Bolan judged him to be in his early sixties. Handsome, perfectly groomed, his eyes bright and alert.

"Senor Pascal, I am grateful for your time."

Pascal nodded. "It is my pleasure. Please sit down." Bolan took one of the seats facing the desk. "May I offer you something? A drink? Something to smoke, perhaps?"

"Gracias, no.

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