The Last Kilo by T. J. English

Author:T. J. English
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2024-09-16T00:00:00+00:00

13

Sal as Zorro

IN EARLY DECEMBER 1987, WILLY AND Sal received an urgent communication from their narco partners in Mexico. Their presence, without delay, was requested by the leaders of the Guadalajara Cartel. They were not informed of the details, but in the narcosphere, when a partner requests an immediate meeting, you know it’s something serious.

Given that Willy and Sal were currently living in separate states, the rendezvous required some coordination. This was the first time since the two had gone on the lam that they would be traveling out of and back into the country. They had their false passports and backup identifications, but they needed to give some thought to what might be the most secure means for traveling to Mexico City.

They agreed to meet in El Paso, where they would cross the border on foot into Ciudad Juárez. From there, they would take a taxi to the airport and book a flight to Mexico City. “Travel light,” Willy told Sal. “One small bag. That’s it.”

They both arrived on commercial flights and booked separate rooms at a Holiday Inn in downtown El Paso. Willy and Sal had not seen each other since their group meeting in Orlando, when they first informed the rest of Los Muchachos that they were going on the run. In the lobby of the Holiday Inn, they embraced like long-lost brothers.

Sal had a deep suntan from the days at his compound hideaway at La Gorce Island in Miami Beach. Willy was paler than usual from living most of the time in New York City.

“You look like life on the lam has been treating you well,” said Willy.

Replied Sal, “You look like you put on a little weight.”

The next morning, they crossed the Bridge of the Americas into Juárez, made their way to the airport, and traveled on a commercial flight to Mexico City.

In the Mexican capital, they checked into their usual suite at the Camino Real Hotel. Willy picked up the phone, called the desk, and asked to be connected to the room of “Oscar Martínez.” Mario Valencia answered the phone. “We’re here,” said Willy.

“Okay, come to my room,” said Mario.

At the room of Mario Valencia, the Cubans and the Colombian were met by Félix Gallardo. As always, Félix was dressed elegantly in a tailored suit with an open-collared dress shirt.

It was different from their previous meetings: for one thing, Rafael Caro Quintero and Ernesto Fonseca Carrillo were both currently incarcerated, as part of the joint US-Mexico investigation into the murder of DEA Agent Kiki Camarena. Since, in the absence of his primary partners, Gallardo had assumed sole control of the cartel, he had been dealing with one crisis after another. This latest crisis directly affected his business with Willy, Sal, and Mario Valencia.

Félix explained: “Through our intelligence contacts in the Federal Judicial Police, we have learned that the DEA has become aware of our shipments from Colombia into Jalisco. They are lying in wait to seize our next load. We have to change our method of transportation.

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