Page 88 of Wicked Intention

It wasn’t a question. “It seemed like a good time to go legit.”

The waiter hovered nearby, out of hearing range, and Silva signaled him forward. “Señor Finley will have coffee from Narino. I remembered your preference correctly, did I not?” he asked.

“Sí,” Finn agreed, not surprised by the arms dealer’s recall.

“And you, señor?” Silva addressed Lurch.

“Narino works for me, too.”

As the waiter left with their orders, Silva studied them. “You have yet to perform introductions. Who is your friend, Señor Finley?”

“Señor Silva, meet Charlie Case. Case, Henri Silva.”

“Señor Silva,” Lurch said, holding out a hand. He ended up lowering it without getting a handshake.

Silva studied Lurch without saying a word. Finn wasn’t sure what the man was looking for. Lundquist was a few years younger than Finn, a couple inches shorter, and not quite as broad throughthe shoulders. He had a babyface, which his beard didn’t disguise, blue eyes, and medium blond hair. He looked like a surfer dude, but he was from Minneapolis, a city that couldn’t be any farther from the ocean, and he claimed he’d never touched a surfboard.

Without so much as a nod of acknowledgment, Silva dismissed Lurch and turned to Finn. “Why is he here?”

They paused as the waiter arrived with a tray. There was silence as he placed the two coffees in front of Finn and Lurch, refreshed Silva’s cup, and set a plate of alfajores cookies in the center of the table.

“That will be all. Gracias,” Silva said, and after a slight bow, the man left. “Well, Señor Finley?”

Finn reached for his cup. “I’ve been out of the business, and I want to stay out, but Señor Ramos had other ideas.” He sipped his coffee. It was hot and strong, the way he liked it. “Case, here, is a friend of mine, and he’s still working as a merc. He’s looking for another stream of income. Seemed to me like this would be a good opportunity for him.”

Silva mulled that over. “Do you believe Señor Ramos will allow him to become his new broker? That he’ll allow you to abdicate the position?”

“I don’t know.” Finn shrugged. “I hope so.”

Instead of replying, Silva drank from his own cup and reached for a cookie, carefully taking a bite to prevent the powdered sugar from landing on his suit. “I will have Señor Case checked out,” the arms dealer said. “If I don’t like what I find, do not bring him to another meeting, understood?”

“Sí, Señor Silva. What about our meeting today? Can we begin discussions?”

Silva finished his cookie. “I am aware Señor Ramos wishes to make another purchase. He made it clear over the telephone.”

Finn asked the question that had been gnawing at him since Ramos had told him his demands. “If Señor Ramos cancall you and arrange this meeting, why wasn’t he able to negotiate his own deal? Why is a broker required?”

The silver-haired man froze with his coffee cup halfway to his mouth, then lowered it without drinking. “Señor Ramos did not tell you?”

“No.”

“Ah, not too surprising, when one considers it.” Now Silva raised his cup and took a swallow. “A number of years ago, Señor Ramos and Señor Torres had a deal in place. When it came time for delivery—and for the rest of the required payment—Ramos decided to renegotiate the price to monies already paid. He brought a platoon of men with him to enforce his new deal. We, naturally, took exception.”

“Of course,” Finn agreed. “A deal is a deal.”

With a nod, Silva set the cup he’d been cradling back into its saucer. “Señor Torres, however, is never unprepared. He’s been in business too long to trust anyone. Our men fought to enforce the verbal contract, and while we lost a few good people, we prevailed.”

That was a story Finn wished he’d gotten in an intel briefing. “I’m surprised you continue to do business with Señor Ramos.”

Silva shrugged. “His money—when we receive it—is good, and he’s a regular client. However, we refuse to negotiate with him directly.”

“And that’s where the broker comes in.”

“Sí. Let me fill you in on your role since Señor Ramos has apparently failed to do so. In addition to negotiating for price and inventory, you will also be required to ensure that full payment is collected before we meet to deliver the merchandise. If you do not have all the funds, don’t bother to show up. Is that clear?”

“Clear as glass. Is this a cash-and-carry deal or wire transfer?”

“Wire transfer is preferred. Once we receive confirmation from the bank, the rest of the exchange will occur.”

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