Page 90 of Casualties of War
Daniel nodded. “Might be worth reaching out to the big house in Acapulco. Get them to ask Aguirre if his ambassador is diabetic.”
Carmen dug the laptop and cellphone out from under the fat bags of coffee beans and shook loose beansoff.
* * * * *
Duardo put the cellphone down and looked at Flores. “It’s confirmed. The insulin is for Roldán. They’re being held at the palace.”
Flores looked pleased. He straightened from his bend over the table and put his hands to the small of his back and stretched. “It gives us a nice fat target.” He reached for the large-scale map of the center ofla colinasand dropped it on top ofall the others and held it spread with his hands. In the center of the map, surrounded by green, was the grayed-out shape of the presidential palace and the administrative building in front of it.
Duardo frowned. “What are you thinking, Flores?”
“I’m thinking that the palace is the most heavily guarded building on the island. We can’t sneak in there. An open assault is the only way but we mustbe smart about it…”
Duardo’s gut tightened. “An open assault,” he repeated.
Flores looked up, frowning. His lined face, which had grown far more creased and aged in the last few weeks, seemed to wrinkle everywhere at once. His graying mustache bowed downwards. “You have a problem with that?” he asked.
Even though they were now of equal rank, everyone including Duardo knew Flores was the seniorofficer. He was also Presidentpro tem, and even though he had no interest in being President, temporary or otherwise, he was the ultimate authority among the Loyalists right now.
Only there was no time to pussyfoot around. The launch across the straits was only hours away and every resource they had and every person who could hold a gun was needed.
“Now is not the time to peel away the creamof our soldiers for a suicide assault upon the palace,” Duardo said.
Flores’ mouth opened. “Excuse me?”
Duardo got to his feet. “I mean no disrespect. I intend only to point out the priorities we’re facing. We’re holding our breath, ready to jump. It would damage our momentum, to say nothing about morale, to throw ourselves against a target like the palace. We would lose everything we have gained.”
“You are suggesting we leave Señora Calli and the Ambassador in Serrano’s hands? To do with as he wishes?” Flores asked, his tone dangerously quiet.
“I’m suggesting that Serrano may have taken them because he knew you would want to do exactly what you are proposing,” Duardo said. “Think, Miguel. You worked with Serrano for years. He knows how you work. He could be anticipating your attack. Hecouldwantyou to attack, which leaves the troops here weakened by numbers and our attention divided.”
Flores’ face turned pink. “Tell me you did not promise Nicolás you would do everything in your power to get Señora Calli back.”
“I did promise him that,” Duardo replied. “Attacking the palace would not get her back, though. We would lose the war.”
“Don’t be ridiculous!”
“You know I am right,”Duardo insisted.
“You were quick enough to rush in and take the Whitesands!”
“We had surprise on our side, then. Serrano is braced for you to attack. He may not want it but he’s braced for it. The palace is the most heavily guarded building in all of Vistaria. We would break upon it and we would be lost.” He paused to get his breath back and judge if Flores had heard him.
Flores’ face worked.“You dare dispute me…”
“It’s my job, General. That’s why the Army has more than one general.” Duardo felt fine trembling in his belly. Disputes about minor tactics was one thing. This attack, though, would be a turning point in the war and not a good one.
The wonder of it was that Flores did not see it.
Flores shook his head. “I would be neglecting my duty and responsibilities if I did notdo everything in my power to get our people back from the monster.”
“And wewill,” Duardo replied. “We can throw everything we have into crossing the channel and staking a beachhead, then pushing on to the city. When we get there, we can use every resource we have to blow the palace defenses away and release the prisoners. But only then, General, when the Loyalists are fighting together and united.”
Flores stared at him. Through him. He was breathing hard.
Both were breathing heavily. The tent was silent except for that.
Flores shook his head. “Give the order, General. Find a team. The best of the best, whatever you need. Storm the palace. Find the prisoners. We are Loyalists. We do not leave our people behind.”
