The Oaths We Keep

Chapter 44

Barbero stood on the balcony of his oceanfront home. Below him, a party raged with scantily clad women, festive music, food, and plenty of tequila. In one hand was a cigar, and in the other, his favorite brand of single malt scotch whiskey. He watched the party for a while, enjoying the sea breeze as he took a drag off the cigar. His assistant Camila stood behind him, waiting on him for whatever he wanted, ready to refill his drink or any other desire he may have. He turned to walk back inside as he finished what remained in his snifter, handing it to Camila as he walked back. 

Four of his most trusted advisors sat at a large table, reviewing papers and looking at their laptops. He sat at the head of the table, and the other men soon fell silent. "Our American operations, I understand we had a shipment intercepted recently."

"Si Senor Barbero, that is true," said one of the men at the table. "Local cops got lucky and raided the warehouse. We are setting up a new...."

"How is it that local police were able to find our operation?" he asked calmly.

"We think it was the two men we hired for the kidnapping in California, Senor Barbero," a different man who sat opposite Barbero at the table said.

"An example must be made of these two," Barbero said as he looked back and forth over the assembled men.

"The police have them in custody. It will be difficult to...."

"I did not ask if it would be difficult. I want these two men dead." The men sitting around the table visibly shook at his sudden outburst. "Now, is there any reason to believe these unfortunate events will blow back on us?"

"I don't think so, Senor Barbero," said one of the men.

"Think? You don't think any of this will blow back on me? Why don't you know if this will blow back on me?"

"Senor..." the man was interrupted by a commotion downstairs. The music had stopped, and he could hear people arguing downstairs. Moments later, a knock came on the door of the room.

The door opened, and a young man stepped inside. "Senor Barbero, sorry to interrupt, but the Federales are here with a warrant."

A middle-aged Mexican man pushed past him with several uniformed officers. "Senor Barbero, we have a warrant for your arrest," he said as he pressed the paper into Barbero's hand. "We also have a warrant to search the premises and take several of your people into custody as well."

"Inspector Morales, don't you get tired of this? How many times have you been here now? You know that I keep nothing illegal here."

"You do not understand, Senor. The arrest warrant has come at the request of a third party," Morales said.

"I'm the representative of the requesting agency," said a voice passing through the doorway. "I'm Agent Antonio Martinez, US Drug Enforcement Agency."

"You have no authority here, DEA bendejo," Barbero responded.

"Actually, the United States government has made an extradition request. That usually doesn't mean much, I admit. However, we made some exchanges for you. It turns out we have in custody a couple of people Mexico wants to get its hands on, so we made a deal. The US wants you more than it does a few midlevel dealers. I'm looking forward to the plane ride back to the States with you."

"Morales, you can't let this happen. I'm a Mexican citizen."

"I'm afraid it is out of my hands, Senor Barbero. As it turns out, one of the men they are extraditing to Mexico killed one of my officers. So, it sounds like a good trade to me, Senor. Officers, take Senor Barbero into custody."

Barbero cursed as the Federales led him away. "Agent Martinez, I have to say I will be glad to see him gone. Do you think your government will be able to put him away for good?"

"Hard to say for sure, but we have a solid case. Hopefully, we can get him off your hands soon. To that end, I will leave you and your men to your work while the bureaucrats hammer out the extradition details. Adios Inspector Morales."

"Adios to you, Agent Martinez, and thank you for your help."