Date: Sat, 20 Sep 2008 12:13:13 -0400 From: chris james Subject: Hitch-hiking can be Dangerous, Chapters 7 & 8 Dear Reader: youth is to be admired, but if you are under 18 or this is illegal for you to read...then go be admired somewhere else, thank you. My finest regards to all those who have encouraged me to keep writing on this story, I hope you are still with me when you finish reading this part. I could not resist the temptation to liven things up a bit as you shall see. The final installment will follow shortly and it won't be rated PG. So bear with me, everything is not all right in paradise. As always...comments welcome drmeta4@gmail.com Hitch-hiking Can be Dangerous (M/B) Chapter Seven I was awakened by thumping on the deck over my head and shouts of excitement. I rolled over and discovered Chris was gone. The voices carried in through the ports. "Oh My God, look at the size of him." Jerry's voice. "What is it? Are we in danger?" Chris yelled. That did it. I rolled out of bed and went for the ladder. The three boys were gathered amidships, staring with excitement at something close on the port side. "Here it comes again," Miguel said. I looked over the side just as a huge beast reached the surface and I felt the boat rock. It was a whale...a whale shark to be exact. The characteristic dorsal fin and the shape of the tail all said shark, but these were one of the gentlest sea creatures found in the deep. This one had to be twenty feet long, a small one of the species, a youngster. But the water was shallow here and momma was probably not far off where the bottom dropped off to deeper water. "What is it, Gary?" Chris asked, coming over to stand beside me. "A whale shark. Not really a shark at all, one of the many types of whales scattered across the oceans. This is actually a small one; they get to be fifty feet long as they grow older." "A whale, so it isn't dangerous?" Miguel asked. "The immature ones might hurt the boat of they bump into us too hard, but I bet she's just curious about us." The beast continued to swim near the boat and then wandered off towards the deep. It was exciting to see such a massive creature up close. It tended to put our own existence in perspective. Out here they were the masters of the sea, us humans merely visitors. This was the fourth day of our little adventure along the Yucatan coastline. I was beginning to treasure Miguel. Not only was he an excellent tour guide ashore, he was a quick learner, mastering both the boat and Jerry. I had always known that Jerry wanted a man to dominate him; he found serenity when someone else made the decisions. Miguel was confident enough to take charge of their shared lives, and did it with such a loving style and warmth. Maybe he had inherited some of that bravado from his father, but his assertiveness was just the thing Jerry needed. I had sailed along the coast, stopping to anchor at night. In Progresso we dodged several huge container ships and a cruise liner heading for the industrial docks. The majority of small boats here were of the fishing variety but I managed to find a spot at the municipal dock for us to overnight. Progresso was small town with Mayan ruins and a brisk tourist trade. We ate at a restaurant, walked the streets until dark and sailed away the following morning. There wasn't much to interest the boys, and I had seen it all before...we moved on. The wind favored us as we rounded the Peninsula and headed for the heart of the Yucatan. I knew the boys would like our next stop. Campeche, a real city, capital of a Mexican state and home to a quarter of a million people. What made the place so impressive was obvious as we entered the slender bay. For here the Spanish had built fortifications to protect the city from pirates and buccaneers. The mere mention of that bit of history had Chris hanging over the side with glee. I found us a place at one of the docks belonging to a hotel. A few bills changed hands and we had a berth for the night and more if we so desired. There was much to see in this town and the boys wanted to see it all. The European influence of the buildings and streets fascinated me; Chris just couldn't wait to look at the cannon in the hill forts guarding the town. We played tourist for twenty-four hours and then the rains came. That last night in town we stayed aboard to relax, listening to the drumbeat on the deck overhead. I sat with Chris in my lap as Miguel and Jerry snuggled on the couch. We were each in our comfort zone, that place where our bodies were in communion but still aggressively seeking attention. Miguel dragged Jerry off to bed and in minutes Chris and I would retire to further explore the feelings that were progressing. And then my phone rang...it was Max. "Gary...where are you buddy?" Max asked. "Campeche...we had a wonderful time playing tourist," I replied. "Campeche...that might be safe enough," Max said. "You been keeping up with the forecasts?" "Um...no actually, I've been out most of the day. Is that storm still causing you headaches?" "No, that's gone...but what's coming will be much worse. Hurricane Gustav is about to nail Haiti. The track may bring it close to the Yucatan but then it's gonna seize the Gulf of Mexico and be a bear." "Oh Lord, then we better stay put. Where's it headed?" "Let's put it this way, New Orleans is already making evacuation plans and they're pulling crews off the oil rigs starting tomorrow. Worse still, there's another tropical storm named Hanna out in the Atlantic headed north, it might slam the east coast of Florida or go further north, it's too soon to tell." "Damn, picked a hell of a time to go sailing, didn't I?" "You guys just sit tight; this may all take several days to do whatever it's going to do. I'd wait a day or so before thinking about heading back to Cancun and keep an eye on that forecast. Africa is heating up, something big is brewing out there, Gary...I can feel it." Max laughed. "Why couldn't you take up a simple hobby like model trains or something? No, don't answer that...I know why. And how is your crew these days?" I smiled. "Tanned and beautiful as always. Um...someone wants to say hello before you ring off." I handed the phone to Chris. "Max...how are you?" "Fine, sweetie...you having a good time?" Max asked. "Wonderful. Um, Max...I've decided I'm gay...how's that make you feel?" "You make me very happy, that's what...welcome aboard." "Uh...Gary said you were looking for my mom, did you find her...is she all right?" "Yeah, we found her, sweetie. She went to a shelter during that storm we had and a friend of ours located her when she finally went home. I guess she felt pretty sick so my friend has placed her in a private hospital at the moment." "Oh...that's good isn't it?" Chris asked. "Yes...I won't lie to you Chris; it may have saved her life. They will keep her from drinking now, but her body has suffered a lot from the alcohol...you know that." "Does...does she know about me?" "We've told her you're living with another family now because of her condition and you'll be going to a private school this fall. I...I'm sorry, Chris...she doesn't seem at all worried about you." Chris smiled. "No Max, that's a good thing...I don't want her worried, Gary takes care of me now. I want him to adopt me...we're gonna be partners like you and Shelby." "Oh, Chris...that would be so wonderful. I'd be happy to have you in the family." "I love you too, Max," Chris said, and handed the phone back. "Max? I only got half of that," I said. "He'll explain it. Sounds like you have it made, Gary. Be careful and come home safe...I want my family together." "Yes, Max...we love you too." And then the dial tone. I could almost see Max with tears in his eyes, he was just an old softie at heart. Chris and I went to bed and got passionate. I was still hearing his words...he wanted to be my partner. Finally we fell asleep as the rains came down harder. I awoke quickly as the boat began to slap up against the dock. We had fenders out but the wind was picking up. I wasn't sure the boys would remain asleep under these conditions but they did, I was left alone with my concerns. I went and booted up my laptop, signing in to the weather site. The storm Max had spoken of was moving towards the eastern states, it was still just a tropical storm. We were getting the overflow from all these disturbances here, brisk winds and tons of rain. We were stuck, I knew it and in the morning I would book us into a hotel. The boys seemed pleased that we would be off the water for a few days and I couldn't blame them. Ocean conditions meant that things just naturally stayed damp, but with the added rain it was too much. We ran the streets in the pouring rain, but it was still ninety degrees. The hotel had cable television, Thank God. We watched movies in English and Spanish, the latter I found just as amusing. We played cards, and had several mean games of strip poker. Miguel dragged Jerry into their room several times a day. At least they were getting what they needed. Chris and I were frisky morning, night and everything in between. And I began to enjoy him as a top man whenever he felt the urge. I knew that flexibility in our love making would be the key to longevity so we swapped back and forth for two days. And then the sun came out. The hurricane had moved into the Gulf of Mexico and missed New Orleans. I felt so sorry for those people, but they were tenacious, I had to give them that. But the formation of another hurricane seemed imminent way out in the Atlantic and that helped me make up my mind. One final look at the weather and I decided to make a run back to Puerto Juarez. I saw the steady boiling masses of air coming off the African coast, and who knew what would happen if we waited...so we would make a run for it. Getting Miguel home safely was my first concern, although if things had really started to go bad he could have made it on the highways. But I had three boys to worry about and the Brass Balls was also an issue. We stowed our gear back aboard and left the mooring. A few rain squalls met us on the trip north and east across the tip of the Yucatan, but the run was fast and clean. I pushed everyone, not even stopping for the night. The boys sensed the excitement and urgency so I came clean with them. "We have a window of opportunity here, probably four days tops before the weather goes all to hell again. Getting us back into Puerto Juarez and safely moored to that dock is my main focus. So we become hard core sailors until then...are you with me?" The boys all pulled together and I felt like I had a real crew on the boat. We pushed hard and made the run back to the hotel in record time, I was very proud of them. And like his fellow crewmates, Miguel was given a set of brass balls to wear. There were tears in his eyes as I hung that chain around his neck. Ricardo had our rooms ready and I pointed the boys at the showers before we all collapsed with exhaustion. Miguel managed to call his father and said he would be home in the morning. We would all do nothing more than sleep tonight, tomorrow would come and there were choices to make. Morning came and I could tell Chris was back to his old self. The boy woke me while humping my bottom with his morning wood. He had learned the finer pleasures of withholding that urgency to pee and turning it into an orgasm instead. Like most boys, I had done that when I was young, it was endearing then, painful now. Chris' passion made me smile. I raised my left leg and allowed him to get in closer. "Go on, give it to me...you little stud muffin," I laughed. "Good, you're awake, " He giggled. I felt him grasp my hips and thrust as deep as he could. "Is that the best you can do? I need a real good fuck and all you do is poke me a little," I laughed. "Oh...now you're askin for it," Chris replied. There wasn't any lube but he'd managed to get inside me with spit alone, the friction was harsh...and just what I wanted. Chris grabbed me around the chest and rode my back as I rolled on my stomach. "Fuck me, baby...give daddy a good one," I moaned. And the boy was off to the races. His five inches would soon grow into to a man-sized cock and then this might be painful, but he worked well with what he had. I could feel every jab, every inch of him working my ass like mad. But it was the little grind he tossed in occasionally that felt the best. He was clinging to my back and panting like a dog, his hips pumping like a jackhammer. I clenched my muscles to give him the best ride of his life and it was the little gasps and groans I found so endearing. "Uh...oh...I'm there," Chris groaned, not slowing down a fraction until I felt him gush, and then he froze, his cock buried so deep that I could feel the spurts filling my gut. He collapsed on my back, but his cock was still hard...that pee issue still existed. "Oh, sweetie...you really know how to wake me up," I chuckled. "Hmm...yeah," he moaned. " Shit...now I really gotta pee...aww, I don't wanna move." I did a pushup and crawled out of bed with Chris hanging on my back. His cock slid out of me as I carried him to the bathroom. He dropped off and stood before the toilet, letting go a bright yellow stream. "Oh, God...that's awesome," he laughed. I nodded in agreement. The sight of a slender beautiful boy peeing after sex would be etched in my mind for a very long time. What a nice way to start the day. We showered and dressed for breakfast, wondering if Jerry and Miguel would be joining us. We went down to the restaurant to fine Eduardo sitting at a table with our two boys already in attendance. He stood upon our arrival. "Gary...Chris, won't you join us," he asked. We sat ourselves down and the man let on that the boys had been telling him of our adventures. "But surely you are not considering sailing back to your home at the moment?" Eduardo asked. "Not possible, the hurricane season is just too unstable to risk that at the moment," I replied. That caused both Jerry and Miguel to smile, as I knew it would. "Well then let us do the best to entertain you in your captivity," Eduardo said. "As Miguel will tell you, there is much to see and do in the area. You would also be most welcome at my home any time." "Thank you, Eduardo...we would be very pleased to visit with you. I just hope we don't have to abandon the hotel in the face of any severe weather." "Ricardo has plans for such an event; the city is prepared as well." He laughed. "But I was most curious. Miguel has this necklace...he says you will have to explain it to me." I laughed and went on to explain the meaning behind the brass balls. Eduardo seemed to think it was a fine joke, but I said that Miguel had earned them as a valuable member of the crew. The award was given to a young man who showed bravery and maturity when called upon to act. Those words alone caused Miguel to swell with pride and Eduardo noticed the change in his son. "Yes, this is cause for great joy. A boy achieves manhood only once in life, he must now fight to keep it," Eduardo said. I wasn't sure what sentiment was behind that statement, but I didn't want to delve any deeper. True to his word, Eduardo arranged for us to spend three glorious days exploring the Yucatan and the Mayan culture. The weather was pleasant, but towards the end we began to have afternoon showers that turned into days of rain. The storm surge off the African coast finally gave us a major hurricane, and this was a beauty. Ike was already a category three by the time is began its run at the Caribbean, centered directly at Cuba. I held my breath for a moment in worry. It could turn north and strike the Keys or keep on course for the Gulf. The final option was it might veer south and strike at us where we sat. I would have to decide very soon if I should get the boat taken out of the water and lashed down onshore somewhere. Juarez was a big port with facilities that could handle that transition; it would all be in the timing. I could not just sit by and watch my life get battered to splinters against the docks. We had insurance for such a calamity, but the boat and I had a history. By Tuesday morning I would have to decide, by Wednesday it would be too late. But by Tuesday night I had my answer, the hurricane began to veer north and lay a course directly for a run down the length of Cuba. After that, the Gulf of Mexico was wide open, nothing could stop the devastation. Wednesday morning came with a smattering of rain against the windows. Chris was snuggled up close, his face against my chest, a leg thrown across my thighs. I could feel his breath on my skin and his boyish scent filled my senses. No sight, no smell could ever be more satisfying...I just wanted to eat him alive. I felt like we were stuck here for the moment, waiting for nature's wrath to calm down before we made a run back north. Jerry didn't seem to mind in the least with Miguel close at hand. Chris was all wrapped up in following me around. The day before we had gone to visit the mayor at home. It was my first look at Miguel's home life, and the family was all there. I felt like we were on display but Chris and Jerry seemed comfortable enough. Maybe I was feeling out of place, or did I still have concerns about Eduardo? It was a luncheon, nothing formal, just about twenty guests and us...the foreigners. Miguel's mother seemed distant, but the siblings were all over my boys wanting to know everything about the States. English seemed to be a second language around the house, and the family slipped in and out of it quite nicely. As expected Eduardo began to pry around the edges of my business dealings as we toured his home, he seemed to have a hunger for my knowledge. I couldn't divulge anything confidential, and that composed about eighty percent of my work. But I let him know I worked with some important people, and that some of them were dangerous. Tommy Brixton and I had been Navy together, he knew me better than anyone besides Max. What we had done in our country's service was still classified, it would always be so. Being part of an elite force had given me confidence and yet I still felt small compared to Tommy, he was a true hero. Tommy and the Boys, the cream of the crop, tapped for a dozen or so secret assignments. We were lucky men, we all came back. The steel fist of American diplomacy Tommy joked, but he made sure we all came back. We had no tattoos to celebrate our brotherhood, no one had died and needed to be commemorated...at least not on our side. But that was past, Eduardo was here and now. I asked him what he thought was the biggest driving force behind the development here in the Yucatan, was it the central government? We were alone in a corner of a grand sitting room, a place so immense we could have played a basketball game in here. "You will trust me?" Eduardo asked. "It is drug money, the cartels. I have been approached many times for favors; it is why I may not wish to continue in politics mush longer. The central government is helpless, riddled with criminals who will do nothing." "Do you fear for your life?" I asked. "Not yet, but it is like a pack of hungry wolves circling in the darkness. I know these men and yet have no proof...who would I tell? There have been killings, beheadings...such horrible details I cannot express to you." His face was drawn and pale, I knew he wasn't lying. "So sending Miguel away seems like a good idea, I understand. What about the rest of your family, are they safe?" I asked. "As of this time they seem too busy fighting one another, killing one another. I have security, it is enough for the moment, but I worry about the tomorrows...when it will certainly change," he replied. "But this is not your concern, I should not say more." "Eduardo, I value my friends...your concerns are mine as well. If you feel pressured then please, ask and I will assist you," I said. He gave a wan smile, a shallow imitation of happiness. "I thank you for the offer. I am sure in your business that you know many...um, strong people. The presence of a major force here would only escalate the crisis, I assure you. If necessary I have made plans to remove my family from any danger. But your concern is welcome, I can trust few here...I just don't know what side they are on." I wandered the house after that conversation, idly watching the boys at play but my thoughts kept returning to Eduardo's words. If the local politicians were choosing sides, which one was he on? Jerry and Miguel were shooting a game of billiards while Chris played cards with Miguel's younger brother and sister. Eduardo had much to lose here and he knew it, I just hope he made the right decisions. A couple of lightly armed bodyguards would be useless if it hit the fan, we were both only too aware of the consequences. By six o'clock the party seemed over and Miguel drove us back to the hotel. Chris and I stayed in while Jerry and Miguel were off to the coffee house, and a gathering with gay friends... And then came Wednesday morning and the patter of rain on the glass...I was spacing out with too many uncomfortable thoughts. Chris and I finally had breakfast, no sign of the other two. By noon I wanted to ask what they were doing today so I knocked on the door and got no response. I used my key and discovered the bed hadn't been slept in; it must have been a wild night. By two o'clock I was concerned and phoned Miguel's house. The boys hadn't been seen since last night. Call it intuition; I knew something was not right. Fortunately, Chris was engaged in a film on television and I left him in the room. No sense in alarming the boy, not yet anyway. I went looking for Ricardo and found him in the dining room, watching the staff set up for dinner. "Ricardo, have you heard from Miguel today?" I asked. "No, Gary...and I was going to ask him about working this evening. Where is he?" "Both Miguel and my son are missing, I haven't heard from them all day." He looked alarmed and pulled me towards his office where he shut the door. "Is Eduardo aware of this?" He asked. "I don't know how to reach him, he's not at home...I just called there." Ricardo picked up his phone and dialed a number. It rang a long time before someone answered. It wasn't Eduardo by the reaction I saw. Ricardo asked to speak to Eduardo and they told him the mayor would have to call him back, he was in a meeting. Ricardo stressed it was of vital importance and then hung up. "Something is happening, that was his bodyguard, not Eduardo," Ricardo said. "I caught that," I said. "Do you have security here at the hotel?" "Yes, I have four men, but two of them are off duty right now," he responded. "Better call them in; you may need help at some point." I said. "Gary...what do you know that I do not?" "Eduardo is concerned, there have been pressures placed on him...I'm sure you know the people involved, Ricardo. Now I think they have taken his son for leverage... and my son as well." "Oh God," Ricardo said. "Ignacio...it must be him." "Ignacio...I don't know that name," I said. "Ignacio Morales...he is...he is a very dangerous man. Drugs, prostitution...illegal gambling." Ricardo fell back in his chair and I could see his hands trembling. This Ignacio was bad news. "You know him, is he capable of kidnapping? What could he gain from such a thing; won't the police know who to go after?" I asked. "Police? He terrifies them, they run from his thugs. It is rumored he is behind the killings in Merida last month. He tortures and then kills, he buys politicians by the handful." "And what would he gain from Eduardo...what is he after?" I demanded. Ricardo stared at me. I hadn't lost my temper, I wouldn't. Scaring the man would only make him clam up and I thrived on information, it was my job. "Eduardo and his friends have been critical in blocking any move to legalize gambling in this state. If we give in then the country will be pressured to do the same, it is a national movement they are trying to force. Gambling will turn this state, and especially Cancun into a Las Vegas. Prostitution, drugs...it will all come out in the open and they will control it." "So Ignacio is the local Mafia leader, the cartels will line up behind him and run this place, is that what you mean?" I asked. Ricardo nodded and I felt a coldness creep down my spine. Jerry had been caught up in this madness; he and Miguel were in grave danger. All this had been happening around us and we were unaware. While we lazed about in the sun for the last week, they had been planning to take Miguel...to force Eduardo into giving them control. If I knew anything about this nasty business it was that the kidnap victims rarely survived. Eduardo would be forced out and the boys would stay hidden for months until it was too late to turn back the changes, to stop the progress of the cartels. Ricardo jumped as his phone rang and he snatched it off the base. He didn't say a word as someone else did all the talking. Then he looked up at me; I could almost smell the fear pouring off his skin. "Yes, he is here...yes," Ricardo said, and he handed me the phone. "Gary...do you know what is happening?" Eduardo asked. "Can you talk...are they listening?" "No, they just left...they have our boys." "How long did they give you, did they make a demand?" I asked. "Three days, I must resign and allow my deputy to take over...he is one of them. I must or they...they will..." I heard him sob. "Eduardo, you know them...give them what they want, tell them what they want to hear. I will make some arrangements. We will have to meet, I need information." "You cannot stop them, Gary. Their leader, he is strong like a bull," he said. "I am going to cut the head off the fucking bull, Eduardo, and eliminate the need to harm our boys...I promise you that. Ignacio has no place he can hide, I will find him and he dies." Eduardo gasped when I said the name. "You know him?" "No, but I know men like him, and they're all dead now...give me forty-eight hours, Eduardo, I will get back to you. Pack up your office, pretend you are leaving and keep an eye on that deputy of yours. Just don't be standing too close to him this weekend, its not gonna be pretty." I heard another sob, Eduardo was losing it. But then he cleared his throat. "I will do anything...thank you, Gary...I..." "Yes, Eduardo...we both have much to lose. I need two days, then we plan together, OK?" "Yes, my friend...yes," He replied. I hung up Ricardo's phone and saw the look of awe on his face. "You...you can do this?" He asked. I nodded. "I'll need a few rooms, maybe four or five. You know nothing, OK? I don't want you involved. Will you go sit with Chris for a few minutes? I have to make a few phone calls." "Yes...I will watch the boy for you," Ricardo said and he left the office. I felt cold as ice, my usual reaction to stress. But when I felt like this someone usually died shortly afterwards. It was only a process, I didn't like killing, but I was good at it...damn good. I picked up his phone and dialed overseas. "Hello, Max? I need Tommy here...and all the boys he can muster," I said. Chapter Eight The hardest part was telling Chris, but he had to be made aware of the danger. He would miss Jerry and Miguel by dinner time; I couldn't keep it secret much longer. The boy was smart; I needed his eyes and ears. I didn't know if the bad guys had any plans for me and mine, I was pretty sure Jerry had just been caught up in the capture. I went down to the boat, I had to think. Max would have the word out within minutes after I hung up. Charter a jet, I'd said, commercial would be impossible. Tomorrow morning I would have to rent a van and several other vehicles, minor details. I slid myself down the companionway ladder and stopped in the kitchen. I ran my fingers along the underside of the cabinet over the stove and felt for the light fixture. I unscrewed the bulb and set it down. Reaching up inside the fixture I felt the button and pressed it, hearing an audible spring-loaded click. I grasped the hood over the stove and pulled gently, it slid off in my hands. The opening grew larger as I took away the fake hood. Not like we ever did any huge fry ups in my kitchen, and besides it was propane. The gaping hole revealed the long metal box inside and I slid it out, setting it gently on the deck. Tommy would come, no doubt. He would bring at least five others and their golf clubs. Our code word for weapons...dismantled and stashed in special golf bags we'd had made. A half dozen times customs agents had searched our belongings and found nothing. This particular box had traveled the world with me...just in case. I undid the snaps, and felt the resistance of the waterproof seal. I opened the lid and looked down at the row of weapons. Two M-16 assault rifles and an Uzi machine gun lay in the box, along with two Taurus 24/7 SOCOM .45 auto pistols, the choice of American Special Forces around the world. I moved the Uzi aside and grasped a small plastic box. Inside was a modified Glock 9mm, loaded and threaded to take the silencer stored in the compartment beside it. I didn't even open it, it was a familiar weapon. I set it on the table; it might be needed at any second. I had my firepower, now I needed the troops. I couldn't trust Eduardo's phones, not even in his office, they could all be tapped. We had been foolish to say as much as we had, but that was water over the dam now. I closed the box up and slid it back in place, replacing the hood. Ammunition was stored in the bilge sump under six inches of water, the safest place on the boat...and it looked like nothing but part of the ballast weight. Eduardo would get a visit tonight, not in two days but late tonight. I had learned never to do the expected, it gave the enemy a chance to think. But I needed to know where Ignacio lived, worked, loved...everything about him. He would not be foolish enough to hide the boys in his own house; we would take a few prisoners to find out that detail. Tommy had the means of persuading anyone to talk, and the balls to pull it off. The guys jokingly referred to him as 'Mr. Nice Guy,' he was anything but. He had been my number two for five years...deep dark ops for what felt like a lifetime. I left, he took over and then I hired him away three years later. I really loved the guy. Tommy knew I was gay the moment he laid eyes upon me...I just didn't know how. He was quiet and unassuming, deadly traits I was to learn very soon. And he was black as coal. He passed for African around the world even though he grew up in the swamps of Florida. I was a southern man and that made Tommy cautious at first, but I was a gay man, and most gays find prejudice an absurd notion. We became close through training and missions...black and white, straight and gay, nothing mattered...we were brothers under the skin. Now I needed him more than ever and he would come...he always came. I walked back up to the hotel and noticed a couple of men in uniform standing out front. Ricardo's security personnel I imagined, they weren't even armed. I knocked on the door before I went in, they were watching Rambo again. Ricardo gave me a fake smile and shook his head, Chris still knew nothing. "Rambo is so cool," Chris said. "Stallone? He's an actor, soldiers don't really fight like that...but it's a good adventure film," I said. Ricardo excused himself and Chris waved good-bye, engrossed in the movie. I placed the plastic box on the table and went to sit on the bed beside him, running my fingers through his hair. I really hated to do this, but he needed to know. Rambo killed the bad guys, shot up half the town and blew up a bridge before the film ended. I waited for it to end. "Chris, come sit over here with me, I have something to tell you," I said. I sat in one of the chairs beside the windows and he joined me, looking at the box. "Jerry and Miguel have been kidnapped," I began. I thought he would scream, but he didn't. His face fell and his eyes filled with tears but he didn't lose control. No, instead my boy got angry as I told him what had happened. "Fuckers...God damn fuckers...what can we do about it?" he asked. I smiled. "There are a few things I haven't told you about my time in the Navy. My friends and I make Rambo look like a pussy." Chris' mouth dropped open. "You...you did what?" "Navy Seals, that's all I can tell you," I said, and then I grinned. "I might have to shoot you if I said anything more." Chris was off the chair in a flash and in my arms. It was good to feel normal once again, good to have his love to wash away the grief. To him I was a bigger hero than Rambo, and that said a lot. I told him friends were coming tomorrow, people who could take care of business. I was going to take a taxi over by the Mayor's house late tonight and have a little chat with Eduardo. It would be dangerous, I knew the house was being watched, it had to be. I wouldn't even trust his bodyguards any more or even a police guard. Chris listened and I saw him shudder. Fear had entered the boy's mind as I knew it would sooner or later. "I don't want you to get caught," he finally said. "What if they shoot you?" "Now that's a serious problem, I'm not bulletproof. But you have to see something to shoot at it, and I am gonna be invisible." "How can you do that?" "Remember that pool in his yard, the one that goes into his house? Well I am going to swim right on in after it gets really late. Hmm, wonder if he'll mind that I'm naked? Don't want to get my clothes wet now do I?" "You'll scare his wife to death," Chris giggled. "Nope, they don't even sleep in the same room...imagine that," I said. "So Miguel's dad isn't getting any, huh...no wonder he's so crabby." But the mention of the boy's name made Chris somber once again. I hugged him and kissed his cheek. "Now go sit back in that chair," I commanded, and he obeyed me. "We'll get them back, sweetie...yes we will," I said. I picked up the box and opened it, taking out the Glock and the silencer. Chris' eyes were as big as saucers by then, he was in that guns are cool crowd I detested. Pistols are for killing, end of subject. I wouldn't let him touch it, but he sure looked closely. "Guns are bad business," I said. "Now you know more about me than anyone else, even Max doesn't know the truth." "Not even Max....? Did you kill people...like an assasin?" "No, it was a team effort...that team will be here tomorrow, Chris. I'm going to leave you here at the hotel for a day or two...or would you rather be on the boat? I can't take you with me, it's too dangerous. Maybe I could send you back to Max on a plane..." "NO...I stay," Chris almost yelled. "They're my family too...I have to be here when they get back." His eyes were brimming over, the tears coursing down his cheeks...and this time I went to him. I knelt in front of him and he leaned into my chest, sobbing like crazy. I rubbed his back, but he would not be consoled. "You're right; you need to be here for Jerry and Miguel," I said. "And you, Gary....especially you. I can't lose you now." He sobbed and I rubbed. The underlying emotion was a fear of losing me, I knew that. The boy was still insecure, between my world and his mother's. Love was a fragile state of mind for him, it only motivated me. "I will come back for you, Chris...nothing can keep me away," I said. Words...only words and they couldn't stop the fear. I let him cry himself out against my chest. I had opened a door in my heart and knew the boy had completely taken control of my life. But I had created the fear, and thus the pain of losing me overwhelmed him...it was my fault. I picked him up and lay him gently on the bed, stretching out beside him. His crying had abated but he seemed to be in a mild state of shock as well. Too many thoughts and not enough time to absorb them. I had to say something...something he could focus on. I stroked his hair. "One of these days you're going to be my son," I began. "And then I am going to teach you everything I know. The thing about combat is that a good soldier doesn't have time to be afraid, that's where the training kicks in. Fear is something you experience before shit hits the fan and you can use it to focus on the mission ahead. "Nothing we do the next few days will happen without extreme planning...and I want you to know all the details, Chris. My men and I will meet and talk and make those plans...I want you to be there." I felt him stir, his hands came up and Chris pulled himself up on my chest. His eyes were red and swollen, but his mind was now alert. "You want...you want my help?" He asked. "Yes, you know Jerry and Miguel better than I do right now. I want you to explain to my guys what they think, and how they think. Success is in the details and the more they know the better they can do their jobs." "Really? Will it help save them?" "Absolutely, no lie. What will they do if we burst through the door, will they run away and hide or will they help us take out the bad guys? Is Miguel gonna protect Jerry or will Jerry be the one to jump in front of Miguel when there is danger?" "Um...I don't know, can I think about it?" Chris asked. "Yes, we'll all be doing a lot of thinking before anything happens; we have the time to plan this out." "Where are they, do we even know?" "Tommy will find out for us, he's very good at that...you'll like Tommy," I said. I had no idea what Chris would think when Tommy came through the door. But the man loved kids; he had six of his own. "I am gonna be your son someday. Will you really teach me everything?" Chris asked. I kissed his cheek and brushed the hair back from his eyes. Yes, he would be a worthy son, a boy I could cherish my whole life. I would teach him skills, things that would amaze other men, but I would not teach him to kill. "It will take a considerable amount of time, you know. I learned an awful lot of stuff. But I suppose we can skip the part about eating snakes and bugs, you prefer McDonalds I bet." And I got back that smile, the one that made my world whole and wonderful. I would make him one of the team so he didn't feel left out. Nothing could take away the fear I'd seen in those eyes. And for causing that pain I would crush Ignacio's balls before I slit his throat. "No bugs, OK?" Chris said, snapping me back from the thoughts of revenge I so desired. "Yeah, no bugs...but rattlesnake tastes a bit like chicken." "Eww, forget it," Chris said. His eyes locked on mine and I saw a spark there. Love was back and on his mind. "I love you, Gary...you rock my world." "You play the music and I'll dance with you," I replied. Chris frowned. "Do you suppose...I mean, would it be all right if we made love?" "Would it be possible, yes. Would it make our problems go away, no. Would it show you how much I truly and deeply love you...yes." I leaned up and kissed his lips and Chris kissed back. And for the next five minutes we made out like a couple of schoolboys. But it took Chris a long time to become aroused, a very long time. Too many thoughts inside his head...and mine for that matter. But finally he rode my cock so we could gaze at one another. I saw him absorb the pleasure and then push it aside. He felt guilty doing this, as if it were disrespectful of Jerry and Miguel. But we needed to go on, to finish and get back on track in our lives. Orgasm meant release; we got there and moved beyond it. We had dinner sent up, but Chris didn't eat much...I understood. We showered and made as if this was going to be an early night, but we both knew it would be a long one. And then just before nine o'clock our phone rang, it was Ricardo. "Gary...I am suspicious," he said. "There is this strong looking black man standing at the desk and he wants to speak to you...is this good?" I smiled. "Put him on, please...he's my brother." "Oh....?" But Tommy came on the phone. "Help is here, me at least...the team arrives tomorrow at ten," Tommy said. "Room three-oh-six," I said, and the line went dead. "Who was that...your brother?" Chris asked. "Tommy is here already, I hoped he would come fast. And yes, if I ever had a brother I would want it to be him," I said. Three minutes and there was a knock. Four taps...a pause, then two more. Old ways were hard to change. I opened the door and he blew right in, dropping his bag by the door. "Gary," he said. "Tommy," I said...and we hugged. Tommy turned to Chris, now clad in shorts after that warning from the front desk. "And who's this?" Tommy asked. "Chris Owens...Intel...team ops," I said. I had named Chris our intelligence officer and Tommy accepted that without batting an eyelash. "Tommy Brixton," he said holding out a hand. Chris was still dumbfounded, I had not said Tommy was black...didn't think it necessary. Chris shook his hand and I saw the awe on his face. Tommy would not ask. I was sure Max had told him everything. Besides, Tommy already knew about Chris, all about Chris. He had been the one investigating Chris' mother. He spied the Glock on the table. "Wet work?" he asked. "Hope not. Intel mostly, I hope," I said. "You find 'em and I'll ask 'em," Tommy said. His polite way of saying interrogation. I saw him look at the empty plates on the table. "You hungry? I bet you didn't eat on the plane," I asked. "Nope, think the kitchen is open?" "If not it will be shortly, I have to get you a room too," I said. I went to the phone and asked for Ricardo, he was on in less than a minute. "I need a room for my brother, but he can use 307 tonight. I also need some food, Ricardo. Two big steaks medium rare and all the vegetables you have in the kitchen...oh, and tea...lots of sweet tea." I saw Tommy smile and heard Ricardo say it would all be up shortly. "You like whipping the staff up, don't you?" Tommy laughed. "The owner actually, he's a friend and scared shitless," I replied. Chris had stood there the whole time, watching, trying to grasp the chemistry between Tommy and I. And now Tommy went and sat down, turned towards the boy and motioned him over. Chris cautiously approached but Tommy took his hand and pulled the boy down on his lap. "That man over there," Tommy said, pointing at me. "That man is the smartest, bravest man I ever met, Mister Christopher Owens. He is worth ten of me when shit hits the fan, you can take that to the bank and cash it." Chris nodded. "He's gonna be my father." I was floored. But I saw Tommy nod...he knew. "Yes he is, and he is gonna be the best daddy in the whole world because we both love that man. Don't you agree?" Chris nodded and smiled. "You love him too?" Tommy laughed...a joyous sound from deep inside. "Oh yes, I have loved him a long time. I've held him when he cried and wiped his bottom when he shit his self. I know what love means, and I see it in your eyes, little man. You love the best among us and that makes you a very lucky boy." And then Chris threw his arms around Tommy's neck and hugged him. It was the right thing to do and Tommy beamed with joy. We sat and talked about what I had to do this evening and Chris sat in Tommy's lap and listened. He even said I should be careful when I mentioned creeping up the back stairs at the mayor's house. "The stairs creak real loud, especially in about the middle," he informed us. "Good man, he's watching your back already, Gary." Chris beamed at Tommy's compliment. Yeah, the boy was on top of things. "So who'd you tap for this one," I asked, wanting to know who would be here tomorrow. "Nate, Mark, Jackson, Bobby and Oliver...seven ought to be enough. Except Oliver has a broken wing, his arm is in a cast. He's toting my golf clubs." I laughed. "Jeez, Tommy...you think customs is gonna believe a one armed golfer?" "They better or he'll rip the cast off and drive two hundred yards just to prove it." Yeah, Oliver was tough. "He can't run ops with us like that," I said. "Nope, figured he would lay back and Intel with Chris here. He's bringing some Com gear along for that," Tommy said, he gave me a wink behind Chris' back. Damn, he even had the babysitter covered...and I was gonna worry about that all night. The food arrived and Chris moved so Tommy could eat. He wasn't a fast eater, just continuous and the two steaks disappeared in a timely fashion. Tommy stretched and said he needed a walk, read that as scoping out the territory before he retired. In every place we'd been Tommy always took that walk before he could sleep. He was the most prepared guy I knew. He looked out the window at the ocean. "That your boat down there?" he asked. "Yeah, we sorta got stuck here because of that hurricane, I seem to have forgotten all about that storm," I said. "Killing Cuba as we sit, maybe we can run Com off the boat, more secluded than these rooms," Tommy suggested, and he was right. "I'm off, see you at seven." "That door adjoins your room...it belonged to the boys before...." I said. "Yeah, got it," Tommy said and he left, taking his bag along. Chris smiled. "Wow, he's cool. I'll sleep better knowing he's next door." I laughed...it was a great compliment. I would leave at eleven, two hours to scope out the house and then penetrate. Maybe Eduardo would be awake; he would be if he was worried. Chris and I settled down, I wanted him asleep before I left. Eduardo might not know where the boys were being held, but he could tell us everything about Ignacio. Somehow I knew they had been acquainted for a while. Maybe Eduardo had been in on the rackets from the beginning and had soured on the deal. The point was to get our boys back safe and sound, Eduardo was a secondary issue. If anything I hoped these guys had the boys locked up secure. A foolish escape attempt might get them both killed; I had seen it happen before. I felt Chris relax in my arms, sliding into a troubled sleep. I rolled him on his side and cuddled up close, enough to give him comfort until he was in a deep sleep. I could hear the rain resume outside, a weather front had lashed the hotel all day as the storm moved north. Good, it would keep the enemy's head down. Seal training had taught me to used bad weather as cover for covert ops. Guards didn't patrol as frequently in the rain, sounds didn't carry as far. Rain gear was bulky and made it difficult to bear arms in a proper manner. A Seal had no such issues, we lived in water. I would bring Eduardo one of the satellite phones to use for contact. It would allow us to keep track of him as well through the GPS feature. His son had been taken, but that didn't mean I had to trust him. He could just as well switch sides in the middle of all this and leave me holding the bag. My thoughts kept me awake, and by eleven Chris was out for the count. I slid out of bed and dressed. The Glock had a shoulder rig, but I left that off as too cumbersome. I put the assembled gun in my sling bag, added the cell phones and my wallet. I gave Chris one last look and slipped out the door. Two blocks from the hotel I caught a cab. Acting like a confused tourist, I gave the man vague directions in halting Spanish. He drove off and asked me for an address which I pretended not to know. I kept saying a big house and naming the streets in Eduardo's neighborhood. The guy must have thought I was one dumb Americano to be out getting soaked in all this rain, but we were heading the right way. I allowed him to drive past the mayor's home and continue on. Once we were clear of the area I asked him to stop at the church on the corner. I paid him off and got out, watching him turn around and head back downtown. There had been no cars out front of Eduardo's residence, but I was sure the gates were locked. That meant someone would be watching from somewhere. The rain was pretty heavy, obscuring my approach on the street and that helped me see him first. A small black car sat across from the gates and right in under the trees where it was virtually invisible. But the glow of a cigarette gave the watcher away, a foolish move on his part. I skirted the gates behind a row of bushes and followed the wall towards the trees. The watcher couldn't see me here so I looked for a limb overhanging the wall. I didn't know if they were patrolling the grounds, unlikely but possible. Leaving the man at the gate behind I scaled a tree and dropped over the wall. Like so many homes, Eduardo's had extensive landscaping which was bad for security. I worked my way through the shrubs towards the pack of the house and the pool. The immediate area around the house was lit, but the dark waters of the outdoor pool only reflected the light back at anyone who might be on guard. I sat on the ground beside a bush and waited...it was too soon to move in. There were lights on in the upstairs of the house and one in the detached garage. The garage door was open and I figured that would be the place a guard might choose to ride out the storm. It gave a view of the back of the house all the way to the corner. Yeah, that's where he would be. I saw one of the bedroom lights go out, his wife's maybe? I had only glanced through the door of Eduardo's bedroom and study as we toured during the party. The curtains had been open then, giving me a view of a stone railing and a balcony. I could see that part of the house now; it was Eduardo's light that was still burning. I figured the guards must have a means of communication and that eliminating one of them would break the chain and cause alarm. No, best to let them think they were doing a good job and skirt the problem. I stripped off my wet clothing and wrapped the bag around my waist. It was waterproof to fifty feet below sea level, courtesy of the Navy. I crawled out of the shadows and slipped into the pool without making a ripple. The pool was ten feet wide, but nearly a hundred feet long. I heard the pump motors for the fountain that cascaded water somewhere in the middle of the pool. The only problem was that the damn thing was only two feet deep. I rolled on my back and kept my face out of the water behind the coping edge of the pool. The heavy rainfall would hide my movements quite nicely. Long slow strokes carried me down the pool, under the spray of the fountain and towards the house. The pool backed right up against the walls of the house where there was a huge glass partition. I slid under the glass and was inside the indoor part of the pool. It was quiet in here...too quiet. I stopped stroking and glided to a halt near a cluster of potted plants. There was a mumble of voices coming from a side room, at least two that I could discern. More guards, probably Eduardo's personal staff. Now I would bet that the man in the car was sent here to spy, these guys were here to protect. Still, I didn't want to give myself away to any of them. I pulled myself out of the pool behind the plants, and moved over towards the artificial grass that covered the floor. I looked up the metal staircase that led to the second floor, this one would not squeak. Eduardo's bedroom adjoined the balcony that ran along the wall upstairs, his private access to the pool area. One quick look at the door, the voices were still talking, and I started to climb. Once I reached the top I looked back across the pool at the open doorway where I could see two men sitting at a table playing cards. My instincts said that they would patrol the house infrequently, but they would look around when they did so I kept moving. A doorway led into the upstairs hallway, the door was propped open. I stuck my head into the hall and heard soft music coming from somewhere. There was a bathroom on the left and I looked inside...empty. I saw a nice large towel on the rack and snatched it up, no sense in distracting Eduardo as we talked. I wrapped it around my waist and went back in the hallway. His bedroom was on the right and I approached the door. This was the source of the music, but otherwise it was quiet. I turned the knob and the door silently opened. The bedroom was also empty, but the doorway to the study was open and that was the source of the music. I walked over quietly and looked inside. Eduardo was sitting at a computer terminal, looking at words on the screen. I stood still for a moment and watched him reach for a glass of wine on his desk. "May I have one of those too, Eduardo?" I asked. He started, almost dropping the glass as he turned. A smile crossed his face. "You move like a ghost...no one saw you?" He asked. I shook my head. "I only came to see you." He reached for another glass and poured me some of the wine, appraising the towel around my waist. "You've been swimming?" "A little chink in your armor, I'm afraid. I'll go back out the same way." I nodded at the monitor screen. "Been busy?" He reached for a small pile of storage disks. "I have been researching for you; this is everything I have found on the cartels and Ignacio. They are happy I have accepted their offer, but they make no promises about Miguel or your son." "They won't, the boys are an insurance policy...they're not planning to give them back," I said. "But they said..." "Yes, and they lied...they always lie. The boys have seen their faces and unless they are completely isolated they've heard too much already. You see, without a ransom demand they have no real need to give them back. I will have to go get them," I said. "We don't know where they are...I can't even begin to guess...." "I know, it will not be an easy place to find. It will be isolated, hidden and probably way out in the jungle. They will have supplies for an indefinite amount of time, long enough to make sure you are keeping the bargain and then..." I shook my head. "We will not discuss their final plans for our boys. I'm here to change all that." I sipped the wine, noting the high quality of the vintage. I watched my words sink in and almost felt Eduardo losing control; it was time to snap him back. "You know Ignacio very well, don't you?" I said. It wasn't a question. "At some point you were close...business partners maybe, but then you separated. He's double-crossed you, Eduardo. This wasn't supposed to happen....was it?" Eduardo lowered his head and shook it. "No...He was my friend, and then he changed the rules of the game." He sighed and looked back up at me. "We were going to do all this legally, at least the gambling part. I was going to influence friends in the national government to change our laws, at least in this region. "But Ignacio's family had other ideas...the drugs and prostitution makes them too much money, they bought his loyalty. I would not accept the cartel, they would destroy this state if they gained power...but I have lost, they will now win...and I will lose my son." He sobbed, bringing his hands to his face to hide the tears. I had the information I wanted, it was probably all there on those disks...but I wanted something else. "If I wanted to find Ignacio, go face to face with him...how would I do that?" "No one sees him, he always found me," Eduardo said, wiping the tears from his cheeks. "Killing him will not get my son back." "Yes, I know that. What does he value most...what can I take from him that he will trade for our boys?" Eduardo looked at me. "He...he has a woman, a very pretty young woman...a girl. She is everything to him, but she is well guarded. They have a compound near Playa del Carmen; his family owns much of the land in that area. It is well guarded, they have dozens of armed men...it is too dangerous." "And how does Ignacio travel to see her, by car?" "No, the compound looks out on the sea across from Cozemel, do you know this island? "I've been there; they have the nature preserve and dozens of hotels and restaurants for the tourists. You mean he travels by boat?" I asked. "Yes, he has a yacht; heavily armed...it is docked not far from Ricardo's hotel." "This seaside compound, how far from Playa del Carmen?" "Not far," Eduardo said. "There is an old Spanish church on the grounds; you can see the spires from the sea. But Gary, you will never get even close, they have a guard day and night." "And so do you, including that guy across from your gate sitting in a car under the trees. Probably one of Ignacio's men, no doubt." "Yes, I am sure. And what will you do, Gary...how will you find them?" I smiled. "I'll just have to ask, and just keep on asking until Ignacio runs out of soldiers. He won't want me to ask him because the next thing he's going to see after me is the devil himself." Eduardo gave a small smile. "You are not afraid of him?" "He's just a man, Eduardo...he just doesn't have my talents and that will cost him his life. Now I better go before your guards decide to check in on you." I handed Eduardo one of the phones and explained its operation. "That battery lasts for seven days so leave it on all the time, I might need to call you. Use the word 'magnificent' if it is not safe to talk, but then you must call me back when you can." I got up to leave and dropped the disks in my bag. I tossed the the towel across the back of the chair. "Sorry, don't want to steal your towels. I won't warn you before we move, it will happen swiftly, that's just how we work." "You have help here now?" Eduardo asked, trying hard not to stare at my nudity. "Yes, some friends...as I said before, dangerous friends. If you don't trust the police, who will we call to clean up the mess?" I asked. "I have contacts, the military...my brother," Eduardo said. "Good...and what about your deputy, do you want him eliminated?" I asked. "No...I shall take care of that myself. Will you call me when the boys are safe?" "Certainly, I will bring Miguel home personally," I said. Eduardo came out from behind the desk and for a moment I thought he would hug me, but then I was naked. He paused; an awkward moment, then he took my hand. "If there is anything...anything I can do..." "You might visit Chris at the hotel, take him to lunch. He's going to miss me for a while," I said. "Assuredly I will, and thank you...I cannot bear to think of what would happen if you were not here," He said. "I must go now, I will call you soon as I know anything," I said. I walked out of the room and left him with a half empty bottle. End of Part Four...the conclusion comes next.