Parente was anxious to get things going. It seemed as if everyone had some message they had to deliver as the day wore on. Finally, his personal guard commander came into his office.
“I have made arrangements,” he said. “Once we get you to the compound, he will be called back to the capitol and will be arrested. I will send another pilot back to bring you home,” the commander said. “His family will have already been detained. He will join them in prison.”
Parente glanced at his watch. We are running a little late. Let’s talk on the way,” he said as he pressed the switch to open the hidden door. They had already reached the car when Parente realized he had left the briefcase he always carried with him. He had left it sitting open on his desk.
Cursing himself, he picked up his cell and dialed a number. “My Colonel, I seem to have left my briefcase on my desk. Can you please retrieve it and place the papers on my desk inside. Then come down the passageway and meet me at the car,” he instructed.
Rojas quickly entered the office and walked to the desk. The briefcase was sitting open. As he gathered the papers, he noticed the files inside the briefcase. Although some were state papers, several of the files were marked with the names of banks. His curiosity overtook him and he opened one of the files. It contained account numbers, ledgers, passwords, and other banking documents. Glancing at the numbers, it was obvious that El Presidente was putting away millions.
Rojas placed the file back into the case and closed it. He quickly pressed the switch and entered the hallway. Running down the stairs and to the guard at the other end, he quickly exited the door and handed the case to Parente, who was smiling at him.
“Thank you, My Colonel. Enjoy your evening. I will see you in the morning,” Parente said.
Rojas watched the limo leave the basement and turned back to the passageway. Once again, the guard waved him through and he made his way back to El Presidente’s office. He had just returned to his desk when the phone rang.
“I was able to procure those bowls you were wanting,” said Carlos Verdes from outside the building.
Rojas was startled to be hearing from the man, but didn’t give it away. “Excellent! I wanted to get those for one of my relatives for Christmas. Where are you?” he asked.
“In the park across from your office. I will be here when you are ready,” Verdes said.
“I will come at once,” Rojas said.
Something must be up, or the man wouldn’t be getting in touch. He grabbed his hat and made his way out of the building and across the street. He saw Verdes and his truck along the side street. He was selling to some passersby. When Rojas came up, he welcomed him with excitement. “I am so glad I could get up with you. These things just came in,” Verdes said as he ushered Rojas to the street side of the truck. He picked up two of the bowls and handed them over. As Rojas looked them over Verdes leaned in.
“Your friend Messina and his family are about to be arrested. We just found out. Is there any way you can get them out of danger?” he asked in a low tone.
“He’s just taken off with Parente for some event. I can get the family, but where could I take them?” Rojas asked. The fear in his voice was evident.
Picking up another piece of pottery, he held it up for Rojas to see. “Is there a way to get to him?”
“I have a secure line, but what about the family?”
Thinking quickly, Verdes smiled and reached over to shake Rojas’ hand as if they had made a deal. “The rescue team will be making their move tonight. Call him and have him come back here. Then go get his family. Have him pick all of you up and take you to the airstrip he is taking Parente to. Our plane will be there tonight and take you all away.”
“All of us?”
“There’s no way you can remain now. He has told his people to kill the hostages. You are next,” said Verdes forcefully. “You must all leave,” he said.
Rojas nodded and took the man’s hands again. “Thank you, my friend. I’ll do my best.”
“If this goes well, maybe I will see you again. Vaya con Dios, my friend,” Verdes said with a smile. “Now pay me for these things and get going.”
Rojas pulled out his wallet and pulled out some bills. Then he took the pottery and made his way back to his office where he closed everything up and then walked into a small closet where the communications gear was. He switched on the encryption gear and patched it into the radio.
Messina was surprised to hear a call come in on the Presidential frequency, since Parente was onboard the helicopter. He pressed the decryption switch and pressed the key. “Helo One responding.”
“Can he hear us?” asked Rojas.
Messina was shocked that Rojas was on the radio. It meant something bad was happening. “Pilot only. What’s wrong Juan?”
“Parente has ordered your family and you arrested. Drop him off and then come back. Meet me at the lacrosse fields. I am going to get your family,” Rojas said.
“He’s already told me to come back anyway,” said Messina.
“And you’ll be arrested when you land. It’s time to leave, Carl. He’s going to kill the hostages. I’m going to get your family now,” Rojas said.
“I’ll see you at the lacrosse fields,” said Messina. “Take care of yourself.”
After shutting down the equipment, Rojas grabbed the pottery and made his way to his car. He thanked his lucky stars that he had purchased one of the American SUVs. He thought about calling Messina’s wife, but thought he had tempted fate already using the radio. He hurriedly drove to Messina’s home and down the alley behind his residence. The back gate was open and their car was sitting in the covered drive. He parked his car and made his way to the back door. He started pounding forcefully.
After a minute, a startled Christina Messina came to the door. “Juan, what is going on? You look desperate,” she said with alarm.
“Christina, grab the children. We have to leave now,” he said quickly.
“But why? The children just got home from school and I’m starting supper for them.” She obviously didn’t know of what had been going on.
Rojas took her arms. “Christina, Presidente Parente thinks your husband has turned against him. He has ordered you all arrested. The secret police are probably on their way here right now. Get the children and let’s go!”
“Surely Parente wouldn’t…”
Rojas became insistent. “He plans to have you all killed. I know this for fact. Get them now!” he insisted.
Christina saw the fear in his eyes and heard the danger in his voice. She nodded and called the children down to her. Ushering them out the door, he noticed the oldest boy grab his lacrosse stick and ball to take with him. They packed the children in his car and he backed out into the alley. Telling everyone to get down, he pulled out on the side street and then out onto the main boulevard. They were a half mile down the road when they were passed in the other direction by several cars and trucks with flashing lights.
The helicopter landed and as the engines shut down, Parente got out. Messina watched him get into his limousine, then motioned for the airstrip crew to pull out the fueling hoses. Not knowing what was going on, they filled the tanks of the helicopter to the brim and watched as Messina restarted the helicopter and took off, waving to the crew as he usually did. Once in the air, Messina flew the aircraft as fast as it would go back toward Caracas.
It had been a near miss. The squads of soldiers formed a near circle around the compound guarding known trails and roads leading anywhere near the place. Guided by the satellite imagery, Chapman skirted around the positions, but at one, as he began crossing a small dirt road across their way, a truck began making its way toward them from only 100 yards away. One of the men suddenly found himself illuminated by the light of the truck. Fortunately, it was too far away to see the camouflaged figure dart into the gulley on the far side. As the truck passed, it slowed slightly, but then continued on its way. Once the darkness returned, the men climbed over a small hill and found themselves overlooking the compound.