The synchronised raids kicked off precisely on time. The locks at both apartments proved easy to pick, and within ten seconds of breaking in Paz and Herrera were standing in the respective bedrooms of their targets. Sebastian Ramos heard the front door crash open but didn’t have time to reach his bedroom door before a Glock 17, complete with silencer, was jammed against his forehead. At exactly the same moment, Luciano Herrera and two of his men entered Pedro García’s bedroom. The bed was neatly made and the room was empty. The cupboard was bare.

* * *

Pedro García had no idea his fishing trip with his younger brother, Aldo, had saved his life. Forty-eight hours earlier, the two men had driven north out of the city and headed for a small hunting lodge located on the Paraná River, which they had taken on a three-day rental. They planned to spend the trip fishing for golden dorado, the most prized catch for an angler. Both brothers were highly skilled at the art of fly-fishing, having been taught by their late father who used to love taking them on family fishing trips when they were young boys. Aldo had booked it over three months earlier and Pedro had always figured that, as the trip was organised for after the date of the robbery, he would either be free to enjoy it with his brother or else he would be languishing in a prison cell.

Pedro and Aldo sat next to each other on the riverbank for a last fishing session. Both men were enjoying an early morning coffee laced with brandy.

“I’m so glad we did this. I’m loving it. And I bet Dad is up there smiling down at us.”

Pedro took a swig of his drink and grinned at his younger brother. “Me too, Aldo. I don’t want this to end. One day soon I aim to buy you a lodge like this. You can bring your own boys out for regular trips.”

Aldo burst into laughter. “Yeah, right, and why don’t you buy us both a couple of brand-new Mercedes sports while you are at it.”

“Aldo, I’m serious. In a year or so I hope to come into some money and, when I do, I’ll make sure you and the family are well-looked-after.”

Aldo could see that his brother was deadly serious and was puzzled. “Right, Pedro. What are you going to do, rob a bank?”

* * *

Sebastian Ramos stood with his back against the wall in his small living room facing Paz and two of his men, who were pointing Glocks directly at his head. Considering he’d only been awake for a few seconds, his senses were on full alert and his mind was working overtime.

Matias Paz broke the silence, his voice laden with menace. “Sebastian, I can see you’re wondering what’s going on, so let me enlighten you. You see—”