Weaver let that pass; planning and preparation were hallmarks of Group Fifteen, and they had been blindsided here. He agreed with Connor; it didn’t look good. It looked sloppy.

“I thought we were exclusive on this operation?” Thorsson said.

“We are,” Weaver said. “Why?”

“Hector del Pozo brought an Englishman out to the finca. His name is John Smith. Del Pozo said Smith has been pushing them to sell him product that he can move into the UK.”

Eight looked up. “Didn’t they have a retailer there already?”

“They did. Anthony Jackson.”

“‘Did’?”

“Jackson was arrested. The cartel took the decision that he was too dangerous to leave alive and they asked us to help. Number Four paid him a visit.” Weaver shrugged. They all knew what the visit would have entailed. “What about Smith?”

“I gave him a little shake to see if his story held up,” Thorsson said. “I didn’t believe him, but I couldn’t prove anything, either. I warned del Pozo, but he ignored me. He took him to the jungle so La Bruja could meet him. Turns out I should’ve listened to my gut. They hit the camp a couple of hours after he arrived there.”

“Want me to run a check on him?”

“I’d appreciate you seeing why the check I already filed has been stalled. I took his prints and his picture and sent them to Group One. I got a weird response. They said his details were on file, but that they were classified.”

“I’ll take care of it.”

78

Ziggy tossed Hicks the keys for the second hand Nissan Altima that he had sourced. He got into the back, taking out his laptops and going through the rigmarole of tethering them to his phone so that he could get online. Hicks opened the driver’s side door and dropped down into the seat. He put the key in the ignition and turned it, waking the engine after a couple of grumbles. The dash lit up.

“One hundred and forty thousand miles,” he said. “I hope this was cheap.”

“Five hundred bucks,” Ziggy replied, “and, more to the point, he took cash. When I checked the police registry, the car was clean.”

“Clean in one sense,” Hicks said, running his finger along the dash and holding it up to show the grime.

“Look,” Ziggy said, punctuating his sentences with rapid-fire taps of the keyboard, “if this isn’t up to your usual standard, you can be in charge of finding the wheels next time.”

“I’m pulling your leg,” Hicks said. “It’s inconspicuous. Well done.”

Chase got in the front next to Hicks. “As long as you can find us somewhere to get a tetanus shot afterwards,” he said, “we’re all good. Let’s go.”

* * *