“La Bandera,” he explained, gesturing to the shot glasses. “Red, white and green, like the Mexican flag. You’re sure I can’t tempt you?”

“I am. But thanks.”

López shrugged, put a dab of salt on his tongue and then took a sip from each glass, swirling the liquids in his mouth before swallowing.

Milton waited for him to empty his mouth.

“Thank you for the money,” López said.

“All received safe and sound?”

“Yes. And very promptly.”

“It’s like I said—I’d like to get off on the right foot with you. I see this as a long and fruitful relationship.”

López sipped the tequila again. “I also looked into your background.”

“I wouldn’t have expected anything less.”

“And it seems you are what you say you are. The conviction. The prison time. Everything just as you told me.”

“I’m not going to do something as stupid as lie to you.”

“Military, too?”

“That’s right,” Milton said. “I was a paratrooper.”

“Before you were discharged.”

“You have done your homework.”

López smiled.

Milton feigned discomfort. “I had a disagreement with my commanding officer,” he said. “I’d rather we left it at that.”

López shook his head. “I’d like to know.”

“Sounds like you already do.”

The Mexican gave a little shrug. “You want to work with us. It’s important that I understand you.”

“I went out one night and was stupid enough to do a line of coke. They got me with a random test the next day. What can I say? I was young and stupid.”

“And you don’t make mistakes like that anymore?”

“No,” Milton said. “I don’t.”

López laid his glass down. “I think we should speak frankly with one another. You worked for Jackson. You know that a man does not rise to a position where he dominates the supply of a product like ours into his country without a certain ruthlessness. He is dangerous. There have been others who have tried to take his place. We don’t hear from those men now. You would be wise to tread carefully.”

“You don’t need to worry about me.”

“I’m not worrying. I don’t care what happens to you. It is my relationship with Jackson that I am talking about. You have promised me that you will confine your activities to areas that do not interest him. Provided that you do that, I see no grounds for him to complain.” He sipped more tequila, holding it in his mouth and then swallowing it.

“But you’re not afraid of him, surely.”

López laughed. “Don’t be ridiculous. He knows it would be foolish to threaten us. Señor Jackson is dangerous, but he knows his place. He might be ruthless, but the people I work with? They are something else entirely. Do you understand?”

“Of course. That goes without saying.”