“Si, Jack. Several do.” He looked toward El Pero, who was laughing while playfully pretending to bend a prostitute over the back of a chair. Deciding to leave him to his fun, Big Al then yelled in Spanish for Eduardo to look after Jack and introduce him to some of the men.

Eduardo smiled, waving his arm and said, “Come, Señor Jack. I will introduce you to some of the hombres.”

The first man Jack met was El Burla, whose real name was Berto. Upon introduction, Berto was polite and his face showed nothing but respect as he offered a firm handshake. Being Big Al’s special friend may have its advantages, thought Jack.

Berto then helped himself to a bottle of KAH Tequila Blanco from the bar and poured everyone a drink. The tequila bottle was in the shape of a human skull and Jack’s thoughts returned to Lily again.

Over the next half hour, Jack drank with Eduardo and Berto, as well as several other men. The conversation was friendly, peppered with a few crude comments about some of the women. It was also evident Berto and Eduardo were good friends and Jack had the impression they had received military training together.

Jack noticed that El Pero seemed to be having trouble finding a prostitute. Unlike the other men who had prostitutes continually swarming around them, with El Pero they would either vanish as soon as he approached, or would disappear shortly after. Jack sensed it was more than just his ugliness that drove them away.

Later, Jack saw El Pero finally corner one young prostitute, who laughed and smiled politely, but then made an excuse to go to the washroom. Jack watched as she walked away, only to be approached and reprimanded by two other prostitutes. It was apparent from the gesturing that the young prostitute was afraid of El Pero and momentarily broke down in tears before being shoved back in his direction.

A prostitute in a Mexican whore house is upset with having to go with El Pero? He really must be one sick bastard …

“Señor Jack,” said Berto, interrupting his thoughts. “Eduardo and me, we think Canada is very cold … yes?”

Jack caught the inquisitive look on Berto’s face and knew he was wondering if Big Al had told Jack about who did the hit on Porter. He also caught the annoyed look Eduardo gave Berto and suspected it was not a subject he thought should be discussed. “Oh, so it was you two who went,” replied Jack.

“I did not say we go … I say we think it is very cold.”

“That’s okay,” replied Jack with a smile. “I was told someone was sent, but I was not told who. You two must be highly regarded to be selected for such an important task. I am truly honoured to have met you.”

Berto exchanged a quick smile with Eduardo at the compliment. “Thank you, Señor Jack. So you do know why we were sent?”

“Yes. You needed to teach somebody manners. That it’s not polite to gamble with other people’s money.”

Berto laughed and said, “Yes, you are right, but he did not think it polite when I slit his throat, either.”

Jack laughed along with Eduardo.

“What you talk about?” roared Big Al, placing a firm grip on Jack’s shoulder.

Jack had not realized Big Al was behind him and felt his adrenalin kick in. How much did he hear? Will he be upset that these two morons were talking in front of me?

Jack turned and smiled. “We were talking about taking care of business.”

“About our trip to Canada,” said Berto, smiling as he ran his index finger across his throat.

“I do not want nobody talk business tonight,” said Big Al, looking at Jack curiously. “Come,” he said, steering Jack away by his shoulder. “Bring your drink. There are many señoritas here who wish to get to know you much better.”

“Good, but I better switch to beer,” said Jack.

“You no like tequila?” asked Big Al.

“I like it, but I am also familiar with that old expression.”

“What expression?”

“One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor,” replied Jack, accepting a Corona before moving away from the bar.

Big Al chuckled and as they wandered toward a sofa Jack stopped him and said, “Big Al, this is all great, but Damien is expecting me to have a couple of business details resolved when I speak to him tomorrow morning. I do not want to get in trouble. Please, I would like to talk about a couple of things.”

Big Al sighed and said, “Okay, amigo. I do not want you to have any problems with your boss. I have bosses, too, so I understand. I was told to show you a good time.”

“I am having a good time, I can assure you.”

“Good. You know, before you come here, we were thinking you would look at us as enemy because we opened a new store in Canada.”

“You mean you were worried we would look at you as competition?”

“Yes, that is what I say. So my bosses are very happy you have come to us. We want you to be happy and everybodies make mucho dinero.”

“Exactly. We feel the same way. If we work together, everyone will be rich.”

“So what business details does Señor Damien want to know about now?”

“We want to be cautious. Four or five ton a year is a lot of money.”

“Si, but we will give you a good price.”

“I’m sure you will, but at what price and where do we pick it up? If we have to come to Mexico —”

“No, no. We will bring it to you. Getting into Canada across the American border is easy. We drive trucks there every week.”

“The border from Mexico into the U.S. is much more guarded. What if our shipment is taken down here?”

“Oh, here is no problem, especially now.”

“Now?”

“Before we used planes to land in the desert where we had trailers for storage. But now that the Americans have increased security, we think it is no longer a good place.” Big Al glanced around and smiled broadly before whispering, “Now we have la Casa Blanca. It took us two years to make.”

“Casa Blanca? Like the movie? I don’t understand.”

“Movie? I don’t know what movie. Our Casa Blanca is nicknamed for the colour of cocaine. Maybe the same as the American Casa Blanca.” Big Al grinned.

“The American White House?”

“Si, si,” laughed Big Al. “Maybe they build it with narco dollar, too.”

“I still don’t understand,” said Jack.

“Our Casa Blanca … the house is not even white … but it has a hole in the ground to America. Two miles long.”

“You have a stash house with a tunnel leading into the United States?”

“Yes,” said Big Al proudly. “Outside of Juarez. It took two years to build and mucho dinero … but we do not need to worry about getting caught.”

“Sounds great.”

“Yes, so don’t worry about your cocaine getting arrested … no what you say?”

“Seized.”

“Yes. But even if it was seized, it would not matter for you. Until we deliver it to you, it is not your problem. It is our problem.”

“I see.”

“So you can tell Señor Damien not to worry, okay?”

“Yes, I will tell him.”

“But for the price you pay,” continued Big Al, “I will still need talk to my bosses. How much you want, how often you want it … it will all have to be worked out.”

“That I can get back to you on, but there are still a couple of loose ends that have us worried.”

“Loose ends?”

“Damien is a cautious man. He is worried because you murdered Earl Porter.”

“Why? Señor Porter take our money … we take his life. Very fair trade.”

“We agree, but worry it could attract police attention to you. If they find out it was Mexicans who did the hit, the police will start looking at the Mexicans in Canada. Next time it would be better if you told me and we could take care of the problem for you.”

Big Al nodded thoughtfully and said, “That maybe good. I will talk to my bosses about that.”

“Great.”

“So now we party, yes?”

“Uh, one more little thing to make sure there are no loose ends. We understand Earl Porter brought his girlfriend to El Paso. What happened to her?”