Deadly Distractions, A Stan Turner Mystery Vol 6

by William Manchee

CHAPTER 10

  Incarceration

  It was a long, hot, and bumpy ride through the streets of Quito in the windowless van. My shirt quickly became saturated with perspiration. When the van finally came to a halt we had no idea where we were. The back door opened and two guards pushed us out onto a cobblestone driveway. I looked around and saw tall white walls surrounding a large courtyard. There were guard posts high up at the corners, each manned with two armed soldiers. The guards pushed us toward an open door and we were led down a long dark corridor. The policeman in charge barked some orders to his men and they stopped us in front of a tall wooden door. A guard opened the door and Monty was shoved inside and the door locked behind him. They escorted me two doors down and threw me into another room. I fell hard on my left shoulder and pain radiated quickly down my arm.

  As I heard the door latch behind me, I looked around the barren room. There were iron wristbands attached to the walls where I could be restrained if they so desired. I crawled over to the corner and perched myself up against the wall. There were no windows and the walls were made of hard, baked brick. It wouldn’t be an easy place to escape. I noticed a video camera mounted up high on the back wall peering down at me.

  On the way to my prison cell I had contemplated all the possible reasons why I had been arrested. I had concluded it was because Tex had wired me his money and somehow the authorities had traced it to my bank account. They must have thought I was stupid coming down here looking for Tex when I could have just taken it all for myself. I wondered how I could possibly explain to them that I wasn’t involved in this conspiracy—that I was just an innocent bystander trying to help a client in distress. I closed my eyes and rubbed my aching shoulder.

  Several hours went by before the door opened again. A soldier set down some food and then left. I went over to it and inspected it carefully. A chunk of bread, a bowl of beans, and a glass of water was to be my midday fare. Feeling very hungry, I ate everything. When I was done I walked over to the video camera and stared at it. I could feel someone watching me. I wondered who it was and what they wanted from me. Finally, I took a deep breath, went back to the corner of the room, and sat down. Suddenly I felt tired, so I closed my eyes.

  Later that afternoon the door opened again waking me from my shallow slumber. This time the guards came in, yanked me to my feet and ordered me to follow them. I obeyed, hoping finally to find out why I had been incarcerated. They led me down the corridor and back out into the courtyard. We crossed it and entered another doorway. Inside there was a small waiting room with a table and two chairs. The soldiers pushed me over to the table, sat me down, and then left, locking the door behind them. Ten minutes later a tall man—maybe thirty-five years old and dressed in military garb—unlocked the door and joined me. He had long black hair, an overgrown mustache, and a full beard. Lots of bars and other decorations on his uniform made it obvious he was pretty important.

  “Senor Turner, my name is General Raul Moya. Please forgive my men for the way they have treated you. They have been told you are a spy for the CIA.”

  I frowned. “Is that what you think?”

  “No, of course not. I know who you are. You’re a lawyer from Texas and you're in the middle of a very important case.”

  “You’ve heard of Dusty Thomas' case?” I asked incredulously.

  “Why, of course. Any enemy of the United States of America is my friend and ally. And since you are defending Dusty Thomas and the CDA, I would like to consider you a friend as well.”

  General Moya extended his hand. It didn’t seem prudent not to shake it, so I did. He seemed genuinely glad to meet me. It was obvious he misunderstood American lawyers. He just assumed since I had been paid by the CDA that I supported their movement. I went along with the charade as I figured it was my best hope of regaining my freedom.

  “Thank you. I can use all the friends I can get.”

  The general laughed. “So, let me explain why you were dragged from your hotel and detained.”

  “Yes, I wish you would.”

  “Yesterday you went to the United Peoples Bank of Ecuador and met with Senor Lantz. He reported his conversation to the police as you had mentioned Senor Weller who was in custody for bank robbery and conspiracy. They placed surveillance devices in your room and on your telephone hoping to get evidence that you were co-conspirators with Senor Weller.”

  “We’re not. We are just trying to find him and help him out if he’s in trouble.”

  “I understand, but you seemed interested in where the money was wired. It seemed the money was your primary concern.”

  “No, it wasn’t. At the time we met with Senor Lantz, we didn’t know Tex was in jail. Your surveillance tapes ought to substantiate that.”

  “They are not my tapes, Senor Turner. They belong to the police. I am not responsible for your detention. I have called in a favor from a friend who works at the jail to arrange this confidential visit.”

  “Really? Why?”

  “Because I want to help you escape.”

  “Why would you do that?”

  “Like I told you. You’re a friend and I believe in helping my friends if I can. . . . If I help you escape, do you think you will be able to save Senor Thomas?”

  “I don’t know, it’s a very difficult case, but I’m certainly going to do all I can.”

  “You are very modest. I have heard of your reputation. I have no doubt that you will be successful.”

  “Thank you, but—”

  “In a few days the guards will come before dawn to see your bodyguard, Senor Dozier. They will carelessly let him escape. I trust he will then come and free you as well. You will have five minutes to come to this room. There is a passageway out of the prison. I will show it to you before you leave.”

  General Moya’s intention to help us escape was so shocking and unexpected that I felt uneasy. Was I missing something? Did he really care about Dusty Thomas? Did he really believe there was any chance the CDA could be successful in overthrowing the United States government? The more I thought about it the more unlikely it all seemed, yet the opportunity to escape couldn’t be ignored. I had no choice but to go along with it.

  “What do we do after we escape?”

  “You should go directly to the airport and fly back to America. There is a flight to Miami every morning at eight. I will be sure your escape is unnoticed until after your plane has left.”

  “What about Tex Weller?” I said fearing what his answer would be.

  “I’m afraid I cannot do anything for Mr. Weller. He will be tried and most certainly sent to prison. Few men survive long in our prisons.”

  My heart sank. The thought of Tex rotting in a Quito prison made me sick. The idea that he might die there sent shivers down my spine. How could I ever face Toni if I let that happen?

  “Listen, I can’t believe Tex would intentionally steal money. I’ve known him for years and he’s an honest and decent man. There must be some explanation for what has happened.”

  General Moya raised his eyebrows. “Perhaps, but there isn’t anything I can do,” he said, “ unless—”

  “Unless what?”

  “Unless you can manage to wire me the 1.8 million dollars that Senor Weller has stolen.”

  My heart leaped for joy and I almost laughed. Now everything made sense. He was the general waiting to seize the unclaimed money. Trying to keep a poker face, I said, “Where am I supposed to get that kind of money?”

  “Don’t think I’m a fool, Senor Turner. The money was wired from Senor Weller’s account in Georgetown, Cayman Islands to you in Dallas.”

  I didn’t know where he had gotten that information, but I could hardly dispute it.

  “Right. Tex didn’t tell me where he got it. I was a lot more money than I expected.”

  “Yes, he was only authorized to keep a third, but he got greedy and now he’ll get nothing.”

  “Okay. I’ll wire all of the money just as soon as I get back to Dall
as.”

  “Good. When the money is in my account, I will see to it that Senor Weller escapes and makes it home to Dallas.”

  The general wasn't a good liar. I knew he wouldn't release Tex after he got the money. My mind whirled trying to come up with a way to be sure Tex would get home safely.

  “No, I’ll wire half the money. When Tex steps off the plane in Dallas, I’ll wire the other half.”

  The General shook his head disapprovingly. “No! You’ll send it all or Mr. Weller will rot in prison.”

  “If I send you all the money, you’ll just kill him as soon as you get it. After all, he betrayed you and your supporters would demand that you kill him. I must insist on doing it my way.”

  The General stroked his beard while he considered my terms. “You are in no position to be bargaining, Senor Turner.”

  I shrugged. The general stared at me intently for a moment and then said reluctantly, “I am told you are a man of your word. Very well, we’ll do it your way, but do not dare to double cross me. If you do, I promise you that I will send an assassin to punish you and Senor Weller for your betrayal.”

  I swallowed hard and said, “Right.”

  The guards took me back to my cell and several days went by without any further contact. The temperature in the room must have been more than 100 degrees and I got very thirsty. Each day a guard brought me a cup of water, some bread, a bowl of beans, and occasionally some rice. It was not enough to quench my thirst or keep the hunger pains away.

  After a couple days I was becoming weak and lethargic and slept most of the time. I wondered when we’d be allowed to escape. Then it occurred to me that the whole episode with General Moya might have been a charade. What if he wasn’t a general but just a detective trying to trick me into admitting my complicity in Tex’s crime. If that were true, I had been a pushover, admitting that I had the money.

  I worried about Rebekah and the kids—what they must be going through. They wouldn’t be taking this well. The FBI would be involved by now. I worried about them snooping around my affairs. They were likely to find out about Tex and try to tie me into his illegal enterprise. I didn’t regret trying to help him. He was a friend and I couldn’t have just ignored his plight. It was now in God's hand. There was nothing I could do now but wait and see what He had in store for me. A sense of tranquility came over me and I leaned back against the wall and closed my eyes.