Breaking Point Chapters 31-35 free porn video

31. The First Lady "The first lady is, and always has been, an unpaid public servant elected by one person, her husband." Claudia Lady Bird Johnson ***** Rodriguez joined Cortez for breakfast and they discussed again what they had to do that morning, starting with the conversation with President Venegas about why Heinmann had such power when the country was entering a new crisis. Cortez agreed to make arrangements for them both to see Venegas. When he got through to the Presidential Office, however, he was in for a shock. "General Cortez, ah yes, I was about to telephone you. El Presidente is intending to visit his bunker this afternoon. Would you make arrangements for an honour guard and for Dr Heinmann and his friends to be present?" "Um, Yes of course." "You may also present anyone you feel is worth of El Presidente's notice, Colonel Rodriguez has been suggested, His Excellency will be arriving at Eleven am." "Thank you. I will." He cradled the handset and looked across at Rodriguez. "It seems that our President is coming to visit us Colonel. "Awkward" "Potentially informative. We have three hours to prepare." Rodriguez gave his commander a doubtful look and finished his arepas con huevos perico. "I'll organise the honour guard then and you can greet him at the service entrance, that is the only lift large enough for the security detail." "Thank you Colonel." Rodriguez left to prepare the guards at the bunker. He also wanted to get a look at Barker and Alvarez, before the President got there, hopefully before Heinmann got there too. Cortez was only a little anxious about the visit. What confused him was, with the problems of the Junta making him stay away from meetings, why was he exposing himself so publicly. ***** When he arrived at the Ministry Rodriguez found that the word had already spread; for teams of soldiers and sailors were busy polishing and cleaning everything. Passing through the building to the service lift he went down to the bunker proper to check on the guard. "Colonel, Good morning Sir," Constantine greeted him at the lift doors. He was still in his work-a-day uniform and had a harried look on his face. Rodriguez wondered if it was the up-coming visit of the President or the fact that he was there that was making the ambitious Captain anxious. "I trust everything is in readiness? The men are drilled, they have their best uniforms?" "Being arranged as we speak Colonel." "Good. How are our prisoners?" "Not prisoners now sir, guests." "Oh, not prisoners? I see, and who changed their status?" "I can't remember, I thought it was you, sir." "Let that slide for the moment. Are our guests prepared for the honour they are receiving?" "Yes Sir, Carmelita will be preparing Miss Heinmann and Rosaria is helping Miss Fellows, Sofia will be assisting them both." "Has Dr Montoya been to visit them lately?" "No sir. I believe she is unavailable at the present." "Really? Very well, lead on Captain, let us see the ladies." Constantine lead the way through the security area and along to the salon where it was as the Captain had said. Carmelita was busy re- plaiting the blonde hair while Sofia manicured the lady's fingernails. Rosaria was in the process of washing the hair of the other woman. As yet Rodriguez hadn't ascribed them an identity, he wanted to see what they would do in his presence. "Oh look 'Freida, a new man in the camp." Hearing pure English from Alvarez' lips shook him considerably. Although he was glad to be rid of the emotional cripple that Maria Alvarez had appeared to be becoming, this brash late middle-aged Englishwoman was not what he expected at all. "Young for you Kath," the blonde replied. "I ain't that old." "Keine Mutter" "English sweetie." "You know what I said." "Please keep still Miss Heinmann," Carmelita instructed. Rodriguez noted the tone of Carmelita's instruction, from the time he had spent involved in the holding of Barker he knew that she was far from happy with the name, or the woman, unlike her reaction to Rachel. "Wot's your name love? Andy Garcia?" "I am Colonel Paulo Rodriguez, in charge of this, and other, facilities." "Lovely. I'm Katie Fellows and the other one is Alfreida Heinmann, my prot?g?." "I am to tell you that you are being visited a little later today, can I request your best behaviour for the duration of the visit?" "No worries love," Katie replied. Rodriguez nodded and then turned on his heel and left, putting as much distance as he could between himself and the two women so dramatically changed. He sent Constantine to check on the preparations at ground level while he went to the control room. He found Lieutenant d'Santos watching the monitors. "Lieutenant, how are things?" "Very strange since yesterday Sir. Yesterday our prisoners became guests and started to behave like totally different people. Captain Constantine has been in charge and he follows whatever Dr Heinmann orders. I have not seen Major Ortega for over a week," "You disapprove Lieutenant?" "Not my place sir, but I am worried about the information we were after, if these changes are real and permanent we have just lost a massive resource." "I agree Lieutenant, so we won't mention your potentially mutinous comments. Keep an eye on things and report to me." d'Santos nodded and turned back to the monitors. Rodriguez found his spare dress-uniform in his allocated quarters so he decided to get ready, showing that he was ready might make everyone else buck their ideas up. ***** Carmelita completed the job on Alfreida and then helped the woman to complete her make-up and get dressed. Her dislike of the changes in both women being barely supressed the atmosphere in the salon was thick with disapproval. Rachel, tucked into a nice corner of her own mind, was using the Alfreida personality to get through the days until she could do something about her situation. There had to be a way to get rid of all of the programming Heinmann had inflicted on her. She was aware of the distress and dislike from Carmelita and Rosaria, she didn't know Sofia enough to be worried about her, but she was using her own distress at the pain she was causing the women she had counted as friends to fight against the insistent instruction to be Alfreida. As to what would happen to Alvarez. Well, she had no control over that and she sort of liked the thought of him as a patriotic Englishwoman. She knew that they would be paraded like two new designer dresses when their visitor arrived, but, she supposed, the President had a right to see what was happening with his bunker. If she persuaded him and Rodriguez that she was Alfreida, then she might get some more freedom, which would give her a chance to get a message out to Reeves to get her out. ***** The insistent ring of the telephone was getting on Paul Reeves' nerves. Barbara was dealing with something else so he was left with the only option of answering his own phone. "British Embassy, Culture and Tourism department, Sir..." He was interrupted by a breathless report from one of his men watching Kepler. "Heinmann has collected his son and they are both in the Interior Ministry building." "We knew he was recruiting him." "Sir, the President is going to visit, Heinmann must be ready to show off his skills." "We can't do anything about it but watch, so watch. Thank you for letting me know." Reeves out the phone down and pressed the intercom. "Babs, drop everything and get the Yanks here." He steepled his fingers as he rested his chin on his thumbs. Thinking about the situation, he decided that Sir Frederick needed to be updated too. The walk to the Ambassador's office was very short, but busy with people. "Is he in?" He asked Rosemary. "Go through Sir Paul, he's dealing with official telegrams he'll appreciate the interruption." Reeves grinned and went through the doors. Sir Frederick looked up and looked stern. "We may have an indication of Barker's fate Freddie. President Venegas is visiting his bunker." "Really, perhaps I should make arrangements for an Audience? After all, I only seem to be here to haul your chestnuts out of the fire." "That's not fair Freddie. I didn't know Heimann was here, otherwise I would never have put Barker into their hands. You do know the history, don't you?" "No." "Oh it's a classic, they should be Italians," Reeves said, smiling again. "Well, the Heinmann family anyway. It's Karl Heinmann really, holding the Vendetta because of his father." "Fill me in later. If I am to follow-up on this I need to get that audience booked. Once I know when that will be, you can give me a proper briefing." "Okay Freddie. I'll be in my office, handling the Americans." "Just keep them away from me." "Always." Reeves left the office and made his way to the staff mess for a break before he had to brief LaRue and Martinez. ***** Ortega arrived at the bunker in full dress uniform, he had received the call from Rodriguez to turn up, he had also been warned about what had happened to Alvarez and Barker. He didn't believe it, but he was warned. He entered through the front entrance and took the passenger lifts down to the bunker. The guards were smartly dressed and he inspected them briefly as he passed through. He then entered the crossing corridor. Making his way to the main corridor he went past the gym and the salon and entered Barker's rooms. There was no one in the rooms so he went through checking everything, doing his usual security check. He continued into the wardrobe and the bathroom, while he was there he noticed the toothpaste was nearly used, so he put a replacement box on the shelf. He then left and checked the Presidential quarters next door. He was just completing his inspection when he heard feminine voices. He made his way towards the tank room, intending to check the room and, if necessary, to hide there until the women had passed. Carmelita's voice stopped him. "Major. Have you a moment?" "Carmelita?" He turned to find the beautician alone in the corridor. "Yes, can we talk?" "I am doing my inspection; overdue I am afraid." "Your friend Maria, she is very changed, I do not understand it. You must prepare yourself, she is very different now," "So I was told. Why are you telling me?" "Because you had concern for her. Both of them have changed." "Where are they now?" "In the salon, waiting for the Presidente." "What does Dr Heinmann say?" Ortega asked, watching the reaction closely. "He seems delighted. I've never seen him smile so much." Carmelita's words were couched in disgust; her face was sharp with her displeasure. "You disapprove of what he has done?" "I liked Rachel, she went through everything and was still a person, this Alfreida person treats us like servants." Ortega nodded. "I think there is little I can do about any of it." "I was asked to drop messages to the British, I can do it again. If you and Colonel Rodriguez asked me." "I don't think we could. But I will speak with him." Carmelita nodded and then went back to the Salon. Buoyed by the conversation, Ortega continued to make a proper inspection, checking the water purification plant and Generator rooms before looking round the tank room, knowing that the 'new' women would be in the salon while he made his inspection and left, without contact. Once he was done, he returned to the cross corridor and inspected the infirmary. One of the nurses was there, as had become standard, to deal with any minor emergency. All that having been done, Ortega went through to the barracks area and found Rodriguez in the control room. "That was a thorough inspection Major." "I have not been here for a while I wanted to be sure things were still secure." "I don't believe it will matter after today," Rodriguez said, his voice heavy with his feelings of loss. Ortega nodded. He could understand what Rodriguez was feeling, knowing that the extra duties would finish and the routine would go back to normal. Hopefully without Heinmann and his files and fussing. ***** At 10:50 they made their way to the service lift and up to the ground floor. Constantine had descended with the lift and had taken charge of parading the guard troop. The first honour guard, twenty soldiers and sailors in best uniform lining the loading bay, were ready. They would remain in post while the President was visiting. Ortega agreed to stay on the ground floor in charge of them while Rodriguez took the visitors down below. The loading bay doors were open, ready, and Ortega called the troops to attention as the reflection of red and blue lights heralded the arrival of the motorcade. The Presidential guard, ten men in suits, gathered around the limousine as the President and First Lady exited the car. The honour Guard snapped to the 'Present' as Rodriguez was smoothly joined by General Cortez and Vice Admiral Marco. President Venegas was a man in his mid-sixties, his hair was short and dark except for enlarging patches of grey and a slight recession of the forehead hairline. His face was almost egg shaped, except for a very sharp chin. He was clean-shaven and wearing his uniform as Admiral of the Fleet. He accepted the salutes of the three senior officers and Ortega, then smiled at the honour guard, who were then ordered to the shoulder arms. Venegas stepped forward and shook the Vice Admiral's hand. "Danillo, nice to see you. I trust you are well, how is the penthouse?" "I am well, thank you Mr President" "Good, good. Thank you for meeting me. I will not hold you from your duties, General Cortez and the Colonel can escort me." "But... Of course Mr President. My best wishes to you and your good lady." Marco's disappointment and the humiliation of being summarily dismissed were swiftly hidden in his attentive courtesy. With no choice, he stepped back and allowed the President to shake hands with Cortez and Rodriguez while he made as dignified an exit as he could, given he had his tail between his legs politically. Once Marco was out of earshot the President smiled at Cortez. "Does him good to be reminded he isn't the President." "I had no idea..." Cortez began, but Venegas shook his head. "You knew General, or you would be a Major, or a corpse." "Mr President?" "Later for the politics Esteban. I want to see what you have been doing with my bomb shelter!" Cortez nodded and led the way towards the lift. As the Presidential party filed into the service lift, so Rodriguez got his first really close look at the President's wife or, more accurately, his second wife. She was tall, almost as tall as Rodriguez himself. Her hair, white instead of grey apart from a few wispy brunette hairs around the crown of her head, was expertly coiffured. Her make-up seemed a little too heavy, at least to his eye, but was well done and softened the ravages of age on her face, considering that she was reportedly in her late sixties. She looked in her late forties apart from the hair. They had been married for ten years and yet she had rarely been seen in public, preferring to wield her influence in the background he assumed. Somehow, Rodriguez was drawn to her. He didn't know why but he found himself watching her, intermittently, as the lift descended. The lift doors opened and Rodriguez stepped out first to go ahead and give the command for the second honour guard to come to attention. The Presidential party entered the vestibule and then into the military area proper. The bunker guard had been lined up single file almost the length of the bunker for inspection. The inspection party, Venegas, Cortez, Constantine and five of the personal guard went to the far end of the line and inspected back to the vestibule. Once that was done the men were dismissed. "Show me around Paulo," Venegas called to Rodriguez, who was the other side of the security men. Rodriguez took the President, the First Lady and two security officers through the barracks and into the officers' rooms, then pointed out the stores and the range. They then glanced into the kitchen before going through into the canteen area. As he explained each area the President nodded in approval and then waved Rodriguez on. Once they had cleared the Infirmary, Rodriguez explained: "We have two people here who we ..." "I know all about Mr Barker and former Colonel Alvarez Colonel. I would like to meet with what has become of them and the ladies who have helped." "Then this way Mr President." He led the way into the main corridor, bypassed the gym with a brief comment and waited while the security waiting outside the salon checked with those inside. They nodded the go-ahead and Rodriguez led his tour into the hair and beauty salon. Waiting in the room were Cortez, Heinmann, Dr Mendez, Alfreida, Katie, Carmelita, Rosaria and Sofia. Rodriguez introduced the Beauticians first then Dr Mendez. Finally, he turned to the President. "I believe you know Herr Dr Heinmann." "Indeed and these two young ladies?" "My Daughter Alfreida, she only speaks English and German." "Good morning Miss Heinmann." Alfreida bobbed a curtsy as Venegas kissed the back of her hand. "And Miss Katie Fellows, my daughters' confidante and chaperone." "Miss Fellows." Again a cursory curtsy. Heinmann then looked behind the party at the door as it opened. "And this is my son Johan." As Johan, accompanied by a protection officer, entered the room. Looking at Johan, then Heinmann, then what Mendez had made of Alfrieda's face Rodriguez turned to look again at the First Lady, and realised exactly why Karl Heinmann has such a hold on the first family. ***** 32. A Family Reunited? I don't think anyone has a normal family. Edward Furlong ***** Rodriguez looked back at Johan, only to see the blood drain from his face as he stared at the two women beside his father. The look of shock further enhanced the impression that he had just seen a ghost, or two. His pirouette to the floor, unconscious, broke the spell of the moment as the protection officer tried to catch Johan before he hit the ground. Heinmann looked at his son on the floor, his anger plain at this embarrassing finale to his dramatic presentation. Rodriguez figured that Herr Doctor had omitted to warn his son just how like the original women their captives had become. Rachel was the second person to move. Alfreida had always been protective of her younger brother, there had been a strong emotional bond between them, so she moved while everyone else was recovering from their own shock at his faint. She helped the protection officer to lift Johan onto the hairdressing chair and stood holding his hand waiting for him to recover. "Perhaps we should let the family hold its reunion while we view the rest of the complex," Rodriguez suggested. President Venegas nodded and the little group moved out of the salon, leaving Heinmann, Katie, Alfreida and Johan alone, even Carmelita, Rosaria and Sofia went with the group at Rodriguez urging. "Little Johan, always the drama queen," Katie commented as they grouped together around the recovering Johan. As he opened his eyes he saw Alfreida stand beside him, holding his hand. "Steady now, you had quite a shock. Didn't father tell you Kath had recovered?" "Alfreida? Is that really you?" Johan spoke in English. "Of course it is your sister," Heinmann answered. "And I told you I would be able to help Katie recover." Knowing her cue Rachel hugged the young man tightly and then helped him to his feet. If anything should convince Heinmann that he had succeeded it was what had happened in that five minutes. She then stepped aside so that Katie could give Johan a hug. "So Father, what do we do now?" Rachel ask as Alfreida. "We should join the President's inspection, as he will be looking in your rooms." "Um, can you use English, my German is a little rusty," Katie asked. They made their way into the corridor, pausing for a second and then going into the Gym, where the President was exploring the treadmill. "Ah, Professor. Family together now?" "Yes thank you Excellency." "Talk later." Heinmann nodded and led his group to join the others. The inspection continued although the look into the first family suites was quite brief. They then made their way back to the canteen area where a small buffet breakfast had been laid out. Although able to mingle, Rachel had no idea who she could talk to except as Alfreida, so she didn't attempt to reveal her dual situation. She noticed a couple of significant absences in the party, Ortega and Dr Sanchez-Montoya. She could work out why Ortega was absent, with the person he was getting close to suddenly gone, but why was the doctor not here? Of course, she couldn't comment because Alfreida wouldn't have gone through the surgery she had experienced. She wondered how Heinmann was going to explain the necessary maintenance of the new genitalia or the hormone treatment they should still be having. She also noticed that Johan was still shocked at her presence, yet alone that of Katie. What had compelled him to re-join his father in the first place? Last time Ray had seen Johan had been two years previously when he was being fitted with his prosthetic leg and learning to walk again. At that time Johan was spitting fire about being effectively abandoned by his father, or so he had believed. That was when the American intelligence agencies had groomed him, in the hope he had access to his grandfather's research, or could lead them to it. Rachel wondered if he was here now to achieve that for the CIA or some other organisation. They met up again under the connivance of General Cortez, who was obviously interested in how much of a change had been wrought in her and at the shocked reaction of Johan. He was smiling as he corralled them and asked. "So brother and sister re-united, how long has it been since you saw each other?" Rachel paused for a while, searching the memories pumped into her to try and discover how close the memories came to the moment of Alfreida's death. To her surprise there were quite inclusive up to about 1984. She was about to say that when Johan spoke. The comment had obviously been primed. "I haven't seen Alfreida since she went to Libya and had her accident." "Really? And your fainting fit?" Cortez pushed hard, trying to shake both of them. "Surprise and shock at seeing her so well, Also I had been told that Kath was in a permanent coma, it is nice to get them back." Rachel was sure that Cortez picked up on the sullen note in Johan's voice, she had. So Johan was here under duress, probably being pressured by his father to make the happy family picture look real. Was he still working with the Americans, why had he not said a time or a date? "Yes it was a big surprise to find Katie so well. I was never told what had happened to her after our crash because I was recovering myself," Rachel admitted. The memories she could access confirmed this. She noticed Constantine hovering, listening in for Heinmann no doubt. She wondered if his co-operation was ideological, practical, enforced or, like her memories, programmed, because she wouldn't have put it past Heimann to have used his skills on some of the security people? She then excused herself and went to the buffet to find something to eat. Heimann was poised at the table, talking with President Venegas and his wife, as she approached. Blatantly, there was another test on the table. Her memories included Alfreida's favourite foods, some of which Ray didn't like. Feeling her puppet-master's eyes on her, she chose one of those from the table and made a small show of delight at the inclusion. As she stood there, 'enjoying' the food, so Rodriguez came up to her. "Miss Heinmann? How are you?" "Fine thank you Colonel." Rodriguez, Ortega, Constantine and Cortez had been included in her memories so that was safe to say. "A pleasant reunion with your family?" He turned so his back was to Heinmann and spoke so that only Rachel could hear. "Including your long lost relative?" "Kath is not a relative." "I was referring to the First Lady, surely you recognised your aunt?" "I don't know what you are talking about," Rachel said in truth. "Interesting... Something for later then. How much can you remember of arriving here with us?" "Not a lot," she replied, sifting through what had been uploaded to her mind. "I remember being treated well by you and the ladies in the Salon and I think there was a nurse, or was she a doctor? It's a little hazy, like waking up from a long sleep." "I see. Anything else?" "Not really." Rodriguez decided that was enough and besides, Katie was moving towards them. The conversation became general then and allowed Rachel to assimilate the new intel that Rodriguez had supplied. She took the opportunity to check out the First Lady whenever she could for the rest of the party. Once the seed had been planted, the clues came thick and fast, until Rachel was also certain that the wife of the president was a member of the Heinmann family. Rachel checked through her own memories and through Alfreida's memories, but there was no mention of an aunt or a female cousin. Once again thrust into Rodriguez company, she manoeuvred him to where she could speak unobserved. "When did the President remarry?" "Shortly before he became President, after our founding Father, Presidente Gonzalez had his second heart attack." "Poor man. So This is your second President? Interesting. If I get the chance I would like to see some of your countryside?" "That will depend on Herr Doctor." Rachel knew the veiled insult would have angered Alfreida, so she reacted. "My Father, Colonel, will do what is best for me, and I am not sure I like your attitude." "My apologies Fraulien." "You need to learn manners." "I don't speak German Miss Heinmann." "Your loss." Rachel made her way over to Heinmann and he turned and smiled at her. Seizing the chance, Rachel decided to test how much he trusted her programming. "That Colonel doesn't like you Father, he is very disrespectful." "I am aware my dear, but pleased that you are concerned for my reputation." "Father, how long have I been here? How long have I been asleep? I feel I've lost a lot of things..." "I will explain later my dear, but I am pleased that you are feeling better." "Johan is behaving very strangely too father, he used to be so attentive, but he's become very independent." "Do not let it worry you my child. He will soon get over his temporary fit of jealousy." "Will I be staying here much longer, only I don't think the women here like me?" "A week or so, no more." "Thank you father." She kissed him on the cheek and gave him a hug. He gave her a one-armed hug and then indicated she should mingle again. The 'party' went on for another hour and then the President and his spouse left, with their entourage, leaving Heinmann, Cortez, Rodriguez, Constantine and the three beauticians. Under pressure from the security commander, Heinmann was forced into explaining to Rodriguez why the women had been kept in the bunker the night before. Rodriguez equally patiently pointed out that all the while Barker had been there they had said nothing, so if there was a worry about the women being upset enough to talk about what was happening in the bunker, it was up to Heinmann to diffuse it, perhaps by getting his little girl to make friends with the women like Rachel had. "Unless your intention was to keep the information from General Cortez and myself?" He added in mild reproof. Heinmann's denial was always going to seem false after that comment, but he made it anyway, along with the explanation that after the women 'revealed' themselves the shock had disturbed the beauticians, so he kept them where they could be supported. Rachel was feeling the strain of the day and asked if she could have a rest, because she was still not used to her surroundings. Katie agreed and Heinmann suggested they go with Carmelita to their 'rooms' where she could speak to them about some activities they would have to maintain as part of their recovery. While Heinmann primed Alfreida and Katie, Rodriguez explained what had happened and what was required to Carmelita. He also quietly asked her to keep an eye on their transformed charges, as he was sure that Heinmann had big plans for these two women, plans that could compromise the security of his country. ***** Ortega watched the Presidential motorcade depart and dismissed the honour guard. He had seen a lot of things in his time in the military, but these last twenty-four hours had really pushed him. He decided to do some investigations. Starting with the staff in the Interior Ministry. His first port of call was the visitor log, to see who had been to visit Heinmann in the nine months he had been in the building. He was surprised to find that Heinmann's first visitors had all been workmen, electricians and dry-wall builders. So he had had something built in the office he was using. Could be worth a look. He noted down the names of the workmen Heinmann had used and spoke with the guards on the lifts to find out who had been in Heinmann's office, and when. The information he received surprised him. Only Heinmann or his assistant had been in the office regularly, but if Heinmann wasn't there in the night, the secretary was. Heinmann's influence meant that no-one challenged his authority, or questioned the fact that the secretary stayed in the office all the time. There were only a few occasions latterly when Heinmann was also present for the late evening, but he had 'worked' late into the night when Barker had been installed in the bunker and again from a month before Alvarez fell from grace. The secretary was, recently, absent during the day and back for the evening, especially since Heinmann was shot. The secretary was absent now, and Heinmann still down in the bunker. Ortega decided to have a look in Heinmann's office. He found the door locked, but he had retrieved the master keyset. When he tried to open the door however he found a key already in the lock, on the inside. He knocked firmly. "Dr Heinmann? Dr Heinmann are you there?" There was no reply, but it told Ortega a great deal. He went back to the ground floor and checked the lists again. There was no record of anyone in the room, just as he had checked earlier. He checked with the floor diagrams, kept in the security office on the ground floor, to see if there was another way into the room, but there did not appear to be one. Then he noticed the title of the room. "Bunker communications hub." He had no idea that there was a comms room until then. He looked through the other information in the file, but there didn't seem to be any wiring diagrams for this comms room. The page numbers implied that several pages had been removed from the book. Ortega found the naval Lieutenant Commander in charge of building security and had a long conversation with him about his short-comings and neglect. Because they were equals the navy man didn't like the tone of Ortega's tirade, until he mentioned the disappearance of the pages. At that point the navy man blanched and sat down heavily in his chair. He admitted that Heinmann had borrowed the book, but that he had not even thought that anyone would remove pages, so he never checked. Ortega didn't have time or the inclination to feel sorry for the navy man; he made his way down to the bunker to find Rodriguez and, hopefully, Cortez. ***** Reeves was deep in concentration when Barbara opened the door and announced. "Sir Frederick to see you." He rose to his feet and came around the desk as the Ambassador entered the room. "Paul we have a problem, I've heard that a German Oil Company is looking to take over the refinery. With Heinmann's influence and the animosity to us over Barker's booby traps, they could very well get the deal. We need this thing sorted, quickly." "Shortly, very shortly if things work out." "They haven't so far Paul, so try and do something right please." With the insult delivered, the Ambassador left as quickly as he had arrived. Barbara, who had been standing in the doorway while this was going on, looked at her boss. "Can you get Barker back?" "God knows, Barb... God knows. I am completely at a loss. I have a frightening premonition about Ray Barker. The cheerful man who left here nearly nine months ago is gone, even if he is intact, all that time incarcerated, having mind games played in his head will have changed him." "Why would he not be intact?" "Something in the messages we got, from Ray, if they were from Ray, and from this Daffodil, Especially that one. 'Your Pawn has been Queened'. And the reference to Tootsie on Flanders's trouser leg. Those, plus Heinmann's obsession over the loss of his daughter." "I think you're wrong," she replied. "I hope so Barb, I hope so." With that he returned to his reports, which included the reference to the sudden involvement of the German oil company by a representative arriving in San Carlos. ***** Rachel was glad to finally get some solitude. Carmelita had been firm, but evasive, about the pills that the two women had to take, and her explanation for the dilators was pure fabrication, but, of course, the new women had to accept the explanation and had both followed the instructions. Now, hormones pills taken, Rachel was alone in her bathroom as she ran herself a bath. The solitude gave her a chance to think about what had been revealed today. The cryptic comment from Rodriguez and the recognition of what he had implied vied with the headache she had developed trying to be herself while still playing the part of Alfreida Heinmann. Now if only she could get Heinmann to set her free of the bunker, it would be perfect. However, she needed to be careful. The real Alfreida had disobeyed her father in many ways, not least by joining Amnesty International. But then with him constantly being away in East Germany, Russia, Cuba and, latterly Libya, living as her mother's daughter had taken her away from him. She could feel that the programming was also aimed to make her more attentive and obedient, so she would have to play it that way. ***** 33. Under any Rock Some people think that the truth can be hidden with a little cover-up and decoration. But as time goes by, what is true is revealed, and what is fake fades away. Ismail Haniyeh ***** Rodriguez was in the canteen area when Ortega found him. He was drinking Tequila and toying with a burrito, sat at the side of the buffet table. Ortega was relieved to find that they were alone. He didn't like the look on his commander's face, he wasn't used to Rodriguez looking defeated. It made him pause before he added to the burden. "Colonel, I have made some very disturbing discoveries." "As have I Ortega, as have I. Let us adjourn to my room and ..." "I would recommend the Generator Room Colonel. I have something there to show you." Intrigued, Rodriguez put down his drink and food and followed Ortega along the corridor, past the two state-rooms to the Generator Room. Once inside he turned to Ortega. "It's deafening in here!" "Precisely Colonel, no prying ears. Doctor Heinmann has someone in his office upstairs, listening in to everything down here and probably working whatever it is they have used to affect the changes in Juanita Maria and Barker. The room he was so conveniently provided with is the external communications room for this complex." "Now that is interesting, I suspect that he was given the room on the direct orders of the first family." "The President?" "His wife." Rodriguez expanded further, explaining to Ortega what he had observed and more of what he had discovered in Havana. As he explained, Ortega's eyes bulged in surprise. He was even more surprised when Rodriguez explained who Maria Alvarez had become under Heinmann's influence. The obvious question, why, didn't seem to be answerable at this point. They had moved around the generator room looking at all of the equipment and then Ortega pointed out what he had discovered. A rucksack hidden in plain view, on top of a set of lockers. Rodriguez gently lifted the rucksack down. They opened it carefully to reveal a commando coverall and Glock17 pistol with three spare clips. Tucked into a side pocket was an American passport for Raymond Peter Seymour. "The man Flanders must have left this here. He was expecting to find Barker a man, under guard here, he couldn't risk carrying the rucksack around, so he left it here, found Barker as a woman and had to act without the rucksack." "Shame the sailor had such a rotten aim!" Ortega replied. "We could have resolved this, months ago, if he'd killed Heinmann." "But he didn't so we have to work with what's left. Lock this up in the magazine. I'll take the passport. You need to confront your demon at some point, face the woman Alvarez has become and come to terms, because I don't suppose Heinmann will reverse the programming. I am going to talk with the Vice Admiral. See if he's involved with Heinmann's little scheme." "Take care Paulo." They left the generator room, Ortega to his home and Rodriguez to see Vice Admiral Marco ahead of his return to the Police headquarters to find out if Hernandez had discovered anything more about the goings-on in the Junta. ***** Once the group had broken up, Heinmann and Johan had gone round to the control room, as they climbed the steps, Heinmann paused and turned to his son. "What happened to you? You fainted like a little girl?" "Father, my, I have not spoken German, long term, since waking up in the hospital in Tripoli." "So you weaken again son?" "No sir. But when everyone, Doctors, technicians, nurses, airline staff, virtually everyone, speaks to you in English, you get out of practice." "You had better get back in practice," "For who?" "Yourself and your sister." "What are we doing here?" Johan asked as they entered the control room. His father looked at the soldiers watching the monitors, then significantly at his son. "You need to record more information for your sister." "I've done what you asked, I have given you my remembrances. What are you doing, why are you resurrecting the dead?" "No, you have recorded the day-to-day things. Now I need the intimate things. You need to rekindle your relationship with your sister." "Father!" "Record the intimate moments. Unless you also want to be someone else? I have told you, only a change of personality would stop your arrest and imprisonment once you return to either Germany or the States. Unless you do exactly as I say." Johan grimaced and sat down at the tape recorder that his father indicated. Heimann sent the sergeant and lieutenant out, saying he would monitor things, then set up the reel-to-reel tape recorder to record what Johan had to say. Although he was watching what was happening on the monitors, he was listening to what his son was recording, monitoring that he was giving the really intimate details. With luck, the reminder of their intimacy would rekindle the spark between Johan and Alfreida. Recording went on for nearly three hours, at the end of which, he let Johan leave to go back to his hotel. He wondered, briefly, if the British intelligence people knew he was turning his son. It didn't matter. He was in command. ***** Carmelita del Rosa left the Interior Ministry and made her way home, fully aware that someone was following her. She didn't care, she just wanted to put distance between herself and the bunker. Once inside she relaxed and sat down. The room was simply furnished, two easy chairs, a small table and a long dresser. On the dresser were several boxes of hairdressing equipment and materials. There was also a heavy wooden box with a very large lock. She was no longer in view, so the tail positioned himself where he could watch the front and side entrances of the house. After half-an-hour of just relaxing, Carmelita went to the locked box on the dresser, unlocked it and removed the folded piece of paper from inside. She also took a small red and blue broach from within and pinned it on her dress over her left breast. Grabbing a carrier bag and her purse, she left and headed towards the shops. Outside the Caf? del Sol she paused to see if she was still being followed. She was a touch amateurish with her check, but then she wasn't used to this spying lark. She was sure of one thing, three men at the caf? had noticed the broach she was wearing. She picked up a bag of treats and paid for them and then continued to walk, indulging in the treats as she went. Eventually she wiped her fingers on the tissue, pushed the tissue back into the bag and dropped it into the rubbish skip on the corner of the market. Her tail followed her into the market. The second man, who had started to trail the follower after the caf?, went straight to the skip and retrieved the bag, found the note and returned the bag to the skip. He then turned and headed for the British Embassy. Carmelita spent a long time but little money, in the market and returned home. Her tail, disgruntled by the traipse around a crowded market was pleased to be relieved once they got back. He returned to the Ministry building and reported to Constantine that Carmelita had gone home, had a short rest, then went to the market. The contact arrived back at the Embassy and made his way to Reeves's office. "What are you doing here Henderson?" He asked. "Message sir, dropped off by that hairdresser woman again." "Sure it wasn't a trap?" "She was followed sir, but she played him almost like a pro. Treats from the caf? on the way to the market, then dump the message in the bag. Neatly done too, can we recruit her properly later?" "I'll think about it. What's in the message?" "I thought you should have the honour sir." Reeves opened up the note and spread it out on the table. "Situation dire, not myself anymore. Use R & O as liaison. Leia, I am your father." "Somebody boo-booed, this message is fake," Henderson said. "No it confirms something I have been dreading. Right. Make the approach, Rodriguez and Ortega, if they support our bid to reclaim the refinery as a British possession, we will help them clear the booby traps from all their equipment." "Yes sir," Henderson said, adding, "What about Captain Barker sir?" Softly Reeves said: "I think we've lost that battle." Reeves then raised his voice. "Barb! Get me London." ***** The ruined house was quiet as the group of British soldiers approached. Only one man stood in the ruins, waiting for the civilian accompanying the soldiers on their way to the house. The lone man came forward. "Welcome to Germany Lord Frasier." "Professor Heinmann. I must ask you, where are your materials, your notes?" "Quite safe your Lordship." "We will need them." "Once my sons are safe." "We can provide for you Professor; we do not have facilities to look after your children. We can get them to France, I presume your wife will be looking after them?" "My wife died in Dresden Lord Frasier." "Oh, sorry. Where are they?" "A small private hospital near Leipzig, along with my notes and three subjects." "Then we have a problem Professor. Because your deal is with us, but the Americans are closing on Leipzig as we speak. They may even have entered the city." "Then I have to get back, move them all." He turned and went to move toward a Mercedes 260D parked nearby. One of the soldiers in the party raised his rifle. "Halt." "I have to get my boys, and your papers." He almost spat the last half of his sentence. Lord Frasier pushed the rifle end down. "Go." Werner Heinmann got into the car and drove off towards the hospital, he never made it back, his car was caught in the middle of a fire-fight, so he didn't make it back. His sons were rounded up with everyone else in the hospital, but no papers were found. The younger lad, who straightened everything, kept reading the note that his father that he had given him in the car on the way to the hospital, over and over. The promise of a new life, somewhere else, away from the Nazis, the Russians and the Americans. 'William Peter Barker, the Earl Frasier has offered us a way out. I am meeting him tonight.' ***** Back in his hotel room, Johan buried his face in his pillow and tried hard not to release the tears threatening to overwhelm him. He had come to like and respect Ray Barker, who had made time to spend with him when he was at his lowest learning to walk with the prosthetic leg. The shock of seeing someone who he knew, who now looked like his sister, in the hair salon of the bunker had been just a shock, but seeing Katie Fellows reborn had really freaked him. Even the tone of the voice was there. He could remember, with some regret at the passing, how he had been almost indispensable to Alfreida when the original Katie had died. His father had to eliminate that, it would break the programming of Alfreida if she was fed the memory of Katie dying while looking at the woman supposed to be Katie. And now his Father, his Father, wanted him to make his friend into his sister. He gave up the unequal struggle and wept himself to sleep. ***** Out in the countryside a team of soldiers, following orders to look for Ray Barker in case he was still alive in the mountains, came across a mark-one Ford Escort parked in a cave. In the boot was a small, but powerful transmitter. All it needed was a power source. A very nervous Captain found a phone and called Headquarters. Major Hernandez ordered the car driven to the Capital. He then prepared for his meeting with Colonel Rodriguez. ***** Dannilo Marco was relaxing in the penthouse when Rodriguez was ushered in. He offered him a cocktail. Rodriguez declined. "What can I do for you Colonel?" "I need to know everything you know about this building," "You have the plans in the bunker." "Some of the plans Sir, someone has 'edited' the book with a razor blade." "What? Mother of God." "Who gave Heinmann access to the second floor room?" "I signed the authorisation, it was a store-room." "No sir, it is the external communications control room for the presidential bunker, I believe it can monitor and communicate to every part of the bunker." Admiral Marco had the good grace to look completely shocked at how he had been duped. "It was Captain Castellano who arranged everything." "Him again?" "Admiral, I need to know who you have working for you, where they are and who they report to. Because I believe your Interior Ministry has been completely compromised. I also believe that the Vice President has also been compromised and that the President's life is under threat." "Impossible. Dr Heinmann has assured me that everything is going well." "It is Dr Heinmann who is the threat Admiral. He had used Dr Montoya and Dr Mendez to reshape and gender change the Englishman and Colonel Alvarez so that he can use psychological and hypnotic therapy to give them new personalities, for his own ends." "What ends?" "To recreate his daughter and her friend. Both of them being dead." Rodriguez spent the next half hour describing, in some detail, what had happened to Barker and Alvarez and the lengths Heinmann had gone to in achieving his aim. Marco's expression went from complete incredulity to burning anger as the full extent of Heinmann's actions were explained. At the end of Rodriguez's explanation, he went inside the bedroom of the penthouse. He returned with a file which he handed over. "Every contact that Castellano hired and the list of my people in your department. I can hire new ones once this is sorted. Besides, we are colleagues, and if Cortez is promoted to replace Torres you may be moving up to his job, so we need to be friends." "You had this ready?" "Yes, I thought you would need it after your last contact." It was Rodriguez's turn to be surprised. He took the papers and left, making sure he got clear of the building without incident he then made his way to Headquarters, where he expected to find Cortez and Hernandez to speak to them about what was next. ***** Reeves picked up the telephone and waited for a second for the privacy protocol to initiate, he was just about to ask for Sir Thomas when the voice on the other end said: "Hello Paul, what have you found now?" "Tom. Bad news I'm afraid." "'Leatherman's' dead?" "Worse, Bookworm has his daughter back." "You have confirmed this?" "We got a message from 'Leatherman', couriered by the hairdresser I told you about. It was probably written when the other note was written, but with a 'hold until' attached. The code phrase was 'Leia, I am your father'." "I see. You are sure it was from Barker?" "I'm having the handwriting checked, but yes I'm sure." "What makes you think Bookworm has his daughter back?" "The full message is 'Situation dire, not myself anymore. Use R & O as liaison.' And the code phrase." "The combination of 'not myself' and the use of 'Leia' are your clues?" "Plus the other hints. If Bookworm is programming Ray as Alfreida then the body has to be right, otherwise it just wouldn't work. So we have to assume that Ray is now, what was the name you said he used in school?" "Rachel. " "Okay, so Rachel is now Joanie on the spot. If we pull her out of this, she's going to need some support." "You made that switch quickly." "I have to be able to cope with quick changes of policy. And it's been on my mind since I decoded 'Tootsie'." "Okay, let me know if we still have an asset and what shape that asset is in." "Thanks Tom." "You must be shaken. Talk soon." The line went dead and Reeves re-cradled the handset. "'Bye T," he said, finally realising what had been meant. He slipped the note into a file marked 'Operation Gusher', 'Top Secret' and returned the file to the central drawer of his desk and locked the drawer. ***** Rachel finished her bath and dried herself off. She wondered if there was a way of occasionally shutting off the Alfreida memories that seemed to be accumulating in her head. She dried herself off and then turned to the basin to clean her teeth. She opened the new packet and slid out the toothpaste. A folded paper came with it. It proved to be another note. 'Alfreida, things are not as they seem, you are not to trust your father. The Force will be with you, Always." Rachel was astonished. The message was aimed at both her and Alfreida. Though how Alfrieda was supposed to understand the code phrase, she didn't know. The confusing things was, the box was sealed when she opened it. The message went down the loo like the other messages and she finished her cleaning routine and went into the boudoir to collect the reading material for the evening. It proved to be Vanity Fair and Burda Style. There were, of course, problems with reading in German, it joined the dots between Alfreida's memories and pushed Rachel's English back a little further into the recesses of her mind. Fortunately, she still had some English versions of Vogue and Cosmopolitan. Again she palmed the drug from the nightstand but drank the water and snuggled into bed. Once again she waited and the noises came. The night was a torment for Rachel as it was filled with memories from Johan, some of which were quite a surprise. ***** 34. Who to Trust? A blessed thing it is for any man or woman to have a friend, one human soul whom we can trust utterly, who knows the best and worst of us, and who loves us in spite of all our faults. Charles Kingsley ***** The next day Carmelita returned to work, wondering what new surprises would befall her. She arrived at the bunker through the staff lift, into the main reception. As she made her way to the salon she met up with Rosaria, who was also arriving, but through the barracks. Their conversation was brief and very quietly spoken, centring on what they expected now that Heinmann was in charge and had changed the two women that they had been working with. They got to the salon to find three soldiers waiting, without weapons, requesting hair-cuts. They quickly dealt with the bread-and-butter work that had been side-lined by the arrival of Ray Barker, so many months before. It was almost a relief for them to not have to correct behaviour or explain what they were doing. Rachel entered the salon about an hour after the women had arrived. She had bathed, dressed and eaten a light breakfast, delivered to her boudoir. She knew, from past experience, that the salon was monitored so she was wary of openly revealing her real mental state. The point was, she needed support if she was to remain herself and not fully become Alfreida Heinmann. "Good morning ladies, would you give me a manicure and facial and re- plait my hair... Bitte?" The last was a sop to the observers, to convince them she was Alfreida, while the request itself was to try and set the two hairdressers at ease. Carmelita prepared for the facial while Rosaria was called away to deal with another soldier. As Carmelita reclined the chair Rachel hissed quietly. "Carmelita, don't react, it's me, Rachel, I need help." Stunned for a second, Carmelita looked suspiciously at the blonde. "Please help me." That convinced Carmelita in Rachel's favour. She started the facial and, with surprising skill, spoke softly with barely any movement of her mouth. "I dropped off your final note. Was right?" "Oh yes." Rachel had a smile on her face that could have been from the facial, but was really because she was imagining how Reeves would have reacted. "I might need to send another." "I was followed, I am sure. It might be hard to do again." "It won't be for a while." The conversation died while Carmelita finished off the facial and moved on to the manicure. "Should I tell anyone?" She asked as she ran an orange stick under Rachel's nails. "Not yet, I need to find out what 'my father' has in store for me." "What you want me do then?" "Just remind me every so often that I am Rachel." "Si." The manicure was quickly completed as it had only been done a few days before, so Carmelita returned to the head of the chair and raised the back so that she could re-work the French plait. As she worked, Rosaria came over to join her friend. "Morning Fraulien," she said, not aware of the contact between the two. "Morning, Rosal.. Ah Rosaria. Thanks." "For what?" "For politeness, I feel you not used to me?" Rachel fell into Alfreida's speech patterns a little too easily for her own liking, but it was the best cover she had. "You new here. I try be friendly." "Thanks. Is my father due?" "We don't know fraulien. Dr Heinmann didn't visit us often until you arrived." Conversation turned to other subjects at this point, returning to an almost pre-Alfrieda level of topics and animation between the three women. The arrival of Katie, however, put a dampener on it as the women were still in shock from the dramatic change that had occurred only a couple of days ago and none of them were sure where her allegiance lay. "'Lo sweetie. Funny eggs this morning, no bacon. Shame.... Oh, where's that Sofia, I owe her an apology. She did do the back of my hair right. I checked the piccies in the mag." Rachel sat up and looked at the woman. "Good morning Kath." "Frieda, your old man joining us again today?" "I have no idea." "Bloody hope not, he gives me the willies. I know he's your dad an' all, but he creeps me out big time, always has." "What was the last thing you remember Kath?" "Before here? Not quite sure. I have a vague recall of getting into a jeep." "That's right. Okay Kath, I won't go further. What about your childhood?" "Who remembers that! School was a pain." "Maybe in England." "What's your last memory 'Frieda?" Rachel searched the implanted memories. "Flying into Tripoli with Johan and renting a car. Don't remember anything beyond that." "Tripoli?" "Unfortunately you were in intensive care. Johan and I were... I can't remember why we went to Tripoli." Rachel found that the memories stopped at that point and she daren't use Ray's because that would reveal too much. Conversation sort of died at that point as Carmelita completed the plait and secured the hair with a band. Two soldiers then came in, a Sergeant and a Corporal. "Captain Constantine says the women are to exercise with us in the Gym." "The Sergeant says you are to exercise with them next door," Carmelita translated to Katie. "Exercise how?" Rachel asked. "What exercises?" Carmelita asked. "Self-defence." Once the translation was made both Rachel and Katie they nodded in agreement. Carmelita decided to join them, in case they needed translation, as, officially, neither woman understood Spanish. They made their way to the gym and over to the floor mats. "You watch, then practice," the Sergeant said in halting English. He then set out to attack the slightly smaller Corporal. Katie watched closely, as the taller of the pair, while Rachel appraised the techniques. She appreciated the idea of having the smaller man on the defensive, as both of them were smaller than the Sergeant and she was fractionally shorter than the Corporal. "Now you." He pointed to Katie and indicated that she take the Corporal's place as the victim. Katie was a little slow to learn, which worried Rachel a little, as it had been Katie who had taught Alfreida all those years ago. Rachel had watched the Sergeant for a couple of attacks when the Corporal suddenly came at her. Instinct, training and muscle memory came together in concert as she parried his attack, using his momentum to throw him to the floor. She looked down at the Corporal in astonishment, amazed at how she had compensated for the reduction in her strength from all the treatments she had undergone. She looked up to find Carmelita smiling and clapping. "Well done Miss." "Luck." The Corporal dusted himself down as he got to his feet, then charged again. Once again instinct and training had him flying across the floor. Suddenly the Sergeant dropped Katie and turned, grabbing Rachel in a neck lock. Rachel tensed her throat muscles and relaxed her legs, then she hooked her right leg through his and pushed up with her left, hooking his leg forward while pushing backward. To protect himself from the backward fall, the Sergeant let go of her neck, but she allowed herself to fall with him, using him as the break-fall then rolling off of him to get clear. He hit the ground safely, but Rachel landing on him winded him badly. "Not bad kiddo," Katie said as Rachel sprang to her feet. "You were faking I hope?" She replied, knowing that Katie should remember teaching her. "Been too long in hospital sweetie, out of practice and no stamina." The Sergeant finally got to his feet and looked at Rachel with new respect. He pointed to the punch bag. "You get rid of your energy on that." Carmelita was smiling as she translated the instruction, then fetched a pair of boxing gloves from the cabinet. Once ready, Rachel started working on the punch bag, assisted by the Corporal, while the Sergeant worked on toning up Katie's muscles and reflexes. Neither man had an explanation of why they had to know self-defence, only that they had been told to train them, every morning until ordered otherwise. Rachel took a shower after an hour and a half punching the bag and doing chin-ups on the parallel bars. For the first time since Ray's capture, she felt whole again, and even found that Alfreida's 'personality' had backed off a little. Now if she could get hold of a gun... Once the morning 'exercise' was over, the three women were invited by the soldiers to get lunch in the canteen. Rachel looked at Carmelita, then at Katie, who nodded. They went to the canteen area and joined the throng of soldiers having their mid-day meal. It was a whole new experience for Rachel, being in the company of so many men, knowing she was a woman and all that that entailed in a highly Macho environment. At least Carmelita was with her and, in the guise of Alfreida. she was ignorant of Spanish so she could gather intel from the conversations around her, something that might give her an edge if the opportunity to escape came up again. ***** That morning brought an end to a sleepless night for Rodriguez. His conversation with Admiral Marco, the subsequent long conversations with Hernandez and the news that Barker's missing Ford Escort had been found had kept him busy for the entire night. That car wasn't expected to arrive at the Capital for another half-a- day, so he considered going and getting some sleep, just as a catch-up, when his phone rang. "Rodriguez. Yes Sergeant... Really? Should I? Then keep an eye on the situation would you." "What situation?" Cortez asked as he entered the office. He also looked like he had not slept, although Rodriguez knew that the General had snatched a five-hour nap in his office. "It seems that Herr Doctor want's his daughter and her friend to be able to defend themselves. I have a couple of men there who do not like the current regime there, under Heinmann, who keep me informed when they can." "Good, we may well need them. How did your conversation with Marco go?" "Not well!" Rodriguez replied, signalling quiet and then tapped his ear and circled the fingers, looking around the room. "Well, let me treat you to breakfast then," Cortez announced. "Thank you sir." They left the office and made their way to a local caf? where Cortez was well known. They surprised the proprietor by asking for a table in the kitchen, but he gladly obliged. Once they said down and began to eat, Cortez asked: "Well?" Rodriguez spent twenty minutes outlining what Marco knew and what he suspected, a lot of which chimed in with what the two of them had come up with anyway. Most of it revolved around the First Lady. Rodriguez had his Cuban information, some of which he was still to read. He opened the briefcase, which he had taken with them. Cortez decided to help out by reading the information about the President, while Rodriguez got to read the file on Magdalena Mirando. It was about thirty pages into the second report that Rodriguez gasped and thumped the table. "I don't believe it!" "What!" "A girl with the same name as our First Lady died aged seven months, in Havana. But the passport was issued and 'she' moved to San Carlos twelve years ago, along with her physician." "Anyone we know?" "Juanita Juliana Sanchez-Montoya de Carlo. MD, AACU, lapsed. Trained as a Urologist at Johns Hopkins and Montreal General, Speaks local Spanish, English with an American twang, some French and some German. Born locally but moved to the States at a very young age, which is why she prefers speaking English to Spanish. Moved back to San Carlos with her 'friend' Magdalena Mirando." "You think?" "I'm almost certain, if I could only get some information from the Americans." "Talk to the English. They want to negotiate anyway; it would be the perfect cover to get other intel. We are in a hole Paulo, we have a compromised President and a lunatic German who seems to think the San Carlos Government and its entire military are at his beck and call. I like the President, but we need this sorted, before we lose any more members of the government to little accidents. I'm not a fool Paulo, I have been monitoring your investigations through Hernandez, you may be surprised to find that I not only approve, I am impressed by your diligence, perception and discretion. I'll get Marco's okay on the conference, the British should be pushing for talks soon anyway, the German Oil comp