Blood of the Assassin - By Russell Blake Page 0,22

on his life will take place while he’s in Mexico. A German – Werner Rauschenbach – is going to try to kill him. Your job is to stop that from taking place.” Godoy went on to explain about the German.

Cruz didn’t say anything for a few moments. “Why me? Isn’t this more the territory of the security force that guards the president?”

“In theory, yes, but you made quite a reputation for yourself with the capture of our own super-assassin, El Rey. The president is very impressed with your performance, and your name was mentioned as the perfect candidate to head up a team. So you’re a victim of your own success, I’m afraid.”

Cruz knew better to fight this if the president was involved. That was a battle he couldn’t win.

“Fine. What resources do I have access to, and who do I talk to in order to get all the information you have?” he asked.

“You’ll be coordinating with CISEN.” Godoy held up a manicured hand at the expression of distaste on Cruz’s face. “It will be your show, but the information came through them, so they’ll stay in the mix. No way around it.” He glanced at his watch. “Commandeer whatever staff or resources you require. There are no limits, within reason, on this. Oh, and one other thing.”

Cruz waited for what he was sure would be another piece of bad news.

“CISEN has graciously agreed to provide a liaison for your team, as well as an expert in these kinds of things. I think we’re fortunate they are providing the expert, but it will cause some friction, so I want to head that off now.”

Cruz rubbed his face with one hand, feeling ten years older than when he’d walked into the room. Godoy had that effect on him – he was like a dwarf star that sucked any positive energy out of the surroundings.

“You’ll have to put aside any animosity you have, in the interests of the country. I know that won’t be easy, but you’re a professional, and I expect you to behave professionally,” Godoy warned.

Cruz’s gut did a somersault at the preamble. Whatever this was, it wasn’t good. “And...what specialist does CISEN propose I work with on keeping the Chinese leader safe?” he asked, afraid to hear the answer.

Godoy leaned back, as though he was afraid Cruz might try to strike him. His eyes flashed with a decidedly satisfied look – a look that Cruz knew meant serious discomfort for him. Godoy hesitated, as though savoring the words he was about to speak, and then picked up his coffee cup and took a long sip before dropping his bomb with a smirk.

“El Rey.”

~ ~ ~

Cruz stared open-mouthed at the bureaucrat, and had to force his breathing back to normal before responding.

“Has everyone lost their minds? El Rey? Working with me? Absolutely not. That’s not an option,” he spat, furious at the suggestion.

“He was a professional assassin. He knows the ins and outs of how this sort of an attempt will be carried out. And he works for us now,” Godoy said reasonably.

“He is a killer. Completely without conscience. A murdering psychopath responsible for the deaths of countless police, politicians, innocents...”

“All that is behind us. As you know, he’s a free man with a presidential pardon. And he’s committed to stopping this assassin. And he’s part of your team, whether you approve or not.”

“No. I won’t do it. If you want my participation, that’s not negotiable.”

“Capitan. I understand you feel strongly about this, and you have some history with him, so I’m not surprised,” Godoy began.

“He killed my wife’s father, for starters, as well as some of my best men.”

“I’m not apologizing or excusing anything he did. But again, that is the past, and he’s now a CISEN asset, to be used for the nation’s good. I need you to put aside your dislike for him and work together. We don’t have the luxury of time to soothe everyone’s feelings on the matter. A hit man is coming for the Chinese – for all we know, he’s already within our borders – and he cannot be allowed to succeed. We have one of the foremost assassins in the world working for us, and we will use him to full effect. That makes perfect sense.”

“To you, maybe. He didn’t kill a bunch of your friends. And he didn’t murder your wife’s father...”

“Believe me, I’ve fantasized about how much it would cost to get him to do so...,” Godoy joked, and then