MAMista. Len Deighton

wouldn’t give it to them. So the communists can do nothing other than build an economy based upon the drug traffic.’

      A dozen questions came into Lucas’ mind but he knew better than to ask them. Cisneros was a very tough man and none of this smooth talk could hide it. Lucas wondered what was behind this special treatment and wondered if by some magic the Webley–Hockley had got word of his arrest and told the British ambassador to intercede. He did not entertain this idea for long. The Webley–Hockley could not possibly have heard of his arrest. If they had, there was no way that the collection of superannuated half-wits that comprised the board would have taken any action. And lastly this was not a part of the world where the British ambassador wielded much influence. ‘You make a powerful case, Minister,’ said Lucas deferentially.

      ‘Then tell me about this fellow, Paz. Is he American?’ He pushed a button on his desk.

      ‘I don’t know, Minister.’

      ‘He’s rich. It is not difficult to spot these rich college revolutionaries.’

      ‘I suppose not,’ said Lucas, hoping that he wasn’t giving away a secret Angel Paz cherished.

      ‘Bring Paz in now,’ Cisneros told the box on his desk. ‘Let me take a look at him.’

      6

      TEPILO POLICE HEADQUARTERS.

       ‘And difficult to get out of the carpet.’

      Despite his US passport, Angel Paz had not been permitted to go free from the party at The Daily American. Angel Paz had pushed one of the policemen. He had refused to answer any questions. He had argued, shouted and told the police exactly what he thought of them. This had not worked out to his advantage. He’d been punched to the ground, kicked, strip-searched and ‘processed’. Hair cut, fingerprints taken, he’d been thrown under an icy-cold shower and then photographed for the criminal files.