Chapter 7

They arrived at the Mexican airport, and the plane landed safely. The spies were handed over to the Mexican police, and George and Dave found a way to avoid questioning by the police. They got out of the airport and hailed a cab.

Dave spoke to the driver in Spanish, asking for a good and affordable motel in Mexico City. The driver replied, “Lo entiendo, ustedes son nuevos en la ciudad” (I understand, you guys are new in town) while looking at them through the center mirror.

George felt uneasy about the question, so he looked at Dave, and when Dave looked back, George said, “What, man? You have to chill.”

“I just need some coffee, nothing else,” George replied.

“Dave, I need something to eat; I am hungry,” Martha said, looking at Dave.

George glanced out the window and noticed two guys wearing black polos, black jeans, and scarves tied around their heads. They were robbing a small jewelry store while two others stood outside, keeping watch for the police. George was angry but unable to take action at that moment.

“Hey man, did you see that? These motherfuckers are robbing the goddamn store,” George said, pointing in their direction.

“We don’t have to play the good guys here; we have to keep moving; it’s none of our business,” Dave replied.

George wasn’t happy but kept his cool. Martha needed to eat, so the cab driver took them to a small cafeteria near the motel. As they entered the cafeteria, they all took their seats, and the attendant came over to ask for their orders. George requested coffee and two chips with salad, Martha placed her order, and Dave did the same. As the attendant left to get their order, a man walked in wearing white trousers and a sky blue polo, with an eagle tattooed on his neck. As he passed by George’s table, George looked closely at the tattoo, and Dave noticed the focused gaze.

“Hey man, are you alright?” Dave asked.

“Nothing, man, I’m okay,” George replied.

However, everything was not alright, as George had encountered guys with the same tattoo before.

Flashback

George ran toward a car, got in, and drove off. He arrived at an abandoned building, which served as a safe house for the military in Italy.

“I’m sorry if I’m late. I had to rush here,” George said.

“We have an eye on one of the suspects; he needs to be captured alive,” Charles said.

Charles was George’s senior officer. They were on a special mission in Italy, tracking individuals involved in human tr****ing. Five military officers, including George, were assigned to monitor the activities of these traffickers and apprehend those involved in the tr****ing.

On the screen, they saw a guy entering a jewelry store, and George was ordered to track him without being noticed.

George drove to the jewelry store and entered, but he couldn’t find the guy. He communicated with his colleagues using a wireless earpiece.

“I can’t find the target,” George said.

“We have eyes on the store; he is still inside. Make sure you remain undetected,” Charles instructed.

George scanned the store and subtly looked at the ceiling, where he spotted a hidden CCTV camera behind a ceiling fan.

“There is movement at the back of the store. Maintain your position and ensure you’re not caught,” Charles relayed through the transmitter.

George picked up a bracelet and a golden wristwatch and approached the lady at the desk.

“How much are these, ma’am? I couldn’t find the price,” George asked, placing the jewelry on the desk. The attendant, a busty blonde woman, glanced at George and then at her system to check the prices.

“The watch is four hundred pounds (400 euros), and the bracelet is two hundred pounds,” the lady informed George.

The suspected guy emerged from the inner room of the jewelry store carrying a small black bag. George observed him without direct eye contact. The suspect came to the desk, dropped a note for the lady, and George noticed an eagle tattoo on the suspect’s neck. The guy then left, and the lady picked up the note and turned to George, revealing the same tattoo on her right arm.

“Okay, I’ll take the wristwatch,” George told the lady, placing four hundred pounds on the desk and taking the watch.

“What about the bracelet?” the lady asked.

“Yeah, I don’t have enough cash with me, and I don’t have my credit card. I’ll come back tomorrow for it. Just promise me you’ll keep it for me,” George said.

“Oh, sorry, but I can’t promise anything. However, if you manage to come back tomorrow, you’re in luck,” the lady replied.

George smiled, took the wristwatch, and left the store.

“Where did he go?” George asked Charles.

“Come back to the safe house. That’s an order, George,” Charles responded.

“What the fuck, am...” George began to say but was interrupted.

“Get back now. That’s an order, George,” Charles repeated.

George, feeling frustrated, got into his car and drove back to the safe house.