Page 82 of Clive Cussler's Quantum Tempest

“And how many did we lose?” Olmedo asked grimly.

“Thirteen members from your security team were killed. Five wounded.”

“How many security people did you have here?” Linda asked.

“Twenty,” Olmedo said. “That means two are missing. I wonder if they were compromised?”

It wasn’t really a question. He turned to Cabrillo. “I don’t blame them. My enemies, though few, are wealthy, and our people are poor. The temptation is often too great.”

“We’ll keep searching for them, sir,” the sergeant said. “If they’re on the run, we’ll find them.”

“Thank you.”

The sergeant turned to Cabrillo and pointed at the bodies. “Thesependejomercenaries were highly trained, and their attack well planned. If you had not been here, my president and his family might have been captured or killed.”

“We were just doing our job.”

The sergeant’s fierce eyes narrowed as he threw a sharp salute. He held it until Juan threw a lazy John Wayne back at him. The soldier nodded and raced away.

Olmedo glanced back at the bodies, and then at his home. His face was grim but determined.

“Any idea who was behind all of this?” Cabrillo asked.

The president shrugged. “I have many enemies. Some political, some criminal. I would guess it’s one of the big gangs, MS-13 or Barrio 18.”

“You don’t sound convinced.”

Olmedo nodded at the corpses. “Those are professional soldiers. Some of them are even Tier One. That’s expensive talent.”

“I’ve heard of rumors of an organization called La Liga. Do you know it?”

Olmedo raised an eyebrow. “You are well-informed, my friend. My intel services tell me it’s a consortium of the largest Latin Americandrug cartels. Their sources say its leader is a Colombian named Amador Fierro. Supposedly, he modeled it after Sparta’s Peloponnesian League—the one that defeated Athens.”

“A drug lord and a history buff. Quite a combo.”

“Fierro is a highly intelligent man, and very gifted.” Olmedo waved a hand at the corpses. “My understanding is that he is more cerebral than visceral.”

“Even a cuddly panda will tear your face off if cornered.”

“We have no proof he’s behind this. I would prefer not to make him an even greater enemy with a false accusation.”

“Fair enough. I’ll have my people try and ID these mercs. Maybe that will tell us who ordered the attack.”

“Thank you. I’m sure you have access to greater resources than we do.”

“Is there anything else we can do for you, Mr.President?” Juan asked.

“Haven’t you done enough? You’ve saved my family, and saved my life. It’s kind of you to offer.”

“It’s not an idle gesture, sir. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”

Olmedo tugged at the back of his neck. “Actually, I do have a bit of a problem. Tomorrow morning I’m attending the opening of a rural hospital for Indigenous people.”

He turned to Linda. “Built with confiscated drug money, by the way, Ms.Ross.”

“I can’t imagine a better use for it.”

Olmedo turned back to Juan. “El Salvador has a long and ugly history with its Indian population. At best, past governments have made promises they haven’t kept. That’s why I can’t disappoint them. Would it be possible for you and your team to attend with me? As you know, I have no personal security team now.”