Chapter 21
John stood silent, watching blood ooze slowly out of the bullet holes in Pablo’s body. It lay limp in the chair, sad and empty.
He didn’t take much time to savor the moment. He pulled out his phone and placed a call.
“Esteban?”
“Go ahead.”
“Pablo is dead. I extracted the information. I’m sending you a recording now.”
“No. Wait.” There was a long pause. John heard the telltale clatter of keys, but that was his only clue to what Esteban was waiting for. “Carpenter, don’t send the recording to me. Or anyone. Even if they have authorization. Do you understand?”
John blinked. “Yes.”
“Good. Play the recording for me. Then delete it.”
“Sir?” It didn’t take an expert to know this wasn’t normal procedure. A sudden break from Esteban’s normally unwavering adherence to process sug
