The QE2 Is Missing

“More than good enough,” Diaz said. “You are here only because of us. Between us we uncovered this plot, brought you in and mind this chance to get the diamonds. If we can secure the diamonds and capture Marquez and Stroessner as planned, we will have succeeded in accomplishing everything that we set out to do. We won’t need arms shipments. That is asking too much. We can overthrow these people without resorting to more piracy. I will do what has to be done aboard this ship because it is the only way. We will capture this ship for a short period to take off these two criminals. We will not injure the QE2 or steal anything. I am a man of law, too. I will commit this crime to destroy the worst criminals in my country. That is enough. Taking them will stop the arms deal and remove their financing. Then we will have every opportunity to rise up and overthrow these oppressive regimes. I and my people will do this much — and no more.”

“More traitors!” Josep was snarling the words as he moved his gun back and forth between them. No one else moved. Hank was just as surprised as the rest of them when he found himself stepping forwards towards the waiting guns.

“I think we need a legal opinion here,” he said, as calmly as he could. “And I would like to speak on behalf of Josep and the Tupamaros. Will you listen?”

His words were followed by a stunned silence, broken only by the rapid whispering as one of the Tupamaros translated his words to the others whose English was not so good.

“We need no help,” Josep said. But the barrel of his gun was lowered and the tension was drained out of the situation for the moment.

“I’m not offering help. You said we must either be for you or against you. Well, I’m for you. We are on the same side. Now, if we can put the guns away for a moment we can settle the situation once and for all. This cannot happen again. We must stand together and not waste time bickering.” He turned to face Uzi and Diaz. “Do you understand this?”

Hank hoped the ploy had worked, hoped he had defused the situation at least for the moment. And at the same time wondered where he had got the nerve to turn his back on the guns. Particularly since he hadn’t the slightest idea where this was going. He had spoken on impulse, a trick he had learned in court, to make time for a witness to pull himself together or throw the other lawyer off his stride. And apparently the same technique worked here.

“We’ll listen to what you have to say,” Uzi said, stiffly. Hank had the feeling that Uzi knew just what he had done and was playing along with him. Diaz nodded agreement as well. Hank turned around again and tried not to show his relief when he saw that the guns had been lowered after all.

“I’m going back to basics. The Tupamaros were brought in with certain promises, Diaz — what were these?”

“We needed their help. We could not proceed with this kind of operation alone. We were to provide all of the intelligence, with the aid of your people, to find out just what was going on. We knew a large payment would be made and the general agreement was that we could cooperate to seize this payment and divide it equally. We would also attempt to capture those two swine. We would also aid in the capture of the Nazis.”

“That is all?”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure? No mention was made at any time of seizing the weapons shipment?”

“It was discussed, but no decision could be made until we had more information.”

“Josep — is this true?” Hank asked.

“Approximately.”

“All right then. Be specific, Diaz. Will your people help to capture the arms shipment?”

“I don’t know. We will just have to see what the plan is. But that is not important. Getting the diamonds is. We will cooperate in every way in that operation.”

“Is that a promise?”

“Yes.”

“I'll sum up then. My group will supply all the intelligence information in exchange for the war criminals. They will aid in this if they can — and will also do nothing to interfere with any action concerning the arms ship. Uzi, do you agree to these terms?”

“I do.”

“Then you, Diaz, will work to take the diamonds and the prisoners and will aid in any future operation against the arms ship if you are able?”

“Agreed.”

“There can be no turning back now. You will be bound by your word — or you will suffer the consequences.” Hank turned to Josep and spread his hands out. “There it is. You have won. They will do as you say and follow instructions. They will not interfere. My people have no interest in the arms shipment so they will neither help nor hinder in any way. The Paraguayans will do whatever they can to help when the time comes. So now we come back to the next step. Getting the diamonds. What is to be done next?”