Luis said something to Cordero, though Brodie was pretty sure it wasn’t that. Luis said to Brodie, “He wants to see your passports.”
Taylor took out her forged passport provided by Worley. Brodie did the same.
Cordero looked closely at both passports, then glanced at Mr. and Mrs. Bowman.
It seemed to Brodie that Cordero was trying to decide whether this was a moneymaking moment or an opportunity to see if Mrs. Bowman’s blonde hair was her natural color. For sure he wasn’t thinking about doing his duty, whatever that was.
Cordero said something to Luis, who translated, “He wants to know why you are in Petare.”
Brodie knew that if Cordero did a simple pat-down and pocket search of him and Taylor, he’d find two photographs of Kyle Mercer. So maybe this was the time for a direct and honest answer. He pulled the file photo of Mercer from his jacket and held it up. “We’re looking for our friend. Have you seen him?”
Taylor shot him a look. Luis looked confused, but translated to Cordero.
Cordero looked at the picture of Kyle Mercer in uniform, then at Brodie. He had an odd look on his face. “Tu amigo?”
Brodie nodded. “Mi amigo. He has a beard now.” He rubbed his hand over his chin.
“Él tiene una barba,” translated Luis.
Cordero kept staring at Brodie. “You soldier?”
“No.”
“Amigo soldier.”
“Sí.” And a deserter. Cordero didn’t know that, but he apparently knew Kyle Mercer, and Brodie was happy to discover that his instincts were correct—the gringo was well-known in Petare.
Brodie asked, “Where can I find him?”
Cordero didn’t reply. He took the photo from Brodie and walked back toward the truck, then whistled to Rojas, who was now examining the Dart’s trunk. The four men crowded together in discussion. Brodie noticed that each man barely looked at the photo, though they all stole a number of glances at Brodie and Taylor as they spoke. There was a consensus, and Cordero walked back to Brodie and handed him the photo and their passports.
“You go.”
“Where can I find my amigo?”
Cordero gestured toward the road. “Go.” He said something to Luis, who translated: “We are very sorry for the inconvenience and wish you a beautiful visit.” Cordero turned and walked back to the truck. Brodie eyed the three other guys, who looked back at him with a mix of curiosity and what he thought was a touch of fear. Maybe respect. Apparently Kyle Mercer was one bad hombre. No surprise.
Luis climbed in and started the car. Before Taylor got in, she said to Brodie, “That was reckless.”
“Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”
“Please consult me before you risk our lives and freedom.”
“All’s well that ends well.”
“Any more clichés?”
“You’re beautiful when you get angry.”
“Asshole.” She got in the car and slammed the door.
Brodie got in the front seat and said to Luis, “Good job.” He said to Taylor, “We just learned something. Our man is well-known here, and he’s a very important gringo.”
Taylor thought about that and said, “I guess they would have found the photos if they searched us.”
“Correct.” He said to Luis, “Avanti.”
They entered the slums of Petare, and Brodie asked Luis, “Will we get stopped by the police for a shakedown? A bribe?”
