Chapter 14
The following day passed routinely for Cathy, with nothing more stressful than some nude sunbathing and reading in her room.
She took all her meals in her room, and after dinner, as she was absorbed in finishing another paperback novel, there was a knock on her door, after which Ramon entered.
"Senor Sanchez would like to see you, Senorita Cathy," he related.
"When, Ramon?"
"Right away."
"Very well."
Cathy was wearing her red bikini. She was certain that Luis Sanchez was in one of his horny moods, and would be wanting to entertain her in the privacy of his bedroom.
In place of leading her to Sanchez' bedroom, however, Ramon instead took her into the privacy of Sanchez' den. He was sitting behind a desk reading a book as she entered.
"I have brought Senorita Cathy, Senor Sanchez," Ramon said dutifully.
"Thank you, Ramon."
Ramon bowed and immediately left the room, shutting the door behind him, leaving Cathy alone with Sanchez. She was sure that, even though they were not meeting in his bedroom, that eventually that would be exactly where they would end up.
Sanchez set his book down on the desk, closing it. He looked into Cathy's eyes with great seriousness.
"I know that for some time you have been most curious about all that was happening here, especially the way that men like Velasquez and Gomez come and go," he began. "Well, the moment has arrived that you have been waiting for. I am now going to reveal to you about my operation."
She leaned forward in her chair, her heart pounding swiftly. Cathy sensed that a momentous occasion was at hand.
"My entire background has been in the intelligence field for different governments in Latin America," he related. "My compatriot Jose has been my assistant for years. Both of us have studied in your country, have worked on assignments in your country, and have lived from time to time in your country."
"No wonder you're so knowledgeable about our customs."
"Precisely. I, my dear young lady, was once known as the James Bond of Latin America. I was given a string of dangerous assignments. Finally I decided that it was time for a more peaceful life, and a less dangerous one. Even though I am not all that eager to take out a life insurance policy, it would be nice to know that I could if I wished to."
"I can understand that."
"So finally I decided to embark on a new assignment, one of entertaining distinguished civil servants and sometimes influential men in private industry of various Latin American nations in exchange for trade agreements or information that benefits various nations I work for. I think you can now begin to understand the picture better."
"Yes, and the vital role that girls like myself, along with Dolores and Mary, can play in this operation."
"Exactly. And I have girls at other stations, at other points throughout Latin America, and men who cooperate. We have to be careful about the women we let in, so often we bring them into the operation by capturing them, then leaving them in the dark about our operation. I have a specific reason for telling you all this now."
"Do you mind telling me what it is?"
"Yes. Tomorrow is the day you are slated to leave Mexico to return to Chicago and your job."
"You mean I've only been here two weeks?"
"That is all," he nodded. "With a girl like you I would ordinarily make an effort to ask her to stay here and become a part of our operation permanently, but I will not do that in your case. Unlike Dolores and Mary, who have adjusted to this life style, you would become restless and would be better off returning to Chicago and the law firm on La Salle Street where you work. In my estimation you would be foolish if you did not go back to John Macon and give him another chance."
"You know about that?" she shrieked with astonishment.
"You must remember that I have links in the intelligence communities in many nations, American included. I have ways of finding things out. I have checked you out thoroughly."
"You didn't talk to John, did you?" she asked with concern.
Sanchez shook his head.
"I operate more discreetly than that," he told her. "I have just made certain inquiries."
"I don't want to go back to him," she snapped.
"You can forget about the affair he had with the other woman. That is over and done with. Macon loves you. My feeling is that he simply did that to teach you a lesson. He didn't feel you were willing to extend yourself far enough. I believe that this experience has turned you into a different person. I think you're in a better position to adjust. At any rate, Macon has become a lonely and distraught young man since you left him and left the city."
"He has?"
"Definitely. You would be wise to give him another chance, particularly since it is my definite impression that you have strong feelings for him."
"Leave it to you. You can figure anything out."
"It is my business to figure things out," he grinned.
"You're not afraid to let me go?"
"Not at all. I have influential people in your country and elsewhere who, if needed, would give testimony and aid in other ways if anyone ever reported me. In addition, there were films taken of your sex activities, or at least many of them. In every case the male figures were silhouetted whereas you were clearly visible. I have never had occasion to use these films in the past, and I have kept them for insurance in the cases of other women, but they are stored in a vault just in case they are ever to be needed. Just as protection and nothing more. I have taken precautions against future repercussions."
"I can hardly believe that this whole thing is actually at an end," she shook her head.
"Have a pleasant evening," Luis Sanchez smiled, "and best of luck to you, my dear. Ramon will drive you to the airport tomorrow morning at ten. Goodnight and goodbye."
As she got up from the chair and walked toward the door, Luis took her in his arms momentarily and kissed her lips.
As she walked back to her room, escorted by Ramon, Cathy Hendricks felt as if her legs were turning to jelly. She could hardly believe that her ordeal had come to an end, and the oddest thing of all to her was that one side of her would be definitely missing this bizarre hideaway where she had spent the most revealing two weeks of her life in a captive situation.