King of All I Survey
Chapter 46: Can the Devil be Corrupted?

Chapter 46: Can the Devil be Corrupted?

A few words in Luis’s earpiece told him to stay quiet and let Maribel lead the conversation, but when it was possible, without causing undo attention to get her to a place where she could be retrieved by the LTIV booth. Use the post-hypnotic commands, if necessary.

As he watched Maribel face down this dangerous man, he marveled at her courage. It occurred to him that although he himself knew she had a shield ring, she had no idea. She thought Rafael was protected by a simple bullet-proof vest, while she herself was unprotected. Yet, she had charged into the gunfire even more bravely than the two men since both he and Rafael knew they had at least some protection from the bullets. Incredible.

Now, this new plan of hers... Could she make Rafael President? Why? He was a killer and a drug trafficker in league with the cartels of Colombia and Mexico. As president, he would command the army and the interdiction units. No good could come of that could it? His instructions said listen and wait, send her back as soon as possible. Maybe the bosses would talk some sense into her.

Rafael’s face also showed surprise at Maribel’s words. "President?" He laughed. "You know my reputation in this country, you think you can erase that to make me President? Why would you put a criminal in the Presidential Palace, Maribel? It seems like such a thing would work against your own goals."

"I would not put a criminal in the Presidential Palace," she replied coolly. "I would put a compassionate man who cares about his people there. A man who has the courage to run headlong to his own death, if necessary to reach his goals. A man who is not afraid to be redeemed. A man who can earn the title: Hero of the People. If you are that man, it could be you. Otherwise... I have no further need of you." She turned back to Luis. "People are on the way to clean this up?’

"Yes," he answered. "They will wait until we leave with Rafael. We cannot risk him identifying anyone."

Maribel turned back to Rafael, who seemed lost in thought. "Well Rafael, where can we drop you off? I suggest you lie low for a day. Take the time to consider my words. If you can restrain yourself from killing anyone until I call you again, we can talk more about our future. If not, then there will be no further need for us to talk. While you’re thinking about it, watch the news tomorrow."

"The news..." Rafael was confused. He didn’t know whether he should just shoot these two now, then go find the Commissioner, or go to Church and ask the priest’s forgiveness for his sins. He was just coming down from the adrenaline rush of the firefight and couldn’t think straight he decided. Maybe he did need to take a day to think.

"Take me to La Ciela. There is a small house around in back of the main structure. I’ll stay there for a day." Rafael told them.

They walked to Luis’s car without further conversation, each of the three lost in their own thoughts. Before he unlocked the doors, Luis opened the trunk. "I’ll need the bullet-proof vest back. Don’t worry, the car is armored," he told Rafael.

Rafael took off his shirt, then the vest, inspecting it before handing it to Luis. "They didn’t hit me with a single shot? What kind of incompetent fools did he send after me?" He wondered aloud, "I thought for sure that last shot from the first guy was going to spill my brains on the ground... He must have flinched seeing my gun in his face."

Luis tossed the vest into the trunk and closed it firmly. He used the fob in his pocket to unlock the doors and moved to open the rear door for Maribel. Rafael stood for a moment longer, looking at the trunk of the car.

When Luis closed the door on Maribel, Rafael asked "Why did you give me the vest instead of giving it to Miss Flores? She could have been killed."

Luis looked at him, "I didn’t think she’d need the extra courage to charge the gunmen." He turned away, opened the driver’s door and climbed in without another word. Rafael stared after him, mouth hanging open. For the first time, he realized that Maribel had done just that, unarmed, unprotected, running straight at the assassins even as he did. He got there first because he could run faster, but she hadn’t held back. If he had tripped or gone down to a bullet, she would have been right there to continue the charge and... what? Convince the assassins to drop the rifle and run for President? He laughed to himself at the thought. The sound of the engine starting woke him from the daydream, and he quickly climbed into the rear seat, opposite Maribel.

"You are a very courageous woman," he told her, "but tell me, if one of those bullets had hit me, and you were first to the gunman, what would you have done? You were unarmed."

She laughed. "Can I be honest with you? I was wondering the same thing as I ran. I just didn’t want to be left out of the action, I guess."

Rafael chuckled, shaking his head. "You know there is a word for people with as much courage as you have... they are called suicidal."

"I assure you that word does not apply to me, Mr. Camal de Leon," she answered, "I have much left to accomplish in this life."

"Does that include having a family, raising children?"

"I have..." She stopped, suddenly confused. She had been about to say she had one son. But, she had no children... She had never been married or engaged... a vision of a man she didn’t know passed into her thoughts. He was down on one knee before her, holding out a ring, his face a delightful mixture of joy and fear as he waited for her reply... Then it was gone. The fact that she didn’t recognize his face made her sad somehow.

Seeing her suddenly puzzled and sad look, Rafael quickly cut-in, "I’m sorry, I should not have asked such a personal question. Please forgive me."

She snapped out of her reverie, "If I cannot forgive that small sin, then what hope is there that I can forgive all your others?" They both laughed awkwardly at the joke, knowing that it was an uncomfortable truth.

The remainder of the ride to La Ciela passed uneventfully with small talk. As they approached the driveway, Luis asked, "There is a man with a handgun, in a second-floor room of the main building, overlooking the building in the back. Is he loyal?"

Rafael lifted his eyebrows and tilted his head. "How do you know this?"

Luis did not answer.

"Yes, I trust him as much as any of my close associates... Did he also receive your letter, Maribel?"

Honestly, she had no idea whether he was included in the list of 500 names who had been targeted for the overnight messages. If he was close to Rafael, then probably, but she didn’t want to guess wrong or give away her ignorance. "Maybe you should ask him..." She replied.

Luis pulled around to the location Rafael had specified. He turned toward Maribel and took her hand gently, raising it to his lips. He kissed it delicately, gentlemanly. "Thank you, Maribel, for an interesting dinner date. I will await your call eagerly... for a variety of reasons.

She watched as he walked to the door, entered a combination on the door lock, and entered. The thought of the man she didn’t recognize kneeling with ring extended appeared again in her mind... This time she recognized the face. It was Rafael Camal de Leon.