Chapter Text
Duty's Price
Prologue
I moved the curtains aside and peeked out the window. There was no one outside on the streets. No cars passed. The absence of any people did not comfort me. It made me more apprehensive.
Come on, answer, I thought. Finally, the call connected. "International Federal Film, may I help you?"
"Yes, I would like to speak to Lee Stetson."
"I'm sorry, but Mr. Stetson is out of the office. Can I take a message?"
"Please! It's an emergency. I need to speak to him!" I said, fighting to control my anxiety.
"Can I connect you to another one of our directors? Ms. Desmond is available."
What to do? I did not want to speak to anyone but Lee. But I had to get word to him. "All right, I'll speak to her."
"This is Francine Desmond. I understand you wanted to speak to Lee Stetson."
Seized by panic, I could not speak.
"Hello?"
Finally, I found my voice. "Yes, I need to talk to Lee about an urgent matter."
"Can I have your name?" Her voice had softened.
I hesitated, then continued. "My name is Felipe Ruiz."
"Mr. Ruiz, Lee's a good friend of mine. You can trust me."
After a few seconds, I began to speak. "I'm one of Lee's Barnstorm people. A colleague gave me this information. Rebel elements of the Labado government are working to destabilize and overthrow the elected government. They want to form a dictatorship. All the evidence is on a roll of 110mm film.
Pacing around the room, I stretched the phone cord as far as I could, then looked out the window again. "They are after me, the people who are involved. I can not get out of the country. They are watching the airport."
I swallowed hard, my throat dry. "I need Lee to come here. I will give him the film. Tell him to meet me at this shop - La Guarida del Tigre at Calle Ricon 11 tomorrow at 7 pm. I know the time is short, but I cannot wait any longer, or they will find me and kill me. There's a room at the back of the store, that is where I will be. Lee should tell the clerk he wants to see the small tigers. And tell Lee his gift will be in the usual place."
"The small tigers," the woman said. "Present in the usual place. I've got it. Do you have a contact number?"
"No—no contact by phone."
"Okay, I understand. Are you in a safe place?"
"I think so."
"Try to stay indoors. Lee has a phone in his car. I'm going to call him right now and let him know he needs to get back here as soon as possible."
"Good. Thank you for listening to me."
"Lee will take care of you. You stay safe, okay?"
"I will try."
Hanging up the phone, once again, I peeked out the window. A car drove by slowly, deliberately.