"And if he couldn't?"

"What do you think happens to traitors?"

"He'd kill him," she whispered.

"He's a dirtball," Joe said harshly. "Even Soldono admitted that Gonzales was every bit as much a criminal as Montalvo. He just wasn't as smart. That's why he was trying to find a way to get him out that wouldn't involve an innocent U.S. citizen."

"He was helping the CIA."

"For money, Eve. For money."

"Yes, but he…" She moistened her lips. "Life is precious. I could save him."

"And get killed yourself."

She rubbed her temple. "I know. I'm just trying to think of a way…How much time do we have?"

"Not enough."

"How much?"

He glanced at his watch. "Twenty-five minutes."

Shock jolted through her. "My God, and you weren't going to tell me?"

His lips twisted. "Evidently I was or I wouldn't have done it. Maybe I was just trying to save my ass when you found out later."

"Call Soldono."

"No, you're not going."

"I didn't say I was. Tell Soldono I'll talk to Montalvo. Maybe I can stall him until the CIA can free Gonzales."

Joe stared at her without speaking.

"Dammit, Joe. I don't care if he's a crook. Maybe he was trying to change if he was working with the CIA. What do we know? What will it hurt me to make the attempt to stop him from being killed?"

"I don't know and I don't want to know."

"Don't do this." Her hand clenched into a fist on the table. "There's too much pain in the world. I don't want anyone hurt or killed if I can prevent it. It's only a phone call, Joe."

He hesitated and then took out his phone and dialed. "It had better be only a call." When Soldono answered the phone, he said curtly, "Tell Montalvo she'll talk business to him if he wants to call her back."

"Jesus, you cut it close enough. I've only got fifteen minutes."