Here's chapter one, short and sweet...
CHAPTER ONE
THUNDER ON THE CARIBBEAN
Manuel Diego and his wife Lola were sitting at Senor Frog's in Playa Del Carmen with a worried look on their face. Manuel was a very wealthy man, he controlled most of the internet servers for the Yucatan as well as a lot of South America. Their only son, six year old Miguel had been kidnapped and held for a three million dollar ransom. The meeting had been set up for ten minutes ago and they still saw no sign of their son or his captors.
“Relax.” Felipe said, “They'll be here.”
“How can I relax? You told me not to even bring the ransom, you still haven't told us what you intend to do or how you are going to get him back!”
Felipe reached under the table and slid out two large suitcases. He looked around the bar, then laid one down and flipped the latches. He opened it briefly revealing neatly banded stacks of hundred dollar bills, then closed it again.
“You are paying the ransom?” Lola asked.
“It's not real money, oh it will pass any test I promise you. Andre printed these up on a laser printer. He used the same type of material that goes into all money, cotton and linen fibers. But the ink is special. It will fade within eight hours.” Felipe smiled.
“What good will that do? They will be outraged and come back for revenge! They may even kill him the next time!” Manuel said urgently but quietly.
“I know Hector Garcia, I promise you he won't send hired guns to pick up this amount of money. He'll let them do the exchange, but he will be nearby to receive the money himself. He wouldn't trust his men with this amount of money.” Felipe said, looking out to sea, “Here he comes now, late as usual.”
They looked out to see a very large white yacht with elegant lines motoring toward the shore. It slowed to a stop then dropped its anchor. The yacht swung on the tide until the stern was facing them.
“But once the ink fades, then he will be outraged.” Manuel continued.
“I told you to relax, I have this all under control.” Felipe smiled at them.
They heard the deep diesel engine stop then a large gate swung down on the back of the craft creating a ramp down to the water. Lola gasped and put her hands to her mouth as she saw them place little Miguel in an inflatable Zodiac boat. Three men pushed it down the ramp then got inside. They started the motor and approached the shore.
“Take the suitcases to the shore.” he told them, "Both of you."
They rose and walked down to the sandy shore placing the suitcases on the ground. The Zodiac quickly closed the gap and nosed ashore. One man got out as Miguel sat between the other two. Felipe watched as the men had a brief conversation, then the man took the suitcases and put them down into the boat. He opened one, then the other. He closed them and nodded at the other men who released Miguel. He got up and ran to his mother's arms. She hugged and kissed him, then they walked back to the table.
Felipe tousled Miguel’s hair, then reached into his shirt pocket and took out a small remote control with one red button on it, he handed it to Manuel, “As soon as the yacht starts its motor, press this button.” Felipe smiled.
They watched as the Zodiac nosed up onto the ramp. A man wearing a white leisure suit stood waiting for the suitcases to be handed to him. He placed them on the deck opening them and looking inside, “That is Hector Garcia.” Felipe said.
The men boarded and the Zodiac was pulled up, then the ramp closed. After just a few moments, the deep rumble of the engine sounded across the water. Manuel pushed the button on the remote and a huge explosion blew the entire yacht apart. A giant orange fireball rolled up into the sky as people along the dock and in the bar screamed in fright. A large cloud of thick black smoke roiled up into the sky, then slowly cleared. All that remained of the yacht was a lot of scattered debris floating and bobbing on the waves.
“A lot of witnesses will say that the yacht exploded as soon as the engines started . They will come to the obvious conclusion that they didn't use their exhaust ventilator fans as they should have to remove the fuel vapors from the engine compartment resulting in the explosion. No law enforcement officer is going to waste any time over a piece of shit like Hector.” Felipe smiled.
“What do we owe you?” Manuel asked.
“You owe me nothing, it is good to see your son returned and the family together again.”
“Thank you Felipe.” Lola said rising, hugging him and kissing his cheek. Manuel smiled as he shook his hand, “If I can ever help you, don't hesitate to call me.”
Felipe smiled, turned and walked away.
