Read The Ambushers for Free Online Page B

said, “It doesn’t much matter which one. Neither could hit the U.S. from down there. But there’s always the little ditch known as the Panama Canal, which is within range of both.”
    “Precisely,” Mac said. “A lot of the details of the mobile Rudovic system are still unknown here, but it has been definitely established that all models use nuclear warheads. Here in Washington it is generally referred to as the Moscow Mite.”
    “It may look small from Washington,” I said. “It doesn’t look so damn small when you see it from a bunch of jungle ferns just outside the barbed wire. Is there any word from President Avila yet?”
    Mac said, “The president is very busy with military affairs. Following the success of a daring raiding party that attacked the rebel headquarters and killed the bandit leader Santos, we are told, Federal troops have advanced into the area and are busy mopping up the disorganized remnants of the self-styled revolutionary army. As soon as the situation is stabilized, says the Ministry of State, a thorough investigation will be made.” Mac paused deliberately. “There is still some feeling here in Washington that it would have been very nice if you could have settled the matter while you were on the spot.”
    “So they’re still on that kick.” I turned to look at him. “Which officious jackass, of the dozens I’ve met lately, made the suggestion this time?”
    “The comment was made in conference Friday night. The name of the commentator will remain confidential. I pointed out that you had a specified assignment and carried it out brilliantly. Without specifying the nature of the assignment, of course.” Our duties are not supposed to be common knowledge, even among the higher circles of Washington officialdom.
    “Thank you, sir,” I said. “I suppose they think I should have stuck it in my pocket and brought it home for them to look at. Hell, it only weighs what? Five tons? Ten tons?”
    Mac said, “Well, there is no doubt that a sample of the Rudovic, any model, would be gratefully received. However, I doubt anybody really feels you were in a position to supply one.”
    “Maybe they can get it out of President Avila.”
    Mac said dryly, “The president of Costa Verde is our great friend and a true democratic leader of his people, to be sure. Still, I doubt anybody here wants to see him get his hands on a nuclear weapon. Nor does anybody have great hope that if he does get his hands on it he will turn it over to us.”
    “I see,” I said. “So I’m the patsy. Well, I could have died heroically shooting thirty-caliber holes in that overgrown firecracker, I suppose. Since I don’t have any idea where the thing keeps its brains, the chances of my doing any real damage would have been slight. And I’d probably have had to murder a Costa Verde Colonel to do that much.”
    “Ah, yes,” Mac said. “Your friend Hector. I can never pronounce that last name.”
    “Their jays are aitches, sir. The accent is on the second syllable. Himayness.”
    “A short evaluation of Colonel Jiminez is desired by the military.” Mac reached out and flipped a switch. “We are recording now. Subject Jiminez. Proceed.”
    “His men refer to him as El Coronelcito ,” I said. “That is an affectionate diminutive meaning The Little Colonel. Any resemblance to Shirley Temple is probably accidental.”
    “Shirley Temple?”
    “There was a movie, ‘The Little Colonel’, from a book by the same name. Or a series of books. For girls.”
    “Indeed? Go on.”
    “The most significant thing about Jiminez, I think, is that when informed he was to rescue a woman prisoner, he brought two women along without being asked. I don’t believe they were part of the normal task group organization, although they certainly pulled their weight right along with the men. I think Jiminez just figured our girl, if still alive, was apt to be in pretty bad shape and would prefer female attendants in her misery.