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sleep?”
    “You know I never kiss and tell.”
    Conner snorted loudly. “Yeah, right.” His head jerked toward a red light nearby as it suddenly came on. “Look. It’s the ‘record’ light.” He handed the headset to Armando. “Here, Casanova. You listen.”
    Within seconds after placing the headset over his ears, Armando looked earnestly at Conner. He then nodded confirmation as Conner guessed the call to be from Miguel Santiago.
    Conner clenched his fists and waited anxiously while Armando listened carefully to every word between the siblings. “Wow.” Armando exhaled when they hung up. He removed his headphones and carefully rested them on the table.
    “This is incredible, Mando. What did he say? Maybe we can skip the earlier recordings.”
    “It was mostly Daniela talking,” Armando explained. “Fortunately, she spoke enough for both of them. She went on and on about her new restaurant and practically begged him to come and see the progress.”
    “Did he commit to when?”
    “No way, not a chance.” Armando shrugged. “You know he never does. That’s what keeps him alive.”
    “I agree, but it’s different when he deals with Daniela. Santiago usually does whatever she asks.”
    “You’re right,” Armando agreed. “If she wants him to come, he’ll come, but he’s never going to say when, especially not over the phone.”
    “Well, that’s frustrating. Right now we’re in the exact same position as she is of not knowing.”
    “Not necessarily,” Armando said.
    “Why do you say that?” Conner asked. “How did they end it?”
    “Basically with Daniela asking when Santiago could make the trip and with Santiago saying he would come when he could.”
    “So tell me, then,” Conner pressed. “How are we in a better position?”
    “At least we know he is coming. Santiago’s hacienda is like a fortress, and just the chance of him leaving that security brings me joy.”
    Conner grinned at his partner. “It brings you joy, huh?”
    “It brings me great joy.” Armando leaned back comfortably in his chair and crossed his arms as he announced, “I give him a week.”
    “Only a week? Mando, do you really think he’ll go that soon?”
    “I really do. Remember, we’re talking about his baby sister.”
    “I understand that,” Conner agreed. “Although personally, I think he bought that new little toy for Daniela just to keep her out of his way.”
    Armando laughed. “I’d call that yacht a lot more than a toy!”
    “Not to Santiago. To him, the cost of her new restaurant is chump change.”
    “You’ve got the chump part right.”
    Connor nodded, stood to stretch his legs, and said, “Come on, we’d better go check in with the SAC.”
    “What about the other recordings?”
    “I think they can wait, but you make the call.”
    “You’re right. We’ll get to them later.”
     
    ***
     
    Kevin
     
    As Connor and Armando entered Kevin’s office, Kevin told Scott, “I call tell she’s a feisty one. She finally agreed to meet me this afternoon.”
    “Where did you decide?” Scott asked.
    “The Lighthouse. What do you think?”
    “Sounds perfect.”
    Kevin noticed Conner slide silently onto the credenza and waved Armando toward the last side chair.
    “Good morning, gentlemen,” Kevin said with amusement from behind his desk. “From the excited looks on your faces, I’m guessing you have some news?”
    “Do we ever,” Connor blurted. “Mando just listened to a live telephone conversation between Daniela and her brother.”
    Kevin and Scott both looked anxiously toward Armando.
    “That’s right, boss,” Armando confirmed. “Daniela is pushing him hard to come and see her.”
    “Do you think Santiago will venture out?”
    “Definitely,” Armando said. “There’s not a doubt in my mind.”
    “Tell me, Conner, do you agree with Armando?”
    “Sure do, SAC. I think Mando’s got a good feel for it.”
    “Like I explained to Conner,” Armando added, “Santiago