of the seaborne shipments were showing up in the Yucatan distribution centers and just a trickle in the Bahamas through Puerto Rico, overall a net loss. Baja distribution networks using the Pacific routes were down but acceptable, but his main territory was the Caribbean through Yucatan. While mules could be replaced with eager recruits, they were still an asset, and losing
all of them was bad for business and recruit training. He knew of the whispers on the waterfront: You move product these days and chances are good you won’t come back. His intel was drying up, as was his reserve cash.
And it wasn’t just Daniel; all the cartels were feeling the pinch.
Who could it be but the Americans? he thought as he sipped his coffee. Learning their tactics, and how to counter them, was his immediate challenge. The sun was up now, bright orange rays signaling that the day was here, reality was here. Sadly, the magical twilight period of tranquil magnificence in this lush tropical paradise had transitioned all too quickly to harsh responsibility.
Soft footsteps from the stairwell indicated he was about to have company. A moment later, Annibel appeared in her nightshirt with fresh cups of coffee for each of them. She placed a cup next to Daniel, kissed his head, and curled up on the sofa next to him. Lost in her own thoughts, she, too, gazed out at the sunrise as she sipped her coffee.
“Where are the girls?” Daniel asked.
“Emma is still asleep, but Juliana is up. She was up most of the night. Maria has her.”
Daniel admired his wife, the former Miss Aragua State, as she gazed at the dawn in silence. Hair tousled, no makeup, she still looked incredible. Her beautiful smile, however, was missing.
“What are you doing today?” she asked.
“Meeting with Marco and Paul at ten, then fishing this afternoon. Why don’t you join us?”
She took another sip and said nothing. She then answered. “No. I won’t have them leer at me, and who’s going to watch the kids?”
“Bring Maria and the kids.”
“No, Maria gets seasick, and I won’t subject the children to your crude language when you men are together. I’ll just stay here in this palatial estate — my prison.”
Here it comes, Daniel thought. He turned away as he shook his head. “Then go to Caracas. See your friends and go shopping. You can be there by lunch.”
Annibel shook her head. “No, I’ve been away from the girls too long, and I think Emma is coming down with something.”
“Fine, then, Maria can watch her, and I’ll send the plane, and your friends will be