“I don’t understand. This desire to return home is not for families or love? What are you going to do once you get back to the States with your new identities? You can’t just go get a day job because that seems too out of character. Pilots in the United States have to have background checks which new identities rarely pass. You can’t go back to your old locations and friends because the federales are hoping you’ll do just that.
“Even with what you have saved, which is commendable, you don’t have enough money to retire. So logic suggests that you will end up in your old line of work: robbing banks and running drugs. You can do that from here, and it doesn’t require an identity change. With moving out the drug lords, the drug market could become lucrative again. We could hook back up the drug business, use our U.S. contact, Joel, and you could run it from here with our infrastructure. Of course, I’ll want a cut of the profits.” Carlos grinned and yet still looked sympathetic.
JC and Robert looked at each other at the thought of the proposal. They had not considered some of the points that Carlos brought up. Neither of them shook their heads in denial of Carlos’s statements. He waited a while to let them mull the proposed transfer of the business.
Carlos emphasized, “However, if you still want to go, then I understand and approve. But here is the deal. Don’t come back here under any circumstances. You two cannot come back, ever.”
JC is taken aback a little and asked, “Why couldn’t we come back? I mean I wasn’t planning on coming back. Like I told you, I’m homesick and don’t want to come back here. No offense, Carlos.”
“The rule stands. If you leave, don’t come back. I will shoot you on sight with no questions and no discussion. Do you understand?” The look in Carlos’s eyes meant business.
JC and Robert look puzzled at Carlos and then at each other.
Carlos then clarified to make certain there were no doubts. “If you didn’t save enough to retire then you will be back at your old jobs where you will get sideways with the federales again. Once you are caught, one of two things will happen. The first is, they will throw you in jail for the rest of your lives. The second is, they will offer you a deal to help bring down our organization for the chance to be with your friends and family in a normal life again. If you show up down here again, I will be forced to assume you cut a deal to sell us out to the federales. So as soon as I see you back, you’re dead. Now do you understand?”
JC and Robert realized that Carlos had painted a fairly bleak future for them and nodded their heads. They needed to be certain that they wanted to make that one way trip.
Carlos soothed with a partial smile, “I have enjoyed working with you boys and even have some trust in you for protecting our organization here. The only time we ever had a problem was when JC drooled on my pistole. I won’t insist that anyone stay who isn’t one hundred percent committed to working for this group. So if you must go, I understand, but my council is that you take the offer I made earlier rather than go back. At least you have a chance here to be your own person. If you have ladies there, consider bringing them here but permanently as well. However the ladies here can be quite heartwarming. It is your decision. I suggest that you talk it over and tell me in the morning. Comprendo?”
They both nodded and left, already talking between themselves.
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