Free A Sorority of Angels by Gus Leodas Page B

distressed. “Who’s following you?” He looked over at Steinerman. “Klaus are you having her followed?” he asked dismayed.
    Steinerman grinned searching to respond.
    Pilar looked innocent; waiting for a reply.
    General Marichal leaned back in his chair to avoid the triangle of this uncomfortable conversation.
    “Forgive me. I should have told you,” Steinerman replied. “Concern for your safety exceeded telling you. I didn’t want you alarmed or concerned.”
    The President looked pleased. “Klaus, you think of everything. With politically motivated kidnappings going on around the world you did right, but Klaus stop if it’s disconcerting to Pilar.”
    Steinerman accepted the perfect suggestion, nodded, and said to Pilar, “If you or the children are kidnapped it will place the President in a compromising position.” Steinerman appeared satisfied with his imperceptible smirk.
    “Mr. Steinerman, I see why the President has you as his senior advisor. Your concern for his family is appreciated and commendable. I’m safe here. Put your men to work doing something more productive.”
    Steinerman looked at the President, who appeared pleased with Pilar’s statement.
    “As you wish,” answered Steinerman.
    Pilar savored Steinerman’s discomfort. Her next punch should crunch them.
    “Good. Uncle Rafael, let me have the directions. I have to call Tomayo.” Steinerman and Marichal exchanged surprised and suspicious glances. “Mr. Steinerman, you remember Tomayo. He was at the airport,” Pilar added with conservative contempt.
    “Of course.”
    “He’ll be delighted to hear why I was followed. He had sinister reasons running through his head. Men! You’re always thinking the worst!” Steinerman forced a smile. “Have you met Tomayo, General?” Pilar said.
    “No, I haven’t. I do know he’s your brother-in-law.”
    “He’s coming out to spend the day with us tomorrow.”
    “And it’s about time!” exclaimed the President. He pulled a folded paper from his shirt pocket. “Here are the directions.”
    Pilar read the directions to assure his handwriting was decipherable. She stood and headed for the house. Marichal’s sexual mind massages for Pilar vanished. Concerned about Tomayo, he never looked at her as she walked away.
    Pilar called in the kitchen. Tomayo answered. She said Marichal and Steinerman were guests. She repeated the directions. He’d arrive by ten o’clock in the morning. A servant worked in the large kitchen. Pilar limited conversation. Tomayo understood her restrictions. Pilar lingered after hanging up.
    Did she overcook with Steinerman? She put him on the defense feeling confident he would avoid harming her here but had reservations as to letting Steinerman know of Tomayo’s arrival. Would it be better to surprise him? Uncertain, she left for her room and called Tomayo.
    “Be careful driving here. Steinerman may try to prevent your arrival. If the guard at the gate stops you from entering, blow your horn. The gate is about two hundred yards from the house. I’ll hear it.”
    “How’s it going so far?”
    “Uncle Rafael is terrific, the same. You were right about him being duped. See you in the morning and talk then.”
    “Since you’re concerned, I’ll bring Alejandro with me.”
    She hung up and headed downstairs with the sun lotion. Should she ask her uncle to take a walk to tell him about Carlos and devious sub-rosa plot?
    Pilar expected few private moments. She couldn’t trust the servants and felt positive Steinerman would concentrate on minimizing her privacy with Uncle Rafael. She decided to act innocent and implement a new tact, a new punch, a harder mental blow. She reached the table and sat.
    “Tomayo should arrive about ten o’clock, Uncle Rafael. Mr. Steinerman, should I notify the guard at the gate or should I wait for him there?”
    She decided to rid that obstacle.
    “Unnecessary,” replied Marichal. “I will notify my men of his