Free The Argentine Triangle: A Craig Page Thriller by Allan Topol

economy. Those who do business abroad are scared shitless that one of their execs will be kidnapped and held for ransom. It’s a tough world to do business in. One man’s nightmare is another man’s dream. Clients are flying in through the door.”
    Tim pulled back and studied Craig, dressed suavely in a double-breasted charcoal Brioni suit with a muted stripe he had bought in Milan. “Look who’s talking. The new Craig Page, whoever that is …”
    “Barry Gorman.”
    “Okay. Barry Gorman is obviously doing well.”
    Craig smiled, pleased that he had taken on the aura of a wealthy businessman.
    “I need your help,” Craig said.
    “Anything for you.”
    “Betty Richards sucked me back in for a special assignment. I’m on my way to Argentina.”
    Tim’s eyes sparkled with intensity. “Trying to penetrate Estrada’s organization.”
    Craig pulled back in surprise. “How’d you get there so fast?”
    “I do work for a multinational pharma company with a large plant outside of Buenos Aires. They’re afraid they might be nationalized if Estrada takes over the government.”
    “Does that pose a conflict for you? Working with me.”
    Tim shrugged. “I doubt it. Ms. Richards has to be against Estrada as well. Too much instability if he takes over the government. Besides, we build Chinese walls all the time. No other client will ever know what I learn for you.”
    Craig was satisfied. “I want you for a limited assignment. For now. It may grow later.”
    “Tell me about it, pal.”
    Craig reached into his briefcase, pulled out the picture of Gina and Bryce at the restaurant that Betty had given him and put it on the table.
    “Who’s the beauty with Edward Bryce?”
    “Gina Galindo. A journalist with La Nación , a BA daily. I want you to find out where she lives. Then plant a bug on her phone and in the bedroom. Tape every word that both bugs yield. Do transcripts. I’ll let you know where and when to deliver them to me.”
    “Is this all business, pal? Or are you trying to make the broad?”
    “Whatever gave you that idea?”
    “Come on. Give me a break. When we were at the Farm, women threw themselves at you. Other trainees, waitresses, even an instructor—what the hell was her name?—it didn’t matter. Every night my biggest goal in life was to get laid. Yours was to get a good night’s sleep and rest your dick.”
    Craig laughed. “So how are you doing now?”
    “I got married last year. I’m still trying to figure out how to get laid every night. Although I have to admit that having money sure helps with women in this town.”
    “Can we be serious?”
    “I was. Painfully so.”
    “Do you want the job I’m offering?”
    Tim pulled back and fiddled with a diamond-studded cufflink. Deep furrows appeared on his forehead as he pondered the request. Craig knew what he was thinking. Tim was probably at the point now where he made a good living operating within the law. Why jeopardize it?
    Craig reached into his briefcase and pulled out a brown envelope. “A hundred K in cash. All hundreds. Old bills. Serial numbers are all over the place. They can’t be traced.”
    Craig pushed the envelope across the table. Tim didn’t reach for it, but tapped his fingers on the marble top. Craig’s guess was that Tim would never pay taxes on the money. He’d plunk it down on a second home or a boat he’d been eyeing. In Washington, everyone had his price.
    “How long do you want me to do this?” Tim asked.
    “Two weeks max. Probably less.”
    “If I get caught, will Madame CIA Director step in and tell the FBI or local police to back off?”
    “Don’t get caught.”
    “I’m not planning to, but that’s not the question.”
    Craig sighed deeply. This was a tough one. He didn’t dare tell Betty what he was doing. She’d have a cow in view of her deal with the FBI not to do domestic surveillance. “I’ll do my best to get her help after the fact. That’s the most I can promise.”
    “That’s