The Cofradia gang had been extremely lucky when it came to their leaders. Throughout the twenty years of their existence three of their members had emerged from the ranks to take over and direct their activities. Through diligence, cunning and ruthlessness, they had gained control over drug trafficking, gambling and even a brothel in which prostitutes from the outside were brought in once or twice a month. It was true these unfortunate women were the lowest of the low in their professions, but for men without women they were virtual goddesses, examples of the utmost in feminine beauty, and sex with them was heavenly when compared with having to use another man to relieve one's passions.
All the initial investments made by the Cofradia in blood and money had paid off handsomely. In fact, the businesses were so successful that legal currency was used in all transactions rather than bartering of goods such as cigarettes and candy as is normally done in jails. The latest of these leaders, Gordo Pullini, had carried on the good work with customary success, and the gang had eventually amassed a million pesos--$330,000 American--that were waiting to be used when the right investment opportunities came along.
The Cofradia had excellent relationships with several high-ranking guards through blackmail, favors and a generous split of the take on the drugs, gaming and sex. When the word came down from the guard commander's office that a transfer to a labor camp was available, Pullini jumped at the chance to get his boys outside the walls. This was an opportunity to realize a very special dream. If they could get free, their treasury could be used for an escape to Colombia, where they could buy themselves into the lucrative business of smuggling drugs into the United States and Europe. When Pullini told the gang his plans and that they would live in luxurious mansions with beautiful women all under the protection of the drug cartels, they enthusiastically okayed the idea.
Pullini arranged to sell their business interests to a rival gang called the Culebras--the Snakes--for another million pesos. This brought their total treasury up to $660,000 American. After bribing the guard commander a measly $10,000 not to search their persons and belongings when they left the prison, the gang waited patiently for the trucks to show up to take them out to their great adventure.
NOW the Cofradia were in their camp within Fuerte Franco. Their money was still hidden away among their possessions. The Falangists were not properly trained or experienced in maintaining custody of convicts. Their search activities were pathetically inadequate when pitted against men who had lived for long years filled with subterfuge and secrecy in the bowels of confinement.
A sharp whistle from a lookout alerted the gang that someone was approaching the wire. The meeting quickly broke up as the convicts turned their attention back to normal camp life. Suboficial Adolfo Punzarron, recently back from his trip to Santiago, Chile, was at the gate with Coronel Jeronimo Busch.
"Oigan!" Punzarron yelled. "Listen up! All of you come over to the gate. Coronel Busch has something to say to you."
The prisoners dutifully walked from their rows of tents up to the camp entrance. Gordo Pullini pushed his way to the front. Busch looked them over, then spoke in a loud voice.
"Fellow fighters for Fascist freedom! We have learned that norteamericanos have committed a horrible crime at a nearby village. These were the notorious Green Berets who are well-known for their cruelty. They machine gunned every man, woman and child who lived in the little community of cattle herders. You will go with us to avenge these murders and kill the Americans. You will be given weapons and allowed the honor of participating in this act of sacred vengeance to be done in the name of Falangismo."
"Vivan los Falangistas!" Pullini cried. "Muerte a los Green Berets!"
The other convicts echoed the cry. "Long live the Falangists! Death to the Green Berets!"
Busch smiled. "You are showing the right spirit. We have not erred in bringing you into our cause. Do not worry, companeros, your time to fight is nigh."
"Soon you will have those weapons the coronel mentioned," Punzarron said. "You will be able to fight like men. Do you have any questions?" He looked at the convicts, who gazed back with blank expressions on their faces. "Very well. You are dismissed."
Pullini led his men back into the interior of the tent community as Busch and Punzarron watched. Bush frowned in puzzlement. "Have you noticed something, Suboficial? There are times when those convicts seem to be a well-organized group. It would seem they even have some form of discipline:'
Punzarron shrugged and shook his head. 'They are criminals, mi coronel. There are strong men among them who are the natural bosses. They have no leaders, only bullies:'
"Of course," Busch agreed. "They are nothing but common thugs. I doubt if they really have the intellectual capacity to seriously coordinate their efforts into any meaningful organized activity."
.
WASHINGTON, D. C.
WHITE HOUSE PRESS CONFERENCE
3 JANUARY
1000 HOURS LOCAL
WHITE House Chief of Staff Arlene Entienne stood in front of Press Secretary Owen Peckham at the entrance to the short hallway that led down to the pressroom. She reached up and straightened his tie, smiling encouragement at him. "Are you ready to jump into the fray?"
"No," Peckham answered candidly. "I can think of ten thousand places I'd rather be today."
"Any special plans on dealing with the onslaught?" she asked.
"I'm going to come out swinging," Peckham said. "And from that point on, I'll duck and punch, punch and duck, until the bell rings."
"That's the way," Entienne said. "Go get 'em! I'll be here waiting when you've finished. Just keep in mind that you've been fully briefed. Information is ammunition."
Peckham went through the door into the hall and strode the few yards down to another door. He stepped through it and walked to the podium. "Good morning," he called out in what he hoped was a confident, solemn tone. He did not want to appear as if he were looking for friends among the journalists who sat in the seats to his front. "The first thing I wish to do before I take questions from you is to state that the news of the crime in Bolivia that is on all the prime-time telecasts and front pages of the nation's metropolitan newspapers is an insult to the honor and integrity of United States Army Special Forces. No American servicemen were involved in the outrage. The President of the United States categorically and emphatically denies that any armed forces of the U. S. A. had anything--directly or indirectly--to do with the crime." He paused and exhibited a stern look. "All right. Questions."
A young woman stood up. "Bennington of the Boston World Journal. Are there any American troops deployed in combat situations in South America at this time?"
"Yes," Peckham said. "But allow me to qualify that affirmative response. There is no secret that we have several units supporting specific Latin American drug operations with the cooperation and coordination of local police and military. Many times these activities result in gun battles."
"Fremont of National Syndicated News Briefs," another reporter said. "Did the massacre mentioned in the news really happen?"
"Unfortunately, it did indeed occur," Peckham said. "The Bolivian government confirms the reports of the unfortunate incident and further acknowledges that the photographs of the victims are genuine."
Another man was called on. "Mackenzie of the Ontario People's Advocate. An eyewitness has been interviewed in the South American press. He said his wife and children were killed by the Green Berets. What is the United States government's reply to the man's charges?"