Silent Partner

"Hey listen! I talked to Harry Woods again. He says Diaz and Blanco go back a long way, and Martinez and Diaz are pretty close. Sounds like Blanco might be using Diaz to play "negotiator" with Martinez, and is probably paying him well for it. Seen the Times lately? It ran a story the other day about how pissed off the Colombians are over the bad rep they have as drug dealers. It mentioned Martinez is trying to change that and have quotas raised to allow more Colombians into our country. What a joke. We don't let the good hard-working Colombians in but the drug dealers have enough cash to buy their way in.'

"Harry also found out something about Pedro Quero. When he died, he was working for Martinez. His personal counsel. Think about these four guys and their relationships. Then think about this article about Martinez and what he's trying to do for his people. Quero's death could tie into it all. Well, listen, I have to go. Let me know if you're coming. I'm gonna tell your brothers you're at the condo."

"No, Penny, don't tell them yet. Give me a little more time. I'll call you."

I hung up and lay back on the couch, pondering Penny's theory. It sounded like the Colombians were putting pressure on Martinez; Martinez had put pressure on Blanco and his cartel; and Blanco put pressure on Diaz to do something about it. If Quero had been close to Martinez and was advising him, he could be a key for Blanco and Diaz.

Keeping track of the Colombian names was giving me a headache.