Arthur Hailey - Evening News

Speaking in mutually agreed confidence, Partridge informed Sergio of the latest developments and asked if the advice was still the same?

"If anything, stronger,” Sergio answered.”In exactly the kind of situation you are looking at, the government forces are notorious for going in with maximum firepower. They take no chances. They wipe out everyone, innocent as well as guilty, and ask questions after. Then, when accused of killing people wrongfully, they'll say, 'How could we tell the difference? It was kill or be killed.' “

Partridge was reminded that General Rafil Ortiz had said much the same thing.

Sergio added, "At the same time, going in as you plan, you are taking your own life in your hands.”

"I know,” Partridge admitted.”But I see no other way.”

It was early afternoon. For the past few minutes, Sergio had been fidgeting with a paper on his desk. Now he asked, "Before you came here, Harry, had you received any bad news? I mean today.”

Partridge shook his head.

”Then I'm sorry to give you some.” Picking up the paper, Sergio passed it across.”This came in shortly before you arrived.”

"This” was a Reuters news dispatch describing the receipt of Nicholas Sloane's fingers at CBA, New York, and his father's broken-hearted grief.

”Oh, Christ!” Partridge was suddenly overwhelmed by anguish and self-reproach. Why, he grieved, had his own planned action not been undertaken sooner?

"I know what you are thinking,” Sergio said.”But there is no way you could have prevented this. Not with limited time and the little information that you had.”

Which was true, Partridge acknowledged mentally. But he knew that questions about his own pace of progress would haunt him for a long time.

”While you are here, Harry,” Sergio was saying, "there's something else. Isn't your company, CBA, owned by Globanic Industries?”

"Yes, it is.”

The broadcaster slid a desk drawer open and from it removed several clipped sheets.”I obtain my information from many sources and it may surprise you that one is Sendero Luminoso. They hate me, but use me. Sendero has sympathizers and informers in many places and one of them sent this recently, hoping I would broadcast it.”

Partridge accepted the sheets and began reading.

”As you can see,” Sergio said, "it purports to be an agreement between Globanic Financial Services—another subsidiary of Globanic: Industries—and the Peruvian Government. The agreement is what's known financially as a debt-to-equity swap.”

Partridge shook his head.”Not my specialty, I'm afraid.”

"But not all that complicated either. As part of the agreement, Globanic will receive enormous amounts of land, including two major resort locations, for what can only be called a giveaway price. In return, some of Peru's international debt, which has been 'securitized' by Globanic will be reduced.”

"Is it all honest and legal?”

Sergio shrugged.”Let's say it's borderline, though probably legal. More significant is that it's an exceedingly rich deal for Globanic, a very poor one for the people of Peru.”

"If you feel that way,” Partridge asked, "why haven't you broadcast it?”

"So far, two reasons. I never accept anything from Sendero at face value, and wanted to check how accurate the information is. I have, and it's okay. Another thing: For Globanic to get anything as super-sweet as this, someone in government has been paid off handsomely, or will be. I'm working on that and intend to do a broadcast next week.”

Partridge touched the pages he was holding.”Any chance I can have a copy?”

"Keep that one. I have another.”

* * *

During the next day, Friday, Partridge decided one other matter needed checking before Saturday's departure. Had anyone else received the telephone number which had led the CBA group to the Huancavelica Street apartment, formerly occupied by the ex-doctor known as Baudelio, and now by Dolores? If so, it would mean that someone else could know the significance of Nueva Esperanza.

As Don Kettering had explained by phone on Wednesday evening, the FBI had access to the Hackensack cellular telephones immediately after their discovery by CBA News. Therefore it seemed likely the FBI would check the calls made on those phones and learn of the Lima number Kettering had given Partridge. From that point, it was possible the FBI had passed the information to the CIA—though not certain, because rivalry between the two agencies was notorious. Alternatively, the FBI might have asked a Peruvian Government department to have the number checked.

At Partridge's request, Fernandez paid a second visit to Dolores on Friday afternoon. He found her drunk, but coherent enough to assure him that no one else had been to the apartment making inquiries. So, for whatever reason, the subject of the phone number had not been pursued by anyone but CBA.

Finally, that same afternoon, through Peruvian radio, they learned the grim and tragic news of Angus Sloane's death and discovery of his severed head at the American Embassy in Lima.

Once the news was known, Partridge was quickly on the scene with Minh Van Canh and sent a report via satellite for the National Evening News that evening. By that time, too, other network crews and print-press reporters had arrived, but Partridge managed to avoid conversation with them.

The fact was, the horrible demise of Crawf's father weighed heavily on his conscience, as had Nicky's severed fingers. To the extent that he had come to Peru hoping to save all three hostages, he had already failed, Partridge told himself.

Later, after doing what was needed, he went back to Cesar's Hotel and spent the evening lying on his bed, awake, lonely and dejected.

Next morning, he was up more than an hour before dawn, his intention to complete two tasks. One was to compose a simple, handwritten will, the other to draft a telegram. Soon after, on the way to the airport in the rented station wagon, he had Rita witness the will and left it with her. He also asked her to send the telegram, which was addressed to Oakland, California.

They also discussed the Globanic-Peru debt-to-equity agreement Partridge had learned about from Sergio Hurtado. He told Rita, "When you've read it, I suppose we should let Les Chippingham see this copy. But it has nothing to do with why we're here and I don't plan to use the information, even though Sergio will next week.” He smiled, "I suppose that's the least we can do for Globanic since they butter our bread.”

* * *

The Cheyenne II aircraft took off from Lima in the still, pre-dawn air without incident. Seventy minutes later the plane reached the portion of jungle highway where Partridge, Minh, O'Hara and Fernandez were to disembark.

By now there was ample light to see the ground below. The highway was deserted: no cars, trucks or any other sign of human activity. On either side stretched miles of jungle covering the land like a vast green quilt. Turning briefly away from the controls, the pilot, Oswaldo Zileri, called back to his passengers, "We're going in. Be ready to get out fast. I don't want to stay on the ground for a second longer than necessary.”

Then, with a steep, fast-descending turn, he lined up over the highway, touched down on its wider portion, and stopped after a surprisingly short. landing run. As quickly as they could, the four passengers tumbled out, taking their backpacks and equipment and, moments later, the Cheyenne II taxied into position and took off.

”Let's get under cover fast!” Partridge urged the others, and they headed for the jungle trail.

Unknown to Harry Partridge during his crowded day on Friday, a crisis concerning him erupted in New York.

While breakfasting at home on Friday morning, Margot Lloyd-Mason received a telephone message that Theodore Elliott wished to see her "immediately” at Globanic Industries' Pleasantville headquarters. After inquiry, "immediately” translated to a 10 A.m. appointment. It would be the Globanic chairman's first of the day, a secretary at Pleasantville informed Margot.