Right away, one of the men, a heavyset grey-haired ranch hand who was the best dressed of the bunch, began shaking his head and blurting out, “No, no, no. It’s not going to happen that way,” in accented English.
“Then I guess we’re going to go down the road a bit and find another place,” Brady answered them back, his hands on his hips. He continued, “Look, fellows, we’re just here for a good time, and we’ve heard all kinds of stories about this area, and we don’t know you from Adam.”
“But you asked for El Dragón. So apparently you are acquainted with our practices, and it is always done this way, señor.”
“Yes, we were told to ask for him, but we’ve never met the man. And all of us here are a little bit concerned and edgy about going in a vehicle in a strange place with men we don’t know. So you’re going to have to forgive me, but there is no way in hell we’re going to get into your vehicles.” Brady pointed to their camper van. “I don’t see any reason why we can’t drive our own vehicle. We have everything we need, and if my understanding is correct, it’s not very far from here. Perhaps not all of us are going to be interested in what your ranch is offering. So this gives us the opportunity to remain comfortable in our own environment. If you don’t like it, then you can tell Mr. Dragon, or whatever the hell his name is, that his hospitality sucks and that we’re no longer interested.”
Enemario gave Brady a stern scowl, whispering, “I am not sure this is wise. Maybe we should try to just go along with him. Maybe some of us go, and some of us stay in our camper?”
Enemario was playing the part they had all rehearsed.
Brady feigned insistence. “No. I’m not going to do that. You guys are here to help show me a good time, right?”
Everybody nodded.
“This is my rodeo, and if I don’t feel comfortable here, I’m not going.”
The heavyset ranch hand who appeared to be in charge put up his finger and pointed to his cell phone. “Let me ask the boss. If he’s okay with this, no problem. Otherwise, we have rules, and it’s for the safety of our employees, I’m sure you understand.”
Brady agreed.
The gentleman walked slowly to the other side of the first Suburban, engaging in conversation lightly out of earshot. Enemario indicated with his hand that he couldn’t pick out a thing. When the gentleman returned, he smiled, revealing a large gold canine tooth. He really looked more like a jackal, Brady thought.
“It has all been arranged. Señor Dragón has agreed you may follow us in your vehicle.” He gave a quick order to the men standing around him, who climbed back into the vehicles and waited, with motors running.
Brady and his team boarded the van, as John pulled out and followed behind.
“I didn’t think you were going to get your way, Brady,” said Riley.
“And I was prepared to walk away. That’s what you do in the marketplace here, right?”
Enemario looked disgusted, with his arms crossed. “These are not normal people, Brady. They don’t like this show of force. They don’t respond well.”
“You of anybody should understand we don’t get to play victim here. We’re here to do a job. And I’m not going to allow the team to take any unnecessary risks or get into a situation where we have no control. I’d rather pull out than go along with their demands. I’m sure there’s going to come a time where we won’t have control, but for right now, we’re setting the ground rules. And remember, I don’t want to be separated from our money or our firepower. And none of you should be, either.”
Riley nodded. “I’m with you there, boss.”
“Me too,” said Carter.
John also agreed.
In less than five minutes time, the van turned off the dirt road and traveled on a perfectly paved driveway that snaked up a small foothill ahead of them. As they got closer to the top, an expansive and perfectly manicured villa appeared. It was fully fenced, but the fencing was shaded in large flowering bushes of oleander and hibiscus. There were also tall flowering locus trees, palm trees, and several other plumeria and bougainvillea bushes. The whole beauty of the estate was ten times more impressive than the one in Fresno.
Groundskeepers actively worked to trim lawn and trees and pick up debris. Armed guards walked past the gated openings of the courtyard, and the sprawling building complex had views of a valley beyond that was not visible from the roadway or the approach to San Benito. Below was a vineyard, a huge lake, and a lush open pasture dotted with horses.
John was directed to pull the vehicle next to the two Suburbans that had parked, and they were ushered through the guard gate into the courtyard beyond, walking under a bougainvillea-laced veranda filled with chirping birds, and into the back entrance of the house. None of Brady’s men said anything at all, and Brady was frankly surprised at the level of organization and the stunning setting. Obviously, times had been good for Mr. Rojas.
Through a large cafeteria-style room off the kitchen, they passed by an older woman on her hands and knees, scrubbing the floor. She barely looked up before they were ushered down a wood paneled hallway littered with pictures of Mr. Rojas on various horses or standing in front of prize bulls with large blue and yellow ribbons held up in front of him. There was also a picture of a large fiesta taken at the front part of the property, appearing to be an employee type of event. Smiling faces were in abundance. Everybody they had passed along the way, except for the gruff men who came to pick them up, belied an idyllic working situation. Men and women were lucky to find their jobs and wanted to keep them.
The older gentleman opened a set of carved walnut doors and ushered them inside a private office with an enormous wall full of books. The ceilings were coffered, also paneled in carved walnut or mahogany. All five leather seats were lined in a row in front of the enormous desk that was easily fifteen feet wide. Behind the desk was a reclining chair covered in brown and white spotted cow hide.
But the chair was vacant.
They were left alone, so Brady used the opportunity to remind the men that they were probably being closely monitored.
“I believe I see four cameras. That means there’s probably at least another four where I can’t locate them,” he whispered low and slow.
John added, “I see one in the clock in front of you. I see another in the ear of that buffalo head hanging over the opposite wall there.” Everybody turned and looked into the eyes of a genuine stuffed bison bull.
“Well, I certainly didn’t expect this,” said Riley. “I’ve never seen such a massive and beautiful setting. I can imagine he enjoys living here.”
Enemario shrugged. “Where are the dragons? I expected to see those.”
The team chuckled, nervousness taking over.
Brady thought about Riley’s comment. “A man of considerable reputation and wealth must have a place where he can relax and kick back. This is a fortress. It also could feel like a prison to some.”
The door behind a large wooden file cabinet opened, and an attractive Latina woman, about forty years old, walked in. Dressed in a navy-blue suit with a white collared shirt and long sleeves peeking out from under her cuffs, she looked professional. Her hair was up in a severe tight bun, and her eyes were framed by blue glasses. They all stood when she approached the desk.