The teller smiled. "Certainly, senor."
He unfolded it, and when he saw what it was, his eyes widened. He looked up at Jaime, and panic was in his eyes.
"It's a nice likeness, isn't it?" Jaime said softly. "As you can tell from that, I have killed many people, so one more really won't make a difference to me. Do I make myself understood?"
"P-perfectly, senor. P-perfectly. I have a family. I beg of you - "
"I respect families, so I will tell you what I want you to do to save your children's father." Jaime pushed the attache case toward the teller. "I want you to fill this for me. I want you to do it quickly and quietly. If you truly believe that the money is more important than your life, then go ahead and raise the alarm."
The teller shook his head. "No, no, no."
He began to pull money out of the cash drawer and stuff it into the attache case. His hands were trembling.
When the attache case was full, the teller said, "There you are, senor. I - I promise you I won't raise any alarm."
"That's very wise of you," Jaime said. "I'll tell you why, amigo." He turned around and pointed to a middle-aged woman standing near the end of the line carrying a package wrapped in brown paper. "Do you see that woman? She is one of us. There is a bomb in that package. If the alarm should sound, she will set off the bomb instantly."
The teller turned even paler. "No, please!"
"You will wait until ten minutes after she leaves the bank before you make a move," Jaime warned.
"On my children's life," the teller whispered.
"Buenas tardes."
Jaime took the attache case and moved toward the door. He felt the teller's eyes riveted on him.
He stopped beside the woman with the package.
"I must compliment you," Jaime said. "That is a most becoming dress you are wearing."
She blushed. "Why thank you, senor - gracias."
"De nada."
Jaime turned to nod to the teller, then strolled out of the bank. It would be at least fifteen minutes before the woman finished her business and left. By that time, he and the others would be long gone.
As Jaime came out of the bank and walked toward the car, Megan almost fainted with relief.
Felix Carpio grinned. "The bastard got away with it." He turned to Megan. "I beg your pardon, Sister."
Megan had never been so glad to see anyone in her life. He did it, she thought. And all by himself. Wait until I tell the sisters what happened. And then she remembered. She could never tell this to anyone. When she went back to the convent, there would be only silence for the rest of her life. It gave her an odd feeling.
Jaime said to Felix, "Move over, amigo. I'll drive." He tossed the attache case into the backseat.
"Everything went well?" Amparo asked.
Jaime laughed. "Couldn't have gone better. I must remember to thank Colonel Acoca for his calling card."
The car started down the street. At the first corner, Calle de Tudela, Jaime made a left turn. Suddenly, appearing out of nowhere, a policeman moved in front of the car and held out a hand signaling him to stop. Jaime stepped on the brake. Megan's heart began to pound.
The policeman walked over to the car.
Jaime asked calmly, "What's the problem, Officer?"
"The problem, senor, is that you are driving the wrong way down a one-way street. Unless you can prove you are legally blind, you are in trouble." He pointed to the sign at the entrance. "The street is clearly marked. Motorists are expected to respect a sign like that. That is the reason it has been placed there."
Jaime said apologetically, "A thousand pardons. My friends and I were in such a serious discussion that I did not see the sign."
The policeman was leaning into the driver's window. He was studying Jaime, a puzzled expression on his face.
"You will be so good as to let me see your registration, please."
"Of course," Jaime said.
He reached down for the revolver that was under his jacket. Felix was ready to spring into action. Megan held her breath.
Jaime pretended to be searching his pockets. "I know I have it here somewhere."
At that moment from across the plaza came a loud scream and the policeman turned to look. A man on the street corner was beating a woman, hitting her about the head and shoulders with his fists.
"Help!" she cried. "Help me! He's killing me!"
The policeman hesitated for only an instant. "Wait here," he commanded.
He raced back down the street toward the man and woman.
Jaime put the car in gear and slammed down on the accelerator. The car shot down the one-way street, scattering traffic headed toward them, horns angrily blaring at them. When they reached the corner, Jaime made another turn toward the bridge that led out of town on the Avenida Sanchez de Arjona.
Megan looked at Jaime and crossed herself. She could hardly breathe.
"Would you - would you have killed the policeman if that man had not attacked the woman?"
Jaime did not bother to answer.
"The woman wasn't being attacked, Sister," Felix explained. "Those were our people. We are not alone. We have many friends."
Jaime's face was grim. "We're going to have to get rid of this car."
They were leaving the outskirts of Valladolid. Jaime turned onto N620, the highway to Burgos, on the way to Logrono. He was careful to stay within the speed limit.
"We'll get rid of the car as soon as we get past Burgos," he announced.
I can't believe this is happening to me, Megan thought. I escaped from the convent, I'm running away from the army, and I'm riding in a stolen car with terrorists who just robbed a bank. Lord, what else do You have in mind for me?