Codename: Ghost

Party Favors (5)

After a few minutes, the high table's wine server came down from the dais and moved through the crowd in my general direction. I headed over with a confident step, smiling apologetically. "An urgent order was made for a bottle of Chiende."

Although clearly unhappy with my table poaching, his hands were full. "Five minutes," he hissed. "Then you leave my group to it. We're not splitting tips."

"Of course." I approached hard-eyed security stationed at the dais steps. They nodded. My climb began. The audience slowly spread below me. I reached the high table with a pleasantly neutral expression upon my face.

This sequence must be flawless.

Not making eye contact, I made my slow way down the high table. With this vintage in my hands it would not be long before one of three likely individuals would call for me. This would lead to my true target. Until then I kept my ears open for tidbits. "Yes, of course I am curious about Raul's plans. From what I have heard they will involve a great architectural undertaking." "Really? My source point towards a more scientific project." Elite security were posted at intervals. They kept their eyes forward as I passed, but would doubtless be ready to act at a moment's notice. "His brutality is a wonder. It is love. No, truly it is. A father's strength maintains order." "Well whatever you call it, it works. Yet I wonder at tonight's mention of sedition. My commitment will require his assurance that we plug any leaks." The first Chiende option didn't call for me. I was only a third down the table though so no worries yet. "Shipments will be delayed. It is an unfortunate part of war." "Unfortunate? Pah. War is good for business. Let me tell you how to turn that to your advantage. Starve the beast is not only a saying for government. The people must bear some cost for our good work on their behalf." My second option did not react. This was worrisome. But my brow did not sweat, and my hands did not tremble. I was a professional. Although plan A was the best chance, plan B was still a possibility. Even if it likely meant-

"Hey," my final option called. 

I turned, making my way over. 

"Did Tista truly think I would let you slip by?" grumbled Tomás Vicente (the hot-blooded young cousin of Artuga's right hand man Bautista Juarez). "Pour me a glass before he wets his fat lips."

The secretary of agriculture leaned forward across the table as I uncorked. His eyes twinkled with drink. "You're into Bautista's Chiende? Step carefully, Tomás. The goat bleats, but the lion roars."

My pouring ended, but Tomás pushed angrily to his feet. "A goat, am I?" He turned towards the head of the table, shouting, "cousin! Eduardo thinks I am not a lion. Tell him about our trip to the Obispo slums. Tell him what I did there."

Bautista glanced over, frowning.

Laughter from Eduardo. "I take that back. You are not a goat. You are a yappy dog, yip yip!"

Bautista noticed me, and what I was holding. He waved me over. I left Tomás still arguing his place in the animal kingdom. While approaching Bautista I had a chance to truly appreciate the size of him. He had looked big atop the royal staircase, but up close resembled nothing less than man's brutality straining against the civilizing veneer of a suit. Just past him sat the dictator himself...

This was my chance. My hands must be steady.

Bautista just stared while I bowed, then rose back up. His glass remained on the table. "I did not order this."

Unexpected. Did he suspect me? Was he not thirsty? Either option was trouble. There wasn't much I could do to force the issue, so I bowed again and-

"It must have been Tomás who ordered it. Pour," he commanded.

After pausing I did so. With his eyes fixed upon my face it was the easiest thing to squirt poison into his filling glass with my glove's finger tube. But when I set it down before him he still did not touch it. His eyes never left me. My heart was pounding hard in my chest. I left the bottle with him, bowed low and walked off, never giving the dictator a glance. Security let me through to descend the staircase.

My target had received the special delivery. All that remained was to wait its effect.