Chapter 2: DEA

Once Michael entered the airport, he found his way to the ticket counter to get his boarding pass. Rachel thought Michael was flying to Dallas for the conference. He was really boarding a plane to go to Asunción Paraguay, to acquire some new product for his second/Primary business. Michael boarded United Airlines flight 219 to Miami and then an Aerolineas Argentinas flight into Asunción Paraguay, with stops in Lima Peru, and Sao Paolo Brazil. The Flight to Miami was boarding when Michael got to the gate. He presented his boarding pass and found his seat. The seat he had chosen was a first-class seat with plenty of legroom. Michael quickly found himself surfing the net on his iPad. He relaxed and began to surf on the plane’s Wi-Fi. The plane lifted off to begin the flight that would last for almost 2 hours. The flight attendants began distributing drinks not long after the morning flight took off. The cute blonde attendant asked him if he would like some juice or soda or coffee. Michael responded by saying a Screwdriver would suit him perfectly. The attendant advised that usually on the morning flights most passengers didn’t drink. Michael slipped the attendant a fifty-dollar bill and said, “Make an exception please.” The flight attendant smiled graciously and said, “It would be my pleasure sir.” Two minutes later, Michael had a glass and some orange juice and several small bottles of vodka. Michael saw motion to his left and saw a large man in the chair opposite him. When Michael peered over the edge of the iPad, he saw that the man was reading a copy of High Times. Michael laughed and thought, “He has probably smoked some of my product.” The large man looked up and their eyes met. The big man smiled, nodded his head, and went back to his book. The flight was uneventful for the most part until the big man stood and went to the restroom.

While the big man was gone, Michael noticed that the guy had left some stuff in his seat. One of the items was a magazine titled Law Officer. Michael felt a chill run up and down his spine. He was sitting next to a law officer. Michael wished he hadn’t had so much Vodka. He needed his wits about him in case something happened. Michael saw the flight attendant and flagged her down. He asked her to remove the empty vodka bottles and in place of them he asked for a cup of black coffee. Even though he had made this trip 6 times he always found himself feeling paranoid and nervous. This was no different except now he was beyond nervous. He was aware that with a cop sitting next to him he would be more likely to arouse suspicion, especially if Michael let his paranoia show. He decided to try simply reading on his iPad. The appearance of normal was the only tactic Michael had. It was only 20 minutes or so later that the loudspeakers on the jet were announcing that the plane would soon reach its destination in South Florida. The ambient temperature was a summery 94 degrees. High humidity made the temperature feel more like it was 110 degrees. As the plane was being emptied, he got up from his chair to get his carry-on and the big man “tripped” and crashed into Michael and knocked them both into the seat. Michael let out an oofff because he had the wind knocked out of him. The big man got up and apologized profusely and helped Michael to his feet. Michael took the officer’s hand and got up. He was standing toe to toe with the big man and found the big man staring him down. Michael felt the blood in his veins run cold. It was almost like looking in the eyes of death. Again, the big man apologized and then he was gone. The whole incident had left Michael feeling disconcerted. What Michael did not realize is that while the officer was, “trying to get up.” He placed a tracking device that could be tracked via satellite anywhere in the world on Michael.

Michael had time to kill while he waited for his Aerolineas Argentinas flight to Asuncion Paraguay. The airport in Miami offered a variety of places to eat and drink. He was still shaken from the close encounter with the officer. He sat at the bar in the Tijuana Lounge and found that he really needed a drink. He needed to steel his nerves. The bartender placed a cocktail napkin in front of Michael and said, “What’s your pleasure sir?”. The bartender was a young man probably no more than 24 years old. He still had pock marks from the adolescent acne he suffered a few short years ago. Michael asked for a Citroen with cranberry juice on the rocks. He finalized his order by telling Jose the barkeep. “Make it a double.” Once the drink arrived, he decided that sipping the drink would not help his nerves fast enough, so he swallowed the drink in 3 gulps, and ordered a second round. With very little effort the glass was emptied, and he reached into his pocket for a cigarette. Jose advised Michael that smoking was not allowed at the airport, so Michael shoved the cigarette back into the pack as Michael said, “FUCK!”. A quick glance at his watch was all that was needed to get Michael moving again. He still had 2 hours before his next flight took off, but he also knew that going through security for an international flight was time consuming. Michael was feeling the effects of the alcohol as he walked to his gate. His stress started to dissolve and once on the flight to Asunción, Paraguay he felt the iron grip of fear release. He knew that once he slipped from U.S. airspace, he would be able to relax for a day or so. When he stepped on the plane a beautiful stewardess greeted him in Spanish as well as in English. She greeted the passengers with her scripted, “Bienvenido a bordo y disfrutar de su vuelo.” Then she said in perfect English, “Welcome aboard and enjoy your flight.”

Michael found his seat and stowed his carry-on in the above seat compartment. He sat down and waited for the airbus to take off. Michael loved that he had chosen first class. He loved the room he had to spread out and relax. The new airbus provided him with the luxury he wanted to have every day. Just as the plane was about to depart from the gate, the door to the plane, to allow one last passenger aboard.

Instantly, Michael felt his blood pressure rise. The passenger that was causing the delay to the plane was none other than the big man that had fallen on Michael from his earlier plane. The big man walked right by him and went into the coach section. Michael deliberately avoided looking at the big man as he walked past. He felt a knot in the pit of his stomach. The door of the airliner was closed and then the standard seat belt demonstration and emergency exit script was read. The plane departed from the Miami International Airport after a delay of almost an hour. During the first forty-five minutes of the flight, all Michael could do was wonder why that same man was on this flight, and worry started to set in. Michael felt his stomach churn with fear. What were the odds? Was this asshole tracking him? Oh God, he worried, “Who was this guy?”.

Michael knew that the plane had two stops before arriving in Asuncion. Perhaps he would disembark at an earlier stop. He hoped! Michael’s thoughts were interrupted by the flight attendant telling him that a man in coach had sent Michael a Screwdriver on his tab. She set down the little bottles and some orange juice. When she spoke, she said. “He told me to tell you how sorry he was, that he fell on you earlier.” Then she turned and walked away.

Michael felt his bowels churn and sprinted for the confines of the mile high bathroom. He felt nauseous and dizzy. He was wrecked. He had made this same trip several times in the past. He had never ever had anything like this happen to him. Michael was in the bathroom for longer than he should have been and realized that it made him look suspicious. He combed his hair and looked in the flight mirror and said as if he was trying to convince himself. “You can do this.” He pulled the door open and stepped out into the galley and standing there waiting to use the bathroom was the big man. The big man smiled but if you looked into his eyes, you would see that he was not really smiling. He said excuse me and went into the bathroom.

As Michael walked back to his seat, he just knew he had looked into the face of the enemy. Michael pulled open an air sickness bag and lost all the drink he had consumed. He was just an hour into the almost 6-hour flight from Miami to Lima Peru, which was the first of three stops, including his final-destination, Paraguay. It wasn’t long before the in-flight dinner was distributed. Michael ordered the Steak and potatoes and a salad with several small bottles of vodka. He closed the window blind and closed his eyes. He didn’t realize that he had been sleeping for about three and a half hours. He was awakened when the pilot came on the loudspeaker to announce that they would be soon landing in Lima Peru.

The pilot proceeded to tell the air temperature and advised that those departing to catch connecting flights, would be the first to disembark, from the plane. Michael found that the effects of the alcohol were gone. He was clear headed and found that his worry weighed heavy on him. He decided he would watch to see who departed. If the big man got off the plane, then he could relax and enjoy the rest of his trip.

The Aerolineas Argentinas airbus landed in Lima without incident and the doors eventually came open. Michael opened a newspaper which helped to conceal the fact that he was watching. It took a short time before the big man walked by. Michael pretended to not notice and he saw the man disappear into Lima Peru. Michael felt a huge rush of relief when the man exited the plane. He finally felt like he could breathe again. The door to the plane closed and then a few minutes later the luggage carrying section of the plane was also closed and then the plane was allowed to taxi to the proper runway for its next stop, São Paulo, Brazil.

After a sizable wait in Peru, the plane finally lifted off. Michael knew this was somewhat shorter. This would only be about a five-hour flight. Michael secured his belongings and closed the window shade and allowed himself to drift into a restless slumber. Michael found his dreams haunted by the big man. At one point in his dream, he found himself being cuffed and shackled. With the click of the cuffs, he awoke and realized that the captain was announcing some turbulence. He buckled up and then reached for the window shade and slid it up. Apparently, they were flying into a bad thunderstorm in the middle of the night. It was a sight to behold. Angry lightning etched silvery patterns into the night sky. The stewardess advised that all trays should be in the upright position and seat belts should be fastened. The captain came on and revealed that the plane would be landing a little early. He advised that the city of Sao Paulo had many wonderful sights and tourist attractions. Michael found that the whole big man episode had left him shaken up badly. He hoped he could unwind and relax for the rest of his trip.

When the Airbus landed in Sao Paulo, Brazil most of the remainder of the passengers departed the plane. There were a handful of people that got on the plane. Michael did not pay too much attention until the last passenger got on. Michael’s face went ashen white. The big man was boarding and headed straight for the chair next to his. WHAT THE FUCK screamed Michael’s mind. The big man sat down next to Michael and offered his hand and said, “Hello Michael. My name is Special Agent Harris with the United States Drug Enforcement Agency. We need to have a talk”. Michael’s lips were almost paper thin as he took the agent’s extended hand. Agent Harris stowed his carry on under the seat in front of him, sat down, buckled in and waited. ----- Once the plane was in the air Agent Harris spoke. Michael, I have been watching you for the past two years. You have become so adept at what you do you have become complacent.” He continued. “I have been on the plane for your last two trips. You didn’t know because I did not want you to know. If you want to continue to enjoy the lifestyle you are living, you will work with me instead of against me!” Michael’s eyes widened when he realized he was about to either get used or imprisoned. Both scenarios were not good in his opinion.