"I don't love them, chico. But it is not for us to put our personal likes and dislikes before our greater duties, Major. And please remember," he added, smiling, "you still are a major in the People's Army. Neither your commission nor your Army has expired yet."
"What do you want me to do?" Rafael asked, softly. "I will respect your commands as my superior—and my friend."
Santiago toyed with a thick copy pencil. "I am going to put it to a vote right here. Who is for getting Fernando Rivas to let us into the Spanish Embassy and removing what we need from the files? Understand, we won't tell him what we want in the files—that would be trusting him too much before he proves himself. Who is for raiding the Embassy with the help of Rivas? On this, Mateo, you will have to vote also."
Hall and Eduardo Sanchez raised their hands.
"Against?"
The three men looked at Rafael. He folded his hands in his lap, ostentatiously studied the ceiling.
"Are you against the idea, Rafael?"
"I think it is crazy, Santiago. I am not afraid. I just think it is crazy. Can't we get in without the traitor?"
"I don't know how," Santiago said. "I guess we'll have to try it without you, Rafael."
"Over my dead body, my friend. I'm going with you. I've been wrong before, but I've never avoided a battle. I'm not ducking this one, Santiago."