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    position of favor with both the essential elements necessary to ensure survival
    and prosperity in modern-day Argentina: firstly, the ruling military junta that
    ran the politics of the country with an iron fist; and secondly, the influential
    Porteño business and social communities that controlled the nation’s wealth
    with a velvet glove.
    At forty years of age, Gordero was the beneficiary of one of the largest
    family fortunes in the southern hemisphere. As a result of his diverse business
    career, he wore many hats . . . lawyer, investment adviser, political strategist.
    He acted as private counsel to some of the country’s best-known celebrities
    and dignitaries, was an extravagant philanthropist, a trustee and governor of
    the Sir Isaac Newton Academy School (of which he was a graduate and class
    valedictorian), and a ranking colonel in the National Guard Reserve. But most
    importantly to his traveling companions on this day, Astor Gordero was the
    chairman of the board of directors and majority owner of the Newton’s Prefects
    professional football club.
    Although his weighty proportions had prevented him from playing
    football in his youth, he was, nevertheless, swept up not only in the game’s
    excitement and passion, but also in its profound cultural teachings. From
    his earliest days as a fan, he had developed an analytical enthusiasm for the
    sociological ramifications of the sport. It was his ultimate goal to give the
    privileged, respectable people of capital city a team to which they could relate.
    A team rich in tradition, with old-world ties that instilled a certain aristocratic
    arrogance, a team that reflected the ‘attitude’ of the Porteño oligarchy, unlike
    those that catered to the masses in districts such as Boca and Avellaneda. When
    his floundering, old school team suddenly became available for purchase, it
    provided the wealthy elitist with a chance to make a lifelong fantasy into a
    reality. The Newton’s Prefect Football Club had the proper pedigree, even for
    a snob like Astor Gordero.
    Stories of the man’s immoderate and excessive indulgences were often the
    topic of discreet gossip at high society gatherings. Discreet was the key word,
    for no one spoke publicly of Astor Gordero in a derogatory manner without
    suffering the consequences.
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    There were rumors of his dark side, whispers that he embraced his
    ancestors’ code of honor to the point of having to seek satisfaction if his name
    was besmirched. To that end, paid mercenaries usually acted as his angels of
    retribution, for Astor Gordero was incapable of forgetting a personal insult.
    Moreover, he would not tolerate failure of any kind. Once he set his mind to
    achieving a desired goal, the man could not be deterred, even if it meant using
    the most unscrupulous of means. And heaven help anyone who stood in his
    way!
    Many people actually hated the man, but those who did were careful
    to hide their feelings and hold their tongues in public. Life in Argentina was
    fraught with hidden dangers, and to speak out against a man of such influence
    and power could very easily bring disastrous results.
    El Hombre Gordo ‘The Fat Man’ was one whom it was better to befriend
    than to antagonize, even if that friendship was purely superficial.
    A course of cheers and bravos for Gordo’s protectors rang through the bus,
    accompanied by much back slapping and hand shaking. The residual effects
    of such lavish praise from a man as well connected as Astor Gordero had not
    been lost on Estes Santos. He was well aware of The Fat Man’s propensity to
    cosset those whom he thought warranted his attention. Many a career had been
    accelerated by a simple well-placed word from this porcine dealmaker.
    Perhaps now the one thing that the minor league manager craved above
    all else would be within his grasp at last. But Estes Santos’ sixth sense told
    him that it would be folly to impatiently seek a reward under the