Renaldo Read Online Free Page B

present
    circumstances. He must bide his time for the right opportunity to state his case
    to El Hombre Gordo. Good things could be derived from Gordero’s appreciation
    and attention in due course. Until then, he would enjoy his newfound celebrity
    and the fruits that his actions of this day had borne him.
    Santos and his team captain did not have to wait long for certain of those
    fruits to come into bloom. The Prefect supporters soon arrived at the Córdoba
    railway station and proceeded to embark on their special charter back to Buenos
    Aires. The station was heavily guarded by more soldiers whose officers quickly
    orchestrated the visitor’s departure off the buses, through the station, and onto
    the waiting rail coaches. The two ‘men of the moment’ had traveled to Córdoba
    in normal tourist class railcars, along with the majority of their fellow Prefect
    supporters. But not Astor Armondo Luis Gordero. His personally customized
    coach had been attached to the rear of the train, affording Gordo and his cronies
    the ultimate in mobile comfort, luxury, and privacy.
    Astor Gordero made sure that his two saviors stayed right by his side as
    they walked down the platform to the last car. His guests were in for “the train
    ride of their lives,” he boasted. The Fat Man was in great spirits now that they
    were safely out of harm’s way. Once Renaldo boarded the Pullman and entered
    13
    JAMES McCREATH
    its lavish interior, he was certain that Gordero had not been exaggerating. Before
    him, stretching two-thirds the length of the coach, spread a sumptuous buffet
    containing the finest delicacies Argentina had to offer. A fully stocked mirrored
    bar attracted his attention as well, for the moment the Prefect’s chairman of
    the board came into view, two stewards beside it uncorked magnums of Dom
    Pérignon.
    That popping sound was greeted by a hearty “Ola!” from Gordero, as
    glasses were quickly filled and passed first to the patron, then to his privileged
    guests. Their numbers had swollen to about ten men with the addition of the
    two new arrivals. Before Renaldo had even been offered a sample of the sweet
    nectar, something else caught his eye. Two of the most gorgeous women he had
    ever seen, resplendent in the sheerest of boudoir attire, pushed their way past
    him and embraced their gregarious host.
    The trio’s lusty gropes and wandering hands held the young boy spellbound.
    When the chairman had consumed his fill, he gestured for the señoritas to
    circulate amongst his amigos and make them feel at home. The Fat Man then
    headed directly for the buffet. Renaldo tried to make himself as inconspicuous
    as possible and retreated to the far rear of the coach. He knew that he would
    feel more comfortable back in the obscurity of tourist class, but there was no
    escaping Astor Gordero. The boy took a glass of champagne, resigned to his
    captivity. Estes Santos was quickly by his side.
    “This is the most incredible thing I have ever seen!” he chortled.
    “Yes, truly incredible,” was Renaldo’s half-hearted response.
    “Those women are unbelievably beautiful, especially for putas.”
    ‘Yes, they certainly are an eyeful!’ Renaldo thought to himself.
    Up to this moment, all of his contact with prostitutes had been at a
    considerable distance. There had been times when he had passed them plying
    their trade on the streets of the capital, but he would just smile at their overtures
    and go about his business. He was not particularly worldly about the opposite
    sex, and Santos knew this well.
    “Do not worry, Renaldo. I will take your turn with them if you like.”
    “Be my guest, Estes. I have had enough exercise for one day.”
    “That’s my boy, save your strength for the soccer pitch.”
    The train lurched into motion, spilling a small quantity of Renaldo’s
    champagne on the plush carpet. Embarrassed, the youngest of the imbibers
    tried to find something to soak up the stain.
    “Don’t worry about