person. Then, in early May, Le Roux sent him a message: "Book a flight to Rio."

The request was typical Le Roux, abrupt enough to feel impul- sive, arbitrary enough to feel threatening. Whichever was the case, the urgency of it caught Stouch and Cindric off-guard. There was no time to get the diplomatic visas they would need to travel to Brazil.

The agents offered Klaussen the option of turning down the re- quest. If Le Roux somehow already suspected him, he could be walking into a trap. But they knew as well as Klaussen that no- body ignored the boss's orders and expected to stay employed. If Klaussen failed to show, Le Roux would be instantly suspicious—if he wasn't already.

Klaussen bought the ticket to Rio and booked a cheap hotel, careful to stay within Le Roux's $80-a-night budget. He wouldn't be using the room anyway. The DEA was paying for a nicer one.