South Of The Border: A Story From Cabo San Lucas

When Ted Keyes fled to Cabo San Lucas at the tip of the Baja California Peninsula, it was a quiet and remote little fishing village. The perfect place where no one knew him, and he would never be found. He bought a charter boat business from another American, and with his wife, Maria, and her six children, Captain Ted's Billfishing Company suspiciously grew to include a luxury hotel and condominium resort. Juan Benicio Cortez had demanded a cut of the profits from Captain Ted's charter boat business, but instead, Captain Ted struck a deal with Juan Benicio. He needed new boats for his sportfishing business, and Juan Benicio needed somewhere to invest his money. Juan Benicio was in the marijuana business, the same business that had caused Ted Keyes to flee Florida after his partner, Quicksilver Charlie, had been found floating face down in the ocean. It was said the boom to his sailboat had hit him in the head, knocking him overboard to drown but Ted Keyes knew better. Juan Benicio had attempted to extort Ted Keyes but, in time, through their working partnership which included the construction of their upscale hotel and condominium resort, he found an affinity for Ted and his family. Juan Benicio had been orphaned to the streets of Mexico City at the age of six, and the scars of that vicious childhood would never leave him. He saw in the Keyes family the family he had always wished for when wandering those dangerous and mean streets as a child. For Ted Keyes, however, the exposure of being involved with Juan Benicio was becoming too great for him and his family. The locals were asking too many questions, as well as the authorities, and both men had a lot to hide.