Gilbert was held alone in a somewhat tidy room deep within the stronghold, not even a cell, more like a simply furnished guest room.
The Italians treated him fairly well.
The food was hot, there was coffee, and even a nice bottle of Italian red wine. The guards didn't insult him much during their conversations.
This special treatment made Gilbert's tense nerves relax a bit.
Maybe...
Because the Italians had been captured too? So they sympathized with each other?
He sat at the edge of the bed, the humiliation of surrender diluted by a sense of luck.
The Italians perhaps valued exchanging interests more? Or were concerned about international influence? As long as he wasn't immediately handed over to the Mexicans, to that mad dog Victor, there was still room to maneuver.
He swiftly calculated possible negotiation chips in his mind.
Secret accounts? Hideouts of other Cali top officials? He believed his value was enough to save his life.
