Jack grimaced and said, “I've heard that such people can be trained in regard to a polygraph, but only to the point of bringing about an inconclusive result. In my case, I am confident there would be no doubt that I was telling the truth. The only thing I would not disclose to you is the name of the informant that started this investigation.”
“The note you gave the pilot said you were acting without authority. That your own government was unaware that you were coming to Cuba.”
“That is correct,” said Jack.
“You are telling me that you are both so rich that you can spend your own money to travel around the world to catch criminals? That is very, very difficult for me to believe.”
“Our trip to Costa Rica was paid for by our government,” said Jack.
“But not from San Jose to Havana!”
“I'm sorry,” said Jack. “I suspect that police officers in Canada are in a far better economic situation than the officers in this countryâbut you are right. It is extremely unusual. There's more to it than just catching two bad guys. I'm actually hoping to save my career by proving that these Russians are worthy targets.”
“Perhaps you should start at the beginning,” said Donato.
Jack told Donato everything, starting from a meeting with a high level source who held an executive position with an organized crime family, to the Russians' interest in ports, navigational charts in the U.S. ... and a partially overheard telephone conversation where Moustache Pete said
the shipment will be as white as snow
while arranging a meeting in Costa Rica.
“So your boss does not want you to work on these men and you trick him with a phone call so you can?” asked Donato, somewhat surprised.
“Yes. I must tell you that our source in the organized crime family is a powerful man. He often has people killed. For him to be afraid of these two men ...”
“I understand,” said Donato. “Then you lie to your boss and tell him you are on vacation in Costa Rica.”
“Yes.”
“In my country, to do such a thing, more would happen to you than going back to direct traffic.” Donato stared at Jack quietly for a moment before saying, “Your boss, he is what I call ...” he paused and looked at Laura and asked,
“¿Habla usted español?”
Laura looked at Jack and shrugged her shoulders.
“She doesn't speak Spanish,” said Jack. “I think she only
knows the word
cerveza
.”
Donato smiled, and continued, “Your boss sounds like a
pendejo
.”
Jack laughed and said, “The meaning of that word is used by police forces around the world. For bosses and criminals.”
Laura leaned forward in her chair and looked at each man and softly said, “Asshole?” She smiled when both Jack and Donato howled with laughter.
“Okay, my new amigos,” said Donato. “We will help you.”
“With discretion?” asked Jack. “My bosses will not be informed?”
“I will recommend that it be kept secret. Perhaps you might give me some suggestions on a certain boss of mine,” he added, with a smile.
“The Russians ... you know where they are?” asked Jack.
“Yes. They are in a taxi on their way to Varadero at this moment.”
“Are they booked into a hotel?” asked Jack.
“No. They are being cautious. They told the driver that they would decide on a hotel when they arrived. That is okay. The driver is a member of my staff. Now we must go. We will get you your luggage and then you will ride with me. You will see how the Cuban police catch criminals. If these men, Petya Globenko and Styopa Ghukov, meet anyone, we will know.”
Jack glanced at Donato, who gave a slight nod of his head.
I never used the Russians' real names. Just Moustache Pete and Fat Man.
“Did you search the Russians' luggage as well?” he asked.
Donato shook his head. “Not yet. That will be done at their hotel.”
“Wouldn't it have been easier here?” asked Laura. “You wouldn't have needed a warrant.”
“A warrant?” Donato chuckled. “We have at least one
or two secret officers from the DTI at all major hotels. At customs we did not want the Russians to suspect we had any interest in them.”
“The DTI?” asked Jack.
“Sorry, you would refer to them as Intelligence Officers. The other hotel staff does not even know their identity, although, in some cases I think they suspect. It is their job to keep an eye on suspicious people. Very efficient. Do you not do the same thing in Canada?”
“No,” replied Jack with a wry smile. “Civil liberties would go berserk.”
“Ah, I understand,” replied Donato. “Your country has not faced invasions or multiple assassination attempts on your leader. Let alone be faced with an embargo that has alienated you from the world. Such things tend to make leaders more suspicious and defensive. Civil liberties become a luxury we cannot afford.”
It took four hours for them to reach the resort area at Varadero and it was eleven o'clock at night when Jack, Laura, and Donato all checked in at the Hotel Acuazul. Moustache Pete and the Fat Man had already checked in at the Hotel Islazul which was part of the same hotel complex, but was a separate building a short walk away.
Jack, Laura, and Donato's rooms were all in a row, with Donato taking the room in the centre. Jack glanced at Donato just as the three of them were about to open their doors. He caught Jack's glance.
“No, you're not,” Donato said, reading Jack's mind.
“Of course, not,” replied Jack.
“I understand. I would think the same thing,” said Donato. “Please ... I insist. You take my room.”
“It's okay,” said Jack. “I've been bugged before. I have nothing to hide from you.”
“I do not want you to think that. Please, use this room and I will sleep in yours.”
“What makes you think your own people have not bugged your room as well?” asked Jack. “After all, meeting with two Intelligence Officers from another country ... you might be under suspicion yourself.”
Donato put his finger to his lips for Jack to be quiet before smiling. He then winked and stepped inside.
Minutes later, the three of them reconvened in Donato's room. “Beer?” asked Donato. Jack and Laura both nodded.
Donato made a phone call and within minutes one of his staff was at the door and handed him a tray with six cold bottles of Bucanero.
Jack didn't know if it was the heat and the high humidity, or perhaps just the stress of a long day, but he decided it was one of the best beers he had ever tasted.
“They have checked in for three days,” said Donato. “Now that they are in their room, they seem to be relaxed. I do not think that they suspect any police activity. They converse in Russian, but then, that is their native tongue.”
“Do you have someone on your staff who speaks Russian?” asked Laura.
Donato smiled and said, “Cuba has a huge Russian influence. Up until the collapse of the Soviet Union, they provided our country with billions. Now, those days are over. Russia has her own economic problems and has turned away from us. The embargo continues to cause us much suffering. You saw on the way here tonight. Most of our cars are old, running at night without lights. Many people are killed. One of my own children ...”
Jack picked up the sudden sorrow in Donato's voice.
Donato realized it himself and looked embarrassed as he quickly changed his tone and said, “I am sorry. I sounded like a beggar. I am not! Enough about that.” He turned to Laura and said, “Yes, many members of my staff, including me, speak and write fluently in Russian.”
“Russian, Spanish, and English,” said Jack. “You're not afraid to learn, are you?”
“You can also add French and German to the list. No, I am not afraid to learn. Perhaps in the next few days we will learn things from each other.”
Donato paused to answer another knock at the door. He spoke quickly to one of his men before returning and announcing, “Now, some good news. From what we have heard they have simply come to Varadero to relax and enjoy themselves ... so you two can do likewise.”
“That's not good news,” said Jack, glumly.
“No, my friend! Let me finish. Then they plan on returning to Havana where they are meeting someone before leaving Cuba.”
“Great,” replied Jack, returning Laura's thumbs-up sign.
“Do you know if these Russians are dealing with someone who is an Arab?” asked Donato.
“Not that we're specifically aware of. They've made phone calls to several Arab countries. It is possible they could be involved with smuggling heroin or hashish out of Afghanistan. Why?”
“They mentioned a restaurant in Havana that they would be meeting at. Moustache Pete said it would make whoever they are meeting feel at home. The restaurant is called Al Medina. It is the only Arab restaurant in Havana.”
“It doesn't really make sense to me,” admitted Jack. “If their original meeting was in Costa Rica, it should be with someone from South America arranging to bring a boatload
of cocaine to Canada.”
“Perhaps Costa Rica was just a place to blend business and pleasure,” suggested Donato. “It might be drugs from Afghanistan after all.”
“Perhaps,” replied Jack. “Seizing a boatload of heroin would be even better.”
“We are conducting background checks with Moscow on Moustache Pete and the Fat Man. We will learn more about these Russian schoolteachers.”
“Russia?” said Jack, surprised. “If you get anything back at all, I imagine it will be next year sometime.”
“We have a much better relationship,” replied Donato. “I expect to hear back tonight.”
“Tonight!” said Jack in amazement. “Your relationship with Russia is far better.”
“I have a question for you,” said Donato. “How long does it take you to get information from the United States?”
“Fast ... if it is unofficial. Only a matter of minutes,” replied Jack.
“For me, it is the same with Russia. Perhaps you and I may help each other in the future,” suggested Donato.
Jack nodded and passed Donato a business card.
“Thank you,” said Donato, while reciprocating with his own business card. “Now, about these Russians, my staff will handle all the necessary surveillance and investigative duties. They will be monitored every minute they are here, so you can sit back and enjoy yourselves. I will keep you appraised.”
“I would like to see whoever they are meeting,” said Jack.
“We will have photosâbut I understand. I will see what can be arranged. For the next few days, I think you can enjoy the beauty that my country has to offer. For the most part, I will remain by your side. It would not be wise for the Russians to see your faces and I will always be informed of their
movements. Another
cerveza
?” he asked, looking at Laura.
Laura shook her head and said, “Thanks, but no. I'm exhausted. I think it's time for me to turn in.”
“Likewise,” said Jack, getting to his feet.
Donato's phone rang and he answered it, speaking rapidly in Russian, but paused to look at Jack and Laura. “Wait!” he ordered, before returning to speaking Russian.
Jack and Laura each sat back down. Jack saw the surprised look on Donato's face change to that of a frightened man.
Something is terribly wrong ...
“They're what?” Jack couldn't believe what he was just told. The impact was still sinking in.
“You might call them schoolteachers,” continued Donato. “Both of them did teach at various military institutions in Russia. The one you call the Fat Man has his degree in microbiology. Moustache Pete has a degree in history and was a high-ranking officer in the Russian infantry.”
The shipment will be as white as snow,
thought Jack.
Microbiology ... chemical warfare, anthrax?
“Jack,” said Laura. “They were looking at navigational charts around Seattle! Are you thinking what I'm thinking?”
“I think all three of us are,” said Jack.
No wonder Damien was scared of these guys! He knew this! Those text books in the apartment he told us about. Sure, maybe they were in Russian, but they were bound to have graphs, maybe a periodic chart of elements or a conceptual flow chart of microbesâ
“Oh, man,” said Laura as she started to put everything
together. “This is a plot to smuggle a dirty bomb into the States.”
Jack was still thinking of Damien.
If Satans Wrath was linked with terrorists, they'd be slam-dunked by the government of every country they operated in. Half of them would end up in Guantanamo Bay, or secret prisons elsewhere in the world. Maybe never heard from again ...
“Calls to Iran, Saudi Arabia ...” continued Laura.
“This changes everything,” said Donato, quickly getting to his feet. “I must leave for Havana immediately. You will both remain in the hotel until I speak with you. Understood?”
“I understand,” said Jack. “We'll be here.”
“We're dealing with terrorists,” said Laura, as soon as they were alone. “It has to be! It all adds up.”
“Explains why our friend with Satans Wrath was scared and made it clear they were not involved. Tipping us off about them was just his way of covering his ass.”
“We're going to have to tell the brass,” said Laura. “We can't stay mum about this. We could be talking about thousands of lives here.”
“I know, but right now, it's the Cubans who discovered this. It's their ball game. I don't want to do, or say anything ... without their approval.”
Laura nodded and said, “Donato is heading back to Havana, I bet we don't see him much before noon tomorrow.”
“Yeah,” replied Jack, glancing at his watch. “I feel sorry for him tonight.”
“How so?”