Stalked: The Boy Who Said No (32 page)

“Of course.” Pino thought for a moment and drew his lips together while Alberto looked on curiously. “In this business, you must be scrupulous in following orders. You must remain above reproach. You must not question authority—ever!”

“I understand.”

“You also must be willing to risk your life for your country. And you must be willing to kill if necessary. Am I making myself clear?”

“Yes, sir, that goes without saying.”

“So, you concur.”

“Of course.”

“Say it!” snapped Pino, suddenly annoyed.

“I concur,” said Alberto in a tremulous voice. Pino leaned forward, placed his elbow on his desk, and rested his chin on his fisted hand. The two men regarded each other like boxers in a ring.

Alberto broke the silence. “Is there anything else you could tell me about the mission, sir?”

“There’s little I can tell you now other than the assignment is highly dangerous, and it is of utmost importance to me and to our nation.” Pino’s voice dropped its edge. “And, if you are offered and accept this assignment, you will be rewarded handsomely.”

Alberto’s face brightened. Pino watched the soldier’s expression with concern. He believed that monetary reward should not be the prime driver for the man who took this assignment. It would be a consideration, of course. But he wanted someone with fire in his belly—someone who would complete the mission for three reasons: loyalty to him, dedication to the cause, and love of country. In that order.

“I assume the assignment would be in Cuba,” said Alberto.

Pino’s nostrils flared as he inhaled sharply. “This mission will not be carried out in Cuba. I cannot divulge its location, but it would take place outside the country.”

For a brief moment Alberto’s face soured.

Pino watched Alberto carefully, unhappy with his expression.

“You seem concerned. Are you still interested?” Pino asked sharply.

Alberto paused before he spoke. Pino interpreted his hesitation as reluctance.

“Of course I’m interested. It sounds like an opportunity of a lifetime,” said Alberto. “Who wouldn’t be interested?”

“Good. But give it due consideration. There’s no need to decide now. I need someone smart and sensible, and you may be the man for the job.”

Pino stood and extended his hand. Alberto did likewise. “We will speak again. Meanwhile, this conversation is to remain between the two of us. Do I have your word on that?”

“Yes, sir. I understand. I will think it over carefully.”

Once Alberto left his office, Pino sat on his chair and expelled his breath. He didn’t expect Alberto to hesitate the way he did, and he didn’t like it. Didn’t like it at all.

Pino leaned back in his chair and propped his feet on his desk.
What’s wrong with him? That kid should’ve been chomping at the bit for an opportunity such as this.
Then it struck him.
He probably has a girlfriend. Of course! A girlfriend. Why was it that the damn women always got in the way?

That was the problem with Mederos. Couldn’t wait to be with his honey. Well, I learned my lesson on that score. I’m not falling into the trap of dealing with another man whose judgment is compromised because he’s love crazy. If Alberto gets antsy to see his girlfriend, he could jeopardize the whole mission. He could get hasty. Careless. Sloppy. Then where would I be?

Pino lit a cigarette and dropped his gold lighter onto his desk. It landed with a thud. Memories of the sugarcane fields flashed through his mind.
The stakes surrounding this mission are too high. This guy is bright, but I can’t chance it.
He shook his head.
No, I can’t take a chance, not when I could face a court martial for what I plan to do.

A couple of days elapsed before Pino decided to discuss the mission with Damian. He was still disappointed with Alberto’s reaction and was hoping this interview would prove more fruitful.

The two men met in the officers’ dining room, where they dined on steak and lobster, and finished their meal with snifters of brandy. Pino lead the way back to his office and switched on the light. A dog barked in the distance. The hum of insects grated the evening air.

Pino was eager to begin the conversation. It was time—past time—for his mission to get under way. After both men settled in their chairs, Pino turned to Damian, and said, “I have a serious matter to discuss with you.” The commander’s demeanor was somber.

“Please,” said Damian, nodding to Pino.

“I’m obliged to inform you that there exists a grave threat to Cuba’s national security.”

Damian’s back stiffened. “I’m sorry to hear that, sir. Can I help in some way?”

Pino thought for a moment. “Perhaps.” Damian waited for Pino to continue. “I’ve received word from the highest authority that a former Cuban—a worm—may need to be eliminated.”

“I see, sir.”

“Question: if you had the opportunity to kill a traitor, someone who was a threat to this nation’s very existence, would you take it?”

A feral look flashed in Damian’s eyes. Pino liked it.

“Without hesitation,” said Damian.

“Why?”

“A traitor is a threat to everything Cuba stands for—our traditions,
our values, our way of life. I’d have no trouble stomping out a worm. Anyone who has betrayed the Motherland deserves to be killed.”

“True.”

“What do you have in mind?”

“I’m awaiting orders—nothing is certain, mind you. But I’ve been asked to recommend a man who would be willing to carry out an important mission if necessary. And I thought of you.”

“I appreciate the thought, sir.”

Pino glanced out the window before he returned his gaze to Damian. The moon lit the sky with a stainless steel glow.

“Due to the classified nature of this mission, the man selected will have the full backing of the Cuban government. No matter where you go, no matter what you do, you will have a safety net. All resources will be brought to bear to make the mission successful.”

“That’s good to know,” said Damian.

The young soldier glanced at the ceiling as if in deep thought. Pino interrupted his reverie. “In case you were wondering, considerable compensation awaits the man who accepts this assignment.”

Damian looked unimpressed. Since he did not respond, Pino continued, “If you are given this opportunity, you will be granted the rank of full lieutenant as soon as your feet touch foreign soil. Upon successful completion of the mission, you will return to Cuba where you will take command of a Special Forces unit. With your new rank, you will receive a generous salary. You will be set up in your own apartment and will be given your own jeep.”

Pino expected Damian to smile, but he did not. He waited a moment for this information to sink in. Finally, Pino said, “You don’t seem very excited about the benefits.”

“Those things are of little consequence to me,” said Damian. “What’s important is that I be able to eliminate a worm that may threaten our country. It sounds like this guy could do a lot of harm.”

“He has in the past and he can in the future.”

“That’s all I need to know.”

Pino smiled inwardly, knowing he had found his man. Silence
deadened the air for a moment before Pino asked, “Do you have any questions?”

“May I inquire where the assignment would be?”

Feeling certain of his selection, Pino volunteered, “Should I receive the go-ahead order, the mission will take place in the States.”

“Good. There are a lot of traitors there. And we know full well that they’ve infiltrated our military. The world will be better off with one less worm.”

“My sentiments exactly,” said Pino.

“May I ask how I would get there?”

“Just as the Americans have their people here, we have people in the States who would tend to you. The Cuban government will guarantee safe passage in and out of the country.”

“When will the mission occur?”

“I’m awaiting word from higher authority. I’ll let you know when and if it’s a go. Meanwhile, I don’t need to remind you that this conversation never happened.”

Damian stood and saluted. “Never happened,” he said, and turned for the door.

Other than Torres, Pino had only one real friend in the army, one man in whom he could confide, one man who would tell him exactly what he thought without the usual obsequiousness: First Lieutenant Franco. A sandy-haired man with a double chin, Franco was as smart as anyone Pino had ever known.

But what Pino really appreciated was the man’s loyalty and wise advice. He had steered Pino in the right direction on more than one occasion. The two men saw eye to eye on most matters, and their friendship had withstood the test of time.

Late the next afternoon Pino strode into the lieutenant’s office. “We need to talk,” he said, closing the door behind him.

“Pull up a chair,” said Franco. “What’s on your mind?”

“I want you to know that I’ve identified my man for the mission.”

Franco shook his head in disapproval. “You know what I think of this ‘mission’ of yours.”

Pino waved his comment away. “I’m here to discuss the man who will do it.”

“So, you’ve chosen someone against my advice?”

“I have.”

“Who?”

“Damian Baez.”

Franco slapped his forehead. “Christ! And he’s agreed?”

“He considers it an honor—he can’t wait to kill a traitor.”

The lieutenant pressed his lips together and rubbed his temples with his forefingers. “What did you promise him?”

Pino shrugged. “He didn’t seem that interested in the reward.”

“But you promised him something, nonetheless.”

“I told him he’d be made a full lieutenant as soon as he landed in America.”

“And—”

“And he’d get his own apartment, a jeep, a good salary, glory— the works.”

“Anything else?”

“He’d command a Special Forces unit when he returns.”

Franco tilted his chin toward the ceiling before lowering it. “Do you want my opinion, or do you just want me to shut up and listen?”

“I’m willing to hear you out.”

Franco closed his eyes for a moment. “I understand your reasons for this mission. I know you paid a high price for what happened with Mederos. But you’re making a big mistake.”

Pino raised his chin at the lieutenant’s words, but refrained from silencing him. “Go on.”

“This whole thing is lunacy. You’re still harboring a grudge about something that happened, how many years ago?”

“What happened was big. Real big. Time doesn’t matter with that kind of thing.”

“Yeah, it matters. Mederos is probably married and has a couple of kids by now. I’m sure he’s forgotten about the whole episode. I doubt he poses any threat to Cuba.”

“Well, I haven’t forgotten about the ‘whole episode’ as you put it. Justice is justice. And I’m going to make that little worm pay.”

“Well, you asked, and I’m telling you. I think you should leave Mederos alone. What you’re planning will just cause trouble—it’s not worth it.”

“It is to me!”

Pino’s remark hung in the air while he stared out the window, stewing.

Franco blew out his cheeks. “You are a smart man, Commander. But this thing is eating you alive—it has been for years. When are you going to let it go?”

Pino stared at Franco with a vulturine look. “Mederos is a traitor and a worm, and it is my duty to bring him down. I can’t let that go.”

“All right. I hear you. But is this the best way to do it?”

“What do you mean?”

“For starters, we both know you can’t make good on your promises to Baez. That’s the kind of trouble that will blow up in your face someday. Sooner, I’d say, rather than later.”

“Not the way I’ve got it planned—”

Franco eyed Pino warily. “I have no idea what you have planned. But if you are determined to get Mederos, there are cleaner and easier ways to do it. We’ve got people in the States who handle these kinds of assignments. We’ve been over this before. It’s way too risky for you to get personally involved. Why don’t you just put the word out and let somebody else take care of it?”

Pino scowled. “You don’t understand. I don’t want to
hear
that Mederos went down, I want to
know
he went down. I want to be as close to this thing as possible. I want you, and only you, to tell me what happened. I want you to describe to me exactly how Mederos died so there are no doubts in my mind. I want Mederos to know that I was the one behind taking him out. I need to know he’s dead not only in my head, but in my heart, in my soul, in my
bones.”

“Have it your way, Commander. But remember, I’m dead set against this whole operation.”

“Frankly, Lieutenant, I don’t give a damn whether you’re for or against it. I’m not asking your permission. I’m going to carry out this mission regardless of your opinion. I need you to help me refine and execute my plan. Are you up for that?”

Franco looked disgruntled. “Fine,” he said, grabbing a pencil. “Then we need to nail down the details. First, how are you going to explain Baez’s absence from base?”

“I’ll say he had a family medical emergency.”

“And after that?”

“After that I’ll claim he defected. He’ll never be seen or heard from again.”

The implication of what Pino was saying hit Franco in the face like a flyswatter. “So you’re—and you want me to—?” He dropped his pencil. “I’m sorry, Commander, but that’s plain crazy!”

Pino’s fingers formed a fist on his lap. “There’s no other way. I know I can’t keep my promise to Baez. And I know what he’d do if he learned I lied to him. He’d run at the mouth to anyone who’d listen to him—his mother, his father, his siblings, his fellow soldiers—until it got back to the brass in Managua.”

“That’s what I’m telling you.”

Pino raised his hand threateningly, and his voice shot up an octave. “Listen to me and listen to me well. Damian Baez will never make it back to Cuba. Do you understand? You, my dear and trusted first lieutenant, are going to make sure of that. Appoint someone to do the dirty work. You don’t have to do it yourself. You will oversee the operation. But I want to be clear: once Baez leaves this base, I never want to see his face again.”