Pena laughed. “Who else? Few Americans come to Cuba, and they were picked out from a photo array.”
“Americans come to Cuba…they do careless things,” said Gutierrez, “but after they’re finished sleeping it off, you will see…they will turn up.”
“Then you don’t think we at the American Interest Section should worry or let the relatives know that their sons are missing?”
Gutierrez carefully snipped off the end of his cigar, his eyes riveted to the task. “That would be premature, Mr. Zayas.”
Julio knew that the captain’s attention to his Corona- a ritual — was either a delaying or a concealing tactic. “And the Canadian woman?”
His eyes still averted, the colonel fumbled with his lighter and finally lit his cigar, sending up a cloud of smoke to a dark circle overhead. “Our suspicion is that the woman actually initiated this foolish adventure, telling no one of their plans.” He leaned back in his chair, which squeaked in protest, and spread his hands wide before adding, “You know how women can be, how easily men are led.”
Pena added, “There is so much to see and do outside Havana that invites exploration. Cuba is, after all, a tropical paradise.”
“Like a beautiful exotic woman, Cuba is mesmerizing,” added Gutierrez, “so one must accept that young people succumb to her allure.”
So much bullshit, Julio thought. It became increasingly clear that these two were not going to find the missing doctors, nor was this meeting going anywhere, just as he’d predicted.
Julio leaned back in his chair, steepling his hands beneath his chin. He inhaled deeply and was immediately sorry. The acrid combination of men’s cologne, stale cigars, overflowing ashtray, and just a hint of alcohol on Pena’s breath stung Julio’s eyes, nose, and throat. “I came to learn what you know of the missing Americans, but I see you still have no idea where they are.”
“We are doing all we can to locate dos hombres Americanos.”
“You leave me no choice but to contact authorities in America. I don’t think their relatives will treat this so lightly,” he paused for effect, before adding, “gentlemen.”
“Do what you must…but you’ll just look foolish in the end,” warned Gutierrez. “They’ll surface soon.”
Puppet-like, Pena added, “You know, Mr. Zayas, if you take premature steps, it can only harm everyone involved, from the missing young people to the unnecessary heartache you’ll cause their relatives back home. Trust us. We’ll continue our search both here and throughout the provinces. Rest assured, we’ll keep you informed.”
“Yes,” added Gutierrez, “the moment we learn where they are, you’ll be the first person we call. I like you, Zayas, your style, your enthusiasm for your work. Believe me, we have seen this sort of thing before. It’s not uncommon in Cuba for tourists to wander off only to resurface in a day or two. Give it time is all we ask.” Gutierrez reached a cigar-filled hand to his throbbing head, and for just a moment Julio fleetingly hoped his hair would catch fire.
Pena leaned in close to Zayas and said, “Our poor country roads here…they get washed out, cars, you know, they break down.”
Gutierrez piped in. “Any number of things happen here that you Americans cannot appreciate, given all that you have.”
“A phone and TV in every home,” complained Pena.
“Triple-A towing,” added Gutierrez.
“Convenience marts-“
“-ample petroleum everywhere-“
“-and a NAPA auto parts place on every corner.”
Julio shook his head in consternation. “So why hasn’t any one of these three professional people-doctors, responsible for people’s lives, made a single attempt to contact Dr. Cortez? Why?”
“Ahhh… but once again, you’re making an assumption that this is America with phones everywhere. It’s not the same here; we’re a poor country with few resources.”
“Have you contacted provincial authorities across the island?”
“Of course, we’ve canvassed the entire country,” replied Gutierrez.
Pena added, “This’s why we suspect they’re in an inaccessible area.”
“All right… I think I’ve heard enough.” Zayas stood to leave, knowing he could not take another breath in the stifling office.
“So what will you do now, Mr. Zayas?” asked Gutierrez.
“I’ll do my duty, sir. I will do my duty. Now…good day.”
15
Carrying their hospital cafeteria trays, Dr. Benilo led Qui to his favorite patio corner and lunchtime retreat. “Watch.” He crumbled and tossed bits of bread and crackers saved for him by the cafeteria staff, who enjoyed his daily routine nearly as much as he did. A flock of small birds immediately swooped down and attacked the gift. Surprising to those who didn’t see past his arrogant gruffness, Arturo took a childlike delight in seeing the birds squabble over the offering, the corners of his eyes creasing with his smile. Qui, too, delighted in their antics and began tossing bits of her sandwich to the visitors.
“What do you think the SP hopes to accomplish in making off with the bodies?” she asked. “Damn it, even here in Cuba, it’s a crime to tamper with evidence in a murder investigation.”
“I suspect the Secret Police will report that they’re conducting their own investigation, using that incompetent lout, Dr. Gomez Trebeca-hardly more than a mortician.”
“I thought such blatant manipulations a thing of the past.” Qui sipped at her soft drink. “I can’t believe this is happening on my first major case.”
A squabble of some sort broke out among the birds, momentarily distracting their discussion.
“Believe it, Quiana. Happens more than you can imagine.”
“That’s madness. We-you and me-the entire crew of the Sanabela, Tino, Sergio…we all saw-”
“I know, I know, but the next time you speak to Estrada and any of his crewmen, you may find them suddenly deaf and dumb-or gone to Miami.”
“Among the vanished, as they feared.”
“This is why we must be cautious; we can’t let anyone know how much evidence we have. I must continue to play the befuddled old man, and you…sorry, but you must continue to play the incompetent woman Gutierrez is convinced you are.”
“That won’t be hard to do,” she replied and chuckled.
Even more noise arose from the birds, demanding their attention. Arturo pointed to the appearance of an orange cat slinking toward the feeding birds. “We must be more sly than that feral cat, or else the SP will soon be onto us too, heh?”
“Aha, this is how you got ahead and have remained on top.”
“Sometimes to succeed, we must assume a persona at odds with our own integrity. It’s a calculated pretense, necessary for survival.”
Suddenly the birds succeeded in driving the cat into hiding. “In nature, those who cooperate will often overcome a much larger foe.”
Long before now, it’d dawned on Qui that what she’d originally thought a bad case of paranoia in an old man, had all along been justified. “Of course, I understand. I’ll do everything by the book, but I’ll also keep my true investigation between us.”
Tossing the final piece of bread to the birds, Benilo calmly said, “Consider yourself initiated into Cuban politics-a dance with this devil.”
“So teach me to dance.”
“The trick is to come away from the dance without being corrupted-no easy thing to do. And this dance so far has been deadly.” He stopped speaking, his eyes telegraphing a new concern as he laid a single finger across his lips, the gesture of silence. He lifted his tray and loudly proclaimed, “I have told you all I know, Lieutenant. Now
