by Bryn Bauer
Joe grunted, making his doubts clear.
“Joe, you know it’s true.”
“You may have a small point Helena. But, that does not mean I condone this kind of behavior. Quint, you will keep your relationship with Sofia strictly professional until we are done with this project. Understood?”
“Of course, Joe. I understand.”
Joe continued as if Quint had not spoken. “And if I even so much as get the slightest inkling that something is going on between you two, you are both out.”
Helena sighed. “Quint, can you go fetch Sofia? She’s probably dying from embarrassment and nerves thinking we’re going to fire her. Let her know she’s safe from the firing squad will you?”
Not wanting to be discovered eavesdropping, Sofia turned and tiptoed as fast as she could down the hallway and to the stairs. She went halfway down, the huge dose of adrenaline in her body nearly making her fall down the last few steps. She made a concerted effort to turn calmly and go back up the stairs slowly, one at a time. On the top step she met Quint who looked as though a war of emotion was being waged on his face but rearranged his expression promptly when he saw Sofia.
“Here you are.” Quint said in a surprisingly steady voice. “I was coming to get you for dinner. I knew you must be wondering whether to come up or not.”
Sofia nodded. “Is everything ok? I was a bit worried.”
He looked at Sofia closely and said, “Ah, you heard.”
Damn him, she thought. How does he do that? Sofia didn’t deny it. “I didn’t mean to put your job at risk Quint, or mine. I’m unbelievably embarrassed.”
“Look, I’m just as guilty. Let’s just put it behind us and move on with the job. As Homer has it, “We will let this be a thing of the past.” He gestured for Sofia to walk ahead of him.
Sofia passed him and felt better for the quote but also saddened. Did Quint mean that they were going to put the whole event behind them in order to complete the job? Or, she feared, did he mean to put their kiss behind them as though it had never happened, and worse, would never happen again? Sofia opened her mouth and shut it again, not knowing how to put the question into words. How could she ask such a thing without seeming juvenile? A few steps later Quint and Sofia arrived into the dining room. Sofia glanced up at Helena and Joe, and greeted them. Helena’s eyes held a kind sympathy and she returned Sofia’s greeting and motioned for her to sit. Joe’s expression on the other hand, remained hard, though the cutting edge of his scorn had dulled. Sofia couldn’t help but thinking. He is so easy to read. He would never have survived in my family. Some people had a natural talent for hiding their true thoughts. Some, like Sofia had to acquire the skill for survival and still others couldn’t completely hide strong emotion no matter what they did. She suspected Joe fell into the last category which seemed strange given his past in career activities.
Joe brought her out of her thoughts. “Tomorrow we’ll reach Havana in the late afternoon. We’ll need to stay off shore for the night and can put into the harbor the following day.”
“Are there not enough port staff to allow us in tomorrow night?” asked Sofia.
Helena joined the conversation. “There are, but we want to give the impression that we are taking our time, which is why we’ve taken the less direct route down. We don’t want to seem too eager or aggressive.”
Sofia nodded, seeing the wisdom in this approach. Sofia added, “It may give us time to map out the rest of the residence and get a feel for the mood of the city.” Then she paused, remembering. “Oh, wait. I forgot that you’ve already done that Joe.”
Quint’s head snapped up and Helena knitted her brows as she looked at Joe.
Quint spoke to Joe, “You have?”
Joe shrugged. “Just what we’ve already done. I’ve met Castro and some of his handlers but have always been restricted to the communal and patio areas.”
Unfortunately, Quint picked up on Sofia’s confusion and asked, “What did you mean by that Sofia?”
Well, hell she thought. Obviously, she had seen more than she was supposed to and had definitely seen more than Joe wanted Quint and Helena to know about. But why? Was he just eager to get on with the job? It was likely that he just did more work and had not let them know. On the other hand, something about his manner, the way he kept passing his hand over the table gave Sofia pause. Was he deliberately not telling them? She hesitated, she didn’t want to upset Joe and lose her job but she damn well wasn’t going to lie either. With his talent for reading her mind, Quint would likely know if she were. “Well, my first morning on board I ran into Joe coming out of the engine room and then after the attack I tried to locate you on the laptops inside. I found several active surveillance cameras inside the main residence, and in some more remote locations. She paused and continued choosing a diplomatic approach. “Perhaps I’ve made an assumption.” She knew that she had made an assumption and that she was right. The swish of Joe’s hand across the table before speaking confirmed it. Joe cleared his throat.
“Smart woman. Yes, there are other cameras. I would prefer that I had the opportunity to tell you in a proper setting, but I have been successful in planting cameras in several areas. I accomplished this on our last visit while you two.” Here he nodded at Helena and Quint, “while you two were engaged in discussions with the Finance Minister.”
Helena shook her head. “But why not tell us then?”
Joe took her hand and glanced between Helena and Quint assiduously avoiding Sofia’s gaze. “I apologize sincerely my Desert Rose. To you and Quint. I should have, but with all the drama over the Caracciola and the effort of getting Sofia on board, it completely escaped me.”
Quint leaned forward, arms on the table. “So why not tell us during the last couple of days? It sounds like you’ve been monitoring the cameras and recording data?”
Sofia noted the hand sweep again, as if dislodging crumbs from the table. This should be a good story, Sofia thought. She now came to recognize this motion as a deceptive technique and wondered that trained operatives like Quint and Helena did not pick up on it.
“Like I said, it’s taken quite an effort to get Sofia up to speed, more than I would have thought.” Sofia heard the barb but took care not to show it as Joe continued. “You were both so busy; I just didn’t want to bother you. I was going to tell you tomorrow, truly.” Sofia watched Joe kiss Helena’s hand and turn a look on her reminiscent of a puppy who had been caught chewing his owner’s favorite shoes. To Sofia’s shock, Helena returned the kiss, eyes softened.
She glanced at Quint who said, “Joe it really hasn’t taken that long to get Sofia operational, but I can see how all the logistics got in the way. I’d rather that you just tell me if you need help; I would have been glad to take some of the load.” Quint motioned to Sofia, “And, now that Sofia is on board, she can take some of the burden too.”
Sofia tensed but forced herself to look Joe in the eye and say, “Of course! I would be pleased to help.”
The flesh around Joe’s eyes tightened but his tone was light. “Of course Quint, I will keep that in mind. I don’t have to do everything after all. And thank you Sofia for your offer. I will be glad of your help.” Sweep.
The next morning, the Mariana put into the Port of Havana with almost no difficulty. After the port agent boarded, there seemed to be a rather loud protestation that the Mariana didn’t have the proper paperwork. Joe matched the volume in his argument, but after a private word below decks, the yacht was cleared. Quint joined Sofia at the deck railing, dressed in a linen suit.
“The usual bribes”, he said shortly. “It’s pretty customary here.”
“Where is it not customary?” Sofia inquired. Her experience taught her that anytime someone acted as gatekeeper; whether for a port or anywhere else requiring an official stamp, there would most certainly be under the table dealings. Or in this case, she corrected herself, under deck dealings.
Quint ignored her pithy retort in favor of greetin
g Helena who appeared on deck in a green linen skirt and jacket, ready to visit various Cuban officials. She looked at Sofia with a direct, probing gaze.
“Are you ready?” she asked.
“Of course. After all, I only have a bit part in today’s production.” All three began moving toward the gang plank to where Joe waited. Quint chided her.
“It’s more than that and you know it. You’ll have to convince Castro’s handlers that you are serious about working with them and that it will be worth their time.”
“I know, I didn’t mean to make light. I just meant that I won’t need to do any heavy espionage today.” The joke slipped out.
“No, that’s tomorrow.” Quint said, eyes alight with anticipation. Sofia laughed but without true mirth. Assuming that things went well today, they would be delivering the car by tomorrow and Sofia would have to think of some way to verify Castro’s exercise anaphylaxis. She would work on that after seeing the residence layout. Perhaps there was a way to see documents, some kind of written confirmation.
All four rode through the streets of Havana in a 1950’s Buick. Outside, dogs and children played in the streets. A flash of bright yellow turned her eye down an alley where a 2011 Toyota Camry scattered cart vendors and boys playing soccer.
She turned to the others, “I thought only the only cars on the island were those made in 1959 or older.”
Quint said, “That’s was true up until 2011.”
Helena explained, “Raul Castro passed a reform that said, Cuban nationals and foreign residents with government permission could import. Of course, that doesn’t mean much here.” She gestured to two women walking with heavy laundry sacks on their backs.
“Yes, Senora”, piped their driver. “It is a good law. Now we can be like other countries and get new cars.” He beamed.
Sofia smiled politely but turned to her companions and said, “How can they afford something like that? I had heard Cuba was a fairly poor country, and from what I see here”, she gestured outside the cab; “it looks like it.”
Joe said, “For those that are in with the government, it’s not difficult. Life in general is easier, rising above the rest, so to speak.”
Quint picked up the thread. “What he means is that-“
“I know what he means.” said Sofia in hushed tones. “He means that if you are corrupt and act in Raul’s best interest, then cars are a reality, not a dream.”
“Pretty smart if you ask me”, said Joe. Seeing the looks on everyone’s faces he hurried on, “evil of course, but smart.” He held out his hands and wiggled the right. “Look at the right hand, it’s giving you more freedom, or so you think. Get distracted, while the left continues building a human trafficking ring.”
Helena said “Ninety-nine percent of people here won’t ever own a car or be able to participate in most of the so-called reforms. Most make the equivalent of twenty dollars per month. They can barely afford bikes, let alone cars.”
The car rolled to a stop outside of what Sofia first thought was a hotel. The colonial archways and yellow stucco walls were immaculate and stood out against the bright green grass, the only grass Sofia had seen on the island so far.
As Sofia exited the car, an uneven patch of gravel caused her to stumble. Reflexively, Quint grabbed her arm to steady her. She winced as her bruises from the previous day sent pain shooting through her bicep. He immediately dropped the arm, but stood for a moment, his eyes probing hers. She wanted to stand there with him. Wanted to have him take her in his arms but there was a job to do. She would not risk Joe catching a glimpse of the two of them in any sort of amorous state from now on. Of course, that was assuming Quint was still interested. Sofia averted her eyes, breaking the moment and turned and followed Joe and Helena into the palatial home.
In the vaulted entry hall, while waiting to be announced, Helena leaned toward her and whispered, “This is only one of the Castro homes. It’s thought to be the main home on the island, but it’s rumored that he has up to fifty. Supposedly, they stand ready if needed.” She waggled her eyebrows as one who has just finished and especially spooky story. Sofia thought that it was spooky indeed. Though certainly the largest Caribbean island, Cuba was still only a couple of hundred square miles which, unsurprisingly made Castro the biggest landowner in the country.
She said as much to Helena who said, “Technically, there are no land owners as it’s a communist state. But, the government can apportion land however it sees fit. So, it’s basically the same thing as being a landowner.”
Sofia’s mind darted to thoughts of human trafficking and all the transport possibilities there were in having fifty locations in which to move people and conduct business. Like a twisted underground railroad thought Sofia.
A higher ranking clerk came to fetch them to the receiving room. The room was set up like a large living room in which nine men sat engrossed in various discussions. All looked up when they entered. Sofia surveyed the nine executive ministers in the country, preceded only by Castro himself. The clerk announced them to the Ministers which prompted the men to stand and exclaim their welcome. Sofia took a deep breath and made an effort to appear to take pleasure in the greeting. Sofia noticed that though older, Helena still garnered several admiring glances from various men. Helena appeared to barely move but the effect was dramatic, her curves became more prominent and the men noticed. They noticed Sofia too. She was earning a bit more admiration that she would have liked especially given that she had taken care to dress conservatively. It was her role to be in the background and only come forth when speaking about Koury Communications.
Clearly, Quint noticed the glances too and moved protectively toward Sofia. Though touched, she cut him a warning look as Joe snapped, “Quint, the minister is waiting.” Joe waited until Quint was ensconced with the minister before leading Sofia to a small conversation area and introduced her. Once the niceties were observed and all had a drink, Joe sat forward, chest puffed and began. “I think you gentleman will enjoy working with Koury Communications- “
“You don’t work for Koury Communications; Ms. Koury does”, interjected Minister Morales turning to Sofia.
Joe attempted to recapture the minister’s attention, “Yes, of course, but I will speak to the connection with the operations here in Havana. Ms. Koury has not had the opportunity to get to know that side of things.”
The minister kept his eyes on Sofia. “Then why are you here Ms. Koury? Why did your father not join you or come himself if you did not know about how our businesses operate?”
Sofia’s experience with being put on the spot through her father and law school came to her aid as she said, “My father did not want to appear presumptuous. He knows about Cuba’s governmental operations at a high level through former Soviet contacts and feels there could be mutual benefit to our working together. However, with the current climate being what it is…” Sofia trailed off and gestured widely to include all manner of social and political inconveniences. “I am here to begin the conversation, to help us get to know each other.”
The minister sat back into the chair cushions and stirred his coffee. Sofia took a sip of hers for politeness sake. It was thick enough to stand a spoon in. Joe, on the other hand, seemed to relish the tar-like concoction. Sofia glanced at Joe under her lashes. He was giving her a somewhat sulky look that said, “Don’t expect help from me.” Sofia inwardly rolled her eyes, should she have remained silent? Not likely. Well, she was not here to build up Joe’s ego so she would forge ahead.
“Minister, my father has several ideas for how Cuba can further its power through a partnership with Koury Communications.”
The minister finished the coffee before asking, “How so?”
Gratified at getting a bite on her line, Sofia proceeded to explain the memorized proposal along with sprinklings of standard company sales speak. She was surprised how easy the words came back. She almost felt as though she were in her father’s office at home instead of the opulent Cuban estat
e. When she finished, the phone near the minister’s elbow rang.
The minister jumped, eyes widened and snatched the receiver. “Yes Mister President?” Sofia watched his eyes flick between her and Joe. Joe’s outer calm was belied by his right hand that kept curling and uncurling beside the arm of the chair. After several minutes the minister replaced the receiver and looked at Sofia directly.
“Ms. Koury, it appears your proposal has impressed the president. He would like you to meet with him tomorrow afternoon.”
“What the hell was that?” Joe demanded as their car pulled away from the estate. “What do you think you were doing?”
“The job you hired me to do. You wanted me to play my father’s daughter and that is exactly what I did.”
“You just took over the conversation. Your role was to remain silent-“
“No. It was to remain as silent as possible. You saw that it wasn’t possible. He asked me direct questions and I answered just as we rehearsed.”
Joe waved a hand in frustration. “I still can’t believe you’re going back tomorrow. You were supposed to slip in and stay in the background. Now we’ll only have a few hours to formulate a new approach.”
Sofia fumed. She would be damned if she would take heat for something that wasn’t her fault. “Yes, I know, to see if I can get information about his condition. I’m sure it’s nothing you haven’t run into before. What was I supposed to do? Refuse to answer questions? At least we received an official invitation for tomorrow and didn’t have to wheedle one. He could have just let us go and asked us to leave the car.”
Joe visibly worked to contain his temper. “I suppose you’re right. I’m just worried about you. You have very little training and this is a big step. Tonight we’ll seriously have to consider how to proceed.”
At dinner the discussion became even more heated when Joe suggested that Sofia only stay long enough to deliver the car and be off indicating that she had a flight to catch.