Carlos took a knife from the pill counter case, slammed the lid closed, and slung the strap over his shoulder. He held the blade to Katie’s throat, pulling her along with him as he backed out the door. He shouted to the bodyguard that was still armed, “There are only eight hundred diamonds. Jorge will not be happy. Don’t let them follow.”
Vicky and I held our hands up. I spoke into my comm mike, “Hawk, do you copy? Carlos has the diamonds but won’t release Katie. His guard has us at gunpoint and Carlos is getting away.” I listened to the crackling static in my earpiece.
“Roger that, CJ. Sounds like the swap is totally FUBAR. The breakers are huge out here. I’m not at the dock. I’ll be five minutes at least.”
The armed guard tore the mike from my collar and threatened to shoot. I looked out the open window behind him and saw Hawk navigating around the rocks in heavy surf a few hundred yards out. Carlos still had Katie in tow and worked his way down a path to a second landing opposite where Hawk was headed. I caught a glimpse of another boat. It was a Cigarette, and it was purple.
~~~
MY MIKE WAS OUT, Hawk will be coming in blind. Vicky and I kept talking to the gunman to keep his attention away from the doorway.
Vicky said, “Your boss left you and your partner behind. Do you really think he’ll send someone back for you?”
I added, “You know the drill, hombre. It’s time to think about your future. Give me the gun.”
He shook his head and backed up a few steps to check on his unconscious partner.
Right on cue, Hawk poked his head in the doorway. The gunman was still looking down at his partner. The howling wind helped mask Hawk’s movement as he put a choke hold on the guard. After zip-tying the two thugs around a support column the four of us, with Vicky in front and Hilly wobbling between me and Hawk, descended the path to my boat.
The waves were bouncing it around, but Hawk had strung all available fenders over the gunwales. Too Fast For U was safe and ready to go. But we wouldn’t be chasing Carlos’ fast boat. It was right there, tied to the dock, pounding her hull against the rocks—and it wasn’t purple.
THE CHASE
I RADIOED DINO before I came in to get you,” Hawk said as he glanced at the Cigarette and jumped on board Too Fast For U. “He said he’d try to intercept Carlos. Isn’t this Carlos’ boat?”
We looked to the southwest at a purple Cigarette kicking up a rooster tail as she pounded through fifteen-foot waves a half mile out.
Vicky said, “Carlos must be on that boat.”
Hawk said, “The Cigarette’s fast. We need to go now if we want to catch him.”
We joined the chase with Hawk at the helm. Carlos had to be stopped before he reached the Nicholas Channel. Cuban gunboats patrol the northern coast east of Havana. Closest Cuban coastline is just thirty miles due south across the Channel, straight through their patrol lanes.
Fourteen-hundred horses strained as they propelled us from wave-top to wave-top. Looking east at the shallows over the bank, wave height reached nearly twenty feet with many breaking into a frothy curl.
There’s a coral reef protecting Cay Sal Bank. We stayed in deeper water at the western edge where the bottom plunged a thousand feet down Cay Sal Wall. Too deep for even the biggest waves to break. Hawk pushed to nearly full throttle. Too Fast didn’t mind but the rest of us were feeling every bone-jarring jolt each time we flew over the top of a big roller and slammed onto the back of the next. We narrowed their lead to less than a quarter mile.
Their heading shifted toward the coral heads of Rompidas. I shouted to Hawk, “Stay out here. With luck the coral will bend their props, then we’ll move in.” The draft of my boat is a foot less than the Cigarette’s deep V-hull design. We’ll need it to get through.
As we closed in I read the name on the transom— Purple People Eater—confirming Dino’s treachery. Their boat lurched as it powered into a trough, then surged through the coral head unscathed. In just a few minutes they will pass the twenty-fourth parallel and enter what Cuba considers her territory.
Hawk slammed the throttles full forward. We flew past the coral head. Automatic weapons fire emerged from the Cigarette’s aft deck. The first volley missed us completely. Carlos was a poor shot and Dino wasn’t much better, especially from a moving boat. A third shooter, one of Dino’s deck hands, took his time. A bullet struck our windshield, but we pressed forward.
Two more boats approached from the south. They were slower than the Cigarette but much larger and were painted drab gray. Cuban gunboats. Purple People Eater headed straight for the gap between them. They did not interfere. Another bribe did its job. After Carlos and company passed through, the gunboats closed the gap and fired a few fifty caliber rounds over our heads. Outgunned, we turned back.
With a following sea, our ride in Too Fast back to Marathon was a little smoother than the trip down but not by much. No diamonds. No Katie. Just Hilly. Time for plan B. Vicky was seething about Dino and his crew. She was on her SAT-phone talking to Washington. Even FBI agents can be bought these days.
OPERATION KATE
VICKY ENTERED THE ROOM with photos from the National Reconnaissance Office. An NRO KH12 satellite spotted a Cigarette boat docked in the port of La Isabella, Cuba, a narrow peninsula on the northern coast just forty miles from Cay Sal Bank. Comparing sequential photos taken hourly, analysts determined the purple colored boat arrived yesterday afternoon between one and two o’clock. The viewing angle of the satellite was low enough to get a photo of the stern. The boat’s name: Purple People Eater.
Infrared images showed hot engines and confirmed the early afternoon arrival. After sunset, the geostationary KH12 also detected thermal signatures consistent with three live bodies in a dockside warehouse. It’s got to be where Katie is being held. Hilly was in poor condition but still wanted to join the rescue. No way. We planned an underwater infiltration.
~~~
WE ARRIVED at first light, swimming the last mile underwater from the unmarked Zodiac we used to infiltrate Cuban waters. Hawk’s friends on the CG cutter, Mohawk, unofficially dropped us in international waters. They didn’t want to know our final destination. We left the inflatable adrift. The seas had calmed a bit since the storm so there was little wind. The Florida Current will take the featherlight boat east, away from our entry point. We plan to commandeer Purple People Eater for our exfiltration with Katie.
The eastern sky turned from deep red to gold when we surfaced next to the dock. The Cigarette was unoccupied, and a dim light shone from the warehouse a hundred yards from our position. La Isabella is a tiny, sparsely populated port. No large ships, just a few small fishing boats moored along the narrow harbor channel.
Hawk took point, in stone-cold-SEAL attack mode. Katie was like a sister to him and, despite our plan to avoid lethal contact, he would kill to get her free if it became necessary. That makes two of us. We took a quick look in the Cigarette—keys in the ignition and full fuel tanks. Someone planned a quick getaway. How thoughtful. Ours was a risky plan with so many gunboats patrolling the coast east of Havana, but the element of surprise and low light conditions will improve our chances of success. The breakaway speed of the Cigarette will help. First, we need to locate Katie.
As we approached the warehouse a man stepped out the front door and spotted us. One of Bachero’s crew. He turned to go back inside but Hawk lunged after him, delivering a kick to the back of the head that sent him to dreamland. Hawk stuffed a rag in his mouth and zip-tied wrists to ankles from the back.
The cinder block building had one window on the side facing us. A turkey peek revealed two people; one prone, one sitting slumped over, hands behind, bound at the wrists. I signaled to Hawk.
On three, we busted through the door. Carlos woke to find a gun barrel pressed to his head. Katie was awake and smiling at me. Bachero was nowhere in sight.
“I underestimated the resources at your disposal, Señor Charley. How did you find us so quickly?” The unflapp
able Carlos spirited a broad grin.
I ignored the stupid question and surveyed the room. The pill counter case was sticking out from under his cot. “I see you still have the diamonds with you.”
“Of course. I would not dare deliver less than the full amount to my boss. You have seen his handiwork. You would have heard from me later today to get the last one hundred, but you have saved me the trouble. Now that you are here, I would appreciate receipt of the gems. In return, I will ensure your safe departure from Cuba.”
This guy’s got balls. A SIG Sauer pistol pressed to his temple and he’s acting like he’s in charge. “Always negotiating, Carlos. Have you been smoking the local weed? What makes you think we need your help?”
“Why not take advantage of my offer? What do you have to lose?”
“I don’t have the rest of the diamonds.”
Carlos’ smile disappeared. “That is most unfortunate. Most unfortunate for all of us. Campinera is not very understanding when it comes to money.”
Hawk motioned for me to look out the front window. There were several men in Cuban military uniforms gathering. I turned to Carlos, “All right, Carlos. Let’s all walk to the fast boat together and get the hell off this island.” I wasn’t sure who the prisoners were with this arrangement but getting away from Castro’s army was my first priority.
We stepped outside. Carlos shielded us as I held my pistol at the back of his head. Katie grabbed the diamonds. The soldiers raised their weapons but moved aside as we shuffled past. Carlos shook his head when one of the soldiers fired a warning shot in the air. They broke ranks after we boarded the boat.
Hawk cranked the engines and readied for a fast exit while Katie released the lines. I kept my pistol against Carlos’ head, clearly visible to the soldiers as we raced through the harbor to the open channel. We got through without further resistance. Unless you count dodging several dozen fifty-caliber rounds aimed by one of Cuba’s finest patrol boat gunners. Fortunately, he wasn’t a very good shot and we were a rapidly accelerating target. I had tied Carlos to the aft cleat, an open area exposed to the wind and spray. He turned white when a few tracer rounds flew overhead. Mr. Cool finally showed some fear.
The Purple People Eater showed us her sprinting ability. We topped ninety mph when the water smoothed out on the straits. Katie sat between Hawk and me in the heavily bolstered middle bucket seat near the helm. More comfortable than Carlos’ seat. A rising swell from the east made our escape more like a roller-coaster ride back to Marathon. Apparently, Carlos didn’t enjoy amusement parks.
PLEA BARGAIN
COVERED WITH HIS FINGERPRINTS, the case of diamonds connected Carlos to the drug payment. Juan Madera’s murder was another matter. The absence of fingerprints on the body and the fishing chair weakened the U.S. Attorney’s case. But drug dealing and kidnapping were serious crimes. Carlos needed to cooperate to avoid jail. Jorge Campinera was the more important target. Time to negotiate a plea bargain with Carlos.
Vicky leaned over a handcuffed Carlos. “Ready to do some serious time for running drugs, kidnapping and accessory to murder?”
“You want Campinera. I’m just a little fish.”
“Still negotiating, Carlos?”
Carlos smiled. “What if I testify Jorge killed Juan? Will the Feds drop the kidnapping charge? And the murder-accessory charge? After all, I was just following his orders.”
Vicky said, “Very generous of you, Carlos. Selfish, but generous. But I also want you to help me get closer to Jorge.”
“How?”
“Call him and tell him you have all the diamonds and I want to take him up on the rain check from my last visit.”
Carlos smirked. “Yes, I’m sure he would enjoy your company.”
So, it was agreed. Vicky will go with Carlos. During the visit, she hoped to record more incriminating comments from Jorge before pushing for an indictment. If all is successful, the charges against Carlos will go away.
~~~
VICKY AND I STOOD on either side of Carlos while he phoned Campinera. We made the call from Carlos’ mobile using speakerphone to record both sides of the conversation.
Carlos said, “Good news, Jorge, we have the diamonds. Everything went according to your instructions.”
“Did you eliminate the Hildebrands after you got the gems?”
Carlos frowned and looked away from my glare. “No, Jorge. They are back with Señor Manner.”
“I told you to make sure the kidnapping would not come back on us. What happened?”
Carlos stammered, “There were too many of them. I was fortunate to get away with the diamonds.”
“You are a fool, Carlos. Again, you have failed to follow orders. When will I receive the gems?”
“Day after tomorrow. The weather is still bad, and the high seas make a trip from here to Miami quite difficult.”
“Okay, Carlos. I will deal with Manner and the Hildebrands another way. I do not want to lose my diamonds again. Remember what happened to Juan Madera. My knife is still very sharp.”
Carlos smiled, “Of course, Jorge. You’re the boss. See you day after tomorrow.” I poked Carlos and pointed at Vicky. Carlos continued, “I almost forgot, Jorge, you can expect Victoria Barnes as well as the diamonds. She was impressed with you on her first visit and would like to stay longer this time.”
Jorge replied, “Muy bueno, Carlos. Please send my best regards to Victoria. Tell her I will have something very special for her.”
“Yes sir. I’ll do that.”
I pressed the end call button. Vicky grabbed Carlos before I could strangle him and said, “What did Jorge mean, eliminate the Hildebrands?”
Carlos flushed. “My instructions were to kill them once I had the diamonds. Of course, things have changed.”
“They certainly have. You better keep up the pretense, Carlos, or your bargain will dissolve.”
I checked my anger. It’s Campinera that is threatening me and my family. We’ve got to give Carlos some rope to help us nail his boss. Carlos must have read my thoughts. He smiled and said, “You can trust me.”
Vicky smiled back, eyes narrowed, and said, “I don’t trust you for a second, so watch it.”
And Hawk and I plan to watch them both, in case things go wrong at the penthouse.
FAMILY REUNION
HILLY was more shaken by the kidnapping than my sister. Sure, he was the one with a bashed in skull and the stitches to prove it, but it was the near loss of his new wife that affected him more. He wanted no more to do with the cartel people, but Katie was out for payback and she vowed to get it. With Carlos in custody and a sting planned to bag the big guy, she bugged me for updates.
“Where’s Vicky? You guys are going after Campinera soon, right?”
Hilly wrapped his arm around her and shook his head but said nothing.
I put my hands on her shoulders, looked her in the eye and said, “Cool it, Katie. The less you know the better. Don’t worry, we’ll snag the little twerp and Vicky’s evidence will put him away for a long time, sooner than you think. Maybe he’ll get the death penalty if the murder charge sticks.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Okay, but sooner isn’t soon enough.”
“Until Vicky gives us the go ahead, we need to tread water, little sister. At least for another day. As soon as Hawk gets here, we’ll cruise over to Key West and have lunch at The Hole. After what you and Hilly have been through, a little family reunion celebration is in order.”
Hawk untied the lines and hopped aboard Too Fast For U. We cruised out of the marina and reached The Hole on Stock Island fifty minutes later. Its full name is The Hurricane Hole, one of my favorite dockside restaurants in Key West. There are two lagoons nearby, known as hurricane holes, ideal locations to moor your boat during a hurricane.
The Hole offers an unusual service. If you are a fisherman, you can bring your catch in and have them cook it up. Blackened, fried, baked, corn crusted or buffalo style … whatever floats your boat.
Chef Tyler is the best. I have a business arrangement with the owners to supply fresh catches from my outings on the straits. They pay a fair price for marlin, swordfish, shark, tuna and wahoo. A good supplement to my Navy pension.
It was time to appreciate family. Life is good here in paradise, but it can end in a heartbeat. I learned that during more than a hundred ops in Iraq and Afghanistan including a sortie in the Spin Ghar Mountains when I became a guest of the Taliban torture team. But Katie’s abduction brought it closer to home. I wanted to spend some quality time with my sister and her healing husband.
I had no fish of my own this trip, so we ordered from the menu. Hawk and I sat facing the water. Katie and Hilly were seated opposite us, admiring the huge saltwater tank of fish in the center of the restaurant. I looked out at the smooth water of the lagoon. A large dorsal fin rose above the surface about a hundred yards out. A tail fin trailed nearly twenty feet behind it.
Hawk saw it too and said, “Is that your pet shark Jawselle?”
“It sure looks like it, but what’s that behind her?”
A sleek, all-black fast boat was entering the lagoon, cruising at idle speed, no wake. And no name or numbers! Two hooded men in black raised AK47’s in our direction. I yelled gun, leaped up and pulled Katie to the floor behind a potted palm. A burst of automatic weapons-fire peppered the dock and found its way to the fish tank, exploding the glass, spilling ten-thousand gallons of water and a few hundred tropical fish. I peeked through the palm fronds and caught a glimpse of the black boat speeding out of the lagoon.
I looked around. Hilly was lying among a dozen flopping fish. He was covered with glass shards. A pool of red surrounded his head. He didn’t move. I nudged Katie. She looked up and said, “Where’s Hilly?”
Charley Manner series Box Set Page 11