Dangerous Mergers
Chapter Nine
Stephanie sat shaking her head, still trying to absorb the glowing story Enrique had recited to her. She wasn't sure how much was truth and how much was myth: either way, Ranger had a whole lot of explaining to do. Somehow, he'd forgotten to mention his little jaunts to Cuba and that a whole branch of his family tree hated him. People in Cuba, people who had never met him, seemed to know more about his activities and family than she did. When this was over, they were going to sit down and have a long talk.
If only he had told her about his uncle and cousin! Then again, no one would have guessed she would have ended up in their backyard this soon. Stephanie sighed. Being in Cuba and being separated from Ranger was bad enough. The certainty of having to avoid anyone official was daunting. The possibility of having to avoid a cousin-in-law, especially one she had no visual image of, was frightening. All in all, the whole situation was more than a little overwhelming.
Sitting on the bed in the tiny room, Stephanie tried to shift the direction of her thoughts. She'd been ordered to stay put and out of sight while Emilia fed the patrons of her tiny restaurant. Again, Stephanie realized how much Emilia and Manuel were sacrificing in order to keep her safe. It was obvious they didn't have much, but what they had was clean, neat and well cared for. The thought of them losing the little they had because of her weighed heavy on her mind. Somehow, she and Ranger would have to find a way to make their lives easier, but first, she had to find him.
She was pulled from her thoughts when the bedroom door eased open. She felt her body stiffen in alarm and then relax when she realized it was Enrique who had slipped inside and closed the door behind him without a sound. He turned and put a finger to his lips. He hurried across the room and took her hand and pointed to the closet door. He motioned for her to lower her head so he could whisper in her ear. "Quick, hide. The men who have come for their meals are talking about another search party."
Stephanie barely suppressed a groan. Whispering back, she asked, "Is it the same one from earlier?" Enrique shook his head, eyes wide.
"No. They have remarked that this is the third party in two days. Now hurry." Stephanie rose from the bed and slipped the closet door open. Looking back over her shoulder, she saw Enrique motioning for her to hurry, but he was standing back at the door.
"Aren't you coming?" she whispered. The boy shook his head.
"No, I have been seen already by the men who are here. I cannot disappear for such a long of time. Now please, hurry."
Stephanie opened the cubby door and squeezed her way in. While it was a lot roomier by herself, she missed the comforting presence of Enrique. How pathetic was it, she asked herself, that a ten-year-old child could feel like her protector? Maybe it was because he spoke English. Maybe it was because he seemed more mature than any ten-year-old she'd ever met. Hell, he was more mature than most adults she knew! Deep down, she knew why she missed his company, it was because he was what she imagined Ranger must have been like as a child: observant, intelligent, protective, and serious, yet found delight in adventure.
She felt like she had been hiding forever and the temperature of her hiding place became sweltering. She reached up to wipe the sweat from her forehead and made a decision. This was going to be the last time she hid. Now, it was time for action.
oOoOo
Miguel stared at the phone; a snarl twisted his handsome features into a frightening mask. A knock sounded and the door opened before he could respond. A maid stepped through the door, her arms filled with fresh towels. She took one look at Miguel's face and retreated in haste, pulling the door shut behind her.
Miguel barked out a short laugh. Even something as small and petty as frightening a young maid gave him a feeling of power, a feeling he hadn't had since being told by his father that his efforts to blow his cousin and wife out of the sky had failed.
Even with the expanded search, no one had seen or known anything. The closest thing to a tip that his men could come up with was that a ten-year-old boy, Enrique Martinez, had not been seen at his home for a couple of days. Big fucking deal. Supposedly the kid spoke English. Another big fucking deal. Quite a few of the islanders spoke English. Why in the hell would anyone think a kid would interest him? How stupid did his men think he was?
If this was the best his men could come up with, maybe it was time for him to join the search and start applying the ultimate form of persuasion. He'd start killing them one by one.
oOoOo
"First, we change your appearance." Will looked Ranger over with a calculating eye. "Not much we can do about your build other than try to hide it under loose clothing. You're going to have to change the way you walk and stand. You still look military, that's something another soldier would be sure to spot." Will grinned. This was going to be fun. "We'll put some lifts in your shoes to change your height. Maybe we'll get lucky and they'll hurt your feet enough to change the way you walk."
Ranger glared at his friend. "Asshole," he muttered under his breath. Will's grin got bigger.
"What's that, Ric? You said 'anything else', right?" He waited a beat for a response, got none. "Looks like you haven't shaved for a few days. That's good. We'll give you a mustache and goatee, maybe a mole," he reached a finger out and touched Ranger's cheek, "right here. Think we'll add a little gray into your hair, too. Your cover identity lists you as forty-two years old, so it fits."
"You really don't expect me to teach, do you?" Ranger was not going to waste one minute validating his cover. He intended to use every second, every resource, and every drop of energy he had to find Stephanie.
"Nope, it's still semester break at the university, but you'd better find your wife in the next week though, before classes begin." Will grinned. "The university isn't aware of your imminent arrival. Damn embarrassing if you show up for work and no one knows a thing about it." Will's enjoyment dissipated when he saw the scowl on Ranger's face. "You know, you really shouldn't be the one doing this if you can't treat it like it's any other mission. Maybe I should put Leon in the field, and you stay here and help coordinate the logistics and …"
Before Will could finish, Ranger was in his face. "No." Both men remained nose to nose, both wearing hard expressions, waiting for the other to blink first.
"Relax you two, no bloodshed among friends." Leon smacked both men on the back, hard, to bring an end to the pissing match.
Will shook his head. "Fine, it's your choice. Just make sure you know what you're doing." He paused and waited for Ranger's nod before he continued, "You're going in as Carlos del Fuesco, visiting professor of English, from the Universidad de Buenos Aires, forty-two, unmarried, and you have been teaching for thirteen years. When you look over your CV, you'll find your earlier history."
"Good choice, I know Buenos Aires well."
"Yeah, I know." Will looked over at Leon. "I wasn't anticipating your brother being here, so we're gonna have to come up with a cover for him, too, if you want him out there with you."
"No," Ranger said.
"Yes," Leon shot back.
The two brothers glowered at each other.
"Ric, I made a promise to Tank. If I have to go out without a cover, then I will and take my chances, but I'll be there." Leon's voice was calm, but his jaw was knotted in anger.
Ranger didn't temper the glare he shot at his brother, but Leon refused to drop his gaze. Ranger sighed. He knew how stubborn Leon could be. He'd do it, with or without the paperwork and identity. "Fine, he goes with me."
Will nodded. "Since you two look so much alike, I think we'll keep you as brothers. Leon is Javier del Fuesco and he gets a ten-day visa, the younger brother who comes along to enjoy a little Cuban vacation. You two are planning to see the sights before Javier goes home and Carlos goes to work." Will pointed at each man as he said his undercover name.
The Manoso brothers nodded. "Okay, by this time tomorrow, we'll have Leon's paperwork done. I'll come up with a disguise for him, and by tomorrow night the two of you will be in Havana. Now, let's get the contact plans in place."
oOoOo
Stephanie was shaking her head. "No, I have no idea who they are. I'd like to think they're my husband's men, but I suppose they could be his cousin's." How did you tell a ten-year-old that you had no idea what your husband was up to, what he'd been up to in the past, or that you didn't know who might work with him? And how did you say that without swearing?
"They are the first to have mentioned your description, so they know who they are looking for." Enrique frowned. "You are correct. They could have been sent from either side of the Manoso family."
Stephanie looked at the three anxious faces staring at her. This was as good a time as any to announce her decision. "Look, Enrique, I know I'm putting all of you in danger by staying here. The chances are good that each of the search teams will be back. I think it's time I leave. I just need some help in figuring out where to go and how to get there."
Enrique beamed at her. "Where is easy. You must go to Havana, to Guantanamo. That is American soil; you will be safe there. The how is more difficult." He switched to rapid Spanish, addressing Manuel. The two conversed for several minutes, and Stephanie understood nothing other than 'sí' and 'no'. Just when she'd reached her peak of frustration, the conversation stopped.
Enrique turned back to her. "Manuel has some ideas, but wants to speak with my father first. He will come tonight, and together they will devise a plan for you to reach Guantanamo." His little face was serious and sad, but the light of excitement glittered behind his eyes.
"What's wrong, Enrique?"
The boy shook his head. "It is nothing. Tonight, a plan will be formulated for you to reach freedom, and tomorrow you will be on your way. I don't believe they will allow me to go along because I am a child. I will miss you."
Stephanie's eyes filled with tears and she reached out to hug the small boy. "You've been a wonderful friend, but you'll be safer without me."
Why did those words sound so familiar?
