Havana Black Read Online Free PDF

Rangel, or he took on that rancid-smelling case he’d already started to like the sound of and would thus earn the freedom awaiting him when it was solved and demonstrate into the bargain why the Boss had singled him out from all his detectives. As he listened to the alternatives offered by his new sweet-smelling, smartly uniformed chief, the Count lit another cigar and looked at the white folder on his lap, which contained the known facts about the life of defector Miguel Forcade Mier and the part of his death that had been revealed. He looked out of the big office window and noted that the sky was still blue and quiet, oblivious to the existence of Felix, and
decided to negotiate a way out: “Colonel, as we are forging a deal between gentlemen, before I respond I want to ask you a question or two, and make one demand.”
    The well-shaven and better-dressed man who was now his boss, smiled.
    â€œYou are mistaken, Lieutenant, it’s no gentleman’s deal, because I’m now your boss. But I’ll go along with you . . . What’s your first question?”
    â€œWhy had a man like Miguel Forcade been let back in the country? From what you tell me he was a pretty high ranker and defected when he was coming back from an official mission? As far as I know, it’s not usual for someone like that to attempt a comeback and even less to get permission to return to Cuba. I know of people who’ve been refused entry for much less . . . When this man left, did he take with him documents, money, something to incriminate him legally?”
    It was now Colonel Molina who lit up one of his cigarettes, before responding. “No, he was incredibly clean. But the fact is they let him back in to keep an eye on him and see what he wanted to do. He sorted his re-entry through the International Red Cross, as his father is sick. And it was decided it was best to let him come back in.”
    â€œI more or less expected an answer like that, so I will now ask my second question. Did he throw off his minder?”
    â€œYes, regrettably from our point of view and his, he slipped the tail that had been put on him. Are you equally happy with that answer?”
    The Count nodded, and raised his hand like a suspicious pupil.
    â€œBut now I want to ask a third question: did anyone ever find out or suspect why Forcade stayed in Madrid?
Because this kind of man isn’t the type to defect for the usual reasons, I assume?”
    â€œThere were several suspicions, as there always are in such cases. For example, at the end of ’78 they discovered a case of fraud in Planning and the Economy, but they could never prove he was involved. People also thought he might have taken something when he worked in Expropriated Property, but he was never known to sell anything valuable. There was also a suspicion he had information to give, though nothing was ever proved and Forcade never made any public declarations . . . I told you already: he seemed clean and that’s why he dared to return. Now I want to hear your request and I’ll tell you if I can agree to it.”
    The Count looked the Colonel in the eye and placed the folder on his desk, before answering: “I don’t think it’s anything too difficult to grant me: I just want to speak to Major Rangel before I give you my reply. And if I accept, I want him to help me if need be . . .”
    Colonel Molina put his cigar out gently, extinguishing the embers against the walls of the metal ashtray, and scrutinized Mario Conde.
    â€œYou’re an admirable man, Lieutenant . . . The fact is I thought such loyalties were a thing of the past. Of course, speak to your friend the Major, consult him to your heart’s content and tell him from me that I regret what has happened and apologize for not going to tell him so personally, but that might be awkward, particularly for me. As things stand now . . . Well, I’ll expect you back in two hours,