Suspicion of Rage Read Online Free PDF Page A

get your brother-in-law out of Cuba."
    "Why?"
    "Why? Ramiro is a brigadier general. What he knows could be helpful to us."
    "No doubt, but I don't involve myself in politics, American or Cuban. If Ramiro wants out, he knows how to do it. He could do what Céspedes did—fly out of the country and not come back. Ramiro could get his entire family out if he wanted to."
    "Have you heard from him?"
    "No."
    "Would you consider yourself a friend of his?" "He's married to my sister. That's about the extent of it."
    Everett Bookhouser looked at Anthony for a while as if deciding what to say next. Bill Navarro, too excited to sit, got up and paced.
    "Óyeme, Quintana. Listen. We want to get Ramiro Vega to freedom. A general in las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias. Don't you see what it would do? The blow it would strike at the regime?"
    "They've managed to survive many such blows."
    The congressman laughed. "Castro is on his last legs. He needs one more push."
    "Good luck. How do you know Céspedes wasn't sent to spread disinformation?"
    "We believe him. You're in a position to find out if it's true. We're asking for your help."
    "You have spies all over Cuba. Ask one of them to talk to Ramiro."
    By now Navarro was standing red-faced over Anthony's chair. "I don't want to say this in your grandfather's house, but I am appalled by your attitude." His nostrils flared. "What are you loyal to? To anything? You who have reaped the benefits of a democratic society? Don't you give a damn about this country? Or the freedom of Cuba?"
    Anthony smiled up at Navarro. "Qué gran mojón tú eres."
    Navarro leaned closer. "You could be arrested and prosecuted for violating the embargo. You and your wife."
    The blood rushed into Anthony's cheeks; he could feel the heat of it.
    Everett Bookhouser said, "Bill. Let me."
    Navarro fell silent. Hands on his hips, his mouth in a tight line, he swerved away. Anthony could see who was in charge here, and it wasn't the congressman.
    "Nobody's going to prosecute anyone." Bookhouser's words were unhurried. He leaned forward, hands clasped loosely, elbows on his knees. "This is what we've got. When this regime goes belly up, people are going to start scrambling for power. They're already getting in line. Ramiro is rising fast in the regime. For some people, he's a threat. He's also vulnerable because he's taking bribes from the foreign companies he deals with. That's not so unusual, a lot of high officials do it, but Ramiro is being watched, and they'll use it to get him. My bet is, it's going to be sooner rather than later. They'll make an example. Prison for life, possibly execution for treason. If they think Ramiro might bring them down with him, they won't bother with an arrest. Do you understand?"
    "Yes." A chill passed along Anthony's spine. "Omar Céspedes told you this?"
    "Most of it. According to him, your brother-in-law wants out. We can help him." Bookhouser reached into his breast pocket and withdrew a small notebook and pen. "You don't have to try and persuade him. Just tell him we talked to Céspedes. Tell him what I told you. See if he's interested." Bookhouser's pen moved rapidly across the paper. "If so, I want you to call this number."
    He tore the sheet off and held it in Anthony's direction. "It's a cell phone in Havana. It won't be traced."
    Anthony remained in his chair. "My wife will be with me. My children."
    "We don't believe anyone's going to move against him right now. There's time," Bookhouser said. "It's completely up to you."
    Anthony held out his hand, and Bookhouser leaned over to give him the piece of paper.
    Anthony asked, "Who's going to answer the phone?"
    "Probably me."
    "Ramiro won't trust you."
    "He trusts you."
    "I don't know if he does or not." Anthony stood and found that the chill had worked into his gut. "I can't promise you anything. It depends on the situation."
    "Fair enough."
    He slid the piece of paper into his trousers pocket. "Forgive me, but