The Consummata Read Online Free PDF

shook my head in disgust. “You’ve been raided, my friends. It’s an old operation.”
    All three looked at me, puzzled.
    “Your amigo Halaquez played the game. He knew he had suckers on the line, so he just wormed his way in and waited you out. You collected the money, he took delivery, and he’ll get it through to Cuba, all right. The only difference is, the loot won’t go to your friends and families there who need the help.”
    They all frowned, but it was Saladar who said, “What do you mean, señor ?”
    “I mean, it’ll buy Jaimie some favor with the Castro crowd, and maybe put him up in high society. Hell, when you’re in favor and eating high off the hog, Havana isn’t a bad place to live, even now. He can already come and go as he pleases, only this time when he goes back, he won’t return. Why should he? He’ll stay there and live it up. Come back to the States, he gets bumped off.”
    For a few moments nobody spoke.
    Finally Saladar said, “Perhaps you have a suggestion, Señor Morgan.”
    “Sure,” I said. “Start up another collection.”
    The futility of it brought a bitter laugh to Saladar’s mouth. “Another year of sacrifice for our people? It will be bad enough when they learn of this, this...treachery. After yet another failure, who will trust us to act on their behalf?”
    I frowned. “You haven’t told your people here that their contributions were snatched?”
    Saladar shook his head firmly, frowning. “Do you realize how many here are making preparations to see their families again? Others long to help relieve the miseries at home, and see their people fed, and for medicines to be made available... to give hope that one day Cuba will be liberated from the madmen who rule over them.”
    “Sooner or later they’re going to get wise.”
    Saladar nodded solemnly. “We have until that day to look for Jaimie Halaquez.”
    I felt that funny little touch of excitement again. It was like sensing a ship over the horizon. You couldn’t see it, but you knew it was there. The anticipation of a raid. Then I felt pretty damned ashamed of myself, and wiped the feeling away.
    I said, “You can’t mean the son of a bitch is still around ? With that much swag on hand?”
    “We frankly do not know, señor ,” Saladar said softly. “We do know Halaquez has not reached Cuba yet. Where he is, in this country? We have no notion...but our sources on the island tell us he most certainly is not there.”
    “Maybe I had it wrong,” I admitted. “Maybe he isn’t going to live the Havana high life. Easy enough for him to spend that money in the States, amigos , even if it wouldn’t go as far.”
    But Saladar was shaking his head. “Unlikely, Señor Morgan. Our people are diversified now. They have taken jobs in every state in the union. Key people have been alerted, and if Halaquez tries to spend our money here in the States? Well, then, we will have him.”
    “Is that likely?”
    “Unfortunately, no—he is smarter than that—it is like you say before, señor ...to get the most out of that money, he must return to Cuba. As for now, he is...hiding out. Lying low.” He paused a second and watched me carefully. “That is why I ask if you have a suggestion.”
    “For locating Halaquez?”
    “Exactly.”
    I grinned at him. “Tell me something, Luis. Did you guys use ESP or something, to lead me here?”
    Saladar didn’t see the humor. “No, my friend. We are simply taking advantage of an opportunity. Naturally, I learned at once of your presence here. I am fully aware of your past history. That is why I ask you for the suggestion. In these matters, you are the expert, the professional.”
    “Not in the political arena, amigo . Sorry to disappoint.”
    Once again Saladar paused and leaned forward, his hands still clenched. “Know this, Señor Morgan, we do not seek repayment for aiding you. You need to banish any such thought from your mind.”
    “Okay.”
    “We will make sure you