OFFSHORE EASTERN CUBA
FRIDAY, 11:11 A.M.
The Zodiac bounced up and down rhythmically as it raced out to sea. Judd sat low and braced his feet against the soft sides of the watercraft to keep his balance. He hadn’t heard any other people, so Judd assumed he was still in the custody of the taxi driver, but the man hadn’t spoken another word. All he could hear through his hood was the high-pitched whine of the motor and the sound of the wind.
After what seemed like an eternity, the engine roar eased and the bouncing slowed. Distant shouting in Spanish, the thunk of banging metal, the splash of waves, and then Judd was hauled to his feet.
“Arriba! Arriba!” someone demanded, and Judd was lifted up by the armpits until his feet settled on a hard metallic surface. A ship?
“My name is Judd Ryker,” he said firmly. “I am here—”
“Silencio!” demanded a brusque voice.
Judd was pushed along the steel deck. He could feel the gentle rocking of the swell. Yes, a ship. But where? He was led down a flight of stairs and through a door, then forced into a chair by firm hands. He heard a heavy metal door slam shut and the clang of a lock. Am I alone?
Then Judd heard the gentle breathing of someone nearby.
“My name is Judd Ryker,” he said. “I am here—”
The hood was snatched off and Judd shut his eyes to the sudden bright lights. As he squinted hard, he felt the handcuffs releasing. Adrenaline rushed through his body. Without looking, Judd turned and swung hard with a primal roar, his fist colliding with the side of someone’s skull. He ignored the pain in his hand and pivoted for another blind roundhouse punch just as arms wrapped him tightly. Judd twisted to break free from the vise, but the other man was stronger.
“Relajé!” the voice whispered. “Relax, amigo.”
Judd thrashed for a few seconds more, but the adrenaline surge receded and the futility of struggling sank in. Judd dropped his head and exhaled.
“And remove that ridiculous beard,” said a voice with a heavy Spanish accent.
Judd took off his disguise and forced his eyes open. He focused on the face now in front of him. Black eyes, chiseled jaw, broken nose, a short man with thick arms. The taxi driver.
“Who—?” Judd started.
“I apologize,” the man interrupted, rubbing his jaw. “This is not how we treat guests in Cuba. It could not be helped.”
“Where . . .” Judd started to ask, noticing with relief that he wasn’t in a cell. There was a table set for a meal, a desk, a bar with an array of bottles. This looked like a captain’s quarters.
“Dr. Ryker, you are on the Granma Nueva. Welcome.”
“What’s this?”
“Granma Nueva is a special ship of the Cuban navy. My ship.”
“I don’t understand,” Judd said. “I thought—”
“Are you hungry, Dr. Ryker?” he said, pointing to a plate of rice and black beans on the table, neatly set with polished cutlery. “I have cold beer, too. I understand that you like beer, Dr. Ryker.”
“How would you—” Judd stopped himself. He rubbed his wrists. “Yes, I’ll have a beer. If you’ll have one with me.”
“Of course, Dr. Ryker!” the man replied with a forced smile, revealing a shiny gold front tooth. “We are going to have many drinks together today.”
“You know who I am,” Judd said. “So, who are you?”
The man returned Judd’s glare, but his silence was answer enough.
“Oh . . .” Judd whispered to himself.
The man blinked.
“You’re Oswaldo Guerrero,” Judd said aloud.
“Your Caribbean Special Projects Unit calls me El Diablo de Santiago,” he said. “I hate that name.”
“The Caribbean Special what?” Judd was confused.
“It wasn’t my fault, Dr. Ryker. What happened in Santiago was your mistake. The CIA’s mistake. Not mine.”
Judd shook his head. “I’m not CIA. I don’t know anything about—”
“Never mind, Dr. Ryker. You are my guest. You are welcome.”
“You can call me Judd. You know why I’ve come to Cuba. I’m here on behalf of the Secretary of State—the United States government—to negotiate the release of our citizens. I’ve been authorized—”
“No, Dr. Ryker,” Oswaldo shook his head.
“What do you mean no?” Judd cocked his head to one side. “I’m not leaving without the Americans. That’s why I came here. That’s why I agreed to meet with you.”
“Those four fools I’m holding in Morro Castle? The spies we caught throwing guns into my sea?” He waved his hand as if swatting a fly. “You can have them.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You aren’t here for those fools, Dr. Ryker.”
“I’m not?”
“You’re here for something much more important.”
Judd tried to hide his surprise. “And what is that?”
“Are these men relevant? No. Is hostage negotiation your expertise, Dr. Ryker? I don’t think so.”
“How do you know me?”
“Why would Parker have sent you all the way here?”