“That’s okay, Donato,” said Jack. “Have a seat,” he said, gesturing to one of the two chairs in the room while he sat on the bed.

“Anything happen with the Russians today?” asked Laura.

“They drank lots and picked up prostitutes. Nothing of importance. Also nothing of importance found in their rooms.”

“Too bad,” said Jack.

“Now, on this matter,” said Donato, leaning forward in his chair. “We have a crisis that we need to discuss.”

“A crisis?” replied Jack. “I think we may have just averted one. I’m sure their meeting in Cuba is just a matter of convenience. If this turns out to be terrorists trying to attack the States, you can just notify them and be done with it. As far as Canada goes, our own Intelligence Service, along with the RCMP, will likely work with them.”

Donato shook his head and said, “It is not that easy, my friend. Are either of you familiar with the Cuban Five?”

“I never heard of it,” said Laura.

“I’ve heard of them,” said Jack. “I once did a Google search of the Cuban Five on the Internet. Lots of info, but it is difficult to understand and know who to believe.”

“Then perhaps you will believe me,” said Donato. “Our country has had many terrorist groups attack it over the years, including threats from expatriates and gangsters who are based out of Miami. In the mid-1990s we managed to get five undercover Intelligence Officers into some of the terrorist groups and uncovered plans to bring a boat full of explosives to Cuba.”

“Good going,” said Laura.

Donato shook his head to indicate she was wrong, and continued. “Our agents could have simply blown the boat up, but they were concerned that some innocent person could be injured. Perhaps an American citizen. Instead, my government informed the FBI about the boat and gave them documentation telling them who our agents were. The FBI seized the boat of explosives and arrested our five agents. That was in September 1998. They were charged with being spies in the U.S. and are still in prison.”

Oh, man, brooded Laura, sort of like Jack and I coming here ...

“So as you can see, our relationship is not good. We are concerned that the U.S. still considers us a terrorist state.

For someone now to meet on Cuban soil and plan such an attack on the U.S. ... it might give them reason to attack us, without having to say they were looking for weapons of mass destruction.”

Jack took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

“Do you understand our dilemma?” asked Donato.

Jack nodded and asked, “So what do you intend to do?”

“We will help, but we would prefer to pass the information through to you. We ask that you not disclose to the Americans where this information came from or that the Russians even came to Cuba.”

“You’ve got our word on that,” said Jack.

“After all, it would appear that Cuba was simply picked as an alternative to Costa Rica. Where the meeting takes place should not matter—but we cannot risk that the Americans would feel that way. Our position is that it is what is said at the meeting that could be of significance.”

“Not where it is said,” agreed Jack.

Donato nodded.

“So, despite how the States has treated you in the past, you are still willing to help them?” asked Jack.

“Of course. Many innocent people could be hurt if action is not taken. What is your expression? Two wrongs don’t make it right? We simply prefer that they never know we helped.”

“I won’t disclose where the meeting took place,” said Jack. “I’ll say that to do so would disclose the identity of a confidential source.”

Donato gave a wry smile and said, “I presume I am that source.”

Jack nodded and said, “I have a reputation for protecting my sources, so that is not unusual. The only problem could be with a Costa Rican policeman by the name of Eduardo. He knows we are here with the Russians, but it is extremely unlikely that he would present a problem.”

“I doubt that a Costa Rican policeman would ever connect your investigation, into what you indicated was cocaine importation, with a potential terrorist threat on the Americans.”

“Exactly. It is still a loose end, but his interest in the matter was only in relation to what was happening in Costa Rica.”

“If he ever did say something, then so be it.”

“Eduardo seemed like a good type. He did promise to keep our trip here secret.”

“Of course. To protect you from your boss ... the asshole,” said Donato.

“Yes, the pendejo,” said Laura.

Donato gave a faint smile and said, “Very good, Laura. Now you know two words of Spanish.”

Late the following morning, Jack, Laura, and Donato dressed in beach clothes and walked along a short street leading to the beach. On the way, Jack noticed a chain-link fence and a sign.

“Laura, look,” he said.

Behind the chain-link fence was a sign with two small Canadian flags attached. The sign identified the place as the Canadian consulate.

“Open from one-thirty to five-thirty every day except Wednesday and Sunday,” commented Laura, reading the sign. “Think we should pop in later and say hello?”

“Hell, no! I don’t even want to walk past this place again.”

The beach was the nicest of any Jack had ever seen. The sand was white and clean and his bare feet felt like he was walking on warm velvet. Any of the locals he encountered were quick with a smile.

They found a small restaurant facing the beach where four musicians strummed guitars and beat lively Latin music. They all ordered beer and a quarter roasted chicken that they took down to the beach, where they sat on lounge chairs and dangled their feet in the water. Jack decided that the cold Bucanero tasted just as good as it had the first night he arrived and for a moment, could feel his body start to relax.

Donato received a visit from one of his staff members.

“The Russians are walking this way on the beach,” said Donato. “If we go back to the restaurant we should see them pass by.”

As they stood under the awning of the restaurant, Laura was the first to comment. “I think that is just about the funniest thing I’ve ever seen,” she said.

Jack saw what Laura was looking at and immediately lost his appetite. “That’s not funny,” he replied, wondering if the chicken was perhaps a little too greasy.

The Russians strolled past on the beach. They each wore Speedos, along with black socks and sandals.

Later that evening, Jack bought a bottle of rum and the three of them returned to his room.

“Here’s to catching bad guys,” said Jack, raising his glass of rum and Coke. “No matter what nationality they are—or where they are in the world.”

“And to protecting the innocent,” added Donato, as the three of them clinked the glasses in unison.

“You have pictures of your family?” asked Jack, a moment later.

Donato nodded, taking out his wallet and showing a picture of his wife, three sons, and two daughters.

“My oldest son died,” said Donato softly, pointing at the picture. “It was night. He did not see the car coming. It had no lights. He was nine.”

“I am sorry,” said Jack.

“It has left a sadness in my wife’s eyes for two years now.”

Laura swallowed, and said, “Your children look beautiful.”

Donato beamed. “They are,” he answered, before asking, “You both have children?”

Jack shook his head. “I just got married a year and a half ago.”

“That is plenty of time to make a baby,” chuckled Donato. “In Cuba, we would have two babies by then. How about you, Laura? Children?”

“My husband and I have been trying for years. I became pregnant, but ...” she stopped and her eyes watered.

“I am sorry, Laura,” said Donato. “It was rude of me to ask such a personal question.”

“It’s okay,” she replied. “I really love children. Some day I will have one to call my own.”