Havana Storm (Dirk Pitt 23)

“I’m sorry,” Sandecker said. “Treachery from within is hard to face.”

“No, I thank you for revealing this rabid dog. I’ve always had my reservations about the man, but he is a capable leader who has served the state well for many years.”

“Does his role in the military create any complications?”

“Absolutely not. My Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces has stood with me for forty years.” He softened his tone. “I’m sorry, James, but the loss of loyalty is difficult to bear.”

“I understand. It is your matter to resolve.”

“The positive is that it has created a building block to our friendship.” Castro finished his drink.

“Agreed,” Sandecker said. “Still, there are two issues on our side of the fence that may prove a hindrance in moving ahead.”

“What would that be?”

“The first comes from Asia. We’ve received a troubling communiqué from our friends in the South Korean National Intelligence Service. They got wind of a rumored deal between Pyongyang and your country. A source alleges that Cuba is providing North Korea a large quantity of high-grade uranium oxide for use in their enrichment facilities. In exchange, North Korea is offering you a small number of tactical nuclear weapons.”

“What?” Castro popped out of his chair. “That is preposterous. Your intelligence is completely mistaken.”

“You have had some small-arms trades with North Korea in the past.”

“True, but they were minute quantities. We have very little business with North Korea. I assure you, James, I have no knowledge of such an agreement. We have no uranium mining on our island to begin with. And we certainly have no need, or desire, for nuclear weapons.”

“I am happy to hear that. Intelligence errors do happen, and anything out of North Korea tends to be unreliable.”

Castro nodded. “That must be the case. It is a mad proposition, but fear not. Now, you indicated there was another matter that concerned you?”

“Yes, a secondary issue of great concern to me personally. It’s our NUMA research vessel Sargasso Sea. You are holding it captive in Cuban waters.”

A blank look fell over Castro’s face. “What do you mean?”

Sandecker explained the sudden loss of communications and the satellite photos showing it afloat in Cuban territorial waters.

Castro shook his head. “I’m sorry, James, I know nothing of this. Are you sure the vessel hasn’t just experienced equipment problems?”

“The satellite photos show no evidence of fire or damage. And the ship has multiple means of communication. We sent a Coast Guard vessel to investigate, but they were driven away by a Cuban Navy vessel. We believe the Sargasso Sea has been apprehended by hostile forces.”

“It is possible a regional naval u

nit is responsible, but this incident has not been reported in Havana.”

“There are fifty people aboard, some of them close friends. I’d take it as a personal favor if you could let me know what’s going on.”

“Of course. I understand your concern. I promise to look into the matter immediately upon my return to the capital.”

A short distance off the stern, a large fish jumped out of the water, catching both men’s attention.

“Do you like to sport fish, James?” Castro asked.

“It’s been a few years since I battled the big ones,” Sandecker said.

“You and I, we must go fishing on our next visit. The blue marlin in the Florida Straits is the best in the world.”

“Reason enough to meet again soon,” Sandecker said, standing and shaking hands. “I can think of nothing I’d like better.”

64

Riding in the passenger seat this time, Pitt joined the elderly couple for the drive down the hill in the Plymouth. He wore a borrowed straw hat and sunglasses as a minor attempt at cover. There were no roadblocks along the way, though they spotted a speeding military truck as they crossed the paved road.