Passage by Night (v5) by Jack Higgins Read Free Book Online Page B

grinned. 'I don't know about you guys, but I could use a drink.'
    'Good idea,' Manning said.
    They went out into the cool night and walked towards the waterfront. When they reached the corner of Bay Street, Seth caught hold of Manning's sleeve.
    'If it's okay with you, I'll go back to the boat, Harry. I don't feel so good.'
    'You do that,' Manning said. 'Get some sleep. I'll be along later.'
    They watched him negotiate the busy street successfully, then walked along the pavement and entered the first bar they came to. It was still early by Nassavian standards and the place was almost deserted. Morrison ordered gin slings and they sat in a secluded booth in the corner.
    'What happens now?' Manning said.
    Morrison shrugged. 'Looks like we've hit a brick wall. Pelota dead and our only lead on the way to the Isle of Tears, God help him.'
    'What is this place?' Manning asked.
    'A small island off the Cuban coast about a hundred and thirty miles south of Andros. There's a port there called San Juan. Used to be a centre for deepsea fishermen. Since the revolution, they've been forbidden to come up to the islands any more. I hear the town is on the decline in a big way.'
    'Pelota seemed to think there was still something pretty special about the place.'
    'There is,' Morrison said. 'An old fortress they've turned into a prison for political offenders. It's the final resting place for anyone they really want to get rid of. So far nobody's survived long enough to be released.'
    'So that's what Pelota meant when he said Garcia would receive his reward here on earth.'
    Morrison nodded. 'I don't know what the poor devil's expecting. If he's lucky, it'll be a bullet.'
    There was a short silence and then Viner said slowly, 'Forgive me, Mr Morrison, but it would appear that there is much more to this affair than appears on the surface. Am I right?'
    Morrison took his time over a lighted cigarette. When he looked up, his face was grim. 'By agreement with Great Britain, the United States has certain bases in the Bahamas.'
    'You mean in connection with the Canaveral project?'
    Morrison nodded. 'There are stations containing electronic brains which track, guide and probe missile behaviour during flights, on Grand Bahama, San Salvador and several other islands.'
    'Everyone knows that. It's common knowledge.'
    'Three weeks ago, one of them was badly sabotaged.'
    'You've kept damned quiet about it,' Manning said.
    'We had to. You can imagine the king-sized international row there'd be if it got out.'
    'And you think it was the same people who were responsible for this latest affair?' Viner said.
    Morrison nodded. 'We think they're based here in the Bahamas.'
    Manning whistled softly. 'Seven hundred islands and two thousand cays and rocks. That's quite an area to search.'
    'And the whole thing's got to be done under cover. We just can't afford a stink at this stage. The eyes of the whole world are going to be turned this way when the President and your Prime Minister meet here in a couple of weeks.'
    'The Russians as usual, I suppose?' Viner said.
    'I don't think so. Since the Cuban crisis, they've been leaning over backwards to keep things from boiling over. More likely some undercover group of Cuban fanatics. They're the only ones who'd stand to gain from promoting another international row. They haven't been too pleased with Moscow lately. Maybe they're trying to force their hand.'
    'And Garcia's the only lead you've got?' Viner said.
    'And he'll be landing in San Juan about now.'
    Manning went to the bar and got himself a large rum. When he got back, he was frowning. 'The word is, you've got agents all over Cuba. Why can't someone go to San Juan, see what he can dig up on Garcia. For all we know, he could be sitting in the best hotel in town living it up.'
    'Somehow I don't think so.' Morrison shook his head.
    'Surely it's worth checking on?'
    'In any case, we've been having to take it pretty steady ourselves since the crisis. We don't want