Pseudo (13 page)

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

“Commander, this is James Madison from the CIA. I need your cooperation in stopping two people arriving into Havana within the next hour on separate planes. One will be touching down in about ten minutes and the other in about fifty. The man on the first plane is an international criminal that needs to be apprehended and the on the second charter is a rogue CIA agent.”

“Okay Mr. Madison. What are their names?”

“The man is Dmitry Sidorov and the agent is Elizabeth Duarte – should be noted that she was also on assignment in Mexico under the name Sophia Hayward and may be on the manifest of that flight under her alias.”

“I got the names. Now with all due respect, I want you to understand something: I happened to have a few patrols stationed around Havana right now and have already issued directions for them to get to the airport while we have been on the phone, but I am not making any guarantee that I can stop your targets. This is Cuba Mr. Madison – we are dealing with Communists and have barely been able to maintain this base all these years.”

“What relevance does this have Commander?” exclaimed Mr. Madison.

“James, the relevance is exactly what I said: we may not be able to stop your targets. They may be in bed with the Cubans, bought them off somehow or maybe the Cuban air officials and government just ‘won’t feel like cooperating’ with us today. The way things go down here are not text book CIA operations.”

“I understand what you’re getting at Commander but I trust you as a representative of our country to run your men on the ground and do whatever is needed. I mean WHATEVER.”

“Do you want them dead or alive?”

“Well…preferably alive for questioning but if they cannot be apprehended then kill on the spot.”

“Very well, before my men will shoot any American, I need to see that in writing first so I suggest you get that sent down here right now,” replied the Commander.

While the Commander and Mr. Madison were having their discussion, four patrol vehicles – a total of approximately twenty-five men, were just arriving at the airport to obtain entry to the airfield.

At the same time, Dmitry’s plan was in its final descent and landed. Dmitry turned his phone on and once he had signal, called Elizabeth’s plane and was put through to her.

“Elizabeth, I’ve just landed. I believe you should be landing in about forty minutes. When your plane lands, whatever you do, don’t get out of that plane unless you hear from me. I have made some arrangements for you to be transported to mine. I am not sure I can get us on a flight all the way to Russia or not. There is a flight that leaves to Europe but it may be too late to arrange that. Do you understand? Don’t get off the plane unless you hear from me?”

“Yes, yes, I understand. What if something happens to you?”

             
“Either way, you will hear from me and know what to do. I am going to do everything within my power to protect your life and your freedom. You have freed me from the shadows of my past and now I want to make sure you remain free and alive. Okay. I will speak with you soon. I love you Elizabeth,” said Dmitry, leaving no time for her to respond.

After getting off the phone with Elizabeth, Dmitry called the air marshal: “Carlos, what is the news my friend?”

“Oh, well, the sun is shining and I’m drinking my coffee and eating a donut. How about you?”

“Carlos, I like you – I like your light heart. Now, what is happening outside my plane?”

“Well, the Americans have shown up. There are not more than thirty soldiers – probably the patrol they had stationed around the city. They’re trying to access the airfield and for some reason are not getting that! Can you imagine why?”

“My friend, you are the best!” replied Dmitry.

“Well, I do what I can for friends that take care of me.”

“Of course, don’t worry Carlos, when we get off the phone I am going to make a transfer to your account – the same one as previous?”

“Yes, make it the same. Your generosity is inspiring.”

“Yeah, inspiring you and nearly everyone else to do what I want them to.” Dmitry put the phone down and completed a wire transfer of one million dollars. 

Dmitry knew he could not rely on the air marshal being able to keep the US agents very long from getting access to the airfield and so his plane. “Elizabeth’s plane better get in ahead of schedule,” he thought. “Have we started refueling yet?” he asked the cabin attendant.

“Yes sir, fueling began approximately five minutes ago.”

“And how long is it estimated to take?”

“Thirty minutes.”

“Thank you.”

While Dmitry was busy devising the rest of their escape, Mr. Madison had drawn up orders to apprehend Elizabeth and shoot or apprehend Dmitry. After having them sent off, he called the Commander again “Commander, you should have your orders now.”

“Yep. I’ve got them alright. They do not tell me to shoot an American like you were saying.”

“Look, I need her apprehended. I cannot put it in writing that you shoot her.”

“You know what, FUCK you! You’re a secret CIA spider! I don’t like working with your agency and I am going to do my best to comply with your written instructions but I am not going to go along with your ‘secret’ instructions. One of these days there is going to be a Congressional Hearing on these operations. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to attend to my work.”

“Commander, don’t brush me off!”

“Madison, I’ve said enough. We will see what happens.” With that the Commander hung up on Mr. Madison and got on the radio with his patrol.

“What’s the status?”

“Sir, the first plane landed and is refueling. The second plane is due to land in about five minutes – it is in sight. We are ready to move in on your command.”

“Okay, I don’t want you to attempt anything on the first plane while it is fueling – that would just be one hell of a shit scene to deal with the Cuban Aeronautics Department that I am not too keen about.”

“Copy that.”

“Okay, have your best shooter hit the second plane in the rudder several times – make it so that plane will not be able to leave the ground again.”

“Copy that sir. What about the first plane?”

“Do NOT fire on it!”

“That is clear sir – my question is what are we supposed to do?”

“Just carry out my instructions on the second plane. When the first one is done fueling I will have instructions.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

“Elizabeth, you are going to be on the ground in just a few minutes. There are some U.S. soldiers here trying to stop us. I will get us out of here – that is our only option. No matter what happens, do not get off the plane until I give you specific instructions to do so. Do you understand?”

“My god Dmitry! How the fuck are we going to get out of this?”

“Just trust me. Do exactly what I say and nothing else.”

“Okay.”

Dmitry could now see Elizabeth’s plane in its descent. “They are going to try to damage her plane so she cannot leave. They won’t want to mess with mine while fueling and there is going to be a short window where I will be able to get her over here and take off,” thought Dmitry.

“How much longer for fueling?”

“Nearly done Mr. Sidorov. About five minutes more,” replied the cabin attendant.

“Hmm. Get the pilot out here.”

Thirty seconds later the pilot appeared: “What can I do for you sir?”

“Look, I need to get the passenger from that plane which just landed onto this plane but we must remain fueling the entire time – until I give word that it is safe to complete the fueling. How can this be done?”

“Sir, this is relatively easy. I will direct the men to slow down the pump so it is only trickling in but will still register as fueling. I take it you do not want anyone interfering with us and this will not happen as long as they see we are fueling. No one wants to create an explosion at a Communist airport,” the pilot replied.

“You are a smart man. I want you to do that and do not complete fueling – no matter what – unless you have word from me to do so.”

“Alright, I am on it.” At that the pilot went back to the cockpit and issued orders to the men fueling.

As Dmitry made his arrangement with the pilot, Elizabeth’s plane touched down at the other end of the airfield and was headed toward his. “Get that pilot on the phone right now!” said Dmitry to the cabin attendant. “Yes sir.”

“Hello?” said Elizabeth’s pilot.

“Yes, this is Dmitry Sidorov – I charted your flight. I am paying you. Now, listen very carefully. I am pretty sure your plane is going to be fired on or somehow sabotaged to prevent it from flying out of here. Your passenger is of the greatest importance to me and needs to be transferred safely over to my plane.” Dmitry and the pilot made plans to pull Elizabeth’s plane next to Dmitry’s – as close as possible. That would provide shelter for Elizabeth to be gotten quickly over to his plane without the US patrolmen seeing her. “Look, when this is all done, I will place money for you in a Swiss bank – you may be arrested or have other issues to deal with but I will keep track of you and you will be generously compensated for your assistance today.”

“Okay Mr. Sidorov. I will take your word for it.”

“I am a man of my word.”

Just as Elizabeth’s pilot got off the call, a shot was fired at the rudder of the plane. Though it barely hit the top, he heard the crashing sound of the bullet hitting and the plane bounced to the left. He kept taxiing towards Dmitry’s plane.

“Sir, we fired one shot at the rudder but just barely hit it. The plane is still moving.”

“Well, shoot it again Lieutenant!” said the Commander.

“Yes sir!”

Another shot was fired and hit the center of the rudder. This time the plane veered far to the left of the field. The pilot was having a hard time turning the plane back toward Dmitry’s. When the shot was fired, Elizabeth did not have her seat belt fastened so she flew out of her seat, hitting her head on the bulkhead and sprained her wrist. Her cabin attendant, who had been strapped in, rushed over and helped her back into her seat. Elizabeth was dazed “What is happening?” she yelled out. The attendant only shook her head indicating she didn’t know.

“What is happening down there Lieutenant?” exclaimed the Commander.

“We fired at the target; hit the middle of the rudder but it is still taxiing towards the other plane.”

“God damn it! I’ll get back to you.” The Commander got Mr. Madison on the line: “James – this operation is not going. The target plane has been fired on twice and is still headed towards your first plane. I am not going to risk blowing up the plane from further firing.”

              “Commander, I need those two apprehended. Especially my agent. You need to get that done! Failure is not an option here. Do you understand?”

“You know what James? I’m here on the ground in a Communist country. You are in Langley. I call the shots, not you. You wanted this done your way? You should have gotten proper and full approvals and come down to do it yourself. This was not really a discussion. I just thought I would let you know where things stand.”

“I don’t know what the fuck your – ” The Commander had hung up before Mr. Madison could finish his sentence. “That fucking son of a bitch!” He now had an even more serious situation on his hands: apprehending Elizabeth and Dmitry was now up to fate and the nonexistent goodwill of the Commander.