Ghosts of Havana (Judd Ryker #3)(53)

She grabbed both sides of the lectern. “We call upon the Cuban authorities to release these Americans immediately and unconditionally. The United States of America stands with these innocent men, their families, and the Cuban people, who only yearn to be free.” She paused. “I will take a few questions.”

The room erupted.

“Yes,” she said, pointing to the young man in the front.

“Domingo Campesino, Miami Herald. Can you confirm the identity of the four men?”

Eisenberg shook her head. “Out of respect for the privacy of their families, we are not releasing their names.”

“But several television networks are reporting these men as: Dennis Dobson, of Rockville, Maryland; Crawford Jackson—”

“The Department of State cannot at this time confirm any unsubstantiated news reports,” Eisenberg interrupted. “As soon as we have more information, we will let you know, Domingo . . . Next?”

“Amanda Haddad, Fox News. Are you declaring this an act of terrorism?”

“I didn’t say ‘terrorism.’ I said ‘illegal.’ We stand by our policy of never negotiating for hostages.”

“So Cuba is no longer a state sponsor of terrorism, but you’re not denying that their seizure of the fishing boat might be an act of terrorism?”

“Don’t parse my words. I stand on what I’ve previously indicated . . . Yes?”

“Jasmine Chepenik, Orlando Sentinel. What are the Cubans saying about this incident? What do they want in return for their release?”

“You’ll have to ask them.”

“They haven’t told the U.S. government anything?”

“I just told you, Jaz,” Eisenberg huffed, “we aren’t negotiating. We will not pay ransom of any kind. That’s not the American way . . . Who’s next?”

“Van Wagner, Politico. The reaction from Capitol Hill has been swift and aggressive. The Free Cuba Congressional Caucus issued a statement yesterday morning that was essentially the same position that you just articulated. What’s taking the administration so long?”

“We respect Congress and their rights to come to whatever views they choose. That’s why we have separation of powers, Van. That was the vision of the Founding Fathers.”

“But your position is essentially the same as Chairwoman Adelman-Zamora. Is the administration now in lockstep with her on Cuba policy?”

Eisenberg bit her lip. “We agree with all those who believe the Cuban people have a right to determine their own government, to enjoy the basic freedoms that all Americans enjoy, and to decide their own future.”

“So this is a shift in administration policy? Are you taking a more hard-line stance?”

“Van, I’m not going to debate Cuba policy with the press. I believe I’ve made our position clear . . . Last question . . . Mikaela?”

“Mikaela Rinehart, Washington Post. Even if the administration says no direct talks with the Cubans, there is a long history of sending third parties to negotiate hostage releases. Chairman Bryce McCall of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has played this role in the past, for instance last year in West Africa. I understand that Senator McCall has made a private offer to the White House to go to Havana in order to broker an agreement. Is that under consideration?”

“That’s a red herring.”

“Is that a no?” she asked.

“Let me make this perfectly clear, Mikaela.” Eisenberg failed to hide a grimace. “We will not negotiate. There will be no secret deals. There is no American envoy being sent to talk with Cuba.”





48.


GUANTáNAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, CUBA

FRIDAY, 8:17 A.M.

Detainee 761!” the officer shouted.

Judd couldn’t see any light through the hood. No shadows. Nothing. His breathing quickened. Calm down, he told himself.

“Opening the cargo bay door!”

Judd winced as he was pulled to his feet, the plastic handcuffs pinching the skin on the wrists. He heard the loud whirring of the door opening and a hollow thunk. Judd tried to slow his breathing.

“Let’s go,” the officer said roughly. He guided Judd down the ramp and out onto the tarmac. Once outside, Judd immediately felt the heat of the sun.

The officer led blind Judd for another two hundred yards, then stopped. Judd heard new voices.

“What’s your cargo today, Captain?”

“Detainee 761,” the officer said. “Transfer from Camp Romeo.”

“Welcome to Gitmo, 761,” someone sneered, tapping Judd on the shoulder.

“What’s the security level for this detainee?” asked another voice.

Judd tried to speak but the tight hood made it difficult. “Hey,” he tried to say.

“Should I check SIPRNet?”

“Negative. TS/SCI. Special protocol for this one.”

“Hey!” Judd tried to yell again, but the men ignored him.

“Roger that. I’ll take him into holding cell Zebra, before a transfer to Camp Delta.”

“Hey! Hey!” Judd tried again. “Hey!”

“I don’t think he’s going to Delta.”

“Echo or Iguana?”

“Neither.”