Passage by Night - Jack Higgins [27]
San Juan itself was a typical small Cuban fishing port, but there were few boats in the harbour and a strange air of decay hung over everything. Even the Cuban flag over the Town Hall hung like a limp rag in the great heat.
Papa Melos cut the engines and signaled to Manning to let go the anchor. For a moment longer, the Cretan Lover glided forward and then, with a gentle tug, it came to a halt fifty or sixty yards from the crumbling stone jetty that formed the south side of the harbour.
The old man stepped out of the wheelhouse and joined Manning at the rail. 'We have to wait here till we've been cleared by the harbour-master.'
Anna came out of the cabin. A blue silk scarf was bound about her head peasant-fashion and sunglasses shaded her eyes. She moved beside him, her arms touching his.
'What do you think, Harry?' she said anxiously.
He tried to sound reassuring. 'There's nothing to worry about. Everything's going to be fine.'
Inside his shirt, tucked into his waistband, was a .38 caliber automatic and he touched the butt quickly to reassure himself.
As they looked across the harbour a small rowing boat appeared from between two moored fishing boats. The man at the oars was being urged on by a fat, bearded official in a crumpled khaki uniform.
Papa Melos gave an exclamation of relief. 'It's still the same harbour-master, thank God. Luis Raphael is his name and he's as genial as he is fat.'
'That could be important,' Manning said.
As the boat bumped against the side of the launch, Rafael smiled up at them, his face shiny with sweat. He spoke English with a pronounced American accent.
'Papa Melos, by all that's holy. I thought it was your boat, but I couldn't believe my eyes. Long time no see.'
'Papa Melos leaned over the rail and they touched hands. 'Luis, my old friend, good to see you.' He waved towards Anna. 'My daughter. You've heard me speak of her often.'
Rafael positively beamed. 'My pleasure, senorita.' He turned again to the old man. 'And how is Yanni?'
'Drowned in a bad storm off Andros six months ago,' the old man said calmly and nodded towards Manning. 'That is why I have Alexias here.'
Rafael looked genuinely distressed and crossed himself quickly. 'May he rest in peace.'
'Are you coming aboard?'
The Cuban shook his head. 'Bring her straight in to the jetty. I will meet you there. The occasion would seem to call for a drink.'
'Is Bayo still running the hotel?'
Rafael nodded. 'Trade isn't what it was, but he seems to manage. These are difficult times.'
'For all of us,' Papa Melos said. 'We'll see you on the wharf.'
Rafael gave a quick order to the oarsman who immediately started to row away and Papa Melos turned to Manning with a smile. 'I think it's going to be all right.'
'It certainly looks like it,' Manning said. 'What about this man Bayo you mentioned? Can he be trusted?'
The old man nodded. 'These people are too Catholic ever to go Communist. That's where Castro is making his big mistake. There are a lot of people in Cuba like Luis Rafael and Bayo. Ordinary men who have to accept what happens because they've got to keep on living. Because they've got wives and families. That doesn't mean they have to like it. Castro will find that out to his cost one fine day.'
He went back to the wheelhouse and started the engine as Manning cranked in the anchor. He moved to the prow and got ready with the line. Rafael was already on the jetty and as they coasted in, he spoke to a couple of loafers who moved forward. Manning tossed them the line and as they ran it round a stanchion, Papa Melos killed the engine.
The jetty was only a couple of feet above the rail and Manning climbed up, pulling Anna behind him. Rafael removed his cap and kissed her hand.
'A great pleasure. I have known your father for many years now.' He looked down at the tuna and sighed heavily. 'A long time since we've seen such beauties landed here. You'll have no trouble in selling them.'
'That's what I hoped,' Papa