Topaz - Leon Uris [64]
“It was a hell of a job, André. A hell of a job. I don’t have to try to tell you how much you’ve done for us. As for your people, how damned fortunate they weren’t shot down against some cemetery wall.”
“It was Juanita’s skill.”
“She must be some woman,” Mike said.
“Yes, there’s no other like her. I’m going to need a boat for her. She’s in more danger than she’s letting me know.”
“You can count on our help.”
“Thanks.”
It was clear to Mike that André had gone very far with this woman. It was stupid for him to get involved. He was sorry for André but even in this business men remained men.
André set his drink on the coffee table next to the valise Juanita had given him. “Oh, here’s the mail. I was instructed not to wait, but to open it right away.” He turned the key in the lock and opened it wide, then stared, stunned. “My God!”
Michael Nordstrom stood open-mouthed as André dipped his hand in and pulled out a fist filled with jewels. Diamond and ruby and emerald stones on chokers, bracelets, watches, rings. More were wrapped in old newspaper and oilcloth. Each piece of jewelry was tagged and bore a note:
PLEASE DELIVER THIS TO MANUEL SÁNCHEZ, MIAMI—FROM HIS SISTER, CECILIA.
DELIVER TO DR. P. DARGO, MIAMI—FROM HIS MOTHER.
I BEG YOU TO SEE THAT SAMUEL LOPEZ Y GARDOS RECEIVES THIS—IT IS FROM HIS BROTHER ARTURO. I BELIEVE HE IS IN DENVER IN COLORADO.
There were over fifty pieces, each containing delivery instructions. A potpourri of sparkling tragedy.
André started to refill the bag, then stopped as he eyed something near the bottom. It was a pearl necklace bearing a sapphire pendant set off in diamonds. He knew it! A ring beside it—he knew this also! A dozen pieces at the bottom of the bag were familiar and recognized. They belonged to Juanita de Córdoba.
There was a letter written to him. He opened the envelope.
ANDRÉ MY BELOVED,
Please use these for the education of my sons. Look in on them once in a while if it is possible. They are fine boys and have the courage of their father and I know they will become fine men.
My darling, my wonderful man, you must know now that whatever comes I love you, I love you alone until the day I die. Do not look back and do not weep for me. If it were to be all done over, I would not have done anything differently. Love ... love ... love.
JUANITA
Mike watched a desperation seize André. He had never seen him like this.
“Oh my God!” André cried. “She hid it from me, Mike. Oh God. She knew and she wouldn’t tell me. Oh God! What am I going to do! Juanita ... oh, my darling ... Juanita....”
“Steady, André ... steady ... steady ....”
Part III
Topaz
Prologue
THE PRESIDENT PUSHED OFF with his toes, setting his rocking chair in motion. Near him on the leather couch sat Lowenstein, his most trusted political aide, and Marshall McKittrick, his intelligence adviser. General St. James, the Chief of Staff, fine-tuned the television set and paced.
The man being watched on the screen was Congressman Brolin of Ohio, who had mushroomed into national prominence. After his introduction as speaker before the Convention of The Society of American Veterans, Brolin advanced to the rostrum and the bank of microphones ... there was a flashing of light bulbs along with the thunder of the ovation.
Congressman Brolin had sounded the first alarm in midsummer in a series of public addresses warning the nation about the Soviet arms buildup in Cuba. At first, his speeches and articles were considered crank value, political in nature and posed to embarrass the Administration. This was no longer the case. Brolin’s words were now being heard loudly and clearly with what proved to be obvious access to inside information.
The four men in the President’s study watched intently as the white-haired solon pointed, seemingly right into the room. He charged increased Soviet shipping of arms into Cuba. He demanded that the President go to the American people or a Congressional investigation would result.
The President’s study was dead quiet for a long time after the set was cut off silencing