Goodbye Mexico

by Phillip Jennings

  Gearheardt slumped back in his chair. After a moment he went to the window and opened the blinds, staring silently down into the street. I felt sorry for him. It was a dream that obviously meant a lot to him. It was just that it was … childish. A pot of gold at the end of a rainbow kind of dream.

  I decided to humor him just to let him talk it out. Maybe my lucid comments would begin to bring him around.

  “What would you say to the Cubans in Cuba now? They might have something to say about a few thousand whores coming in to run the country.”

  “Screw ’em. That’s what I would say. They’ve let Castro beat them into farm animals anyway. As for the Cuban army, we’d kick the shit out of them while we were taking over. And the Marines are already on the island.” He turned back to me. “Gitmo.”

  “When I was training the girls to be information gatherers, I would ask them why they didn’t get out, get away. They all said the same thing; they had nowhere to go.” He walked back to the table and sat down. “We bring whores to Cuba and we send doctors and lawyers and business women back to the world. If they want to leave the island. Funding this would be a drop in the bucket.”

  “Ventures almost as screwy as this have been tried before, Gearheardt. Not many, if any, work. The people are just as bad off as they were before.”

  “Jack, you’re talking about places where the leaders were chewing on missionary thigh bone one day and trying to run a parliament the next. This isn’t like that.”

  He squared himself facing me. “Let me take one more shot at you, Jack. Then we have to get back to keeping the Cubans from killing the President of Mexico. That’s still a possibility you know.” He drew a deep breath. “Jack, do you think we should help the prostitutes, the sex slaves, the whores of the world? Do you think that’s a worthy cause?”

  “Lots of people are trying, Gearheardt. Well, maybe not lots of people, but there are organizations.”

  “You’re right. And do you know what simple task those organizations have as their goal? Their easy way to fight the battle? I’ll tell you: changing human nature. They’re going to educate and support and preach and diddle around until men don’t want to screw whores. How long do you think that will take? What are the odds of changing men’s nature?” He paused. “And you think I am a lunatic for just trying to get the girls the hell out of their situation physically.”

  After a moment he rose and went to the door. As he unlocked the deadbolt he said, “I’m disappointed in you, Jack.” He left.

  I sat stunned. I had just been lectured on the sad state of affairs for prostitutes by the wildest, booziest, whore-mongering bastard in the free world. I was speechless.

  After a moment, Marta came in through the door Gearheardt had left unlocked.

  “Ola, Jack. Señor Pepe is mad at you. What is it that causes the argument? Maybe I can help you.”

  “I don’t think so, Marta. It’s nice of you to want to patch up things between Gearheardt and me, but don’t worry about it. We’ve had disagreements before.” I got up and pulled a chair out for her at the conference table. “Tell me about Victor.”

  She hesitated and I wondered if it were her facts or her loyalties she was considering. “He says that the Cuban government is very unbelieving but that they have given him resources to move forward. He is wanting to meet with you tonight. There are plans to go over.”

  Unfortunately the plans I needed were in the head of a friend who was pretty pissed at me. “Set up a meeting for late. Maybe nine o’clock. We’ll have the info we need by then.”

  “And the maps and the papers, no?” Marta seemed skeptical.

  “Yes, we’ll have whatever is needed. Cinco de Mayo is tomorrow, right? We have the rest of today and tonight to make sure everything is in place.”

  The teletype clattered and I went to see the traffic spewing out. I was uncomfortable in the room with Marta and it gave me something to do.

  POTUS REQUESTS INFO ON SENATOR X4X VISITING RIO BROTHEL. PHOTOS IF POSSIBLE. PLEASE USE PLAIN BROWN ENVELOP TO POTUS PERSONAL PO BOX.

  I had the feeling that Gearheardt had created a monster. I didn’t bother looking up the code for the Senator’s name, just wrote the time and date received and dropped the message in the in-basket.

  “Jack,” Marta said, “do you think that Pepe’s plan can succeed?”

  I faced her. “I’m not sure, Marta. I know that there are many people who would like a reason to take out Castro. He is too dangerous to have ninety miles from our coast when he’s playing with the Russians.”

  “Yes, but that is not the plan that I am talking about. Will the U.S. government—”

  “I really wouldn’t know.” My answer sounded cold. I didn’t want to hear her question.

  “I do not want to go back to being a prostitute, Jack.”

  Gearheardt entered and saved me from having to respond. “Jack, Crenshaw is heading back to the embassy. I’ve worked out a compromise with him.”

  “Crenshaw was here? Why didn’t you come get me?”

  “He was pretty pissed off, particularly at you. We cleaned him up and let him go.” Gearheardt smiled. “I told you the girls were good. Maria, the team leader, said they didn’t even have to kill anybody. Marta, you should let someone know there are ten or so Cubans tied up at the cabin. Can’t let them starve to death.”

  Marta looked a bit shocked. “But how would I know who to—”

  “Don’t worry about it, kiddo. We know you tipped off Victor. Jack might have done the same thing. But you’re with us now. I need to know we can trust you. Can we?”

  Marta looked at me and I think she was considering my lack of response to her last question. She turned to Gearheardt. “Yes, Pepe. You can trust me.”

  “Good girl. Find Daisy or Lisa and have them help you get the message out. Don’t go to Victor by yourself. Everybody is double-crossing everybody in this lash up and I don’t want to lose you.” He laughed. “I really never thought I could have as much fun as I did in Vietnam, but this is getting close.”

  After Marta left, Gearheardt came to me and put his hand on my shoulder. “No hard feelings, Jack. Maybe you’re right. It was a crazy idea.” He squeezed. “I can always count on you to keep me from doing anything rash, can’t I? That’s a true friend. Standing up for my best interests even when you have to be a screaming asshole.”

  I wasn’t sure what to say. When Gearheardt sounds rational, the world should be on alert. Finally I said, “So where are we? What’s this agreement with Crenshaw?”

  “Sit down, Jack. Time to quit screwing around and make some plans. We don’t have a hell of a lot of time.”

  At the table, he grabbed a note pad and pencil. “Okay, here’s the deal. Crenshaw believes, like we do, that we should take over Cuba. He also agrees that the attempted assassination of the Mexican President is enough provocation—I told you I went to Princeton, didn’t I?—to get the Central Americans and South Americans on our side. Before he found out what a traitorous miscreant—his words—you were, he had already arranged for you to be a part of the President’s personal bodyguard for the speech on Cinco de Mayo. He also knows that you’re the only one who can recognize Victor. You with me so far?”

  “I thought Crenshaw knew Victor.”

  “He does, but he can’t be one of the bodyguards. Too obvious to have the Chief of Station of the CIA tailing along with the President. You’re the man.”

  “So what do I do?”

  “Crenshaw will have his guys, so he says, in the crowd and in the area. That will give you a bit of protection. But I want our boys, the guys coming up from Palenque, to be your real protection. They can pick off the Cubans that Victor is sure to have around. And, this is the important part, they have the means to get you and Marta to Havana right after we save the President.”

  “Tell me why I have to go to Havana again?” I had never been comfortable with that part.

  “We have to have someone there who can monitor things for a few
days and get the network up and running. It won’t be possible for the U.S. to launch an invasion immediately.”

  “As you have pointed out, Gearheardt, I don’t even speak Spanish.”

  “Marta will be with you all the time. Don’t worry about it. I have got to have someone there I can trust. Seriously, Jack, don’t worry about it.” I had the feeling there was something else he wanted to tell me.

  “Victor says he needs information and some kind of papers.”

  “Let me worry about Victor. He needs the schedule, and he needs some identification paperwork so that he can get close to the stage. You can get that from Crenshaw.”

  “I doubt it.”

  “No, it’s part of the deal I made with him. Head on over there now and I’ll see you back here late this afternoon.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “I need to visit the Halcones. We somehow have to get them to stand by and let all this happen. The Mexican police aren’t a problem, but the Secret Police boys could step in and give us all a big hole in our head.”

  “Can you get that done? I thought they were not too happy with you.”

  “I’ll give ’em what they want. No skin off my nose. I’ve got an appointment with your pal Eduardo. Horniest guy in the world. This should be fairly easy.”

  “You’re probably right. He was pretty interested in your amateur porn movie.”

  “I’m taking Lisa with me.” He got up and idly checked the in-basket. “Photos if possible,” he read. “Do these dopes think we’re some sleazy detective agency?” He wrote a note on the paper and dropped it back in the basket. “I’ve told the girls to grab some pornography, as graphic as possible, and send it along. What are they going to do? Complain about the quality?”

  He turned back to me. “Better get a move on, Jack. Tonight we need to brief the Good Cubans heading up from Palanque. They’ll need that same information that Victor wants.”

  I wanted to say something to him, but I wasn’t sure what. He had been so passionate about helping the ‘girls.’ I was having a hard time believing he was giving up so easily.

  “Jack, get the other thing off your mind, you condescending bastard. Remember I’m an American first. Getting rid of Castro is important.”

  He knew me better than my poor old mom.

  Gearheardt grabbed the phone on the first ring.

  “Ola … Hello, Lisa … No … I said no, wear something else … because I said so … be ready in five minutes.” He grinned as he hung up. “I love these girls.”

  Juanita was sheepish when she saw me approaching. I wondered how much she knew about what was going on. Then I remembered that Gearheardt said she was passing information to someone. My mind was so screwed up that I couldn’t even remember who she was supposed to be spying for.

  “Ola, Jack. I am glad to see you in the office. You no look so good.”

  “Just tired, Juanita. I’ve been over at Las Palomas ever since I saw you this morning.”

  Juanita blushed and looked at her typewriter. “Señor Crenshaw would like to see you. He is in his office. He looks more bad than you.” She paused. “What is going on, Jack? Is all America go crazy?”

  “It appears so, Juanita. Have I had any calls today?”

  “Señor Rodrigo says …” she checked her notes … “he moving to Alaska. I think he is joking. For you to call him. And Eduardo called. He is meeting Señor Pepe. He says for you to not worry.”

  “Thanks, Juanita.” I started into my office.

  “Oh, and Señor Jack. Señor Chavez from El Caballo called also. He says to tell you no one come to kill you all day today.”

  “Thank you, Juanita. That is good news. I’m sure Señor Chavez must be bored silly over there.”

  My office looked a bit bare. The desk was clear of files. The file cabinet drawers were standing open and empty. Not even a burro tail or two.

  With nothing in my office to delay me, I walked down to the break room to cross into Major Crenshaw’s office. The candy machine, the one jokesters liked to slide in front of the station chief’s door, lay on its side, the little windows broken and candy spilling out. I assumed the Major was not in the mood for jokes today.

  “Come in,” the Major boomed when I knocked.’

  “Yes, sir. Good to see you again, Major Crenshaw. I was quite worried about you when we left the mountains last night.”

  To my surprise, he was calm, even jovial.

  “No reason to be, Jack. You and Gearheardt did what you thought best. Those boys meant no real harm to me.”

  He had a bloody bandage around his forehead which he must have seen me looking at.

  “I should have known better than to goad that Julio fellow. Very conflicted in his allegiances, you know. Makes him insecure and dangerous. I have to say I had one hell of a headache this morning.” He gingerly touched his bandage. “But I’m always ready to take a pounding for the Agency. What they pay me for. Those ladies that Gearheardt sent to get me knew their stuff alright. Nice looking girls too. Don’t know if you’ve seen them, but maybe a bit too much makeup and perfume for good soldiers.”

  “I haven’t met them, sir.”

  “Okay, so I am ready to forgive you, Jack. Gearheardt is not to my liking. Shouldn’t have renegades like that in the Agency. But I know he is persuasive and he did come with an imprimatur that probably seemed valid.” He smiled and I smiled back.

  “So let’s get back on track. The plan is simple and I think you know it. The Agency is to foil an attempt by the Cubans to overthrow the government of Mexico. You know your role in that, and I know that I can trust you. Gearheardt seemed to have his own idea of what would happen then, but that’s not important now. What is important,” he walked to the door and checked that it was locked, then turned on a small cassette on his desk that played marching music, “is that I will be going directly to Cuba. I’ll be running things there with my own network until our government can come to the ‘rescue’ so to speak. I don’t need to tell you that this is top secret. Very dangerous work, spying in Havana, but I’m up to it.”

  “Sir, is Gearheardt aware of what the plans are?”

  “Only the Mexico City part, Jack. He needs to reign in his grandiose vision of himself. I’m not interested in his view on national strategy. I’ll give him that he was the first to come up with the staged assassination idea. But after that, he needs to get on with whatever else he was doing.”

  “But won’t you need his help to get—”

  “Jack, I didn’t have in mind discussing my plans with you. As I have told you before, I haven’t been sitting on my ass since I came to Mexico. I have my own support and believe me, it is of the highest … shall we say caliber.”

  After a moment, I started to rise. “Is there anything else, sir?”

  “Juanita will have the package I have prepared for you, Jack. Follow the instructions.”

  Crenshaw rose also. “Don’t hesitate to shoot if you have to, Jack. If something happened to the President and it should come out that we knew about the attempt beforehand … it could be quite bad for us.”

  “I understand, Major Crenshaw.”

  The Major came around the desk. “If it will make you feel less uneasy, I can tell you that I have talked with the Halcones. Although they don’t know the whole story, they are alerted and know what to do. I don’t think it will come down to you shooting Victor.” He patted my shoulder. “If you’re worried about your future, Jack, you shouldn’t be. More than anyone else, I know what pressures you have been under. And I value loyalty, even to a renegade like your friend.”

  I should have felt better. In my office I went over the package that Crenshaw had prepared. The President’s movements were detailed down to a piss break just before he went on stage. The entry point for Victor was just as the President came in view of the crowd that would be in front of the platform. Although held twenty-five yards back, they would be able to see the action, and my reaction.

  It seemed
at this point so utterly reckless. Staging what was in effect a quick draw contest, even though I had the benefit of prior knowledge, with the life of a country’s leader at risk.

  Gearheardt’s plan for me took over where Crenshaw’s stopped. After Victor was disarmed, or dead, I was to yell out that I saw another potential assassin and pursue him. Most of the attention would be on the President and Victor. The Good Cubans, after eliminating any Bad Cubans they saw, would then assist me into a waiting car, out to an airstrip and off to Cuba. The plans for landing in Cuba were a little vague, but I had what was probably an unreasonable confidence in Marta once we were in Cuba. I could see that this was something she wanted very badly.

  I was going to work to put the Sisterhood of Prostitutes in place as the new rulers of Cuba. Now I knew why Gearheardt wanted me there. Whoever had that first knowledge of the situation in Havana had a great advantage in calling the shots.

  I placed a quick call to my mother in Kansas. It seemed like the thing to do.

  “Is Gearheardt taking care of you, Jack?” she asked almost immediately.

  “Yes, mom. He is certainly taking care of me. You do know he’s kind of wild, don’t you, mom?” I didn’t know what she might hear about Goodbye Mexico if we failed, or if we succeeded, but I needed to start breaking her in on Gearheardt’s other side.

  “Oh, I’m sure he is. You should get him to settle down. Find a nice girlfriend. Are you still dating that little blonde Austrian girl, Jack? She seemed sharp as a tack.”

  I hesitated, telling the truth to mom was as hard as lying to her.

  “She didn’t work out. But I’ve found someone I do like.” Holy shit. Why did I say that?

  “Well?”

  “Oh there’s not a lot to tell. If it works out, I’ll bring her up there.”

  “Does she work at an embassy? You seem to date a lot of those girls.”

  “She was a Cuban prostitute before she came to Mexico City, Mom.”

  I had lost my mind.