"The Cuban Connection"

By Neal Heavens

A Fast-paced Gripping Tale of an "Innocent family" drawn into a vicious criminal underworld of murder, double-cross and deception. Set amongst the background of a cold Europe and the Sticky, Sultry Heat of Cuba.

“It’s been along time”, the woman spoke with a husky Latino accent. It sounded strangely familiar.

He pointed the gun and fired a single shot. Carlos fell to the floor clutching his chest, a look of disbelief in his eyes.

Adult, Fiction.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Feb 18, 2014
• ISBN: 9781291751055

Book preview

"The Cuban Connection"

Chapter 1

The beep-beep of an alarm echoed gently like a noise in the distance. The sound became louder and more real, penetrating through the soft dream-like feeling of a nights sleep. John stretched out his arm, fumbling around to locate the source of the irritating sound. His fingers searched for the off button, finally locating it.

Time to get up sleepy head, said Jackie his wife, her voice softly breaking through the fuzziness in his head.

Already? he moaned, as he turned over to look out of the tiny bedroom window. His eyes blinked as they adjusted to the sunlight breaking through a small gap in the curtains. It was a beautiful autumn morning.

Just five more minutes, said John wearily.

Up you get, said Jackie, as she climbed out of the bed. It’s Friday, only one more day to go and then it’s the weekend.  She pulled back the curtains, the full golden brightness of the sun shone warmly on John’s face. 

Come on, you know the bank couldn’t possibly manage without you! she said, a note of playful sarcasm in her voice.

Okay I suppose you’re right, he groaned. He wearily swung his legs out, sitting up on the side of the bed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

I’ll put the kettle on, you get yourself in the shower, said Jackie. She pulled on a white towelling robe, tying the belt around her waist and slid her feet into her slippers.

Do you want some toast? she asked, as she left the room.

Yes please, sighed John as he climbed in to the shower. He turned on the water. The steaming hot jets tingling on his skin.

‘Jackie was right, he thought to himself, ‘just one more day and it would be the weekend’. He was looking forward to a couple of days away from work. It would give him the chance to get out in their huge garden and start to clear up. The ground was littered

with fallen leaves and twigs, brought down by the autumn winds. It seemed a never-ending task but he didn’t mind, working in the garden took him away from the frantic pace of the city.

Your toast is nearly ready, shouted Jackie from downstairs, startling him from his daydream.

Okay darling, I’ll be down in a few minutes, he answered. He finished his shower, had a quick shave. He put on his shirt and tie and grabbed his jacket from a hangar on the bedroom door and hurried down the stairs, stopping briefly to pick up the post from behind the front door.

More bills, he uttered, and tossed the pile of envelopes on the table.

Come and sit down, beckoned Jackie, I’ve got a little surprise for you, she said, smiling cheekily.

What is it then? asked John quizzically. He put his jacket on the back of the chair and sat down.

We-ll, said Jackie, placing his cup of tea on the table. Emily is going to a sleepover at her friend Graces’ house tonight, so we’ll have the house to ourselves until tomorrow evening! She sat down opposite him, and licked her lips playfully.

I’d better get a couple of bottles of wine on my way home then replied John grinning from ear to ear.

I’ll cook something special, said Jackie. I’ll pop into the village in my lunch break and see what I can pick up. He finished his toast and stood up, picked up his cup and gulped down the last of his tea, noisily putting the cup back on the table. He pulled on his jacket, briefly stopping in front of the mirror, hastily adjusting his tie. 

Better be off and keep the wheels of finance turning, he said, hugging Jackie around her shoulders, and giving her a kiss on the cheek.

See you later darling, said Jackie, giving him a cheeky pinch on his behind, I’ll just put these dishes in and I’d better go and get Emily up, or she’ll be late for school.

Bye, see you later, said John and made his way to the door. He picked up his briefcase from beside the door, pulling the door shut as he left. Jackie finished

clearing the table and then went upstairs to wake Emily. John walked down the crazy paved path towards their garage a slight spring in his step. A gentle breeze rustled through the trees, a few leaves falling slowly to the ground. The sunlight dappled the ground, dancing through the reds, gold’s and browns of the leaves. The sounds and smells of autumn filled the air. Each outward breath condensing in the sharp coldness of the early morning. ‘Brilliant, some time on our own’ thought John as he looked up into the clear blue morning sky. Spirits lifted, he was now looking forward to evening of wining, dining and making love.

Jackie was tall, slender with long wavy blonde hair. She had first met John in a wine bar close to the bank where he worked. She was immediately attracted to the handsome man, who was introduced to her by some friends. They soon became very close, and within a few months had married. They had now been married for eight years, and Emily was their only daughter. They both loved her dearly, but having a six-year old child and John’s work in the city meant they didn’t get any real time to themselves. This made the chance of a night in together really special. John reached the garage and unlocked the old wooden doors that were starting to rot on the bottom. ‘I really ought to get these seen to’ he said to himself. He pulled the heavy doors open, the hinges groaning in protest. Inside was his pride and joy, the other ’love of his life’, it was a 1969 Jaguar MK10 in a stunning metallic blue. He unlocked the drivers’ door and climbed in, closing the door with a reassuring ‘clunk’. It was the type of noise that you only get from a car of that age. The smell of the cold leather filled his nostrils. He breathed in deeply, letting out a small sigh of satisfaction as he breathed out. He turned on the ignition and pressed the starter button.

The engine spluttered into life, letting out a gentle burbling sound. He drove slowly out of the garage and down the driveway, the tyres making a gentle crushing sound as they rolled across the gravel. He stopped at the gateway leading on to the road, checked the road was clear and set off towards the

station. The gearbox whined a little, as he drove through the country lanes. He’d grown accustomed to it and it didn’t worry him too much. It was about a half hour drive to the railway station. He hummed a tune to himself as he drove. He was feeling quite happy, looking forward to a good weekend. Little did he know that in a few minutes that someone from his past would re-enter his life, changing it forever.

Chapter 2

John knew the road to the station really well, having travelled it every working day for several years. There was a small hump back bridge over a stream with a sharp bend immediately beyond it. It was well known locally as an accident black spot. He slowed down as he approached the bridge. As he went over the bridge he saw two cars ahead which looked as though they had collided on the bend. They had completely blocked the road. ‘Damn’, he thought, ‘I’m going to miss the bloody train’. His frustration soon changed to concern, when he saw a woman still in the driver’s seat of one of the cars. He stopped his car and got out. He hurried over to see if there was anything he could do to help. Three men stood close to the crashed cars. The woman was slumped over the steering wheel ‘bleeding’ from a wound on her head.

Do you know any first aid? asked one of the men. She’s had a nasty bang on the head, and she doesn’t look too good". John walked up to the car.

A little bit, he replied.

I’ve called an ambulance, said one of the others, waving his mobile phone, It should be here in a few minutes. John leaned into the car to take a closer look. There was a dull thud as the grip of a pistol struck him on the back of the neck. His head span, everything went black. He slumped to the floor. The blow had been hard and perfectly placed. His limp body was dragged in to one of the cars. They drove off taking John’s car with them.

He came to a while later, his head pounding, the pain was excruciating.  

Hello John, a female voice said. His head was swimming. He tried to focus. He could vaguely make out a face in front of him.

It’s been along time, the woman spoke with a husky Latino accent. It sounded strangely familiar.

I’ve missed you John. He felt her warm breath on his face, as she moved closer to him. His senses filled with the smell of a sweet perfume. He was confused,