SHADES OF HAVANA by Rick Dalton CHAPTER ONE "This a collect call from a Dade County correctional facility. To accept this call, please press one or say yes now...." At the sound of the answering machine, I got up from the computer desk, rushed to the telephone and punched 'one'. "Hello, Marco, is that you?" "Who else do you know in jail? Of course it's me!" "I'm sorry, lover, I was concentrating on my writing. I'm just glad to hear from you." "How's your story comin', Rick?" "It's done, just a little polishing and I'm ready to send it in. Both Genre and Out seemed interested in the story. Who would have thought that our tragedy at Casa Palms could actually be written up and sold to a gay publication?" "I thought they only went for that sex stuff?" "No problem, I filled it with lots of hot steamy sex. Everytime I read it I get a hard on." "And that's the fiction part, right?" "Yes, dear, it's all ficticious encounters to heat up the story. You know I'm loyal to you." "You better be or I'll be kickin' ass when I get out of here next month. How's the real estate search?" "Believe it or not, there's no guest houses available for what we have to spend. I thought the insurance settlement of "250,000.00 was a lot, but prices here in Key West have gone off the chart." "Well, what do you think, buy another old place and start remodeling all over again?" "Not even an old dump is in our price range. I looked at a place on Caroline Street yesterday. Abandoned, unpainted, no pool, no updated wiring or plumbing - and they were asking $325,000.00, 'as is'." "What's that real estate guy say?" "Jorge says to broaden our horizons, try Havana." "You got to be kidding." "For what we have to spend, he says we can buy a whole block and remodel as we go. With Castro gone, tourists and businesses are flocking to Cuba. We could get in on the ground floor and really make some money." "Hmmm, sound's interesting. Think you'd want to go down and scout it out? No use waitin' 'til I get out. Might be too late." "It wouldn't hurt to go down for a week. All of our things that I could salvage are safe enough here in the apartment until I get back." "Get going tomorrow. I'll try calling back in a week and see what you found. My call is timed and going to get cut off, so I'll hang up. See you soon, Rick, and remember - I love you!" "I love you, too, honey. Bye!" "Hey, Jorge', it's me, Rick. Just got off the phone with Marco. He went for the Cuba idea.. Says to fly down to Havana tomorrow and start looking. You sure you can go with me?" "Of course, Rick baby. A little vacation with you-just what my doctor ordered." "Good, you can be my interpreter, I'll call for reservations tonight.." "Maybe you should be selling real estate instead of me. The way you sold this idea to Marco, so fast. I guess I should call you 'Slick Rick'!" "Keep it up, Jorge, and I'll go by myself." We landed in Havana about six o'clock the next evening. No time to look around the city before dark, so we went directly to the Hotel Nacional, Havana's finest. Now it was a Helmsley, so you know it's the finest. The taxi, however, was another story, a 1954 Cadillac, held together by 1956 baling wire. Pah-leese! After being shown to our room by a cute bellhop, I turned to Jorge. "Okay, this is your birthplace. You take over now." "Just what I had in mind, Rick. Let me grab a quick shower and we'll go out for dinner." After a few minutes of running water, Jorge yelled out, "Rick, can you come in here please. I forgot my towel." "Oh, my God, Jorge. I didn't know you were so big!" "It's all for you babe. Come and get it, hot man." "I think you got the wrong idea about me. I'm married to Marco and I don't fool around on him. Better save it for the bellhop, 'cause he was sure eyeing you when he brought us up here." "I'm disappointed in you, Rick. I thought we could have a lttle fun while we're down here. Who's going to know? I sure won't tell." "Come on, get dressed, I'm starved." Fifteen minutes later we were headed through the lobby. Jorge spotted our bellhop. "Ola, muchacho, tu hablas ingles?" "Of course I speak English, Senor, this is the Hotel Nacional!" "My friend and I need a good restaurant for dinner, and after dinner I need you." "Si, I can recommend one...." We were just finishing up our sumptuous meal in the palm filled courtyard of Old Havana's finest restaurant. A former government owned building, now privately run, called 'The Palace of the Second in Command'. "See, Rick, look around you. This is what I had in mind for you and Marco. A lot of these beautiful old buildings are being sold off by the new government to raise money - and cash talks." "Uh-oh, don't turn around, Jorge, but I think your little boy from the hotel is waiting out by the front door." "Go out and ask him to wait, Rick. I'll settle the check and be right with you. It's charged to my company, you know - this is a business trip." "Yeah, monkey business, Jorge." I walked out to the entrance. "Hey, guy, are you waiting for me and my friend?" "Yes, Senor, my name is Jaime. Was the dinner satisfactory?" "It was wonderful, Jaime, you have excellent taste." "Thank you, Senor. I would like to guide you to Havana's places of interest. I will be free from work tomorrow. Would nine o'clock be satisfactory?" "Whoa, hold on, Jaime, I'm just here to look at real estate for sale. Maybe later I will have free time for sight seeing. My friend Jorge has a list of properties to look at tomorrow." "But you need a guide, Senor. I don't ask for much, but I have to help my mother with money. Please, Senor?" "Okay, Jaime, meet us at the hotel at nine. You can go around town with us." "I must not appear at the hotel on my day off. The new management is very strict." "Oh, right, the famous Helmsley rules and regulations." "Perhaps a breakfast at Casa Paco, near the hotel? I will meet you there at nine?" "Sure, sounds fine. See you tomorrow, Jaime." "Thank you, Senor. Your friend is coming, so I go now." "Hey, where'd the kid go, Rick?" "He'll meet us tomorrow, wants to be our guide to Old Havana." "Well, looks like you're going to score not me." "He said 'guide', not 'hustle'." "Same difference, this is Havana. Yankee bucks talk. They'll do anything for a few dollars." We strolled back toward the hotel. The city was beautiful at night. Jorge took me to a few bars, I had more than enough to drink. We finally got back to our room and crashed. My erotic dream was interrupted suddenly. I opened my eyes. Jorge was in my bed giving my throbbing cock all his attention. His hot wet mouth was working up and down slowly, bringing a rush of sensation to me. I closed my eyes again and pushed upward with my hips, forcing my engorged member deeper into the back of his throat. I moaned with the increased pleasure. His hands reached under me pullling me into his face even tighter. I writhed with the intense feeling. I couldn't hold back anymore. The rush of cum from deep within came gushing forth into Jorge's greedily sucking mouth. "Oh, Jorge," I gasped, "don't move. Leave it in your mouth. Ahh, yeah, that's it." Finally Jorge came up for air, turned me over gently and placed his pre-cum lubed cock into my eager ass. I thrust up against him, wanting all of it. He slowly pushed in, pulled half way out, then back in. I involuntarily tightened up around his invading but welcome cock. "Fuck me, Jorge, fuck me. Yeah, baby, harder, harder." Seconds later, I could feel his cum rushing into me. He twitched and writhed then collapsed on my back. I put my hands behind me and held him close. "Stay in me, Jorge, it feels so good. Please, lets stay this way all night." "Okay, baby, go to sleep now." CHAPTER TWO "Good morning, Jaime, I'm sorry we're late." "Buenos dias, Senors, I waiting." "Yes, we had a rather late evening. Please join us for brunch. Jorge is paying, so order anything you want." I turned and winked at my companion. "Business expense, right?" "Sure, Rick, it's on the company plastic. But Jaime's fee for 'guiding', I can't charge that." "Jaime, how much are you charging us for today?" "It will be my pleasure, Senor, to accept only ten dollars." The deal was struck and we turned to the menus. I was starved, and so was our little amigo. He ate like a horse. We finished our meal and Jorge pulled a paper from his ever present brief case, "Now, Jaime, this is a list of buildings we want to see today. Take a look at it and tell me if we need to hire a taxi." "Taxi is always nice, Senor, for resting while we shopping. I will summon my abuelo, my grandfather. He is in that business." "Oh, how nice, our kid has connections," commented Jorge. "And how much is this going to cost us?" "A special price for my new friends - only twenty-five dollars for all day." "Well, I'm anxious to get started. Pay the cashier, Jorge, and lets get going." "Taxi waiting in front, Senors." "Oh, I should have seen that coming," muttered Jorge, as he strode up to pay the bill. After hours of roaming Old Havana's streets, searching out all the old crumbling buildings on the disposal list provided by a government office, we came to the final address. As the cab drew up at the corner of _____________ and ____________, I gave out a low whistle. "Wow, this is truly amazing. The building literally covers a whole block and it appears to be rather solidly built. Can we go in this one?" "Come on, Jaime," Jorge prompted, "help us look for an unlocked door we can enter." Jaime shrank back in the seat, "No, Senors, I will not go near this place." "What's wrong, Jaime?" I asked. "This building is evil," replied Jaime's grandfather. "Many bad things happened here. We will stay inside taxi." "Come on, Rick, we'll go take a look. Sometimes these older people are very superstitious." "What about Jaime? He looks really frightened." "The kid probably heard his grandfather's stories. At that age, they believe everything they're told." We approached the building on foot, seeking an opening. The grand entranceway at the corner looked tightly closed. Jorge turned the massive doorlatch easily enough and the door swung inward without a sound. A cool rush of stale air met our nostrils. "Maybe we should have knocked first," I suggested. "Perhaps someone still lives here." "No way," replied Jorge, "these buildings are all on the 'abandoned' list. If someone is living here, it's illegally." We conducted a cursory examination, a walk-thru, in Jorge's real estate lingo. The building was actually several sections joined together as one. Perfect for gradual rehabbing, a section at a time. Although mostly empty, there were signs that someone had recently been living here. Several of the second floor rooms had discarded furniture. The great courtyard in the center area gave most of the rooms natural lighting from two sides - street side and interior side. "I think this is the best of the lot we've seen today," commented Jorge. "For under fifty thousand cash, it's the most square footage." "It seems pretty solid inside and out, too," I joined in with a feeling of encouragement. "Most of the other buildings were crumbling beyond belief. Why is this priced so low?" "I wouldn't ask too many questions, just grab it quick." We walked out to the waiting taxi, and I could see Jaime and his grandfather in a heated discussion. As we neared the car, they suddenly fell silent. "Everything okay, fellas?" inquired Jorge as we entered the back seat of the taxi. "We must leave now, Senors, not good to be here at dark," explained Jaime. Riding back to the Nacional in silence gave me a chance to rethink my options. We paid off the old man and invited Jaime to dinner. "No, Senors, I must see my family tonight. I will be glad to accept my ten dollars." As we left the pair outside and entered the lobby, Jorge was summoned by the desk clerk. Important message from Key West. One of his complex sales required his immediate attention back home to keep it afloat. "I'll put your bid in by telex from my office when I get back home," Jorge explained as he quickly packed his bags and summoned a bellhop to the room. "You sure we should try for that last building?" I questioned. "Absolutely! Sorry I've got to go. I'd like another night or two in bed with you, hot man." "Promise me you won't say anything to anyone, especially Marco." "Our secret, if you promise to get Jaime into bed while you're here." "You're bad. See you in Key West on Friday." The bed felt strangely empty that night. Jorge had such an overwhelming personality, I was going to miss his presence. My thoughts turned to Jaime. Was he gay, a hustler, available? Forget it, Rick, remember you're married, I told myself. But I dreamed of his slim smooth young body entwined in my own.... I awoke the next morning to a knock at my door. Grabbing the luxurious white bathrobe emblazoned with the Helmsley crest, I opened the door to a delightful surprise. "Good morning, Senor, I bring your cafe and pastelitos you order from room service." "But, Jaime, I didn't order anything, I was sleeping." "Compliments of your guide boy," Jaime smiled broadly. " I order for you. You like?" "Oh yes, I like." Jaime strode into the room, resplendant in his fancy hotel uniform, and placed the breakfast tray on the low coffee table. "May I pour, Senor?" I just shook my head in disbelief, "Of course, but to what do I owe the honor of all this attention?" "Your friend, he leave. I do not like him so much. You, I like very much. You all alone, I will be your personal boy." I was temporarily speechless. Was I reading too much into this? "I must return to my duties now. I will wait for you outside hotel at four o'clock, yes?" "Of course, Jaime, see you at four. And thank you." I spent the morning at the hotel's famous salt water pool, gathering the rays and day dreaming of Jaime. A crisp salad for lunch, a stroll through the hotel arcade's many boutiques, and back to my room for a quick nap. By three forty-five, I was freshly dressed and descending to the lobby. "I see you are early, Senor, you are glad to be with me?" "Very glad, now where shall we go first.?" "I take you very special restaurant, but I not have proper things to wear. You buy for me?" After a brief shopping spree, Jaime was handsomely dressed in new slacks and a blazer, even new Bass Weejuns. "Now I look like Miami boy, si?" "You're a very handsome young man, Jaime. I will be proud to have dinner with you." We dined at the famous El Patio restaurant and afterward observed the blazing orange-red sunset while strolling along the seawall known as Malecon. As the sun slipped in to the sea, Jaime took hold of my hand. "Romantic place, Jaime. Thank you for sharing it with me." "May I stay with you tonight, Senor?" My heart skipped a beat. "You mean at the hotel? How can you?" "I have my private way in. I must not go into lobby." Jaime escorted me back to the front of the hotel and promised to join me at my room in a few minutes. At nine o'clock, a light tap sounded. Jaime slipped in the unlocked door with a small parcel tucked under his arm. "Thank you for these wonderful things, Senor, but I must hang them up. I can not wear them to my mother's casa." Slowly undressing, he carefully hung his fine new clothes in my closet. Out of his bag he withdrew jeans and a tee shirt. Hesitating, he turned toward me, completely naked. "Shall I put these on, Senor, or...?" "Come over here, Jaime," I ordered softly. He walked over and stood in front of me at the sofa. His semi erection suddenly lengthened and hardened, standing out like a flag pole. "You like, Senor?" "Oh very much." I pulled him in closer between my outstretched legs. Bending over, I slowly took him into my mouth. CHAPTER THREE "It is almost six o'clock, Senor," whispered Jaime, "I must be at work by seven. May I use your shower?" "Of course, Jaime, anything you want. I think you should call me Rick" "It is my pleasure, Senor Rick." "No, just Rick. After last night, I think you know me inside and out." Jaime just grinned as he headed for the bathroom. He turned at the door and beckoned to me, "Rick, you take the shower with me?" Rising to the occasion, so to speak, I followed Jaime into the stall. As he began soaping himself down, I stepped in behind him. My cock slipped easily between his firm rounded ass cheeks. Reaching around to his growing manhood, I stroked him slowly and gently. "I want to do to you what you did to me last night," I whispered, my chin resting on his shoulder. "Go easy, Rick, I not do this much." Using a little extra soap, I slowly entered Jaime. As he stiffened, I withdrew. "If it hurts you, tell me. I will quit." "No, please try more. I want you inside." He wriggled and backed up onto my cock. My soapy hands continued massaging his cock slowly and gently. Jaime gradually relaxed and drove his ass back all the way on to me. "Yes, Rick, give it to me harder," he pleaded. I thrust in and out more quickly. My cum, like liquid fire, rushed to the surface filling his tender tight ass. He stiffened, pouring forth his own liquid seed into my hand. Bringing my hand up to my moth, I tasted his saltiness and greedily licked every drop. "Now part of me is in you, and part of you, in me." "I belong to you, Rick." We finished showering and toweling dry. Jaime dressed in his jeans and shirt. I put on the robe and walked him to the door. "Shall I wait for you to finish your work shift before I go back to see that building?" "Please, do not go there. My grandfather said to be silent, but I must tell you. My brother lived there. He disappeared. Many young men disappeared from there. It is evil place." I just stared at him, not quite sure whether or not to believe him. "I must hurry now. Time to begin work. You wait for me at Malecon seawall after?" "I'll see you there at four." I kissed his cheek and gave him a little pat on the ass as I eased him out the door. "I don't want you late for work." Later that morning, I received confirmation from Jorge, at his office in Key West, that the new government had accepted my offer of $45,000.00. The usual stipulations were included - work permits to be filed within thirty days after closing, completion of project in one year, and local contractor and laborers must be hired. "Congratulations, Rick baby, you're a landowner again. We can close the deal in two weeks." "I better go have another look today. Jaime insists that evil lurks there." "Oh, we have been busy with Jaime, eh?" "Had dinner with him last night, that's all." "I'm sure Jaime was a luscious dessert." "Plaza de las Armas, por favor," I directed the driver of the cab. No sign of Jaime's grandfather, so the doorman summoned the first taxi in line at the hotel entrance. I had the driver leave me at the building with instructions to return at three o'clock. I needed time alone to walk through and rough out a plan for the proposed remodeling. Just as on my last visit, the door was unlocked and opened silently inward. I stepped into the central courtyard and was struck by the faded elegance of the building. Glancing up at the balcony to the right, I thought I saw a door close on the second level. Must be my imagination. After an hour strolling through the first floor, dreaming, planning, I headed to the second floor. Many of these room were still furnished with simple beds. Reminded me of a college dorm or an army barracks. The final room of my tour appeared to be locked from the inside. Pushing hard with my shoulder, the door finally gave way. Across the room, I saw a young man standing in the adjoining bathroom. "Who are you, Senor?" he called out. "What are you doing here?" "I might ask the same question," I said in surprise. "Who are you?" He just stared at me insolently. "I'm sorry for breaking in on you. I thought the place was empty." I explained. Still no response. "The government is selling this building to me." "You must not be here," he finally responded. "In two weeks I will be the official owner and will begin construction. Do you understand my English?" "Yes, Senor, I learn English here. This was academy." "Did you live here also?" "Many boys live here." This explained all the bedrooms. "Evil place. You must go." "I have a cab meeting me, so I will go for now. I'll be back tomorrow. Perhaps we can talk again." "Please do not say anyone here. They might come for me." "I won't say anything. Do you need food, clothes? Can I bring something tomorrow?" "As you wish. Please go." Returning to the hotel, I quickly showered and changed. I did not want to keep Jaime waiting. "Rick, I very happy you not forget. You still want me?" "Of course, pretty boy, but let's go eat first. I missed lunch." "What you do today, Rick?" Jamie questioned as we strolled toward a nearby sidewalk cafe. "My offer to buy that building was accepted by the government. I worked on plans for the remodeling." Jaime stopped short, looking over at me with wide surprise. "No, Rick, you must not." "Give me a good reason." "We go eat now. I will explain." Guiding me to a table at the end of the cafe where we could talk quietly and undisturbed, Jaime ordered for both of us. Reaching across the table, I took his hands into my own. "Now, explain, young man. What is this all about?" Jaime looked away for a moment. Withdrawing his hands down into his lap, he looked over at me again and began his story. "Many evil things happen in that place. My brother Manuel was chosen to study there. It was military academy. He must work hard to keep his place. If he fail, they send him to work in sugar cane fields far away in Pinar del Rio. Many boys not make it, get sent away. Manuel say they punish him but keep him. He very goodlooking. He must give pleasure to the officers. One night his amigo try to run away, they find him, punish him hard. Next morning he not there. They say he went to farm, but no one ever saw him again." Jaime fell silent as the waiter arrived with our dinner. "What about your brother?" I prodded as the waiter retreated out of earshot. "Government close academy. Say it bring disgrace to our country. Never see Manuel again." Jaime looked over at me with tears in his eyes. I stood up and walked around to his chair. Bending over and hugging him close, I whispered, "I am so sorry, Jaime." We walked slowly back to the hotel, sharing the time in mutual silence. Behind us, the sun gradually dipped back into the sea. CHAPTER FOUR I arose early the next morning, having slept alone. Jaime had gone home to his mother's apartment. Very eager to go back to the empty building, I slipped down to the lobby before breakfast. Jaime was nowhere to be seen. Just as well. He would be against my trip after our discussion of the previous evening. The morning was delightfully cool, the sky clear. I opted to walk to the Plaza de Armas. The exercise would be good and I'd have a chance to think about the stranger living there in the vacant rooms. As I approached the building, the thought occured to me that perhaps this stranger might know what happened to Jaime's brother Manuel. The main entrance door was easily opened as on the previous two visits. The inner courtyard was silent and deserted. "Ola, hello, anybody here," I called out. My voice echoed back. Glancing up at the balcony, I noticed the door where I had seen the stranger yesterday was again closed I bounded up the nearby front stairway and walked along the open gallery to the door. This time I knocked first. "Hello, are you here? May I enter?" Again, no answer. I opened the door to an empty room. He was gone. A cursory glance around the room proved fruitless - no young man, no personal effects, nothing to show he had ever been here. Returning to the ground floor, I continued searching the rooms , one by one. Nothing was changed since my visit yesterday. Throughout the second floor, the same results. It was as if he had never been here. My wanderings had stirred up the designer in me. I began making sketches of the changes needed to turn the structure into a working guesthouse. The hours passed quickly. My hunger reminded me that I had skipped lunch. Perhaps it was time to leave for the day, get back to the hotel and call Jorge about the closing arrangements. Walking toward the main entrance, I casually glanced up at the balcony. The door was open. I know I had closed it earlier. Bounding up the stairs, I called out, "Hello, anybody here?" No answer. I raced into the room and stopped short. There he was - standing there, again without clothing, looking out the window. He turned slowly as I walked closer. "Where have you been?" I asked. "I looked all over for you when I first got here. Did you just come in?". "No, Senor, I am always here," he stated simply. I looked at his trim, lightly muscled body. "I forgot to bring clothes and food. Looks like you need both." "No, that is not necessary." "Before you disappear again, I need to ask you something. A friend of mine is trying to find out what happened to his brother. He was a student here, like you. Perhaps you know of a Manuel?" He stared vacantly at me. "Who is your friend?" "His name is Jaime. He works at the hotel where I'm staying." "I once had a little brother named Jaime." "Are you Manuel?" I asked excitedly. "My name was Manuel when I lived here," he spoke without emotion. "I will take you to see him, he will be so relieved to find you." "That is not possible, Senor. I must never leave here." "What do you mean? Why can't you go with me? I can get things for you to wear." "You must leave, and say nothing." "Let me bring Jaime here tomorrow then." "No, Senor, do nothing. Come alone . Perhaps I will be permitted to explain. I will ask the others." "What others?" I glanced around me, but we were still alone. "That is all I can say for now. Please go." He turned once again toward the window. A cool draft of air seemed to pass through the room. "As you wish, I will return, by myself." I walked over to the door. Turning to say goodbye, I found he had vanished from the room. Luckily, I found a taxi in the vicinity and rode back to the hotel. I was a little too shaken to walk the distance again. The taxi dropped me off at a side entrance so I could slip up to my room from a service elevator. I was not ready to face Jaime yet. I had to put my thoughts together first. Ordering a pitcher of Martinis from room service, I stripped out of my clothes and headed for the shower. Just as I was toweling off, a knock sounded at the door. "Come in," I called out from the bathroom door. The door opened. It was Jaime with my order. "I miss you, Rick." He glanced down at my towel and smiled. "I see you ready for me." He placed the tray on the coffee table, then came over and welcomed me with a big hug. "And I missed you, too, Jaime." "I'm off duty soon, Rick. Can we be together tonight?" "Sure, I want to be with you, too. We'll go out to eat and... ah,... well, there's something I need to talk to you about." Jaime looked over at me with a worried expression. "I do something wrong?" "No, it's not you. I'll explain later." We agreed to meet one hour later at our spot on the Malecon. I stood there waiting by the seawall, thinking about the stranger in my building. Perhaps he was Manuel, perhaps not. Just then Jamie came bounding up. He smiled and kissed me on the lips. "Perhaps we shouldn't do that in public, Jaime," I suggested cautiously. "It's okay, Rick. Things different in Havana now. Men express feelings for each other. Not like before. You go with me to gay club, you see." "I thought you would want to eat first." "Sure, they have dining room, bar, dance floor with DJ, just like United States." "Sounds great, you lead the way." Perhaps Jaime would forget what I said earlier about telling him something. "I be very proud to go there with my American lover. All my friends see me and be jealous." So now I was his lover. Better slow this thing down, real fast. The 'gay club' turned out to be a very elegant supper club. A former mansion belonging to a wealthy Cuban family in the days 'before Fidel', the residence had been artfully remodeled by a New York group with lots of money to invest in the new Havana. While we waited for our dinner order to be served, I broached the subject with Jaime. "Jaime, I like you very much. You're a great kid, but I may not be staying here in Havana by myself." "I hope not, Rick. I want to stay with you." "Jaime, I have a lover in Miami. If the deal goes through to buy this building, he will be joining me here. He is my partner." "But what about me? I belong to you." Jaime looked away, his lip quivering. "I'm sorry. I never meant to mislead you. We can still be friends." I took his hand in mine, across the table. "There's something else you need to know. I think I have found your brother." "Manuel! You see Manuel?" He jumped out of his chair, rattling the glasswear and silver on the table. "Calm down, Jaime. He says his name is Manuel, but he may be a different person - not necessarily your brother." "Can we go see him? Go now?" "Not now, tomorrow. He went away. He said he would meet me at the old building tomorrow. He said to come alone, but perhaps you could wait outside and let me talk to him again." "Oh, Rick, this great news. You great guy, even with lover." Jaime's eyes sparkled with excitement. Thank God, the dinner arrived at that moment. CHAPTER FIVE "Rick, time to wake up." Jaime was pulling the covers off my still sleeping form. "You promise to take me to see Manuel today." "Jaime, it's too early, come back to bed," I murmured as I turned over, trying to conceal my morning hard on. "He doesn't seem to be around much in the mornings, we better sleep awhile." "Me too excited to sleep. You wanne sex?" I mumbled something indistinct as my face was buried in the pillow. "Nice ass, Rick. Perhaps I wake you up with good sex." Jaime grabbed the KY from the nightstand. He spread a liberal amount on his cock and began probing me with his finger. "I think you very tight this morning, Rick." "Go easy, Jaime, I'm not awake yet," I warned. "This wake you up, Rick." He reached around me and grabbed my dick with his lubricated hand, working me slowly up and down. He whispered in my ear, "I think you ready now." Slowly he pushed at me with his engorged cock. The stimulation of his hand worked like magic. I writhed and pushed back against him, forcing myself over his invading cockhead. "Ooh, yeah, Jaime!" I pulled him close on top of me, pushing my ass up to meet his pounding rhythm. Both of his hands were now under me, working at my cock. "Come on, Rick, cum baby." He kept pounding and pounding. The headboard began to knock against the wall. "Yesterday, I your boy, but today, I your man!" The urgent flow started from deep within, and I turned sideways, then face up. Pushing further down onto Jaime's cock, I couldn't hold back any longer. "Jaime, I'm cumming, fuck me hard, baby!" Just as I exploded into his hands, Jaime thrust upward once again. I could feel the warm cream of his own emission fill my insides. "Oh, Jaime, you feel so good inside me." I then turned on my side pulling him with me. "Don't pull out yet, be my man." "I always be your man, Rick," he promised as he nestled in closer to me. Finally we both drifted off to sleep. An hour later, nature's call awakened Jaime. Returning from the bathroom, he once again pulled off my covers. "Come on, Rick, let's go." The morning had turned cloudy by the time Jaime and I had showered, dressed, and ordered breakfast from room service. We taxied to the Plaza de Armas. I warned Jaime to keep silent and remain on the first floor of the old building, preferably in the courtyard where I could see him. I slowly ascended the steps to the balcony. The door pushed open easily. The room was empty. A quick search of the building turned up nothing. "I'm sorry, Jaime, he's not here." "We wait, I not leave." "He warned me not to bring anyone here. Perhaps he won't show up, even if we stay." "Please, Rick," he looked at me with a mournful expression, "we wait a little while, okay?" "Of course, Jaime, anything for you. Let's walk a bit and let me show you what my plans are for this remodeling project." We spent several hours checking the building structure, talking of the future plans, but all the while I could sense Jaime's mind was on something else - his brother. I called a halt and suggested we go out into the Plaza and look for a lunch spot. A short trip down the side street brought us to a little family owned cafe. After a hearty meal of ropa vieja, black beans and rice, we were sated and ready to return to the old building. This time, I suggested Jaime wait outside, near the door. I would go back in alone and check the rooms upstairs for the mysterious boy. "I not wait outside for long, Rick," Jaime warned as he seated himself on the doorstep. I pushed through the front door and bounded up the steps to the gallery. "Ola, anyone here?" No response. Pushing open the door to the first room, I almost fell back in amazement. There were two young men standing in the room - both naked. "Manuel, I've been looking for you all morning! Where did you run off to?" "I never leave, I here all the time." "But I looked everywhere..." "You bring someone, I say not to. I not reveal myself to anyone but you." I just shook my head, perplexed. "Who is your friend?" "This my amigo. He say we tell you." "Tell me what?" "About bad things happen here, boys punished, boys die." "Who died, what happened to them?" "Many of us died, we all here, just waiting...." As the meaning of his words sunk in, a cold chill crept up my arms and down my spine. My mouth gaped open in disbelief. "Rick, where are you, I not waiting anymore," Jaime called out from downstairs. Startled, I looked over to the open doorway. "I'll be right down, Jaime," I called out in response. I looked back to Manuel and his friend - they had disappeared. A cold presense lingered in the room. I backed out slowly toward the door, turned and ran down the steps. "Rick, you okay?" Jaime asked, meeting me at the bottom of the steps. "You look sick, like you see spirit." "I think I just did, let's get out the hell out of here! Now!" Back in my room at the hotel, I was sufficiently calmed down to answer Jaime's questions, in a round about way. "Yes, Jaime, the young man claimed he knew your brother. Before I could get more details, you shouted up the stairs and scared him off." "I sorry, Rick." Jaime looked extremely despondent. "I work tomorrow, you go back, I not bother you." "Oh, you cute little boy, you don't bother me." I put my arms around him, drawing him in close. His hair smelled so clean, fresh, and manly. I was getting turned on. "Perhaps we better go out and eat or I'll be throwing your ass across this bed and taking advantage of you." "You can throw my ass anytime, Rick, I think I love you," Jaime replied with that angelic little smile of his. This kid was really getting too close to my heart - time to cool it. "Remember my lover Marco? Just say you 'like' me, okay?" "Whatever you want, Rick. I take you to dinner now, my treat." He took me by the hand and led me to the door. "We go special place, for young lovers." After a very delightful meal in another one of Havana's little known gay restaurants, I excused myself early on pretext of being tired and needing to get an early start tomorrow. I persuaded Jaime to stay at his mother's apartment. Promising to look for the young man at my building in the morning and get more information, Jaime was temporarily satisfied. Oh dear, what was I getting into now? Upon returning, alone, to my hotel, I placed a call to Key West. "Jorge, is it too late to back out of our offer on the old building?" "Nice to hear from you too, Rick, " Jorge replied sarcastically. "I'm sorry, I'm a little keyed up today. I met some people at the building who were former students there. They intimated that a few disreputable things had ocurred there. Perhaps even a murder or two!" "Now don't come unglued, Rick. Calm down. Tell me exactly what they said to you." "That's the problem, I don't have the whole picture yet. They keep disappearing on me. Apparently some students died at the hands of the officers running the place, it was some kind of military academy." "Your funds are in an escrow account as I explained previously. A property's past reputation may not be reason enough to cancel a real estate contract, at this point." "In other words, my funds are 'escrowed' and I'm 'escrewed', is that about it?" "You have such a way with words, Rick, my boy. Try to find out more detail. Call me tomorrow night. I'll see if we have any escape clause we can invoke." "Thanks, Jorge, I appreciated anything you can do about it. I've had a rough day. I think I'll turn in now and get an early start tomorrow." "Sleeping alone, or did you nail that bellhop yet?" "For me to know, and you to 'never find out'. Bye for now, Jorgie!" CHAPTER SIX With reluctance, I returned to the old building alone to get to the bottom of the strange events of yesterday. The building seemed empty of people and spirits. I climbed the stairs to the room where Manuel and his amigo had been yesterday. It was emptly also. There must be some logical explanation for their fast disappearance. As the room did not interconnect with any other room on the second floor, with the exception of the adjoining bath, perhaps there was a secret door or panel. My search turned up nothing - no hollow walls, no loose moldings or boards, no way out. The window was covered with a decorative iron grillwork mounted from the outside. No chance of exiting there. I returned, dejected, to the first floor. Perhaps a walk around the the neighborhood would prove enlightening. Maybe someone knew my strange tennants, or had seen them entering or leaving. At least it would get me out in the open air. The building was beginning to depress me, and even frighten me, just a little. I strolled casually through the plaza, chatting with anyone I encountered who spoke English. Up and down the side streets surrounding the area, I continued my questioning. Ending up at the nearby cafe where Jaime and I had eaten lunch yesterday, I decided to take a break. The owner remembered me, but new nothing of any strange young men in the neighborhood. A light lunch of picadillo, rice, and sweet plantains restored my composure. The cup of cafe' cubano afterward, restored my energy. I returned to the old building with new enthusiasm. The moment I entered the main door into the courtyard, I could detect a change. I could feel a presence in the building. A coolness filled the air. The very silence seemed ominous. Casually glancing up at the second floor gallery, I noted the door I had firmly closed was ajar. They were here! "Hello, anyone up there," I called out timidly. Of course, no answer. I slowly climbed the stairs. Hesitating outside the door, I tapped lightly then walked into the room. There stood Manuel, alone, leaning against the wall just as I had first seen him. "You come alone, Senor?" he questioned. "Yes...but what happened to you two yesterday? Why did you disappear? Where did you go?" "Please, Senor, no questions. I must reveal secret to you only." "What secret, why me?" "You have the vision, the sight. Only you are able to see me. Others would be frightened because they can not see." I must have paled for I started to feel slightly dizzy. "Do not fear, Senor, I not harm you. I must show you secret place." The first thing I did upon arriving back at my hotel room was place a call to Key West. "Jorge, it's me, Rick. You're not going to believe what's been going on here in Havana." "Slow down a bit Ricky boy. You sound a little agitated. Now what's this all about?" I brought Jorge up to date on all I'd seen, heard, and done at the old bulding. Not believing my story at first, he did promise to fly back to Havana in the morning. We would figure out what to do when he got here. Jaime did not stop by that evening- just as well. I ordered in from room service, ate alone, and went to bed early. "This is it, Jorge, the secret place I was told about." We were standing in front of a plain brick wall near the rear of the old building, just inside the carrriage entrance. "Looks like it's been there for years. You sure this is it?" "That's what he said." We had brought a pry bar, sledge hammer, and a big flashlight with us, just in case. "I'm not sure we should be doing this. Technically you don't own the building until after the deed transfer is complete." "Is my big friend Jorge afraid?" I teased. "Not of any spirits," he replied. "Just don't want to get arrested for malicious destruction of property belonging to the Cuban government." "Well I can't go on talking to the 'undead' about this. Time for some action." I picked up the sledge and took a few practice swings. "And believe me, I wouldn't have the courage to do this without you here beside me, Jorge." I hit the middle of the wall with one huge swing of the hammer - nothing moved. "I knew you missed me, Ricky boy," Jorge grinned. "Here, let me give it a try. Stand back." With his powerful arms and broad shoulders behind the swing, a small crack appeared in the brick wall. He continued hammering until a few bricks fell inward. "There's definitely a hollow space back there," I commented, flashing the beam of my light into the opening. After a half hours work, we had cleared away enough brick and mortar to provide a small crawl space. "You go look Rick, let me catch my breath. This is damn hard work for a real estate agent!" "Yeah, I guess I started this mess. Better see it through." I took the light and crawled into the opening. "My God, Jorge, it's a whole big room in here," I called back. I flashed my light toward the far side of the room revealing a stone wall with a recessed arch. The room appeared empty, however. I made my way back to the opening and crawled out to the rear courtyard where Jorge waited, still breathing heavily as he sat resting on the cobblestone floor. "Nothing there," I reported. "Looks like you did all this work for nothing." "Maybe I better take a peek. They didn't go to this much trouble to brick up an empty room." I handed over the flashlight as Jorge crawled through the opening. After a few minutes, Jorge poked his head out. "What about that old plank door in the corner?" he asked. "Probably just a storage closet. It's locked anyway," I replied. "Hand me the pry bar. That old iron is rusty. Won't take much to snap lock off." After a few minutes of banging and scuffling noises, Jorge reappeared at the opening. "Rick, you better see this. Get in here." Hours later in the sheltering quiet of my hotel room, I tried to convey to Jorge the gist of Manuel's tale. "It seems the senior commandant of the military academy had an eye for the boys, sexually, that is. He would recruit a likely candidate as his personal attendant. Give him special privileges and the promise of favored status at graduation time. This would lead to prestigious positions with the army after leaving the academy." "Is that what this Manuel was?" Jorge asked. "Yes, he was the favorite of the moment. In return for this star status certain things were required of him - sexual favors for the commandant, recruitment of others like himself for some of the other senior officers to use sexually." "What about the other young man you mentioned, his amigo?" "That was Manuel's lover. He was gay to begin with. so this arrangement of sex for favors didn't bother him. When he was asked to bring his amigo into the 'inner circle', Manuel balked. That led to the trouble- from star status to favored victim. He was sexually abused, and his amigo was raped by one of the other officers right in front of Manuel's eyes." "Rick, this is getting pretty nasty, perhaps we'd better order up drinks before you go any further," Jorge broke in. We took a break and I called room service. Within ten minutes a knock sounded at the door. It was Jaime bearing the tray of drinks and hors d'oerves. "Rick, I glad you order, I want to see you...oh, you have friend here," Jaime said as he glanced in Jorge's direction. "Don't mind me, Jaime, I'm only here for the day. I wouldn't dream of disturbing your night with Rick," Jorge grinned. Jaime turned to me, ignoring Jorge's remark. "We have dinner tonight , Rick, please?" "Of course, Jaime, I'll meet you at our place after you get off work," I replied. Jaime made a quiet but hasty exit. "Our place?" Jorge looked at me with raised eyebrows. "It's just a spot at the Malecon where I wait for Jaime. He can't be seen fraternizing with the guests on hotel property." "So this has become a regular affair, you and Jaime?" "I think I'd better get back to the story. Here's your drink." I handed him a chilled glass of my gently stirred, not shaken, martini with lemon twist. "Meanwhile, back at the academy, Manuel was plotting his revenge against the commandant and the officer who raped his lover. He enlisted the help of two other boys who had suffered abuse at the hands of the commandant." I went on to describe to Jorge the elaborate ruse by Manuel and his lover - enticing the commandant and his senior officer into the tack room at the carriage entrance where the sex parties had usually occured. The two enlistees were to appear with a camera and photograph the men in compromising positions as Manuel and his amigo lured them into a sexual orgy. They then planned to use the photos as insurance for their safety during the rest of their term at the academy. "So what's with the four coffins we found in the closet back there at the old building?" "Something went wrong - deadly wrong. As they were photographing the scene from the doorway, two other officers showed up and caught them red-handed." "Caught who?" Jorge looked confused. "The two enlistees, Manuel's friends. They were all four forced too confess their plot, then they were murdered. The commandant had a sweet thing going and didn't want to lose it. A prestigious position, secure future, and all the boys he could dream of to fulfill his sexual fantasies, was too much of a good thing for the commandant and his highly chosen officers." "How did they explain the death of the four boys?" Jorge still looked puzzled. "It was well known that those students who failed to meet certain standards were sent off to the cane fields in another province to work as laborers. Most were never seen or heard from again. The four bodies were hidden until arrangements could be made to brick up the old tack room as part of a remodeling plan. The best way to dispose of them permanently was to box them up and lock them in the old closet until the room was sealed off." "Whew, that's quite a story." "Yeah, almost unbelievable, but you saw the boxes." "But how are we going to explain that you got all this information from the 'undead' Manuel?" "We just say we were checking the structure of the building, found loose mortar and bricks, did some probing, found the secret room, saw the four boxes surrounded by the smell of death, and got the hell out of there." "I'm still not sure you can back out of this real estate deal though." "Jorge, at this point, the deal is off - let them sue me." We sat there for a while longer drinking and pondering the situation. "Well, I'll do what I can from my end," Jorge got up from the sofa. "I got to fly back to Key West tonight." "I've been thinking about checking out tomorrow morning myself," I said looking up at him. "And your boyfriend Jaime? What are you going to tell him about his brother?" "I guess the truth - or at least part of it. I'll see him tonight, and I'll think of something." "Then I'll see you back in Key West tomorrow?" "Can't be soon enough for me." EPILOGUE By Friday evening, I was back in Key West, safely ensconced in my little apartment.The telephone rang as I was stirring a pitcher of fresh martinis, it was Jorge. "I got good news and bad news Ricky. What shall it be first?" "Let's get the bad news out of the way. I've got plenty of liquid supplies here to get me through any storm." "Okay, the new government in Havana has agreed to let you out of the deal. They plan to inter the bodies you found..." "We found!" "Yes,we found! The boys will be properly buried at public expense. The building will be remodeled and rededicated as an academy for training young men from poor families to prepare them for a career in public service." "I thought I was getting the bad news first." "I'm getting to that. The money we placed in escrow is not refundable. However, they will place a bronze plaque in the courtyard of the building, recognizing your generous donation to the academy." "My whole $45,000.00?" "I'm afraid so." "So, where's the good news?" "I just came across a great deal for you and Marco - in Jamaica! An abandoned sugar plantation with a magnificent house and lots of outbuildings. Could be picked up cheap and remodeled into a gay resort, or whatever." Some things never change! (See you in Jamaica. Look for Rick and Marco at Sugar Hill Plantation.)