Read Online 90 Miles to Freedom by K. C. Hilton - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: K. C. Hilton
Tags: thriller, Suspense, Literature & Fiction, Action & Adventure, Mystery; Thriller & Suspense, Thrillers & Suspense, Thriller & Suspense
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new life. Not only that, but he could make a lot of money while he was doing it.
So maybe human trafficking had an upside: it brought together the new business arrangement between Collin and Adelio. The two men shook hands and discussed contact arrangements over the internet, as well as dates, times, meeting points and so on.
Chapter 15
Over the next little while, Collin learned a great deal from his new friend. Adelio told him that under the current “Wet-foot, Dry-foot” policy, Cubans who reach American soil were generally allowed to remain in the United States, while those stopped at sea were sent home. That made the successful travelers more likely to contact the American government upon their arrival, unlike other illegal immigrants who tended to hide from law enforcement.
Adelio brought the Cubans to Collin, who then transported them to U.S. soil. The two were good partners and trusted each other implicitly.
The job was easy for Collin because he felt good about what he was doing. Collin was a compassionate man and was sympathetic to the citizens of Cuba. He believed that Adelio and he were doing a wonderful thing, helping people to freedom and out of poverty. Most of the refugees they transported were young, and all desired a better way of life. They wanted to get established in America and eventually try to bring the rest of their families over legally.
Collin never felt threatened by anyone he transported. In fact most of the time the people that boarded his fishing boat did nothing at all but nod gratefully at him, and they were more than willing to sit wherever Collin indicated. Most never uttered a sound throughout the entire trip. Collin invested some of his own money every time, providing each person with their own backpack. The pack was filled with non-perishable food, water, and a map so that they had at least that much when they arrived in the new country. Each backpack also contained an envelope containing one hundred dollars.
The Cubans paid Adelio, and when Collin picked up the passengers halfway through the Straits of Florida, he was given an envelope by Adelio, paying him for that evening’s work. The rendezvous always took place in the late evenings. Collin was paid in American money, which seemed a little curious, but it was something Collin never asked about.
He also never asked Adelio how much the Cubans actually paid for the transportation. Sometimes he wondered if Adelio kept half the money, but knowing Adelio as he did, that didn’t feel right. For some reason, Collin had a feeling Adelio gave most of the money to Collin, if not all of it.
An online ad informed Collin of the days for the exchange, as well as the location. The locations were never spelled out, just in case the ads were intercepted, but Collin knew where to go. They had arranged specific pickup locations and given them each a specific letter name. The letter A appearing at the end of the online ad would mean Collin was supposed to go to one particular location. The letters B, C and D directed him to different spots.
If there were ever any changes, another online ad would be placed. Collin checked the online listings every morning at a certain time, making sure he knew exactly when and if a meeting was going to take place.
They ran a tight little business, helping others, helping themselves, and Collin really didn’t see any problems with it.
Chapter 16
Cuban Departure Day 1
My name is Gavin. Today I leave Cuba. Cuba is the only home I have ever known. I left just after midnight with only stars for light. It was very dark because I had to leave when no one could see.
I journey across the ocean, floating to America and to my freedom. It should only take four days or so to cross the water. Six days at the most.
I leave without permission from my government, and I leave without my family and my friends. Some call this an illegal exit. Only my wife and son know of my leaving. I could not
So maybe human trafficking had an upside: it brought together the new business arrangement between Collin and Adelio. The two men shook hands and discussed contact arrangements over the internet, as well as dates, times, meeting points and so on.
Chapter 15
Over the next little while, Collin learned a great deal from his new friend. Adelio told him that under the current “Wet-foot, Dry-foot” policy, Cubans who reach American soil were generally allowed to remain in the United States, while those stopped at sea were sent home. That made the successful travelers more likely to contact the American government upon their arrival, unlike other illegal immigrants who tended to hide from law enforcement.
Adelio brought the Cubans to Collin, who then transported them to U.S. soil. The two were good partners and trusted each other implicitly.
The job was easy for Collin because he felt good about what he was doing. Collin was a compassionate man and was sympathetic to the citizens of Cuba. He believed that Adelio and he were doing a wonderful thing, helping people to freedom and out of poverty. Most of the refugees they transported were young, and all desired a better way of life. They wanted to get established in America and eventually try to bring the rest of their families over legally.
Collin never felt threatened by anyone he transported. In fact most of the time the people that boarded his fishing boat did nothing at all but nod gratefully at him, and they were more than willing to sit wherever Collin indicated. Most never uttered a sound throughout the entire trip. Collin invested some of his own money every time, providing each person with their own backpack. The pack was filled with non-perishable food, water, and a map so that they had at least that much when they arrived in the new country. Each backpack also contained an envelope containing one hundred dollars.
The Cubans paid Adelio, and when Collin picked up the passengers halfway through the Straits of Florida, he was given an envelope by Adelio, paying him for that evening’s work. The rendezvous always took place in the late evenings. Collin was paid in American money, which seemed a little curious, but it was something Collin never asked about.
He also never asked Adelio how much the Cubans actually paid for the transportation. Sometimes he wondered if Adelio kept half the money, but knowing Adelio as he did, that didn’t feel right. For some reason, Collin had a feeling Adelio gave most of the money to Collin, if not all of it.
An online ad informed Collin of the days for the exchange, as well as the location. The locations were never spelled out, just in case the ads were intercepted, but Collin knew where to go. They had arranged specific pickup locations and given them each a specific letter name. The letter A appearing at the end of the online ad would mean Collin was supposed to go to one particular location. The letters B, C and D directed him to different spots.
If there were ever any changes, another online ad would be placed. Collin checked the online listings every morning at a certain time, making sure he knew exactly when and if a meeting was going to take place.
They ran a tight little business, helping others, helping themselves, and Collin really didn’t see any problems with it.
Chapter 16
Cuban Departure Day 1
My name is Gavin. Today I leave Cuba. Cuba is the only home I have ever known. I left just after midnight with only stars for light. It was very dark because I had to leave when no one could see.
I journey across the ocean, floating to America and to my freedom. It should only take four days or so to cross the water. Six days at the most.
I leave without permission from my government, and I leave without my family and my friends. Some call this an illegal exit. Only my wife and son know of my leaving. I could not
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