TB's suggestion is not that far fetched given the mentality in 1978. In those days regardless of how much womanizing Geary did (and apparently he was quite open about it...note his comment in front of all the pezzanovante in Havana about wanting one of those red headed Yolanda's) the press would never have written about it, and it would have re-told the story of his "abduction." If it happened in this day and age I don't think he would have been able to pull it off.

One thing that always bothered me about that scene was Neri's
stupid move allowing himself to be seen, forcing Tom to make a gesture telling him to stay hidden.