by Matthew Rief
In the meantime, Ange and I made the trip to see her in Miami every few weeks and spoke to her on the phone every other day. The more we met with her and talked with her, the more we wanted to make her part of our little family. Ange and I both believed she’d make a great addition, and more importantly, that we could make a positive impact on her final few years before becoming an adult.
Two days after we arrived back in the Keys, Scott met us for dinner at Salty Pete’s. Before we’d gotten our appetizers, he asked if he could speak with me in private.
We headed through the second-story sliding glass door, past the rows of exhibits, and into Pete’s office. Scott shut the door behind us.
He stood right in front of the door, facing me. He looked to be mulling something over. He was wearing his work clothes. Black pants, nice shoes, white dress shirt, red tie. The only thing missing was his jacket.
“That was a good thing you both did,” he said finally. “Really.”
I shook my head.
“Scottie, you didn’t pull me aside to commend me. We’ve never walked on eggshells before. No need to start now.”
He nodded. “Look, this shit in Cuba was just scratching the surface.” He stepped toward me and lowered his voice. “This is a global sex-trafficking operation. We’re talking thousands of women every month. Dante and his gang were just a small part of a much bigger picture.”
I looked away from him, wrapping my head around what he was saying. I knew that he was right. The large-scale magnitude of the operation had been evident early on. Ever since the cargo ship. Ever since…
“Wake,” I said.
Scott nodded. “At some point, he has to be brought to justice. It’s the only way this will ever be over. He’s the head of this highly venomous snake. One way or another, Richard Wake has to go down.”
“It’s not gonna happen within the confines of the law. He’s too powerful. Has too many people in his pocket.”
“I know,” Scott said. “To be honest, I’m surprised he hasn’t come after you yet.”
I was surprised as well. First, we’d stopped his corrupt oil drilling scheme in its tracks. Then we’d taken down one of his partners, Carson Richmond. Then we’d put an end to Dante and his squad. Not devastating blows to a bigshot like Wake, but certainly major jabs to his profits, not to mention his ego.
“Please tell me there’s some kind of plan to take him down,” I added.
“I’m working with Wilson and a few others on it.”
I knew Scott had something in the works, despite the possible repercussions. If Wake found out there was a plan forming against him, he’d kill those at the top. Even a sitting senator.
“Just watch your back, Logan,” he said. “I’m sensing that something’s gonna happen soon. Something big.”
I didn’t take Scott’s words lightly. He wouldn’t say something like that if he didn’t believe that it was true. Plus, I had the same feeling myself. Something was coming. After years of throwing myself into danger, I’d developed a sort of sixth sense to see it coming. Like the distant grumbles that foreshadow an impending storm.
Ange and I did watch our backs. But we weren’t about to let possible approaching danger keep us from living our lives.
Wait and hope.
I reminded myself of those words daily. The final words spoken by Edmond Dantès in one of my favorite books.
We went out on the water. We fished. We swam. We explored. We cooked new foods, and visited new places, and met new people all over the islands.
In early September, Scarlett and her counselor met us in Key Largo for the annual Upper Keys Lionfish Derby. From sunup to sundown, we scoured every underwater nook and cranny we could find, spearing the colorful invasive species for the good of the ecosystem.
At the end of the day, everyone gathered beside rows of barbeques and tables to carefully filet and grill the fruits of our labors. Enjoying a wild thrill, savoring tasty seafood, and saving the environment all at the same time is one hell of a way to spend an afternoon.
We said our goodbyes to Scarlett and her counselor, then hopped aboard the Baia and headed back to Key West. I engaged the autopilot, whipped up a few mojitos, and met Ange up on the bow.
We drank and smiled and kissed and laughed.
There could very well be a storm on the horizon. A wave of danger surging our way. But after a day on the water, after seeing the joyful look in Ange’s eyes, and after pulling her warm body close while we watched the sunset, I felt nothing but pure happiness.
Wait and hope.
THE END
LOGAN DODGE ADVENTURES
Gold in the Keys
Hunted in the Keys
Revenge in the Keys
Betrayed in the Keys
Redemption in the Keys
Corruption in the Keys
Predator in the Keys
Legend in the Keys
Abducted in the Keys
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About the Author
Matthew has a deep-rooted love for adventure and the ocean. He loves traveling, diving, rock climbing and writing adventure novels. Though he grew up in the Pacific Northwest, he currently lives in Virginia Beach with his wife, Jenny.