Kip swiped a cooling cookie and left, but Jack stopped next to Cassie. “Honey, are you learning how to make these?” He pilfered a cookie.
“Yes. Among other things.”
“Good.” He kissed her and followed after Kip.
Cassie smiled and sighed.
For a moment, Jeannie studied Cassie before she said, “You do realize he’s in love with you.”
Cassie gasped and stared at her.
“I see it in his face, just like I see it in yours. He might not know it yet, but he is. Jack is a good man.”
Her mouth curved into a slow smile. “Yes, he is.” Cassie gazed out toward the big room where Jack had gone. “Jeannie, thanks for telling me. Sometimes I get so anxious and worried.”
“Someone told me that too, and I just had to believe. Trust your instincts.”
Five San Juan County sheriffs and the county prosecuting attorney had boated over from Friday Harbor. The Coast Guard had just tied up to Eagle’s Nest pier. Ray waited for everyone to join him before he made the introductions and called the meeting to order.
Ray briefed everyone on what they knew, with the last detail being the breach at the fence.
“Their quick response means some high stakes. I’m beginning to think something more is going on in addition to human trafficking. Any thoughts on what else it could be?” Ray asked the group. He passed around one iPad that had a display of the compound via an earth map, and another that Jack had downloaded the photos of the compound and Margery Anne marching the women around.
“Meth lab?” a sheriff suggested.
“You said the two bikers had assault rifles strapped to their back. What about illegal weapons?” another said. “If there is a Russian or Chinese connection, they could be shipping into Canada to be smuggled in.”
The discussion continued through dinner. Ray drew a diagram of Armstrong’s house, the county park, and the compound. He wrote WHO/WHERE/HOW at the top and stepped away. Cassie stood in the doorway and cleared her throat. She held up a tray. Ray nodded to Jack. In three steps, Jack was next to her and took the tray, setting it so whoever wanted to munch away could grab and gab. He followed her back into the kitchen.
“Just out of curiosity, what have you three been doing back here?”
“Well, Montana has made her own diagrams and positioned us on where she thinks we should be. Jeannie is placating her but also shaking her head a lot. Montana said all ops should have a name so she dubbed it Your Cheatin’ Wife, singing but improvising with her own words.”
He laughed. “Let me see what Montana has dreamed up.”
On the counter, Montana had a huge piece of white butcher paper. On it, she’d drawn a diagram of the island and placed pink packets of artificial sweetener for women and blue for men. She was more than happy to explain it all to him, moving packets around like game pieces.
When she finished Jack said, “You have some excellent ideas.”
“Why, thank you.” She grinned, looking very happy.
“In fact, I’m going to reiterate what you’ve just showed me.” Jack returned to the meeting area where everyone had dived into the cookies and were standing around talking. He motioned to Ray and repeated everything.
Jack was pretty certain Montana had been watching. As if on cue she came through the door with a tray of warm oatmeal raisin cookies. The scent filled the air, and she took her time, making the rounds until she reached Ray and Jack. Not wanting to be privy to the conversation, Jack excused himself leaving her with Ray.
“Ray, you know I’m right. The three of us have ears and eyes, and that makes three extra you don’t have.” Montana didn’t budge and held her ground until she saw him nod his head. She returned to the kitchen. She wasn’t totally defeated.
Jeannie was the first to ask, “So what did he say?”
“Not much. Just that he would consider everything.”
The three women cleaned up the kitchen and put the last of the dishes away. Montana sighed. “I just wished there was a way to see what they were doing without being seen.”
“Actually, there is,” Jeannie replied.
Montana cleared her throat for her to continue.
“If you crouch down on this side of the door frame, you can see all the way out to the fireplace, but they can’t see you.”
Montana moved cautiously to the frame. Like Jeannie had said, she could see all the way out. Cassie joined her.
“What’s going on?”
“Something’s up. Jack’s on the phone, and the other sheriffs are headed this way.” Montana almost tripped over Cassie running back to where they’d been sitting.
The officers went through the kitchen and headed down to the boats, followed by the Coast Guard. Ray stuck his head in the door and asked the three of them to come out to the big room.
Jack and Kip stood next to the whiteboard. Under Kip’s name, their names had been written. Everything else on the board had been wiped clean.
“Because of Kip’s injuries in Indonesia, he is taking a less stringent role.” Ray paused and then smiled. “Let me rephrase that. It will be stringent, but not physical. He has volunteered to coordinate the three of you, if you want to help.”
All three chorused that they did want to help.
“Take it away.” Ray motioned to Kip. He and Jack left the room.
Kip pointed to the farm, “This is where we will be, out of the way but able to get places fast. We want no vehicles in sight. Ray and Jack will be dropped off so they can head into the woods for surveillance. We’ll pick them up from point B. Depending on what happens, we will improvise. This will be a waiting game until conditions are correct. Then, all hell will break loose. You three will be with me.”
Montana squirmed in her seat. This wasn’t quite the action she had in mind. “Ah, Kip, what about Armstrong’s house? Who will be watching that?”
“Coast Guard and Sheriff Marine patrol will be out on the water.”
“What about the county park?”
“Ray will be positioned in the woods, watching both entrances.”
“And MAMW?”
“That’s where we might need to improvise.”
“Glad you thought of something,” she mumbled under her breath.
Ray and Jack came back, each carrying a gear bag, as did the county sheriffs. Twice Montana tried to catch Ray’s eye, but he wouldn’t look at her. Ray strapped on his bullet proof vest and secured his gun on his hip and one on his leg.
He walked over to her. “You look disappointed.”
“Maybe,” she said quietly.
“I want you safe.” He leaned in so fast she never saw it coming, and he kissed her.
Chapter Forty-Two
Like Ray and the other officers, Jack strapped on his vest, secured his badge, and then his P229. He holstered his Glock on one ankle and his knife on the other. After smearing black grease paint all over his face, he pulled on a tight knit black cap. He tossed a cap and the grease to Ray, who did likewise.
He saw Cassie watching him gear up. They exchanged a faint smile, and she nodded her head. Canadian Border Services had alerted him the fishing trawler had left the marina with the Zodiac firmly in place.
They were ready to go. Kip was in the lead with his SUV, followed by the sheriffs in the unmarked Mustang. Jeannie followed in Ray’s Jeep with Montana and Ray behind her in the Saab. With permission to use the farm from the owner, a make-shift command center was to be set up in the barn.
Jack climbed into his Tahoe and handed Cassie the keys. “This is the first time I’ve ever ridden with you.”
“Make sure there’s a second.” She hit the gas.
Montana was right behind in her Saab with Ray. She veered off to the left, Cassie went right. Slowing down to a crawl, Ja
ck checked for vehicles. Cassie stopped at the big boulder trail leading up into the woods. Jack hopped out. She sucked in her breath and nodded.
“I’ll be fine.” He gave her the thumbs up and scrambled up the hillside into the woods. When he reached his post, Jack inserted his earpiece and checked in with Kip.
Montana approached the county park entrance and turned off her lights. She stopped abruptly, and Ray jumped out, waved, and headed into the woods to his stake-out. Montana came around the curve heading back to the farm when a sedan exited the compound and nearly hit her. The familiar-looking car sped ahead. Montana’s radar system zinged in high alert. Kip had said they might need to improvise, and Montana decided it was one of those times.
Until she had accurate information, Montana decided not to check in with Kip. No doubt in her mind, she was tailing Margery Anne. At the moment, they were on a direct route to her house. Instead of turning in, the car swung around and parked at the rear of the church. Montana continued up the block to the closed mini-mart store and parked in its lot. Even though it was late, Montana surveyed the area before running down the block to the church. She took refuge in the overgrown rhododendron bushes that grew all around the building. Hidden by the bushes, she made her way to the rear of the church. Margery Anne’s car was backed in, parked next to a white van by the back stairs. She needed to rethink her situation. Still without definite information to relay, she decided to continue sleuthing before she called Kip.
Concealed behind the van, Montana closed her eyes and listened. Certain everything was in the clear, she crept up the back stairs and pulled slightly on the door. To her surprise, it opened. She leaned in but heard nothing, so she entered. A nightlight illuminated the corridor, so she crept along. At the end of the hallway, Montana came to a T. For a moment, she contemplated which way to go. Organ music blasted out, nearly sending her screaming with fear. She gripped her chest and took several breaths. Now she understood where she was: the entrance where the minister could step in front the congregation.
The music continued blasting, and the hair on her arms tingled as did every other warning signal in her body. Something very creepy was happening, but it was beyond her what. Down on her hands and knees, she crept into the area where the choir stood and peeked out the end. Margery Anne and Rob Armstrong posed as a bridal couple, but not in a traditional appearance—pornographic was more like it. Other than a bridal veil and very tall thigh high spiked boots, Margery Anne wore only a white satin bustier that stopped just below her breasts, enhancing the size. She swished the air with her white leather horse crop. Armstrong sported tight, black leather pants that were wide open where normally a zipper might be. Both were bare-chested. The camera filming them was just a few feet away. Horrified, Montana bit back words that were not very church-like. As quietly as she entered the church, she left. Inside the safety of her car, she now could call Kip.
Kip checked his phone once again and frowned. With his expression tight, he glanced over at Jeannie and Cassie, and they both shrugged. His phone vibrated in his hand. Kip let out a deep breath before answering it. Listening, he cleared his throat several times and shook his head.
“You stay in your car, completely out of their sight. Make sure your doors are locked. When they leave, you call me immediately,” he said with emphasis, in a low composed voice. He tucked his phone back in his pocket. Somewhere between a frown and a twisted smile, he said into his microphone, “We have an update on Armstrong and the Black woman. They are not in the compound but at the church where Margery Anne’s husband is the minister. Though he is not present.”
With Armstrong out of the complex, Kip and the officers discussed their next move with Jack and Ray.
Kip waved Cassie over. “Jack is coming back here. Go get him. Make sure you avoid the compound entrance.”
Cassie left in Jack’s truck.
Trying to ignore Jeannie, Kip gave up and walked over to where she stood. “What?”
“Oh, come on. Spill the beans.” She poked him and grinned.
He rolled his eyes and threw up his hands.
“What in the world?” she asked.
“I can honestly say I am at a loss for words. Text her.”
Jeannie perched on the back of his truck, texting. He smiled when he saw her eyes widen several different times and her mouth drop open. He was not surprised when Cassie returned with Jack, that Jeannie motioned for Cassie to join her. Cassie looked over Jeannie’s shoulder, reading the texts with her eyes practically popping out of her head.
Kip announced, “Operation Your Cheatin’ Wife is underway.”
The San Juan County sheriffs piled into the SUV and left. Jack loaded up Ray’s Jeep with rock climbing ropes and other gear. He handed Kip the shotgun. Kip called Jeannie and Cassie over to the Jeep.
“This is where we’ll need your help. Jack’s going to rappel off the boulder and drop into the compound. Once he lands, he’ll need someone to pull up the rope. Unfortunately, I’m not able.”
“I’ll do it,” said Cassie.
“Okay then. Everyone in the Jeep. Let’s go.”
Jack followed the walking path, plowing through the brush. He stopped where the trail dropped down to the meadow. The women each grabbed a bag and hung on to their guy’s hand. Going slow, Jack and Cassie led the way with Kip and Jeannie behind him.
Jack climbed the madrona tree. He threw a rope down; Cassie tied up the gear bags for him to pull up to where he stood. Securing the line around the tree, Jack checked its hold. As quickly as he went up the tree, he came down. He and Kip checked their microphones to make sure Ray and the other men could hear him.
Jack pulled Cassie aside and squeezed her hand. “Please do exactly what Kip says.”
“I will.”
He winked, and she winked back. She followed Jack up the tree. He gave her a hand over to the ledge and showed her where he wanted her to wait while he rappelled off. Over the edge he went, pushing off the face of the boulder, swinging out to land in the compound. The line went slack, and Cassie pulled it up immediately.
She peered out into the night and whispered, “You go, Wyatt Earp, lawman of the west.”
It took a few minutes, but she got the line unknotted and tossed it down to Kip. Cassie climbed down and joined Kip and Jeannie at the base.
Kip touched his earpiece and then smiled. “The Coast Guard just apprehended the zodiac. Our boys went nose to nose running them down. No women onboard but contraband.”
“What’s our plan?” Cassie asked.
“The plan is for Jack to return with the women. At that point, we’ll need to cut the fence and get them out fast.”
“So it could be a while?”
“Definitely.”
Jeannie pulled out her cellphone and motioned for Cassie to join her on the boulder.
Montana read Jeannie’s text and had to agree with her that Margery Anne had lost her mind. Rob Armstrong possessed her. No matter how hard she tried, Montana could not get the image out of her mind. Her body still shook. Margery Anne needed an intervention, and the only person capable was her. That was all there was to it.
Once again, Montana ran to the edge of the church property where she took cover in the rhododendron bushes. Listening and using her hands, she felt for vibration. Still clear. She sprinted to the door, opened it, and listened. Now that she understood what was going on, she faintly heard the music. Other than the dim light from the nightlight, the hallway appeared empty. Montana scampered down until she came to the T and slipped inside the choir room. Using her cellphone for light, Montana found a hidden space behind the line of choir robes. What better place was there than a church to try and save someone through an aura clearing and cleansing of her soul. Sometimes she just had to step in and do the right thing.
Chapter Forty-Three
So far, Ja
ck encountered no one. In the shadows of the building, he watched and waited. No guards, no foot patrol, nothing. He believed their detection system was next to the fence and not where he landed.
Everyone speculated the women were imprisoned in the basement, probably in the largest building. Jack headed to the rear of the building where he came upon large Dumpsters. A cement ramp between them sloped down to the lower level loading dock. Hiding by the huge bins, he crouched down and took a good look around. He searched for security cameras but saw none. What he did find surprised him. Several heavy duty satellite dishes were hidden behind a wooden screened fence. The fence and the dishes had mobile capabilities, allowing ease of movement for clear reception. They’d not shown up on any images.
Jack sprinted down the cement ramp to the steel kitchen door. Not surprised to find the door locked, he used his favorite tool. Nothing like cheaping out with a cheap-ass lock from your local hardware store, he thought breaking the lock. Jack entered into a good-sized kitchen, one that could be in any community center or church. Sitting in full view on the counter was a pink bakery box. He had to know for Cassie’s sake. Jack lifted the lid and noted only a few cupcakes were left. He reported back to Kip and the others he was in the kitchen and cupcakes were found. That ought to make Cassie happy.
Jack peered through the small window of the dining room door. Dim lights lit the corridor, allowing a clear view of steel doors numbered one through four with electronic locks. He listened at each door. Doors one and two had muffled sounds, but not three and four. Jack retreated back to the kitchen and reported what he found.
He waited until he got word the front gate was being stormed by Ray and the other San Juan County sheriffs.
Deep Into The Night (Hartz Island Series) Page 27