“For four billion dollars, you can have her delivered to one of your military vessels by the Azores. We’ll be happy to tow it into port, but we think an escort would be prudent.”
“I will need to consult with our Presidente,” Minister Sampalo finally said after several more minutes of posturing and declarations of Portugal’s sovereign right of possession over Las Cinque Chagas. “I will contact you within two days. Please allow my secretary to show you out.” The minister buzzed his secretary from the phone on the table. “Please show our guests out.”
The secretary opened the door and motioned for them to follow him out. Catie and Liz followed Marc out of the office.
“Might I ask where you are staying in case the Minister needs to contact you later,” the secretary asked.
“You have my number,” Marc replied.
“Of course. Would you like a recommendation of where to dine?” he asked. “We have some excellent establishments here in Lisboa. You would not want to miss the opportunity to dine at one of our better restaurants.”
“Where would you recommend we dine?” Marc asked.
“Tavares is one of the oldest and most prestigious restaurants in the world,” the secretary replied. “It’s in the heart of our historical Chiado district, our theater district, as you say.”
“What do you think?” Marc asked.
“Sounds nice,” Liz said.
“I can get you reservations,” the secretary said. “A call from the minister’s office will ensure you a nice table. What time would you like?”
Marc looked at Catie, “I think eight o’clock would be good; we don’t want to be too late.”
“Of course,” the secretary said. He made the call while they waited. After a brief exchange on the phone in Portuguese, he hung up. “You are confirmed for eight o’clock p.m. at one of the finest tables in the restaurant. Please enjoy your time here in Lisboa.”
◆ ◆ ◆
“This place is cool,” Catie said as she spun around to look at the chandelier hanging above them in Tavares Restaurante.
“It certainly is,” Liz added. She was especially impressed with the wall paneling and the mirrors that surrounded the dining room. “It’s like stepping into the Seventeenth Century.”
“Definitely nice,” Marc agreed.
“Senhor e senhoras, please follow me,” the Maître d’ gestured toward the dining room. He led them to a lovely corner table where they could observe the whole room.
“Well, he certainly delivered as promised,” Marc said.
“Hey, what was his name?” Catie asked. “We were never introduced.”
“I think it is Muzah Harrak,” Liz said. “At least that is what was on the nameplate on his desk.”
“We’ll have to remember to thank him,” Marc said.
The waiter came by and took their drink orders, and then Liz and Catie excused themselves to go to the lady’s room.
“I’ll bet the bathroom is really cool too,” Catie said as they made their way down the hallway.
“I’m sure it is.”
When they got to the bathroom, a woman was exiting it fiddling with her purse. At the same time, a man was exiting the men’s room. Liz’s warning bells went off, and she turned to check him out. Just then the lady with the purse pushed a Taser to her neck. Liz collapsed, and the woman grabbed Catie. As Catie was trying to put her elbow into the woman’s face, the man put a bag over Catie’s head and then wrapped his arms around her. She felt a needle in her neck, and then she went limp.
“Captain, someone has grabbed Catie,” ADI’s voice echoed in Marc’s head. He was dashing toward the restrooms before he even internalized what ADI had said. As he got to the hallway, two men were coming out of the men’s room. They bumped into Marc as he was rushing down the hall knocking him into the wall. He gathered himself up and kept pushing toward the back door at the end of the hall.
“Captain, they’ve put her into a car and have driven away. I have called the surveillance drone from the hotel. I can track them via satellite until it gets close enough. She still has her earwig and specs, but her comm is on the ground next to the back door.”
“Can you talk to her?”
“No, she appears to be unconscious.”
“Where is Liz?”
“She is inside the lady’s room,” ADI said. “She is just regaining consciousness. I believe they tasered her.”
At that time, Liz came out of the restroom. “I’m so sorry, Marc. They were waiting on us.”
“I can tell,” Marc said as he looked around for the two men who had delayed him. “This was a complete setup.”
“But who?”
“The secretary, Muzah,” Marc guessed. “ADI, can you find him?”
“Captain, he has an apartment about two miles from here. I haven’t determined if he is home or not. I’m trying to access his cellphone now.”
“Should we call the police?” Liz asked.
“I’m not sure. I think they’ll just get in the way. ADI, does the drone have the car yet?”
“Not yet, it is still two minutes out, Captain.”
“Okay, let’s move. ADI, I need Blake … Blake, I need you guys back here in Lisbon.”
“What’s up?” Blake asked.
“Somebody has grabbed Catie,” Marc said. “We’re going to need help getting her back. We think we know one of the instigators; we’re heading over to his place to see if we can grab him.”
“We’re three hours out,” Blake said.
“Okay, just get here. Liz, let’s go. We’ll grab a cab and head to his apartment while ADI tries to determine if he’s there.”
“Right behind you,” Liz said. “By the way, what’s this surveillance drone you mentioned?”
“Arrg,” Marc cried. “Long story, I’ll fill you in later. Think of it as an aerial drone.”
“Okay, so it’s going to be able to find the car Catie’s in?”
“Yes, ADI is tracking the car via satellite until the drone gets close enough.”
“Okay,” Liz said as she signaled for a cab to wait for them. A couple of men who were also waiting for a cab stepped up to argue who’s cab it was. One look at Liz and they decided that they could wait.
ADI gave Liz the address, which Liz relayed to the cab driver. Marc was just coming out of the door after giving the Maître d’ money to cover their hasty departure.
“Let’s move,” Marc said. “Bônus para rápido,” he shouted at the cab driver. The cab squealed its tires as it pulled away from the curb.
“Captain, the drone is now tracking the car, and I have a connection to Cer Catie’s comm,” ADI said. “She is breathing calmly, but still unconscious. Based on what I have recovered from her comm, they are headed for Faro, where they plan to transition to a ship. We don’t have the name of the ship yet.”
“Blake, change of plans. I need you to head for Faro. Liz and I will take the plane and meet you somewhere close to there. ADI keep Blake updated with any intel changes.”
“Yes, Captain.”
“We’re on our way,” Blake said. “We’re actually a little closer to Faro than Lisbon, so two and a half hours.”
The cab squealed to a stop in front of an apartment building. Marc just threw money at the cab driver as he and Liz bailed out of the cab. The cab driver was obviously pleased with the money. So pleased, in fact, that he pulled to the curb and waited to see if they might want to engage his service when they came out.
“Is he in there?” Marc asked.
“Captain, his phone is in the apartment. It is either in his pocket or some other dark place, so I cannot be sure he is there.”
“Which apartment?”
“Captain, it is twenty-two B.”
Marc and Liz rushed up the first flight of steps. They were trying hard not to make too much noise, but speed was critical. As they approached 22B, they slowed down and continued their approach quietly. The door was very solid with a keyed lock.
�
��Can you open it?” Marc asked Liz.
“I can, but he might hear.”
“I’ll take care of that,” Marc said. “ADI, can you call Muzah and speak to him in Arabic as a distraction?”
“What should I say?”
“Hmm. Say you are from the ministry and that there has been a problem at the office. Act like you cannot hear him. We only need a minute,” Marc said while looking at Liz for confirmation. Liz gave him a nod.
“Yes, Captain.”
Momentarily they heard the phone ring inside the apartment. “Go ahead and pick the lock.”
“On it,” Liz said as they could hear Muzah talking loudly on the phone.
It only took Liz a minute to pick the lock. When they opened the door, Muzah was sitting on the couch, yelling into the phone.
Liz ran over and grabbed him by the wrist. She twisted it and wrenched his arm up behind his back, forcing him to his feet.
“Unhand me,” Muzah yelled, then he squealed in pain.
“Quiet, one more yell, and I’ll break it,” Liz said.
“What have I done to you? Why are you accosting me in my apartment?” Muzah protested more quietly.
“Where is my daughter?” Marc hissed.
“I don’t kno…” Muzah winced as Liz twisted his wrist more.
“Now if you lie to me, try to escape, or do anything to piss me off, I’m going to let Liz take you apart,” Marc said.
“I haven’t done anything to you!” Muzah hissed.
“I’ll give you that one for free,” Marc said. “Now I know you’re involved with the people who snatched my daughter. Now you’d better start cooperating, or I won’t have any use for you, and we’ll just leave your body here.”
Liz applied a little more pressure to Muzah’s wrist. “I suggest you start talking,” she said. “Or I’m going to see how many bones I can break before you pass out.”
“I’m sorry, I’m was just doing what I was tol…. Aack” he cried out in pain as Liz dislocated his thumb.
“You just had to start by being uncooperative,” Liz said.
“If you harm me, it would be bad for your daughter,” Muzah said.
“I’m confident that whoever has my daughter will be happy to negotiate with me whether you are alive or not,” Marc hissed. “So, what did you do?”
“I just called my uncle when I realized what you had found. He told me to get your hotel room number or find out what restaurant you were going to tonight. That’s all I did.”
“Who’s your uncle, and where is he?” Marc demanded.
“He is Omar Harrak; he is a big chefe in Casablanca.”
“Is that where they’re taking my daughter?”
“I don’t know, but it would make sense. He has many friends in the police there. And he has an estate outside the city.”
“ADI, we need a flight plan to an airport close to Faro, that will let us meet up with the Mea Huli and get ahead of the kidnappers.”
“I have alerted the flight crew to file a flight plan to Lagos. It is close to Faro but closer for the Mea Huli. They will be ready to depart when you reach the airport.”
“Call us another cab,” Marc requested.
“No need, Captain, your last cab is waiting outside.”
“Great! One word or problem from you,” Marc hissed at Muzah, “and she will break your neck!”
Marc headed toward the cab with Liz still holding onto Muzah’s wrist. “The Humberto Delgado Airport,” Marc shouted at the cabbie.
“Muito rápido?” the cabbie asked.
“Sim,” Marc replied, using the Portuguese for yes.
It only took them ten minutes to make it to the airport as the cabbie dodged traffic and cut down side streets. Marc tossed him another handful of money as he piled out of the cab, followed closely by Liz and the whining Muzah.
“Get this plane in the air,” Marc demanded as they climbed aboard their jet.
“We start taxiing in one minute. Everyone, please get strapped in,” Fatima said as she closed the hatch.
“Wheels up in two minutes,” the pilot announced over the PA.
“ADI, we will need a speed boat to take us out to the Mea Huli.”
“Yes, Captain. I am arranging that now. It will be ready when you arrive.”
“You’re sure good at this for an academic,” Liz said.
“Necessity,” Marc replied tersely.
They were halfway to Lagos when Marc finally got the answer he wanted from ADI. He’d been asking her if Catie was awake yet every few minutes. The answer came when his HUD pinged an incoming text. “DADDY,” it said.
“Catie, can you hear me,” Marc replied over the audio channel.
“Yes, I’m gagged,” Catie texted back. Marc could hear her sobbing through the gag.
“Are you hurt?”
“No, I think I’m OK. I’m in the trunk.”
“We know where you are. The surveillance drone is tracking you. We’re putting together a plan to rescue you.”
“Good. How long?”
“It will probably be a few hours,” Marc said. “They are going to move you onto a boat. ADI says it’s a fishing boat. We’ll try to get you once they’re out to sea. Uncle Blake is on his way.”
“Okay,” Catie texted back.
“Anything I can do for you?”
“AMOF have ADI bring the LX9 to the Azores.”
“What, you’re tied up in the trunk of a car, and you want to talk about bringing that jet here?”
“4my Plan, you said no WOMBAT” (Waste of money, brains, and time), “I was going to tell you tomorrow.”
“Can’t we talk about this tomorrow?”
“No WOMBAT.”
“Okay, ADI, can you bring the LX9 to the Azores without it being detected?”
“Yes, Captain. It has stealth technology far superior to your technology’s detection capabilities,” ADI replied.
“Then do so,” Marc said. “How long will it take?”
“It will be there in approximately twelve hours,” ADI replied. “Where should I put it?”
“Put it on the ocean floor next to the Las Cinque Chagas.”
“Yes, Captain.”
“We’ll be landing in ten minutes,” the pilot announced over the PA.
“Please buckle your seatbelts,” Fatima said.
After they landed, the pilot came back into the cabin, leaving the co-pilot to taxi them in.
“Sir, would you like a couple of additional men?” he asked. “Walter and I have military experience, and we would be happy to join this fight, I like kicking a little ass now and then.” He gave them a grin, which highlighted by his black face, looked especially menacing.
“We’re going to infiltrate via scuba,” Marc said. “We’ve all trained together, so I don’t want to upset the team dynamic. But we could use someone to drive the boat, how are you at that?”
“I haven’t sailed anything as big as the Mea Huli, but I’ve sailed a few yachts in my time. I think I could handle it.”
“Well then, Fred, welcome to the strike team. We’ll leave Walter with the jet in case we need it. We’ll fit you with our comm gear when we get to the Mea Huli.”
“Glad to be on the team,” Fred said.
It took twenty minutes from the time they landed until they were on the speedboat heading for the Mea Huli. “You are thirty minutes from the Mea Huli, Captain,” ADI said. “Once you are aboard the Mea Huli, it will arrive outside of Faro approximately ten minutes after the car with Cer Catie arrives at the port.”
“Blake, Kal, I’m thinking we should let them set sail and take them on in the open sea.”
“I agree,” Kal said. “We should let them get well into their trip to Casablanca before we make our move.”
“Catie, can you hold out that long?” Marc asked.
“I’m good,” Catie texted back. “Just wake me up first.”
“Is she serious?” Liz said. “Just wake me up first. Any other twelve-year-old
would be screaming her head off.”
“She’s not just any twelve-year-old,” Marc said.
“She takes after her father, neither of them is very excitable,” Blake said over the comm.
“Kal, are we good?” Marc asked.
“It’s a plan,” Kal said. “There’s nothing like the drone of a ship’s engines to put you to sleep or off your game.”
“We’ve got five Seabob F55s on board. So, we should be able to have the whole team get to the boat,” Blake said. “We just need to slow them down.”
“I think we can accomplish that,” Kal said. “We just need Liz to drive the boat. The way she drives would make anyone slow down and try to get some maneuvering room.”
“Har, har,” Liz said. “Good thing you’re not on this speed boat, or we would only need three Seabobs.” Liz was thinking she’d just toss the joker overboard if he was at hand.
“I think our man Fred will be able to handle the lousy driving,” Marc said as he gave Fred a quick smile. He was listening in on the conversation over Marc’s comm unit.
“I’m sure I can make like a drunk playboy,” Fred said.
“Good, we just need ADI to find us the optimal location with the right weather and sea conditions,” Kal said.
“ADI?”
“Working, Captain.”
“Am I wrong, or is ADI getting smarter?” Blake asked.
“ADI is getting smarter,” Catie texted.
Chapter 10
The Rescue
“Okay, guys, we’ve got about two hours to plan this thing, and we have to get it right.” Marc collapsed onto the sofa on the sundeck behind the pilot’s chair. Blake was giving Fred a crash course in how to drive the Mea Huli.
“We’ll put her on autopilot, so we can pay attention,” Blake told Fred. “I’ll alert us if the radar picks up anything close.”
Everyone picked a seat around Marc, and after a few more words of support, Marc started the meeting.
“We’ve already decided we’re going to take them on the fishing boat. ADI says it’s really a smuggling vessel dressed up to look like a fishing boat. She estimates that there are twenty or so crew aboard. The ship’s designed for twelve crew, so they’re going to be crowded.”
“That’s a lot of men to neutralize,” Liz said.
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