The waiting ship accepted the pilot as his pilot captain pulled away and made a wide half circle, coming back to port. Within minutes, the Dutchie began to move forward. It’s sleek lines and quiet engines hardly disturbed the early morning air. Not long after, it was docked, powered down, and tied off. Jason saw a line of people along the railing, heard some announcements over a loudspeaker on the ship, and watched the two gangways move into position just before a procession of white uniforms traveled up the ramp and into the belly of the beast.
“It’s the Vanderdam Orca,” Kelly confirmed, her finger pressing the com in her ear.
“Okay, so listen up. We have an advanced team heading over to board her now. They’re posing as an engineering crew doing quality checks in the engine room. The ship’s Chief Engineer is a friendly.”
“So far, so good,” mumbled Coop as he adjusted the Velcro pockets in his vest, stuffed with gadgets. “I’m going to be roasting alive in this get-up.”
Jason thought he looked ridiculous. With a red bandana around his neck, his mid-shin length khakis, canvas slip-ons, a long-sleeved shirt with a string of palm trees painted across his chest, and the vest, he didn’t fit the picture of a tourist, a fisherman, a dock worker, or a beach bum. And he certainly didn’t look like a soldier. The long-sleeved T-shirt took care of covering up all his tats.
Jason was only armed with his KA-BAR, but he suspected a couple of others would have light arms. It had been discouraged, so being one of the newer SEALs on the squad, he didn’t want to push his luck.
They piled out of the building in groups of two or three and scattered, as they’d been instructed. Kelly walked with Kyle, who wore a yellow baseball cap backwards, and made an introduction to a security guard manning the gate before any of the passengers or other crew could board. They stopped approximately twenty feet from the gangway and waited.
A handful of orange-suited workmen walked past Kelly and Kyle and made their way on board. Jason stepped closer to Coop and asked, “What are they waiting for?”
“The ship has to clear customs, I’m guessing,” Coop answered, focused on the activity before him.
Jason observed several Team Guys scattered all around the dock, some pressing against the fencing and a couple others sharing a cigarette. No one made eye contact with each other. A flurry of dockworkers were lining up electric carts to begin bringing provisions on board. Covered carts and refrigerated compartments waited. Two forklifts stood idly by, their operators waiting. Porters with baggage handcarts and six-passenger golf carts waited to transport passengers to shore for their excursion groups. Buses were lined up in a row in the parking lot, their drivers waiting.
At last, a blast from the ship started everyone in motion like a swarm of ants. Something was announced over the ship’s loudspeaker. The white-uniformed port officials returned to the pier, briefly stopped to talk to Kelly, and then returned to their offices.
Streams of passengers began exiting the ship. Jason, Damon, T.J. and Coop were hailed by one of the golf carts and hopped aboard, where they were allowed to enter the security area, joining Kyle and Kelly. Several others of their team were allowed through on foot.
Kyle called the four of them into a huddle, passing out badges on lanyards. “I want you guys to find someone in customer service. Locate Amber Lynd. She’s supposed to let us know where all the girls are. We don’t want any of them leaving, just yet. Not until we can get the ship secured.”
“Secured?” asked Jason.
“You remember, the advanced team?” Coop reminded him.
“I don’t want you to do anything but locate them. They will probably be together, but might be on a couple of floors, in groups.”
Kelly added, “Be aware they might have customers still in their rooms. And some of them will be scared to death and ready to bolt given the opportunity.”
“Do you think Vandershoot is on board?” Asked T.J.
“Oh, he is. He most definitely is,” said Kelly.
“Now, let’s go quickly. Your passes will get you through the metal detector.”
Jason panicked. “I brought my KA-BAR.”
“Yeah, and I’m thinking a couple of you brought sidearms too. Kelly’s going to lead you through. If her people are not guarding the machines, we wait, understood? This is either going to go very quick, very smoothly, or it will be long and drawn out. I don’t want a firefight, is that clear?”
The group nodded.
“Okay, here goes. God, I hope this works. Just follow Kelly.”
The group followed behind the State Department operative, who showed her Special Agent badge and was allowed to bring her group through without going through the metal detector. Their action didn’t seem to raise any suspicion from the crew.
But Jason was concerned about Kyle’s comment.
Once inside, the crush of passengers lined up, cascading down the stairwell and awaiting their debarkation, was difficult to maneuver through. In places, Jason had to nearly shove people aside to get past them.
“Coop and Jason, go do me proud. The rest of you, follow me. Coop, I’m going to be at the theater entrance. That’s deck five.”
“Roger that. So you want one of us to stay behind when we find them?”
“Yes.”
“Then I need another volunteer,” said Coop.
Kyle grabbed Damon and shoved him toward Jason. “And now there were three.”
As Kelly and the other three SEALs headed toward the elevators, Coop, Jason and Damon took to the stairs, avoiding passengers who weren’t paying attention to where they were going. A maze of handcarts and elderly people with luggage made their path more like an obstacle course. Coop checked the ship’s map, mounted on a side wall.
“We have to go up two more. See here, customer service?” he pointed.
“Got it.”
A cluster of confused and clamoring passengers had congregated at the long line of customer service counters, manned by uniformed hospitality crew who were trying to smile and attend to complaints and questions. Jason read the name badges and didn’t find Amber anywhere. Finally, he heard Coop whistle. He was standing next to a white-blonde representative who pulled them into one of the booking offices.
“Okay, here’s where they are. On the eleventh floor, at the back, that’s stern.” She handed them a paper sheet with the floor maps similar to the one posted. “I haven’t been up there today, but yesterday, they had an armed guard posted on both sides. But there is a utility stairway where the guard can be bypassed. You enter that series of passages through the galley, the kitchen.”
“All we’re doing is confirming where they are. So they’re all together?” Coop asked.
“I think so. I saw a couple of Vandershoot’s men escorting two girls last night. I can’t be certain where they are right now, but his men have suites all over the ship. It would be impossible to check all of them.”
“Okay, thanks. If we have a question, how do we contact you?” Coop asked.
She passed out cards. “That’s my direct extension, but do not leave a message. You can access our phone system from any floor, the white house phones. But be careful. You don’t look like passengers and it could raise suspicions.”
“Okay, thanks,” Coop said.
“We appreciate what you’re doing,” Jason added.
“I hope you succeed. I have my own reasons,” Amber whispered.
The trio chanced using the elevators and found them to be packed with passengers going down. When they finally caught one going up, it stopped at every floor until they came upon Deck 11.
The lights and sparkling pale peach and silver interior of the ship were beginning to annoy Jason. He felt like he was climbing around in an ice palace.
“Let’s stick together until we find out if there are guards,” Coop instructed.
They turned left, walked single file down the narrow hallway, past several service doors, which Coop pointed out, and then to another lobby which accessed a c
ouple of restaurant entrances. Beyond this lobby was another long hallway, which curved slightly, revealing two uniformed crew members standing next to each other, blocking the entrance to the rooms on the other side of them.
Coop pretended to check the room numbers when the crew noticed them.
“Dammit, it’s on the other side.” He shrugged. “Sorry fellas,” he said. Neither of them smiled in return.
Coop crossed the lobby area to the opposite side and found the same situation. This time, they managed to turn around before being spotted.
“Damon, you stay here and monitor. We’ll come get you in a bit after we report to Kyle,” whispered Coop.
“No problem.”
To avoid the crowds again, the two of them ran down the seven floors and found the theater entrance, which also happened to be stern. The doors were unlocked. Jason slipped inside the darkened theater behind Coop, where they found Kyle.
“Deck 11. Rooms 11204 and 11205 are probably where they start. Two guards posted on each side, and I didn’t see a firearm, but I think they were packing. Looks like they have about twenty rooms total, including the insides,” Coop told him.
“Good. Did Amber say anything else?”
“She said she saw a couple of the girls with Vandershoot’s guys last night,” Jason answered.
“And his men are all over the ship,” added Coop.
“Okay, so we have them pretty much all in one location, which is great news.” Kyle shook their hands. “Gents? How about a little cruising today?”
Chapter 16
Kiley remembered a discussion of Christy Lansdowne from Martel and Aimee. She knew it was the only thing she could do that she was one hundred percent certain was right. Everything else was just going to be by chance, dumb luck, a little magic, and hoping and praying she could pull off a return to Portland without getting herself or anyone else killed.
She’d tried calling Jason several times but knew he was probably in the middle of their operation. She decided to give up trying, to not interfere with his life any more than she already had, and just do what he’d suggested, to call Christy.
She’d made her airport reservations then called her landlady and left a message about vacating early. That left her cold. She didn’t allow herself any space to grieve or feel any disappointment. She was making the motion, taking the steps she was required to make, trudging forward on the only path left open to her.
She was hoping this lockdown of her emotions would keep her from erupting and completely falling apart. It was one of the hardest things she had to do. She was convinced this was the right way to go about it, but wasn’t sure she had all the skills she’d need. But she was just going to press on and not think about the consequences if things didn’t turn out satisfactorily. A happy ending was too high to shoot for. She wanted an ending resulting in freedom for some, with minimal numbers of people hurt, including herself.
She told Aimee she was coming over to spend the night if the invitation still existed, and was welcomed enthusiastically. She hadn’t told them yet about her return to Portland, but regardless of their opinion on the subject, her resolve was strong and nothing would break it. She’d already mentally kissed good-bye this little cottage, the scene of so much possibility and love shared. If she could do that, walk away from all of that, she could do whatever else was required of her.
She packed enough for a couple of days, just enough to get her back home, and included the Beach Heals Everything sign that always traveled with her. She also made sure all her notes were tucked into her computer case. All the rest of her clothes, candles, and trinkets she’d purchased she left in a big box and was hoping to impose on Aimee and Andy to get them mailed to her later.
Before she picked up the phone, she walked outside on the patio and smelled the salt air and listened to the sounds of the surf pounding against the firm sand. The breeze was warm on her face. The moist air kissed her cheeks, implanting the memory she’d have forever of walking the shoreline, being a tiny speck of sand amongst the billions of other specs of sand. She’d found hope and healing here. That was going to be important to remember. She doubted she’d ever be able to bring herself to return here. But who really knew?
Kiley brought a baggie outside with her and filled it with bits of sandy shells without even selecting anything special. When she looked up at the moonlight on the ocean’s undulating surface, she remembered Jason throwing the ashes of his best friend into the wind. Part of her would be left behind as well. All those wishes and fantasies scattered randomly, released forever.
Back inside, she zipped the top of the baggie closed, rolled it carefully, placed it in a paper bag, and added it to her carryon bag. She sat, took out her cell phone, and dialed.
“Hello?”
“Christy, we haven’t met. I’m Kiley, a friend of Jason’s. I met him here in Florida.”
“Oh Jason. I love that kid,” Christy said. “Kyle’s told me Jason’s quite fond of you. What can I do for you?”
“I’m not sure if he’s told you, but I’ve gotten myself into a jam, and I have to return to Portland to help straighten out the mess I made of things.”
“Oh, what kind of a jam?”
“Just stuff. It’s way too much for me to explain right now.” Kiley felt hot tears collect at the edges of her eyes. “I’ve hurt a lot of people. I didn’t realize the consequences of my actions, and it’s not right. I’ve exposed a lot of people to danger.”
“I’m so sorry for what you’re going through, but how can I help?”
“I just wanted you to tell Jason that—oh gosh, this is so hard to say.”
“You sound like a sweetheart, Kiley. Wouldn’t you rather tell him yourself?”
“I’m not sure I’ll be given the chance to do that. Just tell Jason something I never told him myself, and I should have.” The tears were really coming down now. She sniffled and wiped her cheeks.
“Are you all alone? I wish I could come over there and give you a big hug.”
“I’m going over to see Aimee and Andy. They live just a few houses down from me on the beach, Sunset Beach.”
“We’ve heard so much about it, Kiley. Such a beautiful place. Kyle’s wanted to take me there, take the whole family there for a vacation some time. We all wish the two of them well and wish they hadn’t decided to stay in Florida. But that’s a good idea. You don’t want to be alone, Kiley, not tonight.”
“In the morning, I’m going back to Portland. I want you to tell Jason that I’m going to try to fix everything, take responsibility for all the damage I’ve caused. Just tell him that, in case—”
“In case what? Are you in some kind of danger?” Christy asked.
“He knows all about it. He won’t be surprised. Tell him I wish we’d had more time.”
“Listen, Kiley, you need to get over to Andy’s right away. Promise me you’ll do that.”
“Oh, don’t worry. After I hang up, that’s where I’m going.” She faltered. “I want you to tell him that I think I’ve fallen in love with him. He made it so easy for me. I mean, not at first. I thought he was a stalker or worse. But, Christy, I’ve never felt so loved before.”
“That’s the way these guys are. It isn’t always easy, you know, but I’ve told that to many women over the years, that they will never meet anyone who will love them so thoroughly ever again. It takes a special man to do the things they do. They’re the real deal, Kiley.”
“Well, I’m going back to right some wrongs. Who knows, if I succeed, then maybe I’ll get to tell him all these things myself.”
“I hope so, Kiley. What else can I do for you?”
“You can pray.”
“I will do that. And I’ll pray for Jason too. I hope you guys will be able to finish all those unfinished conversations, Kiley. It’s hard when they leave, but so special when they return. You’ll see.”
“Thank you. That means a lot.”
“Why don’t you go get some rest, and when I can,
I’ll deliver a message to Kyle for Jason on your behalf. I’ll make sure he knows all about our conversation. So take good care of yourself and call back if you need anything else, okay?”
“Yes, ma’am. I will. Thank you again.”
“Good night.”
As she took one last look at the cottage, she wondered if she’d ever find such a special place again. She turned off all the lights, locked the front door and left the key under the mat, as was done when she arrived. She found her way back to the access road, headed toward the water, and walked alone to the glowing house Andy and Aimee were working on, her computer case and overnight bag slung over her shoulder. Even at this late hour the house looked warm and inviting.
Aimee met her at the back door, worry lines on her forehead.
“Did she call you?” Kiley asked.
“Of course she did. She was worried. What’s going on, Kiley? She told me you’re going back to Oregon? When did you decide this?”
“Tonight. If I stay, they’re going to maybe have me arrested anyway. They have my address. The police were going to have me escorted home. It’s now a murder investigation, Aimee. I’ve put a lot of people in danger, people I was hoping to protect. I have to go back to make it alright, if I can.”
“But you promised Jason you’d stay—”
“That was before I learned people are in danger, Aimee. Two people, perhaps more, are already dead. I’ve got to find my colleague. I’m the reason she went missing.”
“You don’t know that for sure. Please, don’t do this.”
“I’m so tired, Aimee. I just want to crash.”
“Okay, I’ve made a bed up for you downstairs. What time is your flight?”
“One o’clock.”
“Well, I’ll get you up for breakfast, but I’d like you to discuss this with Andy first. And we can get you to the airport if you still want to go.”
Escape To Sunset: One Night Stand Romance-Hiding From The Mob (Sunset SEALs Book 4) Page 15