Page 53 of Two Hearts' Accidental Heroes

“It looks like they keep the road plowed leading to the resort,” Shanna observed.

“That’s definitely a good thing. We’ll have to bring in a couple portable generators for a power source,” Jake said distractedly, staring at the resort. “Let’s see what kind of condition the inside of the place is in.”

Just as they got ready to turn into the road, a truck pulled up beside them.

“Jake Loughlin?” the man inside asked.

“That’s me,” Jake replied.

“I was told to leave my keys to the place with you. I’m the caretaker. I’ll give you a quick tour if you’d like. My name’s Jim Carson, by the way.”

“That would be great, Jim. Some of my crew should be rolling in shortly.”

Twenty minutes later, Jake was staring around the lobby with satisfaction. “This place must have been pretty fabulous in it’s day. It’s been well kept inside.”

“We still have hopes around here to see it reopened someday,” Jim said, handing over the keys. “You can leave those on the counter behind the desk whenever you get ready to head out. I’m not supposed to be curious, so I think I’ll get out of your way.”

After Jake and Jim shook hands, Jim nodded at Shanna and Rick as he turned to depart.

“This will do nicely,” Jake said.

“Plus, we have access to power here in the lobby,” Rick said. “Let’s check the outside layout behind the place. Maybe the choppers will be able to land here.”

Shanna glanced around. “This place is big enough to house a bunch of people temporarily. That would solve our problem about what we would do with the victims once they’re rescued, wouldn’t it?”

“Add that to our plan, Shanna.” Jake became thoughtful. “I hadn’t had a chance to think about what we would do with everyone once they were rescued. I was going to check out the conditions on the ship that was transporting them first to see if they could stay on the ship, but I imagine that would be too painful depending on how they’ve been treated.”

After making their way through the lobby, Shanna noticed through the rows of windows that there was a huge parking lot behind the lodge. “That would work for your choppers, wouldn’t it?”

“I’d say,” Rick admitted, giving Shanna a wink. “I guess we’d better get a team here to set up command.”

“Yes. Time for more calls,” Jake muttered, shivering. “We need to get a little heat in here too. I’ll leave the place unlocked but hang onto the keys. Rick? You can drive us back to the motel.”

“I’d be happy to,” Rick replied.

“For someone who was worried about a queasy stomach the first time you were on a plane, you sure seem to have an intense desire to ride on a helicopter,” Rick said, looking amused as he sat behind the wheel of the truck, driving back to the motel another ten minutes later.

Jake sat in the back seat of the pickup, answering messages each time his notebook chimed, while he managed to converse with several people on the phone.

“You noticed, huh?” she answered, feeling sheepish.

“You’ll be with me, Shanna,” Rick said firmly. “I can’t stop you from going. I’m worried as hell about something happening to you if say, we get shot at, but the only way I’ll be able to focus is knowing that you’re safe with me by my side.”

“I was going to suggest the same thing myself,” Jake said dryly, apparently listening after finishing his calls. “We’re good to go. Four choppers – two will be on standby to help with evacuations if we’re successful. There will be a freighter transporting multiple divers parked far enough away from the inlet so as not to arouse suspicions. They’ll move in once the ship that the traffickers are using is anchored.”

“Sounds good,” Rick said, nodding his approval. “So at this point all we have to worry about is the plan being leaked.”

“Right,” Jake agreed. “And there’s always more of a chance with this many individuals involved, no matter how many security precautions we’ve taken.”

Chapter Thirty

They spent the following day at the command center where a small team of men and women sat around behind a bunch of equipment that Shanna knew nothing about.

“You’re going to be wearing this vest,” Rick muttered. “In fact, everyone will be wearing one.”

“As long as I have a chance at witnessing some payback, I’ll do what you say,” Shanna agreed, grinning as she thought about the fact that she’d be riding in a helicopter, wearing a bulletproof vest.

“Try not to look so happy,” Rick said sternly, smiling himself.

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