Page 44 of Beaches

“Now that we know the name, size, and last filling station, that makes the area much smaller to search. Code and the others are moving satellites now to scan the area. We should have something soon.”

“I think we need to get moving,” said Gaspar. “We should board our ships and choppers and start heading out there. We think he has about fifteen to twenty men on board, so we’ll need to take several people.”

“This is going to be tough. We have to get through the ocean undetected and on that yacht, then get to him before he gets to that submersible,” said Rory.

“Sirs? This is Victoria.”

They all smiled at the sound of the sweet voice. She always introduced herself as if they wouldn’t know who she was.

“We have you, honey. What’s up?” said Nine.

“Well, sirs. I have an idea. It’s not really new, but it kind of is.”

“Alright. Let’s hear it.”

For twenty minutes, Victoria explained her idea, occasionally letting Code and Thomas jump in with an explanation. It could work and could give them enough time to do what they wanted to do.

“You really think this will work?” asked Ghost.

“Yes, sir. I know it will.”

CHAPTER THIRTY

“Once the storm has fully passed, we’ll move on, sir,” said the captain.

“Alright, but we need to move quickly. I think we might have some people on our tails, and I’d rather not meet with them today,” he sneered, sipping his bourbon.

“I understand, sir.”

“John!” he yelled for his second in command. “John, where is the best location for us to go at this time?”

“You’re not going to like it, sir, but it’s either the north or south poles. There’s a lot of space, no one around, and we’re close enough to civilization that we’d make it if we needed to get away.”

“What about fuel and supplies?” asked Kaplan.

“We’d have to bribe the vendors for that. Or take what we want and move on. Either way, it won’t be easy, but the alternative of just sailing around isn’t easy either.”

“No one will offer me a port?” he asked.

“I’ve called everyone, sir. Pakistan, Yemen, Iran, Iraq, Oman, Jordan, Georgia, Budapest. Anyone that you’ve ever helped or done business with.”

“And what is their reason for not helping me?” he seethed.

“The men who are after you, sir.”

“I see. So, these so-called powerful nations are afraid of a few old men. Cowards!” His man stared at him, and Kaplan knew he had something to say, something to add. “Out with it.”

“You know as well as I do, sir, that these aren’t just old men. They don’t lose. They don’t give up. They won’t stop until they find us, and we’ll all be dead when they do. It doesn’t matter what the capabilities of this ship are. They will have something better.”

“You too?”

“No, sir. Not me too. I’m still standing here. I’m still willing to put my life on the line for you.”

Kaplan said nothing for a few moments letting all that information swim in his head. He’d never encountered any of the men that were chasing him, and he’d hoped he’d never have to. I guess fate was pushing them together.

“What about the men on the islands? Are they taken care of?” John cleared his throat and stared at his boss.

“The islands were empty, sir. All of them. No dead bodies, no bones. Nothing.”

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