Page 102 of Hidden Depths

Tom took a step back and looked at her wide-eyed.

“Sorry, Tom, but we don’t have time for this dance, and it doesn’t matter the reason, Sara. Tom’s right. You’re not going. Tom, call Florida. If they’re close enough, we’ll bring them in, otherwise we may have to let them go if we can’t come up with a plan that doesn’t lead to us all dying.”

Tom sighed. “You two stay put.”

He punched in the number as he stepped away.

“This Special Agent Tucker.”

“Hey, Tucker, this is Bennett down in Key West. Can you give me an update on your ETA?”

“We’re on the road now. If we don’t have any delays, we expect to be there in a couple hours, but with this weather, it’s hard to tell. The latest report is that it’s ramping up. I take it you’re staying out of sight as ordered?”

“Lansky’s ready to move.”

“Who?”

“Sam Lansky. He was a federal prisoner who faked his death to escape from prison. He’s here, and they’re ready to move.”

“This is connected to that girl?”

“Yes.”

“And you’re sure it’s this Lansky guy?”

“Trust me.”

“What’s your proof?”

“I’m looking at him.”

“Or you’re looking at someone who reminds you of him. You shouldn’t even be there right now. You’ve been ordered to stand down until we arrive.”

“Then we’ll lose him. He’s getting the boats ready to leave.”

“Not in this weather, he’s not. Sit tight. We’ll get there in time.”

“Tucker, Lansky doesn’t care about the weather.”

“And the weather doesn’t care about him. Trust me. He won’t risk it.”

“What if I told you we found kilos of cocaine as well at possibly hundreds of thousands of dollars? Would that get things moving?”

“Where?”

“In the boat. He’s already brought a shipment back from Cuba. If we don’t stop him now. We’ll lose him. They won’t come back here once they leave. This is our only shot.”

“It takes as long as it takes, but you have been instructed to stay out of sight. In the meantime, keep an eye on him if you need to, but—”

“Tom,” Isla said in a whispered exclamation.

He looked to see Sara approaching the parked cars with her arms raised in the air.

“I’ve gotta go.” He hung up. “What is she doing?”

“I turned away for a second. I swear I wouldn’t have let her go.”

“They’ll kill her. We have to do something.”

---