Page 10 of ForeverMN

Silas shakes his head, “they aren’t making it here. It’s a few pounds of cocaine, but not the size our intel indicates. They’re making it somewhere else.”

We fall into silence. The night’s events are catching up to us. Anytime we don’t have a loss of life is a win for us. However, our intel had pointed to a higher number of people, children in particular held hostage here. They were spooked somehow, or they’re just being extra cautious. Neither option feels good to me. The job feels incomplete, and I can’t stop the nagging feeling I have. Something isn’t right.

Ciaran

Even after we’re reunited at the team lodging, I can’t shake the feeling from earlier. Our doctors checked in with the people we saved, and they’re waiting to be interviewed. As expected, Silas’ tip didn’t bring much traffic. Law enforcement showed up, but the details were grainy, and we’re still waiting on the written report to be entered into their database. My hands rub over my head, messing up my hair, and I don’t care. This is the second time that a mission feels like it was only half won.

“They easily could have moved them and the drugs within the time it took us to get here. It’s not like finding that kid’s body was going to stay a secret. They have to have known they would be chased,” Kai reasons, and I nod. It could happen.

“The lot could have been a secondary location. I heard some of their conversations, and it seems like this group was being moved elsewhere in the next few days,” Silas adds.

“Where though? Nothing in our intel suggested another site,” I sigh, this is the real problem. Reed does great work, and his tips and intel are always accurate, but usually when we get here there seems to be more going on than we planned for.

“Hey, Jakobe, law enforcement just posted their report. You need to see it,” One of the guys on the team sticks his head into the room and warns us.

Silas whips out his laptop and starts looking. Kai and I crowd around him while he works his way into their system,undetected. My eyes widen, and I can feel anger rising when I start to read the preliminary findings.

“A baggie of marijuana that was field tested. Are they serious?” I grit my teeth.

“Well, there’s your answer,” Kai shrugs, “Whoever has the real big drugs, and is hiding the rest of the people, is untouchable, and they are most likely protected by law enforcement.”

“Shit,” I huff and run my hands through my hair, pacing the room. I’m not aware of the audience we now have until I hear voices speaking. A woman and a man are speaking fluent Spanish, and I only catch half of it.

“What are they saying?”

One of the team guys turns to them and asks about their conversation.

“The coke?” One of the women speaks up, and points to the board.

“You know about it?” I turn to her and she starts speaking in Spanish.

“She said they have a luxury house in Del Rio. That’s where they make it. More people and workers are there too,” the Zulu team member translates.

“How many?” I ask her, needing to know how many people. I hear their exchange.

“She said at least fifty-five, maybe sixty.”

“That’s a big extraction rescue,” Kai breathes out.

“We haven’t prepared for this, and if they’re protected by the authorities, or other higher government, we would need another team at least,” Silas responds.

“Who’s the next closest team?” I ask Zulu.

“Probably Yankee or Victor. Although Victor had that storm last week, and some power went down around their area. Yankee would be the best bet to mobilize right away.”

“Call them,” I turn to Kai, “We need to move on this.”

“This could take at least another week to prepare,” Silas warns, and I hear what he is saying. If we extend our trip, it also puts our targets back at home on a stricter watch. Usually, Matt and Jason will step up to help, but Matt is with Erika right now. “Call Lux and let her know she needs to be at Rogue. I’ll call Saylor.”

I grimace a little knowing she may not be happy with me being gone another week, especially after having her out house hunting all day, but she and Lux will be needed. They might even need Oaklynn to come in. I hear Silas talking to Lux, and I quickly message Jason and Matt to let them know. I also text Reed, but don’t get a response, like always. Although I know he is out looking for the guys who got away last time.

The phone rings once when Saylor answers, “Ohmygod Ci! I tried calling you, but it went to your voicemail. Are you on your way home?” Her voice is frantic, causing me to stand a little straighter.

“No, that’s actually why I’m calling. There is another group of hostages being held by the same group. We’re planning a large-scale extraction to get them out,” I let her know, and silence follows, “Say?”

I hear her muffled cry and a sniffle, like she’s trying to hide the fact that she is crying, “Is it a few more days?”

“It’s probably going to be another week,” I hold the phone tighter, “What’s going on? Is everything okay?”

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