Page 35 of Fall of the Trident
Shock number two hit Trevor.Never had he pegged Finger as homosexual.
“So, let me get this straight.You’re willing to help us bring down Big Daddy, who you claim is Rear Admiral F.X.Finger, and all I have to promise is that Sigrid will not be deported back to Stockholm?”
“Well, if you could get her placed in a good home, that would be perfect.One that would let her be a little kid, grow up to be as normal as she can be at this point.”He nodded.“If you agree, right now, I’ll tell you where the new club is in Los Angeles.It just opened this week.Then I’ll tell you about his island.”
Kam had closed her eyes.Trevor could tell she was fighting a slew of emotions.
When she met Rippe’s gaze, she nodded once.“I guarantee you that we will not deport her back to Stockholm or anywhere in Sweden.I can get her into a program here in the United States where she’ll get the counseling that she needs.I will personally make sure that she’s placed in a loving home where they’ll let her grow up safe and secure.”
“I’d ask for that in writing, but we all know pieces of paper don’t mean shit.Rumor has it that you are engaged to Commander Mike Gallagher.From what I know, he’s a good man.I’m going to trust that you’re a good woman.Take care of my little sister because that’s the way I think of her.”A tear ran down the cheek of the former big, bad SEAL.“Is it possible for me to see her one more time before they take me off to jail?”
“We can arrange that.”Kam assured.“Now, what about that address in Los Angeles?”
“What about my phone?”Rippe countered.“I want to prove to you that big Daddy and Rear Admiral FX Hamilton are the same person.”He stared right at Trevor.
Kam reached into her back pocket and passed Rippe his phone.
“You’re going to want to download these videos yourself, for proof in court.My code is 95273.”He punched the numbers carefully in front of Kam then showed her where to find the pictures and videos.The first picture he pulled up was a smiling Rear Admiral Finger standing in front of the Play House in Washington talking with two former SEALs that Trevor recognized.The following series were of him walking in.
Next, Rippe pulled up a video of Finger going through a list of descriptions and ages.“Here, the admiral was putting in his order for our next hunting trip.”
There were more than two dozen pictures of Finger, dressed in a custom-made suit, his hair styled completely different from military requirements, inside what looked to be several different clubs.It was obvious they were taken covertly.
Trevor had seen enough.“Mr.Rippe, thank you for helping Sigrid get out of a bad situation.I believe I can adequately identify the man in those pictures and video as F.X.Finger.Kam, I’m sure you’ll be in touch with the Chief of Naval operations before you arrest Rear Admiral Finger.Am I needed here any longer?”
“Yes, sir.”Rippe tried to stand once again.“You’re going to need SEALs to rescue the girls he’s already taken to the island.And to arrest him.His bug out plan was to get to the island as quickly as possible.His entire security team are former SEALs who are dedicated to him.He pays extremely well and has developed his own team.They’ll defend him, and what’s his, to the death.”
Letting out a deep breath, Trevor asked, “Where the fuck is this island, and I need to know everything he’s done to defend it.
Chapter13
Three hourslater Trevar was not happy that he was still in Washington as he walked into the large conference room at Homeland’s detention facility.Joseph Rippe had been extremely forthcoming with information about Finger’s organization and could still be useful, so Trevor had requested his presence.
“To say the CNO was pissed that one of his Admirals was involved in the pedophile sex trade, didn’t scratch the surface of the man’s anger.”At least he didn’t shoot the messenger, Trevor thought.“Rear Admiral F.X.Finger turned in his retirement paperwork, via an email to the CNO, effective December thirty first.He is on terminal leave effective immediately.”
“Thought he’d run but I’m surprised he’s cut ties with his military career.”Kam noted.“We traced him leaving Miami heading to St.Vincent and the Grenadines the afternoon of November first.It took us so long because he didn’t use his United States passport but one that he’s obviously been issued from SVG.”
“Mr.Rippe, could we sneak a couple of SEALs or Delta operators in as security on the island?”General Lyon, commanding officer of USSOCOM asked from the head of the conference table.
“No, sir.The admiral knows every man on the security team by name.He personally recruited each and every one of us.”Joseph Rippe shook his head side to side.He was still handcuffed but not to the table.“Too bad we can’t sneak in a girl.He doesn’t have a clue who they are.One blonde haired blue-eyed pre- or early teen is the same as the next to him.Purely merchandise.”
General Lyon’s gaze flew to General Ava Standish, the new Director of Section 7 at Homeland Security.“What do you think about putting Black Swans on the island?”
The highest-ranking female general in the Marine Corps smiled.“That’s one hell of an idea.Lei Lu looks like a child.Her Asian American features are ageless.If we put her there, all of Team 1 is going to want in on the takedown.With the right makeup and the compression bra, Kira Frost from Team 2 might be able to pass for a thirteen- or fourteen-year-old.She’d be a good choice because she’s a nurse practitioner.Black Swan Team 2 is going to want in on the action if she goes in.”
“I don’t have a problem with that.They might even be able to help with keeping the girls calm.”General Lyon pointed out.
“Sir, who or what are these Black Swans?”Trevor had never heard of them before.
“Yes, I’d like to know, too,” Kam interjected.“Whoever we send to the island has got to have some kind of special operations training.We’re risking so much.If word gets out that we’re going to invade the island, Admiral Finger will run again and start his disgusting sex trade somewhere else.We need to stop him now.”
General Lyon and General Standish exchanged a glance before she shrugged and gestured to him.
“The existence of the Black Swans is need to know only.”He pinned Commander Gallagher with his stare.“In order for this mission to be successful, I deem that everyone in this room needs to know.I caution you to immediately forget about their existence once this mission is completed.Your names will be added to a very short list of those who know of the existence of these women.”
“Admiral Maddox, the Black Swans are trained better than your SEALs.They have not only successfully completed every SEAL training school, but those of Army Special Forces and Marine Special Operations before we sent them to several very focused schools at the CIA.Make no mistake, these women are the most lethal tool I have.Yes, they are mine because they’re active duty and cross services.They are temporarily assigned to Homeland for reasons I’m not going into here and now.”He swung his gaze to Kam.“As the Director of Human Trafficking Division, if you ever get the opportunity to hire one of these women, pay her whatever she requires.You’ll never regret it.”
General Lyon focused his attention at the end of the table.“Mr.Rippe, how could we get girls onto the island?”
