Page 18 of Liberating Mia
Just when it looked like it was going to be another bust of a day, Finn spotted a semi transporting a container rounding a building and heading their way. He and Desai had been staking out the warehouse in Cape Town harbor for two days, and nothing had happened.
He’d begun to think his informant had been jerking them around, pretending to come up with solid and credible leads. Had contemplated having a “little talk” to straighten him out. Although, if he were being fair, his informant had warned them he wasn’t one hundred percent sure when the next “shipment” would be collected. He had just heard that a container load of “merchandise” was going out.
Finn’s stomach turned as he thought of what those containers would hold once loaded. Through all the shitty things he’d had to do during his career, the downright horrific things he’d seen, this was quite possibly the most difficult part of his job. It never failed to blow his mind just how depraved people were when no one was watching. Or even when they were.
“Finn, looks like we’ve got movement,” he heard Desai murmur.
Pulling himself from his morbid thoughts, Finn focused his binoculars on the warehouse, taking in the sudden activity on the previously quiet section of quay. He took note of the number of men who appeared to be standing around but who were, in fact, keeping a lookout. Paying careful attention, he noticed they were all armed.
“About time too. I was beginning to think we were going to have to call it another wasted day,” Finn replied, keeping his binoculars trained on the movement.
“Yeah, I’ve got to agree with you.”
“Interesting hardware our friends are carrying. Why do you think they would need weapons for an ordinary goods warehouse? Worried someone’s going to steal their curios?”
His partner laughed. “Got me there, bud.”
“Head’s up. There’s a rather large delivery vehicle coming in from the southside. Bit big for a shipment of curios, if you ask me.”
“Indeed, it is. And why would you need a ventilated vehicle to transport wood and metal?” came the response.
“Got me there, bud,” Finn parroted.
As a knock sounded on his window, Finn noted the vehicle pull up beside a warehouse behind them. Turning toward the sound, he saw their relief standing there. Rolling the window down, he smiled at the two men. “Young, Scholtz. How’s it going?”
“Good. You?” Gerhard Scholtz replied. “Got anything for us today?”
“Yep, looks like your lucky day. We’ve got movement down on the dock. Looks like our boys are getting ready to get their show on the road.”
“Thank God,” Will Young said. “Was definitely not looking forward to another evening of watching seagulls playing.”
Finn released the locks for the two men to climb into the back of his vehicle, keeping an eye on the parked transport vehicle behind them. He saw the driver hop down out of the cab and head into the building. Not long after, he came out with another man. They stopped beside the truck and chatted for a short while before the driver left again.
“Fuck sakes.” Finn hit the steering wheel.
“Damn it.” He heard from the back.
“Yeah,” Finn responded.
Disappointment was palpable in the vehicle. The promise of the signs of movement they’d seen earlier evaporated. Had they somehow given themselves away? Would these bastards ever tip their hand? Ever give Finn and the international task team of crack FBI agents, South African Hawks, and Interpol officers an opportunity to shut down this meat market that spanned several countries?
These women and girls being snatched from African countries, routed through South African ports, delivered to the United States, and transported to Mexico would be auctioned off if they couldn’t find a way to end it all. The whole thing sickened him.
Shutting down their side hustle of gunrunning and drug smuggling would be an added bonus.
“Thanks guys, we’ve got it from here. You golden oldies head back to the hotel for some rest, and we’ll see you at the morning briefing,” Young quipped.
Flipping him off, Finn laughed. “Whatever, pipsqueak. Just don’t fall asleep on the job. Wouldn’t want you to miss anything important while you’re napping.”
Returning the finger, Young laughed as he got out of the car. “Now bugger off. You’re making the place look untidy.”
It wasn’t long before he and Desai were making their way to the bar of the hotel. Thankful the long hours of inactivity and boredom were finally over, Finn was looking forward to a quick couple of beers before Desai headed out to see his family. What he wasn’t looking forward to was being left to his own devices for the evening. His partner had invited Finn to join him and his family for dinner, but Finn had declined.
For the first time since he’d joined the FBI, he found himself homesick. He had been away longer from home than they’d anticipated, and he missed his family and friends. And, for the first time in memory, he was lonely. Many of his friends back home were settling down and starting families.
It had never felt like love and romance were missing from his life, but suddenly he was wondering if, maybe, that’s what had him feeling twitchy lately. Whatever it was, he didn’t like it. He had a job to do, and this feeling of restlessness was unwelcome. The victims of the Velasco syndicate deserved his full focus and attention.
His thoughts turned to the job at hand and inevitably to the mystery woman. What the hell was it about her that he couldn’t get out of his mind? He prayed she was okay. In the video footage he and Larry had seen, she’d looked somewhat banged up. It worried him that they didn’t know how these bastards treated their captives.
