Page 34 of Operation: Silent Angel
“Not at all,” he said. “I just never thought you’d be open to more planned visits, and I know your job, as mine, doesn’t allow for it.”
She allowed that statement from him to wash through her for a moment, only then realizing that it actually was no longer that way for her. She had a predictable schedule and knew when she would have time off. For instance, she knew she’d have a week around Christmas as Shepherd rotated vacation time for all before and after Christmas through the first of the year. She also had the ability to schedule other blocks of time off through the year at times of her choosing. There were enough backups for her to work Ops.
She’d never really thought about it before, but with his statement, she realized that he was still on the same crazy hamster wheel. “Not so much for me anymore. Working for Shepherd has brought a more predictable schedule, and I know in advance when I’ll be off or when I can take off. It’s actually very nice.”
“So when are you off next?” he asked.
“I’ll have a week off around Christmas. Everyone at the agency gets a week off before or after Christmas Day. Not having plans, I’ve always let the others pick their weeks and I take whatever is left, but this year, if you’re available to meet, I could make my choice first. I do have the seniority.”
“I can make myself available between Christmas and the New Year,” he said, much to her surprise.
“That would be nice. So, here, December twenty-sixth?”
“It’s a date,” he said, and then pressed a kiss against her cheek. “I’ll make the reservations before we leave, when this case is resolved.”
A peaceful feeling as well as a glimmer of excitement filled her with his words. She rested her head more firmly against his chest and enjoyed the warmth of the sun beating down on her as well as the cool water that surrounded her as she floated for another ten minutes before the alarm she’d set on her watch chimed. The break was over.
***
Later that evening, Ruiz woke and dressed for dinner. They knew he was preparing to leave his room as his security departed his own room first and met him at the bottom of the building, just outside of the elevator. The night before, Roth had followed him to his room. He was in a room in a non-club level building, which was less expensive. Maybe Ruiz was having some cash flow problems.
Tonight, Ruiz dined at the Asian restaurant. Roth and Woods followed him in to find he sat alone at the sushi bar. They were sat at the far end of the bar from him.
Madison and Cooper were at the bar inside the Asian restaurant, watching him and waiting for him to depart. Lambchop and Laura Lee had made plans to eat dinner with the New York couple. They dined at the seafood restaurant. They pumped thecouple for info on themselves, which Yvette and Garcia listened to through comms. Garcia then transmitted the info to Smith on the Digital Team to corroborate or find info that indicated something else. They had to determine whether the man had been talking on the phone with Ruiz earlier that day. They did learn that the couple was leaving the resort the next morning, stating plans to visit Chichén-Itzá.
“So, they’ll be out of the resort tomorrow,” Yvette said to Garcia. “At the same time, Ruiz discussed with his mystery caller a private exhibition of the product for the caller to make his selection.”
“Yeah, too coincidental for my liking,” Garcia agreed.
“They don’t fit the profile of someone Ruiz would be doing business with,” Mac said. “Lambchop, see what the reply is if you suggest going on the excursion too,” he transmitted through comms.
Lambchop did, and the couple eagerly gave them the info needed to book and go with them, insisting it would be so much fun if the four of them did the excursion together.
After Ruiz ate, he met with a middle-aged Hispanic couple at the round bar in the middle of the resort, settling into the comfortable outside seating. Madison and Cooper followed but could not get a seat close enough to listen to the conversation. The bar was too crowded. And the super mic had no direct line of sight to where he sat.
Madison and Cooper were able to snap pictures of the couple, which were sent to the Digital Team. They were easily identified by the names of the registered guests at the resort that the Digital Team had already run. Jim and Claudia Perez from San Antonio, Texas, both in their late forties, married ten years, no children. They ran a transportation company that was located near the airport. They were booked in a room on the first floor of the same building Cooper and Madison were in.
“While they’re at the bar. I’m going to go search their room,” Garcia said. “Mother, meet me down by their room.”
“Razor, we’ll keep an eye on them and delay them if they’re heading back that way,” Cooper transmitted.
“I knew you would,” he said.
“It’s extremely unlikely the New York couple is involved, Lambchop and Lah-lee. Try to get them to join you for a drink in the round bar after dinner if Ruiz is still there,” Yvette said. “Maybe you can get closer to him than Coop and Xena have. And being with the other couple will help you blend more into the background if Ruiz is taking note of who is near him night after night.”
“We just finished dinner at the sushi bar, Control. Where do you want us?” Roth asked.
“Come back to a cabana near the Preferred Club pool so you are close to the building again to watch this side of the resort.”
Woods and Roth again lounged on the same cabana bed they had the night before, which gave them great views of the walk way towards the Preferred Club area as well as the walkway one would use to go to the building Cooper and Madison were staying in. They too could head off the couple if they came back this way before Garcia and Mother were done searching their room.
They’d both switched their comms so they wouldn’t transmit as they waited. “This is my idea of a dream mission,” Roth told her. “Little danger so far, a beautiful place with the beautiful woman I love.”
Briana felt light and happy from his words. “I love you too, Sebastian.” She leaned her head over and kissed him. “I hope we get more afternoons like today during this mission.”
Through comms they heard Garcia. “Clear of the room and heading back.”
“Did you find anything, Razor?” Mac asked.
