Page 9 of Fearless
Jessie gestures to the rest of the team. “I only ask because we have been working as a team for a decade, and one of the things we have learned is that you have to do what everyone else does to blend in—lying by the pool included. Granted, we’ll have equipment that will allow us to eavesdrop on conversations, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun doing it. Strolls on the beach, cabana parties, and snorkeling excursions will be par for the course.”
Elijah grabs Jessie’s hand and brings it to his lips. “I’m all for it.”
Roger looks me square in the eyes. “Harper, we will be expected to do ‘couple’ things such as walking hand-in-hand on our way to dinner, drinking mai tais on the beach, and stealing kisses under the palm trees. Fortunately, as newlyweds, we are also expected to spend time in our honeymoon suite. It just so happens that Amelia was able to get us the samecabana that your parents stayed in. It will give us the opportunity to search every nook and cranny for any clues to their disappearance without raising any red flags.”
Roger continues outlining the plan. “There are three rental cars waiting for us at Key West International Airport. Elijah and Jessie will get the Jeep Rubicon. Carter and Leanna will get the Hummer H3. Harper and I will get the Chevy Tahoe. Each vehicle has the capacity to carry our luggage, plus the additional equipment needed for surveillance. We’ll also need to stagger our arrival times so that we aren’t seen checking in together.”
“Aren’t we in your wedding photos?” Leanna asks.
Roger shakes his head. “I think Amelia just submitted the ones of Harper and me. But even if she didn’t, the gala isn’t until the end of the week, and it’s unlikely anyone will pay close attention to anyone other than the happy couples in the pictures. If all goes well, we won’t even be in attendance.”
Carter starts going over the equipment list. “We have both modified and unmodified guns with ammo for both, taser rings, body armor, communication devices, micro cameras, various recording devices, trackers, secured hot spots for our wireless system, laptops, and signal jammers. Am I missing anything?”
I certainly am. I lean forward and rest my elbows on the table. “Modified guns? Taser rings? Those items are new to me.”
Roger finally smiles at me. “The modified guns are similar to standard guns, only the bullets are shot with a lower velocity, and the tips have a toxin in them that renders the subject unconscious within a second. It’s non-lethal and best used in close proximity. It feels like getting hit with a high-velocity paintball. As for the taser ring, you’re wearing one.”
I rub the ring adorning my left hand. “So, this isn’t a real diamond?”
“I’m afraid not,” Roger replies. “When I placed the ring on your finger, I mentioned that it could save your life. If you turn the stone clockwise until it clicks once, it will deliver a two- to three-second charge equivalent to a taser gun. Each subsequent turn ups the voltage with a maximum of four discharges. However, one is usually enough to cause someone to spasm uncontrollably. I should know. Jerry tested it on me when we first received them.”
I laugh at the image of Roger flopping around the floor like a fish. “You aren’t being serious, are you?”
“He totally is,” Jessie says, succumbing to a fit of giggles. “We have it on video. Wanna see?” She pulls out her phone, but Roger quickly snags it out of her grasp.
“There will be none of that,” Roger says firmly.
Jessie uses the back of her hand to hide her mouth but doesn’t bother to talk softly. “I’ll show you when we get some girl time, Harper. Until then, there is a picture of the incident on our ‘Wall of Shame’ back at headquarters that you can check out.”
Roger fights back a smile. “Right next to yours, Jessie. Although it’s hard to tell it’s you, considering the only part of your body not swallowed up by an overly large couch cushion were your eyes.”
“You’re no fun!” Jessie pouts. “Harper, make sure you show this old man a good time.”
I feel the heat creep down my cheeks and chest, “Please tell me you mean to show himhow tohave a good time and not toshowhim a good time.”
She grins mischievously. “Po-tay-toh, Po-tah-toh.Just don’t call the whole thing off.” Jessie sings the last part and very poorly at that.
“Can we get back to the matter at hand?” Roger asks, changing the subject.
Elijah chuckles. “Sure, but I just want to say one thing first. You and Harper look absolutely adorable with your matching blushed cheeks. It’s even the same shade of pink.”
Roger turns the laptop in front of him so that we can all see the screen. “Why, thank you. Now that we have the whole ‘His and Hers’ gift of embarrassment out of the way, let’s get down to business.”
We wait a moment as a video call connects, and Ethan’s face fills the screen. “I just got off the phone with Director Marshall Whitman, and I informed him that we would be investigating the disappearance of Robert and Eloise Finnegan. Harper, I’m sure you can imagine that it didn’t take him very long to figure out you were the one who came to us and sought out our help. However, I didn’t mention that you were actively involved in this case, but Whitman’s not an idiot. Should he call you, then what you tell your boss is directly up to you.”
“Thank you for the heads up, Ethan. Did Whitman share anything new with you to give us a starting point?” I ask.
“Yes. There was additional blood found at the scene that belonged to Sergio Alvarez, the new leader of Los Reyes Demonios—The Demon Kings. They are a cartel in the northern part of Columbia that has gone into hiding after it was discovered they had been smuggling drugs and weapons into the US. A few months back, your father was instrumental in providingsupport and helping us take them down. As you know, there were some major players in the game, and trials are still ongoing.”
“So that’s why Whitman believes my parents’ were taken out of the country. He thinks they are being held in Columbia.”
Ethan folds his arms across his chest and leans back in his seat. “Correct. Whitman believes that the abduction has a two-fold purpose—for revenge and for trade. Several key leaders of the cartel are currently in prison, and your father makes an enticing bargaining chip.”
I drum my fingernails on the table, which is a bad habit that manifests itself when I’m deep in thought. “Whitman will never go for it, not with the United States’ stance regarding negotiations with terrorists and kidnappers.”
Carter huffs. “That’s the word on the street, but history has proven that the United States is willing to exchange prisoners. If The Demon Kings have your parents, then we need to confirm that.”
Ethan listens intently as the team works through the situation, only chiming in when necessary. “Whitman is unable to confirm. As of now, Whitman’s conclusion is a working theory based on what little information the FBI has at its disposal. During the time of the attack, the cameras were malfunctioning due to a power outage at the resort.”
