Silent Crickets: A Shallow End Gals, Trilogy Book Three

by Troutman, Kimberly

  Thor shrugged, “That’s probably the plan, and we’re just backup. We need to swing by the field office, get some night vision crap, and decent guns. Simon is bringing a video camera, so I guess we are making a movie. Make sure your GPS is working. Patterson has been plugged with three locators in case they cut him up. I’m guessing it’s the only way we will find these guys in the swamp.”

  Thor started walking toward the door. He stopped and looked at Jeanne. “What’s wrong?” Jeanne’s facial expression looked concerned.

  Jeanne answered, “You don’t realize how creepy the swamp is at night.”

  Nelson tilted his head toward Thor, “I’m not real happy to hear it scares her.”

  Thor looked to the ceiling. “And again, our fearless leader is chasing down some big lead. Can this guy plan or what?”

  We decided to start our hunt for dark auras at the docks. All the stories I ever read talked about the shady dealings at the docks. Flying around we came across Mathew Core and Zack walking behind some buildings and knocking on the door of a little shack by the train control center. We swooshed in and decided to watch.

  Teresa said, “I’m kind of surprised Mathew Core isn’t showing a dark aura. Just kind of greyish.”

  A short bald man opened the door, and Core and Zack went in. We followed. Core started the conversation with, “I was told you could tell me about a very special train.”

  The bald guy looked at them both and then said, “That’s not public information.”

  Core sighed, “I’m not public, and I don’t have all night.”

  The bald man laughed, “Yeah, looking at the muscles on you two I suspect you’ll be unloadin’ that shipment here shortly too. Got word the subs started arriving at the rig about half an hour ago with the second batch.”

  Core nodded. He had no clue what the guy was talking about, but he was going to find out. “So what is the deal on the train? Has anyone started this yet? Are we loaded?”

  The bald guy leaned forward and looked around as if someone might be watching. “I hear the Navy will load up eleven cars tomorrow and the train will leave here Monday at eight a.m. Headin’ for Kansas.”

  Core asked, “What kind of security?”

  The bald guy shrugged, “I was told there might be a couple of Navy guys assigned to transport, but just our regular people. Seems they don’t want to draw attention to it.”

  Core handed the guy a card. “Call me if anything changes. You understand who I’m working for, right?”

  The bald guy stood up. “Hell yes! Manio. You think I tell just anybody this shit?”

  Core nodded. Actually it was Zelez that had given him this guy’s name. Interesting.

  Zack asked, “Where do you suggest we wait for the shipment?”

  The bald guy frowned, “You two must be new.” He reached in a drawer and pulled out two ID tags. “This here was a real rush job. Go right to your regular dock. We have all the lights down being fixed. Trucks are waitin’ in building four.” He winked.

  When Core took his card, he recognized the oil company insignia. “Thanks.”

  Core and Zack walked down the dirt road next to the railcars toward the loading docks. We were flying close enough to just listen to them talk. Mind reading actually gives us headaches. Go figure.

  Core looked at Zack, “These are oil company passes. This makes for a beautiful plan. Think about it. Nobody checks their boats or buildings. They’re above reproach, with their own security people. I bet there are dope subs in the gulf unloading product to a cargo boat under a rig station. These have to be Lanitol Oil cargo boats to get access to this dock. Did you note that our train man is working both cartels? Zelez gave me this guy’s name, but he assumed we were Manio men coming for the same information.”

  Zack said, “I missed that. I can’t believe we have a serious shipment coming in already. Coast Guard governs surface vessels, but Department of Interior governs drilling operations. Sounds like a perfect regulatory overlap to create some enforcement loopholes. How the hell do we figure out which rig the subs are using?”

  Mathew Core shrugged and said, “We play it by ear and hope we get lucky.”

  Teresa looked at us, “I know how to figure out which one. All we have to do is fly out to each oil rig and see which one has submarines at it.”

  I cleared my throat. I see a teeny flaw in this plan. “Submarines are underwater. I can’t swim.”

  We all looked at each other. None of us could swim.

  Mary said, “Just pretend it’s wet air.”

  Right. That will take some pretending.

  Linda put her finger in the air to signal an idea, “Let’s go out in the gulf as a group and just try swimming. Mary may be right and we really can swim now. At least we’re there to help each other.”

  Nobody drowning is going to want my help. On the other hand, if we are good, we could do some of those water ballet things where everyone lifts their legs and sticks their butts in the air, and…

  Teresa made a face, “Stop it.”

  Fine.

  Ellen popped up next to Mary. “You guys are a stitch! I’ll go with you. You can all swim now, like fish! Mary is right. It is sort of like wet air. You’ll love it!” Ellen laughed, “I’ll also help you search. There are over six thousand active oil rigs and over eight hundred that are fully manned. Just in the Gulf.”

  “Six thousand?” We all looked at each other. That’s a long first swimming lesson. Wet air.

  Ellen motioned for us to follow her to the first oil platform. She was going to show us how to find the submarines. She said Roger was going to need any information we could get as soon as possible. She told us to take pictures of any subs, both inside and out.

  The platform for the oil rig looked like it was on big stilts. It was open on two of the four sides for boats to dock under the structure. The platform where Ellen brought us was the size of a small city on stilts. We all floated near the top of the pilings as Ellen showed us how to dive down in the center space under the platform, next to the narrow docks.

  Ellen said, “You will see one sub docked below to your left here. These are robotic subs used for making repairs. This is not the type of sub we are looking for. Ours will be a little larger and have a bump on the top for pressure exchange. The bad subs will have one human onboard.”

  We all took turns diving down and looking at the sub. Ellen was right. It was easy and fun. I’m going to make a mental note. When we are done with this assignment, to come back and turn into the Loch Ness Monster. Cool.

  Ellen tapped my shoulder, “No, you’re not.”

  Roger, Paul, and John just spent an hour interviewing Jackson and Abram. Abram brought the laptop with Manuel’s business records on it and whatever items he could find at the clubhouse. If he was going clean, it was going to be squeaky clean. Except for the two hundred thousand dollars he took home from the gang house safe.

  Jackson told them everything that had happened to him since Abram picked him up at the jail this morning. He stated more than once he hoped he didn’t have to go back to jail. Jackson and Abram now waited in an interview room together.

  Abram rubbed his hair as he looked at Jackson, “I be worried what the street gonna do to us. If it gets out we snitched, we be dead.”

  Jackson shrugged, “Most the streets just now findin’ out Manuel dead. Don’t know shit about you. Hell, you didn’t know you be the new boss. Just play dumb. We did the right thing man. The street can go to hell.”

  Abram looked at him, “You’re right. The street can go to hell. Besides, we got the Spirits on our side now.” Abram dangled his amulet in front of his shirt.

  The door to the interview room opened, and Roger came in and sat across from them. John and Paul watched from the observation room. Computer techs downloaded Manuel’s computer and forwarded all the information to the FBI organized crime unit.

  Roger folded his hands on the file he had brought into the room, “As a law enforcement offic
er, and as a citizen, I want to personally thank you both for coming forward. I will do everything in my power to protect you. In my mind right now, you are heroes. Innocent children are being harmed. I need your help.”

  Roger leaned forward, “We got word a while ago that seven children, at least, have already been abducted. You said you were expecting five for a switch and didn’t know where they were coming from. Right?” Jackson and Abram both nodded. “Think hard guys. Any names you might know. Other people must be in charge of picking up these kids. Someone has to know the whole network and coordinate the plan. Maybe you know someone, who may know someone? We need to intercept these switches.”

  Jackson looked worried, “Only people I know anymore are in jail.”

  Abram snapped his fingers and looked at Jackson, “Weren’t Chiclet name up by prostitution on that chart?”

  Roger pulled a print out of the chart from his folder and turned it around for Abram to see again. “Chiclet?”

  Abram was studying the chart, “Yeah right here. Ramon Daily. Call him Chiclet cuz he got a new tooth with a big diamond in it, ‘cept the new tooth way bigger than the rest of ‘em. You know, looks like that there gum. Chiclet.”

  John and Paul both chuckled in the observation room. Paul looked at John, “Took me years to figure out how Roger can be so effective in interviews.”

  John asked, “So what’s the secret?”

  “He called them heroes. He means what he tells them. He just tells it straight.”

  John nodded, “Famous quote from Otto Von Bismarck, ‘When you want to fool the world, tell the truth’.”

  Paul was surprised at John’s quote. “There’s more to you than just a pretty face.”

  John smiled as they both looked back to the interrogation room.

  Roger asked Abram, “Do you know Chiclet well enough to get some information out of him? Maybe tell him your guy is unreliable and get us some names?”

  Jackson looked offended, but Roger smiled at him. Abram was getting into the mood. “I know him real good. Married my sister, twice. Can’t fix stupid. He be stupid. I can get information from him today and tell him tomorrow I decided not to take the job. That boy’ll never get two plus two to come out four. You want I call him or go over to his crib?”

  Roger answered, “Let’s see what he’ll give you by phone. Then I need a big favor.”

  Abram and Jackson looked at each other and then to Roger. Jackson swallowed, “What favor?”

  “I need you to take this computer back and act like nothing has happened. We need more names, and I need to know how this group works. There isn’t enough here to help us.”

  Abram felt a wash of pride at the prospect of working for the good guys. Suddenly he gushed, “I stole a whole bunch of money from the gang tonight. ‘Bout two hundred grand.”

  Jackson’s eyes looked like they were going to pop from their sockets. “What the hell? You don’t know that be a sure way to get killed? Somebody be comin’ by for that money, and you best have it!”

  Roger looked at Abram who now looked terrified. “I think Jackson is right. I can’t tell you what to do, but I would take it back. Real fast.”

  Abram nodded. He knew it had been too easy. Him havin’ that kind of money. Why is it the rewards for doin’ the right thing is never money?

  Core and Zack walked down to the Lanitol Oil secured yard and showed their passes to the guard leaning against the chain link gate. He frowned at them, hit a button and the gate buzzed open. The guard was a big guy, looked them over and asked, “Where you goin’?”

  Core raised his ID and pushed it within inches of the guy’s face, “Building four.” The guard pulled his neck back, flipped some pages on a clipboard and frowned. “My sheet says everybody’s already here.”

  Zack took a step toward the guard, “Then somethin’ is wrong with your sheet. I didn’t bust my ass to get here for a ‘special’ to argue with your ass.”

  The guard knew this had been a last minute deal. “You got any names you can toss around?”

  Core had a fifty-fifty chance of being right. “Manio a name?”

  The guard’s eyebrows went up, and he shrugged, “That be the right name. Last building on the left.”

  Core noted the guard wore a Lanitol Oil work uniform. Under his name tag it said he was Third Mate, cargo operations.

  As Zack and Core approached the building, Core made a quick call to Roger. “Zack and I are at the Lanitol Oil dock building number four. We are going to try to blend in with this crew. The train man slipped up and told us a drug shipment is expected here shortly. Big one coming on Lanitol Oil cargo boat.”

  Roger’s head was spinning, “How in the world did they get the drugs into the port now? With martial law?”

  Core answered, “We think they have sent a fleet of one man drug subs and are unloading at one of the rigs. I’ll update you when I can, but they are ready to load these into waiting trucks right now. Building four, Lanitol Oil.”

  The line went dead and Roger repeated what Core had said to Paul and John. Roger shook his head and said he was going to bring the Director up-to-date.

  John looked at Paul, “We are going to have a very busy night.

  At the docks, Core turned to Zack, “I’m going in the service door. If I can blend in as a maintenance or dock worker, I will. You wait ten minutes before you come in and do the same. I’ll tell them there should be another guy coming shortly.”

  Zack asked, “How will I know if it goes bad?”

  “You’ll hear gunfire.”

  On the way to the Star Ship, Jeanne was giving Thor and Nelson a quick lesson on swamps at night. The more she talked, the slower Nelson and Thor walked. Finally Thor asked, “Why haven’t you said anything about alligators? Do they hide at night or something?”

  Jeanne answered, “I was leaving the best for last. Alligators are nocturnal. They hunt and feed at night.”

  Nelson stopped walking, “That doesn’t sound good.”

  Jeanne continued, “They rest semi-submersed in the water and wait for their prey. Sometimes as little as two inches will be exposed on an eight foot gator.”

  Now Thor stopped walking. “I thought you and Jeremiah said we were the last thing they wanted for dinner.”

  Jeanne looked serious, “During the day! They have vertical eye pupils like cats, excellent night vision, and are hyper sensitive to threats during feeding hours. Their eyes reflect reddish orange at night. The alligators will be a threat during feeding time.”

  Nelson smiled, “Let me guess when dinner time is. Now.”

  Jeanne walked ahead of them and yelled back, “You haven’t asked about the Rugaru.”

  Thor looked at Nelson, “The what?”

  Spicey finally convinced Sasha to go home. She gave her an extra amulet, a courage potion and locked the apartment door as Sasha left. Tourey never said exactly how he fit in this picture, but Spicey was sure he was one of the good guys. He wasn’t too happy with her right now.

  Spicey walked over to her couch, turned on the TV, and pulled the blanket up to her chin. The blouse Adele had made for her hung on a hook by the door. It was beautiful. Spicey smiled at the thought of Jerome. He was going to grow up good. Be somebody.

  Spicey’s eyelids started to droop. The sound of the television became distant and blurred. Spicey felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up. A vision of a Saint was standing next to her.

  The Saint said, “Do not be afraid. Mambo needs you tonight at midnight. You must come.”

  Spicey wasn’t afraid. She felt strong, almost invincible. “I’ll be there.” The Saint left.

  Spicey dialed Sasha, “Get back here!”

  Sasha protested, “I just walked in my door. You just kicked me out!”

  “Things have changed. Please?”

  Sasha looked at her phone. Spicey never said please. Sasha reluctantly said okay and hung up. Huh. Maybe Spicey just afraid to be alone tonight.

  Spicey dialed Dusty to s
ee if he would take her to Mambo’s. She told him it was important she be at Mambo’s at midnight. Dusty started screamin’ at her so loud she had to hold the phone away from her ear. Some shit about the whole world wantin’ to kill him, too many damn conventions in the swamp, and how he already had a date for tonight. That boy better back away from them drugs soon.

  She had to find her a boat. Spicey called Willie to give her and Sasha a ride to Pete’s, the swamp boat rental place. She asked Willie if he knew anyone who could guide their boat to Mambo’s.

  Willie sounded puzzled, “You talkin’ going tonight? In the swamp? You want to be at Mambo’s at midnight?”

  Spicey sighed, “I don’t want this Willie. The Spirits have told me to be there. I ain’t got a choice. How long it gonna take to get to Mambo’s from Pete’s place?”

  “That be clear the other side of Honey Island. I’d say at least a couple of hours. Can’t use a motorboat. Have to use a flat bottom boat to get over there. Assumin’ you don’t get lost.” Spicey looked at her watch, it was already nine-thirty.

  “I best be going soon then. Will you take me?”

  Willie paused, “I ain’t lettin’ you go in the swamp at night with no stranger. I think I ‘member how to get to Mambo’s. I’ll be at your place as soon as I find my gun.”

  Sasha knocked on the door, Spicey opened it. Sasha could tell from Spicey’s facial expression that something was wrong. “You best not want me to find any more dead bodies today.”

  Spicey tried to smile, “We’ve been invited to a party. Sort of. Maybe more like a meetin’. I have to go. The Spirits have told me. You believe now I really do see ‘em right?”

  Sasha nodded her head. She would never forget Mambo confirming the Spirits had talked to Spicey. Sasha asked, “Where this party be?”

  Spicey cringed and answered, “Mambo’s at midnight.”