by Linda Ladd
“You see, I was right,” Sokolov said to Novak as he climbed the last few steps to the widow’s walk. He had a pair of high-powered binoculars on a cord around his neck. He handed Novak a cold Bud Light, then sat down and fixed the field glasses on Blackwood’s house. “They’ve got heroin inside that house, and God only knows what else. I think we’ve identified our first family of mules moving his drug shipments.”
“Well, they sure as hell aren’t typical tourists. Do you think those kids are really theirs?”
“Maybe. Or maybe they’re just human cargo. As I told you before, child trafficking is big business and the most terrible crime of all. If this pipeline is as far-reaching as I suspect, they can be transporting all sorts of things up here from Central and South America. Mexico, without a doubt. Nobody would dream they’re drug mules. Nobody would think to search the car of a well-known senator. It’s a good set-up, I’ll give them that. These people probably have to pick up enough product for all the dealers around Fripp and maybe even in Beaufort, but I think most of it is going farther north with other mules.”
“We need to follow that blue Camry back home, so we’ll know where to call in a raid when we’re ready to act.”
“Yes, I agree. They may live here or in a nearby town, or they could be renting a condo this week.”
“I’d say they have a permanent place, but not out here on the island.”
“They’re not hiding their visits to Blackwood. They come in the light of day when anybody can spot them. We’re just the only ones who’ve followed Blackwood and kept track of who shows up to see him. They’re moving a shipment soon. I can feel it.”
“Yeah, it’s a good cover.” Novak took a drink of beer and set it aside. “We need proof that it’s a drug operation. Irina is in that house. She’s our best witness. She knows everything that happens inside. She has to. We definitely need to get her out of there and to a safe house before we bust them.”
“I’ve already got photographic evidence. I got close-ups of this same family last time I followed Blackwood down here. I’m not sure the kids are the same. I seem to remember an older boy that time, a teenager, I believe. We need to get the entire operation nailed down, and then you can present it to your DEA, or FBI, if you want.”
“You make that sound easy, and it won’t be,” Novak said. “You think Blackwood hasn’t incorporated safeguards. He’s corrupt, as bad as they come, but he’s not stupid. Think about how long this has been operating without anybody being the wiser. Think about it, Sokolov—we need to get Irina out or she’ll be charged, too, after we bring it all down.”
Sokolov became testy. Novak watched his face with interest; the Russian had kept his feelings flat and hidden most of the time.
“I know all that perfectly well. Of course, she’s got to come out first. I’ve said that all along. Then I’m going to take her so far away from here that they’ll never find her, much less accuse her of anything. Even if they do arrest her, she’s an addict and minor, coerced to do whatever he said. I want him behind bars or dead.”
Novak leaned back in his chair. “You’re thinking best case scenarios. This could all go to hell in a million different ways. But you’re right. We need to get her out and to a safe place before we go in. And we need to see how the drugs move on and off this island. Where do these people go? How do they pass it? My bet is out there off the coast. We need to take our time. Maybe I ought to pay them a visit tonight and see what I can find out.”
Sokolov was against the idea. He shook his head. “Too risky. If they see you, they’ll shoot you down and dump your body. Nobody will be able to prove anything. That’s the way they do it, believe me. Their guards will see you.”
“They won’t see me. I’m better than that. I want to know exactly what they’re dealing and how their couriers pass the dope. Maybe that family is getting instructions on when and where to meet the next courier. If they’re staying here on the island, they’re not going far. That means they’re passing it on from right here at Fripp. If they live on the mainland, I want to put a GPS tracker on their car, as well as any other car that comes into that driveway. They’re bound to be couriers. If we’re serious about bringing this thing down, I want every single person working for him busted.”
“You’ve got GPS trackers with you?”
“In my backpack. I need them in my line of work.”
“I keep some on hand, too. The minute we take Blackwood down, he’ll give up the rest. He won’t go down alone. He’s a coward who bullies women and little girls.”
“We’re going to need proof on every single courier for this to stand up in court. If we can find out all the transfer stops along this pipeline and where the drugs initiate, we can present an open-and-shut case. That’s what I want. These kinds of people have skated far too often in the past because they hire slick lawyers. You can bet Blackwood has the best attorney firm in D.C. on his payroll, and it will be as corrupt as he is. If we get Irina out and keep her clean, her testimony will be devastating for all of them. Hopefully, she can identify by name and location all the drug runners he deals with.”
“Okay, we’ll follow them. I just want her away from him. I think she’s going to run soon—she’ll be worried about Justin, and doesn’t have any way to find out where he is or if he’s okay. I don’t want Blackwood to kill her before we can take her out, and he will if he catches her trying to sneak off. He’s losing patience with her. You can see that as well as I can.”
“You got a plan worked out for getting her out of here, Sokolov? If you do, I want to hear it.”
“It’s not complicated. We contact Irina on the beach somehow and tell her what’s going on. She doesn’t know me, so she won’t trust me, but she will trust you. You’ve got to make the first contact.”
“Yeah, that sounds great, except I’ll never find her alone. Everybody inside that house has seen me that night when they took me to the horse farm. When she’s out there with the kids, guards will be watching her. After what she pulled with Justin, Blackwood will never let her out of his sight again. Or worse, he’ll grow tired of her and get rid of her. So we’ve got to do something before that happens.”
Novak’s phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out. The screen showed his picture of Lori. Good. He wanted to see how she was doing. “I need to take this downstairs. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Novak punched in her call as he descended the steps, then moved out into the living room near the big windows. “Hey babe, I’ve been thinking about you. How do you feel?”
“Wonderful. Headache’s all gone. Shoulder still aches, but not so bad. I’ve taken off the sling. Bedrest and TLC and hydrocodone is not overrated, let me tell you.”
“Good. Better take it easy for another week or so, though.”
“What about you? You got Blackwood in handcuffs yet?”
“No, but we’re getting close to proving he’s up to his neck in drug running. I think we’ll have enough soon to burn his network to the ground, if we take time to connect all the dots.”
“That sounds good. Where are you?”
“Still with Sokolov, out on Fripp Island.”
“That’s a nice place. I was there once a long time ago with my family. How about me coming down there and helping you screw things up for him?”
Novak wanted to say yes in the worst way, but he didn’t. “Better heal a bit more first. We’re watching Blackwood’s beach digs, and trying to get a feel for how and when he’s running his pipeline. We think he takes them up the East Coast by boat, one step at a time.”
“What about Irina? She okay?”
“She’s here, but they watch her constantly. We’re trying to figure how we can get her out alive. We may need your help when we’re ready to move.”
“How do you plan to do it?”
“Not sure yet. Hoping to get her alone at some point.
”
There was a moment of silence. “Well, actually, I’ve had a good idea. It occurred to me last night after I went to bed. I’m extremely tired of hanging around here, although Jeff and Angie have been wonderful, feeding me home-cooked meals you’d die for. So, how about I haul anchor and bring the Sweet Sarah down there? You can find a way to get the girl on board, and I’ll whisk her out to sea before they have time to blink.”
Novak considered it. To be honest, it sounded like a plan that could work. Blackwood would not be expecting that, and Lori could handle his boat almost as well as he could. He had taught her the basics of navigation when they’d spent a couple of months island hopping in the Caribbean. Lori was a more than capable sailor to make a short voyage parallel to the coast, even if she was handling the boat by herself. Still, she was not at a hundred percent yet, regardless of what she said. “You’d have to sail her down here by yourself. You think you’re really up for that?”
“You know good and well that I can do it, bum shoulder and all. I did it all the time down in the islands. It’s a short sail anyway, easy as pie. The coast always in sight.”
“Yes, but I was with you down there.”
“I told you. The painkillers keep me comfortable enough. Jeff can help me get underway, and I know I can manage this easy of a trip. Irina will be safe out on the water after you take her—why would they suspect her to be on a boat? You can continue surveillance on the house from wherever you are. Blackwood doesn’t even know you have a boat, right? Irina probably doesn’t, either, so they won’t think to look for her out on the water.”
“Yeah, that makes sense. We don’t know yet exactly when we’re going to try to contact her.”
“Why not now? What’s stopping you?”
“Because she stays inside the house most of the time, and a guard’s near her when she’s out on the beach. I might have to go inside and take her out.”
“You’ve done that kind of stuff before with no problems. I’ve seen you. I believe in you, Novak.”
“Bet you say that to all the guys.”
“Let me come down there and save the day, Novak. You must miss me terribly by now. Besides, you owe me a big juicy steak.”
“I owe myself a steak. I don’t think I can ever stomach one again, though. It’s too dangerous.”
Lori laughed, but she was right. Sokolov got on his nerves big time, and he still wasn’t sure he could completely rely on him. He’d rather Irina be out on his boat with Lori. He decided to let her do it. “Okay, you know where Fripp Island is?”
“Of course. I’ve already put the coordinates into your GPS system and found the best refueling stops if I need them. You taught me to think of everything, you know. Please, let’s go back to St. Barths as soon as we slap Blackwood in prison. I don’t think they have two-ton semi cabs there.”
“You got yourself a deal. How soon can you set sail?”
“I’ll cast off as soon as we hang up. Quit worrying, I know this tub’s your baby. I won’t sink her or run her ashore, I swear.”
Novak smiled, realizing he was all in for her joining them now that she felt better. “If you run into trouble, any kind at all, promise me you’ll just tie the boat up somewhere and call me. I’ll come get you.”
“Okay, but that’s not gonna happen. No way.”
Novak punched off, but misgivings hit him almost at once. If Lori came to Fripp Island, he was putting her right back in the line of fire. He shouldn’t do that. He should’ve told her to stay put where she’d be safe. Still, her arguments all made perfect sense, and she was not coming ashore anyway, so maybe it would work. Now it was time to move.
As soon as the sun went down in a fiery panorama of golden streaks and gloriously backlit clouds of pink and purple, darkness fell slowly over the island until night lay around them, black and still as death. Novak bided his time until people had been off the beach a while. Even better, the courier family was still there, their Camry parked out on the driveway. It would be a perfect opportunity to put a tracker on their vehicle. He donned black clothing and gear and left Sokolov atop the roof watching the house. He went out the front door and kept to the shadows. It was dark enough to conceal himself all along the street. Most people were congregated inside, or watching the starry night skies on the oceanfront. It was quiet, no cars moving along the street, no pedestrians out walking. Somewhere in the distance, he heard a child laugh, probably in the house two doors down, where a huge family reunion had been going on ever since he’d arrived. Those people were having a great time. They were a happy bunch celebrating being together, unlike the sick family inhabiting the beige stucco house.
The beachfront homes were built close together. There were some windows and porches on the front of the beach houses, but he never saw anybody hanging out on the street side. He crept past the house next door. It was a rental, occupied by two families who were probably sharing expenses. The kids were toddlers, usually playing in the sand close to the adults. Tonight their place was dark and silent because they’d driven off somewhere earlier that day.
The front side of Blackwood’s place was also deserted. Two cars sat in the driveway: the blue Camry and a white Ford Explorer. The garage door was open, which surprised Novak. It usually wasn’t. It also made him wary. The porch light was off. Maybe they considered themselves safe on this private island and expected no trouble. That would be good news for Novak, but not something he could count on. He hunkered down in the shadows at the side of the house and listened. Nothing, no voices, no other sounds coming from inside. He got down on his hands and knees and then duck-walked around the back of the Camry. He pressed the GPS tracker up inside the back wheel well. Once he was sure it was good to go, he moved to the Explorer and did the same.
Hunkering down, he still heard nothing from inside. He moved along the side of the parked cars and eased into the double garage. The light was off, and Blackwood’s big black Lincoln was sitting there all by itself. He quietly tried the doors. It was unlocked, so he did a quick search of the car and found nothing. He returned to the shadows outside and stopped for a moment, thinking maybe it had come off a bit too easy. It occurred to him that they might even be able to bug this house. Sokolov had seemed good enough at that at the horse farm. That could give them all the evidence they needed to incriminate the senator and maybe even give them video evidence of the courier transfers.
Feeling more confident, he moved down alongside the beige stucco wall toward the beach, staying beneath the big windows, even though the drapes had been pulled closed. At the back corner, he darted a quick peek at the deck standing about ten feet off the ground. Nobody was on either porch, but the drapes were open. Big squares of yellow light fell over the deck furniture, but there were still plenty of shadows in which to hide. He bent his knees, then jumped up and grabbed the wood railing on the bottom deck. He quickly pulled himself up and over, landing lightly on his feet in the shadows below one side of the windows. He hunkered down and waited for an alarm. Nothing happened. There were no security cameras, so he moved to the dark outer edges of the deck. The tide was coming in high on the sand, the breaking waves drowning out any sounds he made.
Crouching behind a lounge chair, he could see inside the main living area of the first floor. He was astonished that nobody was standing watch out back. Guards were usually patrolling everywhere around the senator. Inside the house, four men and the courier couple were sitting around the dining room table playing cards. They were talking and laughing and drinking beer. The two children were watching cartoons on a big-screen television at the other end of the room. Nobody was looking out on the deck. He tensed when he saw Petrov descend some stairs and sit down on a tall barstool. The Russian set his beer on the counter and pulled out his cellphone, staring down at the screen. There was no sign of Blackwood or Irina.
Easing back the way he had come, Novak jumped up and grabbed the upstairs balcony
rail and pulled himself up far enough to climb onto the deck. Glancing back at Sokolov’s place on the widow’s walk, he couldn’t see him, but he knew the man was watching with a night-vision rifle scope. The upstairs deck ran the length of the back of the house. He knelt in the dark for a moment. Four sliding glass doors stood in a row down the deck. He assumed all led to bedrooms, but the rooms were all dark. He moved down to the end, where a thin slice of light fell across the deck through drapes that had been left open a couple of inches.
He could see Irina inside, lying on a bed. She was covered partially by a sheet and looked stoned out of her mind. Blackwood sat in a chair beside the bed, wearing the same white terrycloth bathrobe and smoking a cigar. Novak could smell the cloying, sweet odor of his tobacco. The monster was just sitting there staring at her. When she moved slightly, trying to lift her head as if coming out of her stupor, he picked up a syringe and injected her with more drugs. After that, she didn’t move at all. She probably wouldn’t be able to for a long time. But she was still breathing; Novak could see her chest rising and falling.
Novak wanted to kill Blackwood. Every fiber in his body longed to end the perversion this man perpetrated on innocents. He squeezed his eyes shut and tamped down his burgeoning rage, wishing he had never looked into that bedroom. Still, it was better he saw them together rather than Sokolov. He didn’t want to see what happened next. He wanted to burst in there, put Blackwood down for good, and get that kid out of that house forever. But he couldn’t, not now. She would be dead weight, hard to get off the deck without alerting the guards. Novak could handle Blackwood easy enough, because he was a weak, overweight, and evil old man.
Still, he couldn’t risk it now, not if they wanted to identify and destroy his operation. It was sick and depraved, what that man had been doing to that young girl. Putting Blackwood in the hospital would be gratifying, especially while Petrov and all his guards played cards downstairs. But Sokolov wasn’t ready, and Lori wasn’t anywhere close to the island with the boat, and wouldn’t be for a while.
