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“Two hundred lives, Raze. At least.” When the man shifted in his chair and turned his head away, I could swear I saw him tear up.
While, earlier, I’d thought about how different we were from the people who worked for K19, the amount of care we had for the victims didn’t vary at all. This was as personal to Gunner as it was to me. Maybe not to Seraphina, but damn close.
“Can I ask how this will work?”
Razor and Gunner turned to Kodiak, who pointed to the schematic. “As you heard Gunner say, this particular ship isn’t full, which makes what we’re asking the longshoreman to do more feasible.” Access to most of the containers was easy since they were on the lowest level of the stacks. For the two that weren’t, he explained an elevation platform would allow access to those thermal imaging indicated were holding the victims as opposed to cargo. The platforms were large enough to accommodate as many as ten people.
“The thermal imaging will give us an idea of how many are in each container. To a certain extent, we can determine movement,” Razor added.
“We’ll use standard SWAT procedure for entering. Distraction tactics, shit like that,” muttered Gunner. “Our primary goal is to rescue the victims and keep them alive.”
“Before we attempt entry, the entire ship will go dark,” Razor explained. “And by distraction tactics, what Gunner means is noise—”
“Loud fucking noise,” said Gunner.
Razor glared at him. “The idea is those inside will have no clue what’s happening on the outside.”
“It won’t mask the sound of the container doors opening since those sonuvabitches are heavier than shit, but at least we’ll have some element of surprise on our side.”
“What if the ship arrives before nightfall?” I asked.
“Easy. We wait. It isn’t like the traffickers are gonna open the door to see what’s goin’ on,” said Gunner.
I didn’t ask what would happen after the container door was opened. As Gunner said, the primary goal was to rescue the victims and keep them alive.
Ares receivedregular reports on the ship’s predicted arrival time from the terminal operations manager, and according to his last update, the ship was scheduled to arrive thirty-one hours from now, so on target for the middle of the night.
I scanned the room in search of Seraphina and saw her talking with Merrigan and my brother. On my way to join them, Press intercepted me.
“There’s something you need to see.”
I followed him in the opposite direction of where I’d been headed. He sat at a table with his back to the wall and opened his laptop.
“What is this?” I asked when he turned it so I could see the screen.
“Read it.”
It was a message from Zin, saying a rumor was circulating about Los Caballeros. It had originated from the DA’s office and suggested an impending indictment against not Zin, Brix, and the other current members of Los Caballeros. It didn’t stop there. The message also stated my father, his, and Press and Beau’s would be indicted as well. The worst of it was Cooley was giving credit solely to the hard work of ADA Seraphina Reeve.
“He’s spreading misinformation when she isn’t there to negate it.”
Press shook his head and turned his computer so he could see the screen as well. “Take a look.”
I sighed. “What is this?” I repeated.
“Seraphina’s browser history while at Tryst’s ranch.”
“Come on, Press, you’re taking this too far.”
“Am I? Check out the dates and times. Is there a reasonable explanation why she would devote so many hours to research Los Caballeros?”
“Boredom? Curiosity? Trying to keep her mind off her sister?”
“This, coupled with Zin’s email, requires action, Ridge.”
I stood, practically knocking my chair over in doing so. “Come with me,” I barked.
Press followed me out one of the building’s back doors and over to where I’d seen his SUV parked.
