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Chapter Forty-six
Jake spotted Miguel preparing to disembark.
“Miguel, stop. You must wait until Rylee returns, and we’ll see you home.”
“Okay, Señor Jake. I’ll stay in the cabin.”
“Good idea. Carlos brought enough breakfast earlier for an army so grab what you want from the tray.”
Once Jake was sure the boy had his food, he met Carlos coming back into the suite. He’d spent the night with his eyes glued to the tablet’s screen making sure that Rylee hadn’t been assaulted or abused, while Carlos had been in and out a number of times. Upon seeing the FBI agent, words flooded, propelled by fear. “Let’s be waiting outside Hakim’s door and set up a surprise. I hate the thought of them getting off the ship with Rylee.”
“Can’t. It’s a public area. Too many chances of a screw-up and someone getting hurt.” While he talked, he guided Jake to where they could disembark.
“Look, we’ve got this covered. My team’s prepared to pick up their trail now that we’ve landed at the St. George’s terminal. See, there’s the quay with a long walk to any transport. They’ll need to traverse this before they can disappear.”
Jake’s head was on a continuous swivel. “How will the others know it’s them? There are huge numbers leaving all at once.”
“Hell, Jake, most of our personnel have worked with Rylee at one time or another. Plus, I’ve sent out screen shots of Hakim and his men. They’ll have all the info they need. Stay calm and let us do our jobs. We’re good at it.”
“It’s just so risky. Something could go wrong.” Jake knew he sounded like a fretful mama bear but a niggly fear nagged at his patience.
“Relax, man. We’ve got this covered.”
Suddenly a female’s scream grabbed everyone’s attention. Her hand waved toward the blue waters of the ocean. “Look! There’s a woman fighting with men in that boat. Oh my God, she’s jumped overboard and… and they’re shooting at her.” The shriek escalated several octaves until it deafened those nearby.
At a dead run, Jake sped to the closest place on the pier where they had watched Rylee dive into the ocean. Spooked individuals took cover from the shooting behind the hull of the large ocean liner while others dropped to the ground and cowered in terror.
To the horror of those frozen in shock, Jake jumped into the air, yelling, trying to get the attention of those on the boat, waving frantically before he dove in. Carl’s efforts to stop him were in vain. All he had left was the sleeve of Jake’s jacket before the man’s body shot through the water like a cruise missile.
Bullets began shooting his way while the motor boat headed in his direction. No doubt, his intention to protect Rylee seemed to be proving successful. Hakim wanted him dead more than he cared about the woman who’d given him only grief since her abduction.
As he closed in on Jake’s powerful swimming, it looked as if Hakim would be successful. Until another larger motor boat cut across the water heading straight for the smaller craft.
A scuffle erupted which looked as if Hakim’s men were turning traitor, urging their leader to give up the fight and flee. In the brawl, someone pitched Hakim’s body overboard. That’s when the other men got serious about escape.
Meanwhile, Jake made his way over to where Rylee lay face down in the water, her arms spread-eagle. Fear drove him, fear and pure panic.
The bastards had shot her.
