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Sure enough, one of Gillen’s shell corporations had purchased a Sea Ray 500 Sundancer in Miami, Florida. High-end and roomy, but not flashy enough to draw too much attention. A perfect boat to get lost on.
If Madison didn’t already have his scent.
“My friend at FinCEN says the boat was spotted refueling in Aruba a few hours ago,” said Madison. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, a bureau of the Department of the Treasury, specialized in analyzing financial transactions to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. Between blowing up a manufacturing plant, causing a train collision, and murdering a prominent CEO—even if he was the same one financing the operation—the United States government was more than happy to label Teague a terrorist.
“The net is tightening, Dad. It’s just a matter of time. The Coast Guard is patrolling the area. And if he somehow slips past them and lands in another Egmont Group country,” continued Madison, referring to the association of the 164 Financial Intelligence Units around the world that shared FinCEN’s mission, “we’ll know. Then we can alert the FBI.”
Or Shay and I can take a little trip to the islands and handle it ourselves.
Plus, Shay looked great in a bikini. Two birds…
“What do you need?” he asked.
“It’s just a matter of time. But if I had the big office, maybe it would go faster…”
“Here we go.”
“And tacos. Every day for lunch. Delivered to my desk in the big office.”
Chase was laughing as they mounted the stairs to their townhouse but stopped short as soon as they walked inside.
“Oh, my God,” said Shay.
The floor shook as their houseguest bounded toward them, swinging his entire hindquarters and sweeping the contents from the entryway table. There were feathers in his jowls, and knickknack debris on the foyer floor.
Titus was happy to see them. With his owner still in the hospital after shoulder reconstruction, the dog needed a temporary place to stay. Luke was delighted. Chase less so.
Luke dropped to his knees and the dog began to lick him furiously. Feathers stuck to his cheeks.
Chase looked at his wife.
“Are you sure they don’t allow dogs in the hospital?”
Her answer was an arched eyebrow.
“I’ll get the broom,” he muttered.
Later, when Madison was in her room, headphones on and lost in a digital world, and Luke was in bed with Titus curled at his feet, Chase and Shay spoke privately in their bedroom.
“I’m sorry,” said Chase.
“For what?” On the other side of the bed, Shay unbuttoned her blouse.
“For all of it. If I hadn’t been so preoccupied with FIRST, I could have seen things earlier, more clearly…”
“Chase, Gillen was one of the smartest men in the world and we beat him. End of story.”
“Exactly.We.I need you watching my six full time. If FIRST is to become what I know it can be, I need you. Without you, I’m just a guy. But together, we’re unstoppable.”
They had put off talking about the future this week, but Chase could not imagine her returning to Avalon. Avalon was Miles Gillen, and Miles Gillen had tried to murder her family.
“Wade,” said Shay.
“What about him?”
“I don’t like him out there all by himself. He needs purpose again. And he came through for our family.”
Chase sighed. Their old commanding officer, who hated his guts, at FIRST? “Fine. Any other outrageous demands?”
