Jason wanted to hit something. Or someone. But he settled for a long, deep breath. “You didn’t show up tonight expecting that guy to just hand everything over. What was your plan?”
“I have two boats waiting offshore.” The irritating smile reappeared. “They won’t get far.”
Jason rubbed a hand down his face. “Two boats with armed men.”
“Naturally. I’ll let them know when the . . . what is it called?” He scratched his chin, and couldn’t have sounded more casual if he tried. “Ah, The Sea Queen. Yes. I’ll let them know when to expect her, and how many men they’ll need to deal with. It’s best to know these things before they . . . invite themselves onboard.”
“Even if we gave you your cell phone back,” Knox said, “you couldn’t text them. No service out here.”
“Oh, my dear man.” Enzo shook his head. “You see, this is your problem. You keep underestimating me. I don’tknow why.” He glanced at Knox. “I have a shortwave radio in my car.”
His focus rolled back to Jason. And the smile disappeared. Enzo’s cold, hard glare—overflowing with silent threats—fixed on Jason.
Over the years, dozens of men had given Jason the same glare. He wasn’t afraid of Enzo. And he was about to tell him that when Leland showed up, and crouched in the darkness near Knox.
Even in the moonlight, Jason could see the fury on Leland’s face when his eyes fixed on Enzo.
“Steady, Leland. He’s not going anywhere.”
Enzo looked annoyed. “You can’t hold me here forever. And keeping me from radioing my men won’t stop them. Yes, they’d appreciate a heads up from me, but they’ll take that boat, regardless.”
“I figured as much,” Jason said. “But I have a plan.” He looked at Knox. “Keep him here. I’m going to get a closer look at The Sea Queen. Leland, keep watch.”
“Hang on,” the senior agent raised a hand. “As I was making my way over here, I got a good look—the tall one in the baseball cap,” he pointed toward the pier, “he’s the one in Gus’s video with the appraiser.”
“You’re sure?”
“Positive.”
Jason felt a little relief. “Excellent. He’s the one we wanted to find. Okay, new plan—I’m going to plant some distractions at the base near the pier and to the south. When things start popping, we will grab Baseball Cap and haul him to our rendezvous point in the bushes near where Rowan dropped us off. Leland, can you—”
“Way ahead of you.” He pulled a set of handcuffs and a roll of duct tape from his jacket.
Jason smiled. “Perfect. That’ll keep Enzo quiet long enough for us to get Baseball Cap.” He leaned his head toward the pier. “At the rate those guys are moving, it will take them another thirty or forty minutes to load up the boat with everything. That gives us plenty of time.”
“You can’t just leave me here,” Enzo groused.
“We’ll come back for you in the morning,” Knox said. “If you’re still here, we’ll cut you loose.”
Enzo looked like he had something to say about that. But Leland’s duct tape skills were quicker than Enzo’s response, so all they heard were muffled retorts.
Jason ignored Enzo’s smothered complaints. He grabbed his pack and patted Leland’s shoulder as hesqueezed passed him between the rocks. “I’ll radio when the charges are set. Try not to shoot Enzo while I’m gone.”
“No promises.”
The moonlight, brighter now that the clouds shifted, was a blessing and a curse. He could navigate the rocky terrain easier, but he knew he was easier to spot as well. He made his way to the road and waited for one of the ATVs to pass by.
That’s when he saw a familiar figure hiding behind one of the parked cars.
After the ATV was safely out of sight, he sprinted to her and placed his hand over her mouth before she realized he was there.
“It’s me. It’s me. Stay quiet,” he whispered into Tayla’s ear.
As soon as the shock on her face gave way to recognition, he removed his hand. “What are you doing here?” He didn’t use his most polite voice, but he didn’t feel too bad about it. Tayla being out in the middle of this was very, very dangerous.
She threw her arms around him. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
He tugged her arms off of him and gently held her hands. “Tayla, you can’t be here. It isn’t safe. There are—”
