That’s how he felt as he stood at the back of his vehicle, giving Reaper space to unload Tank.
Magnificent was the word that came to Dakota’s mind every time he saw Tank’s regal posture.
“Hey buddy, look at you all fresh and clean after your mud bath yesterday. You good?” Dakota scrubbed his hands over Tank’s thick fur. “You’re so soft. They must have given you the spa treatment, huh, bud? Did they put on some conditioner to make you pretty?”
Dakota stuck his hand out. “Good to see you again, Reaper. I read in the paper that yesterday was a blockbuster day for the children’s hospital.”
“They got what they needed. As soon as the spring rains let up, they’ll be building the inclusive playground and the trail for the kiddos. Appreciate you playing along.”
“An honor, any time.” Dakota folded his arms over his chest and rocked back on his heels. “Let me bring you up to speed. My department has a search warrant for passengers on a direct flight from Colombia, looking for counterfeit money. There are a hundred plus on today’s flight, and we don’t want to search every single passenger. Our reason for pulling someone aside will be Tank’s alert.” Dakota checked his watch. “Their plane was delayed, so we’re still good with time. Kumar texted they’re a red light away.”
“All right, how do you want to play this?”
“My colleague Kumar Singh will instruct the passengers about their conduct. If they participate, that’s good. If they don’t, we have the search warrant. There will be an airport guard to support this effort. Jasper and Benny will stand off to the side to gather people who have been identified by Tank.”
“Do you expect more than one?”
“I have no expectations at all. I was called in and contacted you. Thanks for making yourself available at the last minute.”
“That’s what we do,” Reaper said.
“You could, maybe, observe my performance, standing near Jasper. We’ll have the passengers walk by Tank and see if he shows any interest. If so, my colleagues will escort those passengers to a room for a search of their belongings. We have a holding room and a search room set aside for our operation. Next, Tank and I will position ourselves at the suitcase chute. If he’s interested in anything there, we’ll pull the bags.”
“You do expect something today, correct?”
“There’s a possibility that there is nothing there. Kumar noticed a pattern of counterfeit bills that he was interested in pursuing, and my department knew that I was looking for a field opportunity to test Tank. This is really a fishing expedition.”
“Sounds good. I knew you’d be in a suit with a badge on your hip. I hope you appreciate that I left my tactical at home.”
“You clean up good. Did Kate pick out the tie?”
Reaper adjusted his charcoal gray tie. “Yeah, she said the blaze orange one I got for Christmas was a joke.”
“Kate’s good?” Dakota asked. “The kids?”
“I’m living the life.” Reaper lifted his chin to indicate Jasper pulling into the lot, with Kumar riding shotgun.
The men parked and walked over. “Ready?” Kumar called.
“Where’s Benny?” Dakota asked as he whistled Tank back to his side.
“He stayed back at the office. He had some things to finish up. I told him to take off early. He’s really not looking good.”
“Time, gentlemen,” Kumar said.
They took Reaper’s vehicle. If there were any arrests, he’d bring Jasper back to pick up his car.
Walking into the terminal—four men in suits, glorious Tank in his tactical vest with “Working Do Not Distract” patches—turned heads and made worried eyes search the area. Surely these vacation-goers didn’t want to be caught up in an arrest situation.
By the time they had badged through security and taken the tram to the right gate, the plane had landed.
Airport security had moved retractable belt stanchions into place to herd passengers forward.
And here they came, business class first.
Dakota showed Tank his tug towel and then said, “Work time. Scent chemicals.”
Kumar directed the passengers to walk forward one at a time, stand for the count of three, then move on to baggage claim and customs.
