Dakota shifted his attention to Rys. He looked every bit a Marine as the day Dakota met him, but his military career ended when half his unit got killed in Afghanistan. He got out with full honors and a heavy heart.
“Ralph Meyers has been on the FBI’s Most Wanted List for two decades.” Rys turned the laptop around and showed the guys the mug shots of Meyers. “His killing sprees hug the East Coast, primarily along the shoreline. Law enforcement believes he’s behind forty-two abductions, but there could be dozens more. Not one body has ever been found intact. He’s spending his weeks in Baltimore and his weekends at Ocean City. Most likely prepping for another abduction. Over the years, he’s been arrested twice. The first time he was released. The second time he escaped before his trial started.”
A chill careened through Dakota. Had this monster abducted Beth? “We’re going to put a permanent stop to Ralph Meyers’s horrific beach plans.” Dakota raked a hand through his unkempt hair. “Run down his SWOT.”
Rys guzzled his water. “Strength. Ability to use a knife. He can dismember his victim in minutes.Weakness. Greed.Opportunity. He’s not killing for sport anymore. He’s branched out for-hire.Threat. The usual. Crazy. Dangerous. Armed. At least two guards.”
“The warehouse doesn’t have electricity,” Rys added. “So, you’ll need a headlamp. Do you have Beth’s picture?”
Dakota nodded.
Their plan was simple. Dakota was hiring this serial killer to murder his already deceased wife. He would show Meyers the picture of Beth. If he recognized her as one of his victims, Dakota would finally have his answer. If he didn’t, he would continue searching for her abductor. Either way, this was the end for Ralph Meyers.
“If everything goes according to plan, we’ll be back here by two thirty.” Quincy pulled off his Howard University college ring and set it on the table. “What’s the trigger sentence?”
“‘That’s exactly what I needed to hear’,” Dakota replied.
“On hearing that, Stryker and I will eliminate the bodyguards,” Rys said.
For the next eleven minutes, the men reviewed every conceivable scenario. Under no condition would they leave one of their own behind. Not on Dakota’s watch.
After knocking twice before stepping into the room, Stryker said, “Time to go.” He locked the door, strode across the room, and unlocked the door on the far wall.
“Providence has activated the surveillance system,” Dakota said. “She saw us arrive tonight and was there to…greetus.”
Stryker chuckled. “She doesn’t like members using the back door.”
“And?” Dakota asked.
“I took down that security cam,” Stryker replied. “Problem solved.”
“No pushback from the new sheriff?” Dakota asked.
“Hell, yeah, but I’m the boss.”
Relieved, Dakota stood and eyed each of the men. “If you aren’t up for this or can’t move forward, now’s the time to back out.”
He was met with silence. They all knew they were walking into a dangerous situation, but that had never stopped them before. And it wouldn’t stop them now.
After several more seconds, he dropped his phone and wallet on the table. “Good luck.”
“Don’t you meanDakotaLuck?” Rys slapped Dakota on the back, then tossed his phone and wallet on the table.
With the exception of Marcus, who kept his driver’s license and cell phone, the men carried no identifiers. After dropping their wallets, phones and jewelry on the table, they entered the back room and opened their lockers. Like before, Stryker locked the door from the inside. Everyone, except Dakota, dressed in full tactical gear, down to their combat boots. Since Dakota was primary, his only defense against a spray of gunfire was the Kevlar vest he wore like a second skin beneath his shirt.
After checking their weapons, they collected their NODs—night observation devices. Dakota shouldered the backpack, opened the fire door, and they filed down the metal escape.
In silence, they rode toward Baltimore.
While Dakota could have phoned in an anonymous tip to the FBI hotline and let the feds capture Meyers, he and his team would ensure this long-time serial killer did not get off on a technicality…again. After two decades of being an abductor, sexual predator, and serial killer, Ralph Meyers’s luck was about to run out, Dakota Luck style.
An hour later, as the twinkling high-rises of Charm City sprouted into view, Dakota, Stryker, Quincy and Rys strapped on their NODs. They slid on their skintight leather gloves as Marcus drove into the rundown section of Baltimore. Dakota listened for uneven breathing and watched for fidgeting. These were solid, honorable men who’d joined him of their own volition. Nevertheless, he needed to confirm they were up to the task.
“It’s go-time. Everyone in?”
“Absolutely,” Quincy replied.
“Affirmative,” Rys echoed.
