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The team was just finishing up their routine run when Jako called them into the command center.
“Mendoza has invited you to join him in his box at the Super Dome for a New Orleans Saints game,” Jako announced. Reese was more than pleased to get this news.
“I’ve always been more of a soccer girl myself,” Sarah said.
“That’s perfect!” Ryan laughed. “That will fit perfectly into your cover. Use that. Plan this one out to the T you two. With a man like Mendoza, we can’t afford any mistakes.” Jake and Janie would again play the role of bodyguards for the well-to-do couple.
“I even recommend that the two of you go out and spend the day in the city. Let yourselves be seen as a normal couple. The less suspicious Mendoza is of you, the better chance we have of pulling all this off,” Ryan suggested. The group finished their lunch and prepared to do just that.
Sarah had no idea what one wears on ‘an outing in the city’ so she left that detail up to her maid—who executed perfectly as expected. As she was coming down the stairs to meet Reese, his breath was taken away by the woman before him—even in simple day clothes. He offered his hand to help her down the last couple of steps and smiled at her in a way that made her blush.
They took the limo into town, accompanied by their ‘bodyguards’. Ryan watched them drive off from one of the terraces at the compound. He was still in awe at how good they were at undercover work. What exceptional luck they’d had in selecting this team.
With the others in town for the rest of the afternoon, Jake wandered down to the hospital ward. He was pleased to see Kat awake and trying to eat. He took the fork and helped her finish the last few bites. She seemed grateful to have his help, but a little angry and embarrassed at the same time. She was sure that she was the type who didn’t like to accept help very often. The nurse came in shortly after, took her tray, and gave her some medication. Once again, she was overcome by sleep, as was common because of the dosage.
When she awoke, there was a different man sitting at her bedside. She hadn’t seen this man before; she was sure of it.
“Hello Kat. My name is Ryan Connors, and I am the Deputy Administrator to Vice President Woods. How are you feeling?”
“Honestly, there isn’t a single place on my body that doesn’t hurt. I’m so tired, but so sick of sleeping.”
“I will see what I can do about having your medications adjusted. It might help alleviate some of that.”
“Thank you...look, I don’t remember much of anything. I just remember Jessica and the beatings.
“That’s okay. Take your time. It will come to you. The doctor expects you to make a full recovery.”
“This may sound strange...but I can’t shake this feeling that I need to get back to something in my life—something really important—but I can’t for the life of me think of what it is.”
“That makes more sense to me than it does to you. Don’t worry yourself. There will be plenty of time for all that when you are better. Get your rest. If there is anything that you remember, and you want to talk about it, don’t hesitate to call,” he said handing her his card. After leaving the hospital ward, Ryan made his way up to command to watch the live surveillance of Reese and Sarah. One of the techs informed him that there were two men that had been following them for a good hour now.
Of course Reese and Sarah had already figured out that they had picked up a tail, but that didn’t stop them from playing the part of enthusiastic tourist. They strolled along Bourbon Street and perused the various shops. They even stopped at a quaint little café and ordered an appetizer to share. They checkout out a wonderful farmers’ market and caught the trolley to a museum and an art gallery. Anyone watching would have no idea that they were anything other than a happy couple on vacation.
Just to ensure that they weren’t followed back to the compound, Ryan arranged for them to stay at a townhouse in the French Quarter until the day of the football game. Early that evening, the couple received a dinner invitation to Emeril’s restaurant. They were both astonished by the invitation seeing as how the waiting list was currently two years long.
The limo pulled up outside of the restaurant and Sarah and Reese made their way inside. They were immediately shown to their table, where Mendoza and a few of his men were waiting to join them. The mood was light, the food and wine was to die for, and there was absolutely no talk of business. The woman accompanying Mendoza this evening was stunningly beautiful, but she didn’t say a word the entire time. Sarah was able to gather, in indirect conversation, that her name was Gabriella.
After dinner, Reese and Sarah were invited to Mendoza’s club where they drank and danced the night away. Once they were back at the townhouse, Sarah sat for a moment and reflected on the evening. One thing was for sure, pirates sure know how to party.
Sarah wasn’t sure why they had to share a room; all of their servants were in on the operation. But, I guess one couldn’t be too careful when dealing with someone like Mendoza. They still hadn’t been able to link him to the Somalian pirates, but they knew they would come across some breadcrumb eventually. If nothing else, Mendoza was a very dangerous man, and Ryan wanted to be able to nail him under enough charges to keep him put away for a very long time. Busting him on drugs and arms dealing wasn’t enough. They wanted to pin him for human trafficking and kidnapping as well. Kat couldn’t have been the only one. And after seeing what was done to her, they could only assume how many others hadn’t been lucky enough to survive.
Sunday came way too soon for Sarah’s taste. She wasn’t entirely enthused about the idea of this football game, but Reese was ecstatic. What is it with Americans and football? She wondered inwardly. Mendoza had arranged it so that they were shown directly through security and up to his private box. There was an impressive feast displayed with lots and lots of champagne. Sarah could easily see how a lifestyle like this consumed people; the clothes, jewelry, and cars were all lovely, but she appreciated the simpler things, like a cottage in the country with no neighbors on either side. She plastered on her best smile before they entered the box and approached their host.
They saw a few of the same faces from the previous evening. Sarah was sure that they were the who’s who of the criminal world. Reese, seeming to read her mind, just smiled and casually laced his fingers with hers in reassurance. Mendoza greeted them and kissed her available hand. He briefly introduced the other guests. It was early noon, and still twenty minutes until kickoff, but everyone in the box was already either drunk or high—or both. There appeared to be approximately a kilo of coke on the glass table in the middle of the small room. Mendoza led them over to the table and insisted that they try it, promising that the product was exceptional.
“The finest in America!” he boasted. They both indulged in a line and accepted a glass of champagne. By the second half of the game, the party was in full swing. Once Mendoza’s attention was less focused on them, Reese and Sarah were able to turn down another line of coke without causing a scene, and the rest of their drinks ended up in the nearby planters around the room. The Saints were up 27-0 and spirits were high. Sarah noticed that Gabriella seemed like she was far away. She slowly made her way over to the young woman and asked her if something was the matter.
“I’m just tired,” Gabriella said shrugging. By the time the game ended, the box had cleared itself out. Reese and Sarah thanked Mendoza for another fantastic time and made their way out to the limo. They would stay in the townhouse one more night, then head back to the compound early the next morning.