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Kat was so glad to be home; that’s what the compound had become to her...home. She couldn’t wait to begin training with the team. She settled into bad and popped the two pain pills and Ambien with a shot of Patron. She knew that this was not a good habit she was getting herself into, but she told herself that right now it was necessary to make sure that she got the sleep she needed to be her best.
Ryan arrived before daylight. He went to his rooms to put away his things. As he headed back downstairs, he ran into Sarah and Janie.
“Good morning ladies. I must say, you are both looking alive and well today. Glad to see it.” They laughed at his silly humor.
“It’s good to be alive, Ryan.”
Kat and Reese had just sat down at the breakfast table; Bill and Jake weren’t far behind. After the wait staff had delivered their plates and left the room, Ryan told the group that he was able to retrieve the barge’s manifest.
“It is scheduled to set sail in a week because it is waiting on the late arrival of some cargo. They should be sailing right by us in approximately a week and a half. I know that doesn’t give us much time, but we have to strike or let ATF in. This is the blow that will cripple Absame’s organization, and Mendoza will feel it too. At the very least, it will put enough pressure on their partnership to collapse it. Reese, Sarah, Janie, Kat, and Jake, after your run and training, come to the command center to start running strategy. Bill and BJ, you will be responsible for preparing the weapons and other equipment.”
After four hours of going through all the data they had gathered, they started to formulate a plan. Ryan came into command and told them to wrap it up for the day. He had just received word that Mendoza was back in town with a woman that he suspected was CIA.
“Do you think she is Radford’s replacement?” Sarah asked.
“We haven’t been able to confirm that yet. I’m hoping she’s just undercover. However, the last time I spoke to her, she said she had just gotten a promotion, and that was right about the time that Radford had died. Jako and I have both worked with her in the past, so we are really going to need to stay in the shadows.”
As if on cue, Reese’s undercover line began ringing. “Reese, my friend, can you and your lovely wife join me and my new business acquaintance for dinner?” Mendoza asked. Ryan nodded his head, giving Reese the okay to accept the invitation.
“Of course. Just give me the place and time.” Mendoza told him about a French restaurant that he’d been meaning to try.
“Be there by eight o’clock?”
“Great. See you then.”
Back in New York, it was almost midnight as the last crate was loaded unto the Dalles. It was set to sail with the tide. Absame and his inner circle had just gotten out of the limo and were now headed up the gang plank. Absame went straight to his cabin to settle in for the journey. He didn’t usually participate in this part of the deal, but this exchange was much too important not to.
The last thing to be loaded was the tobacco boat. There were two armed guards posted at each end of the boat. No one was allowed anywhere near it. Absame had already received partial payment on the secret item placed within the cabin of the tobacco boat. That partial payment in itself was more than what the rest of the shipment would bring in. After this deal, he could sever his ties with Mendoza and the brash American. Absame wasn’t sure why he hated the man so much; he had done business with several Americans before. There was just something about this one that got under his skin. After this, he would never have to deal with anymore partners. He would just go home and live like a king for the rest of his life. His was getting too old for all of this.
A knock came at the cabin door. A sailor informed him that they were prepared to leave port. Absame would stay with the ship until they were off the coast of Mobile, Alabama in about a week. At that time, his crew would lower the tobacco boat into the water, and meet the buyer is Pensacola, Florida. There were always a lot of private boats, so they wouldn’t draw attention to themselves. Once he was done, he would be able to disappear a much richer man.
His thoughts went to Kaitlyn for a moment. He still hadn’t been able to find out anything about her. His new CIA informant had yet to prove herself as useful.
Reese, Sarah, Janie, and Jake pulled up in front of Galatoires Restaurant on Bourbon Street. The valet approached to help everyone out and park the limo. When they entered, Mendoza stood and kissed Sarah’s hand, followed by Janie’s. The mysterious new business acquaintance left the room almost as soon as they entered—no introductions had been made. Kat and Jako were ready to follow. Ryan had predicted that she wouldn’t stay.
Mendoza asked Sarah if she would like him to order for her. He even invited Jake, Janie, and Juan to sit down with them.
“I thought your lady friend would be joining us as well,” Reese asked.
“She had last minute business to attend to. You will meet her at the gala. Especially now that the lovely Sarah has some nice new gowns,” Mendoza oozed. They were saved from further conversation when dinner was served.
Kat and Jako followed Mendoza’s informant east on Bourbon Street. They almost thought she was going to leave the quarter, but instead she entered a private courtyard. They concealed themselves outside and watched as the light on the top floor went on. The woman came out onto the patio and looked out over the city. Ryan told them to make sure they got the address, but gave them the okay to head back. At the hotel, Ryan and Jako opted for room service while Kat went down to the bar.
Meanwhile, the group with Mendoza was just finishing their meal. He asked Reese to join him at this club for drinks. Reese had started to decline, when he heard Ryan in his ear telling him to go.
“Janie, please take Sarah home. Jake, you’ll stay with me.” Reese walked the women out as they waited for the limo to be brought up. Reese kissed Sarah on the cheek, “Don’t wait up my love.”
“Of course darling.” Arriving back at the hotel, Sarah and Janie ran into Jako. “Hey, How’d it go tonight? Where’s Kat?”
“She’s still down at the bar. Been down there awhile actually,” Jako told them. “I just checked on her though; she’s alright.” Janie and Sarah looked at each other then went to Janie’s room.
“Are you worried about Kat?” Janie asked once they were inside.
“A little. I mean, after everything she’s been through, it wouldn’t be hard for the drugs to become a real problem. We’re going to have to be really strong for her.”
“She’s such a strong and resilient person, but I agree. I think we should keep a closer eye on her.”
Carly Hatch only had a few more days in New Orleans before she was due back in Quantico. If her superiors discovered what she had become a part of, she would end up dead or locked away at Leavenworth. So far, she hadn’t found any connection between Ryan and Radford. Whoever this group was that was causing so much trouble for Mendoza and Absame, she was sure that they weren’t with the American government. Carly hated becoming a traitor, but Absame had left her with little choice.
Finally, back at the compound, the group started with a solid run. Kat was feeling a little hungover from the night before, but she still managed to keep pace with Janie and Sarah. At about six miles, they stopped to stretch and get some water. Kat was fighting a losing battle within herself about whether or not to take the pills she had brought along in her backpack.
“If you’re in pain, honey, take one,” Janie said, seemingly reading her mind. Kat hesitated, but only for a second.
“Do you want to walk the rest of the way?” Sarah asked.
“No, I can finish,” Kat insisted. She took off, but at a slower pace. Jake and the other were already showered and waiting by the time the women made it back to the compound.