Gray Ghost (The Bill Dix Detective Series Book 1) (12 page)

Dix frantically grabbed the officer’s radio from his shirt and yelled, “All units, all units, code three to the dock. I repeat, code three to the docks.”

“
I can’t believe you did that. Every officer in the area is here. You left a huge shipment of drugs unguarded back at the marina?” Dix said.

Dix and Petersen jumped into the car they’d borrowed from Roger.

The detectives raced back to the dock, followed by the local officers. Petersen looked through binoculars. “I can see the boats, I count two. There’s no one around them. Punch it!”

The speeding vehicles came to a halt, and everyone ran to the police boats moored in their slips. One by one, they were checked, and the contents accounted for. Each still contained the packages of cocaine. Petersen and Dix exchanged glances.

Dix demanded to speak to the officer in charge (OIC). No one responded. He took several deep breaths and decided their own department could deal with the incompetence.

“
We all make mistakes, but this cannot happen again. Double check, then triple check everything you do from here on out. I won’t tell your boss about this if you don’t.” Dix addressed the officers at the scene, who were embarrassed but expressed their appreciation for how he had handled it.

Dix and Petersen decided to split up, one in each police van, as the cocaine was taken from the marina to the warehouse. When they arrived at the warehouse, they assisted as the officers unloaded the cocaine into large, black duffel bags and placed them in secured storage lockers next to the speedboat. Dix shook his head and rubbed his chin. He looked at Petersen, who rolled his eyes at him.
This just gets worse by the minute
, thought Dix.

CHAPTER TWENTY

At four in the morning, Calhoun was awakened by a constant chirping of his cell phone. He’d been dreaming of an exotic island with beautiful women.
Whoever this is better have a good reason for waking me
.

He rolled out of bed, retrieved the device, and accepted the data link to the flashing message. Then he activated the speaker function of his smart phone.

“
UAV images you must see,” a voice said.

He moved the mouse attached to his laptop to get it to start processing and saw a message with an attachment in his inbox. He double checked the source of the message to confirm it came from his son’s secure, wireless link. Calhoun double clicked the paperclip representing an attachment, and the computer downloaded a video. He clicked play on the media player.

The first images showed several small boats and a larger one in the water.

The narrator spoke. “That video was taken off the northern end of Andros Island.”

Calhoun wasn’t impressed. It didn’t matter if they knew about the drugs because he didn’t have to worry about getting the boat up by himself. As the UAV got closer to the boats, his computer froze and then shut down.
What the hell is this?

He turned his laptop back on and found the link to gain access to the video again. Calhoun grinned as the video came in crystal clear, and he saw the speedboat he wanted just beneath the surface. He watched the boat almost slip away as an airbag burst, but two divers jumped in to save it. Images from the UAV showed the cocaine being unloaded from
Gray Ghost
and placed in police vessels
.
The UAV quickly left the area once the boats appeared headed for the journey to the dock.

Calhoun chuckled. The poor bastards have no idea what they’re doing.

Eventually, he’d hoped they’d store the cocaine somewhere easy to access. He planned to make his move in about three days. Calhoun knew law enforcement tactics. He’d even written about them and figured the first few days the local officers would guard the storage facility aggressively. When nothing happened, they’d begin to let their guard down. That’s when he and his son would wait for the cocaine to be delivered to them on the tarmac. Calhoun planned to use an elite Coast Guard unit, known as a DOG Unit, to storm the facility, grab the cocaine, and be gone before anyone knew what happened.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

Sergeant Pierce informed his guys that operations were over. “Take the rest of the day off. Report at zero seven hundred hours tomorrow.”

Some of the men grumbled.

“
Dix and Petersen stumbled onto a major drug operation while they were supposed to be on vacation in the Bahamas. Go home and rest. Tomorrow could be rough.” Pierce watched his men leave, then dialed the narcotics lieutenant and filled him in on the details. Once that was done, Pierce relaxed some but still had calls to make.

He notified the other agencies potentially involved in the operation in the U.S. When he finished the last call, he remembered he had a date night with his wife. They had reservations at a classy restaurant and tickets for a play for the following evening to celebrate their anniversary. He probably wasn’t going to be available for that special night, so he made some calls to see if he could come up with a backup plan. Then he dialed his home number.

Before he could utter a word, his wife said, “Let me guess. Another high priority case, right?”

“
Sorry, honey, but I can make it work. I changed our plans to tonight. Are you game?”

“
You did what? How? It took two months to get the dinner reservations.”

“
Don’t ask. Just get dressed and be ready for an enjoyable night.” Pierce loved his wife more than anything and wanted to make her feel special.

As he jumped into his truck, he remembered he hadn’t called his old friend, Jim Calhoun, to see if he knew anything about the circus happening in the Bahamas. He figured if they had any shot at catching the bad guy, they’d need Jim’s expertise and resources.

Pierce dialed Calhoun’s cell number. It went straight to voicemail. He thought it odd since he teased Jim often that he was attached at the hip to his cell phone.

He left a message. “Jim, Mike Pierce here. Call me. I think I’m gonna need your help.”

Then after he had hung up, he realized he’d forgotten flowers for his wife. Fortunately, there was a florist on the way home. A dozen roses was a good start to a great evening.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Dix and Petersen began assessing their options at the police warehouse. Wilfred had arrived to join them.

“
Since we’re here, we ought to look for vantage points where we can observe the boat. I figure the Coast Guard will send that cutter we saw yesterday, and maybe the helicopter we saw too,” Dix said.

Petersen nodded. “Yeah, if they get here in time. Our navy might send some help, and the local one may assign some equipment and personnel too. But it has to happen in a hurry.”

Dix nodded. “The Caller might slip through if he’s affiliated with one of the agencies involved. I don’t want to believe it, but how else has he been able to remain undetected for so long?”

Petersen raised an eyebrow. “Do you really think it’s a possibility?”

“
Absolutely. I can’t explain how else he could have been so successful and knowledgeable about how things work unless he was trained by the people he’s taking advantage of. His understanding of the operations of local law enforcement and drug interdiction is well beyond what ordinary people would know. No one has a clue who he is, and he’s remained untraceable, even by MIT boys. Gotta have special clearance.”

Petersen turned to Wilfred. “You said you know some of the people on the island who might have information about the Caller. Why don’t you collect Bubba and Roger and see what you can come up with?” He handed Wilfred a business card from his wallet. “Here’s my cell number. Call me if you find out anything.”

“
Okay. I can think of a couple of guys to ask.” Wilfred took the keys to Roger’s car, got in, and drove away.

Dix called Roger. “Wilfred is on his way with your car. We’ve asked him to take you and Bubba to see if you guys can find out anything more about the Caller.”

Roger replied, “Sounds like a plan.”

Dix continued, “And I need a favor. Petersen and I need guns. You have a few lying around we can use?”

“
Certainly. I’ll grab two and get them to you ASAP.”

Dix was curious how exactly Roger had so many weapons. “Roger, I have to ask, where do you get all the weapons?”

“
Oh, I’m just a gun nut. Always been around them, and I collect.”

Something in Roger’s voice made Dix suspect it was a lie, but Roger didn’t provide any more information.

Dix suspected things were about to get real interesting on the island and felt he and Petersen should be armed, just in case. “Thanks. We’ll let you know if we need them. Wilfred should arrive in a few minutes.”

“
I’ll be ready.”

Dix hung up and grimaced at Petersen. “We pissed away our fishing trip to help a couple guys. Now, we’re too deep to pull out. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to catch this jackass, but I don’t want to die here unarmed.”

Petersen nodded. “Amen, buddy. Let’s canvass the area on foot. The OIC is near the gate.”

After determining a few weak places susceptible to a breach, Dix and Petersen found the officer in charge.

Dix shook his hand. “We’ve looked around, and there might be some spots where someone could get in fairly easily. Also, there’s a few spots where your people can keep a look out without being detected easily.”

“
Yes, I have been considering that very thing,” said the OIC.

“
Good. Then we’re all working on the same plan. I’d like to discuss where surveillance equipment could be placed when you have the time. What are your thoughts?”

“
Tomorrow morning might be best,” the OIC replied. Dix was anxious to get some rest and set the trap.

“
Good. Tomorrow it is. Oh, and would it be possible to borrow some firearms from your department while we’re here? We might need protection.”

The OIC frowned. “Unfortunately, that might prove to be difficult. Rules and regulations, you know. The chief doesn’t want to make any exceptions, no matter how big this case is.”

Dix looked at Petersen. “We understand. We have strict rules in Miami, too. We’re officers, though. You sure he won’t change his mind?” The OIC shook his head and gave a look like don’t ask again.

Petersen stepped forward. “Are there any aerial photos of this facility?”

The OIC hesitated. “I might be able to locate something.”

“
Good. That would be helpful. Thank you so much. Let us know what we can do to be of assistance. After all, it’s your case.”

“
I certainly shall. You have my deepest thanks for your contributions so far.”

Dix thought for a second that the OIC was going to salute Petersen, but he just nodded and walked away.

“
Good thing I already asked Roger for weapons. I was afraid we’d get the official answer in the negative. Do you think Roger might also have some spare body armor and a few flash-bang grenades?”

Petersen chuckled. “From the way his boys were armed, he probably has a whole arsenal.”

Dix frowned. “We should get maps and flight plans for all small aircraft entering Bahamian air space.”

Petersen hadn’t considered that. “You think this guy is coming by plane?”

“
He’s good, but not good enough to get past all the agency ships, which should arrive soon. I don’t think he’ll be on one of them.”

Petersen leaned against the warehouse wall and ran his hands through his hair. “Man, I’m beat, how about you?”

“
I’m tired, but let’s talk this out before we turn in.”

Petersen rolled his eyes. “Okay, what else you thinking?”

“
Every incoming vessel will be stopped and may be boarded at sea. Everyone will be questioned. My guess is he’ll come in on a small plane and look like every other arriving tourist.” Petersen nodded.

“
We might also need a laptop, night vision goggles, and camouflage gear. I’ll see if Pierce will send those overnight.”

Petersen shook his head. “That stuff won’t make it in time. We’ll have to improvise, buddy.”

Dix moved beyond the comment. “Every way on and off this island must be monitored. I’m not sure we have the bodies to cover it all.”

Petersen nodded. “Do you think the Caller has someone on his payroll working for the Royal Bahamian Police Force?”

“
I guess corrupt cops can be found in any agency.”
Great question
.
He’s learning.

“
This is the peak fly fishing season. Planes will be landing every hour. Surveillance at the airport will be difficult.” Petersen rubbed his chin.

Dix agreed. “We’ll just have to take it one plane at a time.