Gray Ghost (The Bill Dix Detective Series Book 1) (13 page)

Come on, we need to get some work done.”

Dix and Petersen requested two local officers to accompany them as they further scouted the area around the warehouse. They walked the vicinity and considered access points, vantage points, and exit routes.

Noting a lot of deficiencies, Dix noted, “Whoever comes after the narcotics knows the place will be guarded. There’s sure to be a confrontation. Our people have to be able to get in and out safely.”

“
How do you think they’ll try to get the drugs out?” one of the Bahamian officers asked Dix.

He thought for a moment. “They’d need a large cargo van or maybe an armored truck to get into the warehouse. Probably three minutes to load the cocaine, depending how many men show up, then leave as fast as they can.”

The officer said, “There are plenty of vans on the island because of the dive shops and lodges, but I don’t think any are armored.”

Petersen shook his head. “It would take too long to unload the dope from the duffel bags and put it in another vehicle. They may send more guys just to make sure they can lift the bags quickly. Then we’re only talking about thirty to forty seconds until they’d be able to leave.”

Dix caught himself chewing on his nails. “Good thought. Maybe we should take the dope out of the bags and put it back in the boat the way it was found.”

Some of the officers nodded, others shook their heads.

Petersen held up a hand. “The bad guy is going to know the jig is up since we raised the boat. He’d know officers would take the cocaine out to determine how much was there, to weigh it, photograph it, and book it.”

“
So if we put it back in the boat, the Caller would surely know he’d be walking into a trap,” said Dix.

A local officer chimed in. “If the cocaine is in the speedboat, whoever comes to grab it could tow it straight to the airport. From there, they could load the cocaine onto a plane, and be gone for good.”

Dix dismissed the idea with a wave of his hand. “That would take too long, plus it doesn’t make sense based on what Petersen said.”

Petersen looked thoughtful. “Or they could put the duffel bags into a helicopter and leave even more quickly.”

Dix turned to the local guys. “Besides Mangrove Cay, how many other places are there on the island flat and clear enough to land a small plane or helicopter and get it off the ground again?”

A Bahamian officer who’d remained quiet until now replied, “Opposite ends of the island. Two other fields, one on the north end of the island and the other is to the south.”

Petersen turned to him. “I don’t know a lot about helicopters, but I bet a skilled pilot could get one down just east of the storage unit and back in the air in a few minutes.” Dix nodded. “You’re right. We better make sure the Coast Guard’s Stingray choppers are close by and ready for an aerial intercept. We should also see if the navy has a few jets they could scramble if things get hot.”

One of the local officers looked at the other, then back at Dix. “You guys really think someone would be dumb enough to try to get this cocaine? I know it’s worth a lot, but if the guy is as smart as you think, wouldn’t he realize we’d set a trap?”

Dix laughed. “A hundred million dollars makes sane people crazy. Given what we know about the mastermind you guys named the Caller, he is cocky and arrogant enough to think he could pull this off. He’s been able to get everything he’s wanted for a long time. We’re pretty sure he won’t let this haul get away.”

Petersen added, “Besides, the guy thinks he’s untouchable, and he loves outsmarting the authorities. This haul is big enough, he might even decide to retire.”

Several more Royal Bahamian Police Force guys strolled toward them. One carried what appeared to be folded maps.

They approached but didn’t acknowledge Dix or Petersen.
That’s strange
.

The local officers opened the schematics on the hood of a cruiser and began pointing at weaknesses or potential routes in or out of the facility. They formed a half-circle, essentially shielding Dix and Petersen from their discussion.

Dix was miffed and about to say something when the OIC walked up. “What the hell are you men doing? Dix and Petersen are Miami narcotics detectives working with us. Move over and let them see what you have.”

The men separated to allow Dix and Petersen to join their circle.

Something isn’t right here.

The schematics showed the area in and around the storage unit. After some discussion, the group identified two locations difficult to fortify and defend. They walked to each area to closely examine how the Caller, or his men, could break through their defenses.

Petersen looked to the side and nudged Dix. “With all the attention we’ve been giving this place, seems we’ve attracted a following.”

Dix followed Petersen’s gaze and noticed they were being observed by several locals. “We’re going to spend a little more time here and then beat feet.”

“
Great, the sooner we leave, the sooner I can get a beer.” Petersen licked his lips.

“
By now, everyone probably knows something was recovered from the speedboat and transported under heavy guard to the warehouse. You know how it is, Petersen, people get curious.”

Dix decided they could spend all night at the storage unit, but frankly he was finished strategizing. He was excited as the locals discussed installing surveillance cameras and said they’d handle most of the operational tasks for the pending takedown. However, if he felt they were making poor decisions, he’d jump in and get the issue resolved.

Turning to the others, Dix spoke again. “Everyone’s worked hard today. You guys up for some cold beer and grub?”

One of the officers looked confused. “What’s grub?”

Petersen and Dix chuckled. Dix answered, “Back home it’s another name for food. You guys ready to eat?”

The Bahamians laughed and nodded.

Then Dix realized he had no idea where to go. “You guys got any suggestions? I’ll buy.”

The men grinned. The Florida cops should have known they go to the most expensive joint on Andros Island.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Given the circumstances, Calhoun was pleased with how things were developing. The cocaine he’d stolen from his Columbian competitor had been located.

Calhoun had arranged for a duplicate speed boat with the name
Gray Ghost
for it to arrive at the exact location where the original load was supposed to have been delivered at the port of Miami. The boat was even loaded with kilos of baking soda to make it look authentic. In doing so, Calhoun hoped it would take his competitor a few days to figure out what actually happened. By then, it would be too late.

A source used by Calhoun gave him an update. The Bahamian Government had brought the cocaine up from the ocean floor, packaged it in duffel bags, and stored it in a lousy facility. The duffel bags containing the cocaine were in a locked cabinet next to the boat. Calhoun figured he could easily outsmart the local officers. He had a few tricks up his sleeve to ensure he’d maintain the upper hand.

The biggest advantage he had was having two Bahamian officers on his payroll. They regularly kept him advised of everything the local officers knew. However, neither of them had checked in for two hours. Calhoun figured they were making preparations for his arrival.

For several years, these two men had been instrumental in his operations.
Maybe I should have paid them more.
When the sniper failed, he’d been angry. Now the situation seemed under complete control, his control. He laughed because he planned to orchestrate the entire operation from thirty thousand feet in the air.

He met his son at the agreed upon location. Personally checking to be sure the jet was fueled and loaded, he had left nothing to chance.

Calhoun watched his son get out of the Yukon Denali. He felt enormous pride. Junior was intellectually and physically gifted, but above all, he was respectful of his father. Calhoun put a hand on the young man’s shoulder. “Son, I’m pulling the plug on this whole operation after this job. We will have enough money stored around the globe to live extremely well.”

He could see the disappointment on the young man’s face. “I went to college for you. I joined the military for you. I completed Special Ops training for you. I’ve even killed for you. I did it because I thought I’d take over when you were too old to run the show.”

“
I’m willing to discuss this with you after we’re done in the Bahamas. Until then, we drop it.”

When his son was born, after he’d lost his precious daughter, Jackie, he promised he’d protect him better than Jackie. Now he wondered if keeping him so sheltered had been a mistake.

“
Okay. I’ll focus on this mission, and I’ll do what is necessary to make it successful. But I won’t forget about this.”

“
All right, son. Let’s get to Andros and retrieve some cocaine. Afterward, we’ll discuss this over champagne.”

Junior nodded.

Calhoun began mentally preparing for the operation. “Good. Confirm the sniper rifles are packed.”

“
Check.”

“
And the flash-bang grenades?”

“
Check.”

“
Did you remember the less-than-lethal shotgun?”

“
Check.”

“
Fantastic. Are we good?” Calhoun’s son paused.

“
For now.”

They boarded a G5 jet Calhoun had seized for the Coast Guard. The look on the guy’s face, when he saw Calhoun take the jet, had been priceless. Junior fired up the twin jet engines. For the first time in a long, long while, Calhoun focused on family matters as he sat in the cockpit. In the back of his mind, he thought it might be catastrophic to think about family instead of the operation.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Suzie whispered in her husband’s ear, “Someone’s here to see you about Sean and Preston.”

Martin excused himself from their guests, left the main dining room, and went outside. Standing near the lodge entrance was a woman he’d seen around town over the years. She was shaking and sobbing uncontrollably.

Martin took her hand.

She looked up and pressed a tissue to her eyes. “I may have information about Preston and Sean. I don’t want to go to the police because I don’t trust them. I know they worked for the Caller. Preston said I could trust you. He told me if anything ever happened to him, I should tell you.”

“
You did the right thing. I loved Preston and Sean like brothers. You can trust me.”

She shook. “I’m afraid the Caller will kill me, too if he finds out I told you.”

Martin put an arm around her. “The Caller is currently being hunted, but no one knows who he is.”

She whispered, “Preston said he thought the Caller was a white man, who works for the Coast Guard.”

Martin was stunned. “What would make him think that?”

“
He mentioned something about a UAV. He said they’re Coast Guard drone planes which patrol the ocean looking for drug runners. He said they were all over the Caribbean, but when he and Sean made a run, they were never around. Since they never saw one and the Caller made all of their arrangements, Preston thought the Caller knew when they were flying. Preston assumed the Caller worked for the Coast Guard because no one else would know about the UAVs.”

Martin nodded. “Did Preston tell you anything else?”

She began to cry again, and Martin stepped back. When she regained her composure, she said, “Preston asked some people about how the Coast Guard operates, you know, how decisions are made and who makes them. He found out the UAVs are experimental. Only the highest ranking officers would know when and where they were in use.”

Martin scratched his head. “Did he indicate who he thought the Caller might be?”

“
Not that I know of. He might have told Sean, but not me.”

Martin patted her hand. “This is very helpful. You did the right thing. I know you’re scared, but we have to try to stop this man before he hurts anyone else. Would you be willing to talk to some friends of mine? They can be trusted. They’re trying to figure this out.”

She pulled her hand away and looked nervous. “Are they policemen?”

“
Yes, but not from the island. They’re my guests who happen to be narcotic detectives from Miami. They’ve been investigating Sean and Preston’s murders.”

She hesitated. “Okay, but I don’t want anyone else to know about it.”

Martin grabbed his cell phone and dialed Dix’s number.

The call went to voicemail.

“
Dix, call me back immediately. I have information about the Caller. He’s a high-ranking official with the Coast Guard. I’ll explain later.”

Martin turned to the woman. “Go home. I’ll be in touch.”

As soon as she left, Martin tracked Suzie down. “Come on. I need to go into town to find Dix and Petersen. Can you drive me?” She grabbed her keys. “Of course, baby.”