He proceeded to the area where his craft would be in international waters, approximately twenty-four miles away from the coast. The exchange was the same as always, swapping several of his coolers for those from the fishing boat.
On his way back, he kept examining various scenarios in his head. He was in a state of flux. Just as he was about to pull into the marina, he was surrounded by Coast Guard patrol boats. A bright light almost blinded him. Someone on a bullhorn announced, “Do not attempt to destroy any property. We are coming aboard.” It seemed instantaneous, as half a dozen DEA agents jumped onto the cigarette boat and started cracking open the coolers.
“Looks like several kilos here, boss,” one of the men reported to his superior.
“Noah Westlake, you are under arrest for possession of a controlled substance with the intention to distribute.” He spun Noah around and placed his hands behind his back as he proceeded to cuff him and read him his Miranda warning.
Noah thought better than to say anything. Once they processed him, he’d be able to get in touch with Ruffing.
*
Charles spun out of bed when his phone rang at four in the morning. It was Jack, informing him that Noah had been arrested.
“But I thought they were waiting for a bigger fish. No pun intended, old chap.”
“They think they have enough on Ruffing but need corroboration, and Noah might be the best fall guy,” Jack explained. “They also think it’s Russian-mafia related.”
“Thanks, mate. Sounds like things are moving fast. Keep me posted.” Charles hung up as Myra was putting on her slippers and a robe.
“We should let Annie and Fergus know. I’ll put on some coffee.”
Charles gave her an affectionate pat on the butt. “Will do, love.”
*
Just before dawn, Sasha spotted Simone and a younger woman leaving the condominium. She knew it would be a bit challenging to follow them at such an early hour without being spotted, but Sasha was a pro, so she put her car in gear and notified Avery that the target was on the move. Avery, in turn, contacted Charles.
*
“It appears to be an early morning for several folks in Florida.” Charles gave the others the info about Simone and the unknown woman leaving the condominium. “Sasha will check in as soon as she has more intel.”
They phoned Maggie, Alexis, and Yoko, and informed them of Noah’s arrest and that Simone was on the move with another woman.
“Do you think they’re going to try to flee the country?” Maggie asked.
“Ruffing’s plane has already left, so if they plan on flying a commercial flight, they may have some difficulty boarding. According to Jack, all eyes are on Ruffing’s employees right now. They don’t know how many people in his circle know what he’s been up to, or with whom, but they’re closing in.”
“Well, it’s gone from a state of suspended animation to a boatload of excitement.” Annie giggled.
The sound of a text caused a hush in the kitchen. It was Sasha: Subject entering The Haven.
Gabby had had a restless night. She didn’t know if Maggie was able to make any sense of her clues, especially since they were so cryptic. She tossed and turned until a hint of light signaled the break of dawn. Gabby wished she could have shared more hints, but she truly didn’t know what was going on; all she knew was that something was. She thought she heard a vehicle pull into the compound. It was too early for a delivery. She quietly sneaked out of her bunk and tiptoed to the window. Two women got out of a black SUV and began to walk toward the back of the property. Gabby squinted to get a closer look at the younger woman. It was Jennie, a new Tyro. But she looked dramatically different. It was as if she had had a total transformation of her hair, her makeup, and her clothing. She also noticed a man following them with several pieces of luggage.
Silently, she cracked the door open and slipped out, looking in both directions. They were within earshot when she heard the tall woman say, “Diecinueve camino de la luna amarilla.” The man with the luggage and Jennie disappeared behind the lush foliage at the back end of the property.
A few minutes later, the sound of an airboat engine started. Gabby plastered herself against the building as the honey-toned woman returned to the SUV alone. The SUV left the property, with Simone as the only passenger.
Gabby was baffled and confused. Who was that woman and where were they taking Jennie? And what or where was “Diecinueve camino de la luna amarilla?” Gabby knew she had to get word to Maggie and soon. Yoko had mentioned the Biltmore. Gabby surmised that was where they were staying. She thought for several minutes. She had no cash. She had no car. She had no access to a phone. Then it hit her: Rachel’s bicycle. She quietly made her way to the garage, hoping there was still air in the tires. It was a good thirty miles to the Biltmore. If the old bike didn’t fail her, it would take almost two hours to pedal to Coral Gables. But there was no other way to get word to the women. She tied up the bottom of her skirt and wheeled the bike to the road and pedaled as if her life depended on it. And it probably did.
*
Noah sat in the interrogation room, waiting for someone to speak to him. It had been hours since his arrest. He was tired, dirty, and hungry. He had hoped they would let him make his one phone call right away, but that only happens on TV. His emotions were running wild. He sat with his head resting on his forearms on the table. He kept drifting in and out, not sure if he was awake or asleep. Either way, he was living in a nightmare. He couldn’t take the fall for Ruffing, but he couldn’t implicate him either. Ruffing would have him killed if he fingered him. Even if he were in jail, Ruffing would find a way to silence him. The longer he had worked for the guy, the more he knew that there were sleazy, immoral, and illegal transactions taking place. He had also learned that no one ever quit working for Ruffing. No one. They simply disappeared. He kept drifting in and out. Finally, two men wearing suits entered the room, each carrying a pile of folders. They explained the charges to Noah, reminded him of his Miranda rights, and asked if he wanted a lawyer. Noah immediately said yes and called Ruffing to ask him to send one of his attorneys. But Ruffing ignored his calls. During the raid, one of Ruffing’s dockhands had informed him of the arrest and confiscation of the drugs. Ruffing just shrugged and acted as if he had nothing to do with Noah’s drug dealing.