“Right-o.” Charles began to make another suggestion. “We should rent a yacht from Ruffing’s marina and get as close to the shoreline outside of Ruffing’s estate as we can without drawing attention to ourselves.”
“But why rent from him?” Yoko asked with a puzzled look.
“Because, if for any reason, he gets wind of a boat nearby and it’s from his own company, he’ll probably think little of it,” Charles explained.
Annie immediately called Lester. “Sorry to bother you at such an ungodly hour, but can you arrange for a yacht and crew for tomorrow? From Golden Shores Marina? And another boat for Monday?” She listened for a reply. “There will be eight of us for tomorrow. I want everyone to be comfortable.” Another pause. “About three days.” Another pause. “Along the Gulf side of the Keys.” She waited for another break. “Fabulous. Yes, as soon as you can confirm.” She turned to the group. “He’s pretty sure he can arrange it but will have to get back to us in the morning.”
Annie looked at her watch. “Okay. It’s almost two o’clock. Let’s all get some shut-eye. We’ll pack our usual incognito clothes and some casual wear.”
Fergus added, “Charles and I will pack the equipment.”
“Are we going to raid the estate?” Kathryn had a baffled look on her face.
“Since the US can’t do it, we’re going to have to!” Myra said in a loud whisper. “Kathryn, I want you and Alexis to wait here for Nikki to complete what she needs to do with Noah. Then the three of you can join up with us on the second boat.”
Fergus explained, “We’ll send a drone at night with heat sensors to detect people in the house. Once we know how many people we’re dealing with, we’ll make a plan.” He was already setting up a program for the drone on his computer.
“Now everyone off to bed. We have some heavy lifting ahead of us!” Myra gave everyone a hug and shooed them off to their beds. “Nikki, wait up.” Annie, Fergus, and Charles were still in the room. “I think you need to call Jack before you go off to talk to Noah. You can’t offer him a deal if there isn’t one on the table.”
“You’re absolutely right. I was getting caught up in the excitement of nailing that creep, Ruffing. I’ll call Jack right now. He’s used to me ringing him at all hours.” She smiled.
When she called, a groggy voice answered, “Everything okay?” Jack tried to get his bearings.
“Yes. Quick question. What do you think about my going to talk to Noah? Maybe he’ll turn state’s evidence. And what about this Simone person? Do you think she might also be of help?”
Jack sat up quickly, listening to his wife’s suggestions over the phone. “That is a very interesting idea, my love. Let me get in touch with Bert’s contact at the FBI. Hang tight. I’ll call you right back.”
“What about Simone?” Myra asked.
“She will either be out on her arse or in danger. People leaving Ruffing’s employ are terminated with prejudice,” Charles noted.
“And she does have a mother in a nursing home. She’d want to protect her, too,” Annie added.
Within minutes, Nikki’s phone rang. It was Jack. “Okay. If you can get Noah to agree to talk, they’ll put him in witness protection. They’ll do the same for Simone and her mother. Probably send them back to Barbados under assumed names.”
“And this is why I love you,” Nikki cooed.
“All in the name of justice,” Jack said warmly. “Now get some sleep. I certainly can use it. Good night, sweet dreams. Talk in the morning.”
“It is the morning,” Nikki teased.
“The other morning. You know, when people get some sleep, get up, and have coffee? That morning. Like in about six hours. Love you.” Jack ended the call.
“Okay. This is what I suggest,” Nikki began. “I’ll stay here and go see Noah. Once I get more details, I’ll find Simone. I’ll wait for her at the nursing home and try to convince her to turn herself in. If she won’t, then she’s on her own. If she does, then the feds will have a lot more information to use against Ruffing. I assume that Noah will cooperate. He really doesn’t have too many options at this point.” Nikki took a breath, then continued, “Once I get him settled, I’ll meet up with you. You can send me the coordinates and I can get a boat to take me to your location.”
“It sounds like a good plan. While you’re working with Noah, we’ll have a good idea of how many people we’re dealing with.”
“One more thing,” Nikki said. “Lizzie got hold of the politicians’ itineraries while they’re in Cuba. They will be meeting with some tourism and travel people the first day. Then they will be attending a private party on Ruffing’s estate on Tuesday.”
“That’s a tight schedule, but I’m sure we can manage it,” Charles said, and Fergus nodded.
“Okay! We have a plan!” Myra was smiling from ear to ear. Annie wrapped her arm around her. “It’s good we’re all in shape for this!”
The women laughed. “I guess we’re going to find out.” Myra gave her friend a huge hug.
Chapter Thirty-three
Sunday
Nikki walked into the Federal Detention Center-Miami. She showed the guard her credentials. “I’m here to see Noah Westlake.” She went through security screening, and a female guard patted her down and nodded for her to go through the gate. She made her way to the area where lawyers met with prisoners and sat in a glass booth waiting for Noah. Ten minutes later, a very bedraggled-looking man sat in front of her on the other side of the glass. He peered at her as he picked up the phone. Nikki did the same.
“Do I know you?” Noah asked curiously.
“Not yet. My name is Nikki Quinn. I’m an attorney.”
“Did Ruffing send you?”
“No. I’m here because I’m your only way out of this mess.”
“So if he didn’t send you, then who did?” Noah rubbed his eyes.
“Let’s just say I am part of an organization that helps people when the system does not work in their favor.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Noah started to get annoyed. He needed answers. Clear answers.
“We both know that you will never get yourself out of this mess through normal channels. You will go to trial and be convicted. If you implicate Ruffing in any way, shape, or form, you will most certainly disappear. And not in a good way,” Nikki continued. “I am here to offer you a way to disappear and still be safe.” She paused. “The feds have a very good idea what he’s been up to, and you can stop him from hurting other people. Getting him off the streets will not stop the flow of drugs, but it will make a dent.” She paused again. “Besides, it will give you an opportunity to save Liam’s reputation. They will have to close down The Haven given its ties to Ruffing. And from all the information we’ve gathered, it appears that Liam is innocent, that he had no part of the activity you and Ruffing were engaged in, including procuring ‘spokespersons’ for him.” She let all of that sink in.
Nikki proceeded to explain in great detail how, if Noah turned state’s evidence, the marshals would relocate him through witness protection.