“But what if he finds out? What if he finds me?” Noah was almost whining.
“I can assure you that once Ruffing is apprehended, he will never again have any contact with the outside world. Ever.”
“How can you be so sure?” Noah asked.
“How do you think I turned up here today?” Nikki sat back with her arms folded, waiting for Noah to grasp the weight of what she was telling him.
Noah stared at her blankly. “I guess I don’t have any choice, do I?”
“Well, you do have a choice. However, under the circumstances, my advice would be to take the deal.” She pushed her chair back, hinting she was about to leave.
“Wait. Wait. Okay. Okay.” Noah put his head in his hands. “Just tell me what to do next.”
Nikki explained that she would be back later in the day with the proper officials and that he should just sit tight and not speak to anyone else. She asked the guard to give Noah her business card should anything come up between now and later that day. She smiled at Noah. “You’re doing the right thing. Not just for yourself.”
Her words jarred him. He couldn’t remember the last time he did anything for anyone else. His attempt at helping Liam was a debacle. Now he could make it up to him. Even if he never saw his brother again.
Nikki made her way back to her car and phoned Jack immediately. “Noah’s in. I’m going to try to get to Simone now.”
“I’ll let the authorities know and will call you as soon as I know when they plan on meeting with Noah. Probably later this afternoon. Nice work!” Jack said warmly. “You be careful approaching Simone.”
“Will do. I have Kathryn and Alexis. Either one of them can take her down if necessary.” Nikki chuckled.
“That’s my girl. Talk to you in a bit.”
“Okay. Love you lots.” Nikki was almost gushing.
She sent a text to Sasha: Target?
Sasha replied: Moving toward nurs hm.
Nikki quickly called Kathryn. “Simone is heading to the nursing home. Meet me there. Bring Alexis with you.”
“Gotcha!” Kathryn replied.
A half hour later, the three women were parked next to each other in the parking lot of the nursing home. They spotted Sasha, who nodded that Simone was inside.
“How should we handle this?” Kathryn asked, rolling down her window.
“Let me approach her,” Nikki said. “I’ll show her my credentials so she knows it’s legit.”
“Do you think she knows about Noah?” Alexis, sitting next to Kathryn, asked.
“I guess we’re about to find out.” Nikki pointed toward the front door, where Simone had just appeared. She got out of her car and walked toward Simone.
“Excuse me. Simone Jordan?” Nikki asked politely.
“Yes, and you are?”
Nikki handed Simone one of her business cards. Simone scrutinized the information. “Why is a lawyer asking?”
“Noah Westlake was arrested.”
“What does that have to do with me?” Simone was still being polite, trying to maintain her composure.
“Daniel J. Ruffing.”
“Again, what does that have to do with me?” Simone was beginning to become irritated. She had had a bad session with her mother and was not in the mood for any nonsense.
“I have it on good authority that you are about to be arrested.” Nikki waited for her response.
“Arrested? Me? But why?” Simone seemed puzzled.
“I don’t think I have to spell it out for you,” Nikki stated calmly. “You work for Daniel Ruffing, correct?”
“Yes, I offer him my concierge services.” Simone was still not quite sure what to make of this stranger.
“Which includes procuring young women for him, human trafficking.” Nikki looked her straight in the eye.
“I think I should call my lawyer.” Simone was about to turn away.
“I am a lawyer, and I can help you with this.” Nikki tapped the card Simone held in her hand.
“Why should I believe you?” Simone asked suspiciously.
“The latest ‘hostess,’ Jennie. Diecinueve camino de la luna amarilla.” Nikki watched Simone’s face.
“But how? Who?” Simone was utterly flabbergasted.
“Can we go somewhere to talk?” Nikki urged. “My car is over there.”
Simone was still leery, but if this woman had such specific information, perhaps it would behoove her to listen. Simone looked in both directions to see if anyone else was around. “Who are those two?” She nodded in the direction of Kathryn and Alexis.
“Let’s just say they are colleagues. They’re also aware of the situation. Come.” Nikki ushered Simone to her car and explained as much as she could without violating laws and divulging privileged information. “Bottom line is, if you go to jail, there will be no one to look after your mother’s care. She is in a lovely and safe place now because you’re paying for it. Once the government seizes your assets, they will most likely transfer her to a not-so-lovely nursing home.” Nikki watched as Simone processed the information in her head.
“So what do we do next?” Simone asked dryly.
“We meet with the FBI.”
“When?”
“The sooner the better. I can probably arrange something for later today.”
“This is all happening too quickly.” Simone’s accent was more prevalent now.
“Once you give your statement, they will arrange for you and your mother to go back to Barbados with new identities. They will find a suitable place for her and a place for you.”
“Surely he’ll be able to find me,” Simone protested.
“No. No he won’t,” Nikki said confidently.
Simone stared straight ahead. “All right. Arrange it.”
Nikki told Simone to go back home and pack her bags. Someone would be waiting for her to escort her to the meeting with the FBI.
Simone got out of the car without another word. She climbed into her Porsche for the last time and headed to the house she would vacate within hours. Sasha followed.
Nikki gave Alexis and Kathryn the thumbs-up and phoned Jack again. “Simone is in.”
“You are something special, Nikki Quinn.”
“And so are you, Jack Emery.”
Nikki sent a text to Myra: Bingo. Phase one complete.
In the meantime, while Nikki was on her mission to see Noah and Simone, the rest of the group arrived at Golden Shores Marina and were escorted to a 240-foot yacht, the Bella Grande. The dockmaster pointed to one tied to another piling, the La Mancha. “That one’s for your second group tomorrow.”
“Perfect! Thank you for accommodating us with such short notice.” Annie smiled.
“It’s a pleasure to serve,” the man replied.
As soon as they were aboard and no longer within earshot, Myra shared the news about Noah and Simone turning state’s evidence. Hoots and howls filled the deck of the luxury vessel.
“What about the crew?” Myra asked Annie.
“They are people who know people who know us. They are as discreet as anyone we’ve ever worked with before.”
“I’m sure we wouldn’t have it any other way, now would we?” Myra smiled.