Another gasp escaped from her lungs. “Oh God,” she moaned, her stomach clenching. “They’ll have no use for me!” Her gaze shot around the closet, but Inspector Marley had disappeared from her mind. While her prison this time was more comfortable than what she’d endured years ago, she had little hope that anyone would be able to find her in the middle of the ocean… even if they realized she was gone. Not even Jonathan has a reach this far.
18
The wheels of the plane touched down on the runway of the private airport outside of Honolulu. Disembarking, they walked toward the two extra large SUVs provided. Separating, they stowed their bags and equipment before climbing inside. Landon had already briefed that they would be staying in a hotel that overlooked the harbor where the ship would dock. They had already planned the mission, but as Dolby turned every scenario over in his mind, he knew the others were, too.
Once ensconced in the hotel, he ignored the accommodations and stalked to the window, throwing back the curtain and allowing his gaze to roam over the vast harbor.
He would've found the view interesting if he had just been interested in the workings of a major international harbor. Instead, all he could think of was how close Marcia would be to him tomorrow and how their plan needed to proceed for the best chance of success. Because he knew, without a doubt, of all the missions he’d ever been on, he would accept nothing less than complete success in her rescue. And whatever demons she would face from her experience, he’d make sure to be there with her each step of the way.
“You’ll get her,” Adam said, coming up behind him.
He turned, seeing the others already setting up secure laptops and in contact with the Keepers back at the compound. He nodded, uncertain of his voice, before they walked over to join the others.
“Jeb’s got an update,” Bennett called out.
They watched the screen on Bennett’s computer. “Just discovered that Roger Mansfield isn’t in Hawaii at the supposed conference that he told Angela. He was there with his assistant, sharing a hotel room with her, so Angela was right on that account. But he’s already flown to his place on Majuro.”
“That’s good news,” Natalie interjected. “You won’t have to worry about him realizing they have the wrong woman while in Hawaii. Unless someone there figures it out.”
“Has there been any unusual activity with him at his place in the Marshall Islands?” Poole asked.
“No, and in fact, Chris has managed to intercept emails between Roger and his attorney. The dumb fuck is putting this in writing. His plans are for Angela to be brought to the house, probably drugged, then they’ll take a few pictures of how happy they are together, make sure others see them, then he says he’ll get her to sign a new will listing him as sole beneficiary.”
“He knows she’s changed things on her end,” Adam surmised. “Wonder if he knows she’s seeking a divorce or that she has evidence of his criminal activities?”
“That would explain the kidnapping,” Dolby added, a renewed flicker of hope burning in his chest. “And would make it likely that Marcia is alive and well, still on her way to the Marshall Islands. Since we’ll get to her before she’s taken to his place, we can keep him from discovering that he’s taken the wrong woman until it’s too late.”
Landon got off his call and turned his attention to Dolby. “You and I will head to the harbor tomorrow morning. My contact at the FDA, who checks the food containers brought onboard, will get you in one, and once you’re on the ship, you’ll have the uniform for Sposov Transport so you can move about the ship. But you won’t want to be seen by too many people.”
Dolby nodded. “Don’t worry. I’ll get the cameras on each deck. While you fly to Majuro, you can monitor what’s happening.”
Teddy had provided Dolby with the smallest cameras available for him to attach at the end of each hall as he made his way along the ship's corridors. Unlike a large cruise ship, most of the space was taken up with the flat main deck stacked containers. The crew lived and worked on only a couple of floors.
“Christ, I just hope she’s been protected,” he groaned.
“Roger’s in tight with Vladimir Sposov, and the last thing the Sposov mob family wants is something to be discovered on their watch, and that includes their ship. They won’t do anything other than plan to turn her over to him,” Bennett surmised.
Sucking in a deep breath, he held the oxygen until his lungs burned, then let it out slowly. Turning, he walked over to the bed and lay on the covers, throwing his arm over his eyes. Sleep would be welcome but unexpected as he turned the mission over and over in his mind until he’d memorized each step, refusing to consider failure or error to be a possibility.
By the next afternoon, Dolby and Landon had already arrived at the dock where the Skrita Kralista was moored. The fuel tanker barge had loaded the fuel onto the ship while it was outside the port. The massive cranes were lifting some of the containers from the top, but Dolby was safely ensconced inside a wooden crate filled with vegetables all around him. Landon’s contact was bustling around, checking the other food crates bound for the ship. Finally, when ready, Landon secured the top onto the crate, giving Dolby plenty of coverage while providing him a way to escape easily.
Landon tapped on the top of the crate twice, and Dolby heard, “Good luck. See you in Majuro.”
The container wasn’t huge, and with Dolby’s size, it was a tight fit. He shifted slightly, crouching, ready to defend himself if his hiding place was discovered, but all he felt was the rocking and bouncing of the crate as it was rolled up the ramp, and when it leveled off, the sounds of the busy dock fell away.
When the movement stopped, he grimaced as the crate rocked back and then seemed to be dropped as the sound of two men with Slavic accents moved farther away. Several minutes later, he was bumped again as it appeared more food crates were being delivered. Finally, the noise stopped and didn’t return. He continued to wait until the sound of the engine rumbling increased, and the vibrations were felt throughout his body as well as the room. It wasn’t long before he could feel the ship's movement as it pulled away from the dock.
It was now midafternoon, and he wanted to be away from his hiding place and somewhere secure before the crew member in charge of cooking would possibly open the crate.
Unsecuring it from the inside, he lifted the top and looked around, seeing he was in a refrigerated room. Stepping out of the crate, he turned and shifted the vegetables around before placing the top back on and refastening it with the FDA’s seal, clearly stamped on top.