Jake lightly tapped at the door before entering Brittany’s stateroom. Pushing the door open slowly, he entered the bedroom, noticing she was covered.
“Hey Sleepyhead.” He spoke softly. “We’re getting ready to go out for dinner. Thought you might like to join us.”
Brittany scurried to the bathroom to get a quick shower before dressing. After fixing her hair and putting on her make-up, she sat patiently in the salon waiting for the guys. Brittany’s short, tan skirt and dressy blouse brought several compliments from the three men.
Dining at the seafood restaurant, the foursome discussed the day’s activities. Richard and Jacob had toured Nassau and the Pompey Museum. Wayne had stopped by the hospital for a visit with his brother after leaving Brittany in her stateroom.
After dinner the group decided to pay a visit to the Atlantis Casino to try their luck at the tables and slot machines. While Richard and Jake played the slots, Brittany tried her luck at Blackjack. Wayne was more interested in checking out the cocktail waitresses in one of the lounges. The guys weren’t having much luck at the slots so they decided to join Wayne in the lounge. Richard stopped by the table where Brittany was playing to let her know of their plans. After two hours and countless hands of Blackjack, Brittany’s hot streak of good luck was turning cold. Cashing in her chips, she set out in search of the guys.
They were all pretty well inebriated by the time Brittany found them. Insisting she join them for a drink, she sat between Jake and Wayne. One drink followed another till Brittany was beginning to feel the effects of the alcohol taking their toll on her. Wayne’s hand on her right leg was slowly inching its way upwards toward the hemline of her short skirt. Jake’s hand was brushing her left leg, slipping beneath the skirt’s material. Waiting till both their hands were almost touching, Brittany reached below the table, taking a firm grip on both hands.
“If you two get any closer, you’ll be shaking hands.” She quipped.
Wayne and Jake looked at each other in surprise, their faces slightly blushing.
“We better get back to the boat while we can still walk.” Brittany suggested. “We can get a taxi to take us back to the marina.”
It was after midnight when the team returned to the boat. Karen was sound asleep on the L-shape lounge on the rear deck. The group’s rowdiness woke her.
“I was wondering where you guys were.” Karen said.
“How’s Trace doing?” Brittany asked.
“He’s up walking around some.” Karen replied. “His leg’s stiff as hell. They’re going to release him tomorrow morning.”
The next morning, the team awoke to the sounds of pouring down rain. Ascending the stairs to the top deck, Wayne turned on the radar system. The screen showed the storm was quickly passing to the east. While the team ate breakfast, the storm let up. The pouring rain diminished to a light drizzle.
Midmorning, Wayne and Karen left for the hospital to get Trace released. Richard and Jake were going shopping to restock the galley. Brittany changed into a bikini, deciding to lie out in the sun, which had broken through the light cloud cover. Reclining on the top deck of the cruiser, Brittany could see most of the activities going on in the marina.
A short time later, her sunbathing endeavor was interrupted by a familiar voice. Slowly opening her eyes, Brittany looked up at Evelyn’s smiling face peering down at her.
“Hey!” Brittany exclaimed. “Didn’t hear you come aboard.”
“We snuck up on ya!” Evelyn quipped. “Caught ya napping!”
“We?” Brittany inquired. “You’re not alone?”
“Brad flew back with me.” Evelyn stated. “He’s down below.”
“Great!” Brittany exclaimed. “Hopefully, he’s got some information for us.”
Brittany quickly descended the interior stairway to the salon. Langley was opening a beer he’d just taken from the refrigerator.
“Damn! You guys are living the lifestyle of the rich and famous!” Langley exclaimed.
“Yeah! Right!” Brittany responded. “When Trace McCullough gets here, I’ll have him show you his rich and famous gunshot wound.”
“Got you some interesting information on three more of the women.” Langley stated.
“If it’s Bogotá.” Brittany stated. “I’m not looking forward to it.”
“Forget Bogotá.” Langley responded. “Ever heard of Cartagena?”
“Yeah, I’ve heard of it.” Brittany replied. “What about it?”
Langley retrieved a briefcase sitting by the couch, placing it on the bar’s countertop. The attaché was packed with folders, filled with information. Brad handed Brittany the top folder. It was filled with numerous photographs of three women. All appeared to be in their late twenties. Beneath the photos were brief dossiers on the captives. All three women were married; two had small children at home.
Richard and Jacob stepped onboard the boat. They had a cartload of supplies with them. Brittany introduced them to Brad before returning her attentions to the contents of the briefcase. Rich and Jake quickly put away the supplies before joining Brittany.
“Here’s some recent photographs of Carlos Sanchez.” Langley said. “They were taken at a distance so they’re a little grainy. There’s only one good picture of him. It was taken by his daughter.”
“He’s a big druglord. Cartagena’s his home base of operation.” He added. “DEA’s been on his ass hot and heavy the last several months.”
“If the DEA can’t take him out, how the hell do they expect us to do any better?” Brittany asked.
“They have to play by the rules, you guys don’t!” Langley exclaimed.
“What’s with the women?” Brittany asked. “What the hell does one man need with three women?”
“Guess he likes American pussy!” Langley smarted off.
“Did I hear someone say pussy?” A male voice spoke out, interrupting the conversation.
Everyone’s head turned towards the voice coming from salon’s main entrance. It was Trace, stepping gingerly as he entered the cruiser’s living area. Karen was behind him, holding onto his arm. His leg was stiff, not able to bend because of the bandages. Trace sat down in a chair across from Brittany, a glint of pain noticeable on his paled face.
Brittany made the introductions to Brad Langley, although he knew both Trace and Karen from their dossiers.
“That our next mission?” Trace inquired.
“Ours, not yours.” Brittany quickly replied. “You’re not going.”
“Like hell I’m not!” Trace exclaimed. “You’re not booting me off the team!”
“We’ll talk about it later.” Brittany responded, not wanting to start an argument in front of everyone.
