Two weeks had passed since Victor Ramirez and his wife had made their unexpected and tension-filled visit to the team’s base camp at the southern edge of Andros Island. The “Caribbean Raiders”, as the team had become known as to the news media, were counting down the days till they disbanded.
Drug interceptions had fallen off drastically but the radar screens were still being observed around the clock. The team was confident drugs were still being transported out of South America to the U.S. but the runners weren’t using the areas being monitored. Although, things seemed peaceful, everyone on the team remained tense. Amanda seemed to be especially tense worrying about whether to return to her Secret Service job or not. All the shooting had finally gotten the best of her.
Back in the states, Jared Brooks, Evelyn’s husband had been elected into political office in California. Since he had chosen to move to Sacramento, Evelyn had decided to sell their Beverly Hills home and move permanently into the beach house in Santa Barbara.
One morning while the “Raiders” were eating breakfast on the front deck of the houseboat, Brittany’s cell phone rang. Answering the call, she found herself talking with Evelyn Brooks.
“Got some bad news for you.” Evelyn began the conversation. “Hope your sitting down.”
“What? What’s the matter?” Brittany asked, scared the news was about her closest friend.
“Rick Cranor shot and killed his wife last night at their home in Coral Gables.” Evelyn stated, her voice cracking as she spoke. “Then he shot himself. They’re both dead.”
“Oh God No!” Brittany exclaimed. “That’s terrible!”
“My new boat’s still at their dealership along with some of the boats we’ve confiscated!” She said, suddenly remembering about them.
“I know. I know.” Evelyn responded. “I tried calling there this morning. Some security guard told me everything’s locked down tight. Nothing‘s moving in or out.”
“Can you keep me posted on what’s going on there?” Brittany asked. “I know you’re busy but I can’t get away for at least another week or so.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Evelyn said. “Let me take care of things in Miami. You just keep yourself safe till this drug assignment is over.”
Although Brittany was greatly concerned about the boats, she was confident Evelyn could handle any situation that arose. The additional worry didn’t help matters, pushing her nerves nearer to their breaking point.
Informing everyone about the circumstances in Miami, Brittany suggested they allow any suspected drug boats to pass by their location and inform the DEA encampment on Bimini to let them make the interception.
“If that’s agreeable with everyone, let’s go that way.” She said. “We don’t need to confiscate every boat we take out of commission.”
Everyone was in agreement. It was much less risky and with just over a week left to go, why take chances this late in the game. It just wasn’t worth it.
That evening, the group sat around discussing their hopes and plans for when they returned to the states. It was a subject they’d never discussed openly as a group.
Frank and Ray Caposi were working on plans to establish their own security business in Atlanta. Vince and Todd were hoping to expand their surveillance systems business, maybe taking it to the international level.
“I just wanna get back to my daughter, Leanne and squeeze the life out of her.” Kimmie said, her eyes welling with tears. “Then take a nice long vacation. After that, I may go looking for a husband.”
“Getting used to having a man around, huh?” Todd kidded. “All that sex, got you woke up.”
“Damn straight!” Kimmie responded. “That’s one thing I’m gonna miss. The sex has been incredible!”
“The close friendship we’ve all formed is something I’ll never forget.” She added as her tears started flowing from her eyes. “I’ll remember everyone of you ……… always.”
Her statement just about brought everyone to tears. Kimmie had stated what everyone was feeling. A long silence fell over the group.
“What about you Amanda? Thought about what you’re gonna do?” Vince inquired, breaking the silence.
“Only Brittany knows that I’m on loan from another government agency.” Amanda murmured. “I work for the Secret Service but I’ve made up my mind to resign as soon as I get back to Washington. I‘ve had enough of this espionage and being in dangerous situations to last a lifetime. I‘ve just had enough, that‘s all.”
“What about you, Rob?” Kimmie asked. “We know you can’t wait to get back to your son in Oklahoma. What about after that?”
“I’m not sure.” Rob said, glancing briefly at Brittany. “All I know is flying and a little bit about farming.”
“With the money you’ll have when you get back home, you could open up your own flying service.” Frank suggested.
“I thought about that.” Rob responded. “But it’d probably mean being away from Tyler alot and having my sister take care of him. I want to spend as much time with him as I can. I just want to be the father I should be. I can‘t wait to take him fishing. He loves doing that. I just want to be a father.”
Everyone’s eyes focused on Brittany, anxious to hear her plans. She remained silent, her eyes looking down at the floor in front of her.
“Well, come on!” “Ray exclaimed. “Let’s hear your plans. Everyone‘s dying to hear them.”
“I don’t have any plans.” Brittany stated, her voice stammering. “I really don’t. Probably go back to Dallas and crawl into bed and sleep for a week is about it.”
“What about a book?” Amanda suggested. “Caribbean Raiders sounds like a good title.”
“No! No more books!” Brittany replied. “I almost wish I hadn’t written the first one. It’s caused me nothing but grief.”
“Guess that rules out a movie then.” Frank surmised.
“I traded off the movie rights to Evelyn Brooks.” Brittany responded. “That’s how I paid for this houseboat.”
Everyone was dumbfounded at Brittany’s statement; not realizing the houseboat was hers and not the DEA’s.
