Carson said, “That’s a police cruiser.”

“Yes, it is,” replied Puller.

The car pulled into the parking lot, stopped, and Cheryl Landry climbed out. She was in full uniform and had apparently been on patrol. She looked hot and upset.

Puller opened the door and got out.

“Puller?” Landry said, squinting at him in the darkness.

“Yeah. Where is everybody?”

“What do you mean?”

He pointed at the police station. “Don’t you have someone here day and night?”

“Oh, no, not anymore. Budget cuts. Even in Paradise.”

“What about 911 calls?”

“Outsourced. But we do have people on patrol at night, of course. That’s what I was doing. Until you called me. What’s up?”

“Riding solo? Where’s Hooper?”

“Good question. He didn’t bother showing up to work. I came on at eight last night and I’ve got another four hours to go on my shift. So why did you want to meet at this hour? You didn’t say over the phone.”

Puller pointed to the Tahoe. “Got some friends over there. We need some help.”

Landry eyed the SUV. “What friends? And what help do you need?”

“Where’s Bullock?”

“Why do you want to know?”

“I just do.”

“Home in bed would be my guess.”

“How many uniforms in the department?”

“Including Bullock, sixteen.”

“Small force.”

“Small town. We’ve also got four admins and one forensics tech that you already met. Now, answer my questions. What friends? And what help do you need?”

“Paradise has a big problem.”

She looked at him skeptically. “What’s that?”

“People disappear.”

“Come on, Puller.”

“And Paradise is part of a pipeline for slaves being brought into the U.S.”

Landry froze and blurted out, “What?”

“Right down the road from here. At the beach that smells like sulfur.”

“I know that stretch of sand. No one goes there.”

“You’re wrong. People do go there.”

“No one from Paradise, I meant.”

“So the police don’t patrol there?”

“It’s not part of the town. It’s a no-man’s-land between Paradise and the next municipality over.”

“That makes it perfect for a pipeline, then.”

“And you have proof of this? Then let’s call in the Feds. Right now.”

“We don’t have proof. The proof is getting away as we speak.”

“So what are you doing here, then?”

“We need another gun.”

Landry once more looked at the SUV. “Who the hell is in there?”

“Carson. The big guy who saved my life at the Sierra. And one other person who I can vouch for. Are you with us?”

“I’m on duty. I’m on patrol. I can’t just up and leave on some wild-goose chase with you.”

“It’s not a wild-goose chase. And you can get someone else to relieve you.”

“Puller, I can’t.”

“Can’t or won’t? Look, Landry, we nail this group you can write your own future in law enforcement.”

“I like it just fine here.”

“Then you’ll be helping us catch some really bad people. It’s why you carry the badge, right?”

“Does this have to do with your aunt? And the Storrows?”

“I think it does, yes.”

“Slavers killed them?”

“Yes. Because they found out what was going on.”

Landry drew a deep breath.

“Come on, Landry. We need you to get this done. You’re the only one here I’d ask.”

“Let me make some calls, see if I can get someone to cover for me.”

“Why don’t you call Hooper and Bullock?”

“Why them?”

“Because I’m betting they don’t pick up.”

“Why wouldn’t they?”

“Just call them.”

She did so and there was no answer on either phone.

Landry put her cell away. “Both went to voice mail. But they could be asleep.”

“Doubtful.”

“Why?”

“Just don’t think so.”

“You’re not implying that they’re somehow involved in all this.”

“We don’t have time for explanations. Are you coming or not?”

Landry drew another long breath.

Puller said, “I think the town can get along without you for a few hours.”

“If this costs me my job?”

“Then you can kick my ass. And I’ll help you get another job.”

Landry smiled resignedly. “And your friend the general?”

“She’ll help you too.”

“Right, like I believe that. I don’t see us being best friends.”

“You might be surprised. Let’s go.”

“Where exactly?”

Puller pointed toward the Gulf.

“Out there.”

CHAPTER

84

THE BOAT WAS NOT large, and the seas were rough. Water continually washed over the sides of the boat.

Puller had everyone put their weapons in a watertight compartment. Mecho had given up his gun reluctantly.

Puller could hardly blame him. He did not like to be without a weapon either.

Puller had the wheel of the twenty-two-foot bow rider that Diaz had led them to. It was the same one they had used to dispose of the bodies of the men they killed. There was still some blood on one of the gunwales.

When Landry saw this she looked startled, but on a glance from Puller she said nothing. However, there was wariness in her eyes after that as she stood next to him at the helm holding on as the boat bounced over the waters.

Mecho had given Puller general directions to follow to the oil platform. In the darkness he was navigating by compass and the GPS plotter.

“Are you sure about these directions?” asked Puller. Mecho nodded, though he didn’t look all that confident.

Carson came to stand next to him. She held up her smartphone.

“Before we left land I had my office forward me the locations of every platform within fifty miles of Florida. There is one that is far closer to the coast than any other. Here are the coordinates.”

Puller looked at the numbers on her phone and then checked his plotter. He shot Mecho a glance. “Your memory is good. It’s pretty much right where you said it was.”

A wave hit them and Puller had to execute a sharp turn.

Puller looked at Landry, who was watching the rising seas with caution.

“Why so rough out here?” he asked.

“Remember Tropical Storm Danielle? It’s heading this way. Might get up to a Cat One. We’re catching the front edge of it.”

“Great, love the timing,” said Puller.

“You want me to pilot?”

“I got it.”

Landry looked over at Diaz. “That’s the woman from Lampert’s place. Murdoch, right?”

“Right.”

“What’s she doing here?”

“Her name isn’t Murdoch.”

“What is it then?”

“Diaz. She’s a cop.”

“A Fed?”

“You could say that. She was planted at Lampert’s.”

“Lampert? He’s involved in this?”

“Apparently his source of wealth is selling people.”

“Jesus! And his car being blown up?”

“A not so subtle warning that someone was on his track.”

Landry pointed at Diaz. “Her?”

“No, the big guy over there.”

“Why him? Is he a cop too?”

“No. I think this is more personal with him.”

Mecho sat in one of the stern seats and stared straight ahead. The pitching and rolling of the boat seemed to have no effect on him.

However, Carson and Diaz were leaning over the sides of the boat and looking green.

Landry observed this and said, “They don’t have their sea legs.”

“Carson is Army. She’s used to firm land under her feet. Diaz, I don’t know.”

The boat caught a large wave the wrong way and nearly capsized. They were all drenched.

Puller regained control and focused on the seas ahead. “Take a seat, Landry, and hold on.”

Puller turned and called out to the others, “Everybody get life jackets on, now. This is going to get worse before it gets better.”

They all pulled on life jackets, although Mecho’s was far too small. It wouldn’t even stretch across his chest so he just held on to it.

Puller looked up ahead. The sky was jet black even though the dawn wasn’t all that far off. While light would be welcome so he could see the approaching waves better, he preferred the dark. Attacking something in broad daylight was never a good idea even with superior numbers.