Lynda nodded.“Like they compromised this crew.So, they have this security drill, and all the passengers are on the island.Then they can load the weapons, and no one is the wiser.They must have people on the island.”
Ege said, “But the island is staffed with cruise ship employees year-round.There is radar and security to protect the island.An alert would have gone out.”
Bill crushed his water bottle.“Nope.They’re too organized.They took the island last night at a minimum.Anyone there now besides the passengers should be considered bad actors.”
“Five of the bodies out there had staff uniforms on.”Fisher drained his water.“I’m going to guess this is a plan that has been a long game.”
Peña nodded.“It’s what we’d do.That’s certainly what China would do.”
Ege shook his head.“No.Impossible.That would mean hundreds of crew and staff.”
Anderson said, “If we’re talking PRC, as in People’s Liberation Army of China, they could take a resort island without a sound.Throw a thousand mercenaries at it.PLA SOF could take that little island with a company-sized element without getting their boots dirty.Thing is, though, they’d need to keep it quiet.As soon as word gets out, the Haitian civilian port would shut down and they’d never get their weapons unloaded.”
“They would have had that Island crew infiltrated as well,” Swanson said.“Get someone on the inside to disable security.”
Peña caught Norton’s eye.“What are your orders, Daddy?”
Norton slipped his tie over his head and unbuttoned his top button.“I think you’re the Daddy here, Jorge.I’ll follow your lead, sir.”He slung the strap of his rifle over one shoulder and the bandolier strap over the other.At Swanson’s questioning look, Norton said, “We announced it the day we took leave.They’re sending me to D.C.”
Anderson spoke up for the first time.“But why would China risk an international incident?”
Norton rubbed his beard.“Seems like they’re using Haitian nationals to do most of the heavy lifting.Gives them plausible deniability.”
Sanders took off his jacket and loosened his tie.“You’re gonna fit right in up in D.C., like a hog in slop.”
Panic danced along Jerry’s neck.“As much as I appreciate all this speculation, we’re burning daylight.They’re going to wonder where their minions disappeared to if they don’t report back soon.They’ll definitely notice the lack of security cameras.I’m guessing they came to collect or eliminate us since they would figure our DHS friends were armed.”
Marshall Stalling said, “Didn’t count on Secret ServiceandUS Marshals.I got one for sure.Maybe two.”
Lynda shook her head.“We can’t assume that.If they infiltrated the crew, they could have known there were armed agents here.They came to take out the Secret Service and the Marshals.Secret Service has constant communication as well as small arms.Ifthe mission—and I stressifbecause obviously I don’t actually know—but, if the mission is to transport weapons into Haiti in a clandestine operation, then the Secret Service raising the alarm would directly interfere with their plans.”
Agent Guthrie stood in the doorway of the back room, guarding the entrance while Cynthia remained inside.“My partner Lewis had the satphone.”
Fisher said, “It’s fried.Took a bullet.”
Guthrie lifted his eyebrow.“I just tried to use the courtesy phone in here to contact the bridge or comms room, but it’s dead.
Fisher pulled out his cell phone.“Jammer.Russian R-330Zh Zhitel set, or more likely Chinese JN-1105A.”
Chase Anderson added, “That means our OPFOR must be using TBR-121s for comms, unless they whitelisted their other devices.”He picked up a handheld radio they had retrieved from one of the corpses.Blood dripped off it, and the top of it had vanished under the impact of a bullet.In an almost arrogant display of strength, he casually smashed the device against the deck to crack the case open, then inspected the electronic innards.After a momentary inspection, Anderson let out a low whistle.
Glancing over his shoulder, Fisher confirmed, “State of the art.They got us on comms.”
Peña walked over to Captain Ege.“Are ship’s comms separate from the bridge?”
Ege’s eyes darted all around, as if suddenly realizing that well-armed men in tuxedos and dress suits surrounded him.His breathing increased, and his voice rose a little.“Who are you people?What are you planning to do?”
Calmly, Peña slung his rifle and rapidly snapped his fingers three times in front of Ege’s nose.“Are ship’s comms separate from the bridge, Captain?”
Ege looked at all the men as if he realized that every man in this room radiated a lethal intent.He took a deep breath and said, “Yes.They are.Same deck, different entry.”
“Stay calm.Cooperate.You’ll get through this alive.Understand?”Peña asked.
Ege nodded.
“Good.Draw me a map.Then draw me a map to the armory.Don’t blow smoke.I know you have one.”He turned his back on the captain, fully expecting the man to comply, and said to the group, “We need to reestablish comms.Trout and,” he paused, looking at Anderson, “Heisman can hook us up.”
A voice speaking Chinese came over one of the radios.Peña looked to Emma.She said, “He’s asking what’s taking so long.”
