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“Is that why I’m the only protection Indiana has?” I wanted Watts to back up my suspicion that he didn’t trust everyone in his command.
“I can’t take any more manpower off the shipping container investigation or the orphanage, so you’re it. Border Force boats aren’t an option, and their plane has been relocated further north to help with the latest influx of illegal immigrants.” Watts nodded like something slotted into his mind. “I’ll see if Aria can get Levi from Wolf Security to fly over your location in his chopper as much as he can. He’ll have a birds-eye view of your surroundings. That’s the best we can do.”
I nodded. During Operation Vivid, I ran solo most of the time, but backup was just a phone call away. If I got into trouble, a swat team would be on the spot within thirty minutes.
How long would it take for help to arrive out there on the ocean?
“And if I do get into trouble?”
“Ring Aria.” He fished into his top drawer and pushed a business card across his desk. “She has a tactical team at her fingertips which will be your backup.”
I studied the card. “Why are they called Wolf Security?”
“Wolf was the callsign for one of her men who died on a mission a few years ago.”
I slipped the card into my notebook and slotted that into my top pocket.
“Aria won’t let you down.” Watts jabbed his stubby finger to the desk. “But you need to keep your eyes peeled. We’re counting on you.”
“Understood,” I said. Outside the window, Cooper and Hindmarsh stood chatting over the top of a desk partition. “What will the team think I’m doing with Indiana?”
“As far as they are concerned,” he said, pointing out the glass, “you’re investigating the mess she got herself into last night.”
I nodded.
“Listen, you’ll have your hands full with Indiana and Old Smithy. Don’t let them fool you. And a word of advice, if you go all hard-ass on Indiana, it will backfire.”
“Okay. Got it.” I stood to leave. “Hey, Captain, before I go. I have done my report on what I saw at the orphanage this morning, but I also drafted a media report like I’d suggested.”
He did a double-take. “Already?”
“I dictated on the drive back.”
“Huh. Impressive. Send it through to me. I’ll take a look.”
“Thanks, Captain. I’m keen to keep on the orphanage case.”
He pierced me with an intense gaze. “Kingsley, Chui’s criminal activities, the shipping container with the bodies, and those unmarked graves at the abandoned orphanage are all tied together somehow.”
I blinked, trying to pull the threads between the cases together.
“We’re hoping that whatever is on Chui’s yacht will help us solve a whole bunch of cases. I should have retired last year like my wife begged me to.” He leveled his gaze at me. “Get your bags packed and get moving. The sooner we get that yacht on a dry dock, the sooner we can pull it to bits.”
I frowned. “How long do you think the boat salvage will take?”
“How the hell should I know? Ask Indiana. She’s the expert.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And, Kingsley, go easy on Indiana. She’s been through some shit.” He gave a curt nod. “Good luck.”
I strode out his door, and ignoring the curious gazes from Cooper and Anderson, I followed Indiana’s ruckus down the hallway to the three holding cells at the back of the police station.
Indiana was the only detainee, yet for some reason, they’d put her in the last cell. As I approached, she ran her gaze up my body. “Officer Fancy Pants, you here to let me out of this cell?”
Indiana Smith. Caged and enraged. Even her name was wild. Her hair was a tangle of brown waves with streaks of sun-kissed rebellion, and she wore faded denim shorts and a tank top that did little to hide her incredible body which was shaped from hard work.
“Get a good look?” She glared at me between the bars with light brown eyes that hinted at a lifetime of storms.
