Generation Lost (Gray Wolf Security #17)

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

“Now what?” asked Ghost.

“We’ve given them our message. Now, it’s time to get to work,” smirked Nine. “Jean? Do you and the team have everything in motion?”

“We do. Just like you said. I couldn’t have done this without Miriam, Pigsty, Tony, and Victoria,” he said, pointing to them.

“The code that Tony wrote was genius!” said Victoria excitedly. “Seriously. It was genius. Untrackable, untraceable, uncrackable. Is that a word? Uncrackable?”

“I don’t know,” laughed Jean, “but you’re right. It was all genius. Tony, why don’t you explain it to everyone.”

“Really?” he smiled.

“Really, son. Ghost or not, you’re still a part of this team,” said Jean.

“Thank you, sir. So, you all know that Miriam and the others were trying to find out how they were moving the money from the casinos to the government in order to track down these terrorists. We searched every possible lead, but in the end, it wasn’t a technical lead we needed. It’s manual.”

“What do you mean, manual?” asked Nine.

“They were literally depositing cash into accounts in person. Someone was walking to a bank with bags of cash and making massive deposits once a week,” said Tony.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” frowned Ghost.

“I am not kidding you, sir. From what I can see, this is the process. The weapons are manufactured in these foreign countries to remove any suspicion of the U.S. being involved. However, we are paying for the manufacturing of these weapons through DiBenedetto, primarily. He takes a certain amount from the profits of the casino and has someone deliver the funds to the weapons makers.

“Once that’s done, they move the weapons to the U.S. via cargo ships, dropping them at the docks closest to the casinos. The casinos store the weapons until they’re sold to the terrorists. Once sold to the terrorists, the money is collected and deposited in the government fund.

“After all that happens, the government is notified that weapons have been sold to terrorists by an ‘anonymous’ seller, and then the location of the terrorists is given. Now, the really interesting part is that the FBI and Homeland follow through with due diligence and investigate the terrorists so that they have a trail of following them, collecting evidence, that sort of thing.”

“That’s why no one has been suspicious up until now,” said Ian.

“Yes, sir. I believe so. There is a twenty-six-year-old man who works for the treasury department with the title of ‘Bank Liaison.’ Now, there’s really no official job description for this, but I’ve been able to get camera footage of him during multiple weekly visits to the bank, where he is making large deposits. Millions.”

“He walks in with a bag of cash worth millions?” frowned Nine.

“Sort of. A lot of cash, but also bank drafts, checks, a little of everything. There are two armed guards that go with him. Now, all of that is suspicious for a lot of reasons, considering everything is usually done electronically. Instead of hiding this, they’re doing it out in the open to show that there’s nothing wrong. And we’re going to prove it.”

“How do you propose to do that?” asked Gaspar.

“We’re going to give them a big deposit to make,” said Tony.

“Tony, we’re not giving them any money. What do you mean?” asked Nine.

“DiBenedetto, St. Pierre, and Varovski didn’t listen to you. They think they’re untouchable. The pickup for the cash is usually at 0200 on a Thursday morning, two days from now. The money is flown to D.C., arriving no later than 0700 on Friday. By 1300, the deposit is made.”

“I’m still not following,” said Gaspar.

“You will,” smirked Tony.

“I can’t thank you all enough for what you’ve done,” said Annie, hugging Alexandra, Faith, Grace, Erin, Lauren, and the others. “My friends are in their homes with brand new furniture, some of their memories are restored, and their community is being rebuilt around them.”

“You’re not going back to your home?” asked Faith with a grin.

“No,” she blushed. “I never thought I’d find love at my age, but here I am, falling fast and headed to Ireland with no return date on my passport.”

“Good for you,” smiled Grace. “Finding love is nothing to sneeze at, no matter what your age. Conor’s a good man. We’ve all known him for years. Will you stay in touch?”

“Of course,” she nodded. “Do me a favor?”

“Anything,” said the group.

“Check in on my friends now and then. Make sure they’re all okay. Greta and Phil have their first date this weekend,” she smiled. “I’d love to know how that goes.”

“We’ll definitely stay in touch with all of them, but I don’t think you have anything to worry about. The entire community will now be gated, so they’ll be safely monitored by our team here.”

Annie nodded, nibbling on her lip as she saw Conor waiting at the car for her. Tears filled her eyes, and she looked back at the other women.

“Annie, what’s wrong, sweetie?” asked Faith.

“I’ve never lived anywhere but here. I’ve never traveled. I’ve never run a business. I’ve never done anything. He’s been all over the world and run major companies. He’s been a successful athlete, businessman, father, grandfather! He’s going to get bored with me.”

“Honey, he won’t get bored with you. He chose you, Annie. Conor is the kind of man that loves hard. He falls hard, loves hard, and doesn’t let go. You two are going to have a beautiful life together.”

“We’re older, though. How much time will we really have together, considering our ages?” she smiled.

“Even if it’s only ten years or fifteen years, it will all be worth it. Trust us. Didn’t you both take a swim in our warm pond?” smiled Alexandra. She nodded. “And how do you feel?”

“Amazing. It did wonders for my aching joints, and I don’t see as many wrinkles.”

“And Conor and his cane?” asked Erin. She turned to look at him and frowned.

“He doesn’t have it. Why doesn’t he have his cane?” she asked the women.

“Let Conor tell you all about it, but rest assured, you’ve got a lot of years together in the future. You can always come home, Annie. Come home to us if you need to, but you won’t need to. I’d bet money on that,” smiled Erin.

Irene walked up, handing her a large bag.

“What’s this?”

“A few treats to take with you. Some of Conor’s favorite foods and a little recipe book for you so you’ll know exactly how to cook his favorites.”

“Oh, Irene, thank you!” she said, hugging her.

“Go on, now. He’s waitin’ on you and your new life together.”

Annie hugged all the women one last time, waving as she ran toward Conor. When she realized she was running, she turned to the women, jumping up and down, laughing. They laughed with her, waving as she left for her new life across the pond.

Irene looked at the women and nodded.

“Well, now, that’s two in a row. Annie and Greta. I’m gettin’ good at this.”