Chapter 49
Once Jack was stabilized, we helped him to the foredeck and loaded him into a basket. He was hoisted up, and the EMT was next in line.
By that time, the sheriff had arrived with several patrol boats.
I hustled to the stern to greet him as the chopper angled away. The rotor blades thumped, disappearing into the night.
The sheriff boarded the boat with several other deputies, the medical examiner, and the forensic team. I caught him up to speed.
“Where is the son of a bitch responsible?”
“I’ve got my people working on that,” I said. “Can’t be far. They probably launched the assault team from a yacht or fishing boat.”
With a little digging, Isabella came through again. The Echelon was a 142-foot superyacht registered to Rory’s corporation. I had no doubt that’s where we’d find the scumbag.
Isabella searched for the superyacht’s AIS, but it was off the grid.
With the Coast Guard searching for the vessel, I had no doubt it wouldn't take long to find him.
Paige hadn't heard back from Rory yet, and the silence was excruciating. Though I don't think he would have given up his only piece of leverage. There was a good chance that Tonya was still alive, despite what the squad leader had said.
Rory’s minions had no doubt told him about the fiasco aboard Silas's boat. But they were probably unaware that we were law enforcement. There was a possibility that Rory didn't know the Coast Guard was after him.
This was personal, and I wanted to see Rory behind bars or in the ground. Either one was acceptable to me. And I wanted to be there when it happened. Though at the moment, he was probably well out of our jurisdiction.
The sheriff’s radio crackled with a call from the Coast Guard. An MH60T Jayhawk had spotted the Echelon heading toward the Bahamas. Rory was making a run for it.
Daniels knew I wasn’t about to sit this one out.
Dietrich snapped photos, and the forensic team evaluated the scene. Brenda examined the remains. There was plenty of work to do. The scene wouldn't be wrapped for a while.
Paige and I boarded the Raptor and followed the sheriff out to sea.
We headed east, carving through the inky swells, outboards howling, mists of saltwater spraying.
The sheriff had been in contact with Lieutenant Coleman.
As far as he was concerned, we were observers in the operation, and once in custody, the suspects would be handed over to the care of the sheriff's department.
Wind swirled, and the briny air filled my nostrils as we headed out into the abyss.
"I'm sorry about your friend," Paige said.
"Jack's going to be okay,” I said, willing it into being. “The guy’s tough as nails.”
"I feel terrible. This is all my fault. I don't know what I was thinking.”
"You got greedy.”
She frowned. "Let's hope I didn't get Tonya killed.”