Page 69 of Building Courage

“We’ll plan for at least three hours, maybe a little more. “We’ll keep it at a fifty-foot depth so you can have more bottom time.”

She hoped she’d do well once she got in the water. She could already feel the nerves jumping in her stomach like Mexican jumping beans, but she was excited, too.

Tucker pulled into the parking lot of her apartment. Brynn met him in front of the car, and he caught her hand as they walked toward the front door.

“Come home with me,” he said, tugging her hand.

A man stepped out into the light at the front door, and Tucker dropped her hand and stepped in front of her.

“It’s Ahmad, Petty Officer. I really need to speak with you. I need your help.”

*

He didn’t want Ahmad in Brynn’s apartment. He didn’t like that the man knew where she lived. Ahmad seemed harmless, but if he were in some kind of trouble….

“Come upstairs with us, Ahmad. Whatever you need to tell us must be important,” Brynn said.

“Yes, Miss Barrington.”

She used her key card to open the door and led the way to the elevator.

Once in the elevator, Tucker observed the man’s demeanor. The tranquil young man who’d translated for them aboard the Sea Dragon had been replaced by an anxious, nervous one.

They stepped out into the hall and walked down to Brynn’s apartment.

As soon as they entered, Brynn waved toward a chair. “Have a seat, Ahmad. I’ll get you something to drink.” She poured the man a glass of iced tea and set it on a coaster in front of him.

“Thank you.” He drank thirstily.

“How long have you been waiting for us?” Tucker asked after he’d set down the glass.

“Two hours, I think.”

“What’s all this about?”

“After working with you on the Sea Dragon, I decided to apply for a visa to the U.S. I applied for several jobs similar to the one I did for the oil company in the hopes of getting hired. I was turned down. The only one I could get was working aboard the Aurora. I have a cousin who lives here. He sponsored me, and I live with his family when I am not on board the ship.” Ahmad shifted in his seat and studied the floor for several moments. “I work with someone who is smuggling drugs.”

“What kind of drugs?” Tucker asked.

“I’m not certain.”

“Is it the owner of the yacht?” Brynn asked.

“No.” Ahmad seemed to struggle.

“It’s Tim Garner, isn’t it?” Brynn said, her tone quiet.

Ahmad bobbed his head. “I believe so.”

“How are they delivering the drugs to Tim?” Tucker asked.

“I don’t know. I’m not part of this, and I have tried very hard to keep my distance from Tim Garner ever since I started to suspect he was involved in something illegal. There is another man he talks to on the phone, and I often see a fishing vessel following us when we are close to the coast.”

Brynn’s head went up, and Tucker exchanged a glance with her.

“Why not go to the police?” Brynn asked.

“I do not want to become their…informant. They will demand I get closer to Tim, and I want no part of this. I do not want my Visa canceled because I became entangled in something illegal.”

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