Page 14 of Kage

Gray nodded. “A tactic rarely used, but it’s effective.” He poured cream into his coffee and I observed his actions. He wasn’t thrilled about asking for my help any more than I was having him sitting in my kitchen.

“You mean the weakness called greed.”

“Exactly.”

“So why not send in the FBI?” I was curious, but this was nothing I was interested in getting involved in. Once I’d retired, I’d made certain everyone knew I would have nothing to do with my former life. Because of doing my job, I’d lost the one thing most precious to me. I blamed the Navy in the process. Gray knew. Hell, everyone I’d come into contact with had known my feelings.

And they hadn’t been nice.

I finally poured a mug full of java, this morning preferring it black.

“Juliette Carver was taken from a high-dollar condo in Bermuda. At this point, there are thoughts she’s still being held on the island, but soon to be sold to the highest bidder. The Bermuda Police Service has already scoured the islands but found nothing.”

I chuckled. “You mean they’re too afraid to go up against the big bad wolf. Right?”

“Precisely.”

“Who are the kidnappers?”

“Uncertain given Carver has been in talks with the Saudis and the South Americans. Hell, there are rumors he’s even chatted with China. Unconfirmed.”

“If that’s true, he can’t be well liked within our government or the military,” I told him. The entire situation seemed suspicious, but I had a feeling either her father or friends Carver obviously continued to have in the Navy were pulling strings. The situation already smelled.

“You are correct.”

“I don’t serve the military or anyone else any longer.”

“So you keep telling me,” he jabbed. “Look, I wouldn’t be here if there was anyone else who I thought could do the job. You’re the best at reconnaissance and extraction in dangerous circumstances there ever was.”

“Flattery. How fascinating. What’s in it for you?”

“This is a personal favor, Kage. Juliette is my goddaughter. I haven’t seen her in years, but that doesn’t mean I don’t feel some responsibility for her welfare. She’s in danger. If she’s sold to any of the players I mentioned, we’ll never get her back.”

Sighing, I sat back in my chair, swirling the mug in my hand. “Who is this girl? Someone famous?”

“An influencer.”

“Huh?”

He chuckled. “Might do you some good to come back to the real world. Up until recently she worked for a huge marketing and advertising firm out of New York. They were damn good, capable of selling igloos to Eskimos. Their work with social media was the darling of the industry. Plus, she was active on social media, highlighting trips she’d taken. People. Scenery. That kind of thing. You should look her up. Quite impressive and she had a huge number of followers.”

Snorting, I looked away. As if I gave a shit. “A crap job.”

“She doesn’t think so. Look, Randolph is willing to pay anything.”

I couldn’t hold back laughter and rubbed my jaw, realizing I hadn’t shaved in several days. Who gave a shit when you lived alone in a cabin in small town with no friends? “I won’t do it for less than a million.” I was tossing out a number for the fuck of it.

“Done. Randolph has a reward out for two million for any reliable information so your services will be a bargain and I guarantee you’ll find her.”

Fuck me. I gritted my teeth. This was the last thing I needed. “Any idea where on the island?”

“Evidently, she had her cell phone in her possession when she was taken. It pinged about fifteen miles away from the condo in Hamilton. Possibly headed to Tucker’s Town, but there are plenty of ways via sea craft to get off the island.”

“So what you’re telling me is that no one is certain she’s still in Bermuda.”

Gray looked sheepish. “No. I’m hopeful though since her friends discovered she was missing quickly, and the seaports and airport were surrounded almost immediately. Every boat and plane was checked. The window for her disappearance off the island was small.”

But not impossible.

---