Page 41 of Special Agent Joseph

“You and Joe going together?”

“Don’t know. Haven’t seen him so far today. He’s gone MIA.”

“Not really. On my orders, Tom went to get him and take him to Battlefield. I wanted to be sure the man could handle himself if things go down during the raid. Crazy thing. Tom called in to say Joseph’s shooting skills far surpass what they used to be, and then he rambled on about donuts.”

“Donuts?”

“Beats me. Guess Joe likes donuts now and never used to.” Laughing, Sheila changed the subject based on what she’d heard earlier. “I’m thinking you haven’t heard about the ship from China.”

“It’s been repaired then.”

“Yes. It’s docking in L.A. this Saturday. It’ll take a few days for them to get through inspection, etcetera, and the truck to be loaded. Not sure yet when to expect them to arrive here. This time they’ve chosen China dolls to stash the drugs in. Our undercover guy at the loading area expects the transport will head to Vegas as soon as the shipment has been cleared. Maybe a day or two later. That’s when we’ll find out the name of the trucking company, expected arrival time, and which specific vehicle they’re using.”

Megan’s sour tone added a level of nastiness to her words. “Dolls.” She spit out. “That’s how they’re concealing the drugs? What’ll the bastards think of next?”

“Who knows. Look, we got word through the grapevine that Chen Boa will also be here… arrival time to correspond with the coming shipment.”

Megan shot to attention. “Seriously? How did you find out?”

“The bug you planted under Vinnie’s desk paid off. They discussed it.”

“So we get another chance at the bastard?”

Sheila chuckled without a speck of humor involved. “I hope so. Vinnie confirmed this when they talked on the phone. With any luck, he’ll discuss Bao’s anticipated arrival with Joseph, and we’ll get that info too. That’s if Joseph’s on the up and up.”

Megan stiffened but stayed cool. “I trust him.”

“I’m still on the fence… but hopeful. Just glad you got that bug planted in time.”

“I’m glad it’s paying off. Something as innocuous as China dolls would have gotten through security, and there’d be another wave of the crap flooding the streets.”

Nodding, Sheila agreed. “Exactly.

Megan sat back, relaxing. “And Chen Bao, he’s up to his old money laundering tricks.”

“Bloody drug traffickers are increasingly partnering with Chinese underground money to take advantage of the large demand for U.S. dollars from Chinese nationals. It’s become an industry for Christ’s sake. And U.S. citizens like Vinnie are supporting it by letting those fuckers sell their drugs to us, knowing they kill our own. It’s pathetic and downright wrong. The thought of taking them down delights the shit outta me.”

“I know exactly what you mean. What can I do?”

“Stay close to Joe and Vinnie.”

“Will do.”

Sheila huffed while shaking her head. “I don’t like that you got nothing on Vinnie’s granddaughter. It’s like a lit fuse.”

Dejected, Megan admitted, “I know. If only we could get a break on this dude preying off of young girls. From what we know, he collects them, pimps them, and when they burn out, he tosses the poor things and brings in a new one. I’m thinking to go in myself and ask around.”

“It’s been what – not quite a week with Lucia?”

“True. I’m thinking to go in as her stepsister. That way, I’ll have a reason to be there.”

“Shit… it makes me uncomfortable. If you find and corner him, and he forces drugs on you, you’re done.”

“Won’t happen. I’m not some angry weakling in need of a home or a friend.”

“Not saying that. Those fuckers have all kinds of ways to get you addicted. In a drink, in food, Christ by forcing it in your arm while they hold you down. Happened to one of the police gals that got caught up in an arrest that went bad. She’s still in rehab. No way. I don’t like it.”

“So I won’t go in alone. What if Joe goes with me?”

---