Page 36 of Fear of Flames
Arrow was listening.
“We’ve known for a while that this operation caters to the oligarchs in Russia with deep pockets. It was my belief that the network facilitated the transportation of the children, either to Russia or Saudi Arabia. They take them north to where they can fly the victims over Russian airspace.
“I’ve been watching the marinas and shipyards. There was a yacht docked at Hingham Shipyard Marinas that caught my attention. It’s called Dayushchiy—Russian for The Giver. I’ve been watching it for weeks. Yesterday, a two-man crew took off, reportedly for Nova Scotia.”
“Any sign of the Wells boy?”
Dennis shrugged off his heavy coat and sat on the chair before multiple keyboards. “Here’s the video of the crew preparing The Giver.” He slowed the video footage. “See those large containers?”
Arrow inhaled. “Big enough for an eight-year-old boy.”
“If he’s in there, he’s alive. Probably drugged. It’s a two-and-a-half or three-day sail to Nova Scotia. With this nor’easter, I’d say three days is generous.”
“Did they file a destination port?”
Dennis shook his head. “No, but there are a number of privately held marinas capable of docking The Giver. And from there?—”
“They’re a plane ride away from Russia,” Arrow said, interrupting. “Fuck, this is just like the Jensen girl.”
“Hannah,” Dennis said. “We were so fucking close to getting her before she was flown away. I think the storm might help us with Timothy. I’ve contacted headquarters. Peterson sent a team to Nova Scotia. They’re in agreement that The Giver will head for a southern marina. There’s one in Shelburne that’s privately owned and less crowded than others. It would make sense for them to dock there. There’s also a private airfield in the hamlet of Deerfield.”
Arrow crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against another desk. “You’ve reported this to Peterson. Why did you want to meet with me?”
“A couple of reasons. Perkins has been acting stranger than normal lately. I heard a rumor in town that he’s making cash on the side.”
“Security?”
“Not the kind you put on the books. He’s been out to my house a couple of times for bullshit reasons. Gloria at the diner said he was asking questions about me. I even got a call from a colleague back at IMPD saying that the sheriff called for information on my tenure. My old colleague thought I was getting back into law enforcement.” Dennis stood. “I’m not. There’s no reason for Ralph to be asking those questions unless…”
“He suspects you. Why would he do that? He can’t know about the agency.”
“He doesn’t. I’m still afraid I fucked up.”
Arrow’s dark gaze narrowed. “What the hell did you do?”
Dennis stood and inhaled. “A few weeks ago…” He ran his hand over his gray hair. “I was following a lead. Our software is top of the line. I should have been able to pass through firewalls like a damn ghost.”
“What happened?”
“I came across chatter about an evacuation. I had hoped to find the details so we could preemptively warn security. A contact going by the handle of @Recon729_Adam kept appearing. It hit me as a connection to “Code Adam.”
Arrow nodded.
“All of a sudden, Patrick Lehman’s name appeared.”
“Lehman?” Arrow groaned. “The Massachusetts senator? Did you take that information to Peterson?”
“Yes, I did. But first, alarms went off and the transmission disappeared. I shielded my end, but I’m afraid that I let someone know I was looking into their shit.”
“What did the transmission say?” Arrow asked.
Denny shook his head. “It was there and then disappeared. I didn’t get the chance to read or copy it.” He shrugged. “All I have is my word. And Perkins’s sudden interest in me isn’t reassuring.”
“You’re absolutely sure it was Senator Lehman.”
“I am.”
“And you think the Iron Falls sheriff is connected?”
