Healing the Wild – Chapter 10
On the SeaQuest in the Ward Room…
Commander Ford, Ortiz, O'Neill, Hitchcock, Crocker, Shan, Lucas, and Dr. Reese were seated around the large conference table, as Bridger sat at the head of the table and spoke with the Chief of police in Cartagena on screen. Several other crew members lined the room.
"So you see, Chief Rodriguez, we seem to know exactly where Diaz and his men will strike. And, unfortunately, he's going to use my CMO and Dr. Reese's son as distractions."
Chief Rodriguez nodded in understanding, having just watched the replay of Diaz's message to Armando.
"Captain Bridger, this is the closest we have gotten to him in a long time…we offer our sincerest gratitude to you and your crew for providing this information."
"Thanks won't be necessary until we make sure my crew member and this boy are safe and this man is behind bars."
"Of course, Captain. In that case, we will set up a perimeter around the Hostel Mamallena to watch for any suspicious activity, especially to watch for your crew member and the boy."
"I plan to be there with you when it happens."
The SeaQuest crew looked at him in a bit of shock. Lucas smiled knowingly. Ford spoke up.
"Sir, with all due respect, this is a very dangerous situation. I would advise you against putting yourself in harm's way."
"Commander, I appreciate your concern, but I am responsible for the well-being of my crew. I cannot stand by when I know I can be there to protect her." He took a breath, stopping his near emotional outburst. "Now, I expect you to have control of the ship while I'm gone." Ford paused and nodded. Nathan looked at the rest of the crew. "This is an unofficial mission, so I don't expect any of you to volunteer."
Crocker spoke up "Hell, Cap. You know it's damn near impossible for us not to when it comes to saving one of our own...especially the Doc. Count me in." Crocker knew the real motive behind his friend's willingness to put his life in danger to save Kristin and he wasn't about to let Nathan get hurt in the process. Several other crew members nodded in agreement.
Cartagena, Colombia...
Wearing plain clothes, a hat and a fake mustache, Nathan sat about 3 blocks away of the Hostel Mamallena at an outdoor cafe, holding his breath as he looked at his watch for the 20th time in the last 5 minutes and resumed staring nervously at the glass of water in front of him. Crocker looked worriedly at his friend from across the table.
"Cap, it's still only 9:40."
"I know that Chief. I'm just trying to make sure I'm aware if there's any sign of her."
"Look, Rodriguez has the place covered. They seemed just as eager to catch this guy as you are."
"Well, my priority is making sure Kristin and that little boy are safe first. I'll let the Feds deal with Diaz.
And then I'll pay him a little visit myself...he thought.
Miguel Ortiz checked his earpiece was in place before turning the corner.
"I'm going into position."
His clothes were dirty and baggy, his hair was messy, and his eyes were made to look sunken and red. Nathan and Crocker both saw Ortiz walking near the Hostel and sitting on the floor in the alley around the corner. He took out a paper bag with a bottle inside and pretended to take swigs and look drunk.
"Captain, can I ask you a question? Why do I always end up being a drunk on these rescue missions?"
Nathan let out a small chuckle as he spoke to the man on the other end of the earpiece..
"I'll remind you that you volunteered for this mission, Mr. Ortiz. And don't think I don't appreciate it." He replied. After a pause, he continued. "Besides...nobody can play a wasted Latino like you can. Must come from experience." He added with a hint of humor.
"I can't argue with that.." He chuckled...but his smile disappeared after a few short moments.
"I'm seeing some movement near the end of the street. Five men getting out of a car."
Chief Rodriguez chimed in from his position on top of a nearby roof, looking through binoculars.. "That might be Diaz' men taking position. I see the young boy with them."
"I don't see the doctor." Ortiz responded. "But three of them are headed this way with the boy. The others are heading a different direction."
"I have a guy keeping an eye on each of them." Rodriguez responded.
The three men walked around the corner of the Hostel and down the back alley where Miguel was sitting. Miguel pretended to be passed out. One of the men took a look at him.
"Oye, hombres! Tenemos un borracho aquí!" He exclaimed. Miguel knew he was calling him out. He had to keep the act up, but he also knew this guy probably wanted him to leave. The other two men looked at him as well. One of the men kicked him in the leg. He didn't move, hoping they would just be okay with leaving him alone.
"Está dormido. Dejenlo." One of the other men spoke up and then looked at Jeremy.. "Vamos, chamaco. Es hora de que vayas a trabajar." He grabbed Jeremy and the four walked down to the back of the building. Miguel let out a deep breath, thankful the men just figured he was passed out.
"That was close." Bridger spoke first.Moments later, Kristin got out of a car that had been parked near the hostel. Her outfit was even more suggestive than her previous one, the short black skirt ending no less than a foot above her knee and the white v-neck tank top bearing more of her cleavage than she had ever shown even in her younger days. She took a deep breath in front of the Hostel entrance. At the same time Nathan completely lost his breath as he spotted her from across the street.
"Go Ortiz...go."
On cue, Ortiz got up from his spot and started stumbling towards Kristin.
"Hola, muchacha. Porqué no vienes conmigo, eh? Let's have some fun." He made sure to slur his words, keeping up appearances. Kristin looked disgusted when she heard the words, but she turned around and took a quick glance at the drunken man's face. She tried to hide any sign of recognition and hope as she realized that SeaQuest had found her. Miguel glanced down at his hand as if to catch her attention and took a step closer towards her as he quickly swiped it down her arm and handed her a small bug, being sure to hide it from anyone inside the car. He made a pass to try and wrap his other arm around her waist and nuzzled his face in her neck. "Keep this on you somewhere safe." He whispered inconspicuously. Kristin realized what he was doing, but before she could respond, the door to the car she was in opened and Diaz himself stepped out menacingly to address Ortiz.
"Vete de aqui, borracho. Ella está conmigo." While Diaz was distracted with Ortiz, Kristin took the opportunity to quickly slip the bug she had been given in her bra. Diaz wrapped his arm around Kristin's waist, making it clear he should go. Miguel put his hands up in mock surrender and took another swig from his bottle as he walked away.
"Si, señor. No quiero problemas. Solo estaba buscando a fiestar. Goodbye, beautiful." He walked away towards the cafe, passing by Bridger as he disappeared around the corner.
"She got it."
"Good work, Ortiz." Bridger responded.
Diaz led Kristin into the Hostel. "Come on, dear. My men tell me Armando wants me to pay him a little visit" Kristin breathed a bit easier knowing Ortiz was nearby and they were being monitored. Thank God, she thought.
As they walked into the large lobby, Kristin looked around, noticing small groups of men talking to each other. Almost all of them stole a glance at her, some lingering and scanning her from head to toe. She had never felt so exposed and vulnerable. Diaz kept her close as he led her to a table in the corner where an older looking gentleman was seated.
"Hello, Armando." Diaz spoke up. "I did not expect to see you here, but my men told me you wanted me to meet you now."
Kristin noticed the other man looked like he was trying to hide his fear as he glanced at Diaz. "I was under the impression you do not attend these things.
"Well, considering this is a new...venture...I wanted to tend to this personally."
"I am here for the same reason. But I just spoke with one of my friends in the federales. He said that the SeaQuest is aware of this transaction and they are currently waiting for you upstairs."
Diaz looked surprised and confused. "How can that be? I do not have any leaks in my men."
"From what I heard, the SeaQuest seems to have a genius hacker that sent a virus to your vid link when you called them to gloat. They were able to see your call to me. You were sloppy, Diaz." Armando seemed angry at Diaz. Kristin tried to hide her proud smile, knowing Lucas was the reason that they found her. Diaz seemed to notice her reaction and tightened his grip on her arm.
Meanwhile, outside...
Nathan and the rest of the team listened in on the conversation allowed by Kristin's bug. His eyes widened when they heard Armando say he knew they were there.
Chief Rodriguez spoke up. "Don't worry, Captain. My men have already taken control of the situation upstairs and the boy is safely in custody. We have the entire place surrounded. There's no way they'll be able to escape now. "
"Then let's move in."
"Keep in mind we don't want to cause a panic amongst the hotel guests. It would ruin tourism in the area."
"Fine. Then let's move in quietly."He responded trying to hold back his frustration and wanting to act quickly.
Nathan, Shan and Crocker walked into the entrance trying to act casually with their hands ready to draw their guns. Some of the Rodriguez' men were coming down the stairs of the lobby, also ready to draw fire if needed. Everyone looked around but they couldn't see Armando, Diaz or Kristin. Nathan walked up to one of Rodriguez' men.
"Where's Diaz?"
"I was hoping you would be telling me where he was. They're gone."
"What? How could that be?
"We've searched everywhere in the lobby. There's no sign of them."
At that moment, they heard a woman screaming outside as well as in their earpiece, followed by Crocker running in from the back entrance.
"Captain! They're getting away!"
Bridger and the rest of the team in the lobby immediately ran towards the back entrance and saw a car at the end of the alleyway. The back door was closing as the car started speeding off.
"Kristin!" Nathan screamed in frustration as the team tried in vain to run behind the car. He managed to see a glimpse of Kristin twisting around to see him out the back window of the car as she cried out, only to be held back by the two men on either side of her. He noticed one of the men closely and let out a frustrated sigh, venting his anger by kicking a nearby dumpster. He leaned against the dumpster as he spoke dejectedly into his microphone.
"Chief Rodriguez, what do you know of the man who was standing guard in the back entrance?"
"Juarez? He's been with us for almost four years. He's one of my best men. Why, captain?"
"Well, I just saw him in Armando's car restraining Kristin. I'm afraid we've found your traitor."