Ch. 22
Emma drove as quickly as she could to the harbor. There were a number of ships docked so it wasn't going to be easy for them to find the right one. Killian began searching in the night sky for the flag he recognized from the photo so they could get a clue as to where the girls were. The dark sky was not going to make it easy but thankfully there was a full moon overhead. They certainly needed that. Emma kept driving towards the larger vessels that had the large cargo containers on them. That would at least narrow down their search. David called them while they were on the way, he had Robin, Wil and Jeff with him to help look for the girls.
Emma parked in the closest parking lot near the vessels. Killian pulled out a pair of binoculars and started looking for the flag. "Finally, Look, over there." He said pointing to the flag blowing in the wind.
She squinted to see the dimly lit flag. He handed her the binoculars and she was able to see it clearly. "I think that's it!" she said. She pulled out her phone and texted a note to David to let him know where they were parked.
"It's got to be one of these, the other vessels are too far out of view of the flag." Said Killian confidently.
"David was able to get three of the members of the fire department to help." She explained to Nairobi and Greta.
"Thank goodness. I can't believe they could be trapped on these tremendous vessels." Said Nairobi.
Greta's eyes went wide when she looked up at all the containers. "Wow, there are so many." she said.
Greta immediately realized her mistake and put her arm around Nairobi. "It's going to be ok." She assured.
"We are going to find them." Said Emma.
"But like you said, there are so many containers." Said Nairobi looking deflated.
"Nairobi, Emma's right. We are going to find them. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that." Said Greta.
Nairobi nodded. "It's ok. I know that god is looking out for them. We will find them." She said looking to the sky.
Killian looked very serious. "We don't know what we will encounter on these ships. It could be dangerous. Are you certain that you don't want to wait here at the car?" he asked.
Nairobi shook her head. "No, we are coming and we are going to help. I don't care what happens. I have to find my cousin." She said.
"Alright, but please, do everything we say and you must be careful." He said.
"Killian's right. Please be careful." She said.
David pulled up just as they were about to start looking. He quickly parked his car and the guys all piled out. They all looked a little sleepy. "Thanks for coming to help guys. This is a matter of life and death. I know you are all no stranger to that." She said.
"Danger is me middle name. Wil Danger Scarlett they call me." Joked Wil.
"Scarlett, this is not the time." Said Jeff.
"Come on, I'm just agreeing with Emma. It's going to be dangerous and I'm in." he said.
"Thanks Wil. This is Nairobi and Greta. They are going to help us search." Said Emma.
"Nice to meet you ladies." Said Robin.
"Thank you all for coming to help find my cousin." Said Nairobi.
"Let's do this." Said Jeff.
Killian took the squad to the side. He pointed to the two vessels in front of them. "Based on the vantage point of the flag in the photo, I think the container is on one of these two vessels."
They all nodded. "Emma, we are here to help. Just direct us what to do." Said Robin.
Emma looked at the time, they had 40 minutes before the drop was to occur. She looked up at the guys. "The money drop is at 1:13 am. It's a strange time and I'm concerned if we don't find the girls before that time they will be in more danger." She said.
David nodded. "How about we split up into groups, each group take one vessel?" he said.
"I agree, that may be our best bet. These vessels are huge but the one on the left is bigger. David, you take Nairobi, Greta, Robin and Jeff. Wil, come with us on the smaller vessel." Suggested Emma.
"Sounds good. We've got the one on the left. If we find anything we call right?" asked Robin.
"Aye." Confirmed Killian.
Wil handed Jeff a crow bar and bolt cutter retaining one set for himself." There ya go mate." He said.
"Thanks, Let's do this!" said Jeff.
"Ladies, come with us." Said Robin.
Each group set out towards the agreed up on vessel. Emma watched as the other group boarded the vessel carefully. They did the same, careful to walk around corners without checking and not to alarm anyone.
When they got onto the vessel, they noticed that there was a group of men hanging out in and around the bridge castle. They were being briefed by what might have been the captain. "Wil, can you go over and find out what he is saying?" she asked.
"I got it. Here, hold these Jones." He said handing over the tool bag with a huge grin.
"Be careful Scarlett." He said.
They hid behind the container and watched as Wil moved quickly and quietly towards the group. Emma turned around to survey the area and looked at the containers. She thought about the photo, since they could see over the top, she figured the container had to be sitting on the deck without any other containers on top. She began looking around to see if there were any standalone containers on the deck. She didn't see anything immediately.
Emma leaned in close to Killian so she could whisper in his ear." I think that the container is flat on the deck based on what the photo showed. I also don't think there was a container on top."
He turned his focus to her from Wil." I thought about that too. I think your deduction is correct." He whispered.
Emma peered around and noticed Wil making his way back to them. He looked concerned. "Wil, what is it?" she asked.
He took a soft breath. "This vessel is scheduled to leave at 2:30 am. They have to wait for the vessel next to us to leave first, that is scheduled to leave at 1:15 am." He said.
Emma rolled her eyes. "How much do you want to bet the girls are on that one?" she asked.
Killian nodded." They were waiting for the pick up and then they would tell them to come to the vessel but by the time that Mr. LaBouff got down here the vessel would have gone leaving the girls trapped in open water without anyone to help them. They could literally cook inside of that container." He said.
"Better call David and get over there to help them search." She said.
They left the vessel as quickly and quietly as they came on. Emma shared her theory with David that it could be a standalone container on the deck. He told her he would pass the information to the guys. They had split up to search. He warned them that there was a lot of activity and that they should be careful when they board.
They took David's advice and boarded keeping themselves close to the right wall of the ship and then moving towards the stairs to get up to the top deck. She heard voices right away. There was a mixture of accents and languages being spoken. She was certain she heard a Scottish brogue. "Killian, we should split up too. The more people we have looking for the girls the better. But be careful, I think there are Scots on board." She said.
Killian looked at his watch. "Aye, I heard them too. We have 18 minutes until the money drop." He said.
"OK, spread out and call me if you get anything?" she said.
Wil winked. "You got it!" he started out towards the containers.
Killian pulled her close, looked into her eyes and leaned in for a soft kiss. "Be careful Love." He said.
She smiled. "You got it partner." She said before heading out.
She turned back to see him going the opposite direction. She moved quickly looking at the stacks and the flag. For Good measure she began to tap on the bottom container in the stacks as she went. She knew the Robin, Jeff, Nairobi, Greta and Dave were on the right and middle searching the stacks. Killian went to the left and Wil was searching the back. She decided to move towards the front of the vessel. She moved quietly and slowed when she heard voices. They were speaking another language that she didn't understand. Her heart pounded as she stood still waiting until they passed. She was just about to move forward when her phone buzzed since she had it on silence. "David, did you find them?" she asked.
"Emma, I think we are close. We didn't find those girls but we did find another girl, passed out on the deck tucked behind the containers over here. "he said.
"Is she breathing? Do you know who she is? "asked Emma.
"No, she has dark hair in a pony tail. No id on her." He said.
"Are you close to the edge of the deck?" she asked.
"Yeah, I am near the edge. Why?" he asked.
"I have a hunch; I think they are in a container close to the water. How else would we have seen that naval flag from the other ship? Have the guys come over and start searching containers near the edge of the vessel near you. I'll be right over." She said.
She contacted Killian and Wil to let them know the plan. She rushed over as quickly as she could. She knew time was running out. It was only 10 minutes to the drop and 12 minutes until they were all trapped on that vessel.
She was surprised to see Robin standing over a familiar form, Jazzy, who was passed out on the deck. She quickly rushed over. "She's alive, she's just got a nasty bump on the head. She's knocked out cold." He said.
She saw the others frantically tapping on containers when she noticed one that looked like what she pictured. Killian was closest. "Killian! Check that one over to your left!" she yelled, forgetting that they should be mindful of danger.
He acknowledged and quickly tapped on the container she pointed out. "Tiana, Charlotte! Are you in here?" he yelled.
She watched as he put his ear to the container. He popped up and turned back. "Emma, they are here!" he yelled.
Her heart jumped in her throat. "Guys, over there. Come on bring the tools!" she yelled.
"Emma, I'm going to stay with this one." Said Robin.
She nodded and ran quickly to meet Killian. Wil quickly went to work with the cutters on the bolt that was holding them in the container. She checked the time. "Killian, it's time for the drop." She said.
"I can't get it!" yelled Will as he squeezed the handles on the bolt cutter.
"Let me help!" said Jeff.
Nairobi rushed forward. "Tiana! I'm here, its Nairobi! We are going to get you out honey." yelled her cousin.
Emma held back both Nairobi and Greta so that the guys could go to work. The two men worked together to cut the humongous bolt that locked the container and it finally popped. Killian rushed to open the container. The two girls were huddled together waiting to the side.
When they saw Nairobi the girls came running out of the container towards them. Nairobi grabbed hold of both of the girls and held them tight as Greta hugged around all three of them. They were all crying now.
Emma felt relief wash over her body. She looked at Killian and nodded. She felt the tears begin to prick in her own eyes but this wasn't over yet. "We need to call the police." Said Emma.
Killian went to pull his phone and he saw the missed call from Cobra Bubbles. He immediately called him. "Cobra, it's Killian. We have the girls." He said.
There was a soft sigh on the other end. "We just made the drop and got a text that the girls were at the harbor." Said the burly voice on the other end.
"We need to call the police. You should do the same. Please inform Mr. LaBouff that they are a little worse for wear but we have them. We will tell you everything when we are all together." Said Killian.
"I'm going to get the captain. We have to stop this boat." Said David.
Emma took out her phone and dialed the police station. "Belle, we have the girls. Can you send backup down here to the harbor?" She suddenly realized she didn't know the ship name. "Hey Wil, what's the ship name?" she asked.
Will looked over towards the bridge castle." The Argonaut." He yelled.
"Belle, we are on The Argonaut. We are going to need two ambulances as well." She said.
"Thank god! They will be there right away Emma." Said Belle.
She hung up the phone and surveyed the scene. The girls were holding Nairobi so tight and they weren't about to let go. She didn't blame them one bit. David was talking to the captain; they had stopped the vessel from taking off. She noticed Robin and Jeff standing with Jazzy who seemed to be coming around. She nodded towards them and mouthed." Thank you." This one was going to have a happy ending and that doesn't happen often. She still didn't know who took the girls but she was going to get some answers. This case wasn't over yet.