It was the exact question Jack had asked himself a dozen times since meeting with Ike Armstrong. Not because he had thought Eliza was related to the man. But because he hoped to get an operative to Little Belize—another local Mennonite community to the north—to see if maybe the man was right.
But that was the last thing he could tell Eliza now. “The department knows about Ike’s concerns.” Jack shook his head. “We have no reason to believe your family is still alive, Eliza. I’m sorry.”
Over the next few seconds, Jack could feel something in Eliza change. She grew more stiff and less sad. She took off her sunglasses and dried her eyes. Like she had sand in them from the breeze off the water.
Then she turned to him and took his hand. “Let’s go save some children.”
The work that day was more helpful to the upcoming raid than anything they’d seen or done so far. They bought snow cones and sat on the bench near the playground. A few times, Eliza took to the swings again. Just so her story would hold true.
And in the next several hours Eliza identified four men working the beach. She would nod toward the north. “Those two by the yellow car. They’re the experienced ones. The men on the beach are new. They have to bring in girls or the guy in charge will get rid of them.”
She didn’t have to spell out what that meant. Jack knew far too well how dangerous these sorts of operations were—even for the bad guys. When the men climbed in their car, Eliza ran with Jack to a waiting cab. All the while she laughed and looked back at him, her snow cone dripping, long blond hair blowing in the wind. Once they were in the car, she took a chance he might not have taken.
“See that yellow car.” She practically giggled the words. “We know those guys! We met them a few years ago when we visited.” She leaned forward and smiled at the driver. “Could you follow them? Please?”
Jack didn’t lose his smile. “Yes, it’d be great to see them again.”
If the driver knew the men in the other car, he’d know Jack and Eliza were lying. He might even text the men and turn them in. At the end of the ride, the men might have an ambush waiting for Jack and Eliza.
Jack didn’t care. Eliza was right to do this. The bureau had no idea where the ring was operating from. They suspected that the group was transient because the men and children seemed to move every few days. But now he had a feeling they were following the men to headquarters. A more stable location. And if the FBI had that, a raid would be imminent.
The driver did a U-turn and weaved through traffic until he was a few cars behind the yellow one. Jack held his breath. They had to do this. Taking risks was necessary in an operation like this. Risks brought down trafficking rings. Without taking chances, there would be no victory to celebrate later.
So why did everything seem different this time? Instead of nerves of steel, all Jack could feel was his arm around Eliza in the backseat of the car. The touch of her skin beneath his fingers. Twice he had risked his life to save hers. And now… now they were both rushing into danger. What if they never returned to Atlantis?
Stop, he told himself. Get the job done, Jack. He leaned forward, allowing space between him and Eliza for the first time in hours. There. Now he could think. “I thought they lived up this way.”
“Exactly.” Eliza played along. She sounded excited. “I can’t believe we spotted them.”
Down one narrow street and then another, the yellow car led the way.
“I can’t keep up.” Their driver scowled in the rearview mirror. “Last thing I need is a ticket.”
“Right. Don’t break the law.” Jack was glad the traffickers were speeding. Otherwise the cabbie would be right on their tail. And that would almost certainly give them away. Jack felt for his gun in his waistband.
He hoped he wouldn’t need it.
A few blocks up, Jack saw the yellow car pull into the driveway of a two-story white brick home. “You know what.” He leaned up and patted their driver on his shoulder. “Wrong guys.”
“Really?” Eliza sounded disappointed. “They looked so familiar.”
“Nope.” Jack leaned back. “The guys we know live by the big church. Remember?”
“Aww. That’s right.” Eliza sighed. “I guess you can take us back to the beach.”
“Back to Atlantis, actually.” Jack put his arm around Eliza and drew her close. “I’ve had enough sun today.” He winked at her.
“Me, too.” She turned to him and looked at him for a long moment. Then she took his face and did the thing she was never supposed to do. She kissed him… on the lips. Slow and sensual, until he put his hand on her shoulder and pulled back. He kept his tone playful. “Honey. Not here!”