Page 40 of Wild Idol

We met the sheriff at the port. Several patrol units were at the scene, as well as CBP, FBI, HSI, and Coast Guard personnel.

The place was a madhouse with flashing lights and emergency vehicles blocking entrances and exits. Plenty of unmarked black sedans were parked haphazardly. Officers guarded the gate, keeping reporters at bay. Beyond them, rows of shipping containers, stacked high, dotted the facility. Massive cargo ships loomed at the docks, thick mooring lines stretched taut. The briny air drifted through the facility, and the stars flickered overhead.

Mercury vapor lights high above cast a dull amber glow, creating long shadows between containers.

Tango One circled above, its spotlight sweeping across the facility.

“I think this is the same group that was responsible for the bank robberies, the armored car robberies, and the jewelry store heist,” the sheriff said when we greeted him.

The FBI was handling the bank robberies and the armored car jobs. We had been investigating the jewelry store, but it was all part of a joint task force with the FBI taking the lead. Still, this case was personal. JD and I had witnessed one of the armored car robberies and exchanged gunfire with the assailants. Until now, they had always worn futuristic cyberpunk masks, like characters out of a video game.

“Is there video footage?” I asked.

“A few frames before the cameras were disabled.”

“How?”

Daniels shrugged.

“What happened?”

“Apparently, a container had gotten flagged for inspection. It was put into the Customs Examination Area and held overnight for secondary inspection. Four thugs came in dressed as CBP officers, subdued the guards, raided the container, and took off with the contraband.”

“What was the contraband?”

“Based on the x-rays, it’s believed the container held illegal diamonds. There were only two CBP officers on shift.”

“I’d like to talk to them both.”

The sheriff’s face tightened. “I’m working on that. The feds want first crack.”

“What makes you think this was the same guys?” I asked.

“A hunch. From what I’m hearing, these guys were organized, didn’t waste time, and knew exactly what they were going for. This wasn’t random.”

“They had someone on the inside,” I suggested.

Daniels nodded. “How else would they know what was in that container?”

“There is another possibility,” I said.

“I’m all ears.”

“Someone was monitoring the container’s progress in transit. They saw that it was held up and decided to liberate the cargo. It’s not hard to GPS track contraband shipments,” I said.

“If I was shipping a boatload of illegal diamonds, I’d want to know where they were at all times,” Jack added.

The sheriff considered it.

He flagged down Special Agent Foster. “I’d like you to meet Deputies Wild and Donovan. Special Crimes. This case has similarities to another investigation. I’d like them to talk to the officers on duty at the time of the robbery.”

“Sheriff, this is a federal case, and I’ve got my hands full with HSI wanting access.”

Daniels gave her a look.

“If you don’t mind waiting, I can let you question them after we’re done.”

The sheriff forced a smile. “Much appreciated.”