Heavy Traffic Ch. 02

Once more Sean relayed the details of the events, only this time Amanda remained silent as she ate a slice of toast. When he was finished he then added the reason for his call to his uncle.

"Uncle Kirby, the Tangos said that they were told to use Glenn Parker's cabin because it was remote and it would be unoccupied today. Right before calling you I spoke with Glenn and verified that he only told two people of his planned business trip. I was one of them and Morgan Smith, Sheriff of Seminole County was the other. If I now report the events to Morgan, I'm afraid that he may take action against me to protect himself."

"Sounds like a potentially ugly situation," said Kirby. "You said that we're suspecting human trafficking and attempted murder by foreign nationals on US soil, so I assume you would like to see this classified as a national security issue rather than a local law enforcement issue?"

"That really depends on how fast things could get put into motion," Sean said. "We have twenty five young girls still on that ship somewhere in American waters but we don't know how much longer they will be there. I suspect that once the ship docks the containers will be placed onto tractor trailer trucks and once that happens, they'll be vapor in the wind to us. I'll also need some cover for what I did to the film crew at Glenn's cabin."

"Understood," said Kirby. "Let me make a couple of calls real quick and see if I can get us some sort of idea on reaction times. Be back to you in ten." Kirby hung up without giving Sean a chance to respond.

Turning to Amanda he saw her patiently examining her surroundings. He said, "I would like for you to go through my place and see if there is anything here that you would like to wear or use to make you more comfortable until we can stop and buy you things that actually fit you. For example, I know that I have a new toothbrush in the bathroom that has never been opened. Anything you want or need is yours for the taking."

"I'll take you up on the toothbrush right now, but no promises on anything else. These shoes were my biggest concern and they seem to be doing the job so far."

She got up from the stool and went wandering through his cabin. Amanda realized almost immediately that she was touring a house that wasn't really a home. Other than the portrait of Sean and his parents and the large stuffed bear, there were few signs that this house belonged to anyone in particular. It reminded Amanda of a time-share or vacation rental that catered to transient tenants who stayed there only for short periods of time.

While he cleaned up her breakfast dishes, Sean was glad to see that she took him at his word and wasn't hesitating to open every drawer or cupboard she came to for an investigation of its contents. He couldn't know that she conducted her search more to learn about him than to find things for herself, but he was pleased none the less.

After a few minutes she stuck her head out of the bedroom and said, "I'm going to be in the shower for a few minutes in case you're looking for me."

Sean nodded and waved. He was glad that her ordeal from earlier in the day hadn't lingered to their time together. He had tried to be as non-threatening as possible and instill some level of confidence in her towards him. He had to admit that he found her resiliency mesmerizing and he admired her ability to notice and relay details that most other people would miss. Then there was the way that her holding his hand had affected him and how she had effortlessly gotten him sharing his own life story before he even realized he was doing it. Her interest in him was luminous, and he found himself basking in it like warm sunshine. He liked the way he felt when he was with her, which for someone who had led a very solitary life for almost a year said the most about her as far as he was concerned.

Amanda had relieved herself before getting into the shower, still grinning over her observation that the toilet seat was in the down position. She thought that this bespoke of good habits from this warrior-man as she was beginning to think of him. She made quick work of washing her hair and body, using the razor in the shower to shave herself knowing instinctively that Sean wouldn't mind. She would warn him though so he wouldn't be surprised by a dull blade the next time he went to use it.

Sean was still thinking of Amanda when the phone rang. He answered the phone before the first ring had ended.

"Wallace," he said.

"Wallace here too. I've got some good news and some bad. Surveillance drones out of Eglin Air Force base have returned imagery that found the ship docked at the container terminal in Bainbridge, Georgia as of three hours ago. Several containers have already been removed and placed on trailer trucks, including most of the units at the stern of the ship."

"How can they be unloading so fast?" asked Sean. "Don't the containers have to pass a Customs inspection or anything?"

"Unless they were tagged and sealed as "Customs Exempt" for some reason, then you're correct," said Kirby. "DHS and FBI agents are on choppers headed to Bainbridge now to investigate, but they won't be on the ground for another hour."

"Can we track the trucks that have those containers?" asked Sean.

"As far as I know, all we have on the suspect container is an approximate color, described as rust orange or reddish," said Kirby. "We have reviewed drone images since the ship docked and are targeting containers that are anywhere close to the colors mentioned. Three have been identified. One of these is currently headed west on interstate 10 and will be quarantined at the first truck scales in Alabama and inspected by the FBI who are in route. The other two are currently on US 84 eastbound headed toward interstate 75 where the two highways meet in Valdosta. We will maintain real-time drone surveillance on both until their projected destinations can be ascertained. I have to tell you Sean, we are short of ground assets for anything short-term. We can get a squad of Rangers deployed out of Fort Benning within thirty minutes but we need to have a mission for them first."

"Why not get them airborne onto each of the containers right now?" asked Sean.

"Because until we identify which truck is involved in the national security issue we have declared for this matter, we can't use United States military forces. If the Rangers assault a truck on American soil and find it full of big screen TV's, then the President will have a tough time justifying his finding with Congress and we could lose more than we gain."

Kirby was referring to the current Presidential Finding which stated that organized crime activity conducted by foreign nationals either within the borders of the United States or targeting the citizens of the United States met the definition of domestic terrorism and would be considered national security events.

"I see your point," said Sean. "So we just wait until we figure out where the two trucks are headed?

"That, plus we keep them monitored," Kirby said. "If one pulls into a rest stop or other location and we see a bunch of people pouring out of the container, we can have forces on the sight quickly. Ideally, we would be able to track them all the way to their destination and then take down more than just the grunts involved, if you know what I mean."

"Let's think of this operation strategically," said Sean. "If you had twenty five young girls that you were looking to now distribute, where in the Southeast would you be headed? Remember, we should assume because they were all brought to the United States that the customers were all here as well."

Kirby saw the logic. "Using interstate 75 as a corridor can also play into the analysis. Only Atlanta, and to some degree Orlando provide the logistics favorable to distributing this number or girls over a short period of time."

"I agree," said Sean. "Keep monitoring both trucks, but I'm going to start heading towards Atlanta as I had originally planned for today. There are several construction zones on interstate 75 which will slow down any traffic between Valdosta and Macon. I can beat them by heading north on US 27 through Columbus onto interstate 185 and then interstate 85. You have my cell phone number?"

"Let me have it again," said Kirby, but as he was taking it down he interrupted Sean. "I just received some interesting info. It seems that one of the two trucks has been followed by a blue van since leaving the container terminal. It has had multiple opportunities to pass, but it remains directly behind the truck."

"That's our Tango!" said Sean. "The van has the traders that Amanda mentioned. They're not releasing their cargo until they receive payment so they're following them."

"I think you're right," agreed Kirby. "We'll designate that as the primary target."

"How far from interstate 75 is the primary target truck?" ask Sean?

"Looks to be at least one hour from interstate 75," replied Kirby.

"Okay," said Sean. "In an hour I will still be able to swing east and then south if our guess about Atlanta is wrong, but I'm ninety five percent certain of their destination."

"I agree," said Kirby. "Start towards Atlanta and I'll monitor things on this end and keep you posted. I'm also going to see who we may have currently at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center near Brunswick that we may be able to use on this. Let me know your planned route as soon as you have it."

"Will do. Thanks Uncle Kirby."

"Semper Fi Marine.

"Semper Fi," said Sean, but the call had been ended.

"What does 'Semper Fi' mean?" asked Amanda. Sean hadn't noticed her standing on the other side of the counter and wondered how long she had been there. Her natural beauty was radiant, and once again startled him. She was a little thin due to her captivity, and she obviously didn't have a gym-trained body, but her overall physique was toned and screamed of exposure to nature. Her flawless skin and sun-kissed complexion were more tantalizing to him than any woman he had met in all his worldly travels.

"It's short for 'Semper Fidelis' which is Latin for 'Always Faithful'. It is the motto of the United States Marine Corp. My Uncle Kirby was also a Marine. In fact, he was my inspiration for joining."

"Oh, Okay."

She stood with damp hair, but in the same clothes that she had on before she had taken her shower. Her raw, wholesome beauty was even more obvious to Sean as she stood there smiling at him. Her wet hair and natural appearance suddenly reminded him of what he found familiar about her. He thought back to one point in his youth when his parents had taken him to New York with them on a business trip. Among the items on their agenda was a meeting with the PR firm they had selected for a new ad campaign. Sean remembered his mother going through stacks of photos for the models they were considering and how taken she had been with one in particular. The model was not able to find time in her busy schedule to work on the campaign, but Sean remembered her name to this day - Elle MacPherson. Amanda stood before him now and Sean knew his mother would have been just as taken with her as she had been with Elle. She held a clean dry towel and a pair of scissors.

"Feel better?" Sean asked.

"Heaps better," she said. "Being able to wash the touch of those animals off me was wonderful. I hope you don't mind, but I used your razor. Thank you again."

"No problem at all. I'm glad I was there to help. Now, we need to get ready to go. The ship has already docked and the container with the girls is likely on a truck headed for Atlanta. If we leave now, we can arrive at the same time, or maybe even beat it there. We have a drone monitoring it so we'll know if they stop and begin to let people off, but our guess is that they want to get the entire cargo to Atlanta for distribution. Let me make a few more phone calls because once we leave here, it will be at least an hour before we get into decent cellular coverage." First he called Glenn Parker back.

While the phone was ringing, Amanda came up behind Sean and placed the towel over his shoulders. He looked back at her questioningly. She simply held up the scissors for him to see and then smiled at him as she took several locks of his hair between two of her fingers and began to cut. This act felt somehow natural to Sean, so he turned back to the phone and let her continue without objection.

"Hi Glenn," Sean said when the phone was answered. "You're going to have to deal with the situation at your cabin on your own for right now. The FBI is probably going to want to get a statement from you about who you informed about your trip. I need you to leave me out of this as much as possible. As one of my lawyers, I assume you can manage that alright?"

"Not a problem. How did you get the FBI involved so quickly?" asked Glenn. "They generally wait for a request from local authorities before getting involved in something like this."

"The situation is being handled now as a matter of national security which takes it out of the hands of all local and state authorities. I wouldn't advise that you mention that fact yet or some of the rats will flee the ship before assets get in place to catch them. This goes deeper than just a rural county Sheriff. Several others have to be involved in order for them to think that they could bring a container full of young girls into the United States without fear of discovery."

"I wish I could get a flight out today, but I've already checked and the best I can do is a flight into Tallahassee through Atlanta late tomorrow morning," Glenn said.

"How fast could you get to Dulles?" asked Sean as he continued to feel foreign sensations every time Amanda touched his face, neck or head while she tenderly combed and cut his hair. "I'm about thirty minutes from there right now," Glenn replied.

"Don't go to the main terminal, but have someone direct you to the World Wings FBO building. I'll make arrangements for a private jet to fly you back today."

"Where will they fly me to?" asked Glenn. "Can they fly me to Decatur County Airport in Bainbridge?"

"That would be ideal," said Sean, "and I don't see why they couldn't. I could also see about having you met there by the FBI who could drive you to your cabin and get your statement along the way. Let me see what I can work out and get back to you."

Sean hung up and checked the time. He smiled up at Amanda in appreciation as he called his father's former secretary Maureen McKenna.

"Mr. Wallace's office," said a professional female voice.

"Hi Moe, it's Sean. Why did I know you would be in this early?"

"Sean! It's wonderful to hear your voice. Is everything okay?"

"I'm fine Moe, but I don't have a lot of time to chat right now and I need you to handle a few things for me with the highest priority. Can you do that?"

Without hesitation Maureen said, "I'm always at your service Sean. What do you need?" Sean explained the flight arrangements that he wanted made for Glenn Parker, as soon as he was finished giving her the details, he sensed something in her silence.

"Is there a problem Moe?" he asked.

"I don't think there will be a problem, but Mr. Folsom is out of the office today and if I don't track him down to get the approval..." she began.

"Moe, Tom Folsom doesn't have to approve any directions I give to you. You work for me, personally. Tom Folsom works for me, and then only in a limited capacity. If I need to remind him of that, I'll be more than happy to do so."

"I'll make the arrangements Sean, but you already know a few things have changed since you have been out. You may want to go ahead and remind Mr. Folsom before he completes his purge of anyone loyal to you. That's all I'm going to say on the matter right now."

"Give me Tom's cell number," Sean said.

She read him the number, "I'll call you back as soon as the arrangements are made."

"No, you won't be able to reach me on my cell for at least an hour so just call Glenn Parker at the number I gave you so he knows that he's good to go."

"Okay Sean," said Maureen. "Will we be seeing you anytime soon?"

"It sounds like that may be a real possibility," Sean told her as he hung up. He immediately called Tom Folsom's cell phone and left a message requesting a return call.

Amanda had been quietly listening to Sean on the phone as she finished cutting his hair and removed the towel from his shoulders. Her mother had always cut her father's and brother's hair, but she taught Amanda how to do it so that she could help out with the ranch hands. Her experience cutting the hair of dozens of men had never provided Amanda the satisfaction she was feeling with this intimate task for a man she had met less than two hours previous. Amanda became aware of how important it was to her for this haircut to please Sean.

She could tell that his last conversation bothered him, but she didn't want to interrupt him to ask any questions. She found a broom and began cleaning his cut hair from the floor around the base of his stool.

Sean called his uncle back. "Uncle Kirby, I have made arrangements for Glenn Parker, the owner of the cabin where the three Tangos are waiting, to fly back into Decatur County airport today. It might be a good idea to have the FBI meet him when he arrives to get his statement about what he told Morgan Smith. Can you arrange that?"

"Do you have his flight details?" asked Kirby.

"Not yet, but if you still have my dad's office number, you can call that. His former assistant, now mine is named Maureen McKenna. She is making the arrangements right now and will have all the details you need shortly."

"I remember Moe and I've got the number. I'll give it half an hour before I call," said Kirby.

"Thanks," said Sean. "We're going to be leaving here in the next few minutes and I will be out of pocket until we hit cell coverage about an hour from now. I've decided that we'll be headed towards Georgia highway 300 which will take us through Albany before meeting up with interstate 75. I'll call you as soon as we have a signal so we can get an update."

"Talk to you then," said Kirby as he ended the call.

Sean stood, walked into the kitchen and looked at his reflection in the microwave. He ran his fingers through his hair as he turned to Amanda. "Wow. This is the best cut I have ever had. I like the length and the style a lot. How did you know?"

Amanda finished dumping the clippings into a trash can before answering. She could barely contain the elation she felt. "I have spent enough time around a ranch and in remote areas to recognize when a man's hair is long due to neglect rather than design. Your hair was obviously bothering you, so I wanted to take care of it for you. I hope I wasn't too presumptuous in my actions."

"You won't hear anything but appreciation from me. I was seriously contemplating how to cut it myself, but that would have entailed just shaving my head. I like your style much more, so thanks again. It's perfect."

Amanda glowed at Sean's appreciative praise. "The pleasure was all mine. I am at your service whenever you need a touch-up. In fact, if circumstances later permit, your neck could use a little more attention to tidy things up some." An image of standing naked in a shower as she shaved his neck flashed across her consciousness and Amanda hoped the blush she felt wasn't too visible.

Sean simply nodded as he walked across the room and collected a packed duffle bag from a closet by the front door. "You pack fast," said Amanda.

"I had already packed before heading out to check my traps. My original plans for today were for me to drive to Atlanta and then head to Tennessee tomorrow morning. My hibernation had to end sometime and you happened to catch me as I am exiting my cave, so to speak."