Bruce Webb gathered with Ofelia, Rafe, and Milos Argyros in the harbormaster's office. He had called Bonnie and told her he was working with the authorities on a kidnapping case and wouldn't be home. From the way she responded and the tone of her voice, he wasn't sure she bought it. His marriage hung by a thread.

He had summarized the story for Milos:  Rafe had returned to the picnic table a half hour after Cassie went to find him. Webb and Ofelia assumed the two of them had been together patching things up after their quarrel. When Rafe said he hadn't seen Cassie, they frantically searched Anclote Key looking for her.

It didn't take long for Webb to realize what had happened. His suspicion was confirmed by one of the tourists who had seen a teen girl matching Cassandra's description being carried aboard a speedboat. The boat had left the dock at high speed heading north.

"Verdanx Pharmaceuticals owns a high-powered boat," Webb told them. "They're taking Cassandra to Doctor Armando's lab on Live Oak Key."

"Where is that?" Rafe asked, desperation in his tone.

"And how do you know where they are taking her?" Milos asked.

"I already told you, I used to be part of the team working for Armando. I've been to his lab. He owns a small key, north of here along the coast southwest of Gainesville. Live Oak Key is just large enough to accommodate his lab in a private, controlled-access setting."

Ofelia pulled up Google Maps on the harbormaster computer. "I see it. It's a hundred twenty miles from here to there. By boat it's approximately ninety-five miles. I suppose it'll be quicker to get there by car even though its farther."

"Are you sure Cassandra will be taken there and not someplace else?" Milos asked.

"Doctor Armando's lab is well-equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. If he has a secondary location, I don't know about it."

Milos shook his head as if disbelieving, his thick black hair disheveled as if he had just gotten out of bed. "This Doctor Armando must know we will make a move on him. Is the man so naïve as to think we would just abandon Cassandra?"

"He's not naïve. He's arrogant. He doesn't see us as a serious threat. He doesn't know your reputation."

Milos narrowed his eyes. "What are you implying?"

"Look, I don't care about the activities you're involved in. I'm not here to judge. I'm thinking only about how to rescue your niece and suspect you have the resources to make it happen."

Webb was glad Milos didn't insult his intelligence by trying to deny what he had said.

"Why don't we just call the police or the FBI?" Ofelia asked. "We can tell them about the kidnap, who we suspect, and the location. Why not let them handle it?"

To Webb's surprise, Milos answered her question and got it right. "It would take too much time. The official authorities need to deal with protocols and bureaucratic overhead. They'd spend hours interviewing us to determine the validity of our claim. They'd have to assemble a hostage rescue team from who knows where, maybe Washington, D.C. They'd need to secure a judge's permission to get proper warrants. Then they'd need to mobilize. It would take days."

Rafe paced, his piercing green eyes and eagle nose making him look especially fierce. He shouted, "Enough talk. What are we waiting for? Let's go get her."

Webb sympathized with the young man's impatience, but they all needed to calm down and have a clear head for what was coming. "One does not simply drive up to the causeway gate and demand access to the compound. I'm thinking up a plan."

Rafe continued to pace and rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, what's the plan?"

All of them looked at Webb as if he had all the answers. He had the seed of an idea, but it wasn't fully formed. There were so many unknowns. When he was team leader, an operation like this one would take hours of planning and preparation. Hours they didn't have. His blood boiled thinking about the atrocities sweet Cassie might be suffering at the hand of Doctor Armando.

Webb knew he was the most qualified to direct the rescue. He knew the location, the layout of the lab, and the personnel. He took a breath. "There are a number of official Verdanx Pharma vehicles in town searching for Cassandra. We need to carjack one of them."

Milos pulled his cell phone. "Done. My men will handle it."

"Don't hurt the employees," Webb cautioned. "We need them, their uniforms, and their credentials, but don't let them call anyone either. If they have a chance to warn the lab, it'll kill our plan."

"I have a warehouse with a secure room where we can stash them," Milos said with a smile, as if what they were planning was a daily occurrence.

Webb looked at Rafe. "You're personally involved, so I'd prefer you didn't come."

Rafe snorted. "Just try to stop me."

Webb realized it was too much to ask of the young man. If they shut him out, he'd just go rogue and muck things up. "Okay, you can come, but you must do exactly as I say without question."

Rafe nodded but didn't say anything.

Webb turned to Milos. "I need two more men besides Rafe. Whomever you choose needs to know it's dangerous. I'm anticipating violence. Also, they need to be trusted for their discretion. We might find Cassandra in a transformed state."

"Corky and Mick," Ofelia chimed in. "They're both tough, in shape, and know how to handle themselves. They've grown close to Cassie being on our sponge crew and would do anything for her."

The two men seemed perfect for the job. "Okay, the four of us will drive to the lab in the hijacked vehicle and hopefully gain entry using the captured creds. I'll need both sponge boats to leave as soon as possible to approach by the Gulf. It'll take the boats longer to get there. I'll need a couple men on each boat as backup."

Milos who had just ended his call arranging for the carjacking grunted. "I'll see to it."

"I'll pilot my boat," Ofelia said.

"And I'll pilot the other," Milos said.

It made sense. Webb's only worry was his new crew's lack of combat or tactical training. If they had to go up against his Tipstaff colleagues, not all of them would make it.

One more thing needed to be said, and Webb directed it toward Milos whom he was sure would understand. "We've all been edgy about Cassandra's safety for the past five years. Constantly looking over one's shoulder is no kind of life for anybody, especially a teen girl. Since we must do this thing, we should take the opportunity to end the threat to her...permanently. Do you understand what I mean?"

From the grim looks on each of their faces, Webb knew they got his message. "But no collateral damage. No harming anyone that doesn't threaten us. Milos, make sure your men understand that."

"Don't worry," the Greek said. "I don't need any more heat on me from law enforcement than I already have."

Ofelia cleared her throat. "Milos, you need to call Marnie. She has a right to know what's happening to her niece."

He hesitated. "I hate to worry her. I'd rather make that call when its over and Cassie is safe."

"No, call her now. She needs to prepare herself for whatever the outcome. Invite her to spend the night at our house."

Webb thought Ofelia's gesture was generous, inviting Milos's ex to spend the night at her house. Before the man could make the call, Webb asked, "I assume you can supply us with weapons?"

Milos grinned. "Of course."

Red faced, Rafe balled his fists at his side. "C'mon, let's go!"

Question - Is Rafe too emotional to go on this rescue mission?

Sorry about that overused meme at the top of the page, but I couldn't resist!