Webb learned during his time in the military when preparing for battle things never went as planned. They hit a big snag when Milos's men carjacked a Verdanx Pharma vehicle with a young woman driver and male passenger. Since he and Rafe were supposed to take the place of the captured employees and use their confiscated IDs to gain entry to the Verdanx compound, it would never work. Rafe was similar in build to the male, but Webb would never pass for a young female.

Milos had secured the captured Verdanx employees and made sure they were well taken care of. Webb grew despondent over his inability to think up an alternative plan when by a stroke of good fortune, Ofelia announced she had recruited the captured young woman.

"Her name is Robin, and she lives right here in Tarpon Springs. She's entering her senior year at University of Florida at Gainesville and has a summer job at Verdanx Pharma as an errand runner."

Webb thought it too good to be true. "How did you turn her? How do you know she can be trusted?"

"I told a close version of the truth. I said the girl they had been looking for has unique cells, like a modern-day Henrietta Lacks. Doctor Armando had been searching for her and found her. I said he's holding her against her will and means to exploit her body. Turns out Robin is sensitive to female exploitation and was incensed by my story. She loathes Armando but works for him because the job pays well."

Webb didn't like it. He would have to speak to Robin himself to take her measure. "Didn't she wonder why we weren't calling the police?"

"I told her the truth about Cassie being Milos's young niece. I implied that Armando would physically harm Cassie if the family contacted law enforcement."

"She bought that story?"

Ofelia continued, "As I said, Robin lives here. Everyone in Tarpon Springs knows about Milos and his off the books businesses. She's aware of his reputation and understands how Milos would want to handle things his way."

Ofelia snapped her fingers. "Oh, I didn't mention I promised Robin a summer job at one of Milos's businesses that would pay more than her current position at Verdanx Pharma. It would save her a long daily commute. That's what sealed the deal."

Rafe spoke up. "It'll work. I'll change into the man's uniform and assume his identity. It's dark. The gate guard will see Robin as usual and assume everything is normal. Mr. Webb, you can hide in the trunk. We'll have to take our chances with Corky and Mick hiding under blankets in the back. If we're lucky the gate guard won't shine his light in the back."

"And if we're not lucky?" Ofelia asked.

Rafe picked up a taser from the table. "I'll scramble him before he has a chance to call in a warning."

Webb thought the kid had a reasonable plan. "What about the employee who rode with Robin?"

Ofelia grunted. "You know how men are. We bruised his ego by capturing him. He's surly and difficult. Milos's guys will keep him on ice until it's over."

Rubbing his eyes, Webb realized it had been a long time since he ran a nighttime operation. He was a forty-seven-year-old man and shouldn't be pushing his body the way he used to in his twenties. Yet, he was the most qualified. "Ofelia, you and Milos should leave now with your crews in the boats since it'll take you longer to get there. We all know what to do. Keep in touch."

As the two boat crews departed, Corky and Mick joined him and Rafe. They had Robin escorted into the room and asked her to sit. Webb had a favorable first impression of the woman. She seemed at ease and in-control, unintimidated by the four strange men whom she never met.

Webb repeated the story Ofelia had already told Robin and studied her reactions. She seemed genuinely angry over Armando's capture of Cassandra. He checked the time. They needed to get going.

He decided to lay it on the line for her. "I appreciate your wanting to cooperate. You need to know there is some risk involved, although it should be minimal for you. Once you drop us off on Live Oak Key, your job is done. You need to park the company vehicle, retrieve your car, and drive straight home. Can you agree to that?"

"If I could do more, I would," she said, "but I'll do as you say. By the way, I want to meet Cassandra when it's over."

"No problem. You'll like her. Everyone does."

He looked each man in the eye. "Rafe, Corky, Mick, do you have any objection to including Robin? If you do, say so now."

None of them did.

A few minutes later they loaded their gear into the Verdanx Pharma vehicle. Robin drove them north. Making small talk during their ride, Rafe discovered he knew Robin's younger brother. They had been in the same high school class.

The fact pleased Webb. The more connected Robin felt to them, the less likely she would consider betraying them to the gate guard.

Corky and Mick remained mostly silent. Webb wondered whether Cassandra's two sponging companions were starting to have second thoughts.

Halfway to their destination the skies opened. A steady rain caused Robin to turn on the wipers full speed. She slowed, finding it difficult to see the road in the middle of the night during a rainstorm.

"Milos and Ofelia and their men in those boats are going to be miserable," Webb said.

Robin glanced his way for a moment before returning her eyes to the road. "Good for us, though. Morg, the gate guard, won't be keen to come out of his shack to do a close inspection of our car."

About a mile out from the causeway leading onto the key, Robin pulled over. "It's time for you all to hide."

Webb stepped into the driving rain, grumbling to himself about bouncing around in the trunk. He'd been in less comfortable situations before on military operations, but that had been a long time ago when his body was more supple. After curling into a fetal position in the closed-in space and finding the emergency trunk release in case he needed to make a quick exit, he told Robin to go ahead and shut the lid.

He heard Corky and Mick shift around as they lay on the back seat and floor under blankets. This was their weak point. If things went wrong, it would be because the two men were too exposed to scrutiny.

The vehicle proceeded. Less than a minute later, Robin slammed on the brakes throwing Webb against the firewall at the front of the trunk. He cursed and wondered what was going on.

She was talking to someone. He couldn't make out the conversation over the sound of the rain drumming against the car. It didn't seem likely they had already reached the gate. If they did, Robin would've eased to a stop instead of slamming on the brakes. Alligators often crossed back roads at night moving from pond to pond. Maybe she had a near accident and was making sure everyone was all right.

Before he could overthink things, the car started rolling again. Whatever happened, the college girl handled it quickly. Good for her. His regard for Robin ratcheted up a notch.

The engine noise began to decrease, and Webb felt the car slow. The gate guard station, he figured. His respiration increased. They needed to clear this hurdle without raising suspicion. If necessary, he trusted Rafe would stun the man using the taser.

Webb's major concern about Rafe had to do with his being too personally involved. He worried the young man might be out for blood and would act without thinking. God save everyone from Rafe's wrath if Cassandra had been harmed. Unlike a trained, disciplined soldier, he would be uncontrollable.

Things were taking too long. He heard muffled talking above the pattering rain. Did the guard want to check the vehicle?

At that moment, Webb's phone buzzed. He had to take the call because Ofelia and Milos were overdue to check in. Squirming around while trying to remain silent, he managed to pull the phone from his pants pocket.

"Hello," he spoke barely above a whisper.

"We're in position on the water and stopped about a mile out from the facility," Ofelia said.

Webb appreciated her brevity. He told her they were in the process of passing the gate. "Stand by. I'll call when I need you to execute your part of the plan." He ended the call.

He was really worried now. They had been at the gate for several minutes. If what Robin said was true about Morg the gate guard not appreciating the rain, he should've waved them through long ago.

Webb closed his hand around the trunk release. Could his old bones react quick enough for him to spring from the trunk and take the guard by surprise? Just as he was about to pull the handle, the car began to ease forward.

They would be driving across the causeway onto the small private key. He tried to picture it in his mind, what was about to happen.

Question - Was Robin able to trick the gate guard?

Top photo credit: woodleywonderworks http://www.flickr.com/photos/73645804@N00/14216490067 via photopin.com Creativecommons.org license