Nemesis Chapter 35

Nemesis Chapter 35

Nicholas left Shannon's room and stopped by the hospital cafeteria to grab a pastry and some coffee.  The others were just finishing breakfast by the time he returned.

Nicholas quickly filled them in on Shannon's condition, and everyone smiled and sighed in relief.  Then, the four men settled down to discuss mission strategy.

"So we know that John Christie is Garcia's boss," Jim began, "and we know that they plan to use the warehouse to package cocaine.  We can only guess that Christie and Garcia are planning to distribute it once it's packaged."

"But so far, we don't know how or to whom," Grant chimed in, "and we don't know if they're purchasing the drugs from an existing supplier or manufacturing them on-site."

He punched a few buttons on his laptop, which was set up on his hospital tray table.  "IMF surveillance isn't showing any significant purchases of either cocaine or cocaine-making materials by anyone in recent months."

"Well, if they're still working on the warehouse, they wouldn't be ready to buy the drugs or materials just yet," Nicholas observed.

"True," Max countered, "but I heard Garcia say that the warehouse would be ready in a week or so.  That was three days ago."

"We''ve definitely lost some time," Jim agreed, "and we don't know how much closer they are to finalizing their plans.  We can't afford to wait any longer; we need to nail Christie now."

Jim paused for a moment, and the team could almost see the wheels turning in his mind.  "We need to find out how they're progressing with the warehouse.  Then we have to find Christie's headquarters, and get somebody inside."

"That's going to be harder now than before," Grant advised, pulling up more information on his laptop.  "Christie is no longer recruiting prisoners to work on the warehouse."

"That was only a ploy to get to us anyway, Grant," Max reminded him, shooting a glance at Nicholas, "just like the fake informant."

"That's a good point, Max," Jim agreed. "Christie thinks the four of you are dead already."

Jim stifled a shudder, remembering for a moment how close that was to being true.  Neither Grant nor Max seemed to notice, but Nicholas did.  From his chair sitting by Jim's side, he reached out to pat Jim's leg reassuringly.

"The only one of us who would have a chance at getting in undercover without being recognized would be you, Nicholas,"  Grant said thoughtfully, shooting a glance at his friend.  "Of course, Christie thinks he killed the 'priest,' but you could go in as almost anyone.  Besides, you're the only one of us in good enough health to do it."

"Not quite the only one," Jim chimed in.

It took a moment for the implication of his words to sink in, but when they did, Jim unsurprisingly met with resistance from everyone else in the room.

Grant shook his head.  "No way, Jim."

"We can't let you do that," added Max.

"We already know that Christie wants you dead, Jim," protested Nicholas.  "It's too dangerous."

Jim held up his hand.  "Now, hold on a second," he said calmly.  "Think about it.  Of course, Christie 's going to come after me next, but he doesn't know that the rest of you are still alive.  Why don't we use that to our advantage, to lure him out so that we can track him and figure out exactly what he's up to?"

"But it's not safe, Jim," Grant insisted.  "It will be hard for us to protect you."

Jim smiled warmly at his friends.  "I appreciate your concern, fellows, I really do," he assured them, "but I have to do this.  Christie nearly took the lives of my four teammates - my four closest friends.  I have to do what I can to bring him down."

Jim's three companions knew that there was no changing his mind, and that each of them in his shoes would feel the same.  All they could do was nod their cooperation, and vow silently to do whatever they could to protect their leader - and each other.

*****

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