17. Levi

Chapter seventeen

Levi

I 'm halfway through my meal when I notice him. The suspicious-looking guy Joe described, leaning against the bar and watching me with keen interest. My heart pounds in my chest as he makes his way over, his movements deliberate and calculated.

"Mind if I join you?" he asks, not waiting for an answer before sliding into the seat across from me.

"Sure," I say, forcing a smile. "Name's Levi."

"I know who you are," he replies, his voice low and gravelly. "Name's Rick. I've heard you've been asking questions around town."

I swallow hard, trying to keep my composure. "Yeah, just curious about what's been going on. Lot of strange things happening lately."

Rick smirks, leaning closer. "You see, curiosity can be dangerous, Levi. But it can also be profitable if you play your cards right."

I raise an eyebrow, pretending to be interested. "What do you mean?"

He glances around to make sure no one is listening, then lowers his voice even more. "We're looking for someone with a boat to help with a little job. Pays well. All you have to do is transport some crates. No questions asked."

I nod slowly, as if considering his offer. "Sounds interesting. What's in the crates?"

"Like I said, no questions," Rick snaps, his eyes narrowing. "But let's just say it's something valuable. Something people would pay a lot to get their hands on."

I take a deep breath, trying to mask my unease. "I'll think about it. Can I get back to you?"

Rick's expression hardens, and he leans in even closer, his breath hot on my face. "Listen, Levi, I know you and your team have been causing some trouble for us. If you don't agree to help, we'll make sure Maya pays the price. Understand?"

My blood runs cold at his words, and a wave of fear and anger washes over me. "You leave her out of this," I growl, my fists clenching under the table.

"That's up to you," Rick says with a sneer. "Do the job, and she stays safe. Refuse, and we can't guarantee her safety. Think about it. You have 24 hours."

He stands up and walks away, leaving me trembling with rage and fear. I sit there for a few moments, trying to process what just happened. The thought of Maya being in danger because of me is unbearable, but I can't let her know. I can't risk her trying to get involved and getting hurt.

I push my meal away, unable to stomach it now. My mind is racing with a million thoughts.

As I leave Grady's and head back to my boat, I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders. I need to find a way to protect Maya and stop these poachers, but I'm running out of options.

Back on the boat, I sit in the dark, staring out at the water. I can't let them win, but I can't put Maya in danger either. I'll have to play along for now, gather as much information as I can, and find a way to turn the tables on them.

I just hope I can figure it out before it's too late.

***

I wake on my boat, the early morning light filtering through the small porthole. Last night's events play in a loop in my head. Rick's threats hang heavy over me, a constant reminder of the danger Maya is in. I have to protect her, but how?

I force myself to get ready, pulling on a clean shirt and heading up to the deck. We have the meeting at the center this morning with Sarah, the authorities, and Wildlife officials to discuss our findings. I need to keep my head clear, focus on the task at hand, and figure out my next move.

When I arrive at the center, the team is already there—Jim, Hank, Lori, and Maya. Sarah greets us with a serious expression. "Morning, everyone. Let's get started."

We gather in the small conference room. The air is thick with tension. The authorities and Wildlife officials are seated at the table, papers and files spread out in front of them.

"We've made some progress," Sarah begins, addressing the group. "First, let's discuss the data collected from the nests so far."

Hank stands up, pointing to a map pinned on the wall. "Based on our findings, we've identified several patterns in the disturbances. The poachers seem to be targeting nests in a clockwise pattern around the islands. If they continue this, we might be able to predict their next move."

The Wildlife official nods, jotting down notes. "We can use this to plan our patrols more effectively."

Next, Detective Goodwin speaks up. "We've traced the piece of cloth found on Levi's boat the night of the fuel line incident." He pauses, glancing around the room. "It matches the uniform worn by one of the maintenance workers at the marina—Carl Jennings."

My heart sinks. Carl had always seemed like a reliable guy. We'd exchanged pleasantries whenever I docked. How could he be involved in this?

Jim looks shocked. "Carl? Are you sure?"

The investigator nods. "We have a match. We're bringing him in for questioning, but it's possible he's just a pawn in a bigger game."

I exchange a glance with Maya. Her eyes are wide with disbelief, but there's a hint of relief too. At least we have a lead.

"We need to stay alert for anything out of the ordinary," Sarah says, her voice firm. "Levi, you and the team should finish your patrols and data collection today. The authorities will handle the investigation into Carl."

"Sarah, I'm going to have Hank take the team out today on the smaller boat. I noticed Island Dreamer was running rough coming in yesterday and I want to have it checked out before I take it out again." I quickly add. "Is that okay with you, Hank?"

"Sure, Boss. Not a problem." Hank replies.

That was the only thing I could think of on the spur of the moment. I need to meet with Sarah and the authorities and let them know what is happening without bringing the team into it yet. I especially don't want Maya to know the danger she's in.

The meeting wraps up, and we file out of the room. Maya pulls me aside, her expression worried. "Why aren't you going with us today? I didn't notice anything wrong with the boat yesterday."

"I just want to be sure the boat is in tip top shape with everything going on with the poachers." I lie. "We just need to be extra careful until this is over."

She nods, biting her lip. "What now?"

"Now, we keep doing our job. We protect the turtles, and we keep an eye out for anything suspicious."

She gives me a strange look that I'm not sure I understand. She doesn't seem like her usual self. She seems cold or am I just imagining things. I wish we had time to talk but we both have our jobs to do.

The weight of my secret feels like a leaden anchor dragging me down. I need to figure out how to deal with Rick without putting Maya in more danger.

I watch her walk toward Island Dreamer with the rest of the team, my heart heavy with worry. I have less than 12 hours to figure out my next move. Rick's threat looms large, and the stakes have never been higher.

As the team heads out for the day, I make my way back to the conference room where Sarah and the authorities are still gathering their notes. I take a deep breath and step inside, closing the door behind me.

"Levi, what's going on?" Sarah asks, noticing the tension in my face.

"I need to talk to you all. It's urgent." I sit down, feeling the weight of the situation settle over me. "Last night, while I was having dinner at Grady's, one of the poachers approached me. His name is Rick, and he made me an offer I can't refuse—literally."

Detective Goodwin, the lead investigator leans forward. "What do you mean?"

I recount the conversation from the night before, my voice steady despite the fear bubbling inside me. "Rick wants me to transport some crates for them. He threatened Maya if I don't comply. I have until tonight to give him my answer."

Sarah's face pales, and the Wildlife official looks grim. The investigator's eyes narrow as he processes the information.

"I need a plan," I say, my voice tinged with desperation. "I can't let Maya or any of the team get hurt, but I also can't just go along with these poachers."

Detective Goodwin clears his throat, concern etched on his face. "Alright, Levi, we need to set up an undercover operation. You agree to Rick's demands, and we'll equip your boat with tracking devices and surveillance equipment. This way, we can gather evidence and move in at the right moment to catch them in the act."

I shake my head. "They're probably watching me and the boat. No one can get near it without raising suspicion."

Officer Daniels chimes in, "We'll have to give you the tracking devices and the wire. You'll need to install them yourself. It's risky, but it's the only way."

Detective Goodwin nods. "Agreed. We'll walk you through the setup step by step over an earpiece. We can't afford to tip them off."

Officer Daniels adds, "We'll also need you to wear a wire when you meet with Rick. We need solid evidence of their plans and threats. It's the only way to ensure a strong case against them."

My heart races at the thought of being so directly involved, but I know it's necessary. "Alright, I'll do it. But we need to make sure Maya is safe."

Sarah places a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "We'll keep her under surveillance, and if anything seems off, we'll move her to a safe location."

I nod, taking a deep breath. "Okay. So, what's the plan?"

Detective Goodwin outlines the strategy. "First, we'll get the tracking devices and the wire. Meet us back here in the center in an hour. We'll show you exactly where to place them on your boat using diagrams and instructions. You'll need to do this discreetly, so they don't suspect anything."

"My boat is equipped with a GPS already. Will that help?"

"I would imagine the poachers will disconnect it so the boat can't be tracked. Ours will be insurance in case that happens," Detective Goodwin replies.

As the meeting wraps up, Detective Goodwin looks at me. "We'll reconvene at the center in an hour. Stay sharp, Levi."

I head back to my boat, the Island Dreamer, to prepare. The boat is quiet, the water lapping gently against the hull. My thoughts race as I try to process everything. This is bigger than anything I've ever dealt with, but I have no choice. Maya's safety—and our mission—depend on it.

Back on the boat, I sit in the captain's chair, staring out at the calm water. The irony isn't lost on me—the serene surroundings contrast sharply with the turmoil inside me. Thoughts swirl around like a storm. What if they find the wire? What if I can't pull this off? I can't shake the image of Maya's face. This mission isn't just about the turtles anymore; it's about protecting her, keeping her safe from these dangerous people. I think about our team, our shared dedication, and the trust we've built. It all feels fragile now, hanging by a thread

An hour later, I'm back at the center. Goodwin and Daniels hand me a bag containing the tracking devices and the cameras. They go over the instructions meticulously, ensuring I understand every detail.

Detective Goodwin hands me a sleek, black watch, his expression serious. "This is more than just a timepiece. It's equipped with a microphone and GPS. If they check you for a wire, they won't find anything."

I examine the watch, feeling its weight in my hand. "And the tracking device for the boat?"

He pulls out a small box containing several devices. "We'll walk you through how to install these remotely. It's crucial they don't suspect a thing."

I nod, slipping the watch onto my wrist. The significance of this moment isn't lost on me; it's a lifeline, a thin thread of hope in a sea of uncertainty.

"Good luck, Levi," Sarah says, her eyes filled with concern. "We'll be monitoring everything. Stay safe."

I leave the center, my heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination. As I make my way back to the boat, I can't help but feel the weight of the task ahead. Once on board, I call the number Goodwin gave me.

"Alright, Levi," the voice on the other end says. "Let's start with the tracker for the boat. Find a secure, hidden spot near the engine. It needs to be undetectable but still able to transmit signals."

I follow the instructions meticulously, securing the device under a panel near the engine. The entire time, my mind races with the implications. One mistake, one wrong move, and everything could fall apart.

"Next, we need to set up the motion sensors and the cameras," the voice continues. "These will alert us if anyone boards the boat without your knowledge."

I install the sensors and cameras as directed, hiding them in strategic locations around the boat. The process takes longer than I anticipated, each step heightening my awareness of the danger I'm in.

"Final step," the voice says. "Activate the system and confirm it's working."

I complete the activation, a soft beep signaling that everything is online. "It's done," I say, my voice steadier than I feel.

"Good. We'll keep you updated. Stay alert, and remember, we will be monitoring everything going on."

I end the call and sit back, the boat suddenly feeling like both a sanctuary and a trap. I've done everything I can to prepare. Now, it's a waiting game.

As I glance at the horizon, unable to shake the feeling that this is just the beginning. The real test is yet to come. I think about Maya and realize this fight isn't just for us—it's for all of us.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the next step. "Let's do this," I mutter to myself, determination hardening into resolve.