Fergus moved the drone to the west wing. There was one image in the far-left corner on the second floor. They surmised that was where Ruffing slept. Below him, on the first floor, there appeared to be two more people. Fergus surmised they were in the staff quarters. No sign of others.

  Fergus shifted the drone back to the beach area. There were mostly rocks, with a very small beach. The fence ended at the jagged shoreline. The only way one could enter the property from the beach would be to get past the two guards.

  Fergus looked at Yoko. “This is what I suggest. We take both dinghies in. There will be one on the boat coming tonight. We’ll tie one dinghy up on the beach by the fence, the other on the other side. Far enough so the guards won’t see you or Kathryn sneak up on them. You will knock one guard out, then signal Kathryn to take on the other one. I know you can provide a good choke hold. Once they’re both unconscious, we’ll bind and gag them.”

  “And add a little chloroform so they can take a nice nappy,” Annie suggested. “Or something of that nature.” She winked at Myra.

  Kathryn snorted. “I could take that little weasel with one hand.”

  Everyone laughed. They knew she was right.

  “We also need to make sure we disable any communications capability they have with the main house or each other.”

  “Roger that,” Kathryn replied.

  “What’s the rest of the plan?” Isabelle asked.

  Charles began, “We’re going to have to disable the entire security system in the house. Isabelle, do you think you can figure out a way to jam their system?”

  “Shouldn’t be too hard if we can pick up the radio waves.”

  Fergus grunted. “I’ll see what I can do.” He fiddled with his laptop. Seconds later, a screen with the radio frequency appeared.

  “I don’t know what you need me for, Fergus.” Isabelle feigned a pout.

  “Because there are still some things you’re a tad better at than I.” He gave her a bow.

  “Aw shucks.” Isabelle smiled. “Let’s have a look.” She studied the patterns and opened her laptop.

  A hush fell over the group as they each studied the footage of the grounds and the location of the residents. Isabelle worked on a strategy to disarm the security system. She looked up. “It’s a bit tricky. I’ll be able to disarm it, but for only a short time. Twenty minutes tops. After that, it will recalibrate and reset itself.”

  “Okay, everyone. Let’s put on our thinking caps and figure out a plan,” Annie started. “Once we’re in, we split up. Kathryn, you and Yoko should take Ruffing. The rest of us will round up the girls.”

  “What about the staff?” Alexis asked over the secure phone line.

  “If the timing is right, we get everyone out who needs to be out, then trip the alarm,” Charles stated.

  “Why on earth would we want to trip the alarm?” Myra asked with a stunned look.

  “So whoever is still in the house will totally freak out!”

  Annie chuckled. “Let them poop in their trousers ... if they’re wearing any.” Everyone hooted at Annie’s remark.

  An hour later, they had constructed a plan to rescue the women at 19 Yellow Moon Road and contacted Pearl Barnes. Pearl’s special skill was relocating people. But it wasn’t the same kind of relocation that Simone and Noah would experience. No, Pearl’s relocation was far worse. More akin to relocating to hell.

  Chapter Thirty-five

  Tuesday

  Off the Coast of Cuba

  Nikki, Kathryn, and Alexis had arrived Monday night on the La Mancha and anchored near the Bella Grande. In the morning, they joined the others. Everyone was bustling about, discussing the plans and getting their gear together.

  Isabelle had been able to cobble together a rough schematic based on the video from the drone. They each had their instructions and were patiently waiting for day’s end.

  Maggie paced the second deck. “I hate waiting around.”

  “Yes, dear, we know.” Myra smiled at her. “Perhaps you’d like something to eat?”

  “Hah. When don’t I want something to eat?” Maggie grinned. “I miss Charles’s cooking. Don’t get me wrong. The food has been incredible. But there is something about the food Charles prepares that is, well, just different.”

  “Perhaps it’s because he’s preparing it for very special friends.” Myra beamed.

  Maggie put her arm around Myra and gave her a squeeze. “I can’t thank everyone enough for helping me find Gabby.”

  “And to think, it turned out to be much, much more,” Myra said.

  “I remember in the beginning you said something about ‘woo-woo.’ I really believe we were guided to this mission.” Maggie spoke with reverence. “Not that we aren’t at any other time. But, this. This was simply looking for Gabby and we uncovered so many horrendous things. Things that may have been going on for who knows how long.”

  Myra put her hand on Maggie’s shoulder. “We’re always given clues. Signs. It’s up to us to pay attention. You could have simply taken Gabby’s first call as something odd but not terribly important. But you had a gut feeling.”

  “Yes, I did.” Maggie stared out to the horizon. “And I am so glad you backed me up.”

  “We wouldn’t have had it any other way.” Myra gave Maggie a squeeze.

  * * *

  Daniel J. Ruffing greeted his guests in the foyer. Three US senators and the CEO of a large pharmaceutical company. Not counting Ruffing, that would make a two-to-one ratio between the women and the men. It would be an early evening. His biggest concern was if any of these men had a heart condition. If they wanted their ménage-à-trois fantasy, their health was their problem. I should have had them sign a waiver He smirked to himself. The big-pharma guy was slightly younger, but he still looked like he could use a transfusion.

  The men were shown to their rooms and given massages before the dinner party was to begin. That should make the evening even shorter. While he enjoyed taking their money, he was also very bored with the routine. Everyone pretended to like the others and to be interested in what they had to say. In reality, all they wanted was a fabulous dinner, fine wine and cigars, and a roll in the hay with two beautiful women. It was almost nauseating, but he was used to it.

  Each of the men was flanked on either side by a beautiful young woman. Ruffing was quite happy with himself that he was able to accommodate their wish list. The evening progressed as usual, ending with each guest being accompanied by “the hostesses.”

  * * *

  Not far from the shoreline, the sisters waited in the dinghies, and Pearl Barnes, who had arrived late that afternoon, was only a few hundred feet offshore in a cigarette boat.

  Fergus launched the drone and began to navigate it around the exterior of the premises, using the thermal imaging. As expected, the four guests had shown up earlier and there were now three people per room—four guests and the eight women. There were two more figures moving about from the dining area to the kitchen. One single figure was stationary in the area of Ruffing’s suite.

  They had cut the engines long before anyone could hear them approach and paddled their way toward the rocks, one on each side of the beachfront.

  Yoko slipped out of one dinghy and carefully moved toward the guard. Kathryn had landed on the other side of the small beach area, waiting for Yoko’s signal. Like lightning, Yoko took out the first guard, knocking him unconscious. Before anyone could take notice, Kathryn had her target in a choke hold. Each of the guards was given a shot of propofol, the same drug used for short-term anesthesia. It can take effect within fifteen seconds and last for over two hours. Yoko and Kathryn gave each other a thumbs-up and signaled the rest of the sisters, and Isabelle sent a frequency that would disable the security system.

  Dressed in their black ninja suits, the sisters and Gabby stealthily climbed over the rocks, Maggie giving Gabby hand signals. Even though Gabby had never been on a mission with them, they needed her to identify Rachel and the other women from The Haven. They certainly weren’t leaving without all the women, but the action had to be swift and carried out with as little hysteria as possible.

  They split into four teams, with Yoko designated to capture Ruffing. On Annie’s signal, the women stormed the mansion. Ruffing barely had time to take a breath before he was out cold. He was dragged to the beach, where Pearl and one of her associates, who had landed, took custody of him while another moved the cigarette boat closer to the shore.

  The four teams kicked open the doors of the four rooms, where the men were disrobing. Shrieks and howls filled the air, and the men tried to cover up their flabby white bodies.

  Gabby spotted Rachel and pulled down her mask just enough for Rachel to recognize her. Rachel’s eyes were as wide as saucers. Gabby whispered quickly, “Let the girls know we’re here to rescue them.”

  Rachel told Diedre, “Go help the others.” Everyone was shouting and scrambling. The two staff members fled toward the nearest exits and disappeared into the night.

  The women were half-clad, shaking, and crying. Rachel and Diedre assured them they would be okay.

  “Come with us! Quickly!” Annie shouted.

  Myra wrapped a blanket around one of the women. “Don’t be afraid. You’re going to be all right.” She helped her out to the terrace, where some of the others were waiting, all of them asking questions at the same time.

  It was a cacophony of hysteria, but Annie tried to calm them down. “Please, trust us. We’re here to help you. But we don’t have a lot of time.”

  Myra checked to see that all eight women were accounted for and at least partially clothed.

  Isabelle ran back toward the mansion. Annie shouted, “Where are you going?”

  “To get the evidence.” Isabelle ran into the house.

  “What is she talking about?” Myra tried to grapple with her pearls, but they were tucked tightly under her suit.

  “Darned if I know. Come on. We don’t have a lot of time.” Annie and the others ushered the girls toward the waterline. Fergus and Charles pulled the dinghies as close to the shore as possible.

  Myra stood at the top of the terrace, not sure if she should go back for Isabelle, when, much to her relief, she saw Isabelle running toward her, carrying a small black briefcase.

  “Hurry!” Myra waved her on and pointed to the briefcase. “What is that?”

  “Evidence.” Isabelle huffed and puffed.

  The two of them ran in the same direction as the others, just as the alarm started blaring, with large spotlights flooding the area. As Myra and Isabelle climbed into one of the boats, they could see the men running around on the terrace, trying to escape from the chaos. It was a sight to behold!

  Pearl was way ahead of them, with an unconscious Ruffing lying on the deck of her boat.

  As soon as Charles and Fergus had everyone seated safely, they opened up the throttles and hightailed it back to the yachts. It took several minutes for the questions and crying to subside. Myra was on one dinghy and Annie on the other as they explained to the women that they were no longer under the control of Daniel J. Ruffing. They were heading back to the USA.

  More questions and more crying as the sisters tried to calm everyone’s nerves. Their own included.

  When they arrived at the yachts, the eight “hostesses” made their way onto the La Mancha. They were shown to staterooms, where they could shower and put on a pair of soft pajamas, each with a sister to assist and comfort her.

  An hour later, everyone convened in the main salon, where refreshments and food awaited.

  “I am sure you have a lot of questions,” Annie began. And they certainly did.

  Myra laughed. “Perhaps we should explain. Then you can ask whatever you like.”

  Annie looked at Maggie. “This is your party, Maggie. You do the honors.”

  Maggie’s eyes welled. She pointed to the women she knew so well. “These are my sisters. We are a team. If someone is in trouble, we try to help.” She sniffled and cleared her throat.

  “Gabby and I went to journalism school together. She interned at the Washington Post, owned by our own Countess Anna Ryland de Silva.” She nodded toward Annie. “A little over a week ago, I got a strange message on my voice mail, and being a reporter with a nose for trouble, I had to figure it out.” Light giggles filled the salon. “With the help of my sisters, well, here we are.”

  Some of the women blurted questions while some raised their hands.

  Myra stepped in. “There is a lot we cannot divulge, but rest assured you will be okay, and you will never, ever have to deal with Daniel J. Ruffing or his cronies ever again.” Applause and tears from the group of rescued women.

  Rachel was one of the first to get up and hug Myra. Myra stiffened. “Oh, I am so sorry,” Rachel apologized.

  “No. No. It’s okay.” Myra took a deep breath. “Your perfume. Where did you get it?”

  Rachel looked slightly embarrassed. “I always carry a small silk pouch that I tie around my waist. I keep a travel-size perfume, lipstick, and mints.”

  “But the perfume. Miss Dior?” Myra asked, knowing the answer.

  “Yes. But how did you know?” Rachel looked surprised.

  “It’s a favorite of mine.” Myra relaxed and gave Rachel a real hug.

  “Me too. I got it when Simone took me shopping. There was something special about it. I can’t really explain it.”

  “No need.” Charles put his arm around Myra and gave her a squeeze. “Woo-woo, indeed.”

  Chapter Thirty-six

  When the yachts returned to Golden Shores Marina, a swarm of FBI and DEA agents greeted them. Charles and Fergus took the lead.

  “I suppose you gentlemen wish to secure these lovely vessels?”

  “We do indeed.” One of the men was wearing a jacket with FBI emblazoned on it. Another agent wearing a DEA windbreaker approached them.

  “Give us a moment to gather our belongings, and they’re both yours.” Fergus grinned.

  “Yes, they are.” Both agents answered at once, giving each other a possessive look.

  “Good luck to you, mates!” Fergus wheeled one of the dollies carrying the luggage, and Charles wheeled the other.

  The government officials wanted to question the women, but Myra and Annie stood between the agents and the women.

  “They need to be seen by doctors. They are all in shock. Give them some space, and we’ll help arrange for interviews.”

  The agents began to protest, but Myra and Annie weren’t budging. Fergus and Charles shot the agents a look that said, “Don’t even think about it.” Myra and Annie took the agents’ business cards and promised to be in touch as soon as the girls were checked out by physicians.

  Two large passenger vans waited at the end of the dock. They divided themselves up and climbed in. The chatter of the women was delightful. It was obvious that they were beginning to accept the fact that they were no longer sex slaves and were back in the US.

  Annie arranged for a few extra rooms at the Biltmore until they could find permanent housing for the girls. Jobs, too.

  Given the circumstances the women had been forced to live under, they, too, had a bond.

  The girls were taken to a highly regarded gynecologist and a trauma counselor. Physically, they were okay. It was the mental stuff that would take a while. The trauma counselor gave each of them her recommendations for therapy, both private and group. They all promised to comply.

  Over the next couple of days, the girls spent hours with federal agents, giving them whatever details they could remember, trying hard not to relive them. They were grateful for the therapy sessions.

  At the same time, the sisters were helping them decide on living arrangements, such as apartments, or helping them relocate to where they had friends or family members, family members who were upstanding and responsible citizens.

  But there was no way Rachel was going back to a crack-den trailer. Diedre had no family with the qualifications, either, so they decided to share an apartment. Jennie had only been at The Haven for a short time and only a few days at 19 Yellow Moon Road. She chose to visit her sister in Boston until she could figure out her next move. Maki, Tanya, Olivia, Collette, and Serena wanted to rent a big house where they could live together. Annie thought a bed-and-breakfast would be a good change of pace and found an ideal location for them in Islamorada. They would live there and run the place.

  By the end of the week, everyone had a game plan, including Liam and Gabby. Annie established the Margaret Drew Chair of Psychology at Florida International University for Liam, and Gabby would be his research assistant. Gabby would also do some freelance writing for the Herald, for their Arts and Entertainment section. The sisters were curious about whether Liam’s relationship with Gabby would evolve. Or not.

  Noah was heading to parts unknown, and Simone and her mother were relocated to Barbados. And then there was Ruffing. No, despite all the evidence the feds had gathered, he would not be going to trial and end up in a federal penitentiary. He wouldn’t even be indicted the only way he could be, in absentia. Because, strangely enough, despite all the efforts being made, Daniel Josephson Ruffing was nowhere to be found. The FBI and the DEA looked high and low, but their best efforts produced no results.

  Courtesy of the Sisterhood, Ruffing was headed for parts unknown. And his domicile would not be nearly as nice as a cell in a federal prison. His encounter with a troop of male baboons being transferred from Africa to the Monkey Jungle in Florida didn’t go very well. Ruffing’s screams were inaudible amidst the screeching of the most vicious and aggressive of the baboon species. And once the cage arrived in Florida, Pearl made further arrangements for Ruffing to relocate to a place where baboons would be considered tame.

  With everything wrapped up, the sisters packed their bags and headed to the executive airport, where Annie’s jet awaited.

  As they settled into their seats, Maggie made one more remark. “Charles? What’s for dinner tonight?”

  Everyone broke out in laughter. “Fettuccini carbonara, of course.”