Page 71 of Building Courage

He surmised that something illegal was going on. The two men were using the yacht as some kind of cover, and this Tim guy was probably involved in some way, but until they had something more concrete to report, there was nothing Ahmad could do.

There was nothing he could do for Ahmad…yet. “Ahmad, the only thing I can tell you to do is document the movements of the yacht and the cabin cruiser, and see if you can find out what kind of cargo they’re carrying. But be careful. If they are bringing something illegal back from any of the Mexican ports, they’ll mean business if they think you’ve figured out what they’re doing.”

Ahmad blew out a breath that billowed his cheeks but nodded.

“Once you have something solid,” Tucker said, “if you don’t want to go to the police alone, I’ll go in with you, or you can mail them your notes or phone it in anonymously. But be careful.” Because the man was frightened and had so few friends, Tucker felt responsible for him.

Tucker got a slip of paper from Brynn’s desk and wrote the number of the burner phone on it. “Should you need to reach out, call the police first, but you can call me, too.”

Ahmad tucked the sheet of paper in his pocket. “Thank you, Petty Officer Giles.” He rose to leave.

“Tucker, Ahmad.”

“Tucker. Thank you.” He offered his hand, and Tucker shook it.

“You could always quit the job and walk away, Ahmad.”

The man shook his head. “I have to keep my job. As long as I stay with my cousin, I must pay my way. But I will continue to look for another job.”

“Is your father still with the ambassador?” Tucker asked.

“Yes.”

“He could pull some strings to get you a different job.”

“When he learned I wanted to immigrate to the United States, he was displeased. He said he would not help me, and it was up to me to find my way.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Tucker said. He rose to walk Ahmad to the door, and Brynn fell in beside him.

Ahmad turned to speak to Brynn. “I was relieved when you told Tim you would not have a drink with him, Miss Barrington. You must warn your friend to be careful should she see him around your apartment building.”

“I will, Ahmad. Please be careful.”

“I will.”

After the door closed behind him, Brynn moved to lean against Tucker. “He’s so afraid.”

“I know. But without proof, the police won’t follow up, and if they did, it might put him in more danger.”

“Titan is the name of an elite race of people in Greek mythology, Tucker. Aurora is the Goddess of Dawn, and Galatea was a water nymph, one of fifty daughters of some deity or other I can’t remember.”

“That you even know all that is…” He shook his head.

“The internet is a wonderous thing. I researched the origin of the name Aurora on the off chance I could use some of the info in the introduction of the slide show. Finding it was Greek, I looked up Greek gods and goddesses of the water, sea or ocean.” She leaned back her head to meet his gaze. “What are the odds that all three vessels registered with names taken from Greek mythology aren’t owned by the same man? I’d bank on Liam Bryant owning the Titan.”

“I would, too,” he agreed. “But without proof, Ahmad can’t take just suspicions to the police. They won’t follow up, and if they did, it might land him in hot water. He needs to bide his time and keep an eye out for more or walk away.”

“Tucker, I’ve walked in his shoes. The pressure, the fear when you’re looking over your shoulder…it’s crushing. I know you deal with it, too. But he’s just a kid.”

He didn’t remind her she’d been three years younger when she’d been experiencing someone stalking and abusing her. He tightened his arms around her. “He seems much younger than either of us, doesn’t he?”

“Yeah, he does.”

“We have to find a way to help him if we can.”

She’d taken on Gillespie on her own and nearly lost her life. “We’ll help when we can. But don’t get the idea of giving him your number to call, Brynn. If he calls you…call me right away, and let me handle it. Okay?”

When a knock sounded at the door, they looked at one another. “I’ll get it,” he said. He looked through the peek hole. “Blond guy dressed to the nines?”