Kingston Kidnappings (What Happens In Vegas Book 3) by Matt Lincoln (classic books for 10 year olds txt) 📕

massive throngs of people moving through the airport created an unbearably warm and humid atmosphere.

“Damn, it’s hot,” Charlie groaned, vocalizing my thoughts in three succinct words.

“Welcome to Jamaica,” I smiled. “It will actually feel better once we’re outside if you can believe it. The temperature in Jamaica is actually quite moderate and pleasant. It rarely goes above ninety degrees Fahrenheit in the summer, and the sea breezes are lovely. It only feels so warm in here because we’re inside a glass box with so many other people.” I meant that quite literally, as the entire front of the airport consisted of enormous glass windows. It was very pretty to look at, but the sun through the glass created a magnifying effect that only increased the indoor temperature.

As federal agents, we didn’t have to go through security or luggage claim, as we already had our bags with us. I was extremely grateful for these perks as we headed straight through the airport and toward the exits.

It was a relief when we finally stepped out of the airport, and, sure enough, my prediction had been right. It felt much cooler out here, though still warm, and I could smell the salt in the air as the breeze over the ocean carried it over to us.

Now that I was actually standing on Jamaica soil, I could feel butterflies in my stomach. Bright pink and yellow flowers lined the edges of the airport, and in the distance, I could already see the glowing blue of the ocean. I was really here, in the same city where my parents had tried to marry me off ten years ago. I pushed the thought away. I was here to stop the trafficking of children. I couldn’t allow myself to fail them by getting caught up in my own worries.

“Didn’t Nelson say he was going to arrange to have some cops meet us here?” Charlie asked as he looked around the pick-up and drop-off area in front of the airport. “Where are they?”

“That might be them now,” I remarked as I pointed to a large SUV that was pulling into the area. It had “Jamaica Constabulary Force” emblazoned across the side in large white letters. The car came to a stop in front of us, and two men wearing dark blue uniforms and heavy, bullet-proof vests stepped out.

“You are the federal agents from the United States?” The taller of the two men asked as he looked between Charlie and me.

“That’s right,” I nodded. “I’m Agent Patel, and this is Agent Hills. Our office made arrangements about having you escort us to the site of a potential crime scene.”

The man raised an eyebrow at me before breaking into a low chuckle.

“They sent a woman to investigate such a serious crime?” he jeered.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Charlie asked before I could say anything in response, and the man shrank back as Charlie loomed over him. He wasn’t as muscular as the other man, but Charlie was tall and had an intimidating presence. His scowl alone was enough to cow most suspects into submission, but I was worried the officer might take offense and try to start something. Even if he was a jerk, we were on their turf, and it was risky to be antagonizing them. Charlie and Junior had had a problem dealing with crooked police officers during their last mission, and Jamaica was no stranger to corruption among law enforcement.

Their tense standoff continued for what felt like an eternity as Charlie glared at the officer, waiting for an answer.

“Nothing,” the man finally replied as he flashed us a fake smile. “It was only a joke. You Americans have no sense of humor. Now, how about we get going, then?” He moved past Charlie before opening the door to the backseat.

“Ladies, first?” he asked mockingly as he shot me a look laced with malice.

“Certainly,” I responded as I pushed past him to open the front passenger side door. As I climbed inside, I caught sight of the other officer snickering. He got back into the driver’s seat, which left the jerk officer with nowhere to sit aside from the seat he’d offered to me.

“Here’s the address,” Charlie called as he handed his phone to the officer in the driver’s seat.

“Okay,” the man nodded. “We should be there in just a few minutes.”

As we drove off, the thrill I’d felt at having rebuked the sexist officer faded as I realized I’d made a grave error in seating myself directly in front of him in the car. He clearly had a problem with me, and it had been foolish to leave my back exposed to him. I didn’t like that I couldn’t keep an eye on him like this, but I knew that Charlie was back there with him and that he wouldn’t let him try anything.

Nevertheless, I was still glad when we made it to our destination, and I no longer had to stay in that position. It was a nice home and expensive by Jamaican standards without being ostentatious. Before I could get out, though, the sexist officer rushed out and slammed the door behind him.

“Better go make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid,” Charlie sighed as he got out of the car as well. I was about to follow him when the officer in the driver’s seat gently took hold of my arm.

“I’m sorry about back there,” he apologized before I could castigate him for touching me. “What Tobias said, I mean.”

“That’s his name?” I asked. “Tobias?”

“Yes,” the officer nodded. “I’m Leo, by the way. We didn’t get a chance to introduce ourselves with what happened back there. Sorry again, by the way. He’s always such a jerk to everyone, but especially to women.”

“How unfortunate,” I frowned. “He must be a joy to work with.”

Leo shrugged.

“Yes,” he chuckled. “But the look on his face when you ignored him and took the front seat! I wish I had taken a picture of it. I’d tape it to