Chapter 15: All That Sparkles

The next day, back at the bullpen

Bobby: There’s a list of warehouses in Baltimore where the shipment of diamonds could be hidden. But Monica did not specify which one DMX International is using for their operation.

Jack: Tara, check out all the warehouses in Baltimore. The warehouse that we need to locate is the one that is big enough to store weapons since we believe that Max Lewis is trading stolen diamonds for weapons.

Myles: Bad news, the police found Monica in her apartment with her throat slashed.

Jack: And our luck keeps on rolling.

Tara: Hold on. There’s an email from Victor Cognomil. It looks like there’s a meeting set for 10 PM tonight at Carrington Marine Terminal.

D: Any idea who Victor Cognomil really is and what about the mystery buyers?

Myles: Where is Carrington Marine Terminal? We don’t want to get there and find out it’s all been a hoax.

Tara: Victor Cognomil is a mystery. There are no lists of potential buyers. But to answer your question Myles, Carrington Marine Terminal, is in the Port of Baltimore. It is a privately owned import-export company which specializes in handling dry bulk minerals, metals, food & farm products, general cargo distribution, and chemicals. It has easy access to Interstate 95 and operates 24/7. It is located on Henderson Street and Delaney Drive.

Bobby: That could be how they move the diamonds and weapons in and out of the country and no one would be the wiser.

Jack: Good work, Tara. Maybe Renee knows who Victor Cognomil is. We will regroup at 6 PM to set up our “sting” to take them all down. (megawatt smile)

In the conference room

Jack: Renee, do you have any idea who Victor Cognomil is?

Renee: Yeah. He works at the embassy. He is head of security for George Perkins, the U.S. Ambassador. What’s this all about?

Jack: All I can tell you is that he may be involved with really bad associates. We are going to put them all out of business tonight. Thanks for your help. (megawatt smile)

Carrington Marine Terminal, 10 PM meeting underway

Myles: Everybody is in place, Jack. SOG, SWAT, and ERT are on stand-by. They’ll move when you give the signal.

Jack: Good. Boys, put on your protective gear. We move in 5 minutes. Let’s do this by the book. I don’t want any of those men inside to get off on a technicality. Ready. 3-2-1 Move. FBI! Hands up in the air, now! Drop it. Kick your weapons over to me.

Bobby: Drop your weapons. Do it now. Take one more step, and I’ll shoot first, ask questions later. If you think I’m bluffing, just try it, amigos.

Jack calls the other teams to come in. SWAT, SOG, and ERT surround the place and put the handcuffs on Victor Cognomil, Max Lewis, Carlos Del Marco, and the mystery buyer; Frank Konsansky.

Myles: Planning on going somewhere Carlos Del Marco? We have a nice prison cell waiting for you. It will be like a family reunion for you, your brother, and your nephew. This makes a nice postcard to send to your relatives back in Italy.

Jack: Nice of you all to meet to finalize your diamond deal. Too bad we were waiting for you. But don’t worry; you’ll get free room and board courtesy of Uncle Sam for the rest of your miserable lives. (megawatt smile and laughs)

D: Well, this is certainly bigger than a bread box. Let’s take a look inside. (smile)

They lift the crates up and find antiaircraft weapons inside. There must be at least 50 of them in each crate. Jack lifts the last crate up, under many empty boxes; Jack picks out the smallest box. Inside are at least 70 stolen diamonds; more than the guys know what to do with at the moment. Each diamond sparkles like the stars in the sky on a summer evening. SWAT and the others cart the four amigos away. Jack, Bobby, Myles, and Dimitrius smile and high-fives all around. Jack calls Tara back at the bullpen to tell her the great news. See you all tomorrow.

Myles: Wow. How much do you think all of this is worth on the black market? (smile)

Jack: (whistles) At least 1.6 million dollars. I bet these diamonds have laser inscribed serial number invisible to the naked eye. Of course, only a diamond connoisseur would know for certain. Chalk another one up for the good guys. I’m glad we caught them in time. (megawatt smile)

Bobby: Ditto. Say now that the case is finally over with and all the bad guys are in jail. Is there something you would like to share with the rest of the class, Sparky? (smile and laughs)

Jack: Let me think for a minute. No, Crash. I have no idea what you’re thinking, but that’s not usual. Besides I have other things to take care of. Let’s go. (megawatt smile and laughs)

D: Mission accomplished. We can deal with the paperwork in the morning. (smile)

In the morning, before Jack leaves for work, Diane calls Jack and gives him the good news. We have Fernando Bottcelli in custody. He robbed a liquor store and shot the owner last night. And it gets better. His fingerprint is all over the gun. The lab confirms that it was the same gun he used to shoot Mr. Brinkman. Now that my case is done, I will send my case files over to you. Thanks for telling me that you found the little girl. I was really concerned something awful had happened to her. I’m glad it is finally over with.

Jack: Same here. Thanks for your help, Diane. And I want to have a chat with Fernando Bottcelli. (megawatt smile)

Diane: I thought you might. No problem. I have a guard outside his cell. Mr. Brinkman’s family deserves to have justice and closure. I’ll talk to you later. (smile)