Shadow Investigation

CHRISTOPHER AMATO ©2023 by Christopher AmatoAll rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publishers, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a newspaper, magazine or journal.The author grants the final approval for this literary material.First printingThis is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.ISBN: 978-1-68513-194-4PUBLISHED BY BLACK ROSE WRITINGwww.blackrosewriting.com PRAISE FOR“Move over, Jack Reacher. DEA agent Sam Dahl is coming to town. Shadow Investigation is a solid, seat-of-your-pants crime story, written with a legitimacy only possible from former law enforcement.”–Brooke L. French, author of Inhuman Acts“Christopher Amato has written a must-read thriller with razor-sharp dialogue and richly-drawn characters. I can see this book becoming a movie based on the action, excitement, danger, and romance, coupled with the characters’ use of authentic investigative methods.”–Gregory D. Lee, retired DEA Supervisory Special Agent and author of Global Drug Enforcement: Practical Investigative Techniques“Amato’s Shadow Investigation features crisp dialogue, insightful character development, and a fast-moving plot that never jumps the shark. A thoroughly-enjoyable crime thriller!”–Brian Kaufman, author of Sins in Blue“Christopher Amato relies on his years of experience working as a federal agent to walk the reader through a fascinating and harrowing story about a DEA Agent who battles with a drug cartel, and in the process, finds himself fighting for his very life.”–Ernie Dorling, author of The Truth is Always Negotiable“As a favor to his sister, DEA Special Agent Sam Dahl flies his investigative skills to Florida, where he finds a little love, feels a lot of pain, and makes one awful “friend.” Christopher Amato’s book has the feel of a classic.”–Gillespie Lamb, author of The Junkyard Dick“When a DEA agent decides to trust his gut and take a chance on another case, he unlocks the truth about a world that would rather hide in the shadows of society. In Shadow Investigation, author Christopher Amato mixes suspense, intrigue, and a bit of romance to keep you hooked until the very last page.”–Stephanie Letourneau, author of The Call of Uwyn Dedicated to Stella, the best little buddy anyone could ever have. CHAPTER ONEGulf of MexicoAugust 1987“Maybe it’s my imagination, but that looks like the same boat that was shadowing us yesterday.” Ben Jansen stood at the helm of the vintage Chris-Craft yacht, peering through binoculars across the still Gulf waters. “I think it moved even closer to us overnight,” he said, drumming the tips of his fingers on the wheel.His wife Carol stood behind him and hugged her arms around his waist. “Who’s ready for breakfast?”Ben bit into his lower lip, a decades-long habit he practiced when he was uncertain about something. “Looks like a Sunliner to me. I’m betting it’s almost new, probably the 1986 model.” His stare remained fixed on the distant craft. “Strange how it just seems to be hanging out there.”She poked his side. “Hey, Skipper, um, hello?”“Forty-six-footer, if I remember correctly,” Ben said, more to himself than to Carol. “It’s a high-quality craft with a modified-V hull design, constructed of fiberglass, an aft cabin, and twin inboard diesels.”She squeezed his arm. “It’s my turn to cook, remember? How would you like your eggs? Sunny-side up, scrambled, or hard-boiled?”He wasn’t finished yet, adjusting the thumbwheel on his binoculars for better focus. “Runs at twenty-six knots top-end speed, or maybe even twenty-seven.”“Now you’re just showing off,” Carol said. She stepped back and put her hands on her hips.He whistled before clamping down on his lower lip more fiercely. “She’s a beauty, but I just don’t get it.”“We can rule out sunny-side up for you today,” she said.Ben lowered the binoculars to his chest and turned to look at Carol. “Sorry, I’m distracted by that boat out there. Let’s see, scrambled sounds good with extra pepper. Bacon too?”She patted his stomach. “That’s more like it. Be ready soon.” Her lean figure slipped away toward the galley.Ben rested his hands on the helm, losing himself in thought, admiring the luster and richness of the wheelhouse cabinetry and woodwork. Everything was new: the refinished hull, the meticulously crafted mahogany with maple inlay decking, powerful twin diesel engines, extra-capacity fuel tanks, right down to the shiny buttons, switches, and instrumentation. Sure, it cost a pretty penny, and it had taken two years, but it had been worth it; their precious yacht had been completely refurbished.Scanning the horizon, he was overcome by the extraordinary scene that lay before him: an endless blue sky converging with an even deeper blue sea. At that moment, he could almost taste nature’s complexion of rich colors and breathe in the beauty and serenity surrounding him. He knew that miles away, Florida’s coastline protruded from the Gulf, a bit too far-off to see, even with the aid of his binoculars.Carol said, “We’re close to ready, just waiting on the toast.”Roused from his thoughts, Ben took a last look at their mysterious companion to the east. “It’s a big pond. I guess there’s room for both of us,” he said in a quiet voice.The tantalizing aroma of sizzling bacon had beckoned, and now his mouth watered as he slid into the cushioned bench seat across from Carol.She cleared her throat. “This is a binoculars-free zone.”Ben looked down. “Oh, yeah.” He removed them from around his neck and placed them on the deck. “All right,” he said, clapping his hands. “Breakfast looks terrific.”She reached to the counter behind her for the saltshaker. “You may want some; I didn’t use any when I was cooking.”“Thanks, just a smidgen,” Ben said as his gaze wandered through the galley. “I sure like the design and the layout of the kitchen. Don’t you?”Carol nodded in agreement. “I think it’s gorgeous, and you know,