Megalodon: Cryptid Ops, #6

By Jo Carey

Going from wedding dress to sniper gear, brings a whole new meaning to the term bridezilla. When a fake wedding in the Caribbean to draw out the terrorists puts a Megalodon in the team's path, they can't resist pursuing the legendary beast. Through wedding plans, kidnappings, and cryptids Agent Cassie Carter is determined to succeed on all fronts.

Megalodon is the sixth book in this unique SciFi adventure series. If you like strong female characters caught up in exciting adventures with a bit of romance, you'll love this entry in Jo Carey's Cryptid Ops series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jo Carey
• Release date: Apr 22, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386750499

Jo Carey

Jo Carey grew up in the Midwest but her curiosity and gypsy-spirit has kept her on the move. She's lived in eight US states and spent three years living in Ireland. She has always loved creature movies, so creatures and bugs often show up in her books. Jo, a former information security compliance guru, writes fast-paced, character-driven stories in a variety of genres from medical thrillers to space operas and cozy mysteries. Her novels are filled with humor, romance, and sometimes creatures or aliens, or maybe even all of the above. She often builds her stories around a strong female lead character surrounded by plenty of hunky male heroes. Jo's been under fire on a golf course and climbed out the roof of an elevator in the Netherlands. Life hasn't been boring. Now residing in Texas, setting often plays a huge role in her stories. Jo was intrigued by the League of Planetary Systems, a world her husband, Frank, created for his science fiction books, and she now writes mysteries and other types of tales sets in that world. Jo was bitten by a cat, a fire ant, and a snake, before succumbing to the bite of the writing bug.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Klaxons pierced the quiet night, waking everyone on the ship. Capt. Stout sat straight up in bed hitting his head on the light fixture mounted on the wall. He let fly a string of curses that would make... well... a sea captain proud and pulled on his pants. What the hell's the matter? he yelled, letting the bridge door slam closed behind him.

Turn off the damn alarms, the captain said. What the hell happened?

I saw something huge comin' toward the ship, Rusty said.

Well, what was it? A boat? A whale? What? the captain asked.

I don't know. I was out on the deck taking a smoke and I saw somethin' in the water headin' right for us, so I sounded the alarm, Rusty said.

So where's this giant thing now? the captain asked.

We saw it on radar. It was headed right for us, but then it turned off at the last moment. It's gone, Mike said.

Whatever it was, it's gone now. If you're not on duty, hit the racks. We pull the nets in a couple of hours, the captain said. He crawled back into his bed and tried to go back to sleep.

XXX

The trouble started as soon as the captain began pulling up the nets. It could be a tricky. A large piece of debris was caught in the net. Something was definitely wrong. Capt. Roy had been fishing on a trawler since he was thirteen years old and had been the captain of the Sally May for ten years now. He knew every quirk of his boat. He swore, cajoled, sweet-talked, and worked the winches, but it was a struggle. Finally, the front edge of the net appeared, and Roy could see what was causing all the trouble. A large piece of the net was missing. It almost looked like something had taken a mega-mouth bite out of it.

The tension was off and the broken weave of the net was turning back on itself. It wasn't stable enough to take the pull of the winch. The deck hands manhandled the net on board using long handled gaffs. Something white caught Roy's eye as he was surveying the damage to the net laid out on the deck. He knelt down and worked the thing free. It looked like a shark’s tooth, but it was way too big. Even a great white didn't have teeth that were seven inches long. There was no way they could repair the net at sea.

The crew of the Sally May hauled in the other net, which was undamaged, and stowed the catch in the freezers. Capt. Roy turned the ship to port and headed home. He'd see no profit from this trip. The net repair would cost more than the fish in the hold would bring in. Maybe that tooth is worth something. Maybe it’s from a dinosaur, Roy thought.

After the ship was docked and the catch unloaded, Capt. Roy went to the bar on the wharf for a drink before calling the guy to repair the net. The Rusty Nail was a waterfront bar frequented by the crews of local fishing boats. Tourists would take one look at the bar's regular clientele and find another place to drink.

Hi, Roy. How's the fishin'? Sam asked.

Not good, Sam. Something took a bite outta my net. Had to come in for repairs. How's the dive business? Roy asked.

Good. Got a new partner coming on board next week. An old buddy of mine from the SEALS. I'll be glad to have the help. It's tough riding herd on a boatload of tourists. So what messed up your net?

Not sure but something big. Pulled a tooth out of the net.

After speculating on what could bite a chunk out of a trawling net, Capt. Roy showed Sam the tooth. Sam thought it was a joke, but after examining it more closely, he began to think he might know what happened to Roy's net.

You should post a picture of that online with the measurements and see if someone can identify what it came from. Looks too big to be from anything we normally see around here. Let me know what you find out. Might be a draw for the tourists, if it's something interesting, Sam said.

CHAPTER TWO

Since Jared and Cassie returned home from the Waheela Op, Cassie found she appreciated the dry desert heat even more. It was a welcome change after spending so much time in the cold and snow of Canada's Northwest Territory.

I can't believe it's only six weeks until the wedding, Cassie said. I feel like there must be something I should be doing in preparation, but it seems that someone else is taking care of everything.

It's actually been pretty relaxed since we got home. Mom seems to be recovering well from her injuries, but I'm worried about you guys going back for your final fittings, Jared said.

I know. We have to do it, but I'm not sure how any of us will handle it after what happened the last time. Do you have any ideas? And before you suggest it, I really don't want you to see the dresses or even know where we're going, so you can't come along, she said.

I know, and I understand. I know most people would think an FBI escort should make you safe enough, but we learned that wasn't true, so I'm not sure what options we have, Jared said.

Let's talk to your Mom and see if she has any ideas. I hope she's OK to talk about it. She seems to be doing fine but with everything that happened, I'm worried about her.

Me too, but you're right, we should talk to her and see what she thinks might work.

That evening Jared and Cassie had dinner with his folks at the main house and broached the subject of the final fittings. His Mom seemed nervous just talking about it. No one had any idea how to work things out so they'd all feel more secure but still be able to have their final fittings without Jared seeing their dresses.

XXX

Cassie and Jared participated in a BITES conference call the next afternoon. The purpose of the call was to get everyone up-to-date on the latest news on the investigation into the accident that had killed Cassie's two FBI guards as well as the status of the ongoing investigation into Van Deter's activities. Jared's team was all on line, as well as Greg, Penny, and Hank.

Even though Hank was leaving BITES, no one was sure that would mean Van Deter would lose interest in him. The FBI was concerned that since he was leaving the country he might be more at risk rather than less. 

After all the status reports were given, the discussion turned to how to bring down Van Deter's organization. Weary of constantly looking over their shoulders since some of the group had been attacked, the BITES agents agreed that steps had to be taken to end the situation.

Jared and Cassie, we know you have a wedding coming up, and we all want it to be a safe and happy day for everyone, but we're concerned that since almost everyone on Van Deter's target list will be in attendance, it may prove to be a target he can't resist. An event like this is very hard to keep secret, and we're concerned that assuring there will not be an attack is going to be nearly impossible, FBI Agent Moore explained.

We had been discussing a plan to move against Van Deter's organization after the wedding, but we're wondering if we should try to resolve this issue before your special day, Mr. Meecham added.

I'm not sure what you have in mind but not having to worry about Van Deter screwing up my wedding would be terrific, Cassie said.

I agree. If we can get this done, let's do it, Jared said.

Hank explained the plan and everyone agreed it was the best shot they had at catching Van Deter. It was a complicated plan, and they spent several hours going over everyone's roles. They reviewed the plan repeatedly to make sure no one had any questions.

XXX

That night over dinner, Jared and Cassie discussed their part in the mission. Most people think it's stressful planning one wedding, but we have to plan two. I just hope this works. It's pretty complicated, and it has to happen quickly. Do you think it will give Van Deter time to react? Cassie asked.

I hope so. It seems his organization is actively keeping tabs on us, so I guess they'll know what's up almost when we do, Jared said.

Cassie had been concerned with the plan at first, not because of the mission itself but because it meant she'd have no involvement in the planning for her wedding in the next few weeks. Any questions about the real wedding would have to be handled by Jared's folks or Jared's BITES team. On one hand, Cassie thought it sounded great just to leave any issues up to someone else. On the other hand, she had visions of alligator stew served in turtle shell bowls for the reception. She laughed when Mr. Meecham asked the team if they'd be willing to field any wedding related issues while she and Jared were on the mission. She was sure he was joking. He wasn't, and the team agreed a little too easily to calm Cassie's fears.

In the end, if this crazy plan led to the capture of Van Deter then it was all worth it. Maybe it really does taste like chicken, she thought.

CHAPTER THREE

Hank spotted Sam's Crocodile hunter hat in the crowd of people waiting to greet passengers arriving from the States. Belle Isle was a small island in the US Virgin Island. Its total economy was focused on the tourist trade though it was still the homeport for a small commercial fishing fleet. Hank shouldered his duffel bag and made his way through the crowd.

Good to see you. Are you ready for this adventure? Sam asked, shaking Hank's free hand and lifting the duffel bag from his shoulder.

I hope so. It's going to be a big change, Hank said.

Is this all you brought?

For now. It's all I need to get started. If things work out, I'll have the rest of my stuff shipped after I find a place to live.

Sam gave Hank a tour of the city on his way to the port. He led the way down the docks to a mid-size dive boat named the Seal of Approval. Welcome aboard, Sam said.

She looks great, Hank said.

After a tour of the boat, they stopped at Sam's apartment to drop off Hank's gear and then headed out to dinner at a local waterfront restaurant. They spent the night talking about the business and their plans for the future. Hank needed to get Sam up-to-speed on their role in the plan to lure Van Deter into an attack, but he wanted to wait until he'd gotten reacquainted with his old friend. They ended the night with a beer at the local dive bar. I really can't believe I've given up my job and bought into this crazy scheme of yours. I must have been drinking when you called, Hank said.

Joking aside, you were pretty down when I made the offer. What happened? I'm guessing it has something to do with a woman, Sam said.

Most definitely. It's a long story, and it's already been a long day. Let's call it a night. I'll give you the whole painful story tomorrow when we take the boat out for its shakedown cruise, Hank promised.

XXX

Drinking his first cup of coffee looking out the sliding glass doors of Sam's apartment, Hank felt exposed. He already missed the enveloping forests of the Pacific Northwest. What the hell am I doing here? He wondered. There was a message from Jared and one from Greg waiting on his email. Even though he'd officially left his BITES career behind, he still had to take care of this thing with Van Deter before he'd have clear sailing into his new life.

Over breakfast, Hank shared some details of his career with BITES and explained how he'd gotten on Van Deter's shit list and what BITES had planned to draw the terrorist out and apprehend him. Sam was surprised but agreed to do whatever he could to help.

So I'm going to get to meet the woman that broke your heart. This should be interesting, Sam said.

It's complicated, Hank said.

I'm thinkin' that's a bit of an understatement, Sam said. "Now that I know what kind of work you did at BITES, we may be in luck. Just so happens I might have stumbled