Death Trap II- Traffickers

The Bayou Country incorporates most of the Gulf States, and here, east of New Orleans, despite the rain, the black water remained calm. It was weeks after the last big storm, and the water that had swelled up over the many islands that dotted this lowland marsh was finally settling down. Muddy paths not yet trod by any animal were showing. Brackish water tends to kill off or drive away the aquatic life, and until the swamp stabilizes, fishing, spearing and such are out. But not all of the denizens of the bayou are marine life; not all are afraid of brackish, black water.A flat bottomed boat, barely five feet wide and only eight feet long, a bit large for its namesake, a pirogue, eased determinedly down a long stretch of what looked like a canal. Tall grasses grew on either side, but the operator knew that the grass was a false promise. Neck deep water often went far out into the salt marsh grasses.Though sails and small outboard motors often appear in other places for pirogues, this one was a classic, pushed forward by a long pole, the sole operator leaning on the pole, pushing hard, then constantly pulling free of soft silt and doing the motion over again. Silent.Secrecy was critical. For, at the operator's feet, two bundles lay, writhing, slightly, indicating life, but enclosed in canvas bags. Small air holes around the head allowed breathing, but the ties prevented anything else. The pirogue operator spotted his goal another quarter mile farther in. A long, sleek, dull black boat, not quite a yacht, but certainly not a racehorse, lay quietly at anchor.There was no need for conversation. The man in the pirogue did not care how many others were in the boat, and he did not ask. With not so much as a cordial goodbye, he gathered his ropes and pushed free of the larger craft. There is no trust in this business. The dual oversized outboard motors on the much larger black boat came to life. No one had any idea what time it was, but the operator and the boat pilot knew. Witching time… Dead of night.Yet another adventure for our serious crime fighters. International experience, but they have the capability to handle it right here at home. Far better than the best federal agency around. This because an unlimited budget, a willingness to die for the cause, and the skill to prevent it makes them unstoppable. The last few books of the continuing Death Trap series are herein... by #TheSotryteller... G. Weldon Tucker