“I’m overwhelmed at the number of girls we came in contact with whom are caught up in this net of prostitution and human trafficking,” said Carrie.
Randy nodded. “I know, and we have only uncovered a small portion. The sad thing is that the moment those girls were rescued, there were many more supplied to take their place. It’s a battle that won’t be won overnight or easily.”
They all three sat for a moment lost in their own individual thoughts.
“Well, how are you two getting along? Is your partnership working out well?” asked Randy.
Both Carrie and Lainey smiled, then looked at each other.
“Yes, very well,” they replied simultaneously, then laughed because they had.
Randy’s eyebrow rose. “Well, okay then!”
Randy stood, and the women rose and went back to their desks. Carrie had had no time to really tell Lainey about Pride’s letter and how she had responded. She felt shy about it and unsure of what to say. She would tell her — someday.
“This is Carrie,” said Carrie as she answered the call on her cell phone.
“Carrie, this is Jenny.” Her voice seemed tiny and distant.
Carrie’s entire body tensed and went rigid, then she stood up from the sheer need to move. “Jenny. Where are you?”
“I’m back here. I came to check on Pride. She wouldn’t answer her phone. I can’t find her Carrie.”
“Where are you exactly Jenny and I’ll come get you?”
“I’m sitting on Pride’s front porch.”
“Hold on. I’ll be right there,” said Carrie.
“Lainey I’ll be right back. I have to go.” Carrie grabbed her keys and ran out the door.
The need to get to Jenny quickly was born out of compassion. No one was out to hurt her now. She was safe. But Carrie acutely felt the pain that Jenny would quickly feel when she would soon break the news of Pride’s death.
Carrie pulled up to the curb and as she was getting out of the car she whispered, “God please help me.”
Jenny stood when she saw Carrie pull up. The closer Carrie got to Jenny, the deeper the frown grew on Jenny’s face. Then Jenny suddenly gasped, “No!” Her trembling hands flew to her face, and the tears flowed.
Carrie reached out to take the young woman in her arms despite her tiny fists pounding on Carrie’s chest. She would hold this girl until time ended if it would help her feel comfort.
Finally, Jenny went limp and Carrie had to react quickly to keep her from falling to the ground. She helped Jenny back to the porch step and sat beside her, holding her close.
“Jenny I am so sorry about Pride.”
“Was it Gus? Did he kill her?”
Carrie thought briefly before answering. “She died of heart failure. Gus is dead, Vince too.”
They sat there quietly for a long time just staring out at the street in front. The wind was picking up, and the trees rustled. An empty styrofoam cup tumbled down the street creating a hollow tune.
Has it only been a little over a week since I first stepped foot on this porch, Carrie thought?
Neither Carrie nor Jenny could seem to find words to say, but they took comfort in each other’s presence.
Finally, Carrie said, “Pride wrote me a letter.”
Authors Note
My first novel, The Blood, was set in a completely fictious town. With The Water I set the characters in downtown Oklahoma City. The landmarks, streets, businesses, are almost completely genuine. I have however taken creative license with certain aspects. I meant no disrespect to those places and I hope that they will view my creative license as neutral and having no bearing on them whatsoever.
If you would like to read Pride’s letter to Carrie, go to The Water page and click the button ‘Pride’s Letter to Carrie’. You will need this password to access and read the letter. 7Pr89de1
The characters in this book are all completely fictional. The safe house, Safe At Last, is also completely fictional. There are however a few ministries who do offer this kind of service, this one was not patterned after any first hand knowledge of them. I created this from only my imagination of how it would be, where it would be, and how it would be run.
This is a heartbreaking and serious problem worldwide. If you know of someone in need of rescue or a way out, please call one of the numbers below:
National Human Trafficking Hotline 888-373-7888
Beautiful Dream Society 405-717-1201
The Dragonfly Home Shelter 405-212-3378
Once again let me say that I have no operational knowledge of how the OKCPD or the OSBI are ran. I mean no disrespect to these outstanding agencies in my creative depiction of them and their officers. I hold law enforcement in the highest regard and I hope, should they read my books that they can laugh at my creative portrayal and not take it as disrespectful.
About the Author
Nancy Jackson is a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and lives in Edmond, Oklahoma.
When given various writing assignments in her seventh grade literature class, she discovered a love for writing. The praise of her teacher fueled her passion and she flourished.
Throughout her life, she worked in various positions where she was responsible for writing policy and procedure manuals, and a steady stream of corporate correspondence.
In 2003 she published Career Quest, a book on how to determine the best career for a person based on their true hearts desire, talents, and skills. Then, how to pursue that career from resume creation to offer acceptance. It also included how to establish a reputation of excellence from day one.
Her creative writing side was somewhat satisfied by writing at home. She later shared many of those various short stories on her blog. But she never stopped dreaming of the day when she would write her first novel.
Working in many different industries in a variety of roles, she was exposed to a treasure trove of people, places, and things that would later serve her well as she wrote her first, and subsequent novels. She continues to write both non-fiction and short-story fiction which she posts on her two blogs.
Before publishing her first novel, she spent many years as a silver/metalsmith designing and making jewelry. As a metalsmith, she taught for several years where she developed teaching curriculums for each class.
She is also a licensed Realtor, in the state of Oklahoma. Her true passion though, is writing and she is thrilled that she is now able to pursue it with the passion she has always had.
Her first novel, The Blood is the first in The Redemption Series trilogy and is now available. The Water and The Fire are soon to follow.
If you would like to know more about Nancy’s books, Nancy herself, and be the first to receive one of a kind short stories, and other musings, sign up for the Inside Track on her website www.NancyJacksonAuthor.com
If you enjoyed her book, please review on Goodreads.
You can also find her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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Did you love The Water? Then you should read The Fire by Nancy Jackson!
With Christmas on the horizon, they call OSBI agents Carrie Border and Lainey Tate to a case in Southeastern Oklahoma. The area is home to the legendary Robber's Cave in the center of dense forest, cliffs, and mountains.
Local law enforcement have found three burned bodies and turn to the OSBI for help in finding the killer. Carrie and Lainey fall into false leads and backwoods locals who do not want their nefarious crimes revealed.
The agents fight nature itself to find a killer who seems lost in the expanse of forest and caves while navigating treacherous obstacles in order to do their job. Neither are strangers to danger and terror, but this case, with the odds stacked ag
ainst them, may cause them to face their own deaths.
Read more at Nancy Jackson’s site.
Also by Nancy Jackson
The Redemption Series
The Blood
The Water
The Fire
The Redemption Series
Watch for more at Nancy Jackson’s site.
About the Publisher
The Water Page 29
