by Iris Bolling
“I agree with Detective Reigns,” Chief Williams stated as he spoke to Mayor Palmer from his office. “We should take the next 24 hours to determine how the prison systems are connected. To do that, he needs an opportunity to interrogate the women to see if any of them will talk. We bring the press in now and they may interrupt our opportunity here.”
“Frank, the moment these women don’t show up wherever they were headed, the DeFazio organization is going to know,” Mayor Palmer stated. “They will begin covering their asses on this. The time we hold a press conference is not going to matter.”
“I agree. But Detective Reigns ran this sting with precision. He is the one who gave this victory to the department. If he says he needs 24 hours before details are released, I say we give it to him.”
There was hesitation on the other end of the call. “All right, Frank. You have 24 hours before we notify the press. Good job tonight.”
The call was disconnected as Chief Williams turned to Nate. “You have your 24 hours.”
“Thank you, Chief.” Nate stood. “Now, to get the women to talk…. The fear in their eyes was clear, Chief.”
“You only need one to make the connection,” Chief Williams suggested. “Call in Regan Fontaine. Put her in the room with your weakest woman. She may be able to get her to open up.”
“I will give her a call.”
“Good job Detective. We have a crack. Keep pushing until that door is wide open exposing whatever the hell is happening.”
“I will, Chief, I will.”
Nate walked back down to the holding rooms. There was a bevy of activity happening. The women were separated based on those with and without numbers on their feet. The women with numbers on their feet were being handled by Cotton and his team. The others were being processed by the Williams brothers.
Nate looked inside the observation room to see Skylar and Donnell inside. The room had monitors for each of the interrogation rooms. The two were watching a monitor with Cotton talking to the man they had captured.
Before walking in, Nate placed a call. “Regan, my apologies for calling so late. I thought you would like to know that we found some of the women you have been searching for.”
“Are you at headquarters?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“I’ll be right there.”
Nate disconnected the call then joined Skylar and Donnell in the observation room. “Did we get anything?”
“The women without the numbers are talking,” Skylar stated. “All seven are from different areas along the East Coast. Range of ages: from eighteen to twenty-five. From what we have gathered so far, they are all held in a central location until it is their night to be in the rotation. They provide sexual services on their scheduled night.”
Donnell glared up at Nate. “It is a very precise operation. They are scheduled a John every hour on the hour without a break.”
Nate ran his hand down his face. “We need to get them checked out. Let’s see if we can get someone from health services and a social worker for them to talk to. It’s time to get them back to their families. What about the other five?”
“That’s another story all together,” Donnell replied. “None of them are talking. Not one.” he shook his head. “Someone has put the fear of God into those women.”
“I think the two in the barrels were examples of what happens if you talk,” Skylar offered.
Nate nodded. “I can see that. Did we get anything we can use on DeFazio?”
“Nothing,” Skylar hissed. “The house is in the name of Vihelm Blome, not his government name, of course. He’s the one from the closet and before you ask, no he’s not talking yet, Agent Cotton is still working on him.”
“Let me hear a little of him,” Nate took a seat next to them.
“Man, you have no idea how high up we are connected.” Vihelm chuckled. “You FBI, right? Yeah, your job is on the line too.”
“Is it?” Cotton shrugged. “I could use a change of scenery. Why don’t you enlighten me on who I need to be concerned with?”
Vihelm laughed. “Do you like strawberries? I love strawberries.”
“Turn him off,” Nate shook his head. “He’s playing games. You said one of the women mentioned a warehouse?”
Skylar nodded. “We sent a team over to put eyes on the location. If the information is verified we’re taking them down tonight too. At the very least, what we did tonight will take down a portion of his operation, but not DeFazio himself.”
“When this wraps up, have Scott Williams conduct a forensic audit on his finances,” Nate suggested. “DeFazio is smart, you aren’t going to bring him down for a direct crime. Follow the money.”
Skylar shook her head. “There has to be something more we can get him on.”
“Take your victories where you can. You and Alex were trailing the girls. You found them and you’re cleaning out their warehouse of women. It will take them time to rebuild.”
“You may not take down his entire operation,” Donnell added, “but you’re damn sure going to hurt him in the pockets.”
Skylar smiled as she looked from one man to the other. “You two are good for my spirit. I think I’ll keep you around.”
“I like being kept around,” Donnell replied.
Nate raised an eyebrow at the comment as a thought hit him. “Do you mind if I take Donnell for a minute.”
“As long as you return him in one piece.” Skylar smiled then turned back to the monitors.
Nate and Donnell walked out of the door then down the hallway until they reached an area that was clear of people.
“You’re with a private agency, right?” Nate asked.
Donnell nodded. “Yeah, what do you need?”
“An attempt was made on Skylar’s life the other night.”
“The Chief mentioned it.”
Nate smirked. “You call him Chief instead of Dad too?”
“We all do.” Donnell nodded.
“Look, this case involves some pretty bad elements. Too many for me to keep tabs on Skylar. Do you think you can watch over her until we know what we are dealing with?”
“That depends.”
“On what?”
“Are you two involved with each other?”
“No,” Nate quickly replied. “But she is someone I care about. I don’t want to be chasing down a lead on this case and not be there to protect her. I’ll cover your fees.”
Donnell shook his head. “This one is on the house.”
Nate smiled then shook Donnell’s hand. “I thought it would be.”
“Detective Reigns.” An officer in uniform approached him. “Captain Daniels would like to see you in his office.”
“Thank you,” Nate responded. “I’ll catch you later, Donnell.”
“She’s in good hands,” he replied.
59
Nate smiled to himself at the double meaning he received from Donnell’s comment. That smile disappeared when he walked into Captain Daniels’ office to see Deputy Chief Bynum, along with Cory inside.
“I understand there was a raid that resulted in explosions within the city limits tonight. Who authorized the raid?” Bynum demanded the moment Nate walked into the office.
“Good evening, Deputy Chief Bynum. Cory, Captain,” Nate spoke.
“I asked you a question. I expect a reply, Detective Reigns. Under whose authority did you conduct the raid?”
“The authority of the United States Government,” Nate replied to Chief Bynum.
“All actions of this nature are supposed to go through the Deputy Chief’s office. There was no such request sent through the chain of command. Why were we not told?” Cory demanded.
Nate glared at Cory as if he were nothing more than a nuisance. “We who?”
“When your superior asks you a question you answer, Detective,” Cory hissed.
In that moment the vision of Evan Welch flashed through Nate’s mind. He narrowed his eyes. “You’ve been on
the job for less than eight hours and you think that makes you a superior. Superior to who, Cory?”
“Detective Vaughan?” Bynum called out, his voice clipped and authoritative.
Cory cleared his throat. “Sir.” He swallowed. “The regulations stipulate…”
“I don’t give a damn about the regulations?” Bynum snapped then glared at Nate. “You put RPD officers in danger to conduct a federal raid?”
“The department arrested a team of traffickers, and saved twelve girls tonight,” Captain Daniels stated. “I don’t think those girls’ families will care who did what behind the scenes tonight, Deputy Chief Bynum. Do you?”
The man hesitated for a minute. “There has to be order, Daniels. Approval for operations of this magnitude need to go through the chain of command for a reason. My phone has been ringing off the hook from residents in that area.”
“Not to mention the cost of the repair to the roads. All of which could have been taken into consideration if this operation had gone through the proper channels,” Cory added.
“The accolades the department will receive once the full scope of what was accomplished tonight will outweigh the cost of street repairs that were on the books to be done a year ago,” Nate noted.
“That is not the point, Detective Reigns,” Bynum objected.
“Then get to the point. You had me brought in here for a reason. Say your piece so I can get back to my case,” Nate snapped.
“This is what I’m talking about Daniels,” Bynum hissed as he pointed to Nate. “He has no respect for authority. You need to put a tighter leash on this man.”
“He is a lone wolf in the department. The men in the unit don’t trust him and don’t want to work with him,” Cory stated.
“You speak for the men in the unit now, Cory?” Nate’s anger was beginning to seep out. Until now he was tolerating what was being said just to get this meeting over with. His patience was running thin.
“This man is running around the city causing chaos. Look at what he is responsible for tonight. The last thing we need is a lone vigilante in the streets. Starting now, I want a daily detailed report on his actions.”
“I’m not going to do that.” Nate snorted. “You require a daily activity log on me, you better do one on every detective in this unit.”
“You will do it, or I will have your badge,” Bynum huffed.
“My badge? I have a 96% conviction rate, while Vaughan over there hasn’t closed a case in six months, yet you promote him and want to take my badge. Get the hell out of my face.”
“That is insubordination, Reigns,” Bynum yelled. “I want him written up and disciplined.”
“Officers have been suspended for less,” Cory grumbled.
“Detective Reigns has a tendency to work my nerves too; however, he is not going to be suspended. In fact, he is needed in the interrogation rooms.” Daniels stood. “My phone has been ringing off the hook too, from residents in that neighborhood that are thankful something has finally been done about activity from that house. If you have problems with the actions taken tonight discuss it with Chief Williams. Detective Reigns and Vaughan, give us the room.”
“Excuse me gentlemen.” The men turned to see Judge Regan Fontaine standing in the doorway. “Detective Reigns, seems as if tempers are running a little high in here.”
“The heat is from the temperature of the crap coming from an ass,” Nate replied. “I’m finished here.” He took her by the arm. “Thank you for coming.”
They could hear the uptake of voices as they walked away.
“Nate I’m watching you,” Cory called out. “Everything you do will be reported.”
“Do you need to go back in to finish that discussion? I can wait,” Regan declared.
“No.” Nate kept walking. “I’m going to finish these interviews tonight. The women we brought in are the key to Alex’s case. If they fire me, it will be after I get these women back with their families.”
“While I admire your dedication, I need you to uncover what happened to Alex before you leave the department.”
“No worries, I’m going to find out who killed Alex, with or without a badge.” Nate held the door to the interrogation hallway open for her. “The ladies are this way. I have one in particular I think you will be able to reach.”
They walked into the observation room. “I believe both of you know Judge Fontaine,” Nate said as he walked in.
Donnell stood. “Your Honor.” He shook her hand.
“Thank you for coming,” Skylar greeted. “We only need one to open up to us. We think she is our best chance.” She pointed to a monitor.
“All right.” Regan took off her jacket and placed her purse on the console. “Nate let me have two canned drinks.”
Nate reached into the small refrigerator and pulled out two soda cans. “We need this connection, Regan.”
“I will do the best I can.” Regan walked out of the room.
Nate took a seat at the console.
“Donnell indicated the brass wanted to see you. You catch hell about the raid?” Skylar asked.
“There was an ulterior motive.” Nate nodded. “Bynum wants to keep tabs on me for some reason.”
“Really? That’s interesting.” Skylar nodded. “Could he be concerned over the fact that he was kept out of the loop on the raid? Or could it be that he is concerned about where these women can lead us?”
Nate shrugged. “His reasons are not important at this moment. What these women can tell us is.”
Nate hit the sound button on the console, then sat back and watched why Regan Fontaine was referred to as “the judge for the people.”
60
“What’s your name?” Regan asked as she put the soda on the table.
“Carmella Alverez. Can I go home now?”
“Not yet, but soon,” Regan replied. “I am Judge Regan Fontaine.”
“You are not a cop?”
“No.” Regan smiled.
“Some judges are worse than cops.” The woman took a drink.
Regan nodded. “I can understand why you think that. There are good and bad people around us. We have to be able to see when someone is trying to help, not hurt us.”
“And which one are you?” Carmella sat back with a cautious look.
“I’m the one who is going to end this nightmare for you.”
Nate sat up to get closer to the monitor. He could see a crack emerging in the girl’s armor.
“Did someone take a look at your foot?” Regan asked.
“Yes. I thought they were going to burn me again.”
Nate watched as Regan flinched at the woman’s words.
She cleared her throat then spoke again. “Did someone brand you?”
“Like a freaking piece of cattle. That’s how they treated us…like we were a piece of meat to be fed to the highest bidder.” The woman’s anger clearly revealed.
“There are more than those that were at the house with you tonight?”
“Lady, there is a warehouse of us,” Carmella stated as she stood. “Some from the facility and I don’t know where the others came from.”
At the word facility, Skylar and Donnell sat forward with Nate.
“How many?”
“I don’t know, at least 50, maybe more. Every night Ms. Strawberry sends orders assigning us to groups, then they take us to this fancy hotel.”
“Who is Ms. Strawberry?” Regan asked.
“I don’t know,” Carmella replied. “We never see her. We hear the men talking to her on their devices and then we are put in different vans. It’s like placing take-out orders online and we are the ‘have it your way’ happy meal to be delivered…” She stopped talking.
Nate could see the emotions playing across the young woman’s face. He wrote down the name, Ms. Strawberry, then placed a question mark next to it.
“You can tell me about the others later. Right now, I want to know about you. Where did this all start?” Regan changed dir
ections.
The woman wiped away the tears that had escaped her eyes. She exhaled, glared at Regan for a very long moment, then sat back down.
“My uncle and I were traveling from Atlanta to New York to visit my sister. I was to start school at Montclair State University in New Jersey. We stopped in a store in Hanover, Virginia for snacks. I sat my backpack on the counter so I could pay for my drink and the man accused me of stealing a bag of chips, but I didn’t. I did not steal anything. I had those chips in my backpack when I walked in. My uncle tried to tell them, but his English is not good. They arrested me and took me to jail. The day I went to court, the woman judge would not listen to me. She did not believe me. She said I had to spend two years in jail for a bag of potato chips. My sister said she would get me a lawyer and fight what they were trying to do. They asked her for her documents. She has no documents. She came to the United States when she was three. I was born here. Then they said they would have her deported if she came back.” The woman began to cry earnestly.
Regan reached over to take the girl’s hand. “No one is going to deport your sister. And I promise you, you are not going back to that place.” The girl dropped her head. “I cannot talk about the facility.”
“Because they made you sign a document stating that you would be rearrested to serve your full sentence?”
The girl nodded.
Regan squeezed the girl’s hand. “I want you to look at me.” She waited until the girl looked up. “Carmella, that document they made you sign was illegal. It cannot be enforced. Do you understand what I mean?”
“Yes, but the authorities said we had to sign it, or we could never be released.”
“That is not true. In fact, now that I am hearing your story, I’m pretty certain a number of those authorities may end up behind bars for what they did to you. The only way I can do that is if you tell me everything that happened to you.”
The girl sat back, looked around, and then her eyes finally met Reagan’s. “They made me sleep with men.”
“Who made you sleep with men?”
