by L B Wyatt
She paused on the street corner, not realizing how far she’d walked blindly. She scolded herself for not keeping her mind focused on her surroundings. Yes, it was daylight and yes, an attack out in the open like this was highly unlikely. But she still needed to keep all her guards up. She couldn’t be distracted by ghosts from a past she desired to forget she ever knew.
∞∞∞
When Veronica couldn’t find answers through her criminal connections on the streets, she found herself making a decision. She was sitting at the bar in her apartment later that day with a beer in one hand and Amelia’s picture in another. She usually found with a case like this of a missing person so young and beautiful there were three possible reasons for a disappearance: stalker, drugs, or prostitution. Since Amelia looked so lively in her last social media picture, Veronica found herself ruling out drugs. There had been no hospital visits in the last year recorded for her, no arrests on file. There was no reason to believe she had a substance problem.
Veronica took another long swig of her beer and leaned forward on her elbows as she laid the picture down. There was no boyfriend in the picture. No one that Amelia’s parents knew, no one Poppy mentioned. No domestic abuse cases or reports that indicated Amelia had a stalker.
With Amelia’s mother having health issues and their financial situation, Veronica’s mind lingered on the latter choice. While Amelia certainly didn’t look the part—she was a wholesome all-American girl—Veronica had seen it before. Selling her body would have gotten Amelia quick money and an easy fix to try and pay for chemo and college.
Letting out a long sigh, Veronica drained her beer and decided she would have to take a trip in the morning. It was about a four and half hour drive and she was certain when she got there, she would find out what she needed to know to really get the ball rolling on this investigation. It was for the best, she decided as she made her way to the bathroom to brush her teeth. Being out of this town would make it easier to talk openly about the case and not feel like eyes were on her everywhere she turned. Maybe a day trip is what she needed after all.
Chapter Nine
The sun was shining on the Arch when Veronica drove across the bridge into St. Louis the next day. It was around ten in the morning and she was sipping her second cup of coffee. The drive over had been relaxing if nothing else. Once she was convinced no one was following her, she allowed herself the joy of the road by listening to the sounds of her youth in the form of Matchbox Twenty, The Goo-Goo Dolls, and Third-Eye Blind. She was more than a little nostalgic as she drove into downtown.
Veronica turned her radio off as the traffic thickened a little. She was glad to have had the music since the drive to Missouri had always been an especially uneventful one. She hadn’t left too early considering where she was headed didn’t open until ten a.m. But even at this time of day, the roads were congested and she suddenly felt like she was back in Nashville. She hated driving in such traffic, but it was unavoidable. After navigating through the one-way streets, she finally found her destination and chose to park down the street in a garage since there was nothing on the curb. She paid the garage attendant and made her way back to the sidewalk.
She appreciated the charm the cobblestone provided for such a crowded area. The storefronts were all very modern, but the stonework gave the area a more historic feel. Veronica walked by several businesses until she found the one she desired. There was a chalk display framed with rustic wood out front with the week’s specials on it. Forty percent off all winter fashion, it read, but Veronica was not there the shop.
At least, not for clothes.
She took a second to admire the well-designed displays in the front windows. On the left glass pane the name of the store was written in a fancy, yet sophisticated font: Livi Alive. Everything about the place was amazing; more so to Veronica who knew the owner’s history and the fact that the business even existed was a miracle.
She pushed her sunglasses back over her head as she entered the store. The soft sound of pleasant music filled her ears and an inviting fragrance drifted across her senses as she walked by the displays of clothes. The racks were made from the same wood as the sign out front. Everything matched in its unique and rustic charm. The ceilings were made of rusted tin and the walls were shiplap and painted a soft gray with a peacock blue trim.
“Welcome to Livi’s!” a sweet voice called.
Veronica didn’t recognize it and she felt pangs of disappointment in her gut. It just occurred to her she might have driven all this way for nothing. Veronica looked in the direction of the voice and saw a young woman behind the register dressed fashionably in leggings and a long-sleeve denim shirt. She had pixie short brown hair and a heart-shaped face. She smiled politely when Veronica caught her eye.
“Something you’re looking for in particular?” she questioned.
Veronica opened her mouth to answer when she heard the voice she’d come here for and redirected her attention to the other side of the store by the fitting rooms.
“Oh no,” said the woman. Her hair was long and bleached blond on top with layers of dyed gray and purple beneath. Her mane draped over her shoulders and cascaded down her back over the ivory maxi dress covered with large mauve flowers she wore. It was something similar to one of the many designs on the walls and Veronica thought it was a really nice dress. Her arms and shoulders bared by the design of the dress were covered in elaborate tattoos. Her ears were pierced from the lobes to the top, along with her eyebrow, lip and nose. She sounded eccentric, but she was one of the most gorgeous women Veronica had ever known. More so now than ever before. The woman was speaking to an older female customer who had just walked out of the fitting room looking disheveled.
“Let me fix it,” the woman insisted to the client. She reached out and tucked and twisted the clothing until something magical happened and the blob of fabric the customer had on turned into a beautiful outfit.
“How did you do that?” the older woman gasped as she admired her appearance.
Veronica had to admit, even she was impressed. She waited until the customer returned to the fitting room before she stepped out from the clothing rack she had been standing behind. When the woman with the long blond hair turned and saw just who was waiting for her, she looked stunned at first and then her face lit up with a smile.
“Veronica Covey!” She sauntered forward, her arms outstretched and wrapped Veronica in a welcoming embrace. “It’s so good to see you!” she whispered in that distinctive smoky voice. Olivia Daniels was a living miracle, even if Veronica was the only one who knew it.
“You too, Livi,” Veronica replied, pulling away. She looked into Livi’s blue eyes and gave her the once over. “You look like you’re doing well.”
Livi smiled wider. “Are you kidding? Better than ever.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” Veronica’s smile was genuine. It was rare she was ever so candid with someone but she had met Livi during one of the first cases Veronica had ever worked as a detective and just seeing how Livi was thriving gave Veronica a joy she seldom ever felt.
“Think you can steal away for a short visit?” Veronica requested.
Livi’s eyes dimmed just a shade with concern, but she didn’t voice her concern just yet. She nodded and called out to the girl behind the counter that she would be back after a short break. Livi grabbed her purse from a drawer by the register and they headed out. Veronica waited until they were out on the sidewalk before she spoke.
“Perks of being the boss, huh? You can break whenever you want.”
“I love being my own boss,” Livi confirmed, leading Veronica across the street and down the block to a frozen yogurt store. “I love this place, too,” she said over her shoulder as she walked up to the bar and ordered something for herself and something for Veronica without asking.
When the cashier handed them two very colorful beverages, Veronica had to stifle a laugh when Livi rolled her eyes in delight after the first swig. When Veronica ha
d first met this woman, Livi would have scoffed at frozen yogurt and ridiculed anyone who thought simple pleasures in life were worth living for. Livi had been on the streets for years after running away from home at sixteen. She had found refuge with the wrong crowd and suffered from drug addiction.
When they settled in their high-top chairs by the front windows, Veronica couldn’t help but scan over Livi’s inked arms to see the designs were just a rouge to cover past needle scars. It worked well, she decided. The physical damage from her bad decisions was tastefully camouflaged to the untrained eye.
“Go on,” Livi insisted. “Try it.”
Veronica sipped the yogurt smoothie and was surprised to find it was rather delicious.
Livi’s eyes twinkled a little when she saw Veronica’s expression. “See? Amazing.”
Veronica swallowed down another sip and shook her head. “How is she?” she asked directly.
Livi sat her drink down and glanced out the window as a couple walked by. “She’ll be four next month.”
Veronica was astonished at how time seemed to fly. “Let me see a picture. I know you’ve got plenty.”
Livi smiled and nodded, pulling her phone from her purse and scanning through a few photos before she found the one she wanted. She handed the phone over and Veronica found herself looking into the gorgeous face of a little girl who was undoubtedly spoiled. Her auburn curls were arranged perfectly in pigtails and her cheeks were rosy pink, matching the adorable outfit she had on. For a split second, Veronica felt her maternal instincts twinge. She found herself smiling softly at the angelic face before her and sighing.
“Makes you want one, huh?” Livi was grinning when Veronica handed the phone back.
“A little, yeah. She’s that damn cute.”
Livi cleared her phone and bit her bottom lip as she stared at the device for a long moment. “I owe my life and hers to you, Veronica,” she whispered. “I swear I can’t imagine a day without her in it.”
Veronica was shaking her head, but there was underlying truth to Livi’s statement. That precious little girl in the picture had been the result of a rape and Livi had been adamant about an abortion. But Veronica had found the bastard who hurt Livi and Veronica had put him away for a long time. It had been her first taste dealing with a serial killer/rapist, and honestly, Veronica wasn’t a fan.
Livi wasn’t the only prostitute the monster had kidnapped and planned to kill. She was one of dozens, but she had survived and Veronica had convinced her to keep the baby and had gotten her referrals to the rehab facility that eventually turned Livi’s life around altogether. Veronica didn’t take full credit for their success; she understood it was more the fact that someone had showed Livi they cared. It could have been anyone. But Veronica happened to be assigned to the case and she considered Livi and her daughter one of the greatest turnouts in all the years Veronica had been working as an officer and detective.
“Is she at your mom’s?” Veronica wondered, casually trying to divert the conversation.
Livi nodded, finally putting her phone up and taking in a deep breath.
“How are things between you and your mother? Still good?”
“Better than good. Growing up and having a kid of my own really helps me understand the hell I put my mom through. I guess I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to her.”
Veronica sipped her smoothie. Damn it, she thought. The more she had, the better it tasted.
“That’s a good goal,” she approved. “I can’t express how proud I am of you.”
“Like I said, Veronica, I wouldn’t be here without you. So,” she drew in a deep breath, “what can I do for you? I know you didn’t drive all this way just to check in on me.”
Veronica looked down shamefully and said, “Not necessarily. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t kept tabs on you all this time.”
“I don’t doubt that. You knew right where to find me. So what’s up?”
“I’m working on a case,” Veronica began.
“Naturally.” Livi smiled.
“I’ve hit a dead end.” Veronica pulled Amelia’s picture from her purse and slid it across the table. As soon as Livi looked at it, Veronica could see the shadows cross over her face.
“Is she missing?” Livi asked in a near whisper some time later.
“Yes.”
“I don’t recognize her.” Livi finally looked up from the photo and pushed it back.
“I didn’t think you would.”Veronica folded it back and replaced it. “But I do think you might know who she was working for.”
Livi chewed on the inside of her bottom lip and looked across the table at Veronica. All the playfulness and pleasure from Veronica’s unannounced visit dissolved. An eclipse of sadness and fear fell over her features as she worked that lip between her teeth.
“When I spoke to her friend, she mentioned the missing girl had a second job. That she worked for a barber in downtown.” Veronica didn’t even finish the sentence before Livi drew in a sharp breath and sat up straight in her chair. Her eyes scanned the empty shop nervously and she slowly shook her head.
“Walk with me.” She grabbed her purse and drink, and slipped off of the stool. They headed outside and Veronica followed as they started toward a park on the far side of the block.
“You should let this go,” Livi finally said as they slowed down under the shade of a tall oak tree.
“You know I won’t,” Veronica countered, although she had to admit the way Livi was looking at her was nothing short of alarming. Whatever Livi knew, scared the life out of her.
Livi looked around the park and shook her head again as if she couldn’t quite make herself spill the beans. But Veronica was dying. She was so close to knowing something it was killing her not to grab Livi and shake it loose from her lips.
“Do you think she’s still alive?” Livi asked directly.
Veronica exhaled before answering honestly, “No.”
Livi walked a few paces ahead then doubled back. Even though they were in the huge, open park, she looked oddly like a caged animal as she struggled with herself. Veronica was patient as she waited. Finally after a few minutes, Livi stopped marching back and forth and looked up intensely at Veronica.
“If you pursue this, you might as well sign your own death certificate.”
Veronica thought perhaps she already had. And image of that bastard with the knife in the stairwell of her apartment flashed through her mind. She swallowed back the emotions that threatened to surface with the memory.
“I just need a name,” she said calmly.
Livi shook her head. “I don’t have it. I never knew his name.”
“Who are we talking about, Liv?”
She clenched her jaw, looking terrified. “The Barber,” she whispered then instantly raised her hand to her lips as if she couldn’t believe she had just uttered the words out loud. Like this man was in the same evil ranks as Lord Voldemort or some shit. Veronica failed to quiver at the name and instead felt mildly irritated.
“He’s a pimp?” Veronica guessed still somewhat unfazed by the magnitude of what this girl was revealing to her.
Livi shook her head quickly, but then stopped short making it appear as though she were having some sort of fit. “Yes and no. He’s more than just a hustler, Veronica.”
“I take it you were mixed up with him at some point?”
Livi was shaking her head again. “No, I didn’t…” she hesitated. She took in a deep breath and straightened her shoulders, trying to get a grip on herself. “I didn’t meet his criteria.”
Veronica raised a curious brow. “I wouldn’t think the criteria would be that complicated. It’s pretty much just willing, right?”
“Not for him. He likes…certain types.”
Veronica slowly lowered her brow until she was frowning as her mind went back to the photo in her purse. “Like the wholesome, young, all-American type?”
Livi nodded. “That and a few others. His client
s look to him to fill their fetishes and fantasies and they aren’t too worried about how much it costs. Only girls who are desperate for cash agree to work for him. And I mean desperate. Even as strung out as I used to be, I wouldn’t do the messed up shit he makes his girls do.”
That spoke volumes to Veronica. It also answered a few questions and connected some dots for her, which left one last burning question. She drew in a deep breath and asked, “How do I find him?”
Livi hung her head low for a moment. “You can’t…” She faltered for a moment, shutting her eyes tight and then speaking again. “You can’t just sign up and then change your mind, V. I’ve heard about girls who changed their minds. There’s a reason no one quits the Barber’s club.”
Veronica nodded to indicate she understood the severity of the situation, but it wasn’t going to make her back down. She met Livi’s eyes directly when the woman unclamped her lids, an effort to show her friend just how serious Veronica was.
“Where?” she pressed.
Livi looked pale as she backed up a few steps and sat down on a bench. She put her head in her hands for a while. “He holds auditions for new prospects once a month,” she said through her fingers. “But if you go there, Veronica…if you go there and audition, he’s gonna pick you and then you won’t be allowed to leave. He’ll kill you for sure if you try.”
Veronica sat down next to Livi and pulled her hands down so they could look at one another. When she saw Livi’s blue eyes rimmed red with tears, Veronica knew why. “It’s okay to be scared, Olivia. But it’s me. I can take care of myself,” she promised.
Livi squeezed Veronica’s hands and shook her head. “He’s a monster, Veronica, and he’s everywhere.”
“Stop worrying about me, Livi, and just tell me what I came here to find out.”
Chapter Ten
