Ghosts (Vance Davis Dossier #1)

by Heather Huffman

  The smell is what got him first; it rolled out of the room like an animal bursting out of its cage. The stench of death hung in the air along with sickness, sweat, and urine. Vance was suddenly glad he’d given his lunch to Maria. Now he had nothing to lose as his stomach protested the assault.

  Vance cautiously waded into the room, inching forward as he slid his night vision goggles down over his face and gave himself a moment to orient once they were in place. There were two bodies piled in a heap in the center of the room. Vance knelt beside them, rolling the first body off the second. The smell slammed over him anew. He knew without checking that the girl on the floor was gone, but he checked just to be sure.

  The girl in his arms groaned; he responded by gathering her more securely in his arms and taking her out of the room of death. Ronnie swiped his goggles off his head before he stepped back into the half-light of the main room.

  “They must have left them both for dead.” Vance gently laid the girl on the ground and began assessing her wounds. “Unless they’re planning on torching the building, someone will be back to clean up the mess soon.”

  “I’m calling my brother,” Ronnie announced. “Rick, can you call an ambulance?” She turned to Vance. “How’s the girl?”

  “Not good.” Vance was grim. “Her pulse is weak.”

  “Is it the one you were looking for?” She glanced over at them as she put the phone to her ear.

  “It’s hard to say. Could be, but her face is pretty bruised and swollen.”

  “Poor thing,” Ronnie murmured before returning her attention to the phone call. Her brother was Vance’s contact at the FBI, and she wasn’t above using a little nepotism to soften the fallout when she cut corners on a rescue.

  Vance could hear Jeff’s vocal protest, making it obvious he didn’t care for her willingness to cut corners. “Damn it, Ron. We’re not rent-a-cops. You have to tell us these things before you go in. We can’t prosecute if it’s not done right.”

  Ronnie’s fierce scowl was wasted on the telephone. “There’s no one to prosecute—just a girl who would have been dead had we waited. But you might want to send somebody by before the traffickers send a cleanup crew for the dead body we found with her.”

  Brother and sister continued their heated debate, but Vance’s attention was on the girl. Silently, he prayed they’d found her in time, whoever she was.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  VANCE WAS SURROUNDED by the steady beeps and hums of hospital machinery. The last time he had been surrounded by those sounds, he’d lost Harmony forever. Now her presence seemed to be there, just on the edge of his peripheral vision. He’d swear she was there, only for her to dance away when he’d turn his head.

  Now he sat, his gaze fixed on the unconscious girl they’d rescued from the old shoe factory. They’d confirmed her identity: He’d found Nicole, or what was left of her. Over the years, he’d come to be amazed by the resilience of the girls who’d been rescued from trafficking. He wasn’t entirely sure he’d be able to survive some of the things they did.

  He also knew her recovery would be a long, hard process—one she wouldn’t be able to do at home. The kind of recovery this girl had ahead of her would require specialized care. There weren’t many places in the States set up to handle all the aspects of care a trafficking victim required. He had connections at all of them, but there wouldn’t be much they could do if they were already filled to the brim. Sometimes Jessie helped them at her transition house for foster children, but even she was past capacity. There was only one place he could think of that might be able to help, but he dreaded calling them.

  Rick joined him in Nicole’s room and sat in a chair on the other side of the bed, his eyes meeting Vance’s across the girl. “She’s lucky you came looking for her.”

  “Thanks for helping me get her back, man.”

  “Any time. I still owe you for all the times you saved my wife—and me, for that matter.”

  Vance shrugged uncomfortably.

  “Are you going to try to get her into Harmony House?” Rick asked gently.

  “I can’t think of where else to go with her.”

  “You haven’t been there yet, have you?”

  Vance shook his head. Neena and Rachel, the shelter’s owners, had invited him to see Harmony’s legacy. He hadn’t been able to force himself to make the trip yet. “Maybe it’s time I go.”

  Rick nodded, his eyes drifting back to the girl on the bed. “Are we going to go after the guys who did this to her?”

  Vance set his jaw. “As soon as she’s taken care of.”

  “I figured as much. Veronica and I will start building the file while you tend to her. We’ll be ready when you are.”

  Vance was grateful for people like Rick and Veronica Sinclair in his life. He wasn’t entirely sure he’d be able to muddle through without them. And that’s exactly what he was doing at the moment—muddling through, putting one foot in front of the other to do what had to be done.

  He knew he’d put off calling the Barnetts for too long, so when Rick left him alone, he did just that. He told the nurse where to find him if Nicole woke up while he was away, then stepped into a waiting room to make his call. On the off chance that she was aware of what was going on around her, Vance didn’t want to upset her with his conversation.

  Henry answered on the second ring, anxiety lacing his voice. In all the years Vance had known him, he’d never seen Henry cry. But as the older man choked on his words, Vance knew the news he delivered had brought Henry to tears. “We’re coming to see her.”

  “Only if you can get Allie to watch the kids,” Vance cautioned. “I don’t think her brother and sister should see her like this.”

  “They’ll want to see her.”

  “Not now.” Vance held his ground. “She needs time.”

  “Right, right. We’ll bring her home soon enough, I guess.”

  “Henry—” Vance hesitated. “She can’t go home.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “It’s not safe, and she’s been through too much,” Vance tried to explain.

  “What do you mean it isn’t safe?”

  “The men who took her are still out there. I’m going after them once she’s settled, but until they’re captured, she’ll be in danger of retaliation.”

  Henry’s voice rose a notch. “Retaliation for what?”

  “For living. They’ll hunt her down and kill her—and anyone who matters to her—as a warning to the other girls.”

  “I’ll keep her safe,” Henry argued.

  “Henry, you’ve got to trust me on this. They won’t hesitate to blow up your house with you in it. They don’t fight fair. Besides, she’s been through a trauma you can’t begin to fathom. Her body has been pumped full of narcotics, and she’s been brutalized in ways beyond imagination. That takes a trained team of professionals, and the right environment, to overcome. She can’t get the care she needs at home.”

  “So we’ve lost her.” Henry’s grief nearly overwhelmed Vance. “What about her sister and brother?”

  “She’s not lost forever. They’ll be reunited, just not right away. How we handle the next few weeks will determine Nicole’s ability to recover. It’s crucial we do what’s best for her right now.”

  Henry’s chuckle was rueful. “You definitely aren’t the same kid who left here all those years ago.”

  Vance had to agree with that one, although sometimes he wished he could rewind and be that kid again. Innocence, once lost, was gone forever. He kind of missed his.

  As difficult as the conversation with Henry had been, his next call was even harder.

  “Vance Davis, it’s good to hear your voice again.” Rachel greeted him.

  Hearing her voice was like a punch in the gut. Instantly he was transported back to Atlanta, to a time when a group of young couples sat around a trendy cafe eating tapas, drinking wine, and laughing despite the evil looming large in their world.

  “Have I
chased you away already, Vance? Are you still there?”

  “Yes, I mean no. Sorry. Talking to you just took me back there for a minute.”

  “I’m so sorry. I’d do anything to change how it all turned out. The world is so much darker without Harmony in it.”

  Vance’s throat tightened painfully at Rachel’s simple statement. That was it exactly: The world was much darker without Harmony’s lovely light.

  “Are you doing okay?” Her voice was a gentle caress.

  “I think I’ll get there.” Vance took a deep breath, realizing he meant it. He was still in the worst of it, but he had begun to hope that he’d be okay again someday. “Rachel, I know you guys are probably full, but is there any way you could fit in one more? She’s special. Kind of like a little sister.”

  “I didn’t know you had a sister.”

  “I don’t, technically, but she’s a foster child to the family who raised me.”

  “Ah, well, you know we’d do anything for you. We’ll find a spot, my dear.”

  “Thank you.” He meant it, too, from the bottom of his heart. He felt better knowing Nicole would be well cared for.

  “When can we expect her?”

  Vance frowned to himself, wondering how long it would be before they released her. “She’s still in critical condition. I’ll try to find out more from the doctors.”

  “No worries. Just keep us posted.”

  “Will do.”

  Vance rested his head against his phone and closed his eyes. For a moment, he allowed the memory of Atlanta to wash over him. Her laughter had been so melodious, her determination relentless.

  “Mr. Davis?” A nurse tentatively interrupted his reverie. “She’s beginning to rouse.”

  He looked up, blinking to beat back the tears. “Good. Good. That’s good news. Thanks.”

  He followed her, returning to the room just in time to see the girl jolt awake, sheer terror in her eyes. He covered the distance between them in two quick strides, holding a hand out as if to calm a wild animal. “Shhh…shhh. You’re safe now. I’m Vance. The Barnetts sent me to find you. You’re safe.”

  She froze, confusion written in her eyes. “Vance? The Barnetts’ son?”

  For the second time that day, Vance was punched in the gut by words. Had the Barnetts really considered him their son? He set aside his emotions. “Yes. I’m the Barnetts’ son. So we’re almost brother and sister. You’re safe now, I promise you. Those people will never touch you again.”

  She relaxed visibly at his words. Her fingers gingerly sought out her swollen face. “It’s bad, isn’t it?”

  “It’ll heal,” he assured her, resting a hand on her shoulder. Medical staff moved around them, taking her vitals, asking questions, assessing her injuries again now that she was responsive. When they were finally alone, they sat in silence for a moment, regarding each other.

  “I’m such an idiot.” She attempted to frown but winced instead. “I can’t believe I thought he was going to make me a model.”

  “You were just looking for a way to take care of your brother and sister,” Vance guessed. “Hey, the nurse left some crushed ice for you in case you woke up. Do you want some?”

  Nicole nodded, gratefully accepting the spoon of ice chips he held to her mouth. She sighed and sank deeper into her pillow, her eyes fluttering closed.

  He set the Styrofoam cup back on its table and settled into the chair by her bed. “Get some rest. I’ll be right here if you need anything.”

  She reached out for his hand in response, and he enveloped her tiny fingers with his own large hand. He willed her to heal as he watched her sleep; he needed this one to be okay.

  He must have dozed off. The sound of Henry’s voice in the hallway woke him up. He straightened a little, glancing at Nicole as he did. She was still out of it, no doubt helped along by the pain medication. She looked like she could be his sister, with her sandy brown hair and green eyes. Maybe he’d never met her before this mess, but now that she was in his life, he’d die before he let anything happen to her.

  Vance extracted his hand from Nicole to greet Henry and Martha. Ever stoic, Martha’s expression was the only giveaway as to her anguish at seeing Nicole in such a state. Vance backed up a little to let them have time with her.

  “Vance?” Nicole’s eyelids fluttered open.

  “I’m here,” he soothed, stepping out of the shadows. “The Barnetts are here to see you.”

  “My sweet, sweet girl. You’re okay now. We’ve got you now.” Martha smoothed the girl’s hair back as she crooned.

  “Vance saved me. I thought I was going to die—I wanted to die—and then he was carrying me away from that horrible place, telling me I was going to be okay. I didn’t know him, but I believed him.” Nicole’s small voice was hoarse.

  Martha’s eyes met Vance’s from across the room. Did he see pride there? Appreciation? He had the feeling he’d finally been able to do right by the Barnetts, to repay at least some of the kindness he’d been shown.

  EPILOGUE

  VANCE TAPPED A NERVOUS BEAT on his steering wheel as he waited for the heavy wrought iron gate to swing open.

  Nicole glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. “I’m the one who’s supposed to be nervous. You know that, right?”

  “It’s been a while since I’ve seen these people. It just brings back memories.”

  “The girl who died. It has to do with that, doesn’t it?”

  He sighed softly. “Harmony. Yes, this place reminds me of her.”

  They rolled down the driveway, coming into view of the main house with the words Harmony House arching over the doorway.

  Nicole’s tone was wry. “Yeah, I guess I can see why this place would remind you of her.”

  “It’s named in honor of her.”

  “Ah.” Nicole fell silent, studying him for a moment before continuing. “Thanks again for sticking with me.”

  Vance shrugged, trying to sound nonchalant. “I couldn’t hide from this place forever. Besides, I promised you I’d be with you through this.”

  “But you’re leaving now…” There seemed to be a tinge of hope in her voice, hope that he might decide to stay.

  “I have to leave. Having a strange, scary guy lurking around wouldn’t do much for the healing process.”

  “You’re not scary.” Nicole frowned.

  Vance chuckled. “To you, maybe not, but you’re not the only one here.”

  “But I feel safer with you here.”

  “Wait until you meet Neena,” Vance promised. “She could take me out any day.”

  “I doubt that.”

  “She’s pretty scrappy.” He held his ground. And then, the scrappy woman in question was coming to meet them. Nicole eyed Vance warily after taking in Neena’s tiny stature.

  “I’m not feeling safe.”

  “You will,” he promised again. By that time, Rachel had joined her sister-in-law to wait for them to park. It had been three weeks since Vance pulled Nicole out of that closet. The swelling was gone, the bruises were fading, and every day Nicole looked more and more like a normal teenage girl. But the bruises left on her spirit would take longer to heal, and the two women standing in front of his car now were just the two to help mend those wounds as well.

  Vance greeted each woman with a hug before introducing them to Nicole. After a few awkward minutes of small talk, he agreed to help Nicole to her room before leaving. Every fiber of his being wanted to get back in his truck and drive away without looking back. He wasn’t sure why; it’s not as if he expected to confront Harmony’s ghost in the hallway. But it was a painful reminder that he’d been unable to save her. No matter how much he raged at the universe for taking her, there was nothing he could do to stop it or reverse it. Touring the safe house named in her honor made that real. She wasn’t coming back.

  ***

  Vance had a long drive from Louisiana to Missouri for that knowledge to settle in: Harmony really was gone. It was time he mov
ed on with his life; he was finally ready to admit it. With Nicole tucked away safely, he had one more stop to make before taking that next step back to normal—well, his normal, anyway.

  Long before he was ready, his truck was parked in the Barnetts’ gravel drive, his feet as rooted in place as they had been a short month ago. This time he was greeted with hugs instead of a shotgun and suspicion. He was there to say a real goodbye—and to have that family dinner he’d promised Martha.

  As chatter bounced around the table and the mashed potatoes were passed, Vance filled everyone in on what Nicole’s room looked like at the safe house. Izzy and Isaac weren’t happy to hear they had to wait even longer to get their sister back, but they said they understood why. The pair was more mature at twelve than most adults were. Of course, they’d seen more in their short lives than most adults ever would.

  Vance could tell by the hints Henry dropped, by the way Allie glanced up at him when she thought no one was looking, that his family hoped he’d say he was staying. But he couldn’t do more than promise to visit. This place would always be a part of his past, but his future was still out there somewhere. At the moment, it was wrapped up in finding the man who’d hurt Nicole. After that, it was wide open.

  WANT MORE VANCE?

  CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM HEATHER HUFFMAN AND FEATURING VANCE DAVIS:

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