by Mimi Barbour
You never told Max about his car. He should know his baby is dead. Yeah, well, sometime today, I’ll call the dealer and order him a new one. Least I can do… keep peace in the family.
Grabbing a cab, Nik made it to the motel in no time at all. Thankfully, he’d moved some of Max’s fancy clothes there, bought more and had what he needed to present himself at the office as his twin.
Changing quickly, he wrote another note to Julian. The last had been read and now lay crumpled on the desk. Call me, Julian. I mean it!
He left the number to the burner phone he and Max had set up, then started for the door. That’s when he heard the key in the lock.
Julian looking beaten and exhausted entered, moving slowly. His blond curls were sweat-mangled and his face bruised and puffy. Dried blood from various cuts gave him the look of a man put through the ringer.
As soon as he saw Nik, his demeanor changed but he showed no surprise at seeing him. His impertinent manner reappeared. “Hey, sugar. You finally came home.”
“Look who’s talking. Where did you disappear to last night?” Nik didn’t take his eyes off the man for one second. He’d known the dude wasn’t who he portrayed, but dammit, he hated being played. And this sucker had played him from the first moment they met.
Nik watched Julian’s expression change from his usual brazen impudence to somber. “You know I couldn’t stick around, man. I told you the police were after me.”
“Yeah! They wanted to talk to you, ask you some questions, is what you told us before. So rather than answer a few questions, you’d prefer to walk twenty miles back to town? Makes no sense, Julian. And you know it.”
“Who said I walked? I called a friend to pick me up.”
“There was no signal where we were.”
“There was about a mile up the way.”
Sighing, Nik changed tack. “Tell me why you followed Mai to the Smith & Sons office.”
“You know about that? Okay, she’s a friend of mine. Remember I told you about letting the girls free? Well, Mai stayed with me instead of running. She had no one to go back home to and didn’t want to leave the States. I was trying to get some help for her from a friend.”
“You mean the friend who came to pick you up?”
“No. From my boss who cares about these girls and organizes their passages home.”
“Okay, so how did Mai get snatched again?” Nik wished he knew the exact questions to ask. Maya would have.
“They were trailing me, wanting payback for the trick I pulled at the Pink Pussycat. Mai didn’t know. She came to find me because she’d heard that another girl from her village had disappeared and wanted me to help her. It was pure bad luck them seeing her on the street. They captured her just as I came around the corner and saw it happen. I was only trying to get her free.”
Nik had to know. “What will happen to her now that they have her in custody?”
“I think she can apply for a domestic working visa. And since she was brought here against her will, we were hoping they would grant it to her without too much trouble.”
“Okay, that makes sense. I have one more question. How the hell do you always know where I am?”
Julian began to laugh. “For a guy who prides himself on being observant, sometimes you miss what’s going on right under your nose.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
“You know Bob, the homeless man who parks himself outside the hotel? He thanks you for always dropping a few bucks in his can. Says you’re one swell pecker. His words not mine.”
“Bob? The creepy dude with black teeth wearing grubby army camouflage rejects? The one who talks about how stinkin’ hot it always is? Makes a guy feel sorry for him?”
“That’s him. Trust me. There aren’t many who give a shit. You, on the other hand, always leave him a few bucks and, because of that, he’d walk through shit for you.”
Understanding dawned. “So he’s an informant and tells you when I’m here.”
Julian started laughing. “Sugar, the man works for me. He’s out there as a guard. Look closer next time you see him. Things aren’t always what you expect. Max would have made him in a minute.”
“Shit! This jungle just isn’t my playground. Guess I have a lot to learn.”
“Hey, you’ve done an incredible job so far. Riding to the rescue last night was spectacular; put hearts in my eyes when I saw you in your element.”
“Yeah, yeah! No stroking! I want to meet your boss.”
“So you’ve said.”
“When?”
“I’ll let you know.”
“I can trust you?”
“Haven’t I showed you that already? In the meantime, I’ve got to hit the shower and catch a few hours. ”
“And I’ve got to go and catch a killer.”
Chapter 53
Maya paced the office, wondering what had happened to Nik. The warrant proceedings were now set in motion and who knew how long the desk-jockeys at the courthouse would require before they’d be ready to be picked up. Hoping to speed things along, she’d gone to the boss for help in pushing it.
“I’ll get them moving on the warrant,” Ron had said, “but I gotta ask…You know what you’re doing with this one, Agent?”
“Yes, sir. Everything we can. I appreciate you giving the go-ahead to Lassiter. It’s good to have eyes on the place.”
“I agree. It’s why you got it. Just so you know, the brass is riding me hard me on this case. It’s an international embarrassment. Since you’re the one in the field, I’m passing the pressure on to you and Max. Don’t let me down.”
“No, sir. We’re on it.”
“You’d better be. Go do your job.”
Leaving his office still in one piece, she accepted that she’d done everything she could to get authorization to snoop through Smith’s files. Policy procedures took their own sweet time.
Waiting for Nik, she’d decided to take another run at Birdy Bard and was met with a nervous, frightened criminal and the same crafty lawyer who had rescued Smith Senior’s ass the day before. “If you promise us a deal, we might be willing to share.”
Not intending to play their silly games this time, Maya started, “I need you to know one important factor that might cut your client some slack. We realize he didn’t have a gun and he never shot anyone. If I remember correctly, he spent most of the time unconscious. And that could play in his favor. But don’t kid yourself, he will do time… Unless he can tell me about the container he was to pick up last night. The number and which ship delivered it? If he was willing to share that information, I, personally, will see to it that his assistance is taken into consideration when it comes time to plea-bargaining. ”
Whispering—along with muttered arguments and hand gesturing followed. Maya watched closely and knew there would be no help here. Birdy didn’t know the answers.
Meanwhile, they had one of the killers, John Stocker, from the night before, in the interview room, sitting, sweating—waiting to be questioned. She itched to get in there, but she’d made a promise to Nik.
Finally, to pass the time, she picked up the phone and called the hospital. Butterball, as he’d been affectionately dubbed by Nik the night before, but whose real name was Bubba Jones, was still there under guard and she checked to see when they figured he’d be ready to answer some questions. The nurse was almost positive the doctor would give her clearance, but he wouldn’t be available to sign off on it until after lunch. Since Maya intended to be busy the rest of the morning, it worked for her.
As she lowered the phone, a coughing noise caught her attention. Becky trounced in, frustration apparent by her attitude and in her expression. Slumping in the only chair not covered with files, she pouted and then griped.
“I’ve been going through every avenue I can think of to come up with a manifest from Maurice’s brother, Lee Smith’s company, Lee Electrical, out of Singapore. I’ve pursued every container he’s shipped for the last w
eek and I’ve come up with zilch. Then I ran a search for any of the businesses listed in the holding company that Smith & Sons are connected with and that was a bust also.”
“Sweet Jesus, Becky. If those girls arrived yesterday, they’re running out of time.”
“I know. It’s why everyone is working so freakin’ hard to try and find a lead. Do you have any idea how many containers enter that terminal every day from all over the world? It’s like looking for one specific diamond in a trunkful.”
“Shit!”
“You can say that again. It’s been a real slog. I’ve even gotten help from a few of the others who are better at the computer than me, and still nothing.”
“Becky, get real. There’s no one better than you. If you say there aren’t any containers arriving in New Orleans from Lee Electric then… hold it!”
“Hold what?”
“They aren’t arriving in New Orleans. That’s why they were taking the truck. They were going to make the pickup at another terminal. What’s the closest one from here?”
“Port of South Louisiana is a huge terminal. It’s one of the biggest in the western hemisphere. I’d say we’re about an hour’s drive.”
“The sneaky bastards. Could it be possible?”
“I’m on it!” Energy renewed, Becky flew to her feet and headed for the door in time to meet up with Nik.
“Hey, ladybug.” Nik greeted the girl and looked shocked when she placed a big smooch on his cheek before commenting. “You can charge me with sexual harassment, or just accept that I’m nuts about your partner and don’t like kissing women. In case she isn’t listening, tell her for me, she’s one super-good detective.”
Nik’s comical expression made Maya laugh. Or was it the humming in her brain that spoke volumes. They were onto something. She just knew it.
“Should I even ask?” Nik pointed at the departing computer whiz.
Taking her time, Maya told Nik what they’d stumbled onto. Hearing him add his admiration for her quick thinking made her stammer and find her cheeks warming.
“It was a… a reasonable conclusion, not rocket science.”
“True. But you thought of it and others didn’t. That makes you one of the FBI’s brainiest, and I might add—hottest, commodities.”
“Sugar, you can quit your sweet-talking. You’re already booked in for special treatment tonight. By the way, what took you so long getting here?”
Nik brought her up to date on his discussion with Julian, leaving out the parts that made him uncomfortable. Especially about destitute old Bob, the snoop he’d never even noticed.
“So now you realize that Juli isn’t a gay dancer who helped some girls one night. Could have told you that a long time ago.”
Nik crossed his arms, the jacket of his light gray suit stressed from his bulging muscles. “Then why didn’t you?”
“Cause when I ran a search on him, Julian Freed didn’t exist.”
Chapter 54
“Melee, will you let us have some water now? It’s been hours and it’s so hot, I’m having difficulty breathing.” Kanya had finally stopped crying hours ago and now lay in abject misery in a fetal position on her mattress.
“She wants to keep it all for her and her little friend.” Sneering, Vanida, a tall girl whose mouth had already begun to show lines from always wearing a frown, tormented Melee like she’d done from day one.
Because Melee had taken over leadership, the malcontent had argued, belittled, stirring the pot and getting the others riled. She started another harangue once again. “You are fooling the others with your loving attention, bitch, but you don’t fool me. All you care about is yourself.”
“That’s not true. If I hadn’t stopped everyone, the food would have been gone the first day and so would’ve the water.” Melee tried to make them all see the truth. Earnestly, she stared from one to the other. “I’ve done it f-for you, to keep you well. Other than Solada, not one of you has tried to help.”
“What is there to do? Pass out the food, of which I’m sure you keep more for yourself than you share amongst the rest of us.” Malicious and vindictive, Vanida stressed the word to get her meaning across.
“You know that isn’t true, Vanida.” Calmly, Melee turned and surveyed the faces of the other girls all showing interest in the outcome of the newest battle. “I’ve kept the food beside me to protect everyone’s portions and you’ve all watched whenever I’ve gone into the supply. The only other reason I touch the boxes is to get the mulch to add to the toilets, and as bad as the stench is, without me adding that, we would all have been poisoned by now.”
“Oh, you’re just so perfect, aren’t you?” Screaming now, Vanida’s hand struck Melee, sending her head reeling to the side.
With a cry of alarm, Solada, the youngest, stood to protect her friend, only to fall to the floor.
Melee pushed Vanida backward so she could bend over the child. She cradled her and stroked her head. “She’s burning up.” Swinging around, Melee searched for the last bottle. “We must give her the water.”
Kanya spoke up. “She can have my share.”
“Mine too.” The others piped up and added their agreement. Worried about the youngest, they circled around the girl who’d won everyone’s heart with her kindness and pretty songs that had kept them all amused during the long, dark hours.
With Kanya’s help, Melee gently carried Solada to her own clean mattress and laid her down. She poured a small amount of the water into a cup and held it to the girl’s lips, forcing much of it into her mouth. Then she undid the girl’s blouse and wet a cloth to hold against her overheated skin.
Melee had no real nursing experience, but she sensed that Solada was in real trouble. She wasn’t just dehydrated, there was something else affecting her.
Murmurs of affection and worry circulated the group and caught her attention. “Someone will come soon. You know we have landed. The small windows at the top of the container now show the blue sky, rather than the darkness from being inside the ship.”
Kanya added. “Yes, and since the last few hours, there’s slightly more fresh air. Has anyone else noticed it? Maybe we should try yelling again for help?”
Vanida piped up from the corner where she’d retreated. “Who has any voice left? None of us can speak above a whisper anymore, we’re so dry. And you’re giving all of our water to that brat.”
Before Melee could respond, four others turned on the complainer. “Shut up, Vanida. You haven’t stopped whining since we woke up in this hellhole.”
“We don’t want to hear it anymore.”
“We must all stick together.”
Vanida, pushed to her limits, broke down and howled. “Do you know what they plan on doing to us? We’ll be forced to be prostitutes, letting any disgusting man do what he wants. And there’ll be nothing we can do about it. I hate men. I’d rather be dead.”
Melee’s soft voice answered with a phrase that everyone had heard all their lives. “What will be, will be.”
Chapter 55
John Stocker was a true psychopath, high-functioning and clever.
Maya had only met one before, but she knew it immediately after they entered the interview room. His aura was a thick gray veering on black, and his reptilian eyes were windows into a heartless soul.
Shivers of apprehension raced over her body, and she looked to see if the surrounding negative energy was affecting Nik and saw that it was. Rather than his customary lounging, her partner’s arms were crossed and he stood close, ready.
Ignoring the voice in her head that told her to get the hell out of there, she pulled out the chair across from the smiling man, placed her files on the table between them and closed the buttons on her light jacket.
“Hello, Agent Barnes. How nice of you to come and speak to me personally.”
“This is no friendly visit, Mr. Stocker. I have a few questions I’d like you to answer.”
“Ask them. If I can help you, sweetheart, it’ll
be my pleasure.”
Maya glanced at Nik with a distinct warning in her stare. Don’t let him play you.
“Oh, you can answer them all right. But will you? For instance, who is your boss?”
“Next question.”
“Where were you going last night?”
“Pass.”
“Why did you shoot those officers?”
“Because they were there. Next.”
“You’re having fun, aren’t you?”
“Yes. I am. I don’t get to visit with a sexy woman like you very often. And when I do, they certainly aren’t wasting time asking me stupid questions.”
“Agent Foster!” Maya held her hand out toward Nik to stop his obvious intention of defending her. The ice in his pale blue eyes reminded her of a picture she’d once seen of an Alaskan glacier: cold, bitterly cold.
Feeling as if filth had seeped into her pores and only a long, hot shower with disinfectant soap would ever make her feel clean again, but remembering the hostages, Maya persevered. “Mr. Stocker, this may be a joke to you, but it’s very important to us that we find a container Mr. Bard was sent to collect last night. If you could please tell us about it, we’d look kindly on that help as a reason to—shall we say—make special arrangements with the prosecuting attorney.”
“If those special arrangements would include a night alone with your luscious body, I’d be sorely tempted to answer. As it is, I don’t believe that will ever happen. Therefore, Agent Bitch, I regretfully decline your generosity.”
Incensed eyes filled with disgust, Maya stepped in front of Nik before he could touch Stocker. Leaning closer to the sicko, she spoke softly. “Your poor mother must have hated you.”
When the animal lunged, Nik moved. The old saying about greased lightning came to Maya’s mind when he dove between her and the hands reaching for her throat. One backhand with the power of his arm behind it had Stocker, who was much smaller, flying against the wall.
