by Joy Ohagwu
“She’s my sister.” He swallowed hard, navigating through the different patients being wheeled across to rooms. “I’ll take anything for her. Let me just see her breathing.”
Soon, she stopped in front of a room. “She got out of surgery, but we are monitoring her for any internal bleeding. She should be dead considering the extent of her injuries. Her survival is a miracle. So, don’t let how she looks scare you.”
His quick nod signaled their entry into the room. Marcy lay on the bed with tubes protruding out of many body parts. She appeared pale, and red blotches dotted her face as if she’d been through a beating. Wrinkle lines formed on her forehead. He gripped the back of a chair as his vision grew hazy. “She is blessed to be alive.” He grasped the nurse’s arm. “Thank you, to all of the hospital team, for rescuing my sister.”
The nurse nodded. “A Good Samaritan brought her in.”
He closed his eyes, his investigator’s mind still trying to comprehend how all this happened. But more important was her recovery. “I hear that. I’m grateful for that too. I know you acted quickly.” He gave the woman’s arm a gentle squeeze before letting go. “Otherwise, she wouldn’t be here. I’m grateful.”
“You’re welcome. We thank God for saving her life. Are there any other family members we should be expecting to visit her?”
“No.” The reality of Julia’s situation hit him afresh. “She has a daughter who went missing, and we’re searching for her.”
The nurse’s gaze narrowed. “Is it connected?”
“To her accident, you mean?”
“Yes. To her accident?”
“We don’t know yet. We are looking into all the possibilities. In the meantime, the police will have an officer posted outside her door at all times, just in case this turns out to be linked. You call me if you hear anything.” He glanced at his sister. “Please give us a few moments.”
“Of course.” She kept her voice soft. “I’ll be right outside.”
When she stepped out and gave them room, he approached the bed. A puffiness beneath the blanket surrounded Marcy’s belly area. His own belly sank. How badly hurt was she?
She had struggled when she’d delivered Julia. She’d complained of belly issues for years. Getting hit on her belly would not be helpful at all. He drew close, cradling her head in his hands. A tear dropped from his eyes onto her forehead, and he swiped it away. “Hey, Sis. I’m sorry this happened. I’m not sure who did this to you, but I’m thanking God that you survived. I will do everything in my power to catch them and to put them away. Please don’t give up. Keep fighting. I love you, Marcy.” Releasing her head, he straightened.
He couldn’t breathe Julia’s name.
No.
He could only pray Julia was still alive and could come and see her mother. Bowing his head, he prayed like his sister’s life depended on it—because maybe it did. “My Lord Jesus, please save Marcy! Please, God. I need my sister, and Julia needs her mother. I cannot parent a teen, soon to be an adult. I want her to enjoy more years with Marcy. Please hear my cry, please heal Marcy, and please lead Julia home again. In Jesus’ mighty and precious name, I pray, amen.”
Feeling like a load was lifted off his shoulders, he raised his head when the door opened.
A freckled youth—probably in his early twenties—peered around the door. “Hey, I’m the officer to watch her.” He pushed a shock of red hair back from his forehead, his ginger brows crinkling. “Are you okay?”
Gary sniffed, then nodded. “Yes, thank you. I’ll give you my information should you need to get in touch, day or night.” He slid his card into the man’s hand.
“Got it.” The officer read the information, then pocketed the card.
“I’ll be back out there searching for her daughter, in case I don’t respond immediately.” Then, casting one more glance back at the bed where Marcy lay and praying things improved with her soon and that she scaled through, Gary stepped out of the room.
“Done?” Maxine asked, slinging her stethoscope over her shoulder.
“For now. I have to get back to the case, but I will check in to see how she’s faring. Here’s my card. Call me anytime, day or night.” He offered her the card, and she pinned it to his sister’s chart. Observing the security cameras around the room and feeling content, he prayed the security around her would be enough to keep her safe and that, if they failed, God would keep her safe.
“I’ll do that. And please stay safe out there. We’d appreciate not having two family members fighting for their lives in a hospital.”
Her words warmed his heart. “I appreciate that. Thank you.”
After leaving the hospital, he climbed back into the vehicle with his partner. They soon merged onto the road leading away from the hospital.
A whistling sound heralded an approaching object. “Get down!”
The vehicle swerved. Something shattered the rear windshield and planted itself on the front dash. Mike managed to navigate out of traffic. Pausing by the curb, he stared at the object—a dart with a note attached. He exchanged glances with Mike.
Without a word, Mike tugged the note free, then read the words in all caps. “BACK OFF OR WE CAN TAKE YOU OUT.”
A shudder ran through Gary at the threat. It was one thing for his sister to be fighting for her life in a hospital. And something else for Julia to be missing. It was another thing for Julia to be missing because she saw something. Then it was something else for Mr. Swelling to be conveniently absent from his home when they had gone there earlier. But someone shooting a darted threat to him, asking him to back off, telling him what to do? Those were unacceptable options!
Gary would not back off. Not only would he not back off, but he was also going to double down his efforts. He would not allow himself to be threatened.
No.
He would fight for his family. And put the culprits behind Julia’s kidnapping behind bars. And, God willing, Julia would soon be reunited with her mom.
“I’m not backing off. Are you?” He turned to his partner, whose jaw clenched.
And Mike’s hands fisted. “Backing off? Never. Let’s go get them.”
They eased back into traffic and approached the highway. “Call the station. Report what just happened. And let’s get this note and the dart to the station. I doubt we’ll get any prints off it. And considering we touched it with a gloved hand, it shouldn’t have a print on it.”
Mike punched the speed dial on the dashboard call menu for the station, then relayed what they’d experienced. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to find the person or persons who shot the dart.
But it had to be people who knew to find them at the hospital. And for that alone, he’d tighten the security around his sister.
“Where are we about finding Mr. Swelling? He has some questions to answer about this,” Gary asked.
“The station sent us an update, but I hadn’t checked it out yet with the shooting darts and all.” His partner then requested to be connected with the investigating officer at the station before he swiped through the images sent to their mobile pads and stopped at one, then faced the road again while Gary browsed the details.
When someone responded to their call, Gary posed the question again.
“It’s interesting what we found,” the officer replied over the speakers. “Mr. Swelling has no record in our system. We have no information on him beyond generic information. But we spotted something…unusual. We searched our information database, homeowner’s information, and every source of information we could find. It all led to the same thing.”
“Which was?” Itching for information, looking for anything to help him find those threatening his family, Gary ignored the inner caution.
“He had one glaring problem. There was no image of him anywhere. At all. His photos are missing from every database where he is mentioned. He has an overseas bank account with a German bank, so we’re going to check that account out and see whether we can find any usef
ul information.”
“What are you thinking?” Gary sought his opinion.
The officer paused. “This is starting to sound like a human trafficking issue. You know, a girl spotted something that looked suspicious. She calls it in to a police officer and then gets snatched. You get to the suspect’s home, and it’s put up for sale and made to look like nobody’s living there, even though it was occupied recently. Now, we have the said owner whom we can’t locate. This is an MO for human trafficking. And I’m worried about Julia. I’m worried about her safety. But we’re doing everything we can to help you, Gary. We’re on your side. And we’re also sorry about the situation with Marcy. The boss told us, and I’m glad she’s alive. She’s such a sweet lady. We’re praying for her recovery.”
“Thank you so much. Marcy needs all the prayers we can get. She’s in bad shape. However, I’m trusting God. She made it out of that accident alive and made it through surgery, so I’m believing God that she’s going to make a full recovery.”
“Amen to that. That’s all I have. I’ll keep you guys posted.” The officer disconnected the call.
“So where to now?” Mike asked.
“We go back to the station to deliver the evidence of the note and the dart. And then we’ll pick up the trail of whatever they found out about Swelling. One way or the other, we’re going to crack this thing.” Gary pressed his head against the headrest. “We’re going to find Julia by God’s grace. Marcy is going to come out of this alive and tell us who did this to her.” He made the confessions to boost his own faith. Then he rubbed the pulsing points beside his eyes. “In the meantime, I need to inform Julia’s father that she’s missing in case he cares to know.”
Chapter Eight
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Psalm 32:8
* * *
A chill ran over Julia’s arm, and she turned to sleep on her other side, the hard floor pushing against her. Someone had taken her hoodie when she’d arrived, leaving her in her thin sweater, but they’d eventually granted her request for her own blanket. She’d given Tammy back hers before she was moved. Since they left Julia with Cindy, the room was quieter.
She rubbed her hands over the shivers on her arm. If only she’d realized how calm Tammy’s talking had made her! She’d listen to her childhood stories, and occasionally, they’d laughed. After they took Tammy, Cindy tried to keep the trend going, but the stories dried up. Her absence shocked them so much they both leaned on each other and cried.
By dawn, they’d realized they didn’t know what their future with the captors held. If Julia could do things over, would she have gone ahead to the police station that day?
She could’ve called. Or visited her uncle’s place. But the station had seemed like a safe place. Clearly, she was wrong.
The rankle of chains had her turning her head upward. The door opened, and one guard strode in. Reaching her, he jerked her to her feet. “Come with me!”
“I don’t want to. Please let me go!” she screamed, and Cindy woke and scrambled to the far wall, shouting.
The guard fired a shot above Cindy’s head, and it punched a hole in the unpainted concrete wall. “Shut up, or I’ll blow your brains.” That had Cindy squirming, throwing her red blanket over her knees, and growing silent.
Julia trailed him out the door, knowing he’d meant every word.
“I can’t believe God used bees to save you, Asia. Wow.” Latricia sank into a chair at the police station while they waited for Officer Ramirez to finish briefing his boss over the phone. “It can’t be a coincidence since our family are beekeepers par excellence.” She was not exaggerating. When they were younger and their parents were alive, Powers Honey Farms had won many contests back-to-back. “God must’ve used what you knew and could navigate safely under pressure, to deliver you.” Her sigh followed, and her gaze fell. “Maybe I shouldn’t have come. I promise, it sounded good at the time to get on the road here.”
“God did answer my prayer. And I am grateful to Him.” Asia could admit her surprise, but she wasn’t sure how Latricia would interpret it. Asia studied her sister under a measured gaze. Casting a glance toward Ramirez, she was okay with waiting until later to get to why Latricia was here. “As long as you’re not in any legal trouble, if it can wait, I’d rather we chatted in the privacy of a hotel room.”
“That’s fine.” Latricia’s shoulders slackened. “I’m sorry, I didn’t check whether this was a good time for you before I got on the way here. Blinded by the situation, I just went chasing who I thought could best help me. I didn’t mean to barge into a law enforcement operation, nor did I plan on nearly getting kidnapped.”
Asia chuckled. “Well, what would you say if I said I was nearly kidnapped too earlier? I don’t think anybody plans on getting taken. If it happens, you confront it head-on.”
Ramirez returned and shifted some printouts toward them. “Please, if you would, take a few moments and read through the reports to be sure they accurately reflect the information you provided.”
“Sure.” Asia took hers and saw Latricia accept hers. Sweeping her braided hair to the side, Latricia tucked stray braids behind her ear, her eyes pinned on the printout. The beginning of a curve was starting to dip her cheeks. A small smile stretched Asia’s lips as she recalled the fights it took to make her sister get her hair done as a teen. Her hair came shaved every which way depending on what mood she was in, and such uncertainty nearly gave their mom a heart attack.
Thankfully, she’d scaled all of that down as an adult. Focusing on the sheet in front of her, Asia read her printed statement and issued one correction to a typo. As Ramirez took it back for a correction, she thought about how she could find the two missing girls. She’d come close to losing her own freedom with a careless move, and she wasn’t interested in taking unnecessary chances again. Moreover, she hadn’t suspected that going to the location would be as dangerous as it turned out. She’d simply trailed a lead to a missing person’s last-seen location, unsure what she would find.
“All set. Let’s get you both to your hotel room so you can get some shut-eye. I will see to it that you have police protection there. I’ll also be on speed dial should anything go wrong.” Resting a hand on her shoulder, Ramirez smiled. “I didn’t think we’d meet under these circumstances. I’d expected an office meeting with handshakes and card exchanges, but consider this my offer to stop by anytime for coffee.”
Asia returned the smile. “I might just take you up on that. But I’m glad that, instead of shaking hands, you had my back in a tough scenario. That beats handshakes and professional smiles anytime, I bet you.”
His nod trailed her words. “Great then. Let’s go.” As he strode forward, he led them through a maze of desks, a clear indication of the dip in their department’s funding he’d mentioned. Then they stopped so he could update his chief and then exited the police station.
Asia was struggling to keep her eyes awake as they entered the new hotel. It had been a rough day and a rough night so far. She strode through the lobby where bright lights bathed her in a feeling of security and shiny elevators beckoned to whisk them into comfort. The elevator doors closed them in, and she looped her arm through Latricia’s. Hugging her sister’s arm close, breathing in the sweet, familiar scent of lavender she’d always associate with Latricia, Asia hoped having her around—someone to talk to who wasn’t a stranger, police officer, or kidnapper—would help her feel more comfortable. Once the elevator released them, a plush hallway led them to their door where an on-duty officer gave them a nod and she swiped the pass card and stepped inside. As she glanced around the room, noting all the windows were closed and the curtains drawn, she called Latricia back when her sister walked toward one window. “Don’t go to any window. Wait for me to check them out first for safety’s sake. Do you really need to open the window anyway?”
Latricia walked back into the center of the room. Then she sighed and sank onto th
e bed, cradling her head in her hands. “I was just looking for a distraction.”
“A distraction from what?”
Latricia raised her head, causing Asia’s heart to sink at the sadness there. Then Latricia pulled her feet off the floor up to the bed frame. She kneeled her elbows on her thighs, tucking her jaw on her palms. “From having to tell you everything. Especially why I’m here.”
Asia approached Latricia and grabbed a side table, dragging it closer so she sat on it facing her sister. Placing a hand on her shoulder, she hoped Latricia could see the concern without condemnation in her eyes. “Oh no, Trish. I’m not going to yell at you. You just tell me what happened, and we’ll see what we can do to help. Okay?”
“Alright.”
As Latricia’s shoulders sank, Asia returned her hand to her lap, waiting for her sister to speak and hoping she could handle whatever problem Latricia brought. Had Latricia talked to June or had she skipped out on that? If June was unaware of what Asia was about to hear, it would make for a difficult conversation when they returned home. So, Asia would have to remind Latricia to inform June of everything so both her sisters were fully aware of the circumstances and their trio could tackle things together.
“I’m listening. Tell me everything.” Asia glanced at where her phone was and pointed a finger. “Give me one second.” She walked over, picked her phone up, and returned, then unlocked her phone and set the alarm.
She smiled up at Latricia and set the phone on the table where she sat. “I’m setting the alarm so we don’t oversleep in the morning. We have about forty-eight hours to get answers before we leave Mexico, so I want to make sure we don’t waste any time. Please go ahead. I’m listening this time.”
Latricia rubbed her arms and stared at the floor. “My business—my home decor business—has gone bankrupt. Scratch that. I’ve lost my home decor business.” Her voice trembled. “I made a bad deal, and as a result, I lost everything.”
