by Joy Ohagwu
Jerking, she threw the wipe into the trashcan and faced the man fully, observant that the rescued girl—whose name she’d still not asked about—was nodding off beside her. “You know you can go lie down on the bench over there until we’re done.” At the alarm in the girl’s eyes because she saw two men sitting close there, Asia just smiled. “They’re not a threat, sweetie. You’re safe. I’ll watch you from here. Go on.”
The girl walked over there, and Asia did not speak until she saw her lying down, covered with a blanket, and closing her eyes. The officers had taken the girl’s statement and Asia’s statement as well. But Asia was still waiting to get updated so she’d know what the next step would be.
“We already tracked down the people who gave those statements and followed up.” Ramirez’s voice jerked her back to the moment. He paused, his gaze direct and intent. “Asia, members of my team found one of the girls.”
A jolt—like she imagined getting struck with lightning would feel—sizzled through her, and she jumped to her feet. “Are you serious?”
“Absolutely serious.” He ran his right hand through his hair. “I would’ve gone with them to scope the location had I not been focused on finding you.”
“You still have to tell me how you found me.”
“Definitely, we’ll get to that.”
“Okay. About the girl?”
“We found where she’s being held, but we haven’t made contact. It’s a high-risk contact, so we have no choice but to plan for an armed response. And we’re preparing for a raid.”
Her shoulders sank. She wanted the girl safe and home now, if possible. But of course, precautions needed to be put in place. “Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait a couple of days. Closer to New Year’s Eve, we’ll be able to get in more discreetly.”
As her shoulders curled inward, her arms curved around her middle, and the bag she’d carried there rippled against her skin. She straightened. She’d forgotten to give it to Ramirez. “I do have evidence for you. I had to carry it on my body to protect it. And I hope the water hasn’t done too much damage.” She fingered through the inside of her clothes until she found the tip of the rope she’d used to strap the evidence to her body. It likely left lines on her skin because she’d tied it up so tightly that, even if they ended up underwater, it would stay on her and be preserved. “The girl”—she nodded toward the girl she’d helped rescue—“over there gave it to me. The property belongs to a girl named Julia. Apparently, she was taken and in captivity with them in the United States.”
Asia undid the ropes and pulled out the bag with Julia’s clothes and eased it on the table. Some water damage sogged the edge of the clothing, but other than that, they were intact. She released a loud exhale.
“Are these clothes for a victim?”
Asia measured her words. “We don’t know if she’s still alive or dead. But the man who gave these clothes to the girl is dead.” Asia related the story the girl had told her. “I need us to get this evidence and information to the United States as soon as possible. We need the authorities to know what happened. In case the girl is still in transit, they can stop her trafficking to Mexico or to any other country.”
Ramirez slid on some gloves. Then he drew the bag closer. “And you said the girl’s name is Julia? Do you have a last name?”
“No.” Asia shook her head. “And neither does this girl. All she knows is that the girl’s name is Julia and those are her clothes. They are likely the same clothes she was taken in. She said the man who gave her the clothes asked her to get them to the girl’s family.”
“I’ll inform the regional police chief. We’ll investigate and find the police unit in charge of her disappearance. Then I’ll have this shipped to them. Hopefully, they’ll get it before New Year’s Eve.”
As Ramirez walked away with the evidence, Asia strode over to the sink to wash her face. She inhaled deeply to calm her racing nerves. Things were happening at breakneck speed. So fast, she was trying to keep up. She smiled into the dripping water on her face, her heart lightening over the detective’s news as she dried her skin with a napkin. They’d found one of the girls? Amazing!
Nearly a half hour later, the rescued girl who’d come with her from the ship was already sleeping soundly when Ramirez approached. His wide smile seemed to smooth out those wrinkles Asia’d noticed. “We keep winning today. I hope that streak remains.”
“What happened?” She reclaimed her previous seat.
“We found Julia’s police unit. I mean, the unit searching for her. I was told the governor posted a reward for one million dollars for anyone who finds her.”
“Definitely not us. We only conveyed evidence. We didn’t find her.”
“That’s what I told them. They’re happy regardless. My team will dispatch these to them right away.”
“Please tell them to let us know if she’s found alive. We’d like to celebrate it over here too. I’m starting to feel like I’m one of your officers.”
Ramirez chuckled. “And I wish you were one of us. You are incredible in the way you do your work. I’m impressed. You should be a police officer. You certainly work like one.”
Asia shrank back from the commendation. This was the second person asking her to become a police officer in a couple of days. Was that God directing her? She wasn’t sure that was what she planned for her future. Finding missing girls was still her priority. She adjusted her position, though not her life focus—at least, not yet. “I don’t know if I’ll ever stop searching for missing girls. It’s my passion.”
Ramirez pressed a hand on the nearby table, pinned another hand on his hip, and crossed his legs, observing her. “And what makes you think being a police officer will make it impossible for you to search for missing girls? I can tell you it may make things easier.” He seemed to think for a moment, then shifted on his feet. “Of course, you won’t be free to do whatever you want to at whatever time. Cases will be assigned to you. But if you want to focus on finding missing girls, you can focus on one missing girl at a time and move on to the next one after. And if you want something more versatile, I’m sure your police community will be able to find you something to fit your interest. I strongly recommend you think about it. It’s great to search for missing persons. It’s easier logistically to search for missing persons as a police officer who has the authority to wear a badge and to carry a weapon. Of course, you have to pray that you have good leadership, my recent circumstances considered.”
As his eyes darkened and he scowled at the floor, Asia knew he was referring to the situation with his boss. What must a betrayal like that feel like? She swallowed hard to clear the clog in her throat before speaking. “I’m sorry about your boss. I hope things get worked out.”
Ramirez shrugged his shoulders. “I hope so too. It’s just disappointing. Especially when you’ve come to trust the person.”
“I guess people change. You won’t know they’ve changed until something triggers the revelation of that change. You just can’t trust anybody.”
His gaze lifted from the floor, the scowl easing away a bit as he eyed her. “I’m going to have to agree with you on that.”
“How did you guys find me? You promised to tell me.” Asia swung one leg over the other, leaning her shoulders back and kneeling her elbows on the table behind her. “I would’ve assumed you guys left the island by then. I was surprised to find one of your men was still looking.”
Ramirez inched up and sat on the table and propped up one leg on a small, low table. “We went through the island after the gun battle with the traffickers. We caught a few of them, and others got away on the ship. We didn’t dare attack the ship because the girls inside might get hurt. But we have a team tracking them to their next destination, and they will arrest the traffickers there.”
Air whooshed from her lungs. “That’s good to know. I was worried about the girls who didn’t escape.”
“Yes, we took care of that. But there’s something more. Aft
er you guys went missing, we realized we could not find you, and nobody had spotted you with the boat that got away. So I assumed you were still on the island even though we couldn’t locate you. Since a helicopter presence might keep the traffickers’ interest there—and we wanted them to assume they had taken everybody they could find—I asked the unit to pull back and left three men on the island, one approaching from one end of the island to the center. They were supposed to go from three ends of the island to the center until they found you.”
“How long did that take?” Asia tried to picture what she’d seen. “It wasn’t a big island. From the time we went missing to the time we were found, I would assume they would’ve left already.” She rubbed at her forehead as it crinkled up beneath her touch.
A burst of laughter accompanied Ramirez’s slapping his thigh. “You are a smart lady. You would make a great cop! And you’re correct. They had gone through the island more than once, but they didn’t find you.”
He cleared his throat as emotion choked his voice. “I couldn’t let them leave without you, Asia. Losing you would have been one on my conscience in a way I couldn’t live down. I saw your heart, your passion, your dedication the few days we worked together, and I couldn’t allow that entire persona you represent to get lost while trying to save others. So I dug in my heels and decided either we found you or we didn’t leave.”
Wow. As the man’s gaze met hers, Asia gulped down. “I’m grateful, Ramirez. Thank you so much.” Asia didn’t think anyone outside her family had thought that much about her in a long time, and gratitude over having Ramirez be determined to rescue her welled up in her chest and burned the backs of her eyes. She blinked the moisture back.
“So I asked three men to stay back, approach from each side of the island until they found you. They’d gone through there five times before one of them spotted you being led to a small boat.”
“The man who shot the trafficker.”
Ramirez smiled. “You got that right.”
“Thank you very much, Ramirez.” The words sounded so lame, but she had to say them, had to somehow convey how much she meant them. “Your determination saved our lives. We’re grateful.”
“Now let’s get you both to a hotel under police protection, and we will work on rescuing your missing girl in the next couple of days. I would recommend not contacting your sister. Some of my men are watching over her. She’ll be fine.”
Asia didn’t like the suggestion, but how could she argue when it was for her safety and for Latricia’s safety? “We get to return to the US together though? Our flight was supposed to be tomorrow, but I’m glad to move everything forward to New Year’s Day.”
Ramirez pushed himself from his perch. “We can arrange new flights for you, no doubt. Yes, we can arrange that. You can depart Mexico on New Year’s Day.”
Asia exhaled. “Perfect. Let’s go to that hotel. I need a hot bath. And some nice food.”
He wagged a finger at her. “And don’t forget a good night’s sleep.”
Chapter Twenty
But GOD demonstrates HIS own Love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
* * *
“You might be able to walk to see the fireworks.” Mrs. Black set a bowl of mixed fruit on top of the bed for Julia. “On crutches.”
“I was getting excited once I heard walk.” Once her tummy could handle food, Julia had fed like she was starved since Christmas. It had taken a few days on soup and bread to activate her appetite. Now that it was back to normal, she ate with all gusto, but now… to walk! She could feed on that concept with equal zest.
“You have one good leg, and I’d like you to keep it that way as we enter the New Year.” Mrs. Black drew back the curtains as Julia pulled the tray with the fruit bowl closer to herself. Sticking the fork into it, she forked some pineapple into her mouth, followed by a piece of diced mango, their juiciness tingling in her mouth.
“I want to start exercising the leg soon. I know the pharmacist said to take it easy, but…” She missed her mom. She couldn’t share that. New Year’s Eves were usually spent watching a movie after her mom returned from church. They’d toast marshmallows, and her mom would kiss her cheek and wish her a happy New Year. It seemed small, even insignificant. But now, without access to her mom, she longed for the slightest contact, the smallest sign of love from the mom she hadn’t appreciated. She ached to hold her one more time and tell her she loved her and appreciated her.
“Julia? Are you alright? Your plate is about to fall.” Mrs. Black reached out and caught the sliding tray, positioning it right.
“I’m sorry.” Julia set the fork down and swallowed hard, turning her face away. “I, um, I just need a minute.”
“Sweetie, you’ve had more than a minute. You’ve had some time, and I think we who have taken care of you need to know who you are, what you are doing here, and who your family is.” Mrs. Black cupped her face. “You know your family is worried right now. You need to get in touch with someone.” Her hand dropped, and a sigh followed. “I can get in touch on your behalf. Simply to let them know you’re alive. That alone will help them.”
Julia sucked in air so sharply it stung as it whistled past her teeth. “This is… hard.”
Tenderness softened Mrs. Black’s lips and rounded out her eyes. Then she let out a low whistle, drawing her chair close, then waving away Bishop as he tried to enter the room. She waited till his footsteps faded before she spoke. “I think you know by now that you can trust me. Don’t you?”
Warmth sluiced into Julia’s heart—gratitude to God and to this gift He’d sent her in the form of a very dear woman. “It’s not that I don’t trust you. I don’t want to put you in danger.” She pointed at her leg. “Look at me. I can’t walk. Can’t run. I can barely sit up comfortably.” As her throat closed, she choked. “It can get dangerous telling you anything. Or contacting my family.”
“Let me get in touch with them for you.” Mrs. Black clasped her hand. “My husband and I didn’t have children of our own. But, if we did, I’d profusely thank anyone who let me know they were alive.” She squeezed Julia’s hand. “Your mom and dad deserve some peace of mind as we enter a new year. Give them that much. Please, sweetie. Trust me to take care of this for you. Will you?”
Outside the room, Abel’s and Susie’s voices were loud as they fought over something. Bishop intervened and shouted them both down. Sometimes, Julia felt like they’d formed their own small family with Bishop as their big brother. He certainly acted like it. She made a mental note to tell him he’d be a great leader—as long as he de-escalated his anger with the help of God.
In the meantime, their voices provided her a chance to think. “I’m sure it sounds like a good idea. I just don’t know if I should do it. I committed myself, and I’m not sure how making contact can compromise things.”
“I can make the information as subtle as possible. I’ve held down this place, and you haven’t seen the worst of the kids who have come through here. I can handle a tough conversation. Trust God if you can’t trust me.” Mrs. Black patted Julia’s hand, then rose. “I sense in my spirit that someone needs the assurance to know you’re alive at least.”
Julia’s resolve broke. She’d promised the man who’d spared her life that she wouldn’t go home. She’d assumed that meant not to make contact with home either. But, if someone else could subtly let her family know she was alive but couldn’t contact them, maybe that could help?
It made sense. As long as she didn’t speak. “Alright. You can contact them.” God, please let me be making the right choice! “But I can’t speak, and you can’t say my name.”
“Good. I’ll get my phone.” Mrs. Black disappeared and returned with Bishop in tow. “I was getting my phone, and I thought it would be even better if a man spoke to them instead. They wouldn’t be expecting that. So, Bishop will be the go-between. I’ll tell him what to say, and he’ll convey it.”
Gratitud
e sent a rush of heat to her eyes. Julia blinked it back. “You’re better than I thought.”
Mrs. Black chuckled. “Troubled kids will train you fast for you to catch up with their pranks. Right, Bishop?”
“I’ve changed. The old has passed away.” His eyes glinted. “That’s what I read in my Bible.”
Mrs. Black punched his shoulder. “Are you trying to play smart with me? Don’t even try it. Now, get on that call before I change my mind about your punishment for joining to plan secret foods and nearly burning the center down.”
“I didn’t join them to burn the food!”
“Hush. Let’s get on with the call.” Mrs. Black’s voice cut off his protest, and with a grin, he sank onto the foot of the bed, narrowly missing Julia’s foot.
“Watch my foot. If you want to swap places, I’ll gladly yield the bed to you and be up and about.”
“Shut up, you.” He growled.
“You two, get a grip. I want this call done before you bicker.” Mrs. Black took her cell phone and gave it to Julia. “Punch in the number but don’t hit dial yet.”
“Okay.” She took the phone. Then her fingers hovered over the black screen. “I think we should call my uncle. He may be a safer person than my mom if she’s being watched.”
“Alright. Please go ahead.”
Julia punched in her uncle’s cell phone number and changed her mind again. She deleted the number and dialed his number at the station. If he needed to trace the call, she wanted him to be able to. “Please make sure to let him know not to come looking for me. Nor to send cops to storm this place. It will put both him and us in danger. Please.”
“I’ll do that.” Mrs. Black paused as well. “I think I will start the call, then hand off to Bishop, and he’ll return the call to me.” A smile bunched up her full cheeks. “Like a regular New Year’s wish phone call from a long-lost friend who wanted to get in touch.”
