by H K Christie
"It's not a formal complaint. It's a warning," Sarge explained.
"A warning? What kind of warning?"
"He doesn't want you to go back to the farm and he wants to stop all background checks on the detectives and their families."
"What is your stance on this?" I had thought Sarge was good police. I hoped I wasn't wrong.
"I'd like to hear why you're doing background checks on them?"
I shook my head in disbelief. "Sarge, they're hiding something. I can feel it in my gut. Martina feels it too. We went to go see Detective Smart, and Kinsey just happened to show up at the station. The four of us went to lunch and only briefly discussed the case. They basically said that they don't remember much about the cases and that there was no obvious connection back then. They blamed the lack of attention on the cases to having too high of a caseload. When I asked about why they didn't have specific details in the reports that the witnesses had given myself and Martina, they said it was because back then they didn't have laptops, and they had to handwrite everything. It's total bull, Sarge. One detective even interviewed Jordan Day—who said that Kinsey tried to get the detective to downplay the whole thing. Jordan Day isn't mentioned in a single report. Now that they are calling our follow-up questions harassment, tells me they're definitely hiding something and they don't like us poking around."
"Maybe they really don't remember, Hirsch. I mean, there are legitimate reasons. This department gets a lot of work. We're busy. You're busy. You know that firsthand. If someone says their kid is a runaway, how much effort would you put into it?" Sarge asked.
I didn't let him finish his thought. "I'd do a heck of a lot more than they did. And did you hear me? They omitted details like the fact that the women were clients of Jordan Day. They're hiding something, Sarge. I'd bet my badge on it."
Sarge raised a brow. "Look, I know you had a hard time in your last department, and I don't want that for you here. I can tell you're a good detective with good instincts. But I need you to back off of our brothers in blue."
"I'm telling you they're hiding something. Something big. When I showed up at Kinsey's farm, his son said he wasn't there. Yet, his car was in the garage. And when I asked for a quick tour, he told me to come back with a warrant."
Sarge lifted his hands in the air in defeat. "Hirsch, would you let someone come in and search your apartment without a warrant?"
"I didn't ask for a search. I asked for a tour of the farm."
"Same difference. He's the son of a cop. He's cautious. I'm sure his father warned him to let nobody in your house without a warrant. Always ask for a lawyer, you know the drill."
"I'm telling you there's something there."
"What do you think is there?"
"Look, I don't know exactly what they're hiding yet. Maybe they were negligent on the cases and they're covering that up, but the vibe I got off his son makes me think it's more than just shoddy police work that they're hiding."
"You can't prove it. We can't pursue this road without evidence. Unfortunately, a hunch is not evidence. I know I don't have to explain that to you."
I let the words sink in. I couldn't get financial or cell phone records. It was going to be hard to prove there was anything more malicious than crappy police work. "Hey, how did they know I did background checks and put in a request for Kinsey's family as well?"
Sarge was about to speak but paused as if contemplating my question. I moved closer to his desk. "Because they were looking to see if anybody requested it. Why would they do that?" I asked.
Sarge let out a sigh. "Look, you might be right, but if you get complaints against you and IA’s in here, they could take you off the case, and there would be nothing I could do about it. You're a good detective. Go with your gut, but be quiet about it and stay under the radar. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
I did. "Yes, sir."
If Martina's firm did the research, they couldn't trace it back to the department, but they could connect Martina since she was contracted to the department. Hmm. That wouldn't do. We needed somebody else—somebody not connected to Drakos Security & Investigations or the CoCo County Sheriff's Department to find out more about the Kinsey's and the other detectives.
Sarge stared me straight in the eyes. "Just so were crystal clear. That means, you two stay clear of the Kinsey farm and no more interviews of the original detectives on the case. If you and Martina do your job like I think you can, you won't need them to find those women."
I pressed my lips together to avoid saying something I would regret. "Loud and clear."
I exited Sarge's office and headed back to the war room. He was good police but trapped under the brass. He was right, though. We would find the missing women.
I wished Martina were here; I needed her extra brain power. We definitely had the original detectives and Kinsey rattled. What that meant was that we were right to look into them. They were hiding something, but what? Would it be information that would lead us to the missing women? What if it didn't? What if it was just poor police work? Was it worth pursuing if it didn't bring us closer to finding the missing women? I stared up at the board. Six young women taken and nobody, until now, had tried to find them.
Pacing the room, I tried to put my thoughts together. I needed the sketch of Everett, the photographer, from Jordan. I pulled out my phone and dialed Martina. "Hey, Hirsch, what's up?"
"I just got reamed by Sarge for looking into the detectives and going out to the farm."
"Why?"
"Detective Smart called and complained. Sarge put a hold on all background checks requested that are related to the detectives and Kinsey."
"They're scared."
"That's what I think."
"What are you going to do?"
"Do you know anybody that could do their background checks, but is not associated with Drakos? Someone that could make it look like it wasn't you and me requesting the background?"
"That's completely off book, Hirsch, but yeah, I know someone. It'll cost us, though. It would need to be cash to keep it quiet."
If my hunch was right, the department would reimburse it, and we might find those missing women. It was a no-brainer. "I'll pay for it."
"Are you sure? It could cost a pretty penny."
"I'm sure." Those women and their families deserved it.
"Okay, I'll make contact. I'll let you know when we get something. You hear from Jordan?" She asked.
"I talked to him earlier. The sketch artist should arrive by late afternoon."
"Good. We need it. Is Jordan doing all right, mentally and physically?" She asked.
"The doctor says he's healing nicely, but I think he's getting a bit squirrelly stuck in his hospital room with his girlfriend."
"I suppose I can understand that."
"How are things going with Heather's investigation?" I asked.
"They plan to go back to two sex offenders in the area and question them again, but it's not looking good."
"How long has it been now?"
"We're at thirty-six hours."
"How's the family holding up?"
"They're doing okay, considering. We kept both Kaylie and Zoey home from school today. My mother is taking care of them. Every moment, my heart breaks for Heather's family."
"Anything I can do?"
"I can ask the detectives if there's anything you could do in your official capacity, but I think they have it covered. They've made Heather's case top priority."
At least they were looking for Heather. It was more than the others got. "Good."
"Okay, I'll talk to you later."
I was about to hang up when a thought popped into my head. "Wait."
"What is it?" Martina asked.
"Do you think there is a link between our case and Heather's disappearance?"
"Why do you say that?" She asked.
"She looks so much like the others."
"Circumstances are completely different. But there is a striking re
semblance."
"Maybe a copycat or an aspiring abductor? Maybe the perp saw the case on the news and thought, Hey, I could do that and get my fifteen minutes of fame."
"It's possible."
"Or what if it is our guy, and he's changed his MO?" I asked.
"Huh. It's possible. I'll let you know if I find any links."
After saying goodbye and hanging up, I glanced back up at the board. With the young women's photos lined up—we could easily put Heather's photo next to theirs, and it would be a match. If they were all taken by the same person, we had an advantage on finding Heather. She had been missing for thirty-six hours. There was still a hot trail—we just had to find it.
38
Martina
The number on the screen was one I had just programmed into my phone. My pulse quickened. "This is Martina Monroe."
"Hi, Martina, it's Lieutenant Orgeat. We just got a hit on a last-known location for Heather's cell phone. My team is on their way to the location."
"Where is it?"
"The signal died at the Discovery Bay Marina."
"The Discovery Bay Marina?"
"Yes."
A body of water was not the location you'd hope for when looking for a missing person. "When was the last ping?"
"Yesterday morning, six AM."
After she went missing. "No trace of the car?"
"Not yet. Maybe they'll find it at the marina."
"Anything else?"
"No, I'll call you soon as I hear from my team. They're en route now. I think you were right. We will find her."
I had no doubt. "Thank you, Lieutenant." I hung up the phone and looked across the room at Bridget and Tom, who were trying to go about their day. I'm not sure I could if my daughter was missing.
At least we had a clue as to some of Heather's last movements. I prayed she was okay. It was possible that Heather's abductor had stashed her somewhere and then went to dispose of the phone and any other evidence and hadn't gone to the marina to dispose of her body. Either way, I didn't like it one bit.
I approached Bridget and Tom with confidence. I didn't want them to know that I had been shaken by the news. None of this pointed to a happy outcome, but I wasn't giving up hope yet. Until we found Heather, we had to assume she was alive and well and would come home to her family. "Bridget and Tom, there's been some news."
Their eyes were wide and fixed on me.
"They received her cell phone records. The last-known location was in Discovery Bay at the marina. Orgeat sent his team to check it out. Is there any reason Heather would've been in Discovery Bay?"
They both shook their heads vigorously. "No, I don't think she's ever been to Discovery Bay. We don't know anybody who lives there," Bridget said.
"All right. I'll let the team know, but if you think of anybody who she may have known in Discovery Bay or any reason for her to be there, it would be good for Lieutenant Orgeat and his team to know."
"There isn't. There's no reason for her to be there," Bridget said with tears in her eyes.
"Maybe somebody she met in college?" I asked.
Heather's best friend, Sharon, walked back in. Sharon had spent the night again, not wanting to leave Heather's parents. Sharon was a good friend. "What's happened?"
I repeated what the police had found. "Sharon, did Heather know anybody in Discovery Bay or in the surrounding area that she may have met at school?"
She shook her head. "No. Nobody."
"Did Heather say where Harry lived? Or maybe where he was coming from that night?"
"No, he said he was a student at UC Berkeley. She said he seemed nice." Sharon frowned.
"Did they exchange emails?"
"No. Only text messages."
He likely destroyed the phone to erase any evidence of their conversations and any connection back to him. I had a feeling this wasn't Harry's first time abducting a woman. That was not good news. "Okay, that's good to know," I said.
I could tell there was extra hope in the room since they'd found the location of her cell phone. I should have set expectations. This was just one clue and likely wouldn't be Heather's location—or I at least hoped it wasn't.
"Do you think they'll find her at the marina?" Sharon asked.
"It's not likely. But what it could do is give us an idea as to where she may have been. If they find the phone, they can check for fingerprints to identify Harry, or it could give us a clue as to where she is now."
"But it's good news that they found the last location where she last used her phone, right?" Sharon asked.
"Yes, it could help us piece together what happened that night."
Sharon huffed. "So now what? We just stand around and wait to hear something?"
"As soon as they have any more information, they'll let us know right away. I know it's frustrating, but, yes, the best thing for us to do is to wait here at the house in case she comes home or she calls."
A knock on the door drew everybody's attention. It was likely my mother and the girls with lunch. "Let me get it." I reached the front door and looked through the peephole. Sure enough, there were three familiar faces. I opened the door.
My mother met my gaze. "How are things here?"
"They found the last location where she used her cell phone."
My mother gasped. "Did they find her?"
"No." Before we reentered the kitchen and dining area, I said, "It smells delicious, Mom. What did you bring us for lunch?"
"I whipped up a batch of my famous chicken enchiladas and brought chips with homemade guacamole and salsa."
Kaylie added, "I helped make the guacamole."
I glanced over at Kaylie's parents. The only hint of joy I'd seen in them in the last day and a half was when they set eyes on their youngest daughter, Kaylie. I could relate. I walked up to Zoey and hugged her as tightly as I could without breaking her. I couldn't protect her forever, but I would try for as long as I could.
39
Layla
Sitting on my cot, smiling like an idiot, I realized this act was one that hadn't changed since my first day in the barn. Master strolled in with a smile. "Hi, ladies, I have a surprise for you. I think you're going to like it, but unfortunately, that means I'm going to have to put your chains back on, just for a bit—just until we can teach her the rules, okay?"
Dread washed over me. He had taken another girl. It hadn't occurred to me that Willow's deteriorating health would mean he would replace her with another girl. This meant the master thought Willow was dying. I glanced over at Willow and caught her gaze. I tried not to look at her with pity, but I couldn't help it. I was fairly certain my heart would break in two if, or when, Willow left us.
I knew she hadn't been doing well. It had been weeks since she'd joined Raquel and me for our Jane Fonda workouts. At least the master had been easy on her and didn't take her to the bad place any more. Small favors, I supposed. He let her spend her days in the barn while we took care of her.
Master approached me. "Stand up, Layla."
I stood up, and he reattached my chains. It was as if he was locking up the hope that we'd ever get out of the barn alive. He had never removed the chains from the barn. I had wondered if he'd left them there out of laziness, or just to threaten us. To keep them silently sitting there like snakes ready to bite or suffocate. I glanced across at Raquel, who had the look of defeat in her eyes for the first time since I'd met her almost four years ago.
My stomach churned at the thought of another girl having to endure what we'd been living for the last four years. I plastered the smile back on my face and said, "I can't wait to meet her. What is she like?"
"Oh, you'll like her. She's young. A first-year college student. A real sweet girl. You two will adore her."
The fact that he referred to two of us, instead of three, felt like a punch to the gut. The inevitable was coming. We were going to lose Willow, and it just didn't feel right. It was like a dark cloud had snuffed out the tiny rays of sunshine that
we had within the barn. The three of us—together, forever.
Back on my cot, I watched as he attached Raquel's chains but didn't bother with Willow. He knew there was no reason. I pushed down my grief and offered help. "Do you need any help with anything?"
It was important to remain obedient and cheerful, plus I felt I needed to keep the spirits up for the new girl. The girl who would replace our Willow. Once again, I had to fight back the tears. Tears for Willow. Tears for our lost freedom. Tears for the new girl.
He grinned. "I've got it under control, but thank you, Layla."
It was creepy when he was nice, but it was better than when he wasn't. Even when we were sweet and obedient, he would still beat us so that we wouldn't forget who was in control. No matter what we told ourselves, the master was in charge. He glanced at Raquel and then at me. "Layla, it's your job to teach Heather all the rules and make sure she follows them. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Master."
"Excellent. She's a little sleepy right now, but she'll wake up soon enough," he said with a smile and a look of satisfaction on his face.
The urge to spit in his face was strong. As was the urge to strangle him. If I had a sharp object, I'd stab him in the chest or the groin, or both. I smiled sweetly. "We'll take good care of her."
"I know you will. I'll be right back." He exited the barn, leaving the door open.
I met Raquel's gaze and shook my head. It was difficult to not think that all of our planning had been in vain. All of our patience. All of our obedience. It wasn't all for nothing. I had to believe it would happen—that one day we'd be free. Hope and each other were all we had left.
Master returned with a blond-haired young woman in his arms. He laid her down on the new cot before slipping the chain on her ankle and locking it. He waved as he exited and relocked the barn door. I got off my cot and walked over to Raquel. She met me in the middle. "What are we going to do?"
"I don't know. Willow is not looking good."
