Unredeemed

by J M Dolan

  Dunbar took over, rounding out the story. “Sofiya Boychenko came in on the same flight as Odessa Koval. They knew each other, having gone to school together and apparently, were recruited at the same time. Sofiya arrived in Calgary to join her Canadian husband, a marriage orchestrated to give Sofiya access to her husband’s adult son. The son happens to work for the same pharmaceutical company Abi is employed by. He was recently given the job of preparing the human trials for a new nerve drug they are developing. Good spy material.

  At the mention of Sofiya, Jamee sat up straighter. Spidey senses tapping in.

  “Guys, coincidences do work in mysterious ways. I have a suspicion I met Sofiya and her husband at the airport, the night I was to pick up Odessa. I guess the marriage didn’t work out so well after all.” Jamee sent a glance Sam’s way. He grinned back at her.

  “The old guy dodged a bullet on that one,” agreed Sam.

  “When it comes to the husband’s health,” said Thomas, “I suspect busting open this human trafficking and spy ring, saved the old guys life. He was likely expendable and the son the real target.”

  Dunbar pushed back in his chair, relaxed and easy. “We’ve provided an in-depth dossier to CSIS, Interpol and the Americans. With Volkov dead, we’ll have to depend on them to follow up on the off-shore operation. Though,” Dunbar paused, “I gather Thomas here has an idea about that.”

  Avery took that as his cue. “With any luck, we’ll see a huge take down and enough impetus to make a ripple worldwide. The Minister of Public Safety along with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will be meeting with their counter parts at the Russian Foreign Embassy in Ottawa. A little trash talking is expected. We, as in Dunbar and me, won’t be part of that meeting, but I have arranged for you Sam — and Jamee, to be part of an open-ended seminar beforehand. You’ll be giving testimony to the Ministers regarding the seriousness of human trafficking in Canada.”

  Sam looked eager and Jamee a little astounded. She was trying hard not to hyperventilate. This was a big step forward from consulting.

  “I have indications from the Americans,” added Thomas, “that they would like to be linked in. We might not be able to solve the problems of the world, but our own backyard is another matter.

  “The current government is open to ever more effective legislation to give agencies the tools needed to be increasingly proactive. We need the public on board as well, so there’s going to be money allocated in that direction. Sam, we’ll be counting on you.”

  “Sounds, right up my alley. Educate the public, provide the laws and the manpower to back the talk and you have a winning strategy. I’m in,” Sam pledged.

  “For Sam,” continued Avery, looking towards Jamee, “it’s a continuation of his current mandate with the Attorney General, but I’m hoping Jamee, you’ll stay on-board to see this through.”

  “That’s an easy as pie decision,” she said, stomping down on any qualms she might have. “I’ve appreciated being involved and I still do. I’ll give it my best.”

  “Changing the subject, a little,” said Thomas,” and I appreciate it’s early to be even thinking of this, what will you and Abi do now about a caregiver?”

  “Well, I don’t think we’ll be signing up with any unregistered placement agency any time soon,” grumbled Jamee. “I think the idea is still a good one, but Abi and I will be looking after the screening and hiring ourselves, guaranteed. We’ll take our time. Abi and the kids can stay here for now as we planned. We all need a chance to adjust to losing Odessa. There are some relatives we can call on and there are provincial homecare arrangements that can be made. If we rally the troops, we’ll be fine.”

  Thomas looked over to see if Dunbar had finished his coffee. Observing the empty cup, he slid back his chair.

  “Well Jock, relatives and friends can be like dead fish, they both start to smell after a few days.” A ripple of laughter ran around the table.

  “Oh, my gosh Franie, I didn’t even offer you coffee. I’ll get you a cup.”

  “No, no that’s fine. I wanted to see for myself that you were all okay. Jock arranged for me to ride out with one of the constables. I’ll catch a ride back with Jock and Thomas any time they’re ready.”

  “Then it’s time we went. I want to stop and check on Abi and the kids.” Thomas kept the statement casual but spoiled it with his next sentence.

  “Jamee, would you be willing to give me her cell phone number? I think I’ll check to see if they would like take-out. You know — keep Abi from having to scramble for something for supper.” finished Thomas lamely.

  “That’s, very thoughtful of you.” Jamee grinned. Avery had gone a shade of red that matched his hair. “I’m sure Abi would be fine with me giving you her number, and delighted to have someone look after supper.”

  Jamee looked meaningfully at Sam, raising one eyebrow as she dug in her purse for her phone. She scrolled to her contacts and hit some quick keys.

  “Thanks,” Thomas said to Jamee as his cell chimed. “I’ll give her a call from the SUV.” “Dinna sit there, grinning like a Cheshire cat, me old mucker your turns a’comin’,” he said to Sam as he turned to leave.

  “You crack me up, Tommy boy.” Sam laughed. “Let’s hope so.”

  Jamee blushed to the roots of her hair. Sputtering the words that she would see them out, they moved to the porch. Sam heard the door bang shut and Jamee returned to the warmth of the kitchen. There was a nearly undetectable anxiousness about her. She stood there bouncing slightly from one foot to the other. He looked at her quizzically.

  “Problem?” He frowned.

  “Uh-uh — right now, I have to dash to the bathroom. I’ve been holding it all afternoon and should have gone while they were still here. I simply didn’t want to miss out on anything and drat, now that my contract’s been extended, I’ll have to go on my own time. Wait for me,” she said and with an apologetic look, hurried past him. “Don’t leave,” she ordered.

  He stood there grinning. “You know you’re weird.”

  “People tell me that all the time,” Jamee shot back as she quick stepped out from the room. “But, they say it’s in a good way and keeps me from being dull.” Sam’s laughter floated back to her.

  Jamee’s returning footsteps were muted by her stockinged feet on the hardwood floor. Pausing outside the doorway she watched as Sam pushed in his chair and crossed to the pantry. He pulled open the fridge door and took stock. She admired the view. He seemed to fit quite nicely in her kitchen. Inside he’d see a tasty salmon fillet and the fixings for a salad. Paired with garlic-buttered French beans it whipped together a little recipe for romance. Sam snagged a white Chardonnay from the fridge door and took down two stemmed glasses from the wall mounted wine rack. As though anticipating her return he popped the cork and poured out a measure. Jamee stepped into the room as Sam turned towards her.

  “Your timing is good,” Sam said and handed her the glass of chilled white. They both took a steady sip. He waited until she tasted her first swallow then reached for her glass, and with his, put it on the table. His hand moved to the nape of her neck, his mouth lowered to hers. Jamee savoured the feel of his lips, soft at first then more demanding. Passion sizzled tantalizingly. The fruity flavour of the wine, mixed with the taste of Sam. It was pure nectar.

  She nibbled the words out against his lips. “It’s been a long time, since I played house…I’m out of practice and I don’t deal so well with sleep overs but I have a soaker tub,” murmured Jamee.

  “And the fix’ins for a fine supper, some candlelight and music,” Sam suggested.

  “And a willingness to try,” replied Jamee.

  “Well then, it’s a good thing I know how. You in?”

  At the sound of her laughter, he reached for her again.

  The End

  Author’s Note

  The subject of this book is fictional, but the truth of human trafficking is not. Slavery persists in the form of human trafficking and sexual exploitation
. RCMP Criminal Intelligence in collaboration with Human Trafficking National Coordination Center continue to recognize domestically and globally this emerging criminal issue as a growing sector of organized crime.

  Public Safety Canada defines human trafficking as “the recruitment, transportation, habouring and/or exercising control, direction, or influence over movements of a person typically through sexual exploitation or forced labour.”

  The focus of this fictional story was exploitation on an international stage but in Canada overwhelmingly most trafficking takes place within Canada’s population. RCMP identified that ninety-four percent of sex trafficking in 2017 was domestic and according to Stats Canada, twenty-five percent of Canada’s human trafficking victims are minors.

  Human trafficking is an offence under the Criminal Code of Canada and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Acts. Those who are most likely at risk are persons who are socially or economically disadvantaged.

  If you suspect someone is a victim of human trafficking, call 9-1-1 or your local police. If you wish to anonymously report a case of trafficking, please call Crime Stoppers National Tipline at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

  We must all do our part to stop this heinous form of abuse.

  https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/cntrng-crm/hmn-trffckng/index-en.aspx

  https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_trafficking_in_Canada

  Writing contemporary romantic suspense, J M Dolan began on an old borrowed typewriter for extra credits in high school. With a love of reading and an insatiable curiosity, storytelling came naturally. J M says even as a child creative thought became stories played through the mind like a movie.

  Devoted to family and community, hard work and perseverance, J M has travelled and sought personal development in a variety of careers.

  According to J M Dolan, life should have humour, a punch of mystery, and of course love.

  You can find J M Dolan at

  www.jmdolanauthor.wordpress.com