by T. K. Leigh
“How did you meet her?” Cam asked.
“I’m not proud of it, but I was going through a tough break-up. Some guys on the force were complaining that my work was slipping because of it. They were right. I had just made detective and I didn’t want to lose it, so I thought that maybe if I could just find some sort of release, even if for just a night, I could finally move on.
“I was given the address of a small boutique hotel on the outskirts of town. I almost turned back a dozen times, thinking that no woman worth spending time with would sell her body like that. But I was wrong. I remember opening the door to that room and seeing Angie’s eyes. They were sad and full of fear but, at the same time, there was hope in them.
“That first night, we just talked. I kept going back to see her for months before she came to me with the news that she was pregnant. We had finally slept together about a month before and were so caught up in the moment that I never put a condom on. It was stupid, but the horror in Angie’s eyes was something I had never seen before. She told me stories about what happened when some of the other girls had broken the rules. I didn’t know what all of the rules were, but I’m pretty sure at the top of the list was not getting pregnant. She recalled what happened to a girl a few years earlier who had gotten pregnant through no fault of her own…her wrists were slit open as she remained bound to a metal table. They drained her body of blood. All the girls were forced to watch her take her last breath so they knew not to do the same thing.”
“Fuck! It’s the same guy!” Cam said animatedly. “Jolene… She mentioned something similar.”
Greg looked at him and slowly nodded. “I know.”
“What?! You knew it was the same guy? How?”
“I was warned. I took Angie away that night and I stayed in Chicago. It was stupid of me, but I thought that no harm could come to her with a detective for a fiancé. I ignored her constant pleas to leave town.”
“Well, at least we have a location. Where was this hotel?”
Greg shook his head. “That’s no guarantee. Based on what Angie told me, he moved the girls around constantly. He had them all over the country. Just because she was in Chicago, it didn’t mean that he was. She said that he had a whole slew of men working for him, keeping his operation running. The hotel was just a place he sent the girls to see clients. He didn’t keep them there. She wouldn’t tell me where they were kept. I don’t think she even knew. According to her, he liked to keep them disoriented so they couldn’t get away, and even if they did, they would have no idea where they were.”
“I looked into that hotel years ago,” Mark interrupted. “It was a dead end. The owner was appalled to hear what his property had been used for and began making rather large donations to a variety of charities that fought against human trafficking. The guilt ate away at him, thinking he could have done something to prevent it.”
Cam nodded, returning his attention to Greg. “So what happened after you took Angie away?”
“When Jolene was about three months old, they found us. I had just run out to get some beer to watch the first game of the playoffs. When I came home, I heard voices. Mark was over at the house.” He gestured to his friend. “He tried to take the rap for me, but they knew that he wasn’t me. They shot Angie and Mark, and left a message for me that they’d come for Jolene eventually. Angie died that night and I left Chicago, hoping to get Jolene as far away from all of that as possible. The woman who raised her, Holly, came with me.”
“How does Holly factor into all of this?” Elsie asked, her interest piqued.
“She was a good friend of mine over the years. I knew her before I met Angie. She knew everything, so when I picked up and left, she volunteered to help raise Jolene. She knew that I was a mess and couldn’t do it on my own. She was looking for a fresh start anyway.
“Over the years, I began drinking heavily and pretty much ignored Jolene. Holly tried to talk to me about it, but I wouldn’t hear it. I didn’t need her to remind me that I was a horrible father. I never got over losing her real mom and Jolene paid the price. I should have kept a closer eye on her, but I didn’t. I was angry and depressed. I failed to follow through on the promise I made her mom,” he said, raising his water-filled eyes and meeting Cam’s stare.
“As Angie lay dying in my arms, she made me promise that I would always protect our daughter, but I didn’t. To make matters worse, the weekend that Holly and Jolene went missing, I was out on a bender. Mark had just convinced me to finally check in to rehab, but I only agreed on the condition that I could have one last weekend of drinking. That weekend was Angie’s birthday and I just couldn’t bear the constant reminder of the fact that she was dead. It had been fifteen years, but the pain was still as intense as it was the day I watched her get shot. When I finally came to my senses and sobered up a bit, I returned to the house only to find out that Jolene and Holly were gone. I knew that the bastard had finally followed through on his promise. I debated returning to Chicago, hoping I’d be able to get some answers, but I hated the idea of leaving the only home that Jolene had in case she found her way back. Mark was still in Chicago and he agreed to continue to look for clues as to who could have taken her. I didn’t move back to Chicago until a little over a year ago. To this day, neither one of us have been able to find anything. Not even a name…until now.”
Cam’s eyes went wide. “I don’t have a name, either,” he admitted. “She won’t say anything. She’s still scared, just like it sounds like…”
“Her mother was.” Greg scanned the room, his eyes meeting Mark’s.
“It’s okay,” his old friend said. “Remember what Laney always tells you. You have to learn to forgive yourself. I guarantee that even if you had gotten a name, there was nothing you could do.”
“I could have turned the bastard in.”
“And do what?” Mark asked passionately.
“He’s right,” Cam said. “There’s nothing you could have done. Jolene doesn’t want to name a name because she’s scared about what will happen to the girls that are still there. She told me about a girl trying to call for help. It got back to him that she had called the police so it sounds like the bastard’s got law enforcement on his payroll. Unless you’re able to find the bad apple within any of the police departments that this guy is greasing, there is nothing that you can do to stop it. We just have to wait.”
“I don’t know if I can just stand aside and let this guy get away with it. What if he comes after her again?”
“She’s safe here. With me. No one will find her.”
“I found her. What makes you think no one else will, especially after that video was released?”
“I haven’t told her about that yet. She’s suffered enough. She doesn’t need a reminder of the man that beat her within an inch of her life.”
“He’s the bastard that did that to her?”
Cam nodded his head.
“Then what the fuck are you waiting for?! Why haven’t you gone to the police with it all?!”
“Don’t you think it’s eating me up inside? It is. But I can’t. You need to realize that Jolene’s had every decision made for her for as long as she can remember. This is one decision that she needs to make for herself. This guy has powerful friends. Very powerful friends. I don’t want to think about what would happen if she made a statement, it got into the wrong hands, and they completely vilified and discredited her. When she’s ready, I’ll make sure that she makes a statement and that it gets heard by the right people. I have every intention of making sure that everyone who’s ever harmed Jolene pays dearly for it.”
Greg heard the vindication in his voice and knew that, with Cam by Jolene’s side, she would finally be cared for the way he was never able to during her younger years. “You’re a good man. Thank you, Cam.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
TIME TO GO HOME
“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,” ANTHONY Falconi spoke into a microphone, flashing his debonair smile to a large g
roup of wealthy Florida socialites. “I’d like to thank all of you for coming to support the great work this organization has done and continues to do to combat human trafficking here and abroad. I’ll keep my comments brief so that we can focus on what tonight is all about… Raising money to continue the fight against indentured servitude in this country.
“It is estimated that, at any given time, millions of victims are enslaved in the human trafficking trade across the globe. We like to think that it’s solely a problem in third world countries, but that simply is not true. It happens in our own back yard, to people from all walks of life and socioeconomic backgrounds. It is one of the fastest growing criminal enterprises…traffickers preying on the vulnerability of men, women, and children, forcing them to participate in prostitution rings or labor camps. They’re promised a bright future, only to find out that the only bright future is that of the person who deceived them. They struggle to find a way out, only to be reminded that there is no way out. Thanks to all of you and your generosity here tonight, we can continue our work in researching and helping these victims find their way back home, where they belong.” A contrite smile crossed his face. “Thank you.” He nodded as polite applause rang out in the lavish banquet room at the downtown Jacksonville hotel where the fundraiser was being held.
Making his way down from the head table, he shook hands and passed cordial greetings to familiar faces that he had met at past events. It took him ages, but he was finally able to clear the room, visibly relaxing once he was in the lobby. Determined, he walked out of the sprawling hotel and into the humid Florida heat, hopping in his limo. Within minutes, he was finally on his way to the island that his Jolene had been hiding out in for the past several months, his entire being alive, knowing that she was within his very calculated reach.
Entering his luxurious suite at the Ritz Carlton on Amelia Island, he nodded a greeting to his inside man.
“Mr. Falconi. What’s the plan?”
“You tell me.”
“I know where she is.”
Falconi’s heart raced with excitement. “Where?”
He shook his head. “She’s staying at her friend’s apartment building. Very posh. High security, too. No one gets in without a keycard or being on a list of approved guests. I swiped the keycard that’ll get me through the security door off some poor schmuck when I helped him with his groceries.”
“Can we get her alone?”
“I’m planning to head over there in the morning. Her dad made plans to go out with the boyfriend to discuss a few things.”
Falconi had to control his anger at the mention of the word “boyfriend”.
“I scoped out the layout earlier,” he continued, sensing Falconi’s rather perilous temper. “There’s a side stairwell on the bottom floor that I’ll be able to carry her out of without raising suspicion. It’s on the north side of the building. This needs to be timed perfectly. There’s a camera by the door, but there’s a blind spot I can take advantage of. When I make the grab, you’ll need to be waiting.”
“That won’t be a problem. Once you’re certain she’s alone, call me.”
He started toward the door of the suite. “After this…” he began, raising his eyes to meet Falconi’s. “After this, are we square?”
“Not quite. Perhaps if you had actually followed through and killed that Holly woman all those years ago, like you were supposed to, we would be. Finally killing her a few months ago does not make up for this major slip-up. You’re my inside man. As long as the girl’s father continues to be ignorant of your involvement, you remain useful to me. You better pray that he never figures it out because you know what I do to people that are no longer of any use to me.”
He nodded solemnly before leaving the suite.
~~~~~~~~~~
“WHERE ARE YOU GOING?” Jolene asked Cam the following morning as she was working on her physical therapy exercises. For the first time, she felt as though the physical wounds were worse than her emotional ones. Cam’s love cured those.
“I need to go check on a patient. I hate to leave you, but this woman has been under my care for years. I’d feel better knowing that it was me, instead of one of my colleagues, who went over this new treatment plan with her.” He leaned down to kiss her forehead. “And maybe while I’m out, I’ll run a quick errand.”
She spun around in the vanity chair. “Where?”
“You’re so cute when you’re nosey,” he remarked, hovering his mouth over hers. “But it’s a surprise.”
“What kind of surprise?” she asked, her breathing growing uneven.
“A good surprise. Maybe even a shiny surprise.”
“Ooooh,” she said, smiling. “I love shiny.”
He pressed his lips against hers. “I know you do. I’ll be back soon. You relax. Don’t let anyone in. No one can get past security anyway but, just to be on the safe side, don’t answer the door if anyone comes. Okay?”
“Yes, doctor.”
“I’m just trying to keep you safe.”
“I know. And I love you for that.” She kissed him again before her expression turned serious. “I think I’m ready, Cam.”
“For what?”
She took a deep breath. “I’m ready to make my statement about what happened at the beach house.”
He looked at her affectionately, knowing how big of a step this was for her. “I’ll make a few phone calls so we can be sure that your story gets heard by the right people. I have a friend who can do some digging on this bastard and find out who he has in his pockets.”
“Good. Now go,” she said, her expression turning playful once more. “I want something shiny.”
Cam beamed. “You got it, beautiful.” He looked at her one last time, love overwhelming his heart when he thought how he couldn’t wait to spend the rest of his life with her at his side. Taking a mental snapshot of how at peace she finally seemed, he left the apartment.
As he walked through the lobby, nodding a greeting to the security guard, he paid no attention to the familiar man that sneaked into the elevator he had just exited.
~~~~~~~~~~
JOLENE LOUNGED ON THE couch, thinking about Cam and the something shiny he would be bringing back for her, when she heard a knock on the door. Cam’s warning repeated in her head so she remained in place, trying not to make a sound.
A few seconds later, she heard another knock followed by a familiar voice. “Jolene, baby. It’s Mark. I brought you a coffee. I just wanted to say good-bye. I have to head out early to work on a breaking case.”
“Of course, Mark.” Her shoulders relaxed. “Coming.” Using her crutches, she hobbled over to the door and pulled it back, her pleasant expression turning to a scowl when she saw that his hands were empty.
“Where’s the coffee? I thought…”
He grabbed her around the waist, covering her mouth with a damp cloth. Her eyes fluttered in the back of her head and she became dead weight in his arms, her crutches falling to the floor. “Well, you thought wrong, Jo-Jo Bear. Time to go home, princess.”
~~~~~~~~~~
AFTER A QUICK STOP at the hospital and a successful shopping trip, Cam met Jolene’s dad for coffee. He had never been so nervous in his entire life.
“Thanks for meeting me,” he said, standing up and extending his hand to Greg as he made his way through the busy Starbucks.
“My pleasure, Cameron.”
“Please, call me Cam.”
Greg smiled. “You got it. How’s Jolene?”
Cam took a drink from his cup, trying to settle his nerves. “Good. She’s starting to move around a little better. She gets frustrated from time to time, forgetting that her foot’s broken, but it’ll heal soon and she’ll be back to her regular sarcastic self. I’m sure of it.”
“So she’s still got that sharp tongue?” Greg turned his eyes away. “I’m glad this whole ordeal didn’t take that from her. I should have…”
“No. Don’t think that way. You can’t or i
t will slowly kill you. You have to look at the positive side of things. If one thing was different, she may have never landed on this island and in my beach house. I don’t even want to think about what my life would be like without her in it, sir. I love her with all my heart. I want to be the one that takes care of her and provides for her.” He met Greg’s eyes and took a deep breath before proceeding. “I want to ask her to marry me, and I would appreciate your blessing.”
Greg shook his head, somewhat in shock. “You don’t need my blessing, Cam. I was never a father to her. Holly raised her. I just showed up when I was sober, which wasn’t often, to take her to ball games and teach her how to fire a gun. I didn’t know the first thing about taking care of a kid so I pushed her off onto someone else.”
“She doesn’t feel that way. You should have seen the look on her face this morning when I left. It’s almost like she’s finally at peace now that you’re back in her life.”
“But it’s my fault that I let them take her. I knew they were coming for her eventually. Their words have repeated in my head every day for the past decade. They eat me up. They taunt me in my dreams.” He stared ahead, a blank look on his face as he said the exact words that ruined his world all those years ago. “‘You take something of his, he takes something of yours. It won’t be now, but you will live in fear every day throughout your entire life of when he will return the favor. It will eat you up inside knowing that you won’t be able to do anything to protect your only daughter’. They told me exactly what was going to happen and I did nothing.”
“You can’t blame yourself.”
“I guess I never understood why they cared. They could just as easily have taken Angie all those years ago instead of killing her.”
Cam leaned back in his chair, recalling Greg’s story from the previous day. “No. He wouldn’t do that. She was used goods at that point,” he explained. “Men like this monster pride themselves on having ‘pure’ girls, or as pure as possible. Once she had a baby, she was dead to him. Remember the story Angie told you. If he found out she was pregnant, he would have eventually killed her. But that didn’t mean he was willing to forget what you did. He doesn’t see these girls as people. He sees them as property. And you stole something of his. He wanted you to understand exactly how he felt. He wanted you to feel his pain. He’s one sick fuck, if you ask me, going after the result of the pregnancy that started it all.”
