by H. L. Wegley
“Then that only leaves one more.” She looked at Peterson and frowned.
He shrugged. “I’ve already told you about all the gang members who weren’t killed on the yacht. Well, all except Anya, who we have in custody.”
Jennifer’s eyes reached their laser-like intensity. “What about the prince?”
Peterson winced at the name.
“Peterson, he was going to buy me. His boat had nearly docked against the yacht when I dove overboard. I want to know about the prince.”
Lee had been on the receiving end of Jennifer’s laser look enough times to know how Peterson felt. But the question she asked was a fair one, and he wanted to hear a straight answer, too.
“The prince. Unfortunately, he is treated by our State Department as if he has diplomatic immunity.”
Jennifer glared at him and opened her mouth to speak.
Peterson continued. “Don’t take your frustration out on me. I don’t agree with that policy, but his country, his stature there, and his wealth have won him the right to commit unspeakable crimes against Americans and a lot of other people.”
“The right? No one is granted the right to do what he does.” Jennifer clenched her jaw.
Peterson met her glaring gaze. “They are when people forget the real source of their rights. But, Jennifer, he won’t bother you tonight. He flew home on his private plane. Actually, he took his Dash 8 from Lahaina to Oahu and is now on his Gulfstream headed home. Empty-handed…this time.”
Jennifer balled her fists. “When does it stop?” She spat the words at Peterson.
“I don’t know. We need an outcry, more voices, stronger voices. The best thing you can do is write up your story along with your complaint and send it to the Department of Justice and the State Department. Then call a conservative news network and tell them you’ll give them an exclusive interview if they’re interested in your story. You can bet they’ll be more than interested, especially if you give them a picture of yourself.” Peterson grinned. “You’ll be placing yourself at the center of a controversy, but that will also guarantee the prince won’t bother you again.”
“Yes. I can see why he wouldn’t try to take me again. But would he have me killed? And what about other girls? He’ll continue taking—”
“Have you killed? I doubt that. He’s more into using women than killing them. Taking other girls? Yes, Jennifer, he probably will. But I can give you his MO. He throws big parties in big cities and spreads the word that big name producers and modeling firms will be there. He attracts beautiful young women, makes his choice, drugs them, and they disappear. If you tell that to enough people, maybe his parties won’t have any guests.”
“I’ll do that. But it isn’t enough.” She shook her head.
Peterson drew a deep breath and blew it back out. “This trafficking business is ugly whether it’s done by a dealer like James or consumer like the prince. As long as there are consumers, the trafficking will continue. For now we have to chase the dealers to other countries and make it so hot for consumers that they stop consuming in the US.”
“If I attack the prince in the media, will he send someone after me?”
“He never has done that. Not that we know of. But Jennifer—”
“I know. You can’t promise he won’t.” She paused. “Thanks for being honest with me.”
“You’re welcome. You’re a strong, brave young woman. I’ve seen it many times over the past nine months. I’ll do whatever I can to help if you decide to declare war on him.”
She turned to Lee. “It’s a decision you and I will have to make together.” She stepped close to Lee. “But the prince can wait.”
Peterson struck up a conversation with Granddad.
Jennifer turned her attention to Lee.
“Let’s forget about last night. It shouldn’t count. We can make tonight our one and only wedding night.” She leaned her head on his shoulder.
“I wouldn’t want anyone to know how we spent the night after our wedding.”
Peterson turned away from his conversation with Granddad and back towards Jennifer and Lee.
She continued. “Spending most of the night tied up on the bedroom floor, I—”
“Look,” Peterson frowned. “What you to do in private is your own business, but I don’t want to hear about it.”
Jennifer’s cheeks glowed red. “Lee, say something.”
“Why? I think he made his feelings on the matter perfectly clear.”
Peterson rolled his eyes. “Changing the subject…”
“Please do.” Jennifer moved her face behind Lee’s shoulder.
“To be safe, I’m assigning a couple of officers to you two, at least for tonight. When we told the Maui PD about this assignment, two police officers volunteered for the night duty. Demanded it be given to them. What’s that all about, Lee?”
“I don’t know. Who are they?”
“Officers Yagi and Kaai.”
He grinned. “They pulled their guns on me the last night. Maybe they’re feeling bad about that.”
“Lee, you didn’t tell me anything about guns.” Jennifer gave him a frowning stare.
“I’ll tell you about it later. At least I’ll know the two officers who’ll be watching us tonight.”
“Watching us?” Jennifer’s eyebrows pinched until they nearly touched. “Please tell me you meant that in a figurative sense.”
“Of course I did. We couldn’t have them seeing you tied up on the floor.”
36
Lee’s stomach grumbled and his mouth watered at the delightful smells of grilled chicken, peppers, and spices emanating from the taqueria’s kitchen. Katie, Jennifer, and Granddad sat around the table with him, apparently caught up in the music of a talented guitarist who could also sing.
The sun beamed in from the west, reaching into the alcove housing the restaurant. As far as he knew, none of them had eaten since breakfast. The day hadn’t allowed them to focus on bodily needs, except for one: staying alive. He looked at Jennifer. Or keeping someone you love alive.
Jennifer placed her hand over his and drew his gaze. “Why do you suppose all this happened to us?” She squinted and frowned. “Were we supposed to learn something?”
Lee averted her gaze again and looked down at the floor. “Supposed to? I’m not sure. But I did learn something.”
She cupped his cheek and pulled his face towards hers.
He looked into her eyes. “I learned that even when I hate what’s happening, I can trust Him.” He paused. “When it’s me that’s dying, I’ve always been able to say, even if He kills me, I will still trust Him. But when it’s people I love who may die…” He caressed her cheek. “My trust grew weak. It vanished. I’m just a—”
“Don’t say it, Lee. It’s not true.”
He looked away.
“Look at me.” She pulled his head around to face her. “Do you trust Him right now?”
“More than ever.”
“Then it’s OK.” She smiled warmly, approvingly. “Me, too.”
Katie leaned towards them and placed her hand over Jennifer’s. “Me, three.”
Granddad nodded. “You can count me in.”
Katie glanced from Lee to Jennifer. “And I’m going to trust Him to give me a new sister very soon.”
Jennifer’s cheeks turned rose red. “Katie, there are some things…”
Katie’s cheeks turned pink. “I was talking about Anya. I think she’s a seeker, and I’m praying she’ll become a believer. About a baby sister…I’ll leave that up to you and Lee.”
Lee caught her gaze. “Yes, please do.”
Katie’s cheeks turned a brighter shade of pink, and she looked down at her blue cover up. She raised her head slowly and smiled at Jennifer. “Thanks for buying the swimsuit cover-up for me. Even though this is Maui, I was beginning to feel a little conspicuous running around in my two-piece swimsuit.”
“Yeah,” Lee grinned, “You should feel conspicuous the way
that clerk at the hotel looked at you once he realized you weren’t going for his Adam’s apple.”
Katie sighed and her normal color returned. She glanced from him to Jennifer to Granddad. “The doctor said I was fine. Everybody is safe. We all trust God even more than we did before. So, what’s next?”
Jennifer took Katie’s hand. “What is next? If you think you’d like it, what’s next is swimming in this water at a more leisurely pace. On top, not underneath, and with someone like…say…Jess.”
Katie’s eyes widened and the corners of her mouth turned up. “I get to see your sisters? Are you serious?”
“Yes.” Jennifer returned her smile.
“I’d love it.” Her smile faded. “I never got to travel, you know, before. I don’t think I’ve ever been out of Western Washington until yesterday.”
“You don’t fly three thousand miles across the Pacific and spend only a few hours.” Granddad smiled at his great-granddaughter.
Jennifer squeezed her hand. “We wouldn’t want you to waste the airfare.”
Lee nodded. “Jennifer and I will call your school first thing in the morning and—”
“No.” Granddad met Lee’s gaze. “I will call the school. You and Jennifer have better things to do. You do remember my stipulation when I approved your courtship?”
“About wanting great-grandchildren?” Jennifer’s eyes widened.
Granddad nodded.
Katie looked at the glances being exchanged between the other three. “Thirty hours ago we were all in a wedding. Isn’t this supposed to be a time for romance?” She grinned with mischief in her eyes.
“Mind your own business and we’ll mind ours.” Jennifer returned her grin. “Right now, your business is learning to surf and Jess is just the person to teach you.”
“Really! I watched the surfing championships on TV and—”
“Hold it, young lady.” Lee caught Katie’s gaze. “Nothing like the surfing championships for you. Only small waves and not on the North Shore.”
Katie’s brow wrinkled. “North Shore?”
“That’s where the trade winds pile the surf up on the north end of Oahu. Twenty-foot waves are common. They can reach thirty feet or more.” Lee lifted his hand high above his head for emphasis. “Tons of water crash down breaking boards, breaking bones, breaking…”
“I get it, Lee. No big waves. But they do sound like fun.” She giggled.
A young man about twenty years old set glasses on the table in front of them. His eyes made frequent darting glances at Katie. After positioning the last glass, he stood up and faced her. “Pardon me, but I’ve got to ask. Are you the karate girl from the yacht, the one who’s been on TV for the past two hours?”
Katie frowned. “What do you mean on TV?”
The musician had taken a break. The waiter walked to a TV mounted on the wall, turned it on, and flipped a few channels. Soon a video of the yacht exploding into flames lit the screen. The video clip was followed by pictures of Katie and Jennifer, pictures obviously borrowed from the Seattle media.
“That’s what I mean,” the young man said. “And those pictures don’t do you two justice.” He looked at Katie. “How long will you be on the island? I—”
“Hold it.” Katie stood and met the waiter’s gaze. “I think you need to know a few facts. Jennifer’s married. She’s my mom.”
“Mom?” The young man looked puzzled.
“And I’m only fifteen.”
“Fifteen? Excuse me. I didn’t mean—”
Lee spoke. “Oh, yes you did. I can’t say I blame you though. But she is only fifteen. When she’s old enough to spend time with guys, they have to come through me and Jenn.” He nodded towards Jennifer. “And Granddad is a black belt in karate. Sixth degree.”
Katie batted her eyelids at the young man. “As you can see, I’m fairly well protected.”
“And as you can see, I’m fairly well embarrassed. But you are—”
“A knockout.” Lee said. “Yeah. She can do that, too.”
The waiter stepped backward. “That’s what they said on the news. Uh, I’ll be back for your order in a couple minutes.”
Lee looked at Katie after she sat down. “That’s twice. And how many times have you gone into restaurants since you arrived?”
Katie giggled. “Twice. Boys are silly, aren’t they? “
Jennifer placed a hand on her shoulder. “So are men, sometimes.” She paused. “Well, Katie and Granddad are going to Oahu to visit relatives. What about us?” She locked gazes with him.
“I’ve been thinking—”
“So have I. We only got to see that room on the water for a few minutes. Long enough to see how incredible the view of sunsets will be, and then we left for…” she stopped.
He took her hand. “We don’t have to think about that anymore.”
“Would they would let us have the room for a few more nights than we reserved? The room was—”
“I know. The room was special.” Lee said. “I’ll ask when we get there after dinner.”
After dinner…” Katie looked at her great-grandfather. “Granddad, do you suppose they would let me see Anya?”
37
Katie stared through the car window. On her right were green sugarcane fields, on her left some kind of plantation. It would be wonderful if the future held an opportunity for her to live in the islands. The future…”Granddad, what do you think will happen to Anya? She’s cooperating with all of the law enforcement organizations, but she did work with the traffickers. By coercion, but still…”
“I don’t know what the authorities will decide to do with her. They will protect her until the trials, but after that…who knows? Her testimony at the trials could put her in danger with other international criminals.”
“So she needs to be in the Witness Protection Program.”
Granddad nodded. “You and I may think so. But as Lee and Agent Peterson said, the Department of Justice makes that determination. But you know what?”
“Questions.” Katie smiled, glancing at her great granddad. “You’re beginning to talk like Lee. Just say it.”
He smiled and patted her hand. “If you tell Anya the good news you promised her, her future could turn out good no matter what the Department of Justice decides.”
“You’re right. I shouldn’t be worrying about anything except how to present a loving, heavenly Father to someone who has only been treated horribly by men.”
“That’s the crux of it.” Granddad’s gaze reached far down the road ahead. “There’s Wailuku. Why don’t you pray about it until we get there? Maybe God has some good ideas. After all, He is the One who created Anya. He knows her heart.”
Katie glanced at the wise man sitting beside her in the car. He had committed his life to the Savior not even two days ago, yet he came up with answers which demonstrated a spiritual insight that amazed her. Regardless, he had given her an idea and she would go with it. Maybe Granddad was right. She slipped into silent prayer while the car rolled into the outskirts of Wailuku.
When a policewoman escorted Anya into the room, Katie noticed Anya was wearing street clothes. What did that mean? And why were they allowing them to meet with no glass wall between them. It was nothing like the prison visits she’d seen on TV.
Katie stood, extended her arms, and stepped towards the beautiful blonde.
Anya’s puzzled expression softened to a weak smile, and she stepped into Katie’s arms.
Katie gave her a hug, and then held her shoulders, pushing Anya back to study her face. “Are you doing OK?”
“Yeah. I think so. At least no one here is going to hurt me.”
What would it be like to have that concern constantly on one’s mind? Maybe like it was for Katie when she was tied up on the yacht and heard footsteps outside her cabin door. Always wondering, no certainty about her future.
Certainty about her future. That’s where I can help her.
“Do you remember the good news
I told you about?”
“I thought you were just trying to make me feel better. Trying to be nice.” Anya’s gaze dropped to the floor.
Katie gently raised Anya’s chin until she could see her eyes. “Can you think of one reason I should be nice to you?”
Anya face tilted downward again. She frowned and dropped her shoulders. “You don’t have any reasons to be—”
“That’s not true, Anya.”
“But you said you didn’t have any reason to—”
“No. That’s not what I said. I asked you to give me even one reason why I should be nice to you. I can think of a lot of reasons. But I wanted to know what you thought. “
“You said there were a lot of reasons. So you name one.” Anya’s set jaw and rigid posture reflected the challenge of her words.
“I’ll do better than that.” Katie paused. “First, I love you and care about you.”
“How can you say that, Katie? Especially after—”
“Let me finish, please.” Katie waited a moment.
Anya met her gaze.
Good. She was listening, not just waiting to interrupt. “I can say that because it’s true. Also because my Lord and Savior, Jesus, told me to love you, to love everyone, even my enemies, so—”
“Is that what I am to you? Your enemy?”
“To be honest, right after you helped them take me, I considered you my enemy. But not anymore.”
“But, Katie.” Anya’s eyes grew wide, intense. “When you ran towards me at the house in Kihei, you were going to kill me.”
“What you said then…well, I went a little bit crazy when I saw you. But I hoped you’d forgive me, because my Heavenly Father told me to love others like I love myself.”
“Father? Father equals man. You can’t trust them. They make you…serve them. God…He would be the same way.”
Katie had anticipated Anya’s resistance to anything male. But still…
Please, Lord, give me the words.
“This God, the only true God, does ask us to serve Him, but only if we trust Him and love Him.”
