Bonnie stuck the papers she was grading into a folder and slid it into her oversized purse. She looked around the classroom to make sure everything was in place, then turned out the lights.
Bonnie wanted to talk to Wainright about her suspicions, but figured she should have some evidence before going to him. The hallway outside was deserted and the school was quiet. This was the time of day she liked most.
Her steps slowed the closer she got to the administration office. She knew the staff would be gone. They hightailed it out the minute their shifts ended. If anybody else was still around, she hoped it would be Wainright. She would need a credible witness.
When she entered the office, she did not see Chiquita behind the counter. No one was present.
My goodness! Please don’t tell me that fool has the audacity to be alone with that girl in his office.
Bonnie reached down and unlocked the latch on the swinging gate that allowed her to enter the area behind the front counter. The door to Principal Ortiz’s office was closed.
So where was Chiquita?
Bonnie peered down a hallway, but did not see or hear any signs of life.
Gathering up her courage, she knocked on the door of the principal’s office.
“Who is it?” he yelled through the door.
Was that rustling inside the office?
“Ms. Flanagan,” she yelled back.
A full minute passed before Ortiz’s door opened. He stood in the way, blocking her view of the office’s interior.
“Can I help you?” He was not happy to have been disturbed.
“I’m looking for Chiquita Gomez.”
“And why would you be looking for her in my office?”
“She told me she was working in the administration office after school today.”
“Yeah and?”
“So where is she?”
“She already left.”
Bonnie turned to look at the clock on the wall behind her. “School’s barely been out for forty-five minutes. How long did she work?”
“I didn’t have much for her to do today, so she left early.”
You liar. That girl is hiding in your office right now. That’s why you won’t open the door.
“Is that right?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“Are you sure she’s not in your office?”
“Ms. Flanagan, you’re way out of line. I’ve been tolerating your disrespect because you’re a good teacher. But you’re really pushing it. Exactly what are you implying?”
“I’m just wondering why you’d have a student working alone in your office when no one else is around. That seems highly inappropriate.”
“Look, Chiquita has a rough family life. The free lunch she gets at school is the only meal she has on most days. I made up some work for her to do as an excuse to give her a few bucks. She’s a good kid.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“And just what do you believe?”
“I believe there’s something inappropriate going on between you and that child.”
Ortiz’s eyes shot rays of fire into hers.
“Do you understand that I hold your career in my hands, Ms. Flanagan? I could have you out of here just like that.” He snapped his fingers.
“You’d have to have a reason to get me out of here.”
“I could make one up.”
Bonnie wished she’d been smart enough to turn on the tape recorder on her smartphone.
“That would be retaliation.”
“So? Happens all the time.”
“If there’s nothing inappropriate going on between you and that girl, open the door and let me check your office.”
“What you’re insinuating is both outrageous and defamatory. I’m not letting you in my office.”
“You would if you didn’t have anything to hide.”
Ortiz angrily stared her down, then stepped back and flung open the door.
Bonnie stepped inside and to her shock, Chiquita was not in the office. She was about to turn and leave when she remembered the principal’s private bathroom. Without asking, she charged into it. Empty.
“You satisfied now?”
No, I’m not satisfied.
“Okay, fine,” she said. “I was mistaken. I apologize.”
Ortiz’s nostrils flared. “Just like you were mistaken about those missing girls. You can leave now.” Ortiz slammed the door a second after she stepped across the threshold.
Bonnie still wasn’t convinced that nothing was going on. Chiquita probably told Ortiz about their conversation. Maybe that was the reason he sent her home early.
Now Bonnie was even more worried. Ortiz was a fundamentally vindictive man. She wouldn’t put it past him to make up something to get back at her. He practically said he would. To protect herself, she would report the incident to Wainright first thing in the morning.
In the meantime, Bonnie would just have to watch her back. The next time she confronted that pervert, she’d be sure to get his fat butt on tape.
Chapter 70
Day Four: 3:45 p.m.
Dre wolfed down the food Mossy had picked up and drank almost a liter of water. A few hours of sleep, plus the food was exactly what his body craved.
“I wanna go back to some of those houses,” Dre insisted. “They’re probably moving Brianna around. We can stake out a couple of ’em and maybe we’ll get lucky.”
“Man, luck ain’t on our side,” Mossy said. “I think we should stay put until The Shepherd calls back. The ball’s in his court now. He ain’t gonna hurt Brianna cuz he don’t want you on his ass for the rest of his life.”
What Mossy was saying made sense. He just wished he could make himself believe it.
“When The Shepherd calls back,” Mossy advised for the umpteenth time, “you can’t piss him off. Just suck up to him. We’ll get his ass later.”
Dre flinched when he heard the ringing of his smartphone.
Mossy grabbed it from the coffee table before Dre could reach it. The caller ID showed that it was a blocked call.
“This is probably him again.” Mossy turned it on and pressed the speakerphone button.
“Yeah?” Dre said.
“I’ve had some time to think,” The Shepherd began.
“Just give me my niece back,” Dre said, “and we can both go our separate ways. If you want a war, I can give you that. But from what I hear, you’re not big on violence.” Unless you’re beating up some innocent kid.
“You hear right, my brother. There’s no need to resort to violence. I use my head. That’s what’s made me a very wealthy man. But I’m a little leery since I thought we had a deal, then you and your boys came onto my property disrespecting me.”
“I guess I didn’t trust you to hold up your end of the bargain.”
It was suddenly clear to Dre that Shep wanted an end to this battle as much as he did. That was the only reason he’d called back. Loretha had described him as a punk at heart. As hard as it was to do, Dre decided to follow Mossy’s advice and appeal to the man’s ego.
“I’m ready to call it quits,” Dre said.
His voice broke in a manner that Mossy probably thought was feigned, but it wasn’t an act. His emotions were slipping away from him.
“You know what? This is the first time I truly believe you, my brother. You finally sound like a man who realizes his limitations.”
“I do,” Dre said, deciding to pour it on even thicker. “I…I just want Brianna back. I’m beggin’ you.”
“Now that’s what I’m talking about,” Shep said. “Act like you understand the situation.”
“I do. So let’s do this.”
“You got my money?”
“Yeah. Just tell me where I can meet you to pick up Brianna and that’s where I’ll be.”
Shep was quiet. Mossy gave Dre an encouraging nod and a smile, then hit the mute button on the smartphone.
“It’s working,” he said. “This brother don
’t want no more trouble from us. Just continue to play it his way.”
Mossy tapped the screen again, unmuting the smartphone.
“Tonight,” Shep said. “We can do the exchange tonight.”
“When and where?”
There was a long gap of silence.
“The Westfield Mall on Slauson.”
Dre gave Mossy a puzzled look. Mossy opened his hands palms up and shrugged.
“Why there?”
“In a crowded place like that, neither of us has an advantage.”
“Okay,” Dre said tentatively. “What time?”
“Nine-thirty. The mall closes at ten. That should give us enough time. I’ll have Brianna near the entrance of JC Penny’s.”
“So you’ll be there?”
He chuckled. “Hell no. I’m sending one of my guys. You wait on the top level in the food court. You’ll be able to look down and see her. One of my guys will meet you up there and take the money. Put it in a duffle bag. Once he checks it out, the guy on the first level will let Brianna go and walk away.”
“You make it sound pretty simple.”
“It will be. And if you’re stupid enough to try any heroics, I’ll have somebody slit her throat right then and there.”
“You’d do that in the middle of a crowded mall?”
“I’m not doing a thing. You’d be amazed at what you can get people to do for you.”
Dre prayed that this was simply a bluff. “Okay. I’ll be there. You’ll get your money and I’ll get Brianna and we can both go our separate ways. Otherwise the violence could get rough.”
“You threatening me?”
Mossy raised his hand in a slicing motion across his neck.
“Uh, no. That wasn’t what I meant. We both need to abide by the code of the street. You give me your word, I’ll give you mine.”
“In light of your recent conduct, your word means nothing to me,” The Shepherd said.
“We both understand business,” Dre replied. “You don’t want a war that will never end and I want Brianna back. So let’s do this.”
Shep took his time responding again. “Then I guess we got a deal, Businessman.”
Chapter 71
Day Four: 4:30 p.m.
“Okay, who wants to start?”
Loretha surveyed the eight girls gathered in the living room at Harmony House. They were all suddenly mute. The group sessions were always slow to get started. But in another fifteen minutes, she wouldn’t be able to shut them up.
“Carmen, why don’t you begin,” Loretha prodded. “Tell us three things you like about yourself.”
She shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“I’ll help you,” Loretha said. “You have a beautiful smile.”
“Yeah, I do, don’t I?” Carmen flashed a wide grin.
The other girls laughed.
“Now tell me something else about yourself that you like.”
Carmen stared at the ceiling as if she was trying to think up something. “Oh, I know. According to the johns, I have very nice chi chis.”
The other girls laughed again. Loretha did not.
“No,” she said gently, “I want to hear something you like about yourself.”
Carmen cupped her forehead as if the assignment made her head hurt. “I can’t think of nothing, Ms. Loretha.”
“Okay, I’ll help you out again. You’re very smart.”
Carmen responded with a look of disbelief.
“You are,” Loretha insisted. “You helped Angela out on the computer. She told me she couldn’t believe how smart you were.”
“For real?” Carmen said with a stunned expression. “That lady lawyer said I was smart?”
“She sure did. I can’t believe you’re forgetting the one thing you’re extremely good at.”
Carmen was genuinely baffled. “What?”
“Who’s the best artist in this house?”
“Oh, snap!” Carmen said. “I can’t believe I forgot. I’m definitely good at that.” Carmen stood up and took a bow.
This time, Loretha laughed along with the girls.
“Sometimes, when we’ve had a hard time in life, we tend to only think about the bad things that’ve happened to us, instead of remembering about all the good things too. I want you girls to focus more on the good than the bad.”
Another girl’s hand shot up.
“Okay, Melody. You want to go next?”
“My social worker told me I’m strong cuz of everything I been through.”
“You got that right,” Loretha said.
“And what else?”
“Uh, I think that’s about it.”
“No, it’s not. I’d say you’re very helpful.”
Melody grinned. “I am?”
“You’re always the one volunteering to help Anamaria clean the kitchen, even when it’s not your day. And whenever a new girl arrives, you’re always the first one to reach out to be her friend.”
Melody pressed a finger to her chin. “You right, Ms. Loretha. I am helpful, huh?”
“I want everybody to grab a piece of paper and a pen and write down five things you like about yourself.”
“Five?” The girls all moaned in unison. “That’s too many.”
“I’m going to the kitchen to get cupcakes. And you’ll only get a cupcake if you have five things on your paper.”
“That ain’t fair,” another girl protested. “You already gave Carmen and Melody some of theirs.”
“You’re right,” Loretha replied. “Carmen you come up with five more since I came up with the first three and Melody, you come up with four more.”
Carmen folded her arms. “Aw, that’s cold, Ms. Loretha.”
“Just do it.”
Loretha went into the kitchen and pulled paper plates from the cabinet. She’d only been gone a couple of minutes when she heard a commotion coming from the living room. She hurried back to the girls.
When she entered living room, she found them all gathered around the front door, trying to get a look through the peephole at the same time.
“What are you girls doing?”
“There’s a homeless man on the porch,” Carmen said. “He might be trying to break in.”
Loretha leaned in and looked through the peephole herself. The man was standing so close to the door she could not get a good look at him.
He knocked hard and Loretha jumped back, bumping into one of the girls. Her first thought was that the man was some pimp trying to disguise himself as a homeless bum so he could break in and snatch one of her girls. She needed to get her gun. But not in front of the girls.
“Go to your rooms,” she yelled at them, before turning back to the door. None of the girls moved.
“You might need us to help you beat him up,” Carmen said.
“What do you want?” Loretha yelled through the door.
“It’s me,” the gruff voice answered.
“And who the hell is me?”
The voice was barely audible. “Rena.”
Loretha stiffened and didn’t say anything for several seconds. “Step back so I can see you better,” she said.
Rena did and Loretha started bawling.
Melody patted her on the back. “You okay, Ms. Loretha? What’s wrong? Who is it?”
Loretha opened the door and stared lovingly at Rena. Loretha leaned forward to give her a hug, but Rena backed away. Her hair was matted to her head and there were open sores on her cheek and forehead. Her clothes were smudged with dirt, and she smelled like a dead animal.
“Yuck!” one of the girls said. “I hope she ain’t comin’ in here cuz she stank.”
“C’mon on in. I’m so glad to see you!” Loretha gushed through her tears.
Rena stepped across the threshold and Loretha was about to close the door when Rena pointed behind her.
“What?”
“My stuff,” she mumbled, pointing to her grocery cart.
“It’ll be safe there,” Loretha s
aid.
Rena’s eyes flickered with alarm and she took a step back onto the porch.
“Okay, okay,” Loretha said. “I’ll help you bring it inside.”
The girls just stared at the exchange, keeping their distance as if Rena’s stink might rub off on them.
“This is Rena,” Loretha said, introducing her to the group. “She’s an old friend of mine. She went through some of the same things you all went through, but it went very, very badly for her.”
Loretha was quietly weeping, and didn’t try to hide her tears from the girls. “But she’s here with us now and we’re all going to rally around her and help her heal, okay?”
The girls kept their distance.
“Why you crying, Ms. Loretha?” Carmen asked. “You okay?”
“I’m fine,” Loretha said. “I need someone to help me get Rena upstairs and washed up.”
Melody’s hand shot up in the air.
“I’ll do it,” she said, stepping forward. “Cuz I’m good at helping people.”
Chapter 72
Day Four: 4:45 p.m.
Freda leaned against the kitchen counter, drinking straight from the Vodka bottle. Everything was such a mess. Clint was practically on his deathbed and Shep couldn’t care less. She would never forgive him for his callousness. Not the way Clint slaved for him.
She checked her smartphone again, wondering if she had missed Shep’s call.
In the two years since she’d become part of Shep’s inner circle, no one had ever come looking for any of the girls they’d abducted. So the situation with Brianna made them all nervous. Freda had spent a few days in lockup when she was walking the track, but she had never done any real time. That possibility made her shudder.
Her smartphone rang and she jumped.
“How’s the girl?” Shep asked when she answered the call.
“She’s here with me. She’s tied up and drugged. What are we going to do with her?”
“We’re going to give her back.”
This surprised Freda. Shep did not like being challenged. If he was folding, the situation was likely more serious than even she had imagined. She thought of Clint, broken and bruised.
“If we do, is this guy going to just go away?”
“I suspect he will. He’s a former drug dealer. So neither the cops nor a prosecutor are likely to believe anything he says. And the fact that he nearly got Clint killed is another reason I think he’ll walk away once he gets her back. Businessman could be charged with assault and attempted murder, which would mean an automatic suspension of his parole.”
Anybody's Daughter (Angela Evans Series No. 2) Page 25
