“I have, and it’s fascinating.”
“I’ll see you on Monday. I’ll want to hear how it went.”
“Okay.” Jessie pulled on to the street and made her way home.
She walked into her house, kicked off her shoes, and got a glass of water. The sunset was already changing the look of the cove. Instead of just watching it, she opted to run in it. She changed into her running clothes. Making her way onto her favorite path to the marina, she started her run at a brisk pace. The sun was setting in the west giving an orange pinkish glow to the clouds over the cove. The air had a slight chill, perfect for running. She picked up her pace, her feet pounding the walkway. She reached the zone quickly, the point where everything around her tuned out and she was in touch with the rhythm of her own movement. She loved it. With little effort, she was at the marina turning around and taking in the spectacular color of the evening sky. This was why she had moved here.
“Abigail, look around you while it’s still light. Can you tell me what you see? Can you go to the door and look out? I need to see what you’re seeing and hear what you’re hearing. Please, Abby, help me to find you. I need some clue about your surroundings. Let me see it through your eyes, sweetie. I saw your mom and dad. They’re still hoping to find you. Keep talking, Abby. They love you.” Jessie kept talking to Abigail until she arrived home. She sat quietly on the couch listening for her small voice to answer her back.
Chapter 4
Matt was fascinated with the way Jessie handled people. She was good with Stan and Sarah. She had done what he had asked of her. Jessie was a beautiful woman, but that wasn’t what defined her. An extra something special within her made her sparkle. It intensified when she was trying to comfort people. He had noticed her kindness when they had worked the last case together. It kept him coming back to her even when he didn’t think he wanted to.
He would never be able to describe it to someone else. He wasn’t that clever with words. She kept him guessing every time she was around him. Sometimes it made him feel like a tongue-tied high school boy watching an angel, and other times she could skewer him to the wall with her flashing blue eyes and intellect. He was never sure which Jessie would show up. Hell, he rubbed his chin; his reactions to her were all over the place. There were times he would love to love her and times when he would like to be as far away as possible. Who was he kidding, glued to her side was more like it.
“Hey, Matt, are you ready to call it a night?” Dylan interrupted Matt’s thoughts.
“I’ll be right with you. I need to send Jessie the Davis file.” He sent her an email with the file attached.
“You always call her Jessie to everyone but her. Why is that?” Dylan’s eyes gleamed with amusement.
“She hates it when I call her Jess, and I love to tease her. I can’t seem to help myself.” Matt grinned at his friend.
“At least you’re being honest. You want to stop for something to eat?”
“Sure, I can use a break from my thoughts. It’s been a hell of a day.”
“Is Patterson’s okay?” Dylan asked as they walked down the hall together.
“Fine with me,” Matt said as they walked into the reception area. “Hey, Joe, how’s that little girl of yours?”
Joe looked up from the duty roster he was filling in. “She’s almost sleeping through the night, finally. I can safely say we’re all doing a whole lot better with a little more sleep. People can actually stand to be around us now. No more short fuses, if you know what I mean. I actually come to work looking human, with my hair combed.” He laughed. “I got word that I get to start working the day shift after they train the new kid. I’m down with that.”
“You do look a lot prettier, that’s for damn sure.” Dylan chuckled as he headed out the door.
****
Jessie checked her emails and found one from Matt with the Davis file attached. She read it several times. She started to notice a pattern and decided to send an email to her friend Jeremy. She asked him to look into a few things for her. While she waited, she Googled human trafficking and a whole world of information opened up to her. At the top of her paper, she typed the words Not for Sale.
Some of what she read in the Davis file and Matt’s notations matched the normal criteria listed in the articles she was reading. Some of it didn’t. By its very definition, trafficking was a criminal activity in which humans were possessions, controlled by others, or exploited for profit. One fact stood out in every article; it wasn’t good news for woman and children, who were most often the victims.
Was it possible that Abigail was a victim of human trafficking? Jessie shuddered at the thought. Abigail was lucky to have escaped. She would be even luckier if their plan worked out the way Jessie hoped it would and Radar found her. What was happening to the other children she had seen? How could they find them?
Jessie’s phone interrupted her thoughts. “Hi, this is Jessie.”
“Hey, I got your email. I’m wondering what you’ve got yourself into now.”
She retold the story of Abigail to Jeremy. “Have you heard of anything that might shed some light on what’s happening here?”
“The rumor mill is always buzzing with news of investigations, possible raids, and rescues going on. I haven’t heard about anything specific to your area, though.”
“Do you have any idea what we’re looking at? Is it possible they’re going to export these children overseas?”
“It’s possible, if someone found a specific market that wants these kids. By these kids, I mean they specifically want American children. I’ve heard of some cases of kidnap and export under those conditions along with the exports tied to the drug cartel.” She could hear his computer keys clicking. “There are also some business owners from other countries importing women and kids into this country.”
“That speaks volumes, doesn’t it?” Frustration filled Jessie’s voice. “How do you know what you’re looking at?”
“It’s not always so easy to spot. You might see it daily and never know.” He paused, and she could imagine him running his hand through his curls. “I heard a story the other day about one of my favorite Indian restaurants here in the city. The owners were bringing children and young teens from their own country. Their living conditions were awful. You know, dirty mattresses on the floor, crowded together in one room, and not one had received any compensation for their work.”
“How’d the authorities find out?” she asked.
“An anonymous tip to the hotline,” he told her. “The FBI raided the place, and the kids are now on their way back to India. It’s taught me to be more observant of my surroundings. I went to that restaurant at least once a week and never thought anything was out of order.”
“I’m not sure I’d know it if I saw it either. When do they call it human trafficking?”
His answer was quick. “With children the criteria is simple: abducted, transported as a possession, and exploited or sold.”
“So why these kids? Do you have any ideas?”
“Do you want my opinion? I don’t have any evidence or facts yet.” Jessie heard him take a deep breath.
“Yes, I want it.”
“It’s possible they’re a group of our own citizens abducting these kids. There has to be money involved and changing hands, or they wouldn’t risk it. They might or might not look like thugs with machine guns. My guess is since they’ve been off the radar they could be model citizens and just blend in. Maybe they’re an active member of the community similar to those folks in the Harvest Club. The difference is they collect and sell children for some sordid purpose here at home or wherever they find a specific market. We have a few dirty little secrets in this country, too.”
“What are we looking at? I’m trying to wrap my head around it.”
“I’m guessing some kind of children’s porn ring, sexual predators, or some new open market they’ve discovered. Hell, Jessie, there are people who actually believe that sex with a virgin
will cure AIDS. There are some sick people out there.”
She rubbed the back of her neck. “I don’t get it. How can someone do this to a child?”
“Let’s face it, money is the drawing card. You know that from your last case. It always comes back to money. Human trade is an extremely profitable business. Sadly, the human toll makes it staggering.”
“Money is always at the heart of everything I guess.” She sat down in the chair. “I wonder, are we talking rich enough for someone to be willing to pay off others not to get noticed?”
“You catch on fast.”
She jumped back up and paced. “This is our backyard. What’s being done to prevent it?”
“There’s a small army of heroes who work against time constraints and lack of funds in this area. They’re passionate about finding kids and bringing these traffickers to justice. They’ll be the first to admit that at times the process is too slow. There aren’t enough laws defining what constitutes human trafficking, much less how to get international law to agree on those definitions. It’s changing though, and we’re tightening the laws here.”
“That’s good to know.” Her forehead creased.
“One good thing, it’s created a niche for non-profit groups who are bringing attention to the growing problem and rescuing people. Every person rescued means one less enslaved, and a few more traffickers in jail.”
“Another plus and the good guys win again.” Jessie smiled.
“How can I help you?”
“See if you can find anything that might tell us why these kids were taken.”
“I will, and you stay safe. Say, I’ve been thinking about heading your way for a little R & R. Am I still welcome?”
“Do you even need to ask? I have a guest room. Just be forewarned my friend is actively looking for a husband. She may add you to her list.”
“So is she pretty?”
“Very. Are you interested?”
“It’s possible.” She could hear the laughter in his voice. “I’ll email you the date when I’ll be there. You could email me a picture of her.”
“I’ll think about it, or maybe you should just be surprised. See you soon, Jeremy.” She hung up the phone.
Jessie sent off an email to Neil telling him about her idea for a new story. She hoped that by bringing attention to the subject, it might encourage people to notice their surroundings and anything that didn’t look just right. Jessie shut off her computer. She wanted a break, and her stomach told her she needed to eat.
She went into the kitchen, opened the refrigerator, peered in, and quickly closed the door. Nothing looked appealing and she certainly didn’t want to cook. She sighed, opened it again, and began shifting things around. It didn’t help—still nothing jumped out at her saying I look good, eat me.
****
She grabbed her sweater, locked the door, and strolled toward the Inn. The full moon was beginning to make its appearance in the early evening sky along with a few twinkling stars. The air was crisp, cool, and refreshing.
Gone were most of the vivid flowers of summer, but the autumn mums and late seasonal bloomers were still in abundance. The colors of autumn were popping up everywhere, and the smell of damp leaves filled the air. She walked around to the front door of the Inn and stood on the large wrap-around porch taking it all in for a moment.
When Jessie finally opened the door and stepped inside, the same pleasure filled her that she felt each time she saw it. The Inn had been restored with meticulous attention to details, from the crown molding down to the wood floors. Katie’s uncle had overseen all the work while he was still alive, and Katie made sure it remained topnotch. From its beautiful chandeliers, its fine mixture of traditional and antique furnishings, and the perfect mix of modern amenities, the Blue Iris Inn was a great place for a weekend getaway. She lived right next door and could visit anytime. How lucky was she!
It smelled wonderful. Jessie’s stomach grumbled in response. She took a deep breath. Tonight’s creation was certain to be another great success. Katie was a fabulous cook. The taste was sure to be as good as the aroma coming from the kitchen.
She followed the sound of Katie’s voice, finding her in the dining room. Her hands were waving enthusiastically as she chatted with one of her guests. Her face was animated, her eyes sparkling.
“Hi, Jessie, I’m so glad you’re here.” She grabbed her and pulled her forward. “I was just telling Mr. Perry some of our crazy antics growing up.” A silly grin lit her face.
“Please call me Mark.” He stared at Jessie with a besotted look on his face.
“Okay, Mark, this is my friend Jessie. Jessie, this is Mark. He’s visiting from Colorado.” Katie was amused. She said under her breath, “Another one falls.”
“Hi, Mark, it’s nice to meet you. Are you here on business?” Jessie gave him her full attention. He looked very athletic and had a nice smile.
“He’s traveling along the coast checking it out.” Katie answered for him with the silly grin still plastered on her face. “Jessie, I have something for you in the kitchen. Would you excuse us for a minute, Mark?” Katie headed for the kitchen door when he nodded.
“It was nice to meet you, Mark.” She followed Katie.
“Why don’t you sit down here and eat dinner so that our nice Mr. Perry can talk again. He can’t look at you without becoming unhinged.” Katie’s delight spilled out into uncontrolled giggles.
“You’re just being silly. He was captivated by you.”
“Oh, Jessie dear, you are so oblivious. If I looked like you, I’d work it. You rendered him speechless.”
“You didn’t give him time to answer, and you already work it. I don’t know a bigger flirt in all my acquaintances than you. You’ve managed to date far more guys over the years than I ever did.” Jessie glanced over her shoulder and laughed.
“That’s because I’m normal and not so particular who I go out with.” Katie’s green eyes sparkled with mischief. “You are the untouchable beauty men may look at but think they can never have. In the end they settle for me.”
“You’re a goof. I didn’t come to let you insult me but rather, to feed me.” Both girls laughed, nudging one another. “Please take pity on me, friend, something smells very good. What’s for dinner?” Jessie looked at the evening menu card Katie handed her. She had done a beautiful job as usual. Katie was very talented.
Tonight’s Menu Includes:
Chicken Breasts on a Bed of Wild Mushrooms
Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
Tomato and Green Bean Salad
Chocolate Raspberry Mousse
“Do I really have to eat alone in the kitchen?” Jessie raised her brows.
“Of course not, I only wanted to tease you about your effect on poor Mr. Perry.” She handed Jessie a filled plate, and they walked back toward the dining room. “For heaven’s sake, don’t sit next to him, he’s likely to become mute.”
Jessie sat at the far end of the table, away from Mark, with an older couple from Pennsylvania. She enjoyed their conversation but felt self-conscious about what Katie had said. Then she looked at Mark who seemed completely smitten with Katie.
When Jessie finished, she excused herself, took her plate to the kitchen, and loaded it in the dishwasher. Katie joined her. They talked over tea, sitting at the small table. Jessie began to tell Katie about her strange vision and working with Matt to find Abby. Katie’s reaction was swift.
“Are you kidding me? You two are actually going to try to work together again. Can it be done without getting one of you killed?” Katie joked, trying to hide her worry. “The last time you did this I almost lost my best friend.” Her voice softened.
“But you didn’t. Matt saved my life. I have to try to find this girl. You would do the same thing if you were me, and you know it.” Her lifted eyebrows challenged Katie.
Katie sighed. “I guess I would. You’re still trying to get over the nightmares of your last adventure.”
�
��I’ll be all right. This will be good for me.” She sipped her tea. “I have a friend coming in tomorrow with his bloodhound to help in the search. He’ll be staying at Matt’s place because he has space for the dog.”
“Is he single?” Katie gave her a sly wink.
“No, sorry, he’s married with grandchildren. Although, I do have another friend coming in a few weeks who I told about you, and he seemed interested. You can maybe add him to your list.”
“Okay, if you’ll continue to bring a fresh supply of single candidates for my cause, I’ll keep feeding you. I’ll try not to complain about you working on another case, even though I’ll never to get to see you. Is it a deal?” Katie pressed her lips together trying hard not to laugh.
“Do you really promise not to complain?”
“Girl Scout’s honor.” Katie couldn’t contain the smile that widened.
“You were never a Girl Scout.” Jessie gulped back an astonished giggle. “You’re such a little liar. I almost fell for it. How dumb can I be? I bought the whole ‘I had left Mark speechless’ routine of yours. He was totally taken with you.”
“He was taken with me, asking questions about you, until I got sick of it and excused myself.” Katie laughed at Jessie’s expression.
“Oh no, you don’t! I’m not going there with you again. I need to get home. Thanks for the dinner.”
Jessie smiled the entire walk home. Katie made her laugh; it was as simple as that. She pulled her sweater tightly around her. The night air was brisk. Jessie looked up to the night sky awash in moonlight and whispered, “Please watch over Abby tonight and help us find her soon.”
Once home, she got ready for bed, gave her emails a once-over, and settled herself in bed. She propped herself up with pillows, picked up a book, and began reading. Concentration was impossible. She kept thinking about a young girl all alone, cold, and afraid.
“Abby, if you can hear me, we’re coming. Tomorrow, we’ll start searching. You need to look outside when it’s light and tell me what you see.”
Not for Sale Page 4
