Secret Ops: Ty's Revenge

by Kim Vanderpool

  Dialing the dreaded number I hold my breath until she picks up. “Hello.”

  I let out my breath slowly. “Aaron?”

  “Why the hell are you calling me? I told you I never wanted to speak to you again!”

  “I know. Can we just talk like to adults for a moment?” I’m trying really hard to keep my voice calm.

  “What do you want, Ty?”

  “I need a favor.”

  “Oh now you want me!” She laughs bitterly.

  “Aaron. I need a favor.” I repeat.

  “I’m hanging up now, Ty.”

  “Please hear me out.” This is hard for me.

  “You’ve got one minute.”

  “I need you to babysit my daughter.” Okay that wasn’t the smartest thing I have ever said.

  “What the hell are you talking about? You have a daughter? You bastard!”

  “Aaron. It isn’t what you’re thinking.”

  “And what would that be Ty. That you decided you wanted kids after all. So you went and got some poor innocent woman pregnant.”

  This woman has a way with words. If I’m not mistaken there’s hostility in those words. Even resentment. “No. I found her.”

  “Ty. You don’t just find a kid.”

  “Please Aaron. I can’t go into detail over the phone. Can we meet somewhere?”

  I hear her take a breath letting it out slowly. “Fine. I’m only doing this because I’m curious as hell to find out who would be stupid enough to give you a kid.”

  “I’m in Nevada. I’ll come to you.” I don’t have to tell her that I’m at Lazarus’s place she already knows that’s only reason I would be in Nevada.

  “Don’t bother. I’m in Salt Lake City right now. I’ll be there in a few hours.”

  “I’ll pick you up at the airport.”

  “No I’ll rent a car. God only knows that I can’t stand to be around you that long. I sure as hell don’t want to be in a car with you.”

  This woman truly hates me. I can’t blame her. She has every right. “Daddy! Daddy! Come feed the puppies with me.” Sara tugs on my shirt.

  “Really Ty? This child is calling you daddy. I don’t believe this bull shit of you finding her.” Aaron shuffles around. No doubt she is already packing for the trip.

  “I have to go. I’ll see you soon.” I hang up.

  “Come on Daddy. Azarus says I can feed them.”

  “Is that so? Are you talking to him now?”

  She nods her head yes. “He’s my friend. Hurry.” She continues to tug on my shirt. She is so adorable. How can I tell her no?

  “Come on Munchkin.” I pick her up carrying her outside to where Lazarus and his puppies are playing.

  Sara wiggles out of my arms. The puppies run up licking her knocking her to the ground. Instead of crying she starts giggling. Lazarus runs over helping her up. I can’t help from smiling. Not only has Sara stolen my heart, but it looks as if she has stolen Lazarus’s as well.

  “Well how did it go?” Lazarus asks coming over to stand beside me. We watch Sara as she feeds the puppies.

  “She wasn’t too happy about it, but she agreed to come and talk to me about it anyway.”

  “What about Jessica?”

  “What about her?”

  “Well I’m not sure how well she and Aaron will get alone.”

  “I thought of the same thing.”

  “Think there will be jealousy there?”

  “God I hope not.”

  “You know Aaron is going to jump to conclusions.”

  “I know.” Lazarus has been a witness to more than one of Aaron’s jealous rants.

  “How well do you think Sara will take to her?”

  “I’m hoping they will hit it off quickly.”

  “Good luck man.” Lazarus pats me on the back going back inside. Sara and the puppies play for a while in the yard until Dr. Bailey shows up. Sara notices him and runs toward me. She tugs on me to pick her up. She is still not talking to Dr. Bailey.

  “Ty. How are you? And how is our sweet little Sara?” She hides her face in my neck.

  “Dr. Bailey. Come on in.” I motion for him to go inside.

  “I wanted to talk to you about something.”

  “Sure.” He stops just inside the door.

  “Is there any way we can bring Jessica in the living room? She is getting really board. Restless actually.”

  “I’ll have to look at her wounds, but I don’t see a problem. I just don’t want her up walking around too much.”

  “Good.” I don’t mention anything about her earlier adventure.

  “Can we see Jessica now Daddy?”

  “Sure Munchkin.” We follow Dr. Bailey to Jessica’s room.

  “How are you feeling, Jessica?” Dr. Bailey asks.

  “Fine.” She mumbles.

  “Let’s check your wounds.”

  “Sara and I will wait until you’re done.” I take Sara across the hall to her bedroom.

  “Why can’t we stay with Jessica, Daddy?”

  “Because the doctor needs to make sure she is getting better.”

  “Oh. Can we go back to see Jessica when the doctor is done?”

  “Sure honey.”

  Sara gathers her toys together placing them carefully where they go. I watch for a moment then lend a hand to help. “Sara sweetie. I need to talk to you about something.” She looks to me with her big beautiful eyes. I don’t know how well she is going to take the news about me possibly leaving again. “I’m going to have to leave again soon, but I’ll be back. There is a lady who is super nice going to stay with you while I’m gone.” She just isn’t nice to me.

  “I don’t want you to go Daddy.”

  “I know sweetheart, but I have to and I won’t be gone long. The lady that is going to stay with you, her name is Aaron.”

  “I won’t like her.”

  “How do you know?”

  “I just won’t.”

  “We are going to meet her soon. She is flying all the way here to meet you.” I say gently.

  “Jessica can stay with me.”

  “Honey. Jessica is still hurt and she can’t move around a lot.” After I take care of William I’m done with this. I can’t stand to leave her again and watch how sad she gets. She is afraid that I won’t come back. I can see it written all over her face.

  “Don’t go Daddy.” Big fat tears stream down her cheeks.

  “I promise. I’ll come back. Then we are going to go home. We can stop and get a puppy. Then we are going to go to the zoo just like I promised. Can you be a big girl for me and give Aaron a chance?”

  Sara nods her head yes snuggling into my arms. If I had a choice I wouldn’t leave her. This is breaking my heart. This child has lost so much. Now she is worrying about losing me too. No kid this age should have to worry about anything. One thing I will make sure of, when all of this is over, is to never let her worry about anything again.

  “I still won’t like her.” She muffles in my neck.

  “Let’s go check on Jessica.” I don’t know how to convince her to give Aaron a chance. I’m hoping I can get Jessica to help me convince her.

  “Hey.” I say to Jessica as Sara and I come in.

  “Hey.” She seems to still be upset with me.

  “All looks good.” Dr. Bailey says.

  “So how about a change of Scenery?” I smile down at Jessica.

  “Sounds wonderful. I think I have counted every tree out there.” She teases, but she doesn’t look at me. Instead she smiles at Dr. Bailey.

  Why do I feel a pang of jealously? Why do I have a sudden urge to punch Dr. Bailey in the face? The guy has done nothing to me. I even consider him as a friend. I tell myself it’s just the stress getting to me nothing more. I mean I don’t really know this woman. I have no claim staked here. Besides she could be married and have kids of her own.

  Shaking my head at my own stupidity, I take Jessica in my arms carrying her to the living room. Sara follows close
behind. Once I have Jessica on the couch comfortably I make my way to the kitchen. Sara is sitting beside Jessica talking a mile a minute. I small at the scene before me. They look like mother and daughter, except for their hair. I wonder what Aaron will think about Jessica. Will they get alone great or will there be tension between the two of them? Even though Aaron hates me, I know deep down she still cares.

  I go about making lunch when Lazarus comes in the room. He looks around making sure no one over hears what he has to say. “So I talked to Tango. He and Ash are on their way over to take a look at the file. Ash got those prints back. Her real name is indeed Jessica. How ironic is that? There may be a connection between Sara and Jessica. We won’t know more until we talk to Ash. Sara could have possibly meet Jessica in all this. Jessica could have possibly have a connection with William. It wouldn’t surprise me if they didn’t. Sylvia said that it’s possible that they have met and Sara is just blocking out all the bad things that has happened to her.”

  “I thought the same thing. How could they not? I mean if Jessica was there. They had to have crossed paths. Why the hell would she have been left for dead if she has any ties to William at all? It could be a coincidence. I highly doubt it though. It would be like William to discard a body in the desert thinking no one will ever find them.”

  “This shit is confusing as hell.”

  “It kind of fits though. Think about it. This girl, Jessica, is dumped in the desert left for dead. Something had to have gone badly wrong for William to do this. If he did this. Maybe Jessica is just as innocent as Sara. After all William is trafficking humans.”

  “Damn. If that is true. When she does get her memory back she is going to need help. No person goes through that and comes out with their sanity.”

  “Sylvia needs to be brought in just in case.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Let’s find out what Ash knows then we will go from there. This is going to be complicated.”

  Lazarus and I finish making lunch. Placing the food on the tray we make out way back to the living room. Sara and Jessica are giggling. I’m glad Sara gets alone with Jessica. If I had to guess. Sara and Jessica were at the mercy of William. I’d say Jessica took care of Sara. Making sure nothing bad came to her. That would explain why Sara took to Jessica immediately.

  “Daddy you want to play?” Sara asks climbing up in my lap.

  “Sure.”

  We play spy with my little eye until Tango and Ash arrives. Lazarus and I excuse ourselves as we all head into Lazarus’s den. “Why didn’t you tell me about this when you first got your hands on it?” Tango takes the file.

  “I needed to see what was in it first.” I explain.

  “Trust Ty.”

  In other words I need to trust him to do the right thing. “You have it now.” I retort.

  “Ash. You want to fill them in on what you have found while I look over this.” Tango ignores me.

  “Okay. So I ran the prints of Jessica. That is her real name, by the way. Jessica Martin. She is a highly educated woman. She has gone to Harvard. Graduated top of her class. Majored in architect. Her parents are successful real estate agents. She had grown up in a middle class home. Prom queen all the typical American girl stuff. She moved to Nevada to pursue a career. She meet William through a friend. She started on a project for him, designing a new casino. Somehow she got introduced to Vancard. Got involved with him. That’s all we know up until Lazarus found her.”

  “Damn. So it is possible that she crossed paths with Sara as we earlier assumed?” I interject.

  “Absolutely.” Ash answers.

  “Why isn’t her parents looking for her?” Lazarus inquires confused.

  “That’s the confusing part of all this. According to my sources; she is staying in contact with them on a regular bases.”

  “How the hell is that even possible? Wouldn’t they want to visit her?” This shit is mind blowing.

  “Why would William keep up the facade? It doesn’t make sense.” Ash pounders out loud.

  “That’s a good question,” Tango looks up, “the file shows why he has intentions for Sara, its plain as day. Why Jessica though? She doesn’t have an inheritance that large. He hasn’t asked for any ransom money. If he had, Jessica wouldn’t be sitting in the living room now.”

  “Do we tell Jessica about her life?” I ask.

  “No we wait. See if she remembers on her own.” Tango give me a pointed look.

  Chapter 17

  “Do you think she remembers some things and just isn’t talking?” Ash questions.

  “I don’t think so. She has nightmares. I heard her the other night.” I voice.

  “True. I’ve witnessed this myself.” Lazarus expresses.

  “Here’s what we are going to do. Ty. I want you and Lazarus to pack up. You are leaving first thing in the morning. Ash and I are going to head back to Mexico. Marco knows something. He’s in holding right now. When the both of you get back. I want Lazarus to question Marco. He swears his innocent. I don’t believe that for a minute.”

  “Where we headed boss?” I stand.

  “I have a lead on William. This file proves I’m right. He’s going to take out all next of kin to Sara. You boys are heading to Virginia.”

  “So you knew where Sara’s next of kin lived and didn’t tell me?” I’m beyond pissed.

  “You know now.” He uses my earlier words.

  I feel my heart sink to the pit of my stomach. I knew something like this was possible. In the back of my mind I knew it would come to this. I just didn’t want to grasp onto it. “So what are we to do once we get to Virginia?”

  “I want you to keep an eye on Sara’s family. Grandmother and Grandfather, one Aunt by marriage and Two Uncles. That’s on her mother’s side. No one on the father’s side. The grandparents are elderly. Good ol’ Uncle Derrick is in and out of rehab. The other, Shawn and wife Cynthia travels a lot overseas. I see the look on your face, Ty. Don’t worry I don’t think any of them are capable of taking care of Sara.”

  I feel a little relived. I know for a fact that Derrick won’t be taking custody any time soon. The grandparents aren’t able. The only concern I have is Shawn and his wife. “Aaron is on her way. She is going to sit with Sara until I get back.”

  Tango looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “You sure that’s a good idea?”

  “Not the best plan of action, but it’s all I have right now.”

  “Good luck.”

  “Thanks.”

  Tango shakes his head. “Okay that’s all for now. I’ll keep you informed if anything changes.”

  “One more question. Why the hell doesn’t William come after Sara now?” Ash questions.

  “He knows she’s safe with us. He’s going for any remaining family members first. Then he’ll come after her.”

  “He’ll never get a chance.” I state matter of fact.

  “I know that, you know that, but he doesn’t.”

  I want to spend all the time I have with Sara before I have to leave. She’s cuddled on the couch with Jessica and Dr. Bailey watching cartoons. I feel the need to take both of them and lock them away so William will never get his hands on them. Ever.

  “What’s got you looking like you want to go all cave man style?” Dr. Bailey teases.

  If he only knew. He would probably feel the same way. Jessica and Sara both look up. I try to soften my features. I don’t want either of them concerned about what’s going on. “Nothing.”

  Sara jumps from the couch running to me. “Daddy come watch cartoons with us.” She whispers in my ear.

  Taking her hand, I sit on the couch next to Jessica. Sara perches on my lap snuggling into me. I smooth her hair back from her face, kissing her on the top of the head. She has pig tales now. From the looks of it Jessica had put them there while we were in the den. I wouldn’t even know where to start with pig tails. “You are going to have to show me how to do these.” I grin at Jessica.

  She looks up
surprised for a moment then returns my smile. I guess she is over with being mad at me. “It’s easy.”

  “Doesn’t look easy.”

  “I’ll show you later.” She turns back to the T.V.

  I throw my arm around her shoulder. She doesn’t seem to mind. This is the first sign of affection I have shown the woman. I don’t care. I like her and now that I know she really is innocent in all this shit with William, I like her a hell of a lot more. She and Sara have been through a lot. Dr. Bailey raises his brows in question. Narrowing my eyes at him, he burst out laughing. I don’t see the humor in it.

  Tango, Ash and Lazarus joins us in the living room. We are all talking and watching cartoons when a knock comes at the door. Lazarus jumps up to answer it. I hear mumbling then Aaron walks in with bags of food hanging off her arm. “I know none of you know how to feed a child. Poor thing must be starving.” She announces as she walks to the kitchen. She doesn’t even look at me. She still looks just a beautiful as ever. Her light brown hair is still styled the same. Her brown eyes are just as beautiful as ever, but I don’t get excited as I do when I’m near Jessica.

  “Aaron.” Tango greets her. She nods in his direction as she heads to the kitchen.

  A few minutes later she walks back in the living room. I don’t bother to remove my arm from Jessica. Aaron looks at me for the first time since she arrived, but doesn’t say anything. Tango has left the room alone with Ash and Dr. Bailey. Lazarus is standing by looking all amused.

  “This must be Sara. I’m Aaron.” Aaron addresses Sara with kindness. Sara doesn’t respond. Aaron gets down on her knees smiling at Sara. “Do you like pizza?” Sara nods her head yes. “I brought all kinds of goodies. We can even make brownies. Would you like to help?” Sara nods her head yes again. “You and I are going to have lots of fun.” Sara smiles at Aaron for the first time.

  “Sara honey. I need to speak with Aaron for a moment then I’ll be right back.” I sat her down beside Jessica, who hasn’t said a word since Aaron arrived.

  Aaron and I walk back to the kitchen. “Does this mean you will babysit for me?” I ask leaning against the counter.