Grave Danger (A Maddie Graves Mystery Book 12)

by Lily Harper Hart

  Big Wally’s face twisted. “I want my lawyer.”

  “That can be arranged.”

  7

  Seven

  Nick hurried to Maddie’s side, keeping a wary eye on Big Wally’s men as he closed the distance. They looked confused, their eyes wide as they waited for guidance. Big Wally was clearly upset, but his soldiers had been with him long enough to know that he would frown upon attacking cops. Ultimately the decision was taken out of their hands, though, because the backup Dwight called for before entering the lot swooped in with guns drawn the second he alerted them to a forthcoming issue.

  The police officers yelled warnings and orders, and when Nick was certain they had Big Wally’s men under control – Dwight was grappling with the man in charge in the center of things – Nick turned his full attention to Maddie.

  “What are you doing?” Nick hissed, keeping his voice low.

  “There are people inside of this truck.” Maddie ran her hands over the cool metal, her face twisting. “We have to get it open.”

  “Okay, Mad, we’ll get it open.” Nick was befuddled. “How do you know there are people inside?”

  “Because a young girl told me.”

  Nick glanced around, his confusion deepening. “What girl?”

  “She died inside the truck.”

  The weight of Maddie’s words slammed into Nick’s stomach like a fist. “Oh. Crap. I … just crap. Hold on.”

  Even though he didn’t want to leave her, Nick swiveled and searched the sea of faces converging on the lot. Dwight called for significantly more backup than Nick initially realized because cops appeared to be flooding the square expanse, making for a lot more uniformed officers than could fit into two patrol cars. Nick ignored them as he tried to get Dwight’s attention.

  After a few more seconds of arguing with Big Wally, Dwight ordered one of the uniformed officers to cuff him and then strode toward Nick with a worried look etched on his face.

  “What is going on?” Dwight asked, keeping his voice low. “This is about to blow up into a really big mess and I need to know what’s happening.”

  “The truck.” Nick gestured helplessly. “Maddie says there are people locked in the truck.”

  “How does she know that? I didn’t hear anything.”

  “She says at least one of the people in the truck is dead and that girl’s ghost told her.”

  “Oh, well, great.” Dwight made a face that would’ve been humorous under different circumstances. “I can’t wait to say that a ghost is giving us information.”

  “Just say that Maddie heard something.” Nick was grim. “We have to get that truck open because if we don’t, Maddie is going to do it herself and … yup, there she goes.” Nick slapped his hand to his forehead when Maddie moved to the back of the trailer and began fumbling with the latch.

  “Oh, geez.” Dwight broke into a run so he could get to Maddie before she lifted the lever. “Let me do it, Maddie.”

  “I’ve got it.” Maddie made grunting noises as she struggled to lift the heavy door.

  “No.” Dwight slapped Maddie’s hands away, causing her to widen her eyes. “I need to do it, Maddie.” Dwight opted to be pragmatic. “If you do it, we might run into problems with evidence chains down the line. Trust me. I’ll do it.”

  “Oh, well, okay.” Maddie took a step back but none of the tension vacated her shoulders.

  “Hold on.” Dwight exchanged a weighted look with Nick and then gripped the handle on the door. “Here we go.”

  In the back of his head, Dwight couldn’t help but wonder if Maddie was exaggerating … or even somehow mistaken. He’d seen her in action and she was phenomenal. She’d turned him from a man who didn’t believe in the paranormal to a diehard believer. What he found inside the trailer, though, was enough to shake him to his very core.

  The truck was full of young women and girls. They all looked to be under the age of twenty-five, their faces streaked with tears and dirt. Most of them scrambled away from the influx of light and Dwight knew he would never forget the pathetic whimpering sound the women made as they huddled together as a form of protection.

  “Oh, my … .” Words escaped him.

  “Son of a … .” Nick took a step away from Maddie and peered into the trailer. “What is going on here?”

  “Nothing good,” Dwight replied, his stomach threatening to revolt at the stench inside the truck. He held up his hands in what he hoped was an innocent and nonthreatening manner. “Ladies, my name is Dwight Kincaid. I’m a detective with the Detroit Police Department. You’re safe. I want you to know that. I … .” He had no idea how to continue.

  Nick was out of his element and all he could do was watch the determined police detective struggle to find the correct words to help the situation. To his utter surprise, Maddie pushed past him and placed herself at the end of the of the trailer.

  “You don’t have to be afraid.” Maddie’s voice was strong and clear. “We’re going to help you. You’re not going to be trapped here any longer. We need you to come out, though.”

  A murmur went through the women. Nick counted in his head. There had to be at least twenty of them, and that didn’t include the two prone bodies at the back of the trailer. They were covered with tarps and didn’t appear to be moving. He considered hopping into the trailer to see if they were alive, but he knew that would traumatize the women even further.

  Maddie was decisive when she turned to Dwight. “We need more women here. They’re afraid. They’ve obviously been mistreated.”

  “I can place a call.” Dwight forced himself to remain calm as he dug into his pocket for his phone.

  “Call for medical personnel, too,” Maddie instructed. “The more women the better. We need water and food. These women are clearly dehydrated and emaciated.” She turned her head to the side for a moment, staring at something only she could see. Nick was convinced it was the ghost who led her to the trailer even though he couldn’t see the girl. “We also need the medical examiner,” Maddie said after a beat. “There are two bodies in the back.”

  Dwight rested his hand on Maddie’s shoulder. “I’m on it right now. See if you can talk to them. We need to get them out of that trailer and it would be better if we didn’t have to forcibly remove them. That’s only going to traumatize them further.”

  Maddie nodded. “Okay. I … .” She didn’t get a chance to finish her thought because that was the moment Big Wally decided to start bellowing.

  “I want my lawyer right now!” he shrieked. “I’m going to own all of your badges before this is said and done.”

  The look Maddie shot him as she turned, hands on hips, was straight out of a horror movie. “This isn’t about you.”

  Big Wally snagged her gaze, an evil ripple passing through him as he glared. “Oh, this is about me. This is my turf. Everything that happens here is about me.”

  “Including human trafficking?” Nick asked angrily.

  “Human trafficking?” Big Wally sputtered. “I think you’re confused. That trailer is merely a place for my girls to take a rest between shifts.”

  “So you’re owning up to prostitution but not to illegally holding these women?” Maddie challenged.

  Big Wally shrugged, unbothered. “I’m very clearly not a prostitute. You can’t pin that on me.”

  “No, you’re right,” Maddie said dryly. “You would have to pay someone double – actually probably triple – to sleep with you so no one would ever mistake you for a prostitute.”

  Big Wally’s eyes narrowed until they were nothing more than glittery slits. “You’re going to want to tread carefully, girlie. I don’t know who you are, but I realize this is all your fault. You’re not going to like what happens once my lawyer gets here.”

  “Don’t you even think about threatening her,” Nick warned.

  Big Wally ignored him and remained focused on Maddie. “You’ve fouled things up and I won’t forget it.”

  “Oh, please,” Maddie
scoffed, rolling her eyes. “The only foul thing here is you. You get your power by hurting others. I’m not afraid of you. I’m never going to be afraid of you. So shut your mouth, swallow that hot air you like to expel because you think you’re a big deal, and worry about your own future. You’re not a part of what’s going to happen to these women.”

  “Those women are my property.”

  Maddie let loose with a derisive snort. “I can’t help but wonder whose property you’re going to be when you’re locked up in prison for the rest of your life. I wonder how aggressive your cellmate will be.”

  “You have no idea who you’re dealing with,” Big Wally seethed.

  “No, you have no idea who you’re dealing with,” Maddie shot back. “Now … go away. I’m done talking to you.” She turned her back on Big Wally and focused on the nearest girl. She looked to be young, not even eighteen yet, and Maddie offered up a kind smile as she extended her hand. “I know it’s hard, but I need you to trust me. We’re going to help you. Have faith. The good guys are here and they’re going to make things better.”

  The girl eyed Maddie for what felt like forever and Nick held his breath waiting for a response. Finally, the girl held out a tentative hand and didn’t so much as flinch when her fingers touched Maddie’s welcoming grip.

  “Good.” Maddie beamed. “Everything is going to be okay. I promise we’ll help you get through this.”

  “I CAN’T BELIEVE her.”

  Nick stood next to Dwight two hours later, weariness emanating from his very bones as he watched Maddie with the women. It took almost a full hour to get everybody out of the truck, but Maddie refused to leave the front of the vehicle until every girl was freed.

  That’s when the paramedics and mental health professionals took over. Even then, though, Maddie refused to walk away. Instead she sat with the women, offered support and as many answers as she could supply, and steadily worked her way through the crowd.

  “I can’t believe her either,” Dwight admitted, admiration practically rolling off him. “I always knew she was special but … she’s grown to be a remarkable woman.”

  “If another man said that to me, I would consider punching him,” Nick admitted. “Since you love her like a daughter, though, I’m going to let it slide.”

  Dwight snorted. “She’s stronger than she was. I used to worry about her like you wouldn’t believe. I thought there was a very real chance the world would swallow her whole at some point and there would be nothing I could do about it.

  “When she first returned to Blackstone Bay, I honestly thought that was what would happen,” he continued. “Instead she found her way back to you and she’s stronger than she’s ever been. You did that for her.”

  “No.” Nick immediately started shaking his head. “She’s always been strong. She just never realized it. She was afraid to admit who she was and that made her appear weak simply because she didn’t want to rock the boat. She’s not frightened to be who she is any longer and that allows her to be who she was always meant to be.”

  “She’s not frightened because of you. You accepted her secret and loved her despite it. You played your part in this.”

  “I’ve loved her from the moment I saw her. Sure, it was in kindergarten and I was convinced she was some sort of angel, but I’ve always loved her. I don’t feel the way I do despite what she is. I love her because of who she is. It’s always been there.”

  Dwight cocked his head. “Aw. You’re kind of a schmaltzy romantic. You know that, right?”

  Nick shrugged. “What can I say? She brings it out in me.”

  “She brings out the best in everyone,” Dwight agreed, shifting his eyes to the patrol car where Big Wally stood, his hands cuffed behind his back, and talked to his lawyer in a low voice. The arresting police officers refused to let him wander around, but they moved far enough away that Big Wally could have some privacy. “He’s clearly not happy with what the lawyer is telling him.”

  Nick followed Dwight’s gaze. “Definitely not,” he agreed. “What’s going on there?”

  “Wally wants to avoid being transported to lockup, but we’ve made it clear that’s not going to happen,” Dwight replied. “He claims that the women weren’t being held captive and they wanted to be in the trailer.”

  “I have trouble believing that.” Nick’s anger was palpable. “Two of them were dead.”

  “Yes, we pointed that out.”

  “And?”

  “And nothing.” Dwight scratched at the side of his nose, weariness threatening to catch up with him. “He’s not going to get away with it even though he has a high-priced suit for an attorney. I’m not worried about the charges sticking, although I’m going to need to take Maddie’s statement.”

  Nick recognized the uncomfortable look on Dwight’s face. “I’ll talk to her. In fact, I’ll get her now and have a discussion before we sit down with you.”

  If anything, Dwight’s discomfort only grew. “I can’t take her statement because of our relationship. People understand that I’m close to her. That means someone else is going to have to take her statement.”

  “Oh.” Realization dawned on Nick. “I’ll take care of it. I’ll make sure she knows exactly what to say.”

  “Good. While you’re gathering her, I’ll grab Annette Winston. She’s a good detective and she won’t go out of her way to make Maddie uncomfortable. Hopefully this won’t be too painful.”

  Nick understood exactly what Dwight was worried about. “I’m sure it will be fine. Maddie will understand.”

  “I hope so.”

  Nick bobbed his head before sliding around a group of medical personnel. They were calm and matter-of-fact when working with the women. It would be a long night for everyone concerned, though. Nick had no doubt about that.

  He waited at the edge of the action until he caught Maddie’s eye and then inclined his chin to get her to come to him. She furrowed her brow before whispering something to the girl in front of her. Then she politely distanced herself from the group and joined Nick.

  “I wanted to check on you.” Nick linked his fingers with Maddie’s and dragged her to a spot away from everyone else. He wanted to make sure they were out of earshot. “How are you feeling?”

  Maddie shrugged, noncommittal. “I’m not sure how to feel,” Maddie admitted. “I’m glad we found them, don’t get me wrong, but I wanted to believe ugliness like this didn’t exist. When I lived down here, it was hard to ignore the terrible things I saw. When I moved back to Blackstone Bay, though, it was easier to put the hateful nature of evildoers behind me because they were rarer up there thanks to the smaller population base.”

  Nick couldn’t hold back a wry grin. “You’ve almost died several times since returning to Blackstone Bay. Ugly things happen there, too.”

  “I know, but you’re in Blackstone Bay and you make the world a prettier place.”

  “Oh, so cute.” Nick poked Maddie’s side before pulling her in for a hug. “I’m sorry you had to see this, love, but I’m awfully glad you were here. You were the only one who could get through to those women and give them a glimmer of hope. They trusted you right from the start.”

  “I’m not sure about that.”

  “I am. You saved them, Maddie.” Nick pulled back to search her face. “You were a hero today.”

  “I don’t feel like much of a hero. Two of those girls are dead. I didn’t save them.”

  “I heard the medical examiner talking,” Nick argued. “They’ve been dead for at least twenty-four hours. They were dead before we hit town. There was absolutely nothing you could do to save them.”

  “I know that in my head. My heart, though, my heart keeps putting up a fight.”

  “Well, you can’t do the impossible, Mad. Even you aren’t capable of that.” Nick pressed a kiss to her forehead as he swayed back and forth. “You have to answer some questions from the police. You know that, right?”

  Maddie didn’t stiffen or pull away. “
I’m well aware.”

  “Dwight can’t be the one to question you. It won’t look right.”

  “I know that, too.”

  “I … .” Nick broke off and licked his lips.

  “I know what you’re worried about, Nicky.” Maddie’s tone was even. “I’m going to say I heard something in the truck and that’s what drew me to it, a whimper through the walls so to speak. I understand I can’t mention ghosts or psychic visions. It’s going to be okay.”

  Nick pursed his lips as he glanced down at her beautiful face. “You always manage to take me by surprise. Here I was worried that you might melt down or not understand and you’re already two steps ahead of me.”

  “Believe it or not, I’ve had to do this sort of thing before.” Maddie turned grim. “At least this time we had a mostly happy ending.”

  “We did indeed.” Nick smoothed her hair. “Let’s get this over with. After that, I’ll take you to dinner.”

  “That sounds like a plan. I’m ready.”

  Nick had no doubt that she was. Dwight was right, he realized. Maddie was stronger than she had any right being. He couldn’t help being unbelievably proud. She’d grown into a fantastic woman and she belonged to him.

  What more could he possibly want?

  8

  Eight

  Maddie and Nick went back to Mexicantown for dinner. It was close and neither of them wanted to wander too far out of their comfort zone. Dwight was hungry and exhausted, but he was forced to remain on scene. With little else to do, Maddie suggested picking up ice cream for the women she knew were to be transported to the hospital where she used to work and serving as something of a personal delivery service.

  Because he was curious about the life Maddie led while away from him, Nick readily agreed.

  They delivered ice cream to a few familiar faces – all of which seemed surprised and delighted to see Maddie again – and once she hit the ward and made her presence known, several of Maddie’s former co-workers – she worked as a nurse in the same hospital for years – hurried to the fifth floor to greet her.

  “I can’t believe you’re back,” Iris Banfield gushed, throwing her arms around Maddie and offering up an effusive hug. “We’ve missed you so much.”