by C. R. Daems
"Sorry for the short notice, Captain Martz. We found one of the missing women; however, I don't believe she will cooperate, and there are limits on how long the police can detain her on a misdemeanor charge of soliciting."
"No need to apologize. Admiral Webb was very clear that the Taranis would be operational in twenty-four hours after being notified if I wanted to remain her captain." She grinned. "He has a persuasive way of making his point." She waved off my reply. "I agree with Webb and will do everything I can to help you nail the bastards."
"Thank you, Captain," I said, feeling relieved she wasn't upset at being on call for me.
"Why do you think this woman won't cooperate? She was abducted and forced into prostitution. I would think you couldn't stop her talking."
"There is something about the criteria, and I suspect a legal name change, that makes this a well-thought-out operation. I'm afraid you and I are going to be seeing a lot of each other for a long time."
* * *
"Colonel Pannell is trying to make a marine out of me," Banner said the second night out of Eastar. "I can hit the target if I have a minute to get ready." Banner's eyes darted to where Pannell was standing.
"No, David. He's trying to make sure you don't shoot one of our security and can keep yourself from getting killed when explosive projectiles are chasing you like angry bees from a hive you just smashed with a bat."
"That image is going to give me nightmares," Banner said, frowning.
"Good. I don't like the idea of having to find another aide-de-camp. I doubt there is another one dumb enough to want the position," I said, trying to maintain a suitably thoughtful expression.
"And you'd probably give me a bad review if I got shot."
"Definitely."
* * *
"Ma'am, you have a response from Commander Devries." He tapped on his tablet and the message appeared on mine.
To: Rear Admiral Paulus
Director, NIA Stations
Court documents show that a Sophia Becker formally from Fire Rock petitioned for citizenship on Amend and a name change to Dora Cobb. The petition was approved just over two years ago. I verified that she no longer lives at the address listed on the petition.
From: Commander Devries
NIA Amend Station Chief
* * *
We entered Commissioner LaPlante's office just after noon three days after leaving Eastar. Pushing the Taranis at max acceleration, Martz had managed to shave a half day off the normal travel time.
"You made good time, Anna. It's fortunate, as the woman isn't cooperating, and she has lawyers insisting they be allowed to talk to her and to have her released under bail. A right she is entitled to under Sudan law."
"Have you interviewed her yet?"
"We started to, but she insisted on a lawyer. By law, we can continue to talk but she doesn't have to answer. We chose to stop pending your arrival and have been delaying the lawyers' access while we awaited," LaPlante said, looking clearly frustrated.
"Do me a favor, Commissioner. Interview her with her lawyers present. I'll watch from behind the one-way mirror. But delay releasing her for a couple of hours. When you finish the interview, put her in a holding cell with me," I said, and LaPlante smiled.
"That's sneaky."
"And in the best interests of her and the other women," I said, hoping that without lawyers and the police present, she might be a bit more forthcoming.
* * *
"Miss Cobb, we are considering arresting you for prostitution under Sudan law," Detective Linus said, having been briefed by the commissioner.
"Miss Cobb was in the building visiting a friend, which I doubt violates any Sudan laws," said one of the two men representing Cobb. His voice was calm and almost bored. He was the oldest of the two, with silver hair, and was dressed in an expensive tan suit. "She was not caught in the act of having sex, which isn't illegal unless you can prove she asked for and received money or an item of value for performing a sexual act. She was swept up in your officers' overzealous police action. I'm afraid you will have to arrest her or let her go, and if you arrest her, she will sue the city for false arrest." After a few more futile attempts at getting Cobb to tell the detective about her reason for being there or on Sudan, Linus appeared to give in.
"Miss Cobb, you will have to wait here while we process your paperwork," he said as he led her to the holding cell, closed the door, and locked it. I waited for him to leave the area before speaking.
"Miss Becker, I'm Anna. I would imagine your parents are going crazy with worry," I said, hoping to get a response. She whirled around and stared at me wide-eyed, her brown eyes filled with fear.
"You must be mistaken. I'm Dora Cobb from Amend," she said, regaining her composure.
"Legally that's true. But you were born Sophia Becker on Fire Rock and are officially listed as missing. Of course, you're no longer missing," I said, playing on the fear I noticed.
"Please, that would destroy my mother if…" tears formed in her eyes. "I haven't done anything wrong," she said defiantly.
"Sophia, I'm not with the local police. I'd like to help you and the ninety other women who are missing."
"You can't. If you try, you'll…destroy our lives and the lives of the ones we love." Her voice sounding like someone's dying wish.
"I don't understand." Her plea sounded more like one concerned for others than herself, which was strange given my assumption that she and the others had been abducted.
"I voluntarily signed a contract that precludes me from talking about the terms."
"Are you being paid for your services?"
"Yes. Quite nicely. I get a percentage of each contract."
"Do you have exclusive access to your account?" I couldn't help but think there had to be a catch.
"Yes, it's a major bank and only I have access."
"And if you break the contract?"
"I can't discuss that or the terms of the contract."
"Can you tell me the firm you work for?"
"Custom Escorts, Limited."
"Did you go to them voluntarily?"
"I don’t remember anything. One moment I was on Fire Rock and the next on some other planet. I don't know if they took me or had me taken or just found me—a man and a woman offered me the job."
"Were you coerced to take the job?"
"No. They gave me three choices. I chose one and signed a contract."
"Can you describe the man and woman?"
"I could but won't. I'll tell you the man was evil and liked to hurt people. But the woman…she never raised her voice and looked almost asleep most of the time, but even the evil little prick was scared of her." Sophia suddenly stood, and her face became hard. "Please don't tell anyone what I've told you. I hope it helps the others, but I'll deny I told you anything and call you a liar if you do. Telling won't help me. It could destroy me."
* * *
"Did you learn anything?" LaPlante asked after the woman had been released and exited the building with her lawyers. We had fetched coffee and retired to his office.
"Not much. She was reluctant to give me any details because it would violate a contract she claims she voluntarily signed."
"She has a contract…and works for them voluntarily?" LaPlante gave me an incredulous look. "You're joking."
"I think the contract is a legal fiction that this group would use to obscure any legal action against them and to make the women feel bound. It was one reason she wouldn't say much, but from what she did say and based on what we know so far, I think I have a general picture," I said, knowing it was one-tenth fact and nine-tenths conjecture. He nodded for me to continue. "They kidnap the women using drugs—Sophia didn't know how she got to wherever they took her. There they give her several options, one of which is to sign a contract binding her to silence and rewarding her if she agrees—"
"Rewarding her!" LaPlante slammed his fist on his desk so hard it sounded like a clap of thunder. "By making her a sex
slave!"
"Yes. She claimed she was being well compensated." I held up my hand. "Of course, I'd wager the other options were far worse." I paused for a sip of my coffee to let him consider the women's situation. "They play with their minds—you volunteered, you're legally bound, the long-term benefits are excellent, etc. And I'm sure there are other threats about what would happen if they decided to ignore their contract."
"What could they do if she came to the police and told us everything?" LaPlante asked. "We would protect her until we rounded up the bastards."
"She doesn't know where their headquarters is, or the rest of the group. And the group has a legal contract. It's her word against theirs. And what if they told her parents she was a prostitute, a willing one who was well paid and enjoyed the life?"
LaPlante sat considering the issues, possibly imagining if it happened to his daughter. "They love her and would want her home," he said, but I could see it in his eyes: the shame, humiliation, doubt, even disgust some would have. "And then there are her friends, neighbors, potential employers… The contract has a term limit and an option to buy it out, and the name change means they can disown their old life by resuming their real name. Yes, evil but clever."
"You're saying we can't do anything?" His frown made his eyes into slits that pulsed anger and hate like activated lasers.
I laughed. "No, Commissioner LaPlante. Not while I can still draw a breath. I have fifteen NIA stations whose number-one priority is finding this kidnapping ring, the cooperation of fifteen police commissioners and their resources, and UAS authorization. Together we will find and destroy them," I said and watched LaPlante nod and his face turn into an evil grin.
* * *
"How did it go?" Martz asked at dinner that evening.
"Disappointing. I had hoped a survivor would be able to identify some of the players and detail the operation." I sat pushing chunks of stew meat around my plate. It didn't help. "But it's as complicated as I first conjectured. It's sex trafficking on a very sophisticated level. Even the victims are confused."
"How can an abducted woman who is made to provide sex on demand be confused?" Martz asked, her fork with a chuck of meat stopping centimeters before her open mouth.
"Contracts, options, benefits, and consequences…" I said, then went on to explain what I had found and surmised.
"So even if we find Susan Guzman, it might not matter," Colonel Russo said softly, his voice sad.
I nodded. "Please remember what I've just shared with you is classified at the P1A level. Leaks could jeopardize our catching those responsible as well as doing irreparable damage to the missing women. That includes General Guzman." I held Russo's stare until he nodded.
* * *
"Ma'am, you have an urgent message in your message box from Commander Damon." I clicked onto my message folder and then the message from Damon.
To: Rear Admiral Paulus
Director, NIA Stations
I just received a message from Commander Newman indicating the Zaspa medical examiner has identified a Jane Doe as Dixie Banks from Westar. And another from Commander Hoffman stating the medical examiner from New Zheng identified an Amber Phelps from Holy Star. Both identifications were made using our Magic Act database.
From: Commander Damon
Eastar NIA Station Chief
"Banner, please send the following message from me to all NIA station commanders."
Please check your system's legal records for the last five years for name changes against our Magic Act database. The search is authorized under my P1A authority. Send your findings to Commander Damon, as she is responsible for maintaining our database.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Star System: Undisclosed – Decision Time
"Correct," the woman said softly, but she might as well have announced that the death sentence was an option. Maybe the death sentence wasn't the worst option, Susan mused, looking at the woman sitting across the food-laden table from her. She didn't look dangerous, sitting there totally relaxed with her eyes half closed, but she felt like the Grim Reaper in disguise. Even the evil man sitting against the wall felt it. She could tell by the way he looked at her when she talked or even changed position.
"All right, what disease do I have and what are my choices?" Susan asked, using the woman's previous example.
She gave a lazy smile and an appraising look. "I like you, Susan. You're very practical and smart." She continued to assess me. "The options are pretty much the same but with far more predictable results. There is the chemo option but with painful and unpleasant results. There is the option to let nature run its course with a potentially favorable outcome, and of course, the always-available suicide option."
Susan wondered how the let nature run its course provided a favorable outcome. "All right, I understand the suicide option. Not being religious, it ends all my options. I think I understand the chemo option. You get me hooked on something very addictive and I work for those drugs until I die mindless, debilitated, and young. But damn if I understand how the let nature option can have a favorable outcome." Susan frowned back at the woman, who, to her surprise, was clapping slowly and quietly.
"Very perceptive, Susan. Providing sex on demand will be unpleasant for a short time. You will be surprised how quickly it becomes like every other job—boring work. The difference is that you will get a percentage of the client's payment and you’re allowed to keep the tips. The result is that you will be a very wealthy woman before you're thirty. You will still be young enough to get married and have a family."
"How do I do that with…hundreds of men knowing my name and that I was a…working girl?"
"For the most part you will be an escort for men with money. They aren't all nice, but they are fools and can be manipulated. And we will have your name legally changed so all you have to do is revert back to your given name. Besides, the vast majority of the men you service will rather you didn't recognize them for a variety of reasons."
"And what's the fourth option?" Susan asked with a bit of amusement mixed with anger.
"There is no fourth option, my dear," she said, silently holding up one, then two, and finally three fingers.
"If I manage to run off with the help of one of my clients?"
The woman's smile sent ice sliding down Susan's spine, which spread to her arms and legs. In seconds her entire body was an icy cold.
"Then you will have changed your mind and decided on the chemo option. Ironically, I was wrong before when I said that option had no favorable outcome." Her smile somehow became even more evil, causing Susan's mind to whirl in chaos. "After what we do to your parents and that sweet sister of yours, those mind-numbing drugs will be welcome and the only place you will be able to find temporary relief."
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Star System: Eastar – Waiting Results
"You're very knowledgeable for someone who has never had Bridge duty," Martz said after a leisurely tour of the Taranis's Bridge and letting me explore each of the stations' controls and functions.
"I'm a Navy Academy graduate and had access to the Bridge on several ships when we were chasing smugglers, raiders, and hijackers. I thought I would love crew duty on a cruiser. The Bridge is a magical place for me," I said.
"But?" Martz asked, her eyes evaluating me with interest.
"But I wouldn't want the responsibility that comes with the position."
"Captain?" she asked.
I nodded. "Your decisions directly impact hundreds of lives and thousands indirectly."
"That's very perceptive. You may only be thirty, but you sound like someone in their sixties."
I laughed. "Maybe in a way that's true. Because of the Coaca Virus and Red's life expectancy, I'm probably the equivalent of sixty." When I saw Martz's expression, I quickly added, "Don't feel sorry for me, Captain. My life is wonderful: I have a loving home, a fantastic mother, a job I enjoy, and I get to help make the UAS a safer place to live."
"I'm
glad you're in the NIA. You're very good at chasing bad guys." Martz nodded her approval. "Do you know where you would like to go next, Admiral?"
"I guess Eastar. All of the queries I've initiated will be sent to Commander Damon to update the Magic Act database. Until I know what system or systems they are using to make name changes, I'm stymied."
* * *
"Ma'am, I've got some bad news," Stamm said as he exited the shuttle and caught up with Banner and me waiting for my security shuttles to arrive.
"I guess I can't just skip the bad news until tomorrow?" I asked, suspecting that I knew what the bad news was. My thoughts were on getting home and a quiet evening with Alexa.
"Not unless you want a really horrible day tomorrow." Stamm shrugged.
"All right; give me the bad news."
"Admiral Lulltrel wants you to stop in for a debriefing on your way home."
"That may be good news," I said to Stamm's astonishment. "If I meet with her today, I won't have to tomorrow and I can stay home."
"Good luck with that idea." Stamm grinned.
It was only a ten-minute shuttle ride to the NIA headquarters building, so I arrived at Lulltrel's conference room less than twenty-five minutes later just as Byrnes, Leyva, and Hadley were marching down the hallway.
Hadley laughed. "You should have a Taranis crew patch with as much time as you're spending on that cruiser."
"Actually, they should rename the cruiser the UAS Anna Paulus," Byrnes said with a wave.
"How about the UAS Red Krait," Leyva said.
"Or the UAS Bloodhound or the UAS Pit Bull," Hadley quipped.
We were interrupted by Spalding before we had reached our normal seats: Byrnes and Leyva on the left side of the table and Hadley on the right. We stopped and braced to attention where we stood.