Risen faced the cots. “You know what’s strange?” he said.
“What’s that?” She was only being polite; Collar didn’t really care what he had to say.
“These women are from seven different countries.”
Now that bit of information got Collar’s attention. “What did you just say?”
“The women, they’re from seven—” he started.
“No, I heard that, but how?” Collar turned to the center of the room and paused before saying, “Which countries?”
“Russia, Armenia, Ukraine, Belarus, Hungary, Czech Republic, and Latvia.” He counted to seven on his hands.
Collar thought a moment. “All countries in Eastern Europe?”
“That’s right?”
“You think there’s a connection?”
“Has to be.”
Collar stepped into the middle of the row of cots, looking at each woman one by one as she spun. “They were brought over here, weren’t they?”
Risen joined her and nodded. “Go on,” he said and let her continue to break down the case in her mind.
“They were trafficked?” she said.
“They were,” he confirmed.
Collar moved to one of the cots and bent down near the woman. She studied her, stared at her face. Even rigor mortis couldn’t mask her beauty.
“That’s not all,” Risen said.
“No?”
“More women have been abducted.”
“What? Where?” Collar stood at once.
“Pennsylvania. Four more. All college-aged female athletes.”
“That would make—” Collar stopped, turning in a circle and staring down.
“Eight,” Risen said, finishing her thought.
Collar’s mouth fell agape. She knew they had their women, their specific number. It was only a matter of time before Niki and her niece and the poor other six souls would end up with a similar fate.
Risen grabbed Collar by the shoulders and stopped her from turning. “Don’t worry, we’ll find them.”
“You don’t know that.”
“You’re right, but what I do know is this.” He opened the manila folder again and handed her a sheet of paper.
“What’s this?” She didn’t even look at it.
“Read it.” He nodded down at the piece of paper.
Niki’s face stared back from the photo at Collar. Instantly, Collar looked up, a question lingering.
“We lifted the fingerprints from the pictures downstairs and found your agent’s prints on your niece’s photo.”
“Ashley?” she said.
“That’s right! Your girl was here looking at her photo. We don’t know why or what she was doing with your niece’s picture, but she was here.”
“Did you find anything in the house?”
“No. The house is clean. No sign of foul play. Only here in the barn. And we’ve got Walter’s picture plastered all over TV and the internet. We’ll find him. It’s only a matter of time.”
“It’s not just Walter.”
“Trust me, we know. I’m pretty sure the organization is using him for this barn and not just his muscle, it seems.”
“How are the women in Pennsylvania involved in this? There has to be another house, a place like this that these monsters brought them to.”
“That’s what we’re trying to run down as we speak. And we’re going to have someone on this house around the clock. When I know anything, you’ll be my first call. You hear me?”
“I do, Pete.”
He began to walk away, when Collar spoke again. “Oh, and Pete?”
“Yeah?” He spun back around.
“Thank you.”
22
Upstate New York
UNMOLESTED SNOW GATHERED in heaps atop the maple trees surrounding a manor-style house with over sixty acres of property. Three men stood guard outside, heavily armed, and as they paced, they never took their eyes off the long driveway that connected to the main road, expecting someone to arrive at any moment.
The day was cold and wet, making the guards agitated as they waited for a package to be delivered. When a large SUV turned down the driveway, the men stood at attention. They gripped their automatic rifles tight, making sure this was the right vehicle and not someone who dared make a wrong turn.
When the SUV stopped, the guards stared at the driver. A man they recognized as Mr. Ritter stepped out. “At ease, gentlemen,” he said mockingly as he hopped down from the driver’s seat and moved to the hatchback.
Two of the guards spanned outward, one along each side of the SUV, and the other moved toward Mr. Ritter. “You want to help me with this one?” Mr. Ritter asked.
The guard slung his rifle around his back and leaned into the trunk. “She unconscious?” The guard looked to Mr. Ritter. The girl was bound at the hands and feet with a hood over her face.
“She is.”
The guard grabbed her arms and Mr. Ritter her legs. They walked toward the front door of the old manor. The red door swung open. Once inside, they set her down. It was dark inside, not from the lack of natural light but because all the curtains were closed and only the yellow glow of a crystal chandelier shined in the two-story entryway.
Mr. Ritter turned to the guard and asked, “Where’s Sergei?”
“Here,” a man announced from atop the wide staircase as he stared down from the balcony of the second story. Sergei took his first step as he held onto the handrail. “I see you’ve brought me another gift.”
“I did indeed.”
“Hopefully this one will not be a nuisance like the last.”
“Sergei,” Mr. Ritter said, holding up his hand as if to say it wasn’t his fault, “you know that was a one-time thing.”
When Sergei reached the bottom of the staircase, he came close to Mr. Ritter, close enough for him to feel the warmth of Sergei’s breath. “So you say. You and your brother are supposed to have broken these women before they get to me. Boston had some fight in her.” He only referred to the deceased as the city she was found in, not knowing or wanting to know her true identity. “You know these women are commodities to me. If I’m not able to sell them off, how can I fund my business? You made me look bad with her. Make sure that doesn’t happen again, or . . .” He paused for effect. Mr. Ritter knew exactly what would happen if he made another mistake.
Mr. Ritter bit down on his lip and nodded. The woman on the floor began to writhe and moan through the gag and hood she wore. Sergei nodded to his man, who opened his switchblade and cut the rope on her feet. Sergei stepped away from Mr. Ritter and took his position directly in front of the girl as the guard stood her up and ripped the hood from her head.
Her eyes couldn’t focus on just one man, or her surroundings; in a panic her eyes moved up, then down, then all around her. When Sergei stepped closer to her, she seethed with a building rage. He tried to reassure her, calm her. “Shh shh shh shh.” He brought his index finger to his mouth. “It’s okay, child.” His own voice was calm, soothing.
Her tousled blonde hair fell across her face. When Sergei went to wrap the locks around her ear, she shook her head away from his touch. “Naughty, naughty.” Sergei looked to Mr. Ritter. “She’s not going to be a problem for me, is she?”
“Nope.”
“Now, let me see you,” Sergei said. He stalked her as if she were prey, staring at her from behind before moving back in front of her, then nodded to his man.
She sucked in air through her nose as the guard moved in front, grabbed her shirt, and tore it open to reveal her breasts set in a black bra. Tears streamed down her face.
“Beautiful. I’ve got just the right people in mind for you,” Sergei said, then turned and started back up the stairs. But he stalled and turned back to Mr. Ritter. “Excellent find. But I need more.”
“More?” Mr. Ritter stepped in front of the young woman and walked to the base of the staircase. “How many more?”
“You have three more in your posses
sion, correct?”
“That’s right.”
“Bring them all to me.”
“All?” Mr. Ritter’s tone was sardonic.
“That’s right.” Sergei dropped two steps to stand tall over Mr. Ritter. “Is that a problem?”
“No, but I . . . I have other clients who need their demands fulfilled as well.”
“I don’t give a shit about your other clients. You knew of our arrangement with your barn. I am making a similar arrangement here. But instead of leaving the girls here for men to visit, they will be taken to wherever the highest bidder wants. So, like I said, I need four girls from you and four from our Pennsylvania house. And with your recent screwup, I’m collecting your entire lot. Now go back and fetch them for me. My auction will start in three days at midnight. And if the other three girls look anything like this one . . .” He nodded to the young woman who could do nothing but drop her head in shame. “You’ll be sure to collect a hefty percentage of the money I bring in.”
Mr. Ritter grinned, eager to appease Sergei but realizing he didn’t have much of an option. “I’ll see you then.”
“Don’t be late,” Sergei said.
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” Mr. Ritter walked back toward the door.
“What do you want me to do with her?” His guard held onto her arm.
“Bedroom number one. Tie her up tight and give her a dose.”
The girl shivered in fear of the drug they were about to give her.
The guard pulled the young woman along, beyond the staircase and toward the back of the manor. Mr. Ritter looked on, staring at her one last time before she became someone else’s property, someone’s slave, to do with as they pleased. He stared not because he was concerned for her well-being; what he cared about was how much money she would fetch at the auction. When Mr. Ritter turned to retreat to his vehicle, his smile grew. He knew the other three women were just as pretty, maybe more so, so he was about to make a killing.
23
Somewhere in southern Minnesota
THE SOUND OF RUSHING water being turned on perked Niki’s interest as she sat with her head resting against the wood-beamed wall. She looked at Ashley, questioning her with her eyes to see if she’d ever heard the sound before. Ashley shook her head, also wondering why the bathtub had been turned on.
Walter entered the living area, moved toward the woman on the wall, bent down, and uncuffed her. She immediately grabbed the skin of her wrist and rubbed out the pain. Walter had regained his strength, and he bent down to pick her up. He was gentle with her, carrying her like a husband carries his bride over the threshold, back into the depths of the shack.
“What the hell was that?” Niki whispered to Ashley.
Ashley shrugged, then stared back at the door opening just as Walter returned. He walked into the kitchen area and moved to the stove to fix dinner.
“Where is she?” Niki asked.
Walter turned to her and said, “In the bath.”
Confused, she and Ashley shared a look. “The bath?” Niki questioned.
“Yes, the bath.”
God knows both missed the feeling of being clean, the feeling of warm water rushing over their cold skin. But instantly Niki became curious. “Why the sudden interest in our hygiene?”
Walter grinned deviously. “That’s for me to know and you to find out.”
Damnit. I knew there was a catch.
Now it was Ashley who became defensive; perhaps she was fed up with being tortured. “Why not just spare us the agony and tell us? She saved your worthless little life.”
Niki held up her hand to repel Ashley’s anger. The last thing they needed to do was poke the bear.
Walter spun and stared at the two women. “Mr. Ritter will be coming back.”
Niki was surprised he spoke at all.
“Coming back for all of you. To take you away.”
“Take us where?” Niki pried for more information.
He smiled again, this time putting his finger to his mouth. He wouldn’t give that part away.
“That’s what the bath is for, isn’t it?” Ashley said. “To clean us up. Make us presentable.”
Walter nodded, then turned to start the burner and warm dinner.
After a few minutes, he returned to the back of the house. This is it. I need to tell Ashley. I may not get another chance. She must know. Maybe it will help us somehow.
“Ashley,” Niki whispered, “I have to tell you something.” Ashley shuffled closer as if she didn’t want to miss what Niki had to say. “I’m a spy.”
“What?” she whispered, then peered over her shoulder to make sure Walter wasn’t listening. “What do you mean, a spy?”
“I was placed here, by your aunt.”
Niki was going to lead with her name, but truth was, Niki didn’t know Collar’s real name.
“My aunt? What does she have to do with this?” Ashley had no idea what her aunt did for a living. Nor could she have; her father never told her.
“Everything,” Niki said. “She’s the reason I’m here. I’m going to get us out of here, don’t worry, I have a plan.”
But before Niki could divulge her plan, Walter returned with the other woman. After setting her on the mattress, he moved toward Ashley. “You’re next.” He bent down to uncuff her. Niki eyed her while Walter held tight to her arm. He pulled her out of the living area.
Niki looked to the other woman, who only stared at the floor, unwilling to look up. After five minutes, Walter returned with Ashley, then turned his attention to Niki. He uncuffed her and walked her into the bathroom before setting her onto the toilet. Niki peered into the bathtub. The water was stained with dirt.
“Would you mind draining that water, it’s disgusting.”
Walter looked down at Niki, then the water. “No,” he said. “Now take off your clothes.”
Niki stared up at him from the seat. “Not until you run another bath. I’m not sticking any part of my body into that filth.”
Walter shifted his body, and he became annoyed. Niki could tell he was getting angry, so she changed the subject. “How’s the hand?”
“Fine,” he said. At the question his face softened, and he reached down to pull the plug and refill.
Once the tub was refilled, Niki stared at Walter and said, “Turn around.”
With his back to her, she disrobed and entered the water. From the moment her toes touched the warmth, for a brief moment she was transported to another place, somewhere far away from her current situation. Still turned the other way Walter said, “You have five minutes.” Then he left her alone.
At his words Niki was forced back to reality. In those five minutes, she had to devise her plan. She had to think through every possibility. What would she do once they were taken? Where would they go? Who were they dealing with? What were her own assets? What could she tell Ashley was her plan? Her and Ashley would likely be set apart. At least that’s what Mr. Ritter bragged about. He bragged about his clients, who they were and how much they were willing to pay for each of his stolen possessions. And the truth of the matter was, Niki wasn’t certain she could save Ashley or herself. She’d be forced to improvise, to react to her situation as it played out.
Five minutes passed in what felt like an instant. When Walter returned, he handed her a towel and allowed her to dry off completely before lifting the stained nightgown back over her head.
“Dinner’s ready,” he said. Then he grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her back into the living room. Instead of the women sitting on mattresses, they were cuffed to the chairs at the dining room table. “I think we should have a proper meal before your send-off,” Walter said. “Don’t you?” He grinned at Niki who stared up at him.
What’s he doing? Playing house? You sure are one sick bastard. We’re not your family, no matter what you do to us.
Niki stared at Ashley and the other woman. Fear was frozen on their faces, but Niki was relaxed. She knew better. Walter wouldn’t ha
rm her or the others; this was just his way of saying good-bye. Niki took her seat next to Ashley, and after Walter cuffed her to the chair, he moved to the stockpot and ladled the soup into each of their bowls.
The smell of the rising steam was atrocious.
“A new recipe?” Niki asked.
“Yes. It’s a surprise. Something my mother used to make us for special occasions.”
“Oh, is this a special occasion, Walter?” Niki played on his emotions.
“Of course it is. This is your last meal as free women,” Walter said flippantly, then dug into his soup.
Stunned, the three women sat motionless. “Excuse me, Walter, but what do you mean by free women? You call this situation free?” Niki said.
He blew into his spoon of soup, then looked up and said, “I do.” Then he shoveled in a bite.
Niki gulped. She didn’t want to say the next words, but she had to, for her sake and for the others. “Walter, what does that mean exactly?”
“It means, after tonight you’ll no longer be able to breathe fresh air without someone’s say-so. No longer be able to stand without someone’s say-so. No longer to be able to piss without someone’s say-so.”
Now it wasn’t fear that would stay with them but torment.
24
AFTER DINNER, AND FOR the better part of three hours, Niki sat on her mattress staring at the front door, awaiting Mr. Ritter’s arrival. She couldn’t imagine what the other two women were thinking, but by the way they rocked in place and the devastating looks on their faces, she could somewhat imagine.
Even though she had tried to put Ashley at ease with her secret, it didn’t seem to add any comfort. Niki couldn’t help but wonder if she didn’t believe her. Either way, it didn’t change their situation. Niki was still handcuffed to a bed, ready to be handed over to become someone’s property, maybe in a whorehouse, no more than a few minutes away. Even Niki had a twinge of fear, and she was trained to handle highly uncomfortable situations. She was trained to adapt to her surroundings, to come out unscathed, unharmed, but this was something she never thought she’d experience, not again. Her training with ZULU was supposed to protect her from being kidnapped by these types of men, but here she was, awaiting the wolf.
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