“Yes, that is a shame.” Tina tried to keep the sarcasm out of her voice. “And I suppose you knew nothing about the secret room in your house.”
Bethany hesitated. “What’s that got to do with anything? Lots of old houses have secret rooms.”
“Really? I didn’t know that. How did you know that?”
Bethany shrugged. “I was a history major in college. It came up in class once, and I did some research.”
“Oh. So you knew the house had a secret room before you bought it?”
Bethany’s eyes shifted. “Yeah. I don’t want to talk to you anymore.”
“Something about the secret room bothers you?”
“No. No, of course not.”
Tina leaned forward. “I think it does. I think people were brought there to stay awhile.”
Bethany’s eyes widened, and she put her hand over her mouth.
“You know about that. I bet your husband told you he was helping abused women to get away from their abusers. You probably thought it was a wonderful humanitarian gesture.”
Head shaking, Bethany said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. He only used the secret room to store his guns.”
“That’s odd,” Lisbeth said. “We found the weapons in a gun safe in your home office.”
Bethany’s eyes shifted away, and she stared at the opposite wall. “When we first moved in. That’s when he used the room for his guns.”
“Seems to me,” Lisbeth said, “he had no need to buy a safe if he could hide them instead.”
Bethany didn’t explain.
Tina waited. As the silence continued, Bethany shifted in her chair. She wouldn’t look at either of them. Finally, Tina said, “I think you have been horribly deceived, Ms. McDonald. We understand your husband is unemployed. Do you really think that he’d get enough to live on by helping abused women? Who would pay him to do that? Usually, people don’t do that for money.”
Bethany’s eyes widened as they met Tina’s. “I don’t…”
“I suspect,” Tina continued, “that you don’t know for sure what’s going on. It’s not good. So, it’s in your best interest to tell us what you do know.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“I think you do. I think you’ve been suspicious and worried for quite a while now. You are not a stupid woman. Maybe you’ve tamped down your suspicions with cocaine. You probably feel trapped. The only way to open that trap is to tell us the truth, tell us what you know. Get the truth out, get yourself out. Start a new life. Because the old one is going to blow up in your face. Was the old one really that good?”
No one said anything for several long moments.
“No,” Bethany finally whispered. “No, not for a long time.”
Tina forced herself to go slow, stay calm. “What’s your husband like? Did you meet in college?”
Bethany nodded jerkily. “He was so smooth. I was such a geek. I couldn’t figure out why he was interested in me, but he finally won me over.”
Tina thought he probably wanted someone he could easily control. “Where and how did you meet?”
“We met in college. I was carrying my tray and bumped into his table in the cafeteria. The coffee splashed into his lap. He made a crude joke about his lap didn’t need heating up, it was always hot. I was glad he wasn’t mad at me, so when he invited me to sit with him, I did. He was handsome, charming, and funny.” Tears welled in Bethany’s eyes, and she sobbed once.
No one said anything. Tina thought Bethany was used to people being mad at her when she made a mistake. So, when someone was kind, she was charmed.
Bethany grabbed a tissue and dabbed at her eyes. “He lost his job over a year ago. We were going to lose the house. I was only working part time, and that job wasn’t secure, either. Then some men came and talked to Marc in his office. He bought the gun safe. We argued about that. We didn’t have the money for something that expensive. He told me not to worry, that he had a way to make money. I was scared to death he was going to deal drugs. But then he explained that he was helping an organization that housed abused women and their children temporarily until they could get settled. They could sleep in our secret room. He told me how much help they needed, that they were escaping from horrible conditions. I knew that. I was confused about how he’d get paid, but he brushed my concerns aside.”
Bethany paused to dab at her eyes again, but she’d stopped crying.
“It was worse than I’d thought it would be. Women and children came in the dead of night to our back door. Marc let them in, took them to the room. I stayed in a bedroom at the other end of the house when they arrived, but I could hear the children crying. He also wanted me to make meals for them. After about the third time, I told him I couldn’t do it anymore.”
Bethany stopped talking for a few moments. No one moved.
“He said I needed something to calm my nerves. A doctor came to the house and gave me a shot, and some pills to take. I didn’t know what to do, how to get out of it. My job wouldn’t support me, and Marc didn’t really have a job. The pills made me so groggy, I had to quit work. Marc said that cocaine would be better, that it would make me more cheerful. I finally agreed to try it. I didn’t really feel I was doing anything wrong by helping the women and children, but something about the whole thing didn’t seem right. Marc kept reminding me we were helping these people. I wanted to believe him.” She stopped talking and looked a Tina, her eyes bleak. “What’s going to happen to me now?”
Tina glanced at Lisbeth. She looked as troubled as Tina felt. “We’re going to help you, Ms. McDonald,” Lisbeth said. “If everything you say checks out, I can almost guarantee you won’t be charged with anything.”
“But I don’t understand why you had a warrant to search our house. What we’ve been doing isn’t illegal.”
“I think you know, deep down, what’s been happening in your house is not what you’ve been told. Those women and children may have indeed been abused. But they were probably in the country illegally. And it’s a federal crime to harbor them.”
“No, no, I didn’t know that. I didn’t.”
“Then why,” Lisbeth asked, “did you refuse to talk to us at first?
“I was scared,” Bethany whispered.
“Bethany,” Tina said, “the only way you can get over being scared is to tell us all you know. There are people who can help you get through this. I know it’s been a nightmare for you. But you can wake up now, to a bright, sunny future.”
“I wish I could believe that.”
“You can believe it. I’ll help you myself.” A jolt of fear went through Tina when she realized what she said. The last person she’d tried to help had committed suicide. This woman looked to be near that chasm, too. She pushed her own thoughts aside and concentrated on Bethany. “The first thing you need to do is tell us everything you know. Names of people, dates, if you can remember them.”
With an air of total defeat, Bethany said. “All right. But I know so little, really. Only what Marc told me. And I don’t think I can believe him any longer.”
Tina couldn’t argue with that. “Well, first tell us what you know for sure. Then tell us what Marc said was going on. We’ll take it from there.”
CHAPTER 54
In a monotone, Bethany McDonald gave them the names and dates she could remember. Lisbeth made notes. When she wound down, Bethany looked directly at Tina. “I’m counting on you to help me now. I can’t fix my life alone.”
“You’re smart to realize that. Do you have any family in the area?”
“Yes, but they’re not much of a family to me. They’ve very critical. I can never do anything right in their eyes. I shudder to think about how they will react to this mess.”
“Okay. We’ll figure something out. The police will give you my contact information. Can you manage to find a place to stay? I don’t recommend you go home even if the police release the house.”
“’The police?’
You aren’t police?”
“I’m a consultant.” Unpaid consultant. How did that happen? “I’m a trained psychologist, though, and I know how to find resources for you locally.” As soon as I do some research on-line. What have I gotten myself into?
Bethany looked uncertain. And exhausted. She turned to Lisbeth. “Can I go now?”
Lisbeth stood up. “Yes. We’re going to release you. You’ve been very cooperative, and we appreciate it.”
“But I don’t have a place to stay.” Panic shone in Bethany’s eyes. “Can I at least go home and get some clothes and personal items?”
“I’ll check with the crime scene team. I doubt they’re finished, though. Wait here, and I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Tina said, “I’ll be in touch. Don’t worry. We’ll figure things out for you.”
When Lisbeth closed the door behind them, Tina said, “Is it safe for her to be out there alone? Will you be releasing her husband soon, as well?”
Lisbeth frowned. “That hasn’t been determined yet.”
Hank stood by the window, watching Bethany.
“What’s she doing?” Tina went to look. The woman sat in the same position she had been in when Tina first saw her, slumped in the chair. “This is a mess. We have to worry about Sophie, and Leslie, and Brandon, and now Bethany.
“We’re getting someplace now, though. You did good in there.” Hank smiled.
“Thanks.” Tina leaned against the wall. Then a sudden thought made her straighten up again. “What about witness protection? Can’t the FBI arrange that for her? This is a federal problem, case, isn’t it? If it really turned out to be human trafficking.”
“That’s a thought,” Hank said.
“I’ll look into it.” Lisbeth watched Bethany for a moment, then started down the hall. “Stick around, will you? I’ll be back as quickly as I can.”
Tina and Hank exchanged a look. “Have a seat.” He pulled out a chair for her, and they both sat down and watched Bethany. She didn’t move.
“You didn’t tell Lisbeth about Michele and Mr. Hall.” Tina kept her voice low.
“I think Rudy has better resources to deal with that then the local police do.”
“I suppose.”
Lisbeth came back much quicker than Tina expected her to. “We’re officially off the case now. The Feds have taken over. Of course, we get to assist when needed.” Her tone sounded bitter. “They’ll be here shortly.” She stomped away without another word.
“What does that mean?” Tina asked.
“Just what you think it does.”
“Will they investigate Joshua’s death, too, then?”
“Since it may be connected to the human trafficking case, yes, they will.”
“I bet he came back here and found his own home. Maybe knew about the secret room, and tried to get inside. And maybe even did. Those clothes—for man, woman, child.”
Hank nodded. “That’s a reasonable scenario.”
“Someone found him wandering around. He couldn’t explain himself well, if at all. So, they killed him.”
Hank looked sad, and she loved him for that. “You don’t think the nice Mr. Hall is capable of killing him?” she asked. “And Michele was in New York when it happened. Or was she?”
Hank cocked his head at her. “You don’t think Mr. Hall could do it, but you think Michele could?”
“Yep.”
Hank grinned and shook his head. “My vote is for Mrs. Irene Hendricks.”
Tina thought for a moment. “She’s just mean enough, isn’t she?’ Then she shuddered. “But that means Sophie…”
“Sophie was living with a murderer. But realistically, it could have been anyone. Someone living in one of the other houses harboring illegals. Most probably whoever was using Leslie’s house again. I suspect they had a large influx and didn’t have enough places for them to stay. So, desperate, they decided to use her house again.”
“It’s all beginning to make sense now. But how do we stop it?”
Hank put on his stern face. “No we about it, doll. You’re out of it now. If it was dangerous before, it’s even worse now that we’re closer to some answers.”
“Hank, I’m sick and tired of this argument. I bet you are, too. I’m in. If the other side doesn’t know that by now, they’re a lot dumber than we think they are. The only way to make everyone safe, Leslie, Brandon, Sophie, Bethany, and me is to find out who’s behind all this and get them put away.”
Hank scowled at her, then slowly nodded, and sighed. Tina didn’t know whether to be happy or scared to death. She thought she was learning toward scared to death.
CHAPTER 55
“All right,” Hank said. “There’s nothing more we can do here.” He stood up.
“But what about Bethany? I promised to help her.”
“She’ll be here a long time now. The Feds will interview her again. And decide what to do with her.”
Tina realized Hank wasn’t happy about that. “So,” Tina asked, to lighten the mood, “will I get to meet the charming Rudy?”
Hank did that thing where he became completely still. She figured the mood had not lightened, but perhaps become even darker. Then Hank laughed. “I’d like to see that. I’ll see what I can do to arrange it.”
Tina stood up. “What are we going to do now?”
“There are two big questions left. One is, who is running this operation? And the second is, where is Sophie’s mother? We find the answer to one, we may find the answer to the other.”
“We’re going to see Sophie, then?”
“You got it.”
As they walked to the parking lot, Tina said, “You know, I’ve seen that man several times I called you about. And Michele follows us off and on. But I’ve also noticed Leslie’s neighbor, Peter Collier, shows up rather frequently. Is his house one of the ones that came up for sale this morning? I didn’t pay attention to the addresses when I forwarded the email to you.”
“I don’t know.” Hank grabbed his phone, then tapped and swiped the screen. “Here’s the list. The house number should be… No, it’s not listed. No houses in the immediate area of Leslie’s are listed.”
“Maybe he’s just the curious sort. You see any sign of Michele?” They’d arrived at Hank’s car. He opened the door for her.
“No.”
Tina glanced around. “I don’t see that man, either.”
When they arrived at the Fitzgeralds, Briana opened the door, and invited them in. Tina introduced her to Hank, and they shook hands.
“Have a seat. I’ll go get Sophie. She’s playing in her room.”
“How’s she doing?”
“Really well, for the most part. Once in a while she gets sad and a bit moody, but she soon snaps out of it. Brutus has become very protective of her, and he seems to realize when she’s unhappy. He goes and licks her face, which makes her laugh.”
Tina and Hank smiled.
When Briana came back with Sophie, Brutus at her heels, Tina was glad to see she had had a bath, her hair washed, and wore a clean outfit. “Hi, Sophie. You look nice. How are you?”
The little girl hung back, holding onto Briana’s hand. Then she grinned at Tina and came over to give her a hug. Tina held her for as long as Sophie wanted, then settled her on the couch next to her. Brutus sat down and rested his head in Sophie’s lap “You remember Hank? And his car?”
Sophie nodded. “Go for ride?”
“Not right now. Maybe later. Can we talk for a while?
Sophie just looked at Tina for a few beats, then slowly nodded.
“You like it here, don’t you?
Another nod.
“And Brutus.”
“Love Brutus.”
“I can tell.” Tina smiled. “Can we talk about your mom for a minute?”
Sophie’s face crumpled. “Went away.” She began to rock.
Tina placed her arm on Sophie’s arm. “Do you know where she went?”
Tears wel
led. “Jail.”
Tina exchanged a startled look with Hank. “Do you know why?”
“Not bad!” Sophie wailed. “Wrong, wrong, wrong.”
Tina hugged her tight. “Do you know your mom’s name?”
Sophie blinked at her, frowning. “Mom.”
“Yes. What did other people call her?”
V—Vicky.”
Hank stood up, pointed to his phone, and went outside.
“Want my mom.” Sophie whispered. Brutus stood up and licked her face. She pushed him away.
“I know, honey. We’re going to find out if there’s a way for you to see her.”
Sophie’s eyes got huge. “Honest?”
“We’re going to try. No promise. We know you miss her. How long has she been gone?”
“Don’t know. Long time.”
Tina knew even a week would seem like a long time to Sophie. She caught Briana’s eye. The woman looked as sad as Tina felt.
Sophie stroked Brutus’s head, and he leaned into her. The little girl’s eyes closed. She must be emotionally exhausted, Tina thought as she continued to hold her close. She wanted to ask if Mrs. Hendricks was Vicky’s sister, but decided they could probably find that out on their own.
When Hank came back inside, Sophie was sound asleep, leaning against Tina, her hand resting on the dog’s head.
“Found her,” Hank whispered.
“That’s wonderful.” Briana stood up and gently roused Sophie enough to walk her toward her bedroom.
“We’ll let ourselves out,” Tina said. “And let you know what we’ve found out.”
Briana nodded.
Tina walked to Hank’s Jaguar as fast as she could without jogging. Once they were inside, she asked, “Where is she?”
Hank shook his head. “Right here in Portsmouth. As Sophie said, in jail.”
Tina stared out the window. “We should have looked for her earlier.”
“I know. We got wrapped up in the problem with the illegals. I thought Vicky had left on her own, or was dead, too.”
“So did I. And I didn’t want to upset Sophie more by asking her. Mrs. Hendricks should have told us.”
“An impossible woman.” Hank started the engine.
Cluttered Attic Secrets (Tina Tales) Page 25