She leaned forward. “They’re not just shipping the women and children out. The head guy has a small group of women hidden nearby. He uses them for sex and porn videos. Sells ’em underground totally separate to the money he collects from La Em.”
“This guy,” Emily said, “Is he the only one having sex with them?”
She shook her head. “According to what Chris’s friend, Wesley, found out, there’s at least one other guy who does and the main man films him in action. And sometimes the two of them kidnap a man and make him perform with the women.”
“Am I the only one who has lost her appetite?” Emily asked.
“Me too.” Maggie flopped back on the sofa. “Where is the place he keeps them anyway?”
Cindy shook her head. “Wesley hasn’t found out yet. But he said his informant said the head guy, the kingpin, brags he keeps them in a place that would surprise and shock locals.”
Blue rubbed his forehead. “Wouldn’t take much. I’m already horrified. I don’t guess the informant knew who the kingpin is, did he?”
“Nope.” Cindy slapped her knee. “Sure as hell wish he had, ’cause I’d be on my way over there to give him an offer he couldn’t refuse.”
“Wait a minute Dirty Harry,” Millie told her. “After our run-in with the law, I suggest you cool your heels and let them do the arresting.”
“I’d arrest him, all right. Cardiac arrest when I shot him in the dang heart.”
Maggie’s eyebrow shot up. “You start talking like that and I’ll find and hide your gun.”
Cindy waved her off. “You know I wouldn’t really, but I sure do want to blow the horn on the lowdown snake’s belly lecherous shit.”
“I just feel sorry for those poor women,” Emily said. “He doesn’t do anything like that with the children, does he?”
Maggie stared at her. “Are you kidding? If he’s not doing that to them here, what do you think’s happening to them when they’re sold?”
Emily nodded, her gut convulsing. She struggled to keep everything down. If she had to hire a bodyguard for him, so help her God, Carlos would never be alone.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Nick shuffled the closed pot as corn pinged inside and Carlos’s eyes almost popped out of his head. “You mean your mama and papa never did this to popcorn before?”
He shook his head. “They never did it at all until a lady was throwing out her micro thing. So we got one.”
Nick grinned. “You’re in for a treat. We already have the melted butter.” He winked. “You just wait. This is the way I used to have it when I was a kid. But my dad did it over a campfire.”
“Campfire?” he asked.
Nick paused. “Haven’t you ever been camping?”
He shook his head, his forehead wrinkling. “I don’t know what it ees.”
Nick kept shaking the pot. “That’s when people put up a tent and sleep in it on the ground. Then they wake up and start a fire with twigs and stuff and cook out under the sky.”
“Ah, Nick.” He grinned and smacked his head, like he did when he was trying to convey he understood. “We used to do that all the time.”
“You did?” he asked.
Carlos smiled. “We lived like that for long times places.”
Nick’s heart plummeted to his toes. The kid had been dirt poor. Probably didn’t even get enough to eat sometimes. But here he was, all smiles, without a grudge, despite the cards the world had dealt him. And if he had anything to say about it, Carlos was going to get dealt a Royal Flush.
“Well, Carlos, I was thinking about something a little different. But we’ll do it sometime and you can see.”
“Okay!”
“Well, my little man, looks like it’s done.” Nick opened it up and watched as Carlos peered over the side.
“Ay Chihuahua, pot’s full!”
Nick nodded. “Now, get out of the way, and I’ll pour it in the big plastic bowl and then we’ll pour butter over it.”
Carlos clapped his hands. “Nick, this ees the best ever.”
“I think so too, buddy.” He leaned over and hugged him. “Let’s do this man thing once a week. What do you think?”
He grinned his agreement. “You think Emily won’t mind?”
“No, I don’t think Emily will.” He turned Carlos around. “Go sit down in the family room, and I’ll bring it to you.”
Once they were seated, Nick turned the TV on. “I got a guy film. All fighting and adventure.”
Carlos reached over and grabbed a hand of popcorn. “Nick?”
“Mmm, hmm?”
His eyes were wide and serious, focused on Nick. “This ees the best time I ever had. And if something happens, ees okay. I won’t ever forget.”
Nick blinked back sudden tears. This kid made him turn on like a faucet. And he hadn’t cried before anyone since he was a kid himself. He leaned down and kissed the boy on the cheek, then looked him in the eyes. “Nothing’s going to happen, Carlos. It’ll be okay.”
Carlos, sighed a deep agonizing one, momentarily closing is eyes. “I hope so, Nick. I really, really hope so.”
“Just believe, okay?”
He nodded.
Less than three hours later, after Nick had carried the sleeping boy upstairs, he was still milling through the child’s words. Could he live up to his promise to Carlos? He hoped so. Because letting that little electric light bulb of happiness out of his life would throw him into deep depression. But, with things getting complicated beyond expectations, he had no way of knowing if he could make it come to pass.
The door opened to the house. “Hello, we’re home.”
Emily entered the family room with Millie and Grady behind her. “How did your man cave night go?” she asked.
“Great.” He said. “Carlos loved the popcorn and screamed at the TV the whole time we watched the movie. I think he spilled a little bit of chili on the rug.”
“Think?” She stared around the rug and spied a huge blob of brown he already knew was there. “Oh my Lord, so much for sneaky spills! Did he dump his whole plate?”
“Just half of it.”
Millie stared at him. “Spill aside, you don’t look too happy about all of this. What’s up?”
Nick exhaled sharply. “That little boy is so scared of believing he’s here to stay he won’t let himself really enjoy everything as he could.”
Grady exchanged glances with Millie. “Are you sure you’re not talking about yourself and not him?”
****
Nick brushed the hair out of Emily’s eyes as she lay, head in his lap. “You have the prettiest eyes I’ve ever seen.”
She snickered. “Thanks, but there’s nothing remarkable about them. You just want to get me in bed.”
“That too.” He nodded. “But I mean it. When I first met you, I thought how all-American and untarnished by society’s image of too much make-up and false persona you were.”
“Well, thank you,” she said. “I thought you were an all-business nonsense Taylor clone with very sexy eyes and a to-die-for mouth and teeth.”
“Is that a compliment?”
She laughed. “Yes. I love my brother. And if he doesn’t appreciate how tenacious you’ve been through this whole publicity thing, not to mention the mess with Caldwell, well, I’ll smack him.”
“Yeah,” he said. “I can see that’s real love.”
“It doesn’t mean I don’t set him right when he needs it.” She grabbed his hand. “Listen, Blue said be ready for Caldwell to come see you no later than noon tomorrow.”
“Did he tell you what he did?”
She nodded as she sat up. “He told me what his game plan is. Told me he’d do it tonight or tomorrow morning.” She explained about calling in the marker.
“How can one man have his finger on the pulse of everything going on here and have leads that can find things, like his Chris connection to, well, you know.”
Emily grinned. “Yeah, I know. He’s just a rare bree
d. Educated, but most of time pretends he’s not, wealthy though he won’t say how and swears it’s not all Maggie’s money, and a former moonshiner, the highlight on the word former, who can cross from the illegal trades to the straight and narrow. A man for all seasons.”
“Well, I have to thank him big time.”
“We found out something else tonight.” Emily frowned. “That sex and labor trafficking ring has another wrinkle. It seems there’s a small group of women being held here and used as sex slaves and porn stars.”
“What?” Nick straightened up in his seat. “You’ve got to be kidding. This town is too small. How could anyone hide that?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know. Chris’s source said the head guy brags the location would surprise and shock the locals.”
He smirked. “Maybe it’s located somewhere on Heaven’s Gate property.”
Emily shifted, leaning up against him. “I don’t think even Luke Lincoln’s that low.”
Nick exhaled. “Well, someone you know is, so you better be careful being in a room with anyone you don’t trust with your virtue and your life.”
****
“Here’s a release on the stop work order.”
Nick turned to see Yancey Caldwell standing behind him at the worksite, a rolled up piece of paper clutched in his hand. “I see,” he said, grinning. “I suppose you discovered there was tampering done by an outside party at the worksite?”
“Oh there was tampering, all right.” His eyes were mere slits as he sneered at Nick. “Look. Blue knew how to win this round. Lucky you know him. But you don’t have that many friends in this town, and I was born here.”
Nick shook his head. “I’m sure there are a lot of people around here that are very sorry about that.”
“Don’t try the flattery, Nick. We both know I hate Taylor’s guts. By association alone that makes you dead meat. But the truth is I don’t like you either.”
Nick stared him down. “Good. I’d just hate it if I despised you and you liked me.”
“I’ve had enough of this conversation.” He spit on the ground as if trying to defile it and Nick himself. “I suppose this round goes to you, buddy boy, but a marker is just that. A marker. One time use, no longer valid. Anything else happens, I gotcha.”
“Are you threatening me?” Nick asked. “Hey, Grady,” he screamed. “Can you come over here for a minute?”
Grady left the worker he was talking to and rushed over. “Yeah, boss?”
“Grady,” Nick said, “This is Yancey Caldwell.”
His friend’s eyes filled with laughter. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Caldwell. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Caldwell’s eyes remained as slits. “I’m sure you have.”
“Mr. Caldwell,” Nick said, trying to hide the amusement in his voice, “was just explaining to me that he was going to get me if anything else happens that he could nail me on.” He stared at Yancey. “I know I paraphrased. But is that the gist of it?”
He laughed. “You must think I’m crazy to say yes. Just keep everything by the book and we won’t have a problem.” He turned on his heel and stomped away.
“Formidable enemy,” Grady said.
Nick shook his head. “Naw. Just a bully with too much power.”
Grady smacked Nick on the back. “They’re the ones you’ve got to watch, my friend.”
****
“How come you wanted to meet here for lunch instead of the pharmacy?” Emily sat down at Carolina’s kitchen table.
“Here,” she said, handing a cup and saucer to Emily, “homemade vegetable soup and a toasted cheese.” Carolina sat down across from her. “I didn’t want anyone to hear us talking about what Andy and I did last night.”
“Did you go to a movie?” She chuckled.
“You know good and well I followed your advice.” Her eyes twinkled.
“How did he take it?” she asked, taking a bite of soup.
“He didn’t know what was happening first,” she told Emily. “He came home all dragging in, loosened his tie and yawned. Then he said, ‘What’s for dinner?’”
Emily put down her spoon. “Your response?”
Carolina trilled in laughter. “I said, me, but appetizers are served in the kitchen. It took him a couple of minutes to digest. Then he answered, ‘You’re on the menu?’”
Emily nodded. “He always was sharp. Nick would have probably thought I said meat.”
“He would not,” she said. “After all, the striptease was originally his idea.”
Emily nodded. “You’re right. Go on.”
“So he followed me into the kitchen and I told him to sit down while I whipped up the perfect appetizer and then I began to strip.” She leaned forward. “That part about licking your finger and then drawing it down your body? I never even made it to my vagina before he’d scooped me up and took me to the bedroom.” She sighed. “We didn’t eat until midnight. Poor thing’s probably dragging today.”
Emily heard her cell phone go off and she pulled it out of her pocket. “Hello? Andy, didn’t expect to hear from you. I’m having lunch with Carolina and…” She paused and then stood up. “He what? You don’t know where he went? But you know how dangerous…another boy too? Did you call the sheriff?” She nodded. “I’ll call Nick and we’re on our way.”
She hung up the phone. “Andy says Carlos is missing. He didn’t report back to class after lunch and another boy is gone too.”
Carolina stood and walked over and hugged her. “Look, he could be fishing in a creek, cutting school. I don’t know since I was only down here when I was off from school, but you’re bound to have done it. I sure did.”
Emily nodded. “I know you’re right, logically. But we told him never to go anywhere unless we said it was okay. So, that means he was either really worried about something, maybe the other boy’s safety, or he didn’t have any choice.”
Carolina rubbed her back. “I’m thinking cutting school right now, trying to be positive until we know better. Think that way, too.”
Emily nodded. “I only wish I could. Gotta go.”
****
Nick met her at the school, his forehead furrowed and his eyes dark with concern. “I can’t believe he’d do this. Especially after last night.”
“Maybe he didn’t.” Emily reached out and stroked his face. “Maybe something happened.”
He shook his head. “I’d rather be annoyed because another little boy talked him into skipping school. I’m sticking to that for now.”
Andy met them as they walked down the hall. “Look, Cal is on his way, and Quent’s already checking the woods behind the school. We’ll find him.”
Cal strode up to them. “Look, folks, we already have two more deputies the sheriff called in patrolling around asking questions and checking anywhere they think kids might have gone. Don’t worry. Climax isn’t that big.”
“It’s big enough to hide a bunch of sex slaves,” Emily said.
“What?” Cal’s jaw dropped. “What are you talking about?”
“A friend of ours told us he had a source who knew there was a sex ring here,” Nick said. “Somebody I knew, um, in college. And some of the women are being held either in Climax or nearby.”
Cal rocked and forth back on his feet. “Even if it is true, it doesn’t have anything to do with kids.”
Emily shook her head. “They traffic the stolen kids out of here.”
He placed his fist on his hip. “I keep giving you all my information and you’ve been holding out?”
“No, Cal. I just found out.” She bit her lip. It was partially true.
Cal exhaled. “Okay. We look for buildings too. Don’t suppose this source knew where that was, did he?”
Nick shook his head. “Just that it would surprise and shock the locals.”
“Boy, howdy, he had that part right.” He nodded. “Now look, don’t pull a Nancy Drew, Em, and decide to start looking yourself. For once in your life, let the departm
ent do its job.”
“Okay, Cal, I hear you.”
He strolled back down the hall, hitching his belt.
She stared back and forth between Nick and Andy. “I heard him. Didn’t say I was going to follow his advice. Where do you want to look?”
Andy shook his head. “I can’t leave until school lets out, but I’m game if you tell me where you want me to check.”
Nick stood, his fist under his chin, a faraway look in his eyes. “Okay, I think we should start with any nearby streams. Andy, you know where they are better than I do.”
He nodded. “Okay. No problem. Carolina can help.”
Nick turned to Emily. “Let’s go back to that trailer park where he used to live. The other little boy is from there, and my Spanish isn’t too bad. Maybe someone will talk to us.”
Minutes later they parked in front of a small group of trailers outside of town. “Nothing but squalor,” he said. “I can’t believe somebody even charges rent for someone to stay here.”
“True.” Emily opened the door. “Let’s see what kind of slum landlord or lady’s in charge.”
They walked up to the trailer marked, “Rent here,” and knocked. A woman still in curlers at three in the afternoon opened the door. She blinked twice. “Who are you two and what are you doing here?”
“We’re looking for a little boy who used to live here,” Emily said. “He and a child named Jésus Martinez disappeared from school.”
She rolled her eyes. “Carlos’s parents ditched this trailer park a few weeks ago. As for Jésus, his mother ran off, who knows with whom, and his dad just apologizes for being late with the rent. These people aren’t dependable. Why are you looking for them? Did they steal something from you?”
Emily surged forward. Nick pushed her back. “Just so you know, Carlos’s parents were found dead, bricked into the back of an abandoned house.”
She shook her head and crossed her arms. “Druggies. Probably got caught.”
“Why you,” Emily flailed her arms, and Nick stepped in front of her. “My wife is overcome with worry. Carlos is our foster child.”
The woman blinked again. She fished in her pocket. “You don’t mind if I smoke, do you? That’s an earful.”
Unforgettable Heroes II Boxed Set Page 146