by Ronda Pauley
“Well, let me catch my breath a minute!”
Abbi dressed hastily and tried on the blonde wig again.
“I’m ready!” she announced.
“It’s crooked,” Louise said, coming to her fashion rescue.
“Thanks! Now you’ve passed the third test. Two out of three ain’t bad. Get ready. We’re catching a flight and going to the Organization of American States. My mother is still in Mexico, so they’re back to wanting to do an extraction. Think tooth. They’re going to try to take out my mother but leave the others.”
“So why do we go there? Why can’t they do it?”
“Remember the ambassador I talked to? We’re going to meet up with him.”
“Can’t you just call him?” Louise asked as she tugged on her skirt.
“I have pictures to show him, things we tried to explain before. Hopefully, this time he’ll listen. He seems to have his own agenda, but we need his help. You ready?”
“I am but you’re not. You need some makeup.”
“Less is more,” Abbi said, almost protesting.
“Less is more but more is better,” Louise said. “Otherwise, you’re not going to pull it off.”
“Here’s my face. Make me over.”
Before they left the room, Abbi said, “Let’s get our badges and passes in our handbags ready to use when we need them.” She was careful to check that all her mother’s notes and drawings were in the briefcase. That would be her carry-on.
THIRTY-NINE
Tina came out to the kitchen. Her old clothes felt too big on her. While she fidgeted with the sweat pants to keep them up, she realized she felt hungry but still had a stomach ache.
“Did the pizza come?”
“Last night,” her father said, touching her cheek to feel the fever. “I couldn’t wake you up. How are you feeling now?”
“Not as tired, but I could still sleep all week.”
“Here, drink something,” her father said. He handed her a soft drink. “I talked to Teresa. You may have to get hydrated at the hospital if we can’t pump you up with enough fluids. We have to flush out poisons in your kidneys and liver and let this medicine get in to do its job. Think you can help with that?”
“Sure.”
“I’ve been calling around to get a good deal on a computer. I can get a rebuilt model that has everything we need but I didn’t want to leave you to go get it. And you still have some fever. Feel like eating?”
“What have you got?”
“Crackers and mustard. You used to eat that when you were sick. Fruit cocktail. Some soda. OK?”
“Maybe. I’ll try,” Tina said.
“Later we’ll try some chicken soup or whatever you feel like you can keep down.”
Tina sat at the table, took a saltine and grabbed the mustard. Then she made a happy face on her plate like she used to. She added more mustard for hair. Finally she took a bite while her father watched.
“I think I’ll be OK without you if you need to leave,” she said.
Tina was anxious to get the computer. Months of anger had to be released, anger she never wanted her father to see.
She nibbled at the cracker and waited for her father’s answer.
“Not until we know for sure. Your fever is low-grade and just comes and goes. That fever should break, according to Teresa. I’m not so sure it’s going to. I’m afraid you’re pretty sick! How’s the cracker?”
“OK. One cracker is all I can do. I don’t want to go back to Teresa today. I just want to sleep. But I’ll drink as much as I can before I go to bed again. Mind if I turn the TV on?” Tina asked.
“That’s fine. I called in at work. They’re pretty understanding. And there are organizations that can’t wait to help out, like this here furniture. Who’d a thunk? This is nice!”
“Yeah.”
“Mrs. Hightower must have gotten the ball rolling. As soon as you’re better, we’ll get onto some of the other services they offer to help us move into our new roles. Funny, but I think this will be alright.”
“Did she call?”
“She did! Understood that you were sick and sleeping. Sounded motherly,” he said, and then turned away. “The missing touch you needed, I guess.”
“It’s OK, Daddy! We both miss Mommy. If Mrs. Hightower calls again, please wake me up.”
“Easier said than done, but I’ll try. Sure you don’t want another cracker?”
“I’m sure. Let’s see if this one stays down. I’ll try to drink more though.”
Tina took her soft drink into the living room and turned on the television. She sat on the couch and fluffed a pillow to put behind her. Then her father came over with the quilt for her and he sat in the recliner. If the furniture was used, it was gently used and had a good fresh smell.
With remote in hand, Tina settled on a cartoon show she used to like.
Before she got into the cartoon, her father said, “There was a bombing in D.C. earlier this morning.”
“Really?” Tina asked, not very interested.
“Yeah. Some people seem to think it was that group from Mexico.”
Tina felt uneasy with this. They were awful people. There must be a lot of them, she thought.
“You’re talking about the people who bought me?” Tina began coughing, feeling suddenly nervous. Maybe she could help her father get the picture.
“They bought you?”
In between spurts of coughing, Tina said, in a voice that became louder, higher pitched, “Yes, daddy. I didn’t go there because I wanted to. I was forced. Get it? Just like I didn’t get these bruises because I really wanted them. Or this tattoo or the awful way they treated me. Please try to understand! I did not try to leave you. I was kidnapped, raped, beaten, sold, photographed and treated terribly by men I didn’t know, and I couldn’t get away. I was a slave—a sex slave! Someday soon I’m going to tell the FBI all of it. Those people can’t stop me! And they’ll never find me again! Never!”
PART III
RESCUE AND RESTORE
From its inception through 2012, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies together with the U.S. Attorney’s Office worked successfully to rescue more than 2,100 children. Investigations have successfully led to the conviction of over 1,000 pimps, madams, and their associates who exploited children through prostitution. These convictions have resulted in lengthy sentences, including multiple life sentences and the seizure of real property, vehicles, and monetary assets.
FORTY
By the time the taxi dropped them off at the airport, it was early in the afternoon. Louise thought she was starving but Abbi wouldn’t allow time to stop for food.
“Not yet. Let’s get boarding passes and make sure we can get there today,” Abbi said.
“That’s going to cost a fortune!” Louise said.
“We’re good for it. Some of this money is probably from seizures the FBI has done in cases like this.”
“I’d like to think that!” Louise said. “That’s what my father does!”
Abbi glanced at her with a look that said differently.
“Well, more or less.”
When Abbi went to see about tickets, she found out they could either catch a commuter flight almost immediately or they could wait until 10 p.m. Abbi chose the earlier flight. She texted Mrs. Hightower to let her know. She also texted about Red Shoelaces II.
After checking their bags and passing security, they had to hurry to their terminal, getting to the plane just in time.
Louise, apparently aware that she had failed one test, suddenly tugged at her left ear. Boarding with them, looking forgettably plain, was Red Shoelaces II.
“You passed,” Abbi said.
“You’re OK with this?” Louise asked, obviously trying hard to look normal.
“For now.”
The phone rang. Abbi answered and just listened.
“Got it!” she said, finally. “We’re on the plane now, ready for lift-off. See you there!”
“Mrs. Hightower?” Louise asked.
“Gate Keeper with some additional instructions,” Abbi said with a smile.
Louise coughed and looked around the small plane, a nervous cough, the kind that won’t go away until you relax.
“I never liked to fly,” she said.
“Things could be a lot worse.”
Abbi was taking some of her mother’s papers out of her carry-on to study while they flew. “You ought to read this stuff,” she said.
The flight to Dulles International went smoothly. Abbi barely had time to study.
While they were landing, she saw Louise gripping the seat.
“It’s OK!” Abbi said. “Good flight!”
“Good for you! You had your nose in that report all through the flight while I had Red Shoelaces II watching every little move I made!”
“I thought you were just sitting there rigid and all white-knuckled. I didn’t know you moved.”
“You know what I mean! I don’t understand how clouds can bump the plane.”
“Neither do I, but thanks for watching out! You know your way around, Miss Soufflé. The Dulles Metro Rail will take us into D.C. If we take it to the Red Line, will we be close to The House of the Americas?”
“Pretty close. That will work,” Louise said. “We’ll have a little walking to do.”
“Right now we’re going to baggage claim and arrange to get our baggage put in storage for pick up later. Make sure you have all your badges, passes, and stuff you’ll need before we get on the metro rail.”
The girls quickly grabbed airport food--a double bacon cheeseburger and fries for Louise, and some Japanese food for Abbi--and sat down to enjoy their meal before leaving the airport.
“There’s a lot you haven’t told me,” Louise said.
“Really? How’s it feel?” Abbi asked.
“What if I need to know?”
“Information will be doled out on…”
Louise interrupted, “I KNOW! ‘…on an as-needed basis’. I’m so tired of hearing that!”
Louise growled as she sprinkled salt on her fries.
If Red Shoelaces II tried, he couldn’t be more conspicuous. He must have thought he was Mr. Invisible. He stopped to grab some fries and a soft drink and then positioned himself in full view of the girls, sitting just tangent to them so that they would be in his constant peripheral vision. He was close enough that he could probably hear them. Louise didn’t seem to notice as she lit into the loaded cheeseburger.
Finally, the meal finished and the trash gathered, Louise tugged at her ear again as Red Shoelaces II fell into place to follow them to Dulles Metro Rail. Louise looked scared.
“Thanks,” Abbi said.
“How can you smile?” Louise asked.
“Look ahead!”
Abbi was excited to be getting on this newly designed rail for the first time. Sleek and shiny, it promised to be a fun and fast ride.
“Doesn’t this look fun!?” Abbi asked.
“I suppose, for someone who like shiny fast things. For me, no, not so much.”
Abbi felt that her attempts at introducing Louise to a life of adventure were somehow lacking. Louise was afraid of everything, especially being followed.
Their follower, RSII, was ever-present. He had to be aware that Louise kept her eye on him.
Abbi mentally ran through the script she had been provided. While she silently practiced her lines, she trusted Louise to not let anything happen. When Louise fidgeted, Abbi chuckled.
“You can relax a little,” Abbi said.
“How can I relax? Why doesn’t he speak to us?”
“He probably thinks he’s not supposed to.”
The newly designed Dulles Metro rail kept its promise of being sleek and fast. Before Abbi was finished enjoying the ride, it slowed quickly for the Red Line departure. Louise was both tugging at her ear and drumming her fingers.
“You’re looking like a one-man band, Louise.”
“Just letting you know,” Louise said softly.
They exited and had a short wait to board the Red Line. Finally seated on the subway, Abbi used the commute time to reflect. Who all was involved in the operations Shoe Drop and Missing Shoe? Obviously, her mother and father, and her best friend Louise. Big Sam, Scott, Lowell--known secretly as Gate Keeper. And Nanny Fanny with her many secrets and almost fairy godmother appeal. And the amazing Miss Sobori. Who else? Various agencies and law enforcement staff! Maybe hundreds of people. All those people who were meeting at Cave Spring in the law complex. The list grew. The combined missions were way bigger than Abbi first imagined. Add to that the talk of organizing a sting operation. Mind-boggling!
She wanted her mother back. That’s why she was here. Every moment counted for the actual drop and the rescue. If a sting was possible, not just a rescue, then more children would be rescued. That’s where the ambassador could be helpful, but would he cooperate? It seemed he would rather close his eyes to maintain status quo, with all its crime and child labor, than to upset the fragile economic system in the Latin American countries.
It occurred to Abbi that any small action could have a profound effect on an unknown number of people, like when she refused to do the drop. How many people felt the ripple of that decision? What if she hadn’t refused? She couldn’t, wouldn’t even try to imagine.
Right now, she needed to delve deep to remember all of her instructions. She needed to know what to say, what to do, and how to get where she needed to be. The materials she memorized should help but wouldn’t provide everything. Mrs. Hightower gave plenty of specific travel instructions. What Gate Keeper said also helped but still didn’t complete the picture. Dig deep, she thought with her eyes closed, dig deep and try to pull it all together.
Abbi opened her eyes.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you, Louise! I’m so grateful that you’re with me!”
Louise said, “When a friend’s in need, she deserves a good deed.”
Abbi smiled.
“But this guy really gives me the creeps,” Louise said in a whisper.
Red Shoelaces was just ten feet away.
This mission might turn out to be good for both of them. It might help Abbi to get her mother back and it might help Louise to lose some of her fear, to find a new love for adventure.
Abbi turned around. Then she did something that appalled Louise. She took a deep breath and just put the question out there.
“Hello, there! Think we’ll find the missing shoe?” Abbi asked Red Shoelaces II.
Louise’s eyes grew huge.
“Good to have you on board, Miss Kowalski! We should reach our designated location soon.”
He was right on script. YES!
“I think we’ve talked before but I never really met you. Shoe Clerk, I presume?”
“Yes, my dear. Tell Miss Soufflé I’m only here to guide the way.”
Louise sighed and Abbi could see the instant relief on her face.
“Miss Soufflé, meet Shoe Clerk. He’s the one I call my guardian agent.”
“Hi! You gave me a scare,” Louise admitted with a scowl.
Abbi offered a fist-bump. Louise managed a small laugh but she continued to glare at Abbi instead of doing the bump.
“How long have you known?” she asked through clenched teeth.
“Remember that phrase, the one you don’t want to hear?”
For Abbi, it felt good to finally be in Washington, D.C., with her best friend. It felt even better to make her wait for answers!
As soon as they arrived at their stop, Shoe Clerk said, “I believe you girls can handle it from here. I’ll see you later!”
He stayed on while they left the metro.
“Thanks, Shoe Clerk! It’s been fun travelling with you,” Abbi said with a laugh and shook his hand.
“My pleasure,” Shoe Clerk said and waved good-bye.
“Me, too, but I think that took two years off my life,” Louise said.
&
nbsp; As they approached the street, Louise began pointing out things.
“Keep your hands down. You’re looking like a tourist,” Abbi said quietly. “Remember, we work here. Just talk to me.”
The girls walked toward The House of the Americas. After the fifteen minute walk, Abbi and Louise experienced some delay as they came to a crowd of people in front of the gigantic granite pillars of the building. Dwarfed by the size, Abbi and Louise both looked up to the top while they waited. By now a crowd began forming behind them. As they got closer caution tape blocked their entry while they were still several yards from the gigantic steps leading to the door. They waited outside near the National Mall until security cleared the area.
“We have arrived, but this is strange,” said Louise. “Now what?”
“Wait. See if we can get in, and hope the ambassador can still see us.”
FORTY-ONE
Abbi Abernathy sat on the curb and looked toward the granite building known as The House of the Americas, ornate and beautiful, with its huge arches. The building looked surprisingly different than she’d imagined. Caution tape barrackaded its entrance.This was the building that housed The Organization of American States in Washington, D.C. Abbi sat and wondered what caused it to be roped off. She wondered if she could still accomplish what she’d been assigned to do.
If they could get into the building, Abbi would assume her role as Miss Kowalski while Louise would be in the persona of Miss Soufflé. If they could follow their script and remain in character, they might provide a convincing argument for the ambassador’s intervention in a foreign country and thus help pave the way for a sting operation. If, however, the ambassador was corrupt, their attempt could have dire circumstances for the innocent people caught in multi-national crime.
There were things she couldn’t figure out, but Abbi knew three things: (1) she had been summoned here to this building where a powerful meeting was supposed to take place, (2) there had been a bomb attempt that fizzled earlier this morning somewhere in this building, no damage done, and the suicide bomber was now being held in custody, and (3) her mother had gone missing, kidnapped, and was somewhere in Mexico, and the two attempts to free her had failed.