Not for Sale

by Iona Morrison

  Jed exhaled a long breath. “He was dead when we left him.”

  “Wrong.”

  “Oh geez, that’s bad, man.” Jed kicked the tree he was standing by. “You know how Eddie gets when he’s mad. He was out of control. Karl and I couldn’t stop him.”

  “Did you try?”

  Jed evaded the answer. “The kid tried to run, and by now you know the rest of the story.”

  “It’s all over the news. Half the city is looking for those two vans and the three of you.”

  “I don’t know what else we could have done.”

  “Whose freaking idea was it to take the two kids off the street—in New York—in broad daylight? You guys screwed up.”

  “What do want me to say? It’s all I’ve been thinking about, and I can’t change a damn thing.” Jed ran his hands through his hair.

  “Our drop sites are hot and getting hotter. The kids can’t come here now. An AMBER Alert is showing the kid’s photos nonstop. You idiots are going to be stuck with those kids for a while.”

  “Where are we supposed to take them?” Jed leaned against the tree.

  “You’ll have to come up with a plan.” His voice was icy. “It’s your lives on the line. Did you know they found the girl? She’s alive.”

  “Oh hell, she knows what we look like.” Fear filled Jed’s voice.

  “You should have thought about that before you let her get away.”

  “Damn, what else could go wrong?”

  “Your ugly mugs are showing up on the news for everyone to see. A woman reporter broke the story on the boy. She had some kind of dream, and they brought a bloodhound in.”

  “Hell, what am I supposed to do about all this?”

  “You’re going to drive those vans north out of the city taking the back roads. I’ll meet you at our usual spot, with a couple of different vehicles. I want Lutz gone. Do you hear me? Destroy the vans or abandon them, I don’t care, but remove the plates first.”

  “What do you mean about wanting Eddie gone?” Jed held his breath.

  “Waste him—I’ll put him in the system so when they find him it’ll take the heat off us for a while.”

  “How am I supposed to get rid of Eddie? You heard what he did to that kid.”

  “You figure it out. Just get it done,” he hissed. “Get those kids, and get out of here! Jed, you’d better not let me down.” The phone went dead.

  Jed walked back toward the others. Karl and Eddie were watching over the kids playing some crazy game. “We have to get out of the city. They’re looking for the vans and watching our drop-off sites.” Jed watched Eddie’s face. “We have to take the kids with us until our next orders come through.” Jed filled them in on the details, all except one.

  “The hell you say.” Eddie’s fist doubled up. Jed wasn’t fast enough. The blow knocked him to the ground.

  “What was that for?” He picked himself up off the ground slowly, his eye already swelling up. “You’re the one that messed everything up by beating that kid.” His face hurt, and his eyes watered. Jed turned and walked away. Eddie had just made it easy to kill him, and Jed couldn’t wait.

  Chapter 13

  “It must have been something when you opened the door to the old shack and found her.” Pastor John spoke to her the minute she walked through the office door. He held the local paper in his hand, opened to her story.

  “It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.” She placed her purse down on her desk and went to sit beside him. “I wish Josh had been found earlier, though. He’s still fighting for his life.”

  “What an awful thing for his family.” His brows furrowed. “I can’t help but think of my own son. If Rick had made better choices, everything would be different now. One wrong turn can change someone’s life forever.” He shifted in the chair, glancing away from her.

  “It still has to hurt.” Jessie touched his shoulder gently. “Rick’s story would have been completely different if he hadn’t come into contact with the Harvest Club.”

  He cleared his throat. “I heard a rumor that you are negotiating to buy the book store. Will we be losing you?”

  “I am. I was going to talk to you about it as soon as I knew for sure. I’d like to continue working here for a while if you want me. I enjoy the people and would certainly miss not being here at least a few days a week.” She smiled at him.

  “Let’s see, you’re writing for the paper here in town and your old company in New York. You’re working with Matt Parker on some of his cases, you work here at the church, and you want to add running the bookstore to the equation.” He chuckled. “I’ve always heard it said that if you want to get the job done, ask a busy man. I would have to amend that to a woman. I’m sure if you want to stay, we’ll find a way to make it happen.” He looked at her and smiled. “You could consider working part-time. The board would be happy, too. They were just saying we needed to trim our budget, but talks of trimming the budget are in every meeting.” He chuckled again.

  They discussed some of the details from the weekend and she retold it again to Pastor Kevin when he came in. Everyone who stopped by wanted to talk about nothing else. Jessie was ready for work to be over by the time five o’clock rolled around. She leaned back in her chair, stretched her arms up over her head, and folded them behind her head.

  Her cell phone rang. Unfolding her arms, she reached her hand into her purse to grab it.

  “Hello, this is Jessie.”

  “Hi, Jess.” Matt’s voice came over the phone. “Could you stop by here if you’re not home already? Tom sent me his plan, and I’d like your input.”

  “Sure, I’m just getting ready to close up now. I’ll be by in ten or fifteen minutes.”

  “See you, Jess.” She couldn’t help but smile. Jessie cleared her desk off, unplugged the coffee, grabbed her purse, and walked out of the office, locking the door as she went.

  Melinda was standing in the hall. Her glasses had slipped halfway down her nose and she was looking over the top of them, as usual. “Hey, Blondie, the front door is all locked up so just go out the side door.”

  “Okay. Are you done for the day?”

  “I will be soon.” She smiled, bending over to pick up a piece of paper off the floor.

  Jessie had almost made it to her car when she noticed the dark SUV idling near the front of the church. In a blink of an eye, she saw the gun come out the window. She dove to the ground as two shots popped. It had happened so fast that by the time she looked up, it was in time to see the vehicle speed from view. She could see the scrapes on her knees and elbows. Her purse was on the ground, and the contents had scattered everywhere.

  She grabbed her phone, sat up taking slow measured breaths. Before she panicked, she calmly called Matt. “Someone just shot at me and tore off in a dark-colored SUV with tinted windows.”

  “Are you kidding me?” He cursed under his breath.

  “Do I sound like I’m kidding?” She took another deep breath.

  “Where are you? Are you all right?”

  “I’m in the church parking lot. I’m fine except for all the parts of me that hit the pavement.” Her voice was shaky. “I didn’t know I could fall that fast.”

  “Get out of sight in case they come back around. I’ll be right there.”

  Jessie gathered the contents of her purse and got into the car to wait. A few minutes later, two police cars raced into the parking lot. Matt and Gary got out of the cars.

  “Now what did I do? People are always shooting at me.” She gave him a lopsided smile as he yanked the door open. “Is this what my life is going to be like from now on when I hang out with you?”

  “They weren’t shooting at me. It’s more likely I’ll be shot, hanging out with you.” He grinned, clenching his fist. “Your articles must have stirred up the hornet’s nest, and they came to pay you a call.”

  She looked at her knees. “Wouldn’t you know it, I would have to do pavement diving on a day when I didn’t
wear pants or a long sleeve shirt.”

  “It’s a darn shame to mess up such pretty legs.” He glanced down at her bruised knees.

  “Leave my legs out of it. Don’t you have some bad guys to catch or something to do?” She felt the heat building along her neck, and the space between them was closing in on her.

  “I’m doing it right now.” He cleared his throat. “I’m questioning a victim and gathering facts. Although, I’m not sure we’ll see them again. I imagine you were being warned, and they hightailed it out of here.”

  “Okay, then, you should be on your way.”

  “Not so fast, Jess, let’s see if we can find the bullets and any other evidence. Show me where you were standing.” She stepped out of the car and walked over to where a pen still lay on the ground.

  “It was close to here because things fell out of my purse when I went down. This is my pen.” She bent to pick it up. Gary was already looking around the parking lot.

  “Did the bullet go off to the left or right of you?”

  “It felt like one just missed me.”

  “Well now, that changes everything.” He followed what might be the trajectory of the bullet and found the patch of raw wood where it had embedded itself in the trunk of tree not too far from where she had been standing. “I think we can safely say they weren’t just warning you. They were trying to kill you. May I offer you a word of advice?” His expression was grim. “Start carrying your gun so you can shoot back. Be aware of your surroundings.” Gary found a second bullet a little farther back on the asphalt, a 9 mm round.

  “I saw the car, and I saw the gun come out the window or believe me, I wouldn’t be standing here.” She rubbed her arms. “Don’t go getting any bright ideas that I need anyone watching me every minute of the day. I know how to use a gun now. I don’t relish using it, but I will.” She put her hands on her hips and looked him in the eye. “It might feel little awkward at first, but if push comes to shove I could do it to stay alive.”

  “I won’t put anyone on you for protection unless they try something else, but I’m glad I left one on Abigail and her family for a few days.” He looked puzzled. “I knew they would be coming back into the area again. I didn’t think they would try to hit you. Are you going to be okay?”

  “It’s a little disconcerting to be shot at twice in less than five months, when it had never happened once in the twenty-six years before this.” She walked back toward her car. “I guess this is my new normal.”

  He opened the door for her. “I don’t want any harm coming to you. I’ve just gotten used to thinking of you as my girl.” He laughed when she groaned.

  “You’re not going to let up, are you?”

  “I believe that’s my plan, and if you remember, I told you right up front how it was going to be.” He started to close her door but stopped midway. “I think you need to be at the practice range nightly for a while. I want you comfortable with your weapon.” He paused again. “Move over. I think we should go by Abigail’s and make sure they’re okay. I’ll bring you back here to pick up my car and follow you home just in case they’re still in the area.”

  Matt could shift from playful to serious in a matter of seconds. She knew he was every inch the cop right now. She had to admit she liked it when he took charge, just a little.

  Jessie was relieved that Abigail was fine. When she finally got home, she was happy to be there. Dressed in a pair of comfortable sweats and slippers, she sat down at her computer. Somehow, she wanted to find a way to do justice to all the people taken and sold into slavery in the world’s human trafficking market, people who unlike Abby would never see their homes again and were lost to their families forever.

  She stared at the blank page for a long while. Words weren’t formulating right, and she found herself writing a sentence and then deleting it. Someone had tried to kill her, again. That was the most pressing thought in her brain. They were back in the area. Were the kids here, also? Tom said the FBI was watching some places in New York. Maybe it had gotten too hot in the city.

  She needed to think. If Matt thought she was in danger, he would camp outside her house. She smiled. She couldn’t catch her breath when he was around. He made her nervous and off balance. Okay, new plan. She would practice at the gun range daily and get used to her weapon. She was in over her head, and this was no game. She had to think like a cop, not just a journalist or a secretary. It had to be a part of her nature if she wanted to live.

  Chapter 14

  “I can’t believe you missed her.” Jed looked in his rear view mirror for the umpteenth time.

  “I did the best I could with the car moving.” Karl wiped the sweat from his brow. “I’ve never shot at anyone before.”

  “Yeah, yeah, whatever…” Jed slowed down to make the turn on to the dirt road. “I hope it scared her, at least. Maybe she’ll keep her damn nose out of where it doesn’t belong.”

  “I’m glad I missed her, Jed. I’m no killer.” Karl stared out the window.

  “You’re an idiot. What do you think happens to these kids? Maybe we don’t murder them, but we sell them. What kind of people do you think would buy kids? Do you think that they all grow up nice and happy like our kids?” Jed glanced in the mirror again. “I try not to think about it, ever!” Karl didn’t turn.

  “You’re dumber than a door post.” Jed laughed. “There’s no way I can stop thinking about it. Every time I see my kids I’m reminded.” Jed slowed down. His back ached from the constant vibration and bumps. “Hell, we’ll need another car. We won’t be able to drive this one anywhere near town. She might have gotten a good look at it.”

  “I wonder when they’ll find our friend.” Karl fidgeted with his seatbelt.

  “Soon, and I hope it takes some of the pressure off of us.” Jed looked at Karl. “Could you sit still? You’re worse than a damn kid.”

  “I don’t know why I’m so nervous.” Karl glared at Jed. “Anyway, I’m glad they took the kids for a little while. At least it’s quiet enough to think for a minute.”

  “There’s no way we could have killed Eddie with all those brats running around.” Jed rubbed his temples.

  “My wife acted strange last night when I talked to her. She kept asking me if I was still out of the country.” Karl frowned.

  “She probably saw the mug shots on the news and thought it looked like you.” Jed chuckled. “My wife doesn’t answer the phone at all. I guess that part of my life is gone for good.”

  “What are we going to do, Jed? We’re not murderers, not really. I mean if you don’t count Eddie.”

  “I can’t believe you’re so naïve, Karl. We’ve destroyed so many lives; hell, we took their kids. Where have you been living, man? You’ve been taking the money.” Jed pulled over to wait for their contact. “They should be here with the brats soon.”

  “I don’t want to face it. I feel bad about everything I’ve done.” He stretched his arms over his head. “It’s damn depressing to me. I want to believe that I’m a decent person.” Karl took off his seatbelt and opened the door to stretch his legs. The minute he opened the car door, the glass exploded inward and a bullet struck him. He fell forward out of the car, arms and legs splaying, then sprawled face down in the dirt.

  That low-life had set them up! Jed felt a crushing tightness in his chest. No wonder he’d offered to take the kids off their hands. Killing Eddie was just a ploy, a set-up to kill them all. Jed gunned the engine, wrenching the car around as more bullets hit the SUV. The passenger door slammed closed, but didn’t latch. His mind was screaming at him. Too many bullets for just one shooter. A side window shattered, then the rear window. Somehow, he managed to get out to the highway alive. He could feel the bile rise in his throat as he gunned the engine, and he forced himself to breathe deeply. Think, think—he had to come up with a plan. He ground his teeth. All right, he was going to outsmart them and take them down with him. First thing he needed was a different car and a place to lie low. He knew the area w
ell. He had been all over the area often enough as a kid looking for the next place to party where the cops couldn’t find them. He smiled grimly. He knew just the place.

  He braked hard, pulled off the road on the other side of the highway, and drove behind a bunch of tall bushes, branches clawing at the side of his car, then hid his vehicle. He pulled his Glock from its concealed holster under the seat and checked the magazine. Full. He nodded, his face grim. Crossing the road, he concealed himself among the scruffy bushes so he could watch. He rubbed his arms to keep off the chill. Why hadn’t he grabbed his jacket off the seat? Karl was dead. His stomach churned.

  Hell, he had just made fun of him a few minutes ago. Karl never really had the stomach for this line of work. Jed had kept him around only because they were friends. Damn, he blinked hard. Swallowed. Jed kept his eyes peeled. There. Dust. He remained out of sight, watching two vehicles get closer. He held his breath as the two vehicles stopped a few feet away from him.

  “Which way did he go?” One of the drivers jumped out of the car.

  “I don’t know. He cleared out too fast.” The second man stepped out of his car.

  “I was so sure we would get them both.”

  The first man walked toward the other. “No one told me when they hired me that we would kill people.”

  “Not you, man, you’re just along for the ride. The boss won’t be happy that Jed’s not dead along with the other two.” He turned and spat. “I’ll be damned if I’m going to tell him. Let’s split up and keep looking.”

  “What are you going to tell him?” His eyes darted around the area.

  “There’s nothing to tell,” the taller man said. “I won’t fail. I always get my man. He’s dead.” He glared at the other man. “I’ll head back toward town. You go in the opposite direction, and we can meet back up here in about an hour. He’ll be looking for a different car so you’ll have to keep your eyes open. Don’t touch him. You call me. He is mine. Do you hear me?”