Walter’s face clouded over, and he seemed to resort to his normal stoic temperament. Deborah glanced at him, then spoke for both of them.
“It has happened before? We didn’t know anything about it. We’ve done nothing wrong, and all we do is try to help these kids. We can’t explain how someone knew when the girls were leaving here, but we had nothing to do with it.”
Her voice was firm and steady, and her steely glare was directed at me. I felt as if I’d betrayed a friendship.
One of the detectives checked his phone, then addressed Tom. “Okay, we put a BOLO out on the van. Unfortunately, the tags come back to a stolen Mazda, and the owner is not under suspicion. That means we have no ID on the driver. What descriptions can you give us?”
Tom said, “I’m fairly certain the one guy I saw in the back was Caucasian. I’d say dark hair—maybe curly. Tan slacks and a blue open-neck shirt. That’s about all I got.”
The girl who was almost abducted and had spoken with the man concurred with the description, adding that he looked mean and scary with a scar alongside his mouth. She said before he grabbed her, he asked how much she would charge for a blow job in the van.
The detectives asked for ID, but none of the girls carried any. They reluctantly gave what they swore were their real names and admitted they were living at the Green Door. One of the girls had a phone, and a detective looked through the contacts and call history. Apparently not finding anything unusual, he handed it back to her.
He explained that since we’d all discussed the events, they would take preliminary statements from each of us here. Later, we might be asked to come to the station separately to provide more detail. He pulled out a small recording device and placed it in the middle of the table.
We reiterated our stories. Then the detectives focused on the girls. When asked who knew they were coming to the deli, one admitted she told another girl at the motel that they were going to get something to eat. She explained that they had very little money between them and hoped the Strohmayrs would be generous. She looked sheepishly at Deborah.
“And I was, wasn’t I?” Deborah said quietly with a slight twitch at the corner of her mouth.
The girl was reluctant to say anything else, but the detectives told her in clear terms that she could be arrested for withholding information. Finally, she gave a name—Banu.
Standing beside me, Tom sucked in a breath and grabbed my arm.
33
Lorraine Parkins sat at the dining table in the office yurt, completing paperwork. She was also trying to have a conversation with her assistant but was becoming exasperated with the woman. She watched Lucy fill a glass with water, then return painfully back to her seat. Lorraine noted that she was beginning to look much older than her age. Lately, she seemed to shuffle when she walked, slightly bent over at the waist.
“Look, Lucy, I’m very troubled by reports that kids from downtown refuse to come to the shelter. I’m just asking if you know any reason why that is happening. I’ve got this list from child services of kids they recommended for us. Five of them never showed up for their intake interview. A case worker told me some of the girls were afraid to come here but wouldn’t say why.”
Lucy shrugged and sipped her water. “I have no idea. How would I know what these kids are thinking? We need to call a plumber for number 3. The sink keeps backing up, and I’ve tried to work on it, but it keeps happening.”
This type of change in subject when Lorraine was trying to have an in-depth conversation was becoming the norm. Not only that, but Lucy’s work habits were deteriorating. From time to time, she left in the middle of the day, often returning a couple of hours later. At first, Lorraine believed her when she said she didn’t feel well or had doctor’s appointments.
But now she sensed that something else was going on that Lucy would not discuss. Before Lorraine took a chance on hiring her, the woman had nothing. She was deeply in debt and reeling from a failed marriage, which hadn’t been much of a success to begin with. She also had problems with her daughter, which consumed her energy during the first few months of her employment.
Then she stopped complaining about the girl. In fact, she didn’t even mention her anymore. Gradually, Lucy was becoming even quieter than usual. Never very forthcoming with personal information, lately, she’d been virtually silent unless it was absolutely necessary to discuss work issues.
“Okay, I’ll call a plumber right after we finish talking. You know I’m concerned about you, right, Lucy? If you’re having a health issue or financial difficulties, you don’t have to be afraid of losing your job. I just need to know what is distracting you from your work.”
Lucy shifted in her seat and looked beyond Lorraine to the door as if she wanted to bolt out of the yurt. Lorraine pressed on.
“By the way, how is your daughter? You haven’t mentioned her in a while, and I wondered how she’s doing in school.”
Lucy’s eyes shot back to Lorraine, and she appeared to be collecting her thoughts. “She’s doing fine. Very well, actually. She’s getting good grades and hasn’t given me any trouble at home in weeks. Her earlier problems seem to be over.”
Lorraine noted that Lucy could not maintain eye contact and was fidgeting nervously. The glass of water she was holding shook when she brought it to her lips.
She wanted to accept Lucy’s attempt at an upbeat response, but she was no pushover. With years of experience listening to bullshit coming out of the mouths of kids who were either in denial or outright liars, she’d heard it all. A wide gap existed between Lucy’s words and her recent depressed mood, and Lorraine suspected it was all about her daughter.
“Lucy, I’m glad to hear that, but I hope you know you can confide in me if you’re having a rough time. I mean I care about you and wonder if maybe you’re not telling me something important that’s going on in your life. I’d like to help.”
Lucy stood up so abruptly that her chair almost fell over backward. She glared down at Lorraine.
“I’m fine. I keep telling you that. Why won’t you leave me alone? You’re my employer, but my personal life is none of your business.”
As she headed out the door, she added with a sarcastic tone, “I’ll work longer hours to make up for the times I have to be gone.”
34
The police were investigating the near abduction outside the deli, and Tom and I needed to stay out of the way. Despite Curtis’s warning about going back to the motel, I couldn’t shake a heavy burden of responsibility.
“Tom, I can’t help it. I’m going back down there to check on Banu one more time. I can only imagine how frightened she’ll be when they question her. You know she had nothing to do with what happened. You don’t have to come along, though. We’re not supposed to interfere, and there’s no point in both of us getting in trouble.”
He stared into my eyes with a stern expression that soon softened. “Darcy, I should talk you out of that. If we’re not careful, we’ll end up being arrested for obstruction. But I understand how you feel. I can’t sit around doing nothing either. I have to talk to her again. Besides, as always, you’ll do what you think is right. And there’s no point in arguing. We’ll both go.”
I felt such a rush of emotion for Tom. Without a thought about impulse control, I put my arms around him and kissed his cheek. “Tom, you are so good. I don’t have words to express my appreciation.”
I drew back in time to see an odd fleeting look—sadness and something else I wasn’t sure I wanted to analyze. With an embarrassed blush, he took a step back and sized me up.
“You and Mick are the best friends I’ve ever had. All the crap we’ve been through makes it feel like we’re family, you know? I love you, Darcy. There’s no point in denying it, but it will never be anything other than friendship.”
“I know, Tom. I feel the same way.” I did, and I realized that being a little out o
f sorts with Mick was causing me to compare the two men and their reactions to me. Recently, Tom was coming out a little ahead, but he wasn’t in love with me or worried about me in the same way Mick was. I had to get my emotions in check and promised myself to have a long chat with my husband tonight and head back to DC pronto.
We waited until seven before entering the mission again. We were becoming regulars at Ping’s establishment, and he seemed to take our visit in stride. Banu was there, sitting alone. She looked up and smiled broadly. I didn’t see Ping and assumed he was in the back.
Tom asked if the police came to question her, and she nodded.
“Ask about kids go deli today. I tell don’t know. That all. No want trouble.”
“Did you tell anyone else where the three girls were going?”
I could tell she was holding back, presumably because she hadn’t told the police everything. Finally, she said, “Other girl, but she not know too.”
“Are you saying you told one other girl?”
She nodded, then shrugged her shoulders. “She ask. I tell.”
After Tom gently questioned her, she reluctantly told us the girl’s name was Marta. She seemed to trust him, and the bond forming between them was obvious. Asking where Marta was now earned us another shrug.
Then she answered, “She here sometime. Not always.”
Tina arrived a few minutes later and marched straight to the counter. Ping apparently saw her and came out front. They sat down together on the far side of the room, and it was clear she was ignoring us.
Banu watched her friend. “Tina upset, scared. She want me go STAY. Still no want. Marta no like, and she smart.”
Tom and I exchanged looks, both wondering the same thing. Who was this Marta, and why was she discouraging Banu about going to STAY? Was it coincidence that she was also the only other person who knew about the girls’ trip to the deli?
“Banu,” I said gently, “can you tell us anything else about Marta?”
“Don’t know.”
“Then can you please tell us what you know about Tadashi Ping’s activities here and what he is telling Tina he will do for her?” I jutted my chin at Ping and Tina, who appeared to be deep in conversation.
With her characteristic calm demeanor, she sat thinking about my question. Then she suggested we go outside. Out on the sidewalk, she refused an invitation to sit in our car.
“I tell quick. Then you go.”
“Go ahead, Banu.” Tom gently laid his hand on her shoulder and smiled encouragingly.
Her mouth worked silently, and I knew she was concentrating on finding the right words for what she wanted to tell us. When she smiled shyly at Tom, he slipped his arm around her.
“Go ahead, Banu,” he said quietly.
“Tadashi say world end. All kids believe go better place. I think like heaven. He say soon. That why Tina think everything okay.”
“I thought it was something like that,” I said. “What do you think?”
“Not true. Silly … not know words.”
“Superstition, fantasy?”
She nodded. “Not real, but Tina want to think true.”
Tom made one more pitch to convince her to go to STAY. “We visited there, and everything seemed fine. You are a smart girl, and you could do well with their help. We’ll take you right now if you like. Tina knows you’ll be safer there.”
She shook her head vigorously and began to back up toward the intersection. He raised his hand. “Okay, Banu. It’s up to you, but please reconsider. Give it more thought. If you can convince Tina to go with you, it would be better still. We can’t come down here to see you anymore. You’ll have to call us. Please do call,” he pleaded.
I could see the intense emotions he was barely containing. This situation seemed hopeless, and we were helpless, short of literally forcing her to go with us. That we could not do.
Back in the car, my sadness and anger were so overwhelming I could understand why people sometimes punch walls.
“I’m so sorry, Tom. I can see how much you want to help her. She is smart, so maybe she’ll think about it and come around.”
“I really hope so.”
Before he could pull away from the curb, I grabbed his arm.
“Wait! I’m going back to confront Ping after the kids leave. I can’t stand con artists like him. What the hell is he getting out of keeping kids under his so-called protection? He’s not doing it to take them to heaven with him.”
Tom scoffed. “That’s the truth. It is a little confusing why he’s doing it. I hate to say this, but I think you’re right. We’ll go back and have a little ‘come to Jesus’ meeting.” I laughed with absolutely no mirth.
It was dark when we went back inside. The door was unlocked, but Ping was apparently saving on electricity. Only one dim ceiling light barely illuminated the space, and his private area behind the counter was totally dark. The place always had an eerie vibe, but now it was positively unnerving.
Tom reached for my hand as we picked our way among the tables and approached the counter. Peering into the blackness, he called out to Ping. After a minute went by with no response, he tried again.
“Mr. Ping, are you here?” There was no way he wouldn’t hear Tom’s booming voice.
A light went on in the back. We waited, and a few moments later, Ping appeared at the counter, wearing a long garment with buttons down the front. It reminded me of a nightshirt. But it had wide sleeves, and his hands were buried inside them. I felt Tom’s hand go to his Ruger and realized Ping might be armed.
“What do you want?” Ping asked quietly, but with a hard edge.
“We want to talk to you,” I said. “Can you please come out here for a minute?”
It was obvious he didn’t want to but probably didn’t want to raise suspicion either. He had to be aware that the police were already wondering about his activities.
He flicked a light switch on his way around the corner and emerged from the opening beside the platform. The additional overhead lighting improved the ambiance, but not by much.
I felt Tom’s tension subside, but his hand remained at chest level. He nodded for me to go ahead. I decided the direct approach would work best to elicit an unguarded reaction.
“Mr. Ping, I understand that your relationship with the kids includes preaching an end-of-days message. You’re telling them the end is coming soon, and they have to stay with you to be saved. Do I have it right?”
His face took on a menacing look I’d not seen before, and it was frightening. I almost wished he’d left the lights off. He stepped closer, prompting Tom to insert himself between us.
Ping didn’t raise his voice despite his obvious anger. “I help the kids cope with their existence on the street and help them keep their faith. This is none of your business. You leave now.”
“Not so fast, Mr. Ping.” I assumed my previous assessment was accurate. “That means you’re scamming them, and I want to know why. What are you getting out of keeping them tied to you instead of encouraging them to obtain real help?”
“My faith is strong, and I know the End Times approach. It is no scam. They will be saved with me.”
Was he kidding? Was he really sticking to that apocalyptic cult theme handed down from the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth—the world will end in your lifetime?
“I don’t believe you are sincere, Mr. Ping.”
Noting his hostile expression, I started to back away from him. Tom kept pace, still partially blocking Ping’s line of sight. The little man stayed where he was and continued to scowl at me. His eyebrows pinched together, and a menacing sneer formed on his face.
“You go now!”
His hands shot out from inside his sleeves, and Tom pulled out his gun so quickly I was both shocked and impressed. Clearly frightened, Ping jumped back with his hands raised in fron
t of his body.
Seeing no threat, Tom holstered his weapon. There was no point in further discussion. I was sure of what this guy was doing and planned to report it to Hollister. There had to be a payoff for him, and my bet was that he couldn’t care less about Tina or the others. He was using them just like everyone else in their lives.
35
When I finally arrived at Sid’s, I called Mick as I’d promised myself I would. Despite being after midnight his time, he said he didn’t mind. He described the frustrations of his work and said he wished he could fly to Vegas. I told him there was no need because we really were almost done here. We had only to talk with Murray about Paul, try to get at least Banu into STAY, and tell Don and Charlie we failed to find Pammie. That was more than I wanted on my plate.
I explained about our long and eventful day, including the meeting with Curtis, the near abduction at the deli, and our confrontation with Ping. Then I shared my opinion that Pammie had been abducted. I hoped I was wrong.
He sighed heavily. “It just keeps getting worse. It doesn’t sound as if you are ready to leave there. Why are you still worrying about those homeless girls?”
“It’s hard to describe. As much as anything, Tom has become emotionally attached to the little Korean girl. He doesn’t want to leave until her situation is improved.”
“Really? I wouldn’t have thought that. I really am trying to understand, okay?”
“I know, and I appreciate that. You would understand if you were here. Mick, do you think I should tell the guys that I think she might have slipped into international trafficking?”
“It’s up to you. They’ll be distraught, but they should know the truth, shouldn’t they?”
“I guess so. I wish I had some proof to go with my intuition.”
“I can’t wait to see you, sweetie. Well, a lot more than see you. That’s for sure.”
Currents of Sin Page 16