Ping stared out the side window. His normal approach was to endure these occasional meetings, get his instructions, and say as little as possible. So far, the police did not have a way to connect him with the gang, and he wanted to keep it that way.
The downtown gang operation was a small faction in a huge international trafficking ring. In order to keep their status in this network, the gang bosses had to comply with the traffickers’ demands. Ping was happy to be at the bottom of the hierarchy and did not wish to know too much.
But recently, he worried about the tall blonde woman and her partner. Recently, he realized they were only interested in the ugly white girl, whom he effectively controlled, and little Banu, who was too timid and childlike to be of any concern. If those two were to disappear, he’d be rid of the problem for good. This he told himself as he gave assurances to his cousin.
“Yes, that is fine. Those two will go. Tina trusts me and is a true follower. She will not resist.”
Ping was slightly less confident than he sounded. Tina would comply with the transfer all right, but Banu was another matter. He feared for his own safety, knowing the consequences he would face if he did not successfully deliver both girls or, worse, if the authorities learned the truth about his mission.
The blonde woman had not been fooled by his explanation, and she might go to the police with her suspicions. Although he tried to suppress the thought, he was also afraid he might meet the same fate as the pimp.
Gathering his courage, he decided it would do no harm to ask a question. “Cousin, I’m curious about what happened to Shimmer,” he said tentatively.
“It is usually not good to be curious.”
“Yes, that is true. I only wonder who killed him because I am so close to where it happened.”
For the first time, the cousin turned around to glare at him. At the sight of the cruel expression, Ping involuntarily pushed himself against the seat back.
“Something is not right at the motel, and we’ll find out what it is. That is all you need to know, Tadashi. If you are wise, you’ll mind your own business.”
Ping shrugged. “Fine, I’ll forget about it.” Not likely, he thought.
He’d intended to report on the visits of the white couple and their questions about his relationship with the teens and also that the man was carrying a gun. That confrontation had frightened him, but he was more afraid of his cousin’s reaction. He decided this was not the time to be the bearer of unwanted news.
46
The gang members dropped Ping off at the mission just in time for him to open and welcome the kids to his evening meal and sermon. After checking on the stew in the slow cooker, he arranged bowls and cutlery on the counter and brought out two large containers of lemonade. He liked providing the meals and watching the teenagers enjoy his food. Although the mission was a front for the gang and he knew very well what he was doing, he rationalized that at least he was offering temporary friendship and sustenance to the lonely kids.
When Tina arrived, he took great care to engage her in a friendly, even fatherly, conversation. He had to retain her confidence at any cost. With his arm around her shoulder, he gently explained that the time for her deliverance was near. He reiterated that she would eventually be taken from this terrible place to one much better—God’s realm—and when the time came, she must not resist. If she trusted him, all would be well, as he’d promised.
“Your little friend Banu is not a believer, but you can still take her with you so that she will be safe as well. Tell her what I have ordained. This will happen, and it won’t be long now.”
Tina felt a little thrill of excitement followed closely by deeply penetrating fear. Until now, she’d happily anticipated the new world Tadashi had described many times—one where she would have everything she needed for a fulfilling life with no pain, hunger, or ugliness.
Until now, she hadn’t allowed herself to fully analyze the rationality of his claims. However, knowing the mysterious journey was about to begin, she wondered if she needed more time to think about it.
What if Darcy was correct, and Tadashi didn’t really know what the future had in store? Banu had also tried to dissuade her from following him, saying that none of the talk about another world made any sense. How would she convince Banu to go with her? Should she tell Tadashi that she needed more time to think about leaving this world behind? Somehow she knew that was a bad idea.
Instead, she told him she had to go to work on the street before she got into trouble. Once outside, she hurried across to the Green Door, hoping to find Banu still in the room. She charged in just as her friend was leaving, almost knocking her over.
“Tina, what happen you? You okay?”
“I need to talk to you. Tadashi says the time is almost here, and it is my turn to leave. He said you can come with me even though he knows you’re not a believer.”
Banu’s shoulders slumped as she plopped down on the bed. Looking up at her friend, she wished she had better English so she could convince Tina of the danger she was most certainly facing.
“Tina, you listen, okay? There no other world. This it.” She waved her arm in the air. “Tadashi do bad thing, like girls we see go in night. You no go with him or other men, Tina.”
“But this is what I’ve been waiting for. God has a better place for me … for us.”
“No, no, there no other place. All fairy tale, like Darcy say. Please you listen. We careful in night. Not go with men.”
Tina stared at her, then flinched when Banu grabbed her hand and clenched it against her scrawny chest.
“Maybe we go STAY. See for self. Call Darcy number. She help.”
“But Marta and Tadashi said it is a bad place.”
“More bad than here?” Her voice had turned shrill.
“I don’t know. We need to get out on the street now. I want you to go with me to the better world, but we can talk about it more later on.”
Exasperated, Banu squeezed Tina’s hand even tighter. Taking a deep breath, she tried again.
“Tina, you smart girl. You die before go that place. Don’t you know that?”
Part Three
Rescues and Raids
47
Day 10
Tina and Banu more than likely escaped being taken out of the motel in the early-morning hours because Tina finally listened to her friend. She called me from a pay phone at the 7-Eleven, explaining that they were ready to leave the motel and willing to go to STAY after all. Clearly frightened, she said we should come quickly because they were supposed to be working. They hadn’t seen their new pimp yet tonight, but he would show up soon.
Tom drove us to pick them up on a side street several blocks from the mission. There they stood on the curb, looking more frightened than I’d ever seen them. Each clutched a plastic shopping bag, which I presumed held all their belongings—at least the ones they dared take with them.
They piled into the backseat and huddled close to me. Tina was shaking with fear as she explained that her friend strongly believed the two of them were going to be abducted from the motel by human traffickers. She said she wasn’t convinced, but she was afraid nonetheless.
“Banu, why do you think you are going to be abducted?” Tom turned around and smiled at her from the passenger seat.
“Tina, you tell about Ping.”
Obviously reluctant or possibly embarrassed, Tina told us in fits and starts about Ping’s directions and his suggestion that they would go to a much better place very soon.
“I don’t know what to think now,” she said, trying to hold back tears. “Banu thinks there is a connection between Tadashi and the kids who were taken out of the motel. Well, I think that might be true, but I think those kids are all right—better off. Banu doesn’t.”
She looked at the frightened tiny girl next to her. “But she doesn’t understand. She do
esn’t believe what Tadashi preaches. He’s a good man. How could he be involved with anything that would hurt kids?”
It broke my heart to see how Tina’s lifeline with Ping was unraveling, leaving her with only a thread of hope that now rested on getting help from a place she didn’t trust. She wasn’t entirely convinced, but she soon would be. At least that is what I was counting on.
We drove directly to STAY. We’d called ahead, and Lorraine welcomed us warmly but reiterated that Clark County Child Protective Services would have to be involved in the final decision about housing them.
“For tonight, we can accommodate you girls. But tomorrow, we’ll have to take care of the paperwork and other formalities.”
While she was explaining this, Lucy stood nearby looking hostile, her face pinched and arms folded across her chest. She was obviously angry, and she glared at the two of them as if they’d committed a felony.
When Lorraine finished talking, Lucy began a lecture that included a lengthy list of rules they would have to abide by. Her voice was harsh, even mean, as if she resented the girls showing up for help.
Banu was clearly upset and confused. She moved even closer to Tom as if she thought the woman might grab her. I saw that Tina was becoming angry, and I feared she would change her mind about staying. This was just what the girls were afraid of. I gave Lorraine a pleading look. She apparently understood and intervened when Lucy took a breath.
“That’s sufficient, Lucy. We can fill them in on our policies another time.”
I thanked Lorraine, then asked the girls if they could explain to her why they did not want to come to the shelter before today.
“Yes,” Lorraine said, “I would like to know what makes some kids reluctant to come to us for help.”
Tina glared at Lucy, but with a little more prodding, she revealed that a girl named Marta told them that staying at the shelter was no better than being downtown. I was worried that Tina might now agree, and all our efforts would be for nothing.
It was impossible to miss an odd look that passed between Lorraine and Lucy. Rather abruptly, Lucy left, saying that she’d forgotten she must check on the plumbing in one of the yurts.
Lorraine turned to Tina. “Will you please tell me where you saw Marta and what she was doing.”
“She’s just a girl who comes around the motel sometimes, but she’s not a regular—she doesn’t live there.”
Banu spoke up then. “Tina, tell that Ping also no like STAY.”
“Well, he didn’t say anything bad about it, only that we were all better off in his care and close by at the motel.”
“He’s the Korean guy who runs the mission across from the motel,” I added.
Lorraine nodded, then smiled warmly at them. “Well, in any event, I’m very happy you decided to come here. There are some rules, it’s true. But they are not hard to follow, and nothing will hurt you. Once you understand the options we can give you for getting off the street and building a better life, I think you will be glad you took a chance on us.”
What was the deal here with these two women who ran the place together? They appeared to be opposite in temperament and ability to communicate appropriately with the kids. My impression of Lucy was that she was a very troubled woman herself, and I wondered why she even held the assistant director position.
We all walked over to the yurt where the girls would be staying, and it was apparent they were both surprised and pleased with the accommodations. Lorraine told them they would be living with two other girls who were not back from their evening classes yet. She showed them around and assigned them to one of the rooms.
They stood in the doorway, staring at the clean beds overlaid with pretty pink and white floral quilts. Matching curtains covered the window. Soft gray carpeting looked newly shampooed, and snow-white built-in drawers and shelves covered an entire wall. I couldn’t even imagine the hovel they’d been living in, but I knew this was completely different.
Lorraine said, “Of course the full kitchen is over at the office, but you’ll see that there are plenty of snacks and drinks in that cooler over there.” She pointed at the plastic bags they were still clutching to their bodies. “I see that you don’t have many belongings with you, so as soon as we finalize everything with child services, we’ll get you set up with some personal items and clothing.
“Your life here will be nothing like it was on the street or at the Green Door. Truly, you will be so much better off.”
Banu reached for Tina’s hand. She looked up at her friend with tears standing in her eyes. “See, Tina. This good.”
Tina appeared to be more comfortable and was obviously intrigued by the yurt environment. Once we saw that little Banu was no longer frightened, I promised to come back tomorrow to see how they were doing.
Tom bent down and put his arms around her. At first, I thought she was going to pull away. It took only a moment for her to lean in against him with the side of her face up against his chest. She closed her eyes and smiled while he hugged her.
He gently let go of her. “Banu, I won’t be able to come back tomorrow because I have to fly home to Florida. But I’m going to keep track of how you are doing here. I know you will improve your English, and you’ll have plenty to eat.” He gently squeezed her pitifully thin arm. “Maybe I’ll come back to visit you sometimes, okay?”
“I like very much,” she answered, her huge dark eyes riveted to his face. I wondered if she believed him. He’d formed a bond with her, and this was a side of Tom I’d never seen. I believed he really would come back to check on her.
More than that, I thought we were witnessing the start of real salvation for both girls, and I planned to follow their progress as they traveled along their new and hopefully more positive currents.
As we were leaving, I asked Lorraine if she knew anything about girls being abducted from outside the Strohmayr deli and explained our recent experience. She had not heard about it but seemed genuinely shocked.
“Oh my, Deborah and Walter try so hard to help the kids. They must be devastated.”
“Yes, they seem upset. But because of the timing and how it happened right outside the deli, the police wonder if they are involved somehow.”
“What? Oh no, that is absolutely not true. Not those two. I have known them for years, and there is no way either of them could be involved.”
Mick remained silent during the visit. I knew that meant he was taking it all in, in order to form his own perceptions. Sure enough, as soon as we got into the car, he spoke up.
“That woman Lucy? Something isn’t right with her. She’s probably the reason this girl Marta bad-mouths the place.”
“I have the same thoughts,” I answered.
Then Mick cocked his head to the side and assessed Tom. “You seem quite taken with the little Korean girl. Will you really come back to check on her?”
Sheepishly, Tom nodded. “I believe I will. I don’t know why, but she gets to me. She’s so pathetic, but you can tell she’s very intelligent. I just feel like I have to help her. It’s such a waste.”
“It is that,” I agreed. “And there are so many others in the same situation. I guess we should feel good about helping at least those two.”
48
Since Tom would be leaving in the morning, we were able to convince Brooks to accompany us for an early dinner. Sid was resting and had just been removed from the critical list. As the doctor predicted, she was still numb from the waist down. At least her injured legs did not hurt.
We met at one of Brooks’s favorite restaurants. Del Frisco’s on Paradise Road is a steak house, but they have unique items like their own take on lobster macaroni and cheese, which I had to try.
As soon as we were seated and ordered drinks, Tom told me he received a call from his office in Geneva County, Florida, with an update on the panther story.
“They found the park ranger’s body in the swamp about two miles outside Everglades City. He was murdered, and the sheriff down there assumes it’s related to the missing cats.”
“Oh, what a shame. I’m still interested in the story, but I just don’t know when I’ll be able to come back to Florida.”
I glanced at Brooks, who gave me a little nod. “Thanks so much, Darcy. Any time you can spend here will be appreciated. I know you can help her get through this.”
“Anyway,” Tom said, “you won’t believe this coincidence. There’s sort of a trafficking angle to the story down there. A different type—trafficking in animal parts.”
He explained that near where the ranger was found, there is a cult of religious extremists, possibly white supremacists.
“The members live with a leader named Mitchell Delanoe. Informants say his followers call him Jesus Jr., JJ for short, and they’re completely dedicated to him. It sounds like a joke, but the sheriff is convinced they killed the ranger. He isn’t sure how many people are out there in the swamp, but there are definitely women and children.
“Apparently, the cult believes that God provided animals to people not only for food and clothing, but for their mystical powers. In that part of the country, the panther is the animal with the most power. Apparently, there are lots of rumors about them using animal teeth and paws in ceremonies, including sewing them into ritual clothing.
“The sheriff suspects they are trapping panthers, keeping them at their compound and then harvesting them. The ranger probably stumbled on the caged or dead cats. It’s a remote area, and they get around in airboats and go into town only for supplies. They’re longtime residents, so everyone knows about them. And until now, the sheriff thought they were harmless eccentrics.”
Mick winked at me. “Well, that is right in Darcy’s wheelhouse. Honey, I bet you’re chomping at the bit to investigate that.”
I loved him for encouraging me to get involved. “Under other circumstances, I would be very interested, sure. But nothing is more important than Sid right now.”
Currents of Sin Page 21