“Is it vacation with your husband?” His brisk tone sounded judgmental.
Sometimes Joshua irritated the hell out of me. “No. I’m assisting Toby on an investigation that has ties to the Blood Rock and Mt. Carmel Amish.” I watched Joshua’s eyes widen and then he gave a brisk shake of his head. Joshua had only recently moved to Blood Rock and as far as I knew, he didn’t have any ties to Mt. Carmel, but he had been Amish. He was one of those people that didn’t like to become personally involved in the drama unfolding around him, but he always knew what was going on. It wouldn’t hurt to pick his brain a little. “Joshua, have you ever heard of Amish communities having” —I searched for words that might make sense— “dark traditions about sending some of their girls away?”
Joshua set his cup down and leaned back. “What are you talking about?” His wide-eyed expression made me feel dumb that I asked.
“Around sixteen years ago, an eighteen-year-old Amish woman, who was living in Blood Rock with family, went missing. Everyone assumed she ran off to be English. The exact same thing happened in her birth community of Mt. Carmel. Other eighteen-year-old females disappeared every four years or so. No one seems to care, and no one will talk to me about it.”
CJ leaned over the table. “Have any of the women been found?”
“Several of them have turned up working in a brothel in Nevada. That’s why I’m heading out there. I think it’s the only way I’m going to get any answers.”
“A brothel? You mean like in the old west where men went to…you know?” Joshua looked horrified.
CJ saved me from having to be the one to go into further detail. She cleared her throat. “They’re businesses where prostitution is legal.” She glanced at me. “Isn’t Nevada the only state where it’s allowed?”
I nodded. “The thing that has Toby and I stumped is that Melinda King, who vanished from Blood Rock, is now the madam of one of the brothels. She’s our age, so if she wanted out, she could have left by now. It doesn’t seem reasonable that multiple ex-Amish women would end up in brothels. I suspect foul play and maybe even some kind of sick rite of passage or punishment is going on.”
Joshua rubbed the side of his face, lost in thought for moment. “Have you spoken to Aaron about this?”
“He’s the one who asked the marshal to find Melinda King. Now that she’s turned up in a house of ill repute, he’s lost interest in her. I even talked to my mother-in-law and she remembered Melinda, but like everyone else, she isn’t sure exactly what happened to Melinda. She suspected something bad, though.”
Joshua glanced between me and CJ. “You know, I remember as kid, there was a family in our community that had two sons. One man grew up to be quite successful with his own metal shop. The other had issues with laziness and stupidity, and he failed at every endeavor he tried—except for producing children. He wasn’t that old when he already had ten of them and no real means to support the brood. Every other year or so, one of the poor brother’s children would move in with the rich brother’s family.” Joshua shrugged, looking uncomfortable with the topic. “The wealthy man wasn’t just providing a home for his less fortunate brother’s children; he was also giving the man an allowance. Turned out, only strong boys were welcomed to live with their uncle, and they’d go to work in the metal shop when they were old enough. I remember hearing my father talking to another man about how it looked like the children were being traded off to the benefit of both men.” Joshua slugged down the last of his coffee. “Makes me sick to think about it.”
I sat back and thought about Joshua’s story. It was a very different tale than the deal going on with the Mt. Carmel girls, but the fact that the Amish were capable of making profitable arrangements regarding their kids wasn’t lost on me. I met Joshua’s troubled gaze. “Thank you. That might help.”
“I hope you bring those women home, Serenity. A brothel is no place for anyone, let alone those who grew up in faith. I’ll say a prayer for your success,” Joshua said.
CJ squeezed my arm. “I’m glad you’re working the case with the marshal, but please be careful. The entire situation sounds like a recipe for trouble if you ask me,”
I could see how freaked out CJ was by the worried look in her eyes and the fixed set to her mouth. And I hadn’t even mentioned that one of the women was dead. I left the booth after a quick hug from CJ and a reassuring nod from Joshua. I was afraid that my presence had turned the couple’s morning breakfast date into a gloomy affair. Unfortunately, I had that effect on people.
Next stop would likely be even more depressing.
Todd’s face dropped. “How long do you think you’ll be gone?”
“A few days maybe,” I said weakly. My gaze strayed sideways to see Daniel’s reaction, but he had his head turned away, gazing out the window.
“Oh, man.” Todd rubbed his hands over his buzz cut. “The Apple Butter Festival is next weekend. We need you here.”
I couldn’t hide my small smile. The autumn festival was probably the quietest and easiest event we policed. Made up mostly of craft vendors and tables filled with baked goods, the crowd was our older and well-behaved citizens. I didn’t leave town often, but Todd hated it when I did. He liked the routine, and even though he was perfectly capable of taking over when I was gone, he preferred to be the soldier and not the general.
My gaze settled on Bobby who was busily finishing off the last of his sausage and eggs. “Can you hold down the fort for a few days?”
Bobby glanced up between bites. “We’ll manage just fine. Todd gets depressed when you’re not ordering him around, but I believe he’ll survive.”
Toby snickered into his cup and Todd came alive on the other side of the table. “I do not. I just don’t see why this is department business.” He flicked his hand at Toby. “I’m sure the marshal has the investigation under control.” Todd leaned over the table and lowered his voice. “Dammit, Serenity, the last time you left town, you were nearly killed.”
Dawning hit me like a freight train. Todd was worried about my safety. I glanced around the table. Daniel was still preoccupied with the falling leaves beyond the windows. Bobby continued to eat. Toby was suddenly more interested in his coffee than the conversation, and Todd stared at me with red cheeks.
My previous out-of-town investigation had led me to the northern community of Poplar Springs, where I discovered not one, but two missing teenagers. The girls, one Amish and the other English, had been sex trafficked. I’d gone undercover and tracked them to a filthy shack in the Indiana woods, where I’d come close to being choked to death by one of their captives. Just a week ago, a presumed suicide had turned into a fight for our lives when Todd and I had encountered two mentally ill Amish men.
Maybe Todd was right to be a little worried, but it wasn’t the right time to admit it. “This isn’t that kind of case. I’m going to accompany the marshal to Nevada, ask a few questions, and be home by the end of the week.”
Todd shook his head and grabbed his jacket off the back of his seat when he stood up. “Keep me posted, Boss. If you need anything run through the computer, I’d be glad to help.” The frowning expression from a moment before had been replaced with a look of resignation.
“I’ll check in with you tonight.”
Todd held my gaze for a second more before he turned and walked away. Bobby rose a lot slower. “It is a fascinating case. I’m curious to find out how it ends.” Bobby said his goodbyes to Toby and Daniel. “Be careful, Serenity. This town needs you,” he said softly as he left.
Only Toby and Daniel were left, and Toby took it as his cue to stand up. “We’d better leave soon if we’re going to catch our flight.” He tipped his hat to Daniel. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure Serenity comes back safe and sound.”
Daniel nodded and mumbled, “Thank you.”
“I’ll be out in a minute,” I told Toby. When we were finally alone,
I turned to Daniel. He was already staring at me. “It’s only a few days, Daniel. When I return, we’ll get right back into baby-making and house-building modes.”
Daniel let out a long breath. “Todd’s right. It’s dangerous out there, and you’re a magnet for the worst of it.”
“I’ll be careful. I promise.”
“As much as I hate to, I’m going to have to put faith in Marshal Bryant that he’ll keep you safe. Lord knows, I’ll be too far away to help if you encounter any trouble.”
“More like me keeping him safe,” I chuckled a little and Daniel reluctantly smiled. “I love you.”
Daniel reached out for my hand. His warm brown eyes looked sad. “I love you too, Serenity.”
10
Toby drove the rental car down the narrow, dusty road while I looked out the passenger window. The low, treeless hills were all shades of brown, with the occasional tuft of greenish bushes. It was so dry and harsh looking, yet beautiful. I wondered what the Amish women thought when they first laid eyes on this rugged terrain. Had they been excited at the change of scenery from the lush fields and crops of Indiana? Or did they understand what their destiny would be? The thought made me shiver even though hot air blew in through the open window.
WILD COLT MOTEL. The blinking neon sign for the motel appeared in the distance and I turned to Toby. “So, what’s the plan?”
He had one hand draped over the steering wheel and he pushed his hat back with his other one. “Reckon we’ll get our rooms first, have a bite to eat, and then head over to the Wild Colt Ranch.
The motel looked even worse as we turned in. “Seedy, isn’t it?” I commented.
Toby chuckled. “This is the only motel within fifty miles of the brothel. Most of their customers rent the rooms here during their longer visits.” He parked in front of the little neon OFFICE sign. “Check the corners of the mattress for bedbugs,” he suggested.
I wrinkled my nose. “Ugh. Early on in my Indianapolis policing days, I ended up undercover in a lot of joints like this.” That was a long time ago. Age had made me a lot pickier about my sleeping arrangements. “It’s a far cry from the five-star hotels in Las Vegas.”
Toby didn’t answer. I glanced over to find him looking at me. His gaze quickly dropped. “Thanks, Serenity. I appreciate you joining me on this one. Since there’s Amish involved, it just seems right to have you on board.”
My cheeks heated and I tilted my head so Toby couldn’t see me blushing. The case itself was a real mystery and my curiosity had the better of me, but that wasn’t the only reason I was here. Did I dare mention my ulterior motive?
What the hell. I knew he could keep a secret. “Of course, my main priority is discovering why women from Mt. Carmel are ending up working in the same Nevada brothel every four years.” I paused and watched a heavy-set, bald man make his way into the lobby. He had an extra spring to his step and I caught the flash of his wedding band in the sunlight. My skinned crawled and I scowled after the man. No doubt what he was doing here. A glance back at Toby and he was still waiting for me to continue my thought. The way his arm hung loosely out the window and his head was cocked, he had all the time in the world. I let out a huge sigh. “It’s kind of good to get away.” There. I said it.
“Trouble in paradise?” Toby didn’t say it in a sarcastic way at all and I didn’t even bristle.
“Things are better than ever, really.” My attention was drawn to a woman who pushed a cleaning cart along the outdoor corridor on the second floor. Nothing special made her stick out, except the way she kept glancing down at us. All kinds of ideas sprouted in my mind at her unreasonable interest in a vehicle parked in a motel parking lot. She had to see people coming and going all the time. I spoke in a distracted way. “Daniel’s building our dream house right next to my best friend’s home. Other than the widow’s murder, things have been relatively quiet in Blood Rock lately, and…we’re planning to start a family.” I was afraid to look at Toby. “So, yeah. Things are good.”
“You’ll fearlessly stare down an armed killer, but domestic bliss scares the hell out of you, doesn’t it?” Toby said it in a matter-of-fact way.
The marshal got me. We were a lot alike and that was why I’d opened up to him. No turning back now. “It’s weird. Sometimes, I’m cruising along, okay with all these changes in my life. Then there are moments where I feel like I’m drowning.” The cleaning lady disappeared into a room and I relaxed, slumping back into the seat. “It’s doesn’t have anything to do with Daniel. He’s wonderful. Most men wouldn’t let their women rush headfirst into danger the way he does. He’s incredibly patient and kind.” I slapped my hands onto my thighs. “I wish he’d give me a harder time about being here, that way I wouldn’t feel so damn guilty.”
The sun had dropped in the sky and the electric poles cast long shadows across the parking lot. The air even smelled dry. The exotic scent of hot dirt made me inhale deeply, enjoying the rush of energy being in a new place gave me.
“Daniel seemed a bit miffed this morning. Perhaps you’re misreading him.”
“Naw. He’s given up on trying to force me into the mold of a normal wife. It’s kind of sad, really.”
Toby barked out a laugh and then quieted when my head snapped in his direction. “You’re not fooling me. I’ve seen the look in your eye when you’re after the bad guys. It’s what makes you a unique and special person, and you’re damn good at it. Daniel understood he’d never be able to change you, and he picked you anyway. I wouldn’t be so hard on yourself. Everyone needs to get away occasionally. With your job record, it’s even more understandable for you to crave a break occasionally.”
“I’m in the middle of the desert on an investigation. I’d hardly call that a break.”
Toby grinned back at me. “Some people relax by laying on a beach or hiking in the mountains. You, my dear, need a shot of adrenaline to let loose and have a good time.”
“I’m really fucked up then.”
“You and me both. I haven’t gone on a proper vacation in five years. My boss badgers me to take time off and when I do, I’m just working old cases on my own dime.” He shrugged. “I suppose there are worse forms of recreation.”
Silence filled the cab and we both stared out the window. I glanced up to find that the cleaning lady had reappeared and looked back at me. The Hispanic woman quickly turned around and my stomach clenched the way it always did when my inner self was telling me to be cautious.
“I take it you’ve established a pretty good cover story at the brothel.” I met Toby’s gaze. “Where do I fit in?”
Toby hesitated before he drew in a breath. “I kind of figured you might come back with me, so I built you into my disguise.”
I frowned at Toby. “Spit it out, Marshal.”
“You’re my wife. We’re having some marital difficulties, you know, in the bedroom. We need a little spicing things up, so to speak.” I could have sworn Toby blushed before he looked away.
It was a good storyline, and a way to get us both into the brothel together. After my last stint as a drunk woman in a strip club, I would rather not play a damsel in distress ever again. Even though a plan was being formed, my heart still raced. Undercover work was always tricky.
“Do you think we have to stay in character while we’re at the motel as well?”
“There’s a good chance we’ll run into the same people in both establishments.”
“So, we’re getting one room, right?”
He nodded.
“All right, Toby. Everything you’ve said makes sense, and I’m all in.” I pointed my finger at him. “Just don’t forget that we’re business associates—you can even call us friends—and that’s it. If you step out of line, I’m out of here in a heartbeat. This entire situation is awkward as it is. Please don’t make it worse or ruin the relationship we’ve formed.”
He
made a cross sign over his chest. “You have my word, Serenity. We’re here to find my fugitive and solve a mystery, and that’s it.”
I believed him. Toby was an honorable man. He would behave himself. In another life, without Daniel, I probably wouldn’t have. The marshal was an attractive man, and there was palpable chemistry between us. We both were in the same boat with long hours, dangerous jobs, and a bit dysfunctional. Yeah, if Daniel hadn’t captured my heart, working this case with Toby would have been a whole lot riskier.
“Oh, there’s one more thing,” Toby broke into my musings. “Our dead fugitive and Star Miller stayed at this same motel two weeks ago.” He lifted his chin to the second floor. “They killed each other in room 205.”
The dingy, rundown looking motel just got a lot more interesting.
11
Toby taped the timeline up on the wall and stepped back. It went all the way back to the year 2000, when Melinda King disappeared from Amish life in Blood Rock. We were fairly certain from what Fannie King had said that girls had been taken away from Mt. Carmel every four years even further back than 2000. Who the men were was anyone’s guess at this point, but we were determined to find out.
I looked at the date when Star Miller and Andre Jackson were found dead in room 205 of the same motel we were staying in. Toby had tried to secure that particular room for our stay, but we’d been told it was being deep cleaned. The clerk didn’t give us any more explanation than that, and she’d been expertly evasive about answering any other questions relating to the motel’s proximity to the brothel. Toby had played it cool. We were just a couple of Midwesterners on a risqué vacation. Sometimes it helped to flash the badge. This time it wouldn’t have.
Tapping on the information Toby had hung up, I turned to him. “Where is Andre Jackson from?”
“Chicago originally, but he spent the last decade in New Orleans. George Walker is also from the Windy City.” Toby sat at the small, round table next to the curtained window. He had his laptop open and charging. The dated wallpaper in the room threatened to give me a headache.
Wicked Legacy (Serenity's Plain Secrets Book 10) Page 7