Hidden Sins (31 page)

“Where’d the info come from?” Luke asked.

“I’m not authorized to tell you that,” Sam replied.

“Then how do I know it can be trusted?”

“I guess you don’t.”

“Do you trust your people?” Luke asked.

“As much as I’ve trusted you over the years.” Sam smiled.

“I guess that’s saying something.”

“The first house you stayed at when you got to town?” Sam started.

“What about it?” I asked.

“How did you find it?” Sam asked.

“Both my best friend and I were planning to make a run for it. But they killed her first. She was the one who set it up. Why do you ask?”

“The NLC found you very quickly out here. I was curious if maybe someone at the house was involved somehow with getting you found.” Sam closed the folder and pushed it to the center of the table.

“Nothing would surprise me.”

“Was there anyone else who knew of your whereabouts after you left that house?” Sam asked.

“No.”

“That seems odd.”

“Wait. One girl knew that I had accepted a job at Buttons. But she wouldn’t have said anything to anyone. There’s no way, and she didn’t know where I lived.”

Sam’s expression fell and he glanced at Luke. “Was her name Rikki Stevenson?”

I took in a deep breath. “We didn’t do last names. I’m sure you can guess why. But yes. Her first name was Rikki.” My heart rate began to soar as I waited for Sam to continue. The look on his face told me everything, but I wanted him to say it.

“She was found dead.”

“How?” A lump formed in the back of my throat.

“A bullet to the head. She was found in a park, but her body had been placed there. I have reason to believe that’s how they found you again.”

“I can’t believe it,” I whispered. “She did nothing wrong. Her only fault was coming into contact with me.”

“We interviewed Nancy and couldn’t come up with anything solid. But I wouldn’t doubt that she’s also involved. But again, we have nothing to go on there. Not yet anyway.”

I stared at the table as I tried to absorb that Rikki was gone, just like my best friend and my sister. Everyone my life touched was doomed.

“We have documents that will link everything to—“ Luke began, squeezing my hand under the table.

“You have them with you?” Sam interrupted.

“No,” I replied.

“Then what good are they?” Sam asked.

“As good as your promise to speed things along, I suppose.” Luke leaned back in his chair. “I’ve dealt with the agency long enough to know that I’ve always gotta provide some incentive. If you can focus on the men that are after Hannah and take at least two into custody within seven days, then we’ll hand over the documents.”

“How can we be sure the documents are worth that?” Sam asked.

“Have I ever screwed you before?” Luke questioned.

“I’ll need to run this through our division. I don’t know how this is going to be interpreted,” Sam muttered.

“Interpretation is always subjective. Cover your tracks and all will be fine with the black suits,” Luke laughed. “But there are copies of everything. Past shipments, deposit amounts, names and ages of the kidnapped, names of all the NLC who were involved, along with government officials and law enforcement, it’s all there to not only build the case on everything going forward but everything going backward as well.”

“You’ve got a deal,” Sam said. “But Hannah we need you to continue to live your life as open and normal as possible. Go to your job, keep up appearances…” Sam’s voice trailed off.

“I will.” I nodded.

Luke stood up, which signaled to Sam the meeting was over. Rather than experience relief, I just felt like the end might never be in sight.

“It was nice meeting you, Hannah. If there are any other developments you can call me directly.” He handed me his card and shook Luke’s hand once more before heading out of the room.

“Well, that went well,” Luke replied.

“How do you figure?” I asked.

Luke pointed at the folder on the table that Sam left behind.

“I thought you said he was your friend? That didn’t seem very pleasant.”

“I don’t think I ever called him that. But open the folder. It was his gift to us,” Luke said, sitting back down.

I grabbed the folder and opened it up.

“I can’t believe Rikki was murdered,” I whispered, as my eyes fell to the first page.

“These people will stop at nothing,” Luke agreed. “But this will come to an end. Soon.”

“I wonder who the NLC works for,” I muttered as I began scanning the pages.

“I think Sam just gave us the answer.” Luke brought the pages closer to us and read aloud,“997F Cartel.”

“Who is that?” I asked, reading over the legal jargon.

Luke flipped the page. “997F has been around since the 1970’s. Started as a drug running operation and expanded into over nineteen countries through the last several decades. They also began their luck with human trafficking beginning in the 90’s.”

“Boy, this is way bigger than I ever imagined,” I sighed.

My blood turned icy. They’d been doing this since then? How had the NLC been getting away with these things for so long?

“I say we get out of here,” Luke said, his eyes searching mine.

“Sounds good to me. I need some time to digest things.”

“We’ll continue looking everything over tonight when you get back from Buttons,” Luke replied. “I’m not happy with the idea of you there.”

“It’s safer working there than at a grocery store or somewhere where just anyone can get in,” I reminded him, trying to calm my own fears at the same time.

“You can bet it’s going to get a hell of a lot safer too.”

“I can only imagine,” I laughed, but truthfully, I was relieved. “So do you believe that Sam will keep us informed and try to speed things along?”

We walked to the car, and I held the folder tightly. Everyone had become suspect to me now, including my own family.

“He’ll do what he can, but he won’t do anything that’ll jeopardize his career,” Luke said.

“Can you fault him?” I asked, climbing in the car.

“I guess I can’t,” Luke acknowledged, before shutting the door and walking around to the other side. “But it never stopped me. Maybe that’s why I’m not still there.”

I turned in my seat and stared at him, realizing how little I knew about the man I was falling in love with.

Luke

I dropped off Hannah and drove back to my house. I sighed as I turned on the stereo. Knowing she worked there was bad enough. I didn’t need to watch her engage with customers to prove that I didn’t like it, but one thing at a time. That’s why I had two guys stationed in the parking lot, keeping an eye on things.

I spread the papers from Sam out on the dining room table as I tried to bridge any connections I could find. There was something that didn’t sit well with me. I dangled the bait and he accepted. Asked him to bring in two guys in exchange for the papers that Hannah had to offer. He wouldn’t accept that offer unless they were getting very close to a bust. Sam had a lot he didn’t want to tell me and that was worrisome, especially as Hannah was still out and about. I rubbed my hands over my face and tried to shake off the exhaustion. I didn’t know how Hannah did it. I was here barely functioning and she was at work carrying a tremendous load.

“Everything okay, sir?” Mitch asked.

I’d forgotten he was in the far corner.

“Yeah. Just a long day.”

“Long day?” Mitch smiled. “Try a few long weeks.”

I laughed. “True. You know, something’s just really bothering me with how they always manage to find Hannah.”

Mitch stood up and walked to the table, taking a seat across from me. “You said they tapped into her cell records and pinged her location.”

I scratched the whiskers along my chin. I didn’t even remember when I’d last shaved. “They did. They obviously have people with the same access to technology as we have.”

“Or connections within an organization that does.”

Mitch nodded. “The NLC seems to enjoy psychological warfare. Maybe they wanted to continue to weaken her mind before capture so they can get what they want easier.”

“There’s no weakening her mind,” I laughed. “She’s tougher than most men, but it’s a definite possibility.”

“Mia was talking about going back to her house.”

“Not a chance in hell. Mia’s…” I muttered.

“Mia what?” Mia asked, taking a seat next to me.

“Going home until it’s over,” I sighed, preparing for a fight.

“Everything’s always up for negotiation,” she laughed. “So where’s Hannah?”

“Sam thought it best to keep up the same routine so she’s at Buttons. I tend to agree, even though I hate that place. Hannah wanted to continue.”

“Can you blame her? I’d want to keep occupied as well.”

Mitch excused himself and wandered toward the kitchen.

“I guess I don’t blame her. I just wish she’d let me help her,” I said, taking a sip of water.

“You’re helping her. But she doesn’t want to be taken care of. You’ve got to respect that. She’s not ready to give up control.”

“I’d never want her to give up control. I’d just like to make her life easier.”

 “I see something developing between you two. I think anyone who has eyes sees it, but I don’t want you to forget that this girl hasn’t had a chance to really live. She might not be ready for what you want to give.”

I laughed. “You think I haven’t thought about that?”

“I’m just saying…”

“Believe me. I’m quite aware of where she’s situated in life, and I don’t want to do anything that will have her regretting her choices. No matter what they are. I don’t want to make promises that I can’t keep.”

“Don’t let her make promises that she can’t keep either,” Mia said softly.

I nodded.

“On the other side of it, if you let her get away and lose your soul mate, I don’t want to be blamed,” Mia laughed.

“You’re pure evil,” I joked. “Thanks for that.”

“I’m just glad it’s not me,” Mia said, glancing in the mirror over the buffet. “But if it were, I’d forget everything I just said and would go for her.”

“Thanks for the advice. And might I add, if either of us ever took relationship advice from one another, the world would have to be ending.”

“Maybe it is,” Mia teased. “So what’s got you in here all tense besides the usual?”

I let out a deep breath and closed the folder in front of me. “I feel like there’s a missing piece here that I’m overlooking, and I’m worried it’s an important one.”

“Like what?”

“I’m in the business of tracking and protecting. I’ve seen what lengths criminals will go to in order to get what they want. But I feel like they’re putting extra effort into Hannah’s whereabouts. Only not.”

“How so? She’s got a lot to offer,” Mia replied.

“She does.” I nodded. “But I feel like some of the information they’re getting is being handed to them on a platter. I think information is coming to them far too easily.”

“How would that be possible?” Mia’s expression hardened.

“I don’t know, but I think once I figure it out, the rest will fall into place.” I glanced at my phone and saw the time. I needed to leave now to get Hannah. “I’m sure it’ll come to me.”

“It always does.” Mia stood up. “I’m gonna check out and head to bed. Tell Hannah sweet dreams.”

“Will do,” I said, grabbing the keys off the table.

The thought of getting to see Hannah soon made my worries slip away. I didn’t have a choice about Hannah Walker. She’d gotten into me and there was no turning back. I felt like there was so much more about her than she revealed. Wanting her had become as constant as my heart beat. I couldn’t wait to explore who she really was and who she wanted to become. I only hoped I would be a part of it.

Hannah

The night had gone well, but I was exhausted. The only thing that kept me perky was the thought of getting to see Luke soon.  I had one more table left before I could close out for the night. They were on their umpteenth bottle serving, and I’d already arranged for a cab ride home for them. It was a table of four and the bill was already at three thousand dollars. I hoped to see at least a twenty percent tip for all of us to share. That was pretty standard and a pretty great chunk of change to stash away. Fifteen was the minimum and often the members chose to show off by paying more.