there were others,” Harrison said.
Lucas gritted his teeth. “Which means this trafficking ring may have been scoping out Tumbleweed a lot longer than we think.”
Harrison scowled. “Do you think it’s possible that someone in town is part of the operation?”
Good question.
Although none of them wanted to believe that their home town was hiding a ring of child traffickers, they couldn’t discount the possibility.
* * *
CHARLOTTE WAS DREAMING about the girls again—they were screaming. Then one of the men grabbed her and dragged her toward the door with them.
She jerked awake, her breath choking out. She was still in the hospital. Dear God, she wished they’d taken her, too. At least she could have watched over the girls.
“Charlotte?”
Her fingers dug into the bedding as the sound of the hospital door closing echoed in the cold room. Then footsteps. Soft this time.
The voice had been a woman. Not the nurse, though.
A gentle hand covered hers. “Charlotte, it’s me, Honey.”
Relief surged through her, and she reached for Honey’s hand. She’d met Honey when she was searching for a house, and they’d instantly connected and become friends. She liked Honey’s knack for taking crumbling properties and houses and turning them into welcoming, beautiful, loving homes. “I’m glad you’re here.”
Honey pulled her hand into hers. “I’m so sorry about what happened, Charlotte. How do you feel?”
Honey’s concern touched her deeply. Charlotte had been in and out of so many foster homes that she’d never gotten close to anyone.
One family had a scruffy rescue dog that she’d loved. Leaving it had ripped out her heart. Since then, she hadn’t allowed herself a pet, either.
“Charlotte, sweetie, talk to me,” Honey said softly.
Emotion clogged her throat. Honey was the closest thing Charlotte had ever had to a sister. “I’m terrified for those girls. They should be laughing and shopping for outfits for school dances, not being terrorized by monsters who want to turn them into sex slaves.”
Honey pressed a kiss to Charlotte’s hand. “I know, it’s horrible.”
“I keep dreaming about the girls screaming for help. I can hear them crying, but I can’t do anything.” Her voice cracked. “I hate being helpless.”
“Harrison and Lucas are doing everything possible to find them.” Honey stroked Charlotte’s hand to calm her. “They won’t stop until they bring them back and put those horrid men in prison.”
“But they could be on a boat or plane out of the country,” Charlotte said. “You hear about cases where young women are kidnapped and never seen again.” Evie’s face haunted her, followed by Adrian’s and Agnes’s and Mae Lynn’s. “The girls in my group have already been through hell. But this—this could be more than they can bear.” Especially fragile Mae Lynn. She’d been a cutter before she’d joined the group.
Honey’s quiet breathing whispered in the air. “Listen to me, Charlotte. I know those girls have had it rough, but they’re like you and me, they’re tough. Survivors. Harrison and Lucas will find them, then they’re going to need you.” She paused. “So the best thing you can do for them is to focus on your own recovery.”
Charlotte blinked back tears. “But all I can think about is Evie and Mae Lynn—”
“Shh,” Honey whispered. “You don’t know the Hawk brothers like I do. They’re the most trustworthy, brave, courageous, strong men I know. When they say they’re going to do something, they’ll do it.”
Charlotte wanted to believe her. But she’d never trusted a man in her life.
Honey released her hand and disappeared for a moment. When she returned she dragged a chair up beside the bed, and dabbed at Charlotte’s tearstained face with a tissue.
“Does your head hurt?”
Charlotte licked her dry lips. “Yes, but it doesn’t matter—”
“It does matter,” Honey said with conviction. “You matter to me, Charlotte.” Honey’s voice cracked. “I know it must be scary to open your eyes and not be able to see.”
“I always hated the dark,” Charlotte admitted.
“Me, too,” Honey said softly.
Charlotte squeezed Honey’s hand and blinked back tears. Maybe her friend was right. She had to be strong. Dig deep. Heal herself.
She wouldn’t be any good to the girls if she fell apart.
* * *
LUCAS CALLED A crime-scene investigative team to search the warehouses and surrounding area, and to process the interior of the building, where they’d found the chains and blood. He and Harrison had done all they could do, but didn’t want to miss anything. Even a partial print or button from one of the kidnappers could help.
His phone buzzed, and he settled the kitten in the SUV. He didn’t know what he was going to do with it, but he didn’t intend to leave it out here to fend for itself.
Maybe his mother would want it. Or Honey. Or... Charlotte.
Hell, what was he thinking? He didn’t even know the woman. She might not like cats. And no telling how long she’d be hospitalized.
“Lucas, it’s Tradd.”
The agent’s voice jerked him back to the present. “What’s up?”
“Did you find anything?” Tradd asked.
“We’re at some warehouses outside Tumbleweed that appear to have been a holding place for victims, although judging from discarded food containers, they’ve been gone a while. We don’t think it’s the Tumbleweed victims.”
“These crews know how to slide in and out under the radar,” Tradd said.
“What about you guys?” Lucas asked.
“I’m on my way to the Mexican border,” Tradd said. “Got a tip from a CI to check out. Agent Sandino is en route to Miami to look at some containers we suspect the traffickers might be using to transport the human cargo.”
Human cargo. Those two words shouldn’t be used in the same sentence.
“I’ll keep you posted.” Tradd ended the call and Lucas hurried to meet Harrison by his SUV. The crime team had arrived and they were combing the warehouse space, processing the charred van and searching the property. If there had been trouble with one or more of the girls or one had escaped, they might find someone in those woods.
The next three hours were grueling as they combed the area. Lucas and Harrison joined in, searching
