Page 109 of Night Hawk
“Yes, of course.” Clay’s mind spun. “But what if she’s not taking Toni there? What if she’s taking Toni somewhere else?”
“Then we’ll need your brothers’ help.” Trent pushed open the exit door and faced Clay. “We’re going to search for the girls. Either come with us or wait for your brothers to show up with another lead. Your choice.”
Toni followed the narrow drive among tall trees lining the way, certain now that Ursula was her kidnapper, which meant she had to be involved in trafficking the girls. Toni didn’t know how or why, as there’d been no hint of this woman’s involvement in the operation, but why else would she take Toni? Hopefully Toni would have an answer to that soon.
The driveway opened into a large clearing with three buildings—a house, a large metal barn-like structure, and an actual wood barn that looked fairly new. Light shone from under the door of the wooden structure.
A semi-truck was backed up to the barn, and a stocky man stood at a door with a rifle—not big barn doors, but a regular-size entrance door. He wore a ball cap, a heavy jacket, and jeans. A solid shank of metal, chains, and a padlock held the main door closed. Much like the lock at the school. A prison.
“Park by the last building,” Ursula said.
Toni drove slowly to get the lay of the land and plan an escape route. Underbrush encroached on the buildings as if no one had tended to this property in quite some time. With the recent wildfires in Oregon, it should all be cut back for a firebreak. If a wildfire burned nearby, the whole place would go up in flames. But maybe this was a temporary home for Ursula. A home for what? Trafficked girls?
Toni reached the door, shifted into park, and tried to get a better look at the man.
Ursula jabbed her gun into Toni’s side. “Get out.”
Toni killed the engine and grabbed the keys.
“Leave them,” Ursula demanded.
Toni did as she was told and got out. A fog was settling over the property and left her feeling wet and cold. She took long breaths to fortify herself for what she would find behind the guarded door. If this was where Ursula kept the girls she trafficked, Toni would have to find a way to save them too.
Ursula shoved her gun into Toni’s back. “Inside the barn. Go.”
Toni took her time, giving the guy who opened the door for them adon’t mess with melook. He replied with a snide grin.
She fisted her hands and considered all the ways she would make him and Ursula pay. Not physically with her own arms, but with the long arm of the law. She’d get them on kidnapping, assault and battery, sex trafficking… She’d probably think of a few more charges before the night was over. When these two were behind bars, they’d never see the light of day again.
Light spilled out, and she stepped into the building. The front was partitioned off. There was a small door with a steel bar, chain, and padlock. Another guard stood at this door, this guy sturdy and rugged-looking too. She turned her attention to the space. Folding chairs and end tables holding pornographic magazines sat by the chairs. If not for the magazines, the guard, and the massive lock on the inner door, it could be any business.
She smelled recently sawn wood. Everything looked new, as if this operation had just opened. Maybe they’d moved here after the high school.
“Through the door,” Ursula said.
The guard opened it, but Toni didn’t move and Ursula shoved her inside a long hallway. “Come with us, Tanner.”
Toni took a good look at the new area as she walked, vaguely aware of Ursula’s and Tanner’s footsteps behind her. Each side of the hallway had four doors. One was open, and Toni looked in to see the dreaded bunk beds, but this time, they weren’t empty. Two girls per bed sat up and looked at Toni, despair dulling each pair of eyes.
Toni’s heart crumpled for them. How could they go on each day?
Toni wanted to swipe an arm at Ursula and try to get away to free these girls. But even if Toni managed to escape, Tanner or the guard at the front would stop them.
“All the way to the back,” Ursula directed.
Toni gave the girls a look that she hoped saidI’m on your side and I’ll be back for youbefore she marched down the hallway to the end. The door was secured by the same kind of heavy lock. The guard got it open and stepped back to give Toni access.
A space the width of the building was set up as a one-room apartment with a tiny kitchen, living area, and two beds. Two children slept in one of the beds, a woman in the other.
Ursula flipped on the light.
The woman rolled. She brushed her dark hair from her face to reveal eyes wild with fear as she got to her feet.
Toni came to a sudden stop, and her mouth dropped open. She was looking at herself only with aged skin, wrinkles, and worry lines around her eyes. Maybe ten to fifteen years older.
“Lisa?” Toni asked. “Is that you?”
Choice? What kind of choice had Trent given Clay? He didn’t know where Ursula was taking Toni. He knew nothing about the woman other than that she’d been married to Rader. He couldn’t predict how she would act. Would she want to oversee the movement of the girls or steer clear of it?
