Page 31 of Lost Truth
“Were there any other boats?” Cady didn’t bother hiding her enthusiasm over this lead. “Like a small craft that could’ve brought them to shore from the big ship?”
Dorothy blinked a few times. “I don’t think so. At least I don’t remember seeing one.”
“You’ve been most helpful.” Hayden looked at the others. “Does anyone have any further questions for Dorothy?”
“None for me,” Abby said.
Cady shook her head and pocketed her notebook and pen.
He glanced back at Dorothy. “Can you think of anything else we need to know about that night?”
“I don’t remember anything else.” She gripped the arms of her chair. “But I promise to sit here and think about it. If I come up with something, I’ll give you a call.”
“Thank you so much, Dorothy.” Hayden smiled at her. “We’ll see ourselves out.”
Hayden waited for Abby and Cady to step down to the gravel path, and they crunched over the rocks to the front of the house.
Abby looked at him. “You’re thinking the trafficked women came from a ship.”
“It’s possible. I don’t think this is a route commonly used for trafficking though. At least I don’t remember seeing a mention of it when I was a border patrol agent. But I can make a few calls and have the answer right away.”
“Then I’d get on the phone if I were you.” Abby gave him a penetrating look, her eyes narrowing. “If Kai is involved in trafficking women, and he did something to anger the people in charge, he’s most likely in danger of the worst kind.”
Hayden agreed, and the sense of urgency put a bead of sweat across his lip. “I’ll see what I can find out.”
As the women walked ahead, he stood back to take a few beats and gain control of his mounting anxiety.
Because Abby was right. Very right. He’d seen traffickers and human smugglers over his years working for CBP. These felons were some of the most ruthless people he’d ever encountered. If Kai was in their hands, and the team didn’t find him soon, he likely didn’t stand a chance.
