Page 40 of Lost Truth
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Closing her eyes, Cady sat back in the conference room at the inn while the LLL team settled into chairs at the long table. They’d gathered for an update and to watch the video from Mina’s interview.
The more Cady was learning, the more she wondered if her father’s murder was related to the trafficking. She had to accept the fact that his death really could be part of this investigation, and though she’d rather do anything other than watch this video, she would stay at Hayden’s side while it played.
She glanced at him. He sat rigid and tense, his hands curled on the table. He’d made a call to his ICE contact, hoping to discover if Mayor Sutton had requested an investigation and if smuggling routes were prevalent in this area. He’d had to leave a message, his disappointment obvious to anyone who looked at him. She was frustrated with the delay, too, but she was consumed by the upcoming video and the search they’d made of her dad’s place.
She’d totally freaked out after the search and completely forgot the faith principle she’d tried to employ after her dad’s passing. She’d been trying her hardest to believe no matter what she planned, no matter what happened, God’s behind-the-scenes purpose prevailed. Always and forever.
But now? What possible purpose could He have behind these difficult situations? She shouldn’t question. She’d just discussed this with Hayden, and yet here she was, wanting to know how her dad was involved and why, when she should accept and make the best of any situation God allowed her to be in.
No. No!That wasn’t it. She not only had to make the best, butthrivein every circumstance to serve as a role model for others and bring glory to God.
She closed her eyes and bowed her head.I’m sorry I’m constantly failing. Help me to do better.
Hayden leaned close to her. “Are you okay?”
She flashed her eyes open. If only she could alleviate the concern she found on his face, but she couldn’t. “I won’t lie and say I am. I don’t want to watch this video, but I will.”
“You don’t have to do it. I can update you on anything new.”
She smiled at him. “I appreciate your willingness to take this problem from me, but God put me in this situation for a reason, and I can’t run from it.”
“I’m proud of you for thinking that way.” He reached under the table and took her hand.
His touch was warm and comforting, and despite her brain sayingDon’t let this thing develop even more, she didn’t pull away.
“If it helps,” he said. “Our team has a motto that’s gotten us through a lot in the past. Maybe it can help you. ‘The best is yet to come.’”
“Something to hold on to for sure,” she said, but did she really believe it? Not now. Not when her grief was so fresh, but maybe later.
“I’ll be here the whole time the video is playing,” he said, looking deeply into her eyes. “If it gets to be too much, tell me, and we’ll stop.”
Her heart rate kicked up and not from the danger—from the anxiety. The genuine caring and compassion she saw in his eyes had fired it off. He was the real deal. A guy who could be strong and in control, and yet had a softer side he was willing to expose to her. Even here in front of his whole team.
He smiled softly, then squeezed her hand and let go. She instantly missed his touch and almost reached for him again, but clasped her hands together instead.
He leaned forward to peer down the table. “Before we watch the video, I wanted to let you know the information in my deep dive into Kai has come back, but hasn’t returned anything unusual. He seems to be exactly who he presented himself to be.”
“As much as I’m glad he’s what we think he is,” Cady said, “it would be better for the investigation if he wasn’t, right? Because it could give us something to go on.”
“Exactly,” Hayden said. “Okay on to the video. Someone kill the lights so we can see the screen better.”
“Got it.” Gabe bolted to his feet and charged at the light switch as if it were some treat and not a chore. He never seemed to let anything interfere with his passion for life.
He flicked off the light, putting the room in darkness. Cady squeezed her eyes closed, then blinked a few times to adjust to the dim light.
The screen came alive, showing Mina in her uniform. She announced her name and title, plus the date, time, and location. She panned the camera, naming Detective Elaina Lyons and Olive Simpson, the interpreter.
After a long pause, the camera swung to the imprisoned women who huddled together on one of the small cots. Olive knelt next to them and took the hand of the woman who’d been speaking for the trio.
Mina stepped into place next to her detective in full view of the camera. “I have Li Zhang with me, and the other women have asked her to serve as their spokesperson for this initial interview.”
Olive shifted to look at Mina. “Go ahead, Sheriff. How do you want to proceed?”
Mina rested her hand on her hip. “Ask Li to tell us how she came to be in this cave.”
Olive translated the request for Li.
