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Molly leans forward, lowering her voice. “Have you ever seen him with kids?”
Candi frowns. “What do you mean? He’s not a pedo if that’s what you’re asking.”
“No,” Molly clears her throat. “Does he… sell out any kids? Underage kids?”
“I don’t know.” Candi continues sucking on her fake cigarette. “I don’t know who all he works with.”
“Okay… Have you ever been made to work when you don’t want to?” Molly’s voice is urgent, pressing.
I’m troubled by how much she’s trying to force this issue. I want to argue with her and tell her she has no evidence Gavin, a.k.a. Brisbee, would do something like that outside of Guy’s control. We can let it go, end the quest…
But she’ll never accept that from me.
She needs to eliminate every person associated with what happened to her. I understand her drive, but it doesn’t make it any less grueling.
“No,” Candi says, and she looks over her shoulder. “Look, I’m sorry I’m not telling you what you want to hear, but Bris treats me right. Now I’ve got to go.”
She stands, and looks over at Josh. “Bye, Josh.”
“Wait!” Molly rises, opening her clutch. “Take this. It’s my number. I want you to call me or text me if anything like what I described happens. I’ll help you.”
The girl looks at the card a few moments not taking it. Joshua reaches out and takes the card from Molly then he stands. Candi heads for the door, but Joshua hesitates.
“I’ll talk to her.” His face is serious, and his eyes move to Molly’s. “I’m sorry if that’s what happened to you.”
She blinks away, her aversion to pity strong.
I reach out and touch his arm. “Thanks.”
He tosses a ten on the table and hustles to the door after Candi. I look at Molly. Her dark brows are pulled together, and her arms are crossed.
“Come on,” I say, reaching for her. “Let’s head on back.”
She ignores my hand, and we leave, making our way up the sidewalk quickly to our hotel. She’s not talking, and I’m anxious to get back to Jillian and Mark. Still, I can tell by her eyes, she’s thinking.
“What’s on your mind?” I nudge her arm with my elbow.
Blinking down to the path in front of us, she pushes a lock of hair behind her ear and doesn’t answer.
“You can tell me,” I urge, but she turns her head, almost as if she’s fighting tears.
“Molly?” My voice is softer. “What are you thinking right now?”
We walk a few more paces in silence, the only noise our heels on the pavement. Until she stops.
“I thought I could expose him for the monster he is. I thought I could do something good here, break up his whole ring…” Her voice cracks, and my heart aches. “Then I find out it was just me. I was the one who was worthless. I was the kid who didn’t matter. It was only me… just me.”
She stops and turns to face the brick wall, and her shoulders shudder forward. Her arms tighten over her waist, and for a moment, she holds herself tightly as if trying to keep the shattered pieces from flying out into the world.
“Oh, Molly,” I touch her shoulder, but she steps forward, away from my comfort.
“I’m sorry.” She sniffs, straightening quickly.
She pushes her hair back and shakes the grief away. It’s what she always does, and I hate it.
Clearing her throat, she swallows the tears. “So I made a mistake. It doesn’t mean I’m wrong.”
“Why don’t we just do what we originally said?” My voice is gentle. “We can confront him, see if he’ll explain himself, maybe even apologize, and put it to bed.”
