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Chapter Six
Sophia couldn’t stop thinking about Maureen Reagan and her warmth. How she greeted her with such self-possession. Although, at the final moment, before she left, she got the feeling that she almost slipped. What was it she said? Oh right, if you need anything, let me know. Why did Sophia get the feeling that she was going to say something else and then changed the words? And, how could ‘letting her know about any problems’ make a difference when they were in two separate parts of the world?
Strange.
But then again, when you’re grieving for your kids, one’s mind might be foggy and forgetful. Sophia headed back to her apartment to begin organizing and wasn’t surprised to see her boss helping himself to the beer in her fridge,
“You know, when I gave you that key to look after the place last time I was in Greece, I didn’t mean for you to make yourself at home anytime you wanted to.”
“Yeah – well arrest me, Sophie. I needed to talk with you away from the office.”
“Don’t call me Sophie. You know I hated it when you and dad started with that nickname. It always meant you’ll want me to do something you know I won’t want to do.”
“Who says you won’t want to please your old playmate?”
“Okay, now you’re really scaring me. What’s up? The straight deal, no prettying up the details.”
“You know what, missy, I’m gonna have to speak with Pat about your distrustful attitude. It’s not an attractive trait in an old maid.”
Laughing now, like she knew he meant for her to do, she settled with her own beer on the sofa next to him, put a quick stranglehold on his neck for a few seconds, and then got serious. “So, what do you need me to know, boy-o, that you came all the way over here to talk about?”
Serious, his face losing the grin, he pulled out a report and handed it over. “There’s a shipment of twenty or so kids and young people gathered from mostly eastern European countries stowed away in a container on a cargo ship that sailed out of Amsterdam sometime in the last few days. Problem is, that’s all the info we have.”
“How do you know for sure?”
“There are anti-human trafficking initiatives starting up in many countries where the problem has grown to ridiculous proportions. Members from different human rights groups gather information by hanging out in places where the traffickers tend to gather. Sometimes, they get lucky and a blabbermouth is heard bragging. Bars in Amsterdam where they openly smoke weed that loosens inhibitions have been a virtual dumpster for intelligence. Once the data is confirmed, they share it with us.”
Sophia took a sip of her beer before she asked, “They couldn’t be more specific?”
“I wish they were, but this time, they only found out after the fact.” He pointed at the file she held and added, “We have a list of all those freighters, but who knows which one is carrying our container. Look, if there’s any way you can track this info from Manos in time for us to be able to intercept that vessel, it would be a bonus.”
Bruner couldn’t help seeing the willingness on her face and added, “I don’t want you to take any risks, Sophie.”
“It’s not that, boss. It’s the thought of that number of people being locked in a regular-size container for all those days at sea. Can you imagine what their circumstances would be like? My God, that’s barbaric. What if someone gets sick, or fights break out? Isn’t there any way you can search all incoming ships?”
“Do you know how many of those suckers arrive each day? And how much manpower it would take, not to mention breaking laws by forcing our way onboard without warrants? It’s unthinkable. Unless we know the exact ship or get a lead on who’s involved in the felony, our hands are tied.”
“What do you want me to do? How can I help?”
“Look, we know that Manos is involved in this slavery scheme so we’re hoping he might have the information we need to find that container. From what we can tell, you’ll have about a week before they make port. Just keep your eyes and ears open for any indication that might involve this situation.”
She nodded and added, “Gentle Jesus, Bunny. I can’t take any chances with the children’s safety. If I’m able to get them away from their father and sneak them off the island, I’ll need all my wits about me. Our plan to steal them away on one of the daily cruises to Turkey, and from there, fly them home can work, but I need to stay under the radar as much as possible. Play the bereaved granddaughter coming home to accept her inheritance. Not snooping around for information.”
“That’s exactly true. But I also know you. Somehow, young lady, you have a way of being able to do things others can’t. I’m just leaving you with this report that you’ll memorize and then destroy. And… if you can find out anything at all pertaining to these circumstances, you will let me know, and I’ll do the work here to follow up on it, okay?”
Sophia nodded. She’d already set up lines of connections she fully intended to take advantage of once she arrived in Rhodes. Her grandmother was friends with many of the older families. They were the wealthier folks on the island, and she intended to use every avenue she could to instigate her way as quickly as possible into the same circle as Manos Savas. The faster she got those kids back to their mother, the better off everyone would be.
