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One Hundred One
Derrick decided to let Serena stew in a cell for a while, hoping a big dose of reality would encourage her to talk. Bennett had called, saying he found an offshore account with half a million in it in Autumn’s name.
“If you expect any kind of deal, then you’d better cooperate,” he said tersely. Using that information, he spent the next half hour grilling Autumn, who spilled the beans quickly.
“I was only trying to help those poor kids,” Autumn said. “They were starving and living in cardboard boxes.”
“How many did you take?”
Autumn worried her bottom lip with her teeth. “Just three.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes,” Autumn said.
“You kidnapped them for money,” Derrick said in disgust. “And you’re going to jail for it.” He shoved a pad of paper in front of her. “Make a list of their names, where you found them and the dates.”
The lawyer nudged her with a hand, indicating she should cooperate.
Bennett was calling as Derrick made it back to Ellie’s office. “We found three other children at the headquarters,” his partner said after they’d searched the house. “All boys. No Ava. We’ll have them examined, determine their IDs and notify next of kin.”
“Good. Ms.Juniper is making a list of the children she abducted so we can compare. How about evidence on the group and how widespread their operation is?”
“We’re confiscating all the computers and will have the cyber team analyze them. But judging from the evidence I found here, they mainly deal in the States. Hopefully, we’ll find contacts for all those involved in the laptop and have arrested two men who were here manning the phone and monitoring the boys.” He sighed. “We should have enough to bust this group wide open and shut them down,” Bennett said.
“And track down the children they sold,” Derrick replied. “Even if they were all homeless as Morino insisted, some may have families looking for them.”
“We’ll organize a task force to look into each case,” Bennett said.
“Good work,” Derrick said. Although as he disconnected, his gut pinched. He should feel victorious after tracking down this group.
But Ava’s name wasn’t on the list, and Serena and Autumn had denied taking her. If they hadn’t abducted Ava, who had?
One Hundred Two
In the conference room, Ellie studied the whiteboard, her head starting to throb again. Another night was setting in and she still had no good news to report to the Trumans.
A commotion sounded from the front area, and she went to the bullpen, finding Angelica and her cameraman talking to the sheriff.
Angelica began the interview right away. “We’re coming to you live from Crooked Creek’s Police Station where Sheriff Waters is prepared to make a statement.”
Ellie glared at Bryce, but he seemed unfazed. “This evening, in conjunction with the FBI, Bluff County Sheriff’s Department and Crooked Creek PD busted a child kidnapping and trafficking group who called themselves MWC, an acronym for Mother Wants Child.” He paused. “Detective Ellie Reeves was instrumental in rescuing a little girl from the hands of the group and I just spoke with Special Agent Derrick Fox who stated that the FBI located the group’s headquarters. Three boys were at the house and are being examined by pediatricians. At this time, I cannot release the names of the children as we’re working on confirming identities and contacting their families.”
Angelica angled the microphone toward herself. “Sheriff, was Ava Truman among the rescued children?”
Bryce’s loaded gaze met Ellie’s, and she felt her phone vibrating on her hip.
“I’m sorry to report that Ava Truman was not one of the little girls rescued in this operation.” Bryce sighed. “She is still missing at this time, and we are doing everything possible to find her. Once again, we implore those with any information regarding her disappearance to call the tip line.”
Bryce raised a questioning brow, silently asking if she had anything to add, and Ellie shook her head. He’d already said it all.
Her phone vibrated again, flashing with the Trumans’ name. Angry and bottled with frustration over the case, she hurried into her office and shut the door.
The Trumans had most likely seen the news. She’d wanted to spare them that, but once again, Bryce hadn’t been able to keep his mouth shut. He’d called Angelica so he could gain the glory for the arrest.
One Hundred Three
Black Gum Avenue
