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“Right. After some recon they realized things were not as they seemed. They were only able to have one brief conversation with the woman where she confirmed she and her child were not permitted to leave. She was spooked, terrified her son wouldn’t be there when she got home if she said anything else to the Kinross investigator. They spent a little more time watching the group. Researching. Digging deeper. It’s confirmed now, this is a trafficking organization with a legit charity front that’s holding women against their will.”
“It’s brilliant.” Charlize grimaced at her own assessment. “You convince struggling women you are their way out. Offer them a little bit of real support and then you use the one thing they would die to protect in order to control them. If it weren’t horrible, it would be impressive.”
“If the women aren’t going to turn and become witnesses for the prosecution, other evidence has to be found. Something to break this wide open and protect the children in the meantime. We need to get them talking, even if it’s not to the cops.”
“They’ll never talk to you,” Charlize interjected knowingly. That was the point of all this. Mick could do a lot to help here, but traumatized women with everything to lose were not likely to open up to him.
“I think what makes the group more dangerous is they are operating under the guise of a reputable nonprofit. We’re not just contending with the crimes but the reputation of those involved.”
“We,” Charlize remarked with the roll of her eyes. “I thought it was clear that wasn’t an option.”
“You want this case?”
She glanced down again at the papers. There were a few Polaroids peeking out of some scared children. She couldn’t imagine too many things worse than this. “Of course I do. You know me well enough. I’m not walking away from this.”
“So you want me to walk away? It’s not like this is something you can do on your own. We can call Carmen and see who else she can get down here.” He was baiting her. He knew the last thing she’d want to do was call Carmen and admit she couldn’t get the job done with Mick. This work required grit and the ability to put aside your own feelings to help people. She’d been working alone since they’d had their falling out and the idea of a new partner didn’t sit well either.
“We can at least look into it. Make a plan. Then if we need to, Carmen can send someone else.” She didn’t mean that, but also wasn’t ready to admit the truth. They’d take this job together. They’d help these people.
Mick only nodded.
“I thought you were getting out of this business anyway,” Charlize pressed.
“You hoped I was.” He eyed her closely.
“I did.” She was careful not to smile.
“I’ve been talking about a vacation for over a year now. Taking a break. One that might turn into something longer. But Carmen keeps calling.”
“Same. I’m not sure I have much more of this in me.” Charlize sighed. “It’s hard to say no.”
“So I guess we’re both saying yes to this one for now.” He gestured to the files. “It’ll be different this time.”
It was as close to an apology as she might get and would have to do for now. Maybe she’d been a little rash that day too. She knew she’d saved lives, but put her own on the line. All she could hope was this time would be different. No one would need a gun to jam to stay alive.
CHAPTER 3
MICK
“It looks like you’ll need a ball gown,” Mick said with a half-smile. “Carmen has quite the plan laid out here. Apparently, the Angels of a New Day organization has been looking for a grant writer for over eight months. You’re going to get the job.”
“I am?” Charlize snatched the papers out of his hand and began to scan them. “Why has the job been open so long?”
“Because grant writing is complex and highly regulated. Their illegal business practices would likely be discovered by an astute grant writer digging around. They’ve been looking for just the right candidate.”
“Someone willing to bend the rules and stretch the truth?” She was getting the picture now.
“Yes. And apparently, your background lends itself perfectly to that. Carmen’s been building this for some time. She’s worked up a profile on you and even had people start dropping your name in the industry. You’re going to become their grant writer and help them get funding to keep lining their pockets. These grants will legitimize them even further.”
“And I’m supposed to expose this from the inside?” She shuffled some papers around and then tossed them down. “It can take real time to establish enough of a reputation at a company to be trusted with incriminating information.”
“That’s the plan. Get close enough to some of the women being held and forced to sell narcotics and get them on record. Or you can try to find some financial trail to follow.”
“And the ball gown?”
“There’s a gala in a week. They’re going to have some of their success stories featured. Women who are actively being trafficked and held are going to speak to how wonderful the organization is. That can be your first entry point to connecting with them.”
Charlize nodded and read further into the file. “And you’re my date?”
