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“Potentially. Maybe they would even expand what they do outside of this geography. Really scale up to be able to help more women and children. Do you think that would be a good thing?” Charlize held her breath now, wondering if Rose might crack. Hoping she would.
“Great,” Rose forced out. “I just worry that when things grow, they can sometimes change for the worse. Like it can ruin a good thing.”
“That’s very true. I worry about that too. How is the leadership here? Do you think they’ll be focused on growing well or just growing?”
Rose blushed. “I wouldn’t know. Everyone is nice. They’re great. I’m so lucky.”
Charlize hummed. “Everyone is nice? That hasn’t been my impression so far.”
“It hasn’t been?” Her eyes widened with hope. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t know. My radar is up. Something doesn’t seem right. Part of my job is to capture the essence of a group. Try to put into words who they are and what they want to accomplish. I’ve found that hard to do. Maybe I’m way off...”
“No.” Rose stretched the word out and looked cautiously over her shoulder. “I don’t know if you’re wrong. I really can’t say.”
She had to go for it. “Because they have your child?” Charlize raised a brow and waited anxiously. This was an aggressive move. Normally there would be some courting. A time to make Rose feel comfortable. But tonight could be the only access she’d have to someone willing to talk. Brenda could be back any second. Charlize knew her role wouldn’t call for this kind of interaction going forward. It had to be now.
“What do you mean? How do you—?”
“Can I trust you, Rose?” Charlize asked, leaning in and watching to ensure no one was walking by. “I want to help. I’ve heard things about this organization and I want to do what I can to stop them.”
“Stop them?” A battle was raging inside Rose. It was clear she wanted to talk but had so much on the line. She had to wonder if this was a trick. And if it was, what might happen to the people she loved if she screwed it up. Charlize pressed on.
“I know you have no reason to believe me, but I’m really here to help. Please tell me what you can. Tell me where to start and I will help you.”
“I can’t,” she gasped, her eyes darting around wildly. “You don’t understand. They have our children. They keep them, watch them. If I say a word to you and they find out...”
The tears welling in Rose’s eyes were heartbreaking. “Nothing will change if you don’t take a risk to change it. I know you don’t know me, but I am your best shot at getting free of these people. Will you trust me?” It was difficult to not let the emotion show on her face. Charlize didn’t want to draw any attention to their conversation. This had to look like a casual chat.
“My son would be gone by the morning. You understand that? They have a network. Places to take our children so we won’t see them. They have all the power. They have our children.”
“Where do they keep them? I can help you protect your son. But you need to tell me how they operate. Where do I start? I’ll do the digging but you need to give me something. From the outside it looks like they are providing housing, jobs, and childcare. They are saviors. You’re supposed to be their success story. They saved you?”
“They... it’s not like that.”
“Then save yourself.” Charlize scanned the crowd over Rose’s shoulder. No one seemed to be paying much attention to their conversation. “I can’t do anything unless you give me something to go on. A place to start.”
“The housing,” Rose choked out, holding in a sob. “They own these buildings. We have to live there. Cameras everywhere. They know every move we make. The top floor is a daycare. But it’s more like a prison for our children. They don’t let us see them at the end of the night if we haven’t made them enough money. If we step out of line at all, they have ways...”
“Okay,” Charlize said, painting on a fake smile and pretending to be having a lovely conversation.
“Not the buildings on Willow. Those are fronts. Something the charity uses to look like they’re really helping people. It’s where the women all go first. How they trick us into thinking we can trust them. Those apartments look like a dream come true. You won’t find anything there.”
“What apartments are the worst?” Charlize pressed, pretending to laugh and carry on as if all was fine.
“The two buildings on Clover and Elk. They are where you go if you need to be put back in line. But the security is insane. The cameras. They’d know if anyone was coming and no one would be able to get close enough to catch them and take them down. That’s how they get away with all of this. And most importantly, even if someone did get in those buildings, none of the women would talk because they know they’d lose their children. Plus they’re connected with very powerful people.”
“So am I.” Charlize knew she would need more but it couldn’t happen now. Time was up. “Brenda, this is quite the testimony. I could talk with Rose all day about the work you’ve done. Angels. There is a special place in heaven for you all.” She nearly said hell, but she was a professional.
“Oh, I am so glad,” Brenda sang as she placed a hand on Rose’s back. Rose was a pro too. She didn’t flinch at the touch. “Rose has been with us for two years now. She’s such a beacon of hope for the women who are coming into the program. On a night like tonight, her kind words about her own experience with the New Day organization is what keeps us all working so hard. Speaking of which our honored guest here is needed up at the podium soon. I’ll have to steal her away.”
“It was so nice to chat with you, Rose. Brenda, I’m going to go save my husband at the bar for a little while. I’m sure you’re very busy, so I won’t keep you.”
“We’re so glad to have you on the team,” Brenda cooed. “You’re going to bring us to the next level. I can feel it.”
Charlize scrutinized every nuanced move Brenda made. Was she on to Rose? Did she suspect she’d said more than she should have? It didn’t seem like her radar was up. That was the benefit of little twinkling lights and tables full of too many forks. The champagne was flowing. The voices rising and falling in laughter. All that could swallow up the dark truth. Tonight, Charlize was counting on that.
CHAPTER 7
