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“No. I didn’t even know about Wagner until Kane told me.”
I glanced at Brie. “I think I can help. Her mother was in the cult with us.”
“Wait. I think I had a flashback of her.” Brie’s gaze clouded with fear. “She was at the compound and had light brown hair in a bun.”
“Yeah, Bernadette,” I said.
A pause filled the line. “From what we’ve learned, Brie, she wasn’t your biological mom,” Sutton said softly. “You were one of the children that were kidnapped when you were little. Maybe two years old.”
Every nerve ending inside me stood on high alert. I looked at Brie, wondering how she was taking this new information.
“Is she alive?” Brie brought her fisted hand to her mouth.
“We’re not sure who she is, but we’re working on it,” Sutton explained.
“The FBI has been on this case for a while, even with Wagner in prison, but a DNA sample will speed up the process, if you’re open to it,” Pierce said.
“How does the FBI know all of this?” I asked, trying to fit the pieces together.
“I can’t provide a lot more information, but a few other people have come forward once they learned that Wagner was released. One of them took care of Brie when Wagner brought her to the compound. They also mentioned that when Wagner would get drunk, he would brag about all the stolen children,” he shared. “And Brie, there’s a bigger reason that I’m calling other than DNA. My contact would like to have you set up a meeting with Wagner.”
“What the actual fuck?” I shot off the couch, sending my cell clattering to the floor.
Brie snatched it up. “Pierce? Sutton? Are you there? Kane dropped the phone.”
“We’re here. I know that was a big ask,” Sutton admitted. “I think my reaction was similar to Kane’s.”
“No. This is not up for debate. She’s not meeting the bastard,” I stated, leaving no room for question … or so I thought.
Brie’s expression turned stoic. “What good will it do if I meet Wagner?”
My jaw clenched as I shook my head. This was not what I was expecting.
“You would be surrounded by the FBI and our men, Brie. No way would you go in alone. Wagner would have no idea that anyone else was there. If you can get him to admit that he kidnapped kids and transported them across state lines, including you, then depending on which state the children were from, the penalty could be up to twenty years per offense.”
Brie slammed her eyes closed. “You mean he would go away for life.”
“Yes. And with the other people that have come forward, it’s looking really good to put him behind bars again since he was never tried on those crimes.”
“Shit.” I massaged the back of my neck, my muscles so knotted with tension it was giving me a headache. “Brie.” I shook my head. “We can leave and start a life all over again. We’ll change our names, but don’t do this, baby.”
Tears slipped down her cheeks, and she angrily brushed them away. “I need some time to think about all of this. There’s no way I can give you an answer right now. I’ll do a DNA test, though. I’m not sure when, but at some point, I would like to know if my real mom is around.”
“Of course. I will say that time is of the essence. Could you let us know by this weekend?” Pierce asked.
“I won’t have an answer before Kane’s game Saturday. We both need to be as clearheaded as possible so he can stay focused on the field.”
“Sounds fair.”
“Thanks for calling,” I muttered, not meaning a fucking word I’d said.
“Let us know if you need anything,” Sutton chimed in before everyone said goodbye, and I disconnected the call.
I stared down at Brie, my blood boiling with anger mixed with sheer terror. “No. We’re not even entertaining this.”
Brie stood and hugged me, clinging to me as she cried.
“Oh, baby. I love you so much, but I can’t allow you to be bait for a deranged lunatic. It sounds as if maybe there are other people that can do it.”
