Page 44 of Monkey Business

“I did. He confessed that his father hired someone to train the monkeys to bring the women into the tent and out the back, where they waited for them. They would drug the women, keep them drugged, then send a large group over the border to be sold. Although they weren’t selling drugs, they were buying large quantities to keep the women sedated and unable to escape.” Gus nodded at the young man.

“When I figured out that Nozo was related to them, I confronted them. I told them I was going to report them,” he frowned. He looked up at the men and realized how silly he’d been. “I shouldn’t have done that. Right?”

“It probably gave them the upper hand, Gus, but it’s alright. We’re going to figure it out,” said Ghost.

“You know, maybe this was supposed to happen. I wouldn’t have wanted to live with knowing what I’d done. I couldn’t have. I think this is the way it was supposed to happen. When I finally got clarity, I found someone that could help me prove what they’re doing. I did that, didn’t I?”

“You did, Gus. You’ve helped us to prove your innocence and their guilt,” said Nine. “You did real good for an ex-priest with no training.”

The other men all smiled at him, and he stood a little prouder, a little taller.

“I’m not stupid, am I?”

“No. You are definitely not stupid,” said Gaspar. “In fact, Gus. You might be one of the smartest men I know.”

“I think I have to go now,” said Gus. “Not go, go. But go back to the circus. Will you come by and see me?” Ghost nodded at him.

“We will.”

When he was gone, they all stared at one another. Ace stepped forward again, holding out the journal.

“This will prove their guilt, not just for the trafficking, but they were killing animals that couldn’t be trained for what they needed. Monkeys mostly. I’m not sure where they’ve buried the bodies, but once they discovered that the women weren’t perfect or had things on their bodies, tattoos or piercings that could identify them, they got rid of them. There are more bodies somewhere. Maybe not mummies, but something.”

Once again, the men shook their heads, disappointed at the depths of horror humans could actually creep to. Trak stood, taking his wife’s hand.

“Now, can I take Alvin to the circus?”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

When Faith, Lucia, Lily, and Tori walked into the circus the next day, the crowds were double what they had been. The final days of competition were bringing everyone in, and the dancing monkeys were certainly drawing the crowds.

As the women got closer to the ring, the music began, and the monkeys came out with their trainers, spinning and performing amazing dance moves. Once again, they pulled people from the audience to dance, then focused on bringing two young women into the ring.

Tori and the others were so focused on the monkeys they didn’t understand what was happening when the crowd gasped and stepped back. Looking around, they all stared open-mouthed at the incoming act.

“Holy shit,” muttered Lucia. “Comms, are you seeing this?”

“Um, yes. The others are nearby. Just hold tight.”

“Hey! What are you doing?” yelled Patrick. “This is our act. This is our time!”

“Well, now, you better tell her that,” said the old woman. Semu stood tall, letting out a wild cry. The monkeys crouched low, knowing that they were no longer the main attraction.

“Make those damn monkeys pull in a partner,” growled Sean to the trainer.

“I can’t make them. She’s the alpha, not me. She will tell them what to do,” said the trainer.

“Come, Semu, let’s show the audience what a good girl you are,” said Irene. Semu picked up Irene, kissing her cheek, then gently set her down. She walked toward a woman holding a baby, trailing her long black finger along the child’s cheek, then kissing the baby sweetly.

“Oh, my God! That’s amazing,” said a woman in the back.

“She’s sweet as honey,” said Irene. “Now, she don’t like meanness. And she don’t like men who make her friends do things they don’t want to do.”

Tori looked beside her to see Matthew smiling from ear to ear.

“Mister Matthew, shouldn’t we get her out of there?” she asked.

“Are you kidding me? That’s my girl. She knows what she’s doing.”

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