Page 25 of Operation: Discovery

“I have all the men of Wayside as patients, plus our four guests right now, and that does not take Moira and Adam into account. My time will be a little more difficult to manage.”

Unless Dee started thinking of him as a patient again. If she had extra time, she might think of using him as something to keep her busy, and that was exactly what he didn’t want. To be a patient again. He wasn’t sure what he wanted her to be in his life, but it wasn’t a nurse.

“What are you going to do?”

Dee laughed as she turned on her headlights. “I have no idea. This investigator stuff is all new to me. I’ve never thought like a criminal to my knowledge, so I’m not even sure where to start. And … maybe I won’t do anything that’s helpful, but being proactive makes me feel less like a victim. Not that I look down on the victims, I’m just choosing to do all I can to avoid that feeling.”

That he could understand. Some people had to take action to heal. Some needed to talk through every aspect of what they could’ve done in order to finally allow themselves to believe their situation wasn’t in some way their fault. He loved that every patient was new and different.

“Technically, if we’re just looking at cases and definitions, you weren’t a victim. Even so, I know what you mean about activity and mindset. You could’ve been hurt and that could cause you to wallow in fear. I’m glad you’re not doing that. We were both too close to dying for comfort.”

“I can’t help but think about Adam again.” She sighed. “He wouldn’t be here right now if not for you.”

Brendon hated being thought of as a hero. He’d tried to never act like one, nor did he want a pat on the back. He’d tried to always be a good and honorable man, someone above reproach. That was one of the things Dee had said she’d loved about him when they’d met. That was also why his departure had bothered him for so long. It was out of character, but that hadn’t stopped him from doing it.

“We don’t know that. What if is only in our imagination? God very well could’ve come up with someone else to walk in right after us who may have stopped it. He may have impressed upon Officer Blake to go and give blood. We don’t know how God’s mind or plan works.”

She nodded her agreement. “I guess you’re right. I’ll start by talking to Adam and Moira. They may recall something that might help me figure out who, what, when, where, and how.”

While English teachers in high school had said those questions would make the perfect essay, the same may or may not apply to investigative work, too. “Well, you know the where and when. We don’t know the why, how, or who, but I suspect Viceroy’s men if Evie is the owner of Moira’s house. They may have even specifically targeted him.” There was no danger to Dee in talking about what they knew. Talking might even stop her from digging too hard where she shouldn’t go.

“Evil.” The word slipped from her mouth like a soft breath, forcing him to listen harder.

“Agreed. Everything that Viceroy does is evil on top of evil.”

“Then we need to stop him. We can’t just sit by and let him win. Not if he tries to kill children.” She squeezed the steering wheel until her knuckles turned white. They stopped at the security entrance and Brendon had to produce his security card, swipe it over a screen, and then the door opened.

Viceroy had hurt children and much more. While his wasn’t the only human trafficking ring in the area, he’d become the biggest that they knew of. Often, the victims who came to Wayside didn’t know the names of their captors. The only reason they knew this one was because a captive who’d been held by Viceroy himself had been rescued. He’d wanted her back. Knowing too much about anyone who committed crimes was dangerous, but this knowledge was deadly, which was why Scarlet and Trace were now far away.

“I agree with you, but Wayside is a place for healing, not for strategic attack. I don’t think Connor would get behind putting everyone in danger, either. The more we hit the head of this snake, the more likely we’ll be the ones bitten.” He knew he sounded like a coward, but they had to maintain some boundaries in order to help the victims at Wayside heal. The guests were counting on the men of Wayside to provide a home for them where they could learn to feel safe. If he or Dee upset that apple cart, they could destroy Wayside’s mission.

Dee pulled into the parking lot and a sense of peace and rightness washed over him. Even with the earlier bombing, this was still home. The rolling hills with horses grazing in the distance were everything which was right with his world. Despite the growing darkness and with it the slow loss of visibility, the setting was perfectly idyllic, and it had to stay that way.

“I wonder if there’s a way to crush the head of the snake without him knowing you’re there?” Dee mused. “A surprise attack, if you will.” She sat in the driver’s seat, staring ahead with unfocused eyes. “Have you ever thought about trying to get on the inside? Find out a way to infiltrate the group?”

Sam’s girlfriend, a former military lawyer, was currently back at her home and taking private investigator classes to get her license. She, too, wanted to cut the head off the snake, but she wouldn’t be back anytime soon. She’d wanted to do the same thing once she was trained. “Short of military action, I’m not sure how. That’s literally how much focus this would take. We’d need to make war here at home. We’d have to admit that America has a terminal problem, and it’s not just overseas. It’s right here on our soil.”

Dee glanced over at the spot where his car had once been, the other handicapped spot next to her car. The pavement was charred and black in areas, the grass nearby was burned black and shone slightly in the bright overhead lights. Once she turned the car off, she shifted to face him. “Then let’s pray for a way and keep our eyes open for an answer. One that isn’t military and saves as many people as possible. We have to pray for truth and revival.”

He knew that thought should offer hope. Prayer was literally the most powerful thing one could do but, in this, his prayers felt powerless. He’d been praying that human trafficking would go away, that there wouldn’t be a need for Wayside Ranch anymore. He’d prayed that God would show up in a mighty way and obliterate those who took advantage of the weak.

But maybe that mighty way started through him and the men at Wayside. Maybe God was waiting for them to make a plan and commit to helping His people. For such a time as this.

“Prayer is a very good start. Let’s keep our eyes open for ways to help.” Even if that meant he kept his eyes on her, too.

ChapterEleven

Dee helped Rebecca dress for her day, avoiding the patches of angry red skin on her shoulders and the tops of her cheeks. The sun and all that she’d done the day before had left her with a slight sunburn, making her tired and a little irritable.

Rebecca yawned. “Are you sure Brendon will want to see me today? I had such a full day yesterday. I want to stay in bed today, rest, and drink water. My stomach is upset, too.”

After spotting her for the transfer into her chair, since she was weak, Dee answered. “He will and I’ll tell you that sometimes counseling can make you more tired than the physical things you did yesterday. If it’s too much, tell him. You’ve got time. But this first meeting is an important one.”

Rebecca groaned and grabbed the pillow she’d propped under her elbow in her wheelchair, then covered her face with it. “I don’t want to see people today. The only close contact I want today is with an icepack.”

Dee giggled, glad Rebecca could still joke after such a full day the day before. After she’d gotten home the evening before, Dee had helped Rebecca apply lotion all over her neck and arms. She’d helped her into bed, then made her way to her cabin. Even tired, Rebecca had a sweet and funny personality that made Dee want to spend more time with her.

“I can go ask him if you’re sure you can’t manage a meeting today. It’s no trouble. I know Victoria will send your meals to the room, like the last few days.”

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