Page 27 of Rescuing Sara

“To be slow or waste time,” he defined. “As I’m sure you well know.”

“Yes, sir.” She gave him her careless salute and then released her laughter. He wished he could laugh with her, but the situation was too serious. Even with Kristopher there, it could be too dangerous.

But he couldn’t keep her locked up here. It would drive them both crazy and he knew in his bones it wouldn’t work because she’d find a way to go, with or without him.

“OK.” He cleared his throat and tried to use a tone that wouldn’t scare her to death. “We have a drop and roll plan in place. Let’s pull up a map of The Main Place to locate possible hiding places we might have to use.”

Her smile faded. “Do you really think someone might try to hurt us in so open a place? With hundreds of people around?”

“It didn’t stop The Cadre from opening fire on Elaine Prescott and Griff last month,” Patrick reminded her. “And if it is The Cadre we’re up against this time, who knows what they’ll do?”

A fear he recognized flashed in her eyes, only to be replaced by a steely determination. A determination to do anything to find her beloved goddaughter.

“But I’ll have you both with me, right?” she said at last. “Two of Brotherhood Protectors finest. Can’t ask for more than that. Unless we’re asking for dinner,” Danni said with a smile.

“And since we still have plenty of leftovers, let’s eat. I call first dibs on the Greek lentil soup.” And Patrick headed for thekitchen before she saw just how very frightened for her safety he was.

CHAPTER 10

Midnight.24 Hour Pancake Shoppe

“Soli Deo Gloria needs The Cadre to find two more brides,” The Man said. “Can you get them?”

“We’ve delivered two in the past two weeks, one only days ago,” Olivier Thomas reminded him. “More than that too soon will get police notice and neither of us wants that.”

He’d selected a booth in the back close to the kitchen. Up front, Drunks and some of the strippers and bouncers fromBaby Dollsfilled at least a dozen tables.From the noise they were making and amount of food they were gobbling, the waitresses were too busy to notice him, and The Man seated across from him. The Cadre client called himself “The Man.” He was demanding, obstinate and truth be told, more than a little bit scary and The Cadre knew everything about him.

And damn, if Olivier didn’t need a cigarette.

“Do you want Soli Deo Gloria’s money or not?” The Man’s lowered voice held more than a hint of a threat.

Has the fool forgotten who The Cadre is?His jaw aching from the force of his smile and his longing for that cigarette, Olivier said, “You say you only want girls who are no younger than ten. Girls that age are closely watched, especially now.But I will reach out to my contact and see if there are sellers. With school closing soon for the holidays, there is bound to be increased availability, but it takes time to arrange transfer from seller to you without drawing attention.”

“Delay will not be helpful or profitable to either party.” The Man persisted. “Some of the elders are growing impatient.”

“But The Cadre is still new to East Tennessee and Knoxville,” Olivier reminded him. “Our transactions have been from a greater distance and we’re still learning this new territory.” He’d only arrived in Knoxville himself a few weeks ago when the community was still reeling from the rescue of those underage strippers.

The Man’s expression hardened. “And if we threaten to take our business elsewhere?”

Olivier smiled. “You are free to do so,” he said smoothly. “But why take the chance on dealing with someone else when you personally have dealt with us for so long?” When the man remained silent, Olivier asked, “You were satisfied with our arrangement for us to supply Soli with four child brides by the end of the year. We have done that. What’s changed?”

“Dannielle Blake’s reporting is a threat to Soli,” The Man said. “Her article on child trafficking is attracting attention and Soli Deo Gloria does not need anyone investigating anything that might lead them to us. We must have child brides and Dannielle Blake could put a stop to that.”

“Are you asking The Cadre to eliminate the Blake woman?”

“You could be well compensated.” The offer could have been made with generosity, but The Man’s voice remained cold.

Sliding out of the booth, The Man rose, buttoned his cashmere overcoat and put on his black trilby. “Soli Deo Gloria is paying The Cadre very well for finding our brides,” he repeated, and the malice in his voice was unmistakable. “And because ofthat, we expect results. We will expect to hear from you within the week about a new girl.”

He left without a backward glance. From the level of noise at the front of the restaurant, more drunks and strippers had arrived and a whole new party was getting started. Olivier forced himself to drink a cup of coffee he didn’t really want to be sure The Man was gone before paying the bill and leaving a generous tip for the waitress for taking up a table that ordered only coffee.

Outside he lit up and greedily sucked the tobacco into his lungs. He’d long ago given up trying to kick the habit and it was his only real vice. No drugs, no booze, nothing that would take him off his game.

But damn. Did Soli Deo Gloria not realize you don’t fuck with or threaten The Cadre? Olivier had been with them for years and that was one of the first lessons he learned. They might move you up slow, but work well for them, follow orders and you’d be well rewarded. Cross them or fail them–well, you’d better have your funeral arrangements completed, ‘cause you were about to be very dead.

Truth be told, Olivier thought as he started his walk to his car, Soli Deo Gloria–to God Alone the Glory–was the weirdest bunch of wackos he’d ever met–and he’d met a lot. Religious nuts who believed men were the heads of their families, keeping wives under your thumb and having as many kids as possible, hopefully sons.

But this child bride thing was the weirdest of all. Marrying girls soon after they started their periods so they could start having babies right away to keep their group’s population going? Jeez, you think a guy would want a woman who knew what she was doing in the sack. The Cadre’s intel said the Soli usually took the girls at ten and trained them for about two years so by the time they had their first two menstrual period, they’d be ready to become wives. Weird, weird, weird.

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