Page 94 of Matrix

“Well, they don’t get to make that choice. I want them in this office by the end of the day.”

“That’s not going to happen.” I shake my head.“They aren’t in Montana.”

“Are they still in New Orleans?”

“I don’t know.”

“Cut the shit. Tell me now, or I’ll fire you.”

“Honestly, I have no idea where they are. We split up in New Orleans. I haven’t seen or heard from them since.”

I leave out the details about how they were taken into Underground Vengeance’s network of safe houses. The best thing about the club’s process is that nobody knows where the girls will end up. Each link in the chain only knows about the next one. They don’t know where they came from or, ultimately, where they’re going. All they know is that they’re still in the network and that they’ll be safe.

“You’ve made one hell of a mess of this,” Vale grumbles.

“I did more than this office ever could for my sister, and that’s all that matters.” I lift my chin and give him a defiant look. All I’ve ever cared about is finding my sister. I did it with Matrix’s help. Vale didn’t do shit, so fuck him.

“You said you were being held at Blackstone’s house,” he says to Angie.

“His ranch.” She shifts uncomfortably in her chair.

“Could you lead us back to his house?”

“I don’t know where it’s at because they blindfolded me before they threw me in the back of their van. But if you took me there, I could show you the dungeon.”

“This isn’t a lot to go on. It’s her word against a very powerful man’s.” Vale steeples his fingers and rests his elbows on his desk. He stares me down.

“If you get a warrant to search the basement, you’ll have all the evidence you need to support her claim,” I say confidently.

“Are you sure you were being held at Blackstone’s place?” he asks Angie.

“Stop badgering her. She knows it was him. Not only did she see him, but she overheard him on several occasions talking about human trafficking. This is it. It’s the break we’ve been waiting for. We always knew he was up to something, but he was always too smart to get caught. Now, we’ve got a witness. Get a warrant, raid his place, and find that dungeon. He’ll have one hell of a time trying to explain that away.”

“I’m really sticking my neck out based on the word of a thirteen-year-old. If she’s wrong and we don’t find anything, your career is over.”

“My sister would never lie about something like this. I believe her.”

“Okay. I’ll call around and see if any judge is crazy enough to grant a warrant. Sit tight.”

Vale picks up his phone and starts making calls. Based on what I overhear, the first two judges laugh him off. But when he calls the third, we hit paydirt. She’s a new addition to the bench and not nearly as jaded as the others. More importantly, she’s willing to believe my sister. The judge agrees to give him a very limited warrant to search the basement of Blackstone’s Montana ranch. After thanking her for her time, he hangs up.

“I’ll put a team together. As soon as we get that warrant, we’ll move in. I don’t want this to get out. Keep your mouth shut, and don’t tell anyone what’s happening. In fact, stay in my office. I’ll send someone over to get you food while you wait. Don’t let Angela out of your sight. She must be able to make a positive ID when we get there.”

“She will. Also, I’m coming with you.” When he starts to protest, I interrupt.“Look, I’m not letting my sister go in there alone. I don’t care if every FBI agent in the state is part of the raid. They can’t protect her the way I can. Go ahead and keep my gun. I don’t care. Even if I’m on leave, I’m not abandoning her. I’ll go as a civilian.”

“God, you’re such a pain in the ass.”

“There’s nothing you can do to stop me from going. I don’t give a damn if you fire me for this.”

“Fine. But no gun. And mark my words, if she’s wrong about this, it’ll be your ass.” He slams his fist on the desk.

Angie whimpers, pulls her legs up into her chair, and wraps her arms around her knees, holding herself in a tight ball. I hate seeing her so afraid, but there’s nothing I can do other than stay by her side. It’s my only option. I don’t doubt her for a second. Based on her description of the dungeon and how closely it matches Matrix’s, she was there. Now all we need to do is prove it.

Vale leaves the room. A while later, a young agent comes in to take our food order. I’m not hungry, and neither is Angie. I don’t blame her. Eating is the last thing on my mind. My stomach hasn’t stopped churning since we walked into the office. The sooner we can get this raid over with, the better. My whole life feels like it’s in utter turmoil. It’s as if I’m trying to outrun a bullet determined to blow a hole right through my heart. I’m sure some of this is because I left Matrix the way I did, but that couldn’t be helped. Once we take Blackstone into custody, I’ll have time to figure out the rest of my life. Until then, everything’s on hold.

Thirty minutes later, Vale pokes his head into the office.“It’s a go. We’ll leave in one hour. I want you and Angela in body armor, just in case. I’ll send someone in to get you suited up.”

After he leaves, I turn to Angie.“I know you’re scared, but this will be over soon. I promise. All you need to do is point out the dungeon and identify Blackstone.”

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