Page 14 of Facing the Enemy
“I have our answer,” Jack said. “Your Heart for Adoption Agency in Des Moines set up an office and closed in twelve weeks. FBI is investigating other potential adoptive parents who received a child or paid for services.”
“How many adoptive parents who went through the agency will come forward? And risk losing their child?” The depth of heartache these people must feel tugged at me.
“Although I can’t argue with their off-kilter emotions, their silence interferes with justice.” Jack shook his head. “We don’t have time to waste to find how the agency is paid, the contracts, brochures, references, birth certificate, arrangements made to deliver the child, and medical information used to deceive these innocent people.”
“Unless you’ve been in the victims’ shoes, you can’t pass judgment.”
“I have to find more empathy.” Jack stood and paced the floor. “It’s integral to unearth their vulnerable areas. Interviews will guide us in the right direction. All those weak points where the perps could slip up.”
“Let’s send requests to the FIG tonight and a request to the Des Moines FBI for a list of maternity home centers, beginning with those that provided housing, offered adoption assistance, taught life skills and education classes to those women who had no place to go. Many of whom were destitute. Ask if they have agents available to interview those centers. Many of the young mothers plan to give up their babies for adoption, and some would be enticed by money. First thing in the morning, we can scout out a few maternity home centers here in the city,” I said.
“High end or low end?”
“The women who live in low-end facilities are destitute, and a higher percentage give up their babies. If approached by a ring, they’d take a smaller amount than those mothers in the high-end centers.” I shook my head. “But the Addingtons’ baby was taken from their home, which meant no money exchanged hands until the Wades handed over their cash.” I paused. “Abortion clinics are another source to find young women willing to give birth for money.”
The enormity of what lay ahead meant hours of running down leads and interviewing those who might have insight into the kidnapping. Jack continued to pace. “What’s bothering you?” I said.
“I’m back to other people who have been duped by illegal adoption. Most people would want to see justice done. This division is relatively new to me, under two years, so what am I missing? I’m used to violent crime against adults. Why is it so hard to have the scammed people come forward? I know these are kids, but why would anyone want to keep a human being who belonged to someone else?”
The bulldog gnawed on a bone.
“Jack, we’re talking about people who ache to have a child of their own. They feel like they’ve been cursed by nature. This isn’t a pet but innocent babies and their parents. The adoptive parents are as much victims as the biological ones. Every second counts to someone who has a kidnapped child or fears their long-awaited adopted baby isn’t theirs. Yes, we need to learn the truth, but not everyone is willing to relinquish a child.”
“I’m doing my best to see your viewpoint,” Jack said. “I don’t havekids or any nieces or nephews to understand all the emotions.” He paused. “But I remember how my folks protected me and my sister.”
Regret twisted in me. “I don’t have kids in my life either, but the emotions will hit you hard when you least expect it. We might uncover more than one organized ring and still not find the ones behind the Addingtons’ case. Could even be an international crime ring.”
“Do you have the physical and mental capacity to see this through to the end?”
My blood pressure rose a few notches. “Why would you ask that?”
“The situation with Risa has you off your game.”
“Since when?”
Jack shrugged. “She broke the well-oiled machine and deserted you. Seems to me you’d be better suited for another area or transfer to another office.”
I held back the anger threatening to erupt. “I do whatever it takes foreverysituation to ensure the law is followed and people are protected against criminals. I don’t have my own agenda. Don’t ever ask me again if I’m qualified to do my job. Look. At. My. Track. Record.”
Jack stared at me. “My apologies. I engaged my mouth without thinking, one of my many faults.”
I calmed down. Hadn’t I treated him like scum? “Risa and I were business partners. She chose to return to a previous career and leave the FBI behind, in many ways like your former partner.”
Jack held up both hands. “Sorry I screwed up the evening.”
“It’s okay. We need to figure out our strengths and challenges. How about sealing our partnership with hot apple pie?”
“You bake?”
“Nah. But my microwave thaws out a mean pie.”
Jack finally lowered himself into the chair. “I’m not Risa, and I understand your missing her after weeks without her and putting up with the likes of me. But we have brought down a few people who were the subjects of investigations, and we’ll bring down this bunch too. Trust me. Whoever is responsible is on a short leash.”
7
RISA
Tonight loneliness held me captive in a cell of my own making. My apartment seemed to haunt me with those I loved. I missed the close relationship I’d always shared with my parents. Gage, my best friend, seemed like someone I knew in another lifetime, not five months ago. I envied his new partner, Jack Bradford. When his previous partner had requested a division change, Jack ended up with Gage.
