Page 83 of Hidden Trial

“I will say, hearing what you did to save those girls makes me slightly more inclined to let you help.”

“Now you’re ready to let me help? I thought the matter was settled.”

“It’s a process. I’m working on it.”

“Well, I appreciate it. So, are you going to get some breakfast? Or what?”

“Yeah. I’m starving.”

Chapter18

“Can I ask you a question?”Charlotte said after Will had finished his breakfast.

“You can ask, but I won’t promise I’ll tell. Usually when someone says that, they’re about to ask something personal.”

“I was wondering how a man can eat so many waffles.”

“It’s a rare gift, I know. Now what’s the real question?”

“I’ve been thinking a lot about that job we did when we spoke to Marie. I know you don’t want to talk about it, but it’s clear the girl you’re looking for is important to you. Do you think you have a chance of finding her?”

“Probably not, but I’m not willing to admit that to myself.”

“Can I ask who it is?”

Will considered not answering, but he found he wanted her to know. “Growing up, I got to know this girl a few years younger than me. She was so innocent and virtuous that I was compelled to keep an eye on her. Living the way we did tarnished you. I wanted her to have the freedom to be full of life and hope. I guess, in a way, it gave me hope. It wasn’t long before she became like a little sister to me.”

“Do you know who it was that took her?”

“She got this boyfriend.” He shook his head. “Everyone who knew her encouraged it. Everything about him said he was a wholesome guy, but there was something about him I didn’t like.”

“Big brothers shouldn’t like the guys their sisters date, though, right?”

“I guess. I just wish I had been wrong. He’d created this persona that was completely fake. Turns out he was part of a team collecting girls. I won’t get into the details of how he stole her away, but in the end, she went willingly.”

“That’s what Marie said.”

“No. That was after. When she went with him, she had no idea what she was getting herself into. She wrote me a note before she left saying they were going to visit his mother who was vacationing in Cancun. She thought I would be happy for her. She said they’d be staying in a big, beautiful house with ocean views and would be well looked after. As soon as I read the letter, I knew what was going on. But it was too late.”

“That’s awful.”

“I took my information straight to the police, and they searched for her for a while, but it was no use. She was lost. When I got into law enforcement, I kept looking. Tony’s a good guy, but he has questionable business associates, and sometimes, he hears things, and he’s able to give me a lead. I’ve gotten close a couple of times, but never close enough. If what Marie said is true, then it sounds like she’s been completely taken in. They’ve brainwashed her.”

“But she’s alive.”

“Maybe. Marie’s information could have been bogus. It’s possible she said what she had to in order to get me to leave her alone. But I pray for Kelly every single day.”

“So youdotalk to God.”

“Only about that. That’s why your story means a lot to me. You’ve helped girls who ended up in the same situation as Kelly, and you were a part of helping stop a big operation. You can’t imagine the depth of my gratitude.”

“Stopping Antonio will help a lot of people too.”

“It will.”

“Does that mean we can get on the same page with this? I know the risks, but we can’t keep fighting about it.”

“I’ll make a deal with you.”

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