Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Everyone gathered around the redwood table and filled their plates. As they began to enjoy the fluffy pancakes and link sausages, Debbie declared, “Hey! Where are Dee and Barbie?”
“I haven’t seen them all morning,” Terrin remarked. Her inquisitive eyes studied Finnigan. “You were in Bunkhouse B. Did you see them?”
“I had my arms full of laundry, so I was focused on the washing machine. I didn’t look at the bunkbeds.” Finnigan rose to his feet. “I’ll go check now.”
“I’ll go with you.” Clearly, Terrin didn’t trust him. He’d have to tell her the truth. She already knew Tawny was undercover.
A few steps from Bunkhouse A, Finnigan confessed, “My name is Marcus Finnigan. I’m Captain Finnigan’s brother. I’m also an LA SWAT officer and Tawny’s fiancé. We learned that Whitcomb and Macintosh recruited Dee and Barbie to run drugs, so we extracted them in the middle of the night. They’re with the FBI right now.”
To her credit, Terrin remained calm. “We saw them change overnight. So, how is it being done?”
Finnigan thought it best to keep the balloon he’d found a secret. “We’re not sure yet. I’ll get that information as soon as Dee and Barbie share it to the FBI.”
They made a show of searching the bunkhouse. Before they left, Terrin put the clothes in the dryer. “What do we do now?”
“We say they’re gone. You, Yolanda, and Tawny will be moving into Bunkhouse B. Even though there’s room for all six of you now in Bunkhouse A, it’s too risky for them. They want you isolated into a small group.”
“Okay.”
“Follow my lead.”
Finnigan and Terrin burst into the bunkhouse. “Dee and Barbie are gone,” he declared grimly. “Shit! I can’t believe this happened on my watch!”
Everyone chattered with surprise and shock, but one voice rose above the others.
“We’re screwed!” Susan shouted. “We’re going back to prison! Fuck them! How could they do this to us? Just when we were starting to earn some respect!”
Some of the others cried their agreement.
“Don’t panic,” Finnigan advised. “Let me think.”
“Everyone, stop.” Tawny’s strong voice rang out. Silence fell as she commanded their attention. “I don’t think Dee and Barbie left of their own accord. You saw how strangely they’d been acting lately. Something was up with them. What if they were taken?”
The women exchanged startled glances.
“You mean abducted?” Debbie asked.
“Yeah.” Tawny stared at Finnigan. “Did you leave your post last night?”
He faked a sheepish expression. “Uh…well, yeah. I, um, took a nap in my car.”
Angry murmurs rose among them.
He held up his hands to placate them. “Stupid. Yeah, I know.”
Tawny addressed Terrin. “Did you notice if anything personal was missing?”
She tilted her head as she considered the question. “No. Their extra stuff was still there, and their beds had been slept in.”
“That settles it,” Tawny declared in a definitive tone. “Somebody kidnapped them.”
Common fear swept through them. Debbie and Susan paced back and forth. Ronette gripped Terrin’s hand.
“T, tell us what to do.” Yolanda’s acknowledgment of Tawny’s leadership attracted their attention.
“Whatever this is, it’s going to happen again. But now we’ll be prepared. Debbie and Susan are staying in Bunkhouse A from now on. After the weekend, you, Terrin, and I will move into Bunkhouse B. We’re the strongest and can take care of ourselves. Next, we’re not contacting Captain Finnigan about this.” She addressed Finnigan. “Agreed?”
“Yeah. It’s best to keep the element of surprise on our side.”
“You need to leave Monday morning before Whitcomb, Macintosh, and Captain Finnigan arrive,” Tawny advised. “They’ll be thrown off guard when they discover two of us are missing. They’ll try to get answers, but there won’t be any. We’ll watch Whitcomb and Macintosh carefully, too, because who knows? They probably orchestrated this whole situation.”
“What do you want me and Susan to do on Monday?” Debbie asked.
“Say you’re scared, and Terrin, Yolanda, and I will take your place in Bunkhouse B.”
“I won’t be lying. I am scared.”
Tawny glanced at the group. They’d formed a half circle around her. “I know you’re scared. But remember, you’re Titans! And who were the Titans?”
“Um, a football team who rose above tragedy and racism?” Ronette replied.
“I was thinking of the gods who battled the Olympians, but okay. We’re the Titans who are rising above our current circumstances and becoming triumphant. We’re winners!” She stuck out her hand. “Who’s with me?”
They stacked their hands on top of hers and cried in unison, “Titans!”
Finnigan’s chest swelled proudly at how Tawny dealt with the women. She was a natural-born leader, and her huge heart fueled her empathy and compassion for others. But the reality of the situation tempered his pride. He feared the women would hate her when they learned the truth—resent her for leaving them behind.
During the weekend, Finnigan spent his time cooking, cleaning, and putting things in better working condition. He fixed a couple of bunkbeds that needed to be stabilized and stopped leaky faucets in both bathrooms. He rehung loose shutters on the windows and repaired the basketball net. In between chores, he participated in card games and board games, and he challenged them to a basketball tournament, one-on-one with him. He lost to Yolanda and accepted their good-natured teasing. Finnigan and Tawny also led the Titans through their daily workout routine.
At night, after everyone fell asleep, he and Tawny rendezvoused in the toolshed for hours of hot lovemaking. Earlier, he had filched a blanket off an empty bunkbed in Bunkhouse B and laid it on the ground. If the women needed anything from the toolshed, Finnigan would volunteer to fetch it so they wouldn’t discover his and Tawny’s love nest.
After a robust bout of lovemaking, Finnigan traced a lazy path down Tawny’s body with a finger. “How do you do it, Red?”
“Do what?”
Her husky voice, filled with sexual satisfaction, excited him. He bent over and sucked on a rosy nipple.
“Make me fall even more deeply in love with you.”
Finnigan turned her face toward his and devoured her mouth in a savage kiss. With a slight shifting of his body, he slid easily into her. His slow, rhythmic movements gradually increased their pleasure until Tawny cried, “Now, Finn! Oh God, now!”
“Not yet.”
Finnigan maintained his rhythm, making Tawny whimper with need. When they finally reached the summit, they free-fell into a swirling mass of passion.
“That was incredible.” Tawny let out a contented sigh as she snuggled next to him. “You’ve never made love to me like that before.”
“It’s a matter of urgency. I have to leave in a few hours.” Finnigan fell silent. One hand idly caressed her arm, which was flung over his chest.
“Why are you so quiet?”
“Our cover is blown. To be honest, I’m worried about Yolanda and Terrin betraying us. Or, more importantly, you .”
“I’ve thought about nothing else. About how many mistakes I’ve made. But Yolanda and I are blood sisters. I believe she has my back. No. I know she has it. And so far, Terrin has proven herself trustworthy. Have faith, Finn.”
“I do. In you. Wholeheartedly. But desperate people often make deals with the Devil. Just don’t let your guard down.”
“I won’t.”
“Now, back to more pleasant matters…” He rolled her beneath him and ravaged her mouth with his.
They made love twice more before Finnigan had to leave. He kissed Tawny long and hard, then pressed his forehead against hers.
“The next few days are going to be rough, Red. Whitcomb and Macintosh are going to force you to swallow drug-filled balloons like the one I showed you. Your instinct will be to resist, but don’t. Do what they say. Just one run, baby. That’s all we’ll need to bring them down. Remember, we have Tex tracking you.”
Tawny gripped his forearms. “Yes, I know.”
“Be tough, sweetheart. Stay strong.”
“I will.”
He kissed her one last time, told her he loved her, and watched her disappear into the main bunkhouse.
The women rose early on Monday. They went about their typical routine as if nothing unusual happened over the weekend. Finnigan had inspired a sense of comfort and normalcy through his helpful and respectful attitude. As a SWAT officer, he’d seen the worst of humanity, and though these women were guilty of the crimes they’d been incarcerated for, he hated the way they’d been railroaded and used by even worse criminals. He admired and appreciated their effort to work hard toward redemption. That morning, Finnigan’s absence created a void felt by everyone, especially Tawny.
A loud commotion in the yard drew their attention away from breakfast. Dishes clattered, and chairs scraped against the floor in their haste to dash outside. Moira stood toe to toe with Macintosh and Whitcomb in a heated argument.
“They’re under your command!” Whitcomb shouted. Spittle flew from his mouth. Veins popped out on his forehead and neck in an apoplectic fit. “How could you let this happen?”
“Like you, I wasn’t here,” Moira argued. “When I left on Friday, Dee and Barbie gave no indication that they were planning to run.”
Whitcomb spotted everyone watching the drama unfold and pointed at Tawny. “You! Get your ass over here! Now! ”
Tawny ambled toward him with deliberate slowness. “Is something the matter?”
She taunted him with her teasing tone and half smile. His face reddened even more. He clenched his fist, probably itching to punch her.
“You’re the undisputed leader of these fuckin’ women. Where are Dee and Barbie?”
“This is pointless. Let’s call for a transport van and take them back to prison.” Macintosh’s threat made no impression on them.
“You don’t have the authority,” Moira pointed out. “That’s my decision, and I stand by my Titans. They haven’t done anything wrong.”
“Yeah, and two escaped,” Macintosh reminded Moira in a caustic voice.
“Are you sure?” Tawny interjected. “Have you thoroughly searched the bunkhouse to see if they took anything with them?”
Whitcomb and Macintosh shared a significant glance and bolted toward Bunkhouse B.
While they waited, Moira addressed Tawny. “What in God’s name happened this weekend?”
“Captain Finnigan, don’t be mad at Tawny,” Yolanda spoke up in Tawny’s defense. “It’s not her fault that Dee and Barbie were kidnapped.”
Moira’s jaw dropped. “Kidnapped? What the hell?”
Just as Tawny began to explain, Whitcomb and Macintosh rejoined them and looked far less choleric. In fact, fear and confusion shone in their eyes.
“Dee and Barbie didn’t flee from the camp,” Moira deduced.
“Not likely,” Whitcomb admitted with reluctance. “Nothing is missing as far as we can tell.”
Except for a packet of heroin, which we’re not supposed to know about.
“One of you, or all of you, knows something.” Macintosh swept his arm toward them, but his suspicious gaze pinned Debbie and Susan.
“All we know is that when we woke up this morning, they were gone,” Debbie explained.
“It’s time to report this.” Moira pulled out her cell phone and pressed a number on it. She’d been left out of the loop, and Tawny could tell she was furious by the fire in her eyes and rigid posture. “Yes, this is Captain Finnigan. I’d like to file a missing person’s report. No, it hasn’t been twenty-four hours! Dee Rogers and Barbie Lewis, two of my team members in the fire program went missing between eleven p.m. last evening and eight a.m. this morning.”
She provided a brief description. “I’m sure they didn’t leave voluntarily because all their personal belongings are still here.” Moira paused. “Any sign of a struggle? I don’t know.” Whitcomb and Macintosh shook their heads. “No. All right. We’ll be expecting them.”
Moira ended the call. “They’re sending investigators.”
Whitcomb and Macintosh shot uneasy glances at each other and moved some distance away. Whitcomb took out his cell phone and made a call.
Moira instructed everyone to head inside. “Somebody talk.”
Their heads swiveled in Tawny’s direction. “Okay, Captain. Here’s the God’s-honest truth. That dumb but sweet guard took a nap in his car Friday night, and Dee and Barbie were snatched while he slept.”
Understanding dawned. Ire flared again in Moira’s eyes. “A phone call would have been nice.”
“Captain, we didn’t want you to get in trouble,” Yolanda explained. “That way, you have…what’s it called? You know, from the movies… Oh, yeah. Plausible deniability.”
Moira quirked her eyebrow. “Very considerate of you. We’ll be lucky if they don’t shut us down after this.”
“They won’t,” Tawny responded. “Not now.” She gazed in turn at each Titan. “We stick to the story we agreed on. When you’re questioned, don’t embellish, and don’t volunteer anything. Got it?”
They nodded.
Breakfast went to waste. No one felt like eating. The next forty-five minutes passed slowly as if someone commanded Time to crawl. When they heard sirens in the distance, they jumped like live wires.
A caravan of patrol cars and typical black Suburbans rolled into the yard. Doors slammed. Feet crunched on the gravel. Debbie and Susan clutched each other in fear. Moira flashed a grim but reassuring smile at them and walked out to meet Sheriff O’Grady and his entourage. Tawny, Yolanda, and Terrin followed her while the others hung back in the open doorway. Whitcomb and Macintosh joined Moira.
Tawny scanned the crowd. She recognized Sheriff O’Grady and the belligerent detective who’d been on the scene when they found Gary Colfer’s body. Jiena climbed out of one of the black Suburbans, along with two of her agents from her Laguna Beach satellite office, Olivia Warren and Claire Mitchell. They introduced themselves to Sheriff O’Grady and the detective. Their hard-set jawlines and unfriendly demeanors suggested that they didn’t appreciate the Feds interloping in their jurisdiction. Jiena allowed the sheriff to lead the investigation, most likely to appease him. He began by attacking Moira.
“You’re responsible for this fiasco, Captain Finnigan. I’ll see you stripped of your rank!”
“I wouldn’t call two of my team members being lured out of their beds and abducted a fiasco. Have you even bothered to question the guard assigned to this post over the weekend? In fact, where is he? He should have to explain how this happened.”
Sheriff O’Grady scowled and pointed at Whitcomb and Macintosh. “Who was on duty over the weekend?”
“We’re not sure,” Whitcomb replied.
“What the hell? Aren’t you supposed to stay until your relief arrives? Can you at least tell me if he was from the prison?”
“I said we’re not sure!” Whitcomb lost his temper. Little wonder with the Feds breathing down his neck. “A Honda Accord passed us as we were on the road. That’s all we know. And Warden Stoltz is clueless.”
Jiena stepped toward them. “Show us Dee and Barbie’s quarters.” Her intervention defused their antagonistic behavior.
Whitcomb and Macintosh led the Feds to Bunkhouse B, and Jiena ordered the officers to search it. Tawny dared to inch closer and watched the officers trash the bunkhouse, searching for evidence. They dusted for fingerprints. Knowing they would, Finnigan had wiped down all the surfaces he’d touched. Tawny and Yolanda had done a second, thorough cleaning to be safe. She prayed there weren’t any hairs or stray fibers left behind. The officers came out of the bunkhouse with a few baggies in their hands, and Tawny gulped.
But when the detective asked about the toolshed, Tawny’s heart leaped into her throat. Her and Finnigan’s DNA was all over the toolshed. She’d done her best to clean it up, but now she worried they’d find something to trace back to Finnigan. If they did, it would take days to process. Hopefully, before then, the case would be over. And even if it wasn’t, she believed Jiena would protect the integrity of her case.
She breathed easier when Olivia and Claire volunteered to search the toolshed, especially when they came out empty-handed.
During the search, which also included Bunkhouse A, Sheriff O’Grady interrogated the women. He started with Debbie and Susan since they roomed with Dee and Barbie. The two women maintained that they didn’t know anything other than observing the changes in Dee and Barbie’s personalities in the days prior to their disappearance. From his clenched facial features and flushed tone, it seemed all the women sticking to the same story angered Sheriff O’Grady. His detective appeared to be equally frustrated with them. He glared at Tawny. Evidently, her defiance infuriated him.
“Every single one of you is part of a conspiracy to cover up the truth about what happened to Dee Rogers and Barbie Lewis.” He spat on the ground. “If it’s the last thing I do, I’m going to shut down this camp for good and drag your asses back to prison where you belong. Starting with you.” He pointed at Tawny.
She folded her arms across her chest. “Bring it, Detective.”