Chapter Seven
Julio rubbed his eyes, exhausted from staying up all night worrying about Rebecca. Her partner returned to the FBI headquarters after the police and agency interviewed them. Julio sat in a hotel room attempting to figure out his next move.
His phone rang, and Leo’s name popped up. “Leo,” he answered.
“Rebecca called. Avie Rahimi’s location has been compromised. We’re on our way to her as we speak,” he informed Julio.
“When did she call?” he asked, sliding over his computer.
“About three hours ago. I tried calling you earlier,” Leo answered.
Julio checked his phone. Leo called him directly after Rebecca left a message. “What did she say?”
“Tell Shadow Avie’s in Greenville, Maine. Matthew has the precise location. What’s going on with Rebecca?” Leo asked.
“She’s missing,” he announced. “I came to her apartment tonight to find it ransacked. Her partner showed up, and as I questioned him, two men attacked us. They dusted for prints. Her partner says she gave a report this morning, and that was the last time he saw her. My gut’s churning, man,” he said worriedly.
“Listen, we’ll retrieve Avie and her son and then head your way,” Leo assured him.
“No. Stay with them. Rebecca wants her safe, or she wouldn’t have called Shadow and you,” he protested. “Jameson and I will find her.”
“If you need us…” Leo said, not bothering to mask the concern in his voice.
“I’ll find her,” Julio said with conviction.
“You have my full team at your disposal,” Leo vowed.
“I appreciate it, man. As soon as I know more, I’ll tell you. I may need Matthew,” he added as an afterthought.
“You have him,” Leo said before disconnecting the call.
Rubbing his forehead, Julio noticed a missed call from the burner phone he gave Rebecca and an unread message. His finger trembled as he hit the button.
At first, he felt relieved at hearing her voice, but turned into fury as he replayed the message again.
Her breath sounded heavy as if she were running and her voice trembled as she left the message.
Julio heard the dogs barking in the background.
The trafficking ring caught her. How? His heart pounded in his ears as he pulled out his computer and arranged a private flight to Berlin, New Hampshire.
With the holiday, flights seemed scarce, forcing him to wait four hours before heading to her last location.
Julio sighed as he went to take a shower.
The hot water refreshed him as he went over his conversations with Rebecca.
Did she inadvertently tell him where she left Avie? Or did she name who might’ve taken her?
Nothing seemed significant, yet he clung to every word he recalled her saying. They carefully tracked the organization. They knew the players and buyers in each city, thanks to Jameson. Did Rebecca stumble upon something else?
Knowing sleep eluded him, he took out his briefcase and pulled out the maps he and Rebecca reviewed together at his apartment.
He scanned the marked areas and made a few notes.
Circling Greenville, Maine, he calculated the distance between the town and Berlin, New Hampshire.
There must be a connection. After discovering the mole in his office, he trusted no one but Leo’s team and Jameson.
Julio repacked his go bag and headed to the airport.
Once he boarded the plane, he tilted his hat down, determined to get some sleep and hit the ground running. Rebecca’s face floated before him as soon as he closed his eyes. A vital piece of the puzzle seemed missing. Until he held Rebecca in his arms again, nothing would ever feel the same.