3. Whisper
CHAPTER 3
Whisper
The adrenalin high I’d been riding since Jeff rescued me and Marcus off the mangroves had quickly evaporated. Since then, I’d been working on sheer determination as Ryder, Jeff, and I ferried the people from that derelict boat onto our Border Force boat Stingray .
Levi and his crew at air/sea rescue had taken Marcus and two of the weakest children we’d saved in his helicopter to Rosebud Hospital. Four more victims were taken to the hospital by Tory, the pilot of Ladybeetle. We ferried the remaining eleven people and the two perpetrators on Stingray back to Rosebud Wharf. The four-hour trip had been an equal mix of chaos and sadness, yet it was also rewarding. Because of us, these people were saved.
I doubted they would have lasted another night trapped in that boat.
Four ambulances and three cop cars were waiting for us as we pulled into the dock, and the second Ryder turned off the engine, uniformed personnel flooded the docks. Detective Kingsley and Captain Watts handcuffed the two men we’d caught, and they both looked like they were about to crumble to ash as they were escorted to the waiting police cars.
The woman in the dirty pink dress struggled to her feet, and every movement seemed to be a mammoth effort. Her face was gaunt, her skin sickly pale, and her clothes hung limply on her frail frame, accentuating her emaciated state. When she grasped her child’s hand, I reached for the little girl and scooped her up, cradling her tiny body in my arms. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I hugged her fragile body to my chest.
I forced a smile, but it felt awkward and uneven. “An ambulance will take you to the hospital to get checked out,” I said, trying to sound reassuring.
The woman’s expression remained blank, and her eyes were vacant. Clearly, she hadn’t understood a word I’d said. We’d tried to communicate with the passengers during the trip, but the language barrier had made it impossible, and we still didn’t know where they were from, how long they’d been on the boat, or what they’d endured. But one thing was starkly evident; if we hadn’t arrived when we did, they wouldn’t have survived.
The little girl trembled against me as I carried her off Stingray and along the pontoon to the ambulance. Parked in another dock was Ladybeetle . I searched for the pilot, Tory, but couldn’t find her amongst the field of personnel ahead. If I wasn’t scared of heights, I would want to pilot that plane. Tory always looked like she was having fun.
As we stepped from the pontoon onto the main boardwalk, the little girl seemed to shrink even more in my arms. Assuming she was scared of the noisy chaos around us, I curled my hand over her matted hair.
“It’s okay, sweetheart,” I whispered, trying to soothe her.
Beside me, the mother winced with every step, and I slowed my pace so she could keep up. The bastards who had done this to these poor people needed to pay.
We’d attempted to interrogate the two men during our trip, but they wouldn’t talk. And both of them had looked as terrified as their victims. I couldn’t decide if it was because they’d been caught, or because they were terrified of the dirtbags they answered to.
If they were tied to that bastard Chui and Scorpion Industries, they had every reason to be scared. There was a long list of people who hadn’t survived after being involved in that deadly crime syndicate.
As I reached the pontoon, the mother beside me gasped and faltered. I slowed my pace further. None of the victims were wearing shoes, and there were no personal belongings found in the boat. It raised a chilling question: Had they been abducted off the streets rather than making a deliberate deal with those despicable human traffickers?
The mother winced again.
I nodded at her. “Just a little further.” I squeezed the girl tighter to my chest and her tiny fingers clutched my back as if she was terrified to let go.
I aimed for the first ambulance with both back doors open where Ebony and Mitch, two of Rosebud’s best paramedics, were prepping their equipment.
“And who do we have here?” Ebony said, pressing her hand to the child’s back.
“Hey, Ebony, this little girl is so brave. And this is her mom.”
“Okay, let’s take a look at you, shall we?” Ebony cupped the girl’s cheek, and she whimpered.
Mitch helped the mother sit down, and I nodded at her. “You’re safe now.”
She wrapped her bony hand around my wrist. “Thank you.”
Her words came out broken as if it hurt just to move her tongue.
I attempted a reassuring smile. “Ebony and Mitch will look after you now.”
I peeled the little child off my body, and together we worked to get her and her mother onto the beds in the ambulance.
I leaned over the mother. “Are you okay?”
She gripped my hand with surprising strength, and a tear skimmed down her dirty cheek.
“I’ll come and see you soon.” I patted her hand, and she released her grip.
Stepping out, I left Ebony inside. Around me, more people were being loaded into the remaining ambulances.
Mitch closed the left door. “How you doin’, Whisper? I hear you had a bit of fun out there.”
He cupped my cheeks in his gloved hands to assess my neck.
“Don’t know if I’d call it that.”
“You love it.” He winked at me. “At least you won’t have permanent scars. But you’re lucky you survived.” He released my cheeks, and his expression grew serious. “Crazy woman.”
I huffed. “Do you know if Marcus survived?”
“Marcus?” He cocked his head, frowning.
“Yeah, the boy I, um, stabbed.”
He shut the second door. “No idea, but I want to hear the full story. Sounds exciting. You heading to the pub later?”
“Probably not. I’m exhausted.”
“I’m not surprised. Near-death experiences will do that. Catch you later.” He climbed into the driver’s seat, and as the ambulance pulled away, I took a moment to breathe.
I stabbed a boy . Jesus, that was going to come back to haunt me.
People were everywhere around me, and adding to the bedlam, damn reporters were hustling at a barrier where Detective Lacey and Officer Cooper struggled to hold them back. Overhead, a chopper swooped back and forth with a man hanging out the side with a large camera. News traveled fast in this place . . . or maybe those vultures just hung around waiting for their next scoop. Rosebud and the neighboring town Risky Shores had suffered their share of headlining news in the last couple of years, thanks to that bastard, Chui.
With all the victims loaded, and the ambulances gone, shouts from the reporters echoed toward us, and they all seemed to know my name.
“Whisper, where did those people come from?”
“Is this related to Scorpion Industries, Whisper?”
“Hey, Whisper, can you tell us why you stabbed that man?”
Jesus. How do they know that? Biting my tongue, I strode back along the pontoon and ducked inside Stingray . I headed for the waiting area where we had cared for the passengers.
My brief refuge was shattered when Ryder entered the room and stormed toward me with his face twisted in anger.
“What the hell were you thinking, Jewel?” he barked.
“What?”
“You know what. You disobeyed my direct order.” His voice echoed off the walls. “I told you to stay on the boat.”
I tossed an empty water bottle into the waste and squared my shoulders. “I know, sir. But I couldn’t let him get away. Not after what they did to those people.”
“That’s not the point, Jewel.”
I knew I was in deep shit when he used my real name. “I had it under control.”
He eyed my neck. “You nearly died.”
The extent of the bruising around my neck had surprised me when I’d seen it in the mirror. “But I didn’t.”
“No, you got lucky. He could have died too.” Ryder grazed two fingers over the scars on his neck, a ghastly reminder of his own near death.
At least my bruises would go away. The claw marks on his neck would stay forever.
“I know, sir, and I wouldn’t have stabbed him if I didn’t need to.”
“You didn’t need to do any of it.” Behind Ryder, Jeff appeared in the doorway. Just as quickly, he turned and strode away.
“But he was just a kid, boss,” I said to Ryder. “I knew I could handle him.”
“You disobeyed an order and put yourself at risk. I can’t have my operatives going rogue on me.”
Heat burned my cheeks. “I knew the risks, and I knew I was stronger than him. I couldn’t let him go. Could I?”
“Yes, you could, and you damn well should have. Now pack your things.”
“What? Aw, sir. Don’t do that.” I threw my hands out in frustration. “It all worked out well.”
“Go home, Jewel. And have a good hard think about whether you want this job.”
I gasped. “I do want this job. You know I do. It means everything to me.”
“Then you need to learn how to follow orders. Now go home. That’s an order.”
My shoulders slumped. “Yes, sir. And then what?”
“Take tomorrow off, too, without pay, and?—”
“But I need to help with?—”
“No. You’ve done enough. On top of your reckless move, you lost your gun. And now I have a ton of reports to fill out. So think about that while I figure out how to reprimand you.”
“Yes, sir. I’m sorry.”
He shook his head, and the disappointment in his gaze settled heavily in my chest.
“Please sir, don’t sack me.”
“Go home, Jewel.”
“Goddammit.” As he strode out the door, a knot of frustration tightened in my stomach. This job was the only thing I’d ever wanted to do.
In the locker room, I shoved some dirty clothes that I’d been meaning to take home into my backpack and when I slammed my locker door shut, Jeff was there.
He tilted his head and tutted. “Not good, huh?”
“I was just doing my job.” The words sounded so hollow.
“Nearly dying isn’t on the job description.”
“Not you too. It was a snap decision to chase him. You would have done the same.”
“No way. I can’t swim as well as you. I wouldn’t have caught him.”
“See? Ryder needs me.”
“How long are you suspended?”
“Today and tomorrow for starters.”
“ And you’re rostered off for the weekend. I’m jealous.”
I hooked my backpack over my shoulder. “Can you keep me informed of what’s going on, please?”
“I will. And just so you know . . . that guy you stabbed is out of surgery. He’ll make a full recovery. You may have stabbed him, but you saved him too.”
I released a breath. “He’s not a man. He was just sixteen.”
“Jesus. Same age as my daughter. That’s messed up.”
“Yeah. Let me know if the cops find out anything about the human traffickers. Hopefully, we can get some justice for these poor people, and the ones who died in that shipping container.”
“Hopefully. It creeps me out that this happens in my hometown.”
“Me too, and it’s been happening for years.”
“Go on. Get out of here. Think of it as a holiday. When did you last take some time out?”
I rolled my eyes. “Never.”
“Exactly.” He grabbed my shoulders and guided me toward the exit. “Go have some fun, Whisper, and act like a single twenty-five-year-old woman for a change. You deserve it.”
He leaned into my ear. “For what it’s worth, I thought what you did was amazing.”
I smiled at him over my shoulder. “Thanks, Jeff. That means a lot.”
Outside, as I strolled along the pontoon, I searched for Tory. Ladybeetle was still there, so she had to be around somewhere. She didn’t come down to Rosebud often; her base was in Cairns further north. Maybe she was catching up with friends or doing some shopping.
Thankfully, the reporters had all gone, allowing me to walk to my car in peace. Breezes drifted off the ocean, carrying away the rotten stenches that seem firmly embedded in my nostrils.
I couldn’t wait for a long, hot shower and then maybe I could crawl into bed and sleep for the next two days.
The drive home was endless, and my thoughts careened through all the jagged details of my day. So much had happened it was hard to put it into order.
I dreaded telling Mom about it. Knowing my luck, she’d probably already seen me on the news. If not, she would definitely notice the bruises on my neck.
Mom never missed a thing. Which was a massive feat given she’d raised me and my four brothers on her own after Dad pissed off with a younger woman who didn’t have kids.
I was surprised to find four cars in my driveway. All my older brothers were home, which was unusual for this time of day.
Damn . . . they must’ve seen me on the news.
I parked behind Clint’s faded jeep, and preparing for the onslaught from my overprotective family, I opened the front door.
“I’m fine. I didn’t get hurt,” I called as I strolled along the hallway.
“Oh, thank God you’re here.” Mom rushed to me.
“I’m fine, Mom.”
She frowned. “What?”
Behind Mom, Clint, Nathan, and Mark were all seated on bar stools along the kitchen counter, and none of them looked happy.
“What’s going on?” I tossed my backpack to the floor.
Mom’s face was paler than usual. “It’s Dane. He didn’t arrive at work today and hasn’t come home. Nobody knows where he is, and he’s not answering his phone.”
“Have you tried Scout?” Dane’s girlfriend, Scout, was the teenage daughter of Ryder’s partner Piper. Talk about messy.
“We’ve tried everyone.” Mom’s voice shook.
“Okay, let me call Ryder. He can ask Piper if she knows where?—”
“We called Piper too,” Nathan said.
“What happened to you?” Mom delicately touched my neck. “Oh, luvvy.”
“It’s nothing, Mom.”
“It’s not nothing,” she snapped. “Look at your bruises.”
“Sorry. I’m okay. I arrested a man who was involved in human trafficking, and well, he put up a good fight.”
“Oh, my goodness. Why are you doing things like that? Why didn’t Ryder or Jeff handle it?”
“It’s a long story, Mom. Have you called Dane’s boss at the wharf?”
“Roger rang me looking for Dane.” She stepped back, but her gaze remained fixed on my neck. “Do you want some ice on?—”
“Mom, I’m fine. Please. Have you called the police?”
Everyone nodded.
“Yes, but they won’t do anything for twenty-four hours.” Mom shuddered with frustration. “I told Detective Kingsley that it was out of character for Dane, but he wouldn’t listen.”
I rested my hand on her arm. “They’re right, it’s only been a few hours. Have you checked that he hasn’t broken down somewhere?”
“Yep,” my brothers said in unison, nodding.
“We’ve been searching for him for hours,” Marc said, picking up his phone.
“Something’s happened. I just know it.” Mom’s voice trembled.
I wrapped my arms around her and my mind raced. “We’ll find him, Mom. I promise.”
“I hope so. I just want to know that he’s okay.” She cupped her mouth, only just holding back tears.
“I know.” I eased away from her. “I’m going to take a shower, then I’ll make some calls, okay?”
Mom sucked her lips into her mouth as if trying to stop her quivering chin.
“We’ll find him, Mom.”
“Okay.” She sniffed. “Do you want something to eat?”
“Yes, please.” Although I wasn’t hungry, it was good to give Mom something to do. I picked up my pack.
“That looks nasty.” Clint pointed at my neck.
“You should see the other guy.” I huffed.
“You kick him in the balls?” Nathan joked.
“Yeah, something like that. He’s in the hospital, but he’ll live.”
Their jaws dropped, and I laughed as I strode down the hallway to my bedroom. Six of us lived in this four-bedroom house, and I was blessed to have a room to myself. Being the only female sibling did have its advantages. I tossed my pack onto the bed and went straight to the bathroom.
As much as I wanted a long, hot shower, finding Dane took priority. In the shower, I quickly washed my hair and scrubbed the day off my skin. In the mirror, I studied the bruising around my neck. Marcus may have been scrawny, but he was strong enough to leave distinct finger marks on my flesh.
I heaved a breath. Jesus. I really could have died.
Returning to my bedroom, I dressed in denim shorts and a black T-shirt and ran a comb through my hair. Feeling somewhat normal again, I grabbed my phone from my pack.
I had sixteen missed calls and a pile of text messages.
Shit! Normally, I would be lucky to get one message in a day.
Sitting on the edge of my bed, I skimmed through the messages. They were all from Mom and my brothers.
And one was from Dane. I opened it.
I’ve done something stupid and I’m in serious trouble. Please don’t tell anyone.
“Shit!” My heart sank. That text was four hours ago.
I tried to ring him, but the call went straight to voicemail.
I tapped a message. Sorry I missed your text. I had a crazy day. Are you ok?
Clutching the phone, I stared at the screen.
My phone beeped.
No. But please don’t tell Mom.
What’s going on?
I did something wrong.
Okay. Tell me where you are, and I’ll come help you.
No.
I stared at the screen, waiting for him to continue. He didn’t.
I tapped another message. Can I call you?
Clamping my teeth, I willed him to reply. “Come on, Dane, answer me.”
No, they took my phone.
I frowned. Who? And how are you messaging?
My watch.
He’d bought an Apple watch a few months ago, and I’d given him a hard time about spending so much money on something so stupid when he didn’t even own a car.
Where are you?
The plantation, but there’s nothing you can do. I need to sort this out myself.
The plantation? Did he mean the Baxter Creek Plantation he’d told me about? A chill ran down my spine. That was an eight-hour drive away. And why did his boss say he didn’t know where he was?
Dane, whatever you’ve done, I can help you. I promise I won’t tell Mom.
Please don’t tell anyone, especially the cops, or they’ll kill our family.
Fuck! What the hell has he done?