Chapter 3
CHAPTER 3
The next morning found all eight back on the road for the last leg of their trip. They rolled into Hank Patterson’s driveway a little before three that afternoon, dirty and tired from the overall trip.
Hugs, backslaps, hellos and jokes were made all the way around. New introductions were also made for Viper and Jacko, since this was their first time meeting the extended family.
“How is your sister doing now?” Sadie Patterson asked Viper later that evening as everyone sat on the back porch after dinner.
After everyone had settled in, showers had and dinner made, the large group made larger with Hank and Sadie Patterson, Axel and Allie Svenson, Gypsy Monroe and Jerry “Elmo” Davison, and a couple of others who were there as part of the Brotherhood Protection, they were all sitting back with a beer and relaxing. Diesel had just finished telling them all how she and Viper had met and married.
“It’s a work in progress. She has good days and bad days.” Viper admitted on a heavy sigh.
“Be patient. Give her time and space. She’s a part of Alpha Squad now. They will have her back, no matter what she needs. Follow their lead.” Gypsy Monroe advised the big man with a soft smile.
“You speak as if you’ve had experience with them.” Gail “Leprechaun” Fullman chuckled as he sipped his beer.
“I do have experience. I’m a survivor of human trafficking. I’m alive because of the four women sitting here right now, plus their team leader, Sgt. Brocard and Ramierez. They helped put me back together when I wanted to give up so many times. Diesel and York are the reason I decided to go into a career as a make-up artist. Alpha Squad cheered me on, encouraged me. I’m not the only one. I know the darkness his sister is dealing with. While her experience and horror may have been different than mine, I still understand the hell she is in.” Gypsy fired back, her hand on Elmo’s lap to hold him back.
“Maybe so, but her own brother is banging the chick whose brother caused her nightmare!” The man arrogantly said, his hand flying towards Diesel.
“And you’re done for the night.” Hank Patterson stood up and walked toward Fullman to escort him out.
“I’ve got him, boss.” Another man stood up, putting his beer down. “Nice meeting you all. I’m sorry for Fullman. He’s always been a dick.”
“You’re good, Chip. We are used to small dick syndrome boys.” Diesel answered, shaking Chip’s hand.
Before Fullman could respond, Chip pulled him away from the group. Peace reigned once again.
“I’m so sorry about that. He’s on his last leg.” Hank sighed as he sat back down.
Diesel chuckled as she patted a vibrating Viper’s leg. “Let me guess, you hired him as a favor to a friend?”
“Pretty much. This was his last chance before my friend cut his loss with the kid.” Hank admitted to the group.
“Sorry, honey. At least you can say you tried.” Sadie soothed her husband.
“Hank.”
Hank pulled out his cell phone and listened to the caller for several seconds. When he looked up at each of the four women from Alpha Squad, they knew their vacation was basically over.
“Hold on just a second, Hosa. I’m going to put you on speaker. I have some friends in town who can help with your situation.”
“Thank you, Hank.”
“Ladies, this is Hosa Warcloud from the Blackfoot Indian Reservation. We served in the SEALs together, back in the day. He’s now with the Tribal Police here in Montana.”
“Warcloud?” Highlander asked, thinking back.
“I’d know that Scottish accent anywhere. MacLeod is that you?”
“Aye, ye bastid! How are ye?” Highlander laughed as he leaned forward.
“I’ve had better days. Now I’m dealing with a freaking nightmare.”
“What’s going on?” Highlander asked, knowing the team was wondering what was going on.
“I’ve got twelve missing girls from the reservation in the last six months. The numbers are higher considering this has been an ongoing issue for a few years,” Warcloud sighed through the phone.
“Why come forward to ask Hank’s help now?” Raso asked, looking over at her teammates.
“Because the missing numbers are rising and faster than it has in the past. Usually from this reservation, we’d probably average two maybe three a year. This year alone, it’s twelve in a six month period. There are three new ones missing from this week alone. No clues whatsoever. They went to school, but never came home.”
“Do they attend school on the reservation or off?” Pratt asked sitting straighter in her chair now.
“Warcloud, I have four women here who specialize in human trafficking cases. They work for the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office in San Diego. They are the ones visiting for Elmo and Gypsy’s wedding,” Hank informed his friend.
“I welcome any and all help at this point. To answer your question, ma’am, they go to school off the reservation. All three girls are freshmen in high school,” Warcloud answered with a relieved sigh.
“Have you talked to the high school and the bus driver?” Diesel spoke up, looking over at Hank.
“I can’t do that since they are off of the reservation. I have requested help from the Redford Police Department. They were notified of the missing girls. I also had the families file a missing person report with the local PD as well. Per the PD, they stated that the bus driver confirms all three girls were dropped off at the drop off location.”
The four women looked around at each other to determine how they wanted to proceed. They knew they had to ask the hard questions, but Warcloud was Hank’s friend, and they didn’t want to offend him before they could get a chance to help him.
“Warcloud, do the girls walk home from their drop off location? Is it on the reservation or off of the reservation?” Pratt asked, as she looked over at York.
“They get dropped off at the line that marks the reservation land. They walk home from there.” Warcloud confirmed for the four women.