Chapter 5
CHAPTER 5
The next morning, all four women, the men, including Hank, all headed out to the Blackfoot Indian Reservation after breakfast. The ride over was anything but joyous.
Hank led the way in the lead SUV, with the men riding with him. The four women rode in the second SUV that had Diesel behind the wheel while the four women bounced ideas of the case off each other to get anxiety out of the way.
They were headed into unknown territory with this case. But for them, it was nothing new.
Each case they received was treated as unknown territory for them. This was the first time they had one that had them working with Tribal Police.
They admitted it wasn’t the first time they’ve rescued Native American’s, but it was the first time they would be working with the reservations to find their missing. They didn’t have reservations that were close to San Diego where they were asked for help.
This would be considered a huge learning curve for all four women. Something they weren’t sure if they should be looking forward to or dreading due to the circumstances of the situation.
“I feel like York and Raso should take the lead on this one.” Pratt said out of the blue.
“Why?” Raso asked hesitantly.
“Because you two know how to talk to people. Red and I are blunt and have no fucks to give so we’re more likely to insult someone with a question.” Diesel answered, understanding what Pratt was doing right off the bat.
“Ok. I guess we can do it. Do you think that there’s someone on the reservation that’s doing this?” York asked as she turned slightly so she could see her teammates better.
“I think we’re dealing with someone who has reservation knowledge. Whether it’s someone who is Native or not, it’s too early to tell. I want to check the roads from where the bus drops the girls off to where they walk to. Once we see that, I think we have a better direction to go.” Pratt sighed as she leaned her head back against the seat rest.
“I would hate to think it’s someone on the reservation, but then again, we see parents, mom’s, dad’s, siblings, grandparents, even aunt’s and uncles who sell kids in our own world.” Diesel admitted to her teammates as she continued to look out the windshield, following Hank.
“I strongly agree with Pratt on this one. Whether it’s someone who’s Native American yet is too soon to tell. But whoever it is has knowledge of both worlds. We need to be prepared.” Raso agreed with Pratt.
“We also need to have them prepared for that possibility, too.” York advised as she turned to look back out of her window.
The rest of the ride was met with silence. Each one lost in their own thoughts as they continued down the highway to their destination.
All four women knew the hell that awaited those young girls. The hardest part was letting the families know what those girls were going through and what to be prepared for when and if they were found.
That was never the easiest part of their job. It was also one they learned the hard way to never take for granted.
They did that once. Once. And it cost a girl her life.
Now, they saw the job finished from the moment they got it, until that person was healed and able to function on their own. Even then, they never truly were out of that person’s life.
Gypsy Monroe was one of them. They had rescued her years ago.
Even though she was a functional adult in life again, she was still very much a part of their life. Her inviting them to her wedding was proof of that.
“We’re coming up to the location where the bus drops the girls off. Hank is going to stop and let Viper, Jacko and Marcus out. We’re going to switch vehicles with them. They will take this one and we’re going to hop into Hank’s so he can take us the rest of the way in.” Pratt informed her teammates as she read the text message that her husband had sent her.
“Works for me. If it’s ok with you, I’d like to stay behind with the guys, look at a few things myself. I want to walk back to where we need to go. I want to see how long it takes them to walk that and what all is around it with my eyes.” Diesel stated as she followed Hank at the turn off.
“Perfect. When you get back in, you can fill us in so we have a better idea of how to proceed from there. Something tells me it’s going to be a long day with this one.” Pratt sighed as she opened the front passenger door to get out.
Pratt, Raso, and York got into the SUV where Hank and Highlander waited for them while Diesel, Viper, Jacko and Marcus stayed behind with the second vehicle. They knew today was going to be important for them to look for clues.
Once they had arrived at the Tribal Police Department on the reservation, the three women tilted their heads side to side, fighting off the tension that was starting to build with this case. It was time to put their game faces on and get to work.
Everyone got out of the vehicles and followed Hank into the police department. When they came in, all eyes turned to them.
Yep, they were the only ‘white’ people in the room. It was blatantly obvious they didn’t belong there.
“Can I help you? You seem a little lost,” The receptionist behind the desk asked a little briskly.
“I’m Hank Patterson. Captain Hosa Warcloud is expecting us. Can you please let him know that we are here.”
“Are you the people Warcloud is bringing in to find our children?” A woman asked from behind them.
Pratt, Raso and York turned around to see six women stand suddenly at Hanks statement. The three women looked at each other for several seconds before turning back to the women.
“Yes. That would be us. We’re going to do everything in our power to find your children and bring them home. Can you give us the chance we need to find them?” Pratt asked, looking the leader in her eyes.