Chapter Seven
Axton
M y protective instincts kicked in the moment a tall gray haired man in scrubs and wearing a white lab coat entered the hospital room. I was instantly at the girl’s side, but then he smiled, and I questioned what the hell was wrong with me. That was a little too protective.
“Dr. Ford, and I believe you are Mike Axton from Creed’s Motorsports?” He reached across her still body to shake my hand, and I shook his in return.
“That’s me.” I said as he shook it.
“I’ll admit, I’m surprised someone showed up. I am familiar with Creed’s Lake Motorsports. I’m a fellow bike enthusiast myself. Plus, your boss has been in the news lately.” He was all smiles.
“Yes, he has with his marriage and all.” I agreed.
He gave me a wink. “Clint Carlson just gave me a call.”
My brows lifted. “You know him?”
“Let’s just say we have some common interests, and I know why you’ve taken such an interest in our sleeping angel here. I was here when she was brought into the ER, and as soon as I saw that business card. I knew she would be a particularly special case. I’m the neurologist that was called in last night, and I asked Tara not to give you any problems.” He looked down at the girl. “She reminds me of a broken angel, and I’m presuming she was escaping a bad situation. Do you get the same feeling?”
“I do.” I answered as I studied the name on the badge clipped to the pocket of his lab coat. Dr. Robert Ford, I’d have to do a background check on him and run his name by Clint.
His eyes met mine. “So, any clue who our mysterious girl might be?”
I gave him my best smile, although the trust wasn’t quite there yet. “I’m getting close, I believe. May I ask you a few questions?”
“Sure, I’ll do whatever I can to help.”
“Upon examining her, did you find any distinguishing marks? Maybe a tattoo, scars, some old bruising or anything?” I asked.
He shook his head. “No tattoos, and let me see about the scars. The only thing I remember is the birthmark under her left arm.” He walked over to a computer and started looking at her file while I reluctantly lifted her arm, and in that moment, I gasped at what I saw. An oddly shaped birthmark, the very one I have seen every day of my life. It matched the one I had on my left arm, in the exact same spot. I quickly set her arm back down and hid my arm instinctively.
He turned toward her. “She has a small scar on her right foot. It looked like a puncture wound, like maybe she stepped on a nail at some point. It’s a scar and looks like it healed well. She’s a healthy weight for her height and all of her tests came back good. She’s not diabetic, and we didn’t detect any other underlying health issues.” He pulled a small flashlight from his pocket and leaned over her. “She has blue eyes as you can see.” He lifted her eyelid, and I saw the most gorgeous cornflower blue eyes I had ever seen. “She’s healthy and I expect a full recovery. The swelling and brain bleed are very small and won’t need any intervention. The best we can do for her is use the magic of drugs and save her the pain she would be feeling if she was awake. Wherever she came from was somewhere she was well cared for, that much is evident.”
“Has security detected any unusual activity since she arrived?” I asked.
“Not that I’m aware of, but I could ask Tara to give them a call and ask.” He offered.
I didn’t exactly have much faith in the security and patient privacy in that particular hospital. “Do you have any idea how long she will be in this medically induced sleep?”
“That depends on her and what her daily testing tells us. I’d say at least another two days.” He answered.
“The fact that you know Clint tells me you know who and what we are, so what can you do to ensure I can stay here and watch over her? I’m sure you are aware the security here isn’t exactly the strongest, and we both suspect she was running from someone, right?”
He nodded. “I agree, and I’ll have Tara mark you down in her file as an approved visitor, but I’m not sure how much time that will buy you with the authorities. I’m sure Clint is in contact with someone.” He pulled out a notepad and started writing on it. “If you need anything, you can reach me at this number.” He pulled the paper from the pad and handed it to me. “I’ll be back around later before my shift ends. Good luck and I hope you have her identity soon.”
He left the room, and I sat back down with my laptop to look up Dr. Robert Ford for a background check. When I didn’t find anything suspicious, I went back to scanning for possible car crashes that could have been linked to the girl. It wasn’t long when Creed called back.
“Tell me what you’ve got.” I answered.
“Did you see the crash about an hour from Holbrook?” He asked.
“It just popped up for me. What do we have?” I opened the emergency services case file to read it for myself.
“It’s a 2019 Chevy full sized pickup registered to a Koty Wayne Ashford. It was a single vehicle crash with no occupants found inside or near the scene. There are tire tracks driving to and from the scene. It looks like it flipped on an old country road and judging by the skid marks, I’d say they were heading east.”
I was already looking for Koty Ashford online. “I don’t see much on him, but there’s an address.”
“Yeah, he resides a few hours west of you. It looks like he works for an older brother that does real estate appraisals. A man named John Henry Ashford. This is where it gets interesting. His father is Henry Ashford, a preacher and he’s listed as having forty-eight children. I’m literally finding forty-eight birth certificates that date all the way back to 1951. I’m not finding a death certificate for any parents, so of course I presume they are all still living, including the brother’s mom. Koty is his youngest son with a mom that’s in her late forties, and this preachers youngest child is a twenty-three-year-old female named Bellemy Theresa Ann Ashford. They have different mothers listed but the same father. Get this, her mother is thirty-seven and her father is ninety five years old. I did reach Allred, and she confirmed giving Koty my recruitment card. There’s some trouble in their compound, something about a false prophet that thinks he will marry the girl, and the father is against it. This false prophet is a bit suspicious, and that’s why Allred felt this case was out of her league and she referred Koty to us. My best guess is that he was going to show up on our doorstep for help because he never called the number on my card.”
“So, if Koty was trying to escape with her, what happened to him?” I asked.
“Not a clue. It’s a rural area so chances of finding any video footage is nearly zero. If this is true, it seems we have another victim to find. I’ll start by trying to get information on this false prophet. I don’t even have a name yet. In other news, Clint made some calls. It seems there’s a doctor there that rides with an affiliated MC and a few cops in the area. He is working on it. Hang tight and hopefully the local PD doesn’t kick you out of that hospital. Keep her identity private for now. We don’t want the wrong person to catch wind of it and come for her. People like this sometimes have connections that reach pretty far. As soon as you can move her, get her out of that hospital. I’ll keep digging for more information and stay in contact with you. I’m considering sending one of our female operatives. Maybe Carlson if Darren and the DV division can survive a few days without her.”
“I’ll see how she reacts first. I don’t want too many people here, and maybe she’ll do okay with me.” I said.
He snorted. “You’re the biggest asshole on Creed’s Lake. Do you really think she will warm up to you at first sight?”
He wasn’t wrong, I was kind of a dick. Adorable and sexy as hell, but I wasn’t exactly the warmest person alive. I won the biggest asshole award last year when Felicity conducted a poll. “I’ll give it my best shot. I’ll smile and maybe even let her see these adorable dimples.”
“Yeah right, that would mean shaving off that prize winning beard.” He doubted me. “Doesn’t all of your masculinity depend on that beard?”
“Bet me, I’ll have it shaved by tonight. Better watch out though, that wife of yours tends to like the clean shaven adorable men with big…”
“You better not finish that sentence.” He warned me and I chuckled.
“I was going to say dimples. I have a little sister, I’m not a complete stranger to showing some compassion to the female species.”
He chuckled. “Says the winner of the biggest asshole on Creed’s Lake award. They tried to give you a prize, remember?”
I rolled my eyes. “I wasn’t interested in a BJ from any of those girls.” Ever since Drakos came home with a sexually transmitted disease in his throat from eating rotten pussy, any attraction I might have had toward the girls he fucked disappeared in an instant. We ended up having a STD epidemic which was why we had mandatory monthly testing, and probably the largest orders for antibiotics in Indiana since a lot of the guys enjoyed their time away from the lake.
“Antibiotics are the wonder drugs of the last century. They’re all clean now. Speaking of that, let’s talk about your latest trips and the one you have coming up.”
“Bullshit, it’s personal.” I growled. I got sick and damn tired of him always asking.
“We have enemies, Axton. It’s honestly expected for us to know your whereabouts at all times. What if something happens to you? We need to talk about this, it’s important.”
“It’s no more your business now than it was a week ago. I give a lot to this organization, and all I ask in return is for some privacy. No, it’s not a girlfriend before you ask again for the ten thousandth time.” He was pissing me off lately. Ever since he got with Morgan he was becoming more and more nosy about my personal life. “And don’t you dare start an investigation. Its none of your business.”
“Fine, back on topic. I don’t have any way to guarantee the girl is this Bellemy Ann Theresa Ashford, but the birth certificate I see is the only sibling of Koty Ashford’s that fits the age range. His other sisters are in their thirties and forties, and they have grandchildren. I can’t really confirm that this Bellemy isn’t at their compound. I may send a few operatives out to take a look. If these men are forcing children into marriage, that alone could be a case for us to explore, pro-bono.”
I couldn’t have agreed more, despite my feelings on domestic cases. “Do you think this girl is married to one of those men?”
“Not legally, and I’m not seeing a marriage certificate. That’s not saying much though, each man can only have one legal wife.”
“Does Allred have any other information about this Reverend Ashford? He’s an old man, I can’t imagine he has been taking any new wives lately.” I asked.
“Actually, she’s more than happy to help in any way she can. She’s putting together a detailed report, and I should have it by morning. She wasn’t of their faith growing up, but she has been studying religious cults for years and has helped a lot of people escape.”
“Talk to Val and see if she’s willing to make the trip. I’m sure this girl has some fucked up views of the world and maybe it wouldn’t hurt to have a mental health professional here.” I said.
“I just offered Wrenly up and you declined. What the hell is your problem with her?” He asked.
“I don’t have a problem with her.” I lied. “She’s an operative, not a mental health professional. Val probably knows something about brainwashing and the effects of religious cults.”
“I’ll ask her, but when you return we need to have a little talk. Something has been up with you ever since Morgan came to Creed’s Lake. You’re also traveling more and asking for time off. You’re fine with Morgan now but you were never that warm with Steph and now it’s Wrenly. What the hell is up with that?”
“Nothing.” I snapped at him. “I like the girls just fine, now drop it.”
“In fact, do you even have a sex life? You used to hook up when we were in the service. Are you okay?”
I groaned. “This is not the time for that conversation. In fact, there isn’t a good time to ever have that conversation. It’s personal and I’m a grown ass man that can take care of myself.” I looked at the girl and reminded myself why I was even in Arizona, and I needed to cancel my reservation at the resort.
“Did you know that Wrenly’s stepmother was a Dallas Cowgirl? She’s coming to work for us soon, and they’re still here visiting for the holidays. Anyway, she’s a big sister or something to the current cheerleaders, and one of them is coming to Christmas with us.”
I sat forward. “You’re giving clearance to a fucking cheerleader? For what purpose? You act like someone's annoying aunt, like this is supposed to be exciting news. You’re giving too many people clearance to enter Creed’s Lake.”
He laughed. “Gotcha! It’s a total lie. So, when did you realize you’re gay? Who is it that does it for you? Me or Magnus? Good lord, please don’t say it’s Drakos.”
I turned from the girl and lowered my voice. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“That’s not what I’m asking. What the hell is wrong with you ? Over the last few years you’ve become more withdrawn, you don’t have any sex drive from what I can tell, and you’re cold toward some of the wives and girlfriends. You’re obsessed with keeping Kayla out of Creed’s Lake, and you have been leaving town every month, sometimes for a few days and other times a whole week. You were a dick to Irons, the nicest guy here, after you found out Wrenly was his girl. You don’t stop in to see Addie in the evenings like you once did, and you don’t even pick on Patrick or my brothers anymore. What is up with you?”
I sighed. “I don’t stop in to see Addie because your wife fucking stinks to high hell.”
“Yeah, fair enough and good point there.”
“Weston is a fucking idiot and it’s not fun to pick on the mentally challenged.” I said.
“Okay, gotcha.”
“That family reunion shit with Patrick has gotten old and he’s a pretty good guy.”
He chuckled. “Actually, that’ll never get old.”
“Me withdrawn? Creed, you knocked up then married Morgan. You have other priorities now. I don’t care to share personal things at this stage of my life. All of you: Granger, you, Drakos, and Irons have chosen the girl next door types. That’s not the type of woman I care for, and I’ll never marry one like you guys. Sorry, our lives are just different.”
“I beg to differ. Melissa is not the girl next door type. She got pissed at Drakos in the middle of the night after you left, after he was playing Santa, and she left him strapped to a wall with a dildo up his ass and called us to come get him. I'm serious, Axton. He had a tiny little Santa hat on his cock too. Oh, and that reminds me. For such a big guy, he really isn’t packing what you might think. Things are starting to make a little more sense now.”
I pulled my phone away from my ear to look at my screen and make sure I was really talking to Creed. “Jesus Christ, how the hell did this conversation lead to this?” I was getting tired of all the bullshit happening around the lake. The most serious man on the earth just took the time to tell me that fucking story.
“She left the dildo on vibrate. That’s all I have left to add.”
I was glancing at the girl and shut my eyes. “And you wonder why I prefer to keep my personal life separate from business. I don’t care about Santa getting off to a fucking dildo, and I also don’t care that our friend with dwarfism gets off by torturing him. Some things are better off left unknown. I really don’t care what she sticks up Santa’s ass. Do you have anything productive to add about this case?”
“Not momentarily, I’m bored.”
I tilted my head. “How the hell can you possibly be bored? I have unfinished work on my desk you can have.”
He yawned. “I’m bored with all that too. I think Morgan and I need a vacation. We never got a honeymoon.”
“Dude, your wife is due to give birth to twins any day now. You’re going on paternity leave. It’s not a good time for a honeymoon.” Was he insane?
“Can I ask you a favor?” He asked.
“That depends.”
“Since Melissa is pregnant, and we want a honeymoon and you’re the travel expert. Mind arranging one for about six weeks from now and possibly coming along with us to help with the kids? All expenses paid. I’ll even book you your own suite. Unless Jenny can get off work, I don’t have anyone else to ask, and you don’t have much going on, do you? Just help me plan a trip like the ones you take. It’ll be a good time.”
I shut my eyes and took a deep breath to calm myself. “Go fuck yourself. You did it, didn’t you? You fucking tracked me.”
“What are you talking about? I simply asked you to join us on a trip. It seems you know how to plan the best ones.” I could hear the amusement in his voice.
“Eat shit, asshole.”
He laughed. “A bliss cruise? Adult only trips? What the hell kind of shit have you gotten yourself into? Who is she? Don’t make me pull up the ship manifest. I know you can’t take a bliss cruise as a single person, unless you have someone special in your life.”
“Call me tomorrow when you get that report.” I ended the call.