Chapter 5 #4
I grabbed my tablet, sent him an email with the account numbers and institutions, and waved the device at him.
“The files here are a mess, but I’ve been recording all account numbers as I find them.
In good news, I think you’ll be able to close a bunch of cases in a hurry.
A lot of the attacks in the city lately have been from that brute who got what he deserved over Death Mile. ”
“That didn’t take you long. Excellent work. What questions do you have?”
As I understood there were a lot of people needing closure, I pointed at the stack of papers I’d linked to the attacks on pilgrims and brothel workers.
“That’s the start of the evidence pile for the pilgrims and brothel workers.
I took photos of everything on the tablet, so I have digital records if you need the physical documents to start closing cases.
My questions involve the accounts and financial institutions I’ve drawn out of this mess.
Can you request the full accounts for me?
I suspect I’m going to have a mix of incomplete files here.
Also, does Dragon Heights have a trafficking database with the average earnings per victim? ”
“We don’t; most aren’t stupid enough to try trafficking in our turf, so we have very little resources. Our response to attempted trafficking is closer to what the commissioner’s wife did to that mercury dragon.”
I winced at the thought of more carnage.
“I have a suspicion that Madam Merorie has been abducting brothel workers and selling them to traffickers to fund her activities. While we can get closure for the slain, my current priority is making certain that anyone who was kidnapped and sold is set free.”
“While I want all the cases closed associated with her murders, if there is a trafficking ring working out of Dragon Heights, that does need to be addressed first. What are your odds of ferreting them out based on the financials? This isn’t something we have much experience with here.”
If we were in Miami, with a policing force used to identifying and breaking up growing rings, I would put the odds in our favor.
However, if I were one of the few with any relevant experience, I doubted I’d get far.
Erik’s experience would help somewhat, but he’d been more focused on murder investigations and thefts.
“It depends on how clever she was when accepting the payments. The ring might be clever, but if she’s not, I might be able to find out where the victims are going. ”
“Trafficking is something we can bring up to the FBI and state police, so if you can find evidence they were doing it, then we can bring in additional resources. The problem is we need proof of wrongdoing to involve them.” Captain Andretti muttered curses.
I suspected he would have paced if space allowed.
“Prioritize the trafficking situation if you can, and I’ll get to work getting the accounts pulled so you can start digging at the numbers.
I have a few cadets I can loan you if you think they might be useful. ”
I raised a brow. “That depends. Can they count to ten?”
“For the most part.”
I snickered. “If they can sort papers into stacks following simple directions, I can use them. They can also take the boxes I’ve already sorted and photographed to storage to clean some space in here.”
“I’ll send them over, and I’ll make it clear you will be reporting back on their performance,” the captain said, heading for the door. “Text me if you get any breaks I should know about.”
“Oh, I got the evidence needed to tie the mercury dragons with the attacks on Cecilia’s women. Am I clear to go tell her tonight?”
“You’re clear; that case predates your hire here, so you’re covered on that. Just notify me if you’re sharing our intel with her.”
“I won’t be sharing anything beyond notifying her that the main culprit got shredded by the commissioner’s wife and that there shouldn’t be any more attacks on her women unless there is a copycat.
I will warn them that there might be a fledgling trafficking ring trying to be started. They need to protect themselves.”
“Tell them to keep that part as quiet as possible, please,” he requested.
“I can do that.”
“Good. Have Erik drive you over two hours before your shift is scheduled to end. You can then use paid time to visit Cecilia and go to the gun shop to pick out your piece. I’ll have the requirement sheet brought to you before you leave.
That’s the best use of our hours, and it’ll let you get in time at the range tonight. ”
“Will do, sir. Thank you.”
“Thank you for being one of the most sensible dragons in this station today,” he replied, heaving a sigh. “May you dodge the damned drama for as long as possible.”
“May the dragons be wise enough to keep that shit away from me. If you think my parents are mean, I’m the sum of them both once I get cranky.”
“That’s terrifying. I’ll warn the upper ranks that you prefer peace in your workspace and would be happier without the gossips paying you any visits.”
“Thank you, I appreciate that.”
* * *
Monday, May 18, 2167
The Gray Ward
Dragon Heights, Wyoming
Thanks to being released from the station early, we arrived at Cecilia’s brothel an hour before she typically began preparing for the evening in earnest. She answered after my third knock, and she smiled at me before giving Erik a long look up and down. “Is this your Millson boy, Kinsley?”
“He sure is.” I grinned at her, pleased I hadn’t given Erik a chance to change out of his uniform.
As Citrine needed more time to adapt to people and be socialized, he kept her on his shoulder, taking care to reassure her.
“His carbunclo is Citrine. She’s still a little shy.
I have news about the attacks on your women if you have a few minutes. ”
“Always,” the woman replied, opening the door and stepping aside so we could enter. “I wasn’t expecting you to have more news.”
“Closure is important. I want your women to feel safe.” I stepped inside, waited for Erik to follow, and closed the door behind me.
“I found documentation proving that the mercury dragon that Mrs. Millson dismantled over Death Mile was the one behind the attacks. He was learning necromancy, and the attacks were intended to teach him how to harvest fear and other negative emotions.”
Cecilia raised a brow. “That was blunt and rather direct.”
“I figured I’d get right to the chase so we can both get on with our day.” I gestured at Erik. “I have to go pick up a new firearm and get some time in at the range, which is barring me from taking him home and removing him from his uniform. I’m sure you understand my plight.”
She snickered and nodded. “I’m surprised you got him to visit us without a fuss.”
“It helps that his brother is the yellow you’ve been playing with. And this one was properly trained in Miami, so he’s not as burdened with preconceived notions.”
“I can’t tell if you’re complimenting me or not,” Erik complained.
I laughed at him. “Ask me nicely while you’re taking off your uniform and I might tell you.”
Garnet jumped off my shoulder, transformed into her wisp shape, and zipped and bobbed around Citrine. Once Erik’s kitten likewise transformed, the pair chased each other around the entry. Tourmaline clicked at the pair and stayed on my shoulder.
“Was it really that simple?”
“It wasn’t simple. It just happened they made a mistake and made assumptions about me because I was living in one of your apartments.
Their mistakes allowed the police to start doing an investigation.
I got the information with some help from them.
I can’t promise you won’t have problems with the force, but the last thing the force wants is someone attacking people like that, especially a necromancer.
All that said, I’d still have your women be careful.
While the attacker is dead, there’s no way of knowing if there won’t be copycats or others wanting to take advantage of the situation. ”
Cecilia sighed. “There are always people looking to take advantage.”
As there was nothing I could say or do that would change that reality, I nodded.
“There are. It’s just a concern. If he was willing to try to kidnap me solely on the assumption I might be a brothel worker due to where I lived, there might be others willing to do the same.
Ideally, you’ll have your women travel in pairs to make it a little harder on anyone trying to take advantage.
Law enforcement can only do so much, and honestly, it was just dumb luck that they managed to find the link to your case—and that they were kind enough to share that information with me. ”
“I very much appreciate it, Kinsley. We wouldn’t have gotten nearly as far without you. Is there anything at all I can do?”
“I’m good. Just watch yourself with that yellow. They’re sneaky, and he might steal one of your women and keep her all to himself. Yellows do that.”
“We really do.” Erik snickered and whistled for Citrine, who returned to his shoulder and shifted back into her kitten form.
“Do keep working with my brother, though. It’s good for the force and your brothel, and it gives us a way to find out about incidents that we should be addressing.
Reach out to Kinsley if there is any additional trouble.
She can talk with me, and we can start looking into it.
Just make certain that you’re careful with going out alone, especially closer to night.
If your women need self-defense courses, I know a few good instructors, and I highly recommend they go a couple of times a week to help with future attacks. ”
“I’ll take you up on that. Kinsley has my number, so give me a call at your leisure. Or better yet, send your brother our way again. I’m sure we can train him to be extra good to his future wife.”
I bet they could, too. “We’ll let you get back to work.
” I hesitated, and aware there were more than a few restless spirits around Dragon Heights, I said, “If you see any spirits or haunters, shoot me a text with where you saw them, what they were doing, and a description of the person. What that bastard did has left more than a few ghosts, and if all possible, I’d like to see them put to rest.”
Cecilia favored me with a sad smile. “If I see anything, I’ll let you know. But since they can’t thank you, I will. It takes a special person to try to secure justice for those who have lost their voice. Thank you.”
As there was nothing else I could say, I replied with, “You’re welcome.”