Chapter 3 #3
“And where did you get your information from, your old case?” Chase leaned further over the table. This was exactly the kind of case that kept our anger levels high. In our minds, no one was above the law.
“Some, which is where I formulated the idea. But I needed additional meat.”
“Someone broke ranks. Didn’t they? The Privileged have a snitch.” I could tell I was right.
Maverick turned his head. “Yes, and before you ask, I have no clue who I’m talking to. That was the first rule or the man would disappear. Our conversations are handled through secure phones and he disguises his voice.”
“That means he’s still active in the organization,” I mused.
“For now.”
“But he hasn’t provided you with anything concrete they could be arrested on.” Chase lifted an eyebrow.
“Not enough.” Maverick had the same look on his face I’d had earlier. Pissed off enough that crossing the line wouldn’t be a question. For some reason, I was angrier than before.
I glanced from one buddy to another. “Interesting. The girl who was brought to me, trusting me to help both her and maybe dozens of other women, will never live a normal life. Does that bastard feel guilty? Is this just about selling your next book, Mav? I mean, my God. Did you think about turning this man in?” Huffing, I left the table, ready to leave his house.
Maverick was the best of all of us, a man with absolute integrity.
“Jesus, Kendrick. Why don’t you calm down?” Gabriel hissed. “Why is this so personal?”
With an ache in my gut, I whipped out my phone, holding it so everyone could see Reese’s picture.
“This girl is a teacher. A fucking junior high schoolteacher who’s taken it upon herself to try and find her seventeen-year-old sister because the goddamn system failed her.
We failed her. All of us in this room. Two different police departments refused to try and help this girl.
Two. And now, I have a better understanding of why.
Because there’s a strong possibility some high-ranking law enforcement officers are proud club members.
If this group is as dangerous as they appear to be, this woman won’t stand a chance.
None of them will. Lamb to the slaughter.
I can’t… No, I won’t allow that to happen. ”
The four men stared at me. Why? Because I’d never gotten this hot over a single case before in my life.
The quiet in the room was unnerving. I usually wasn’t the hothead of the group, but this time, I was pissed. And I was disappointed. Suddenly, I felt Maverick’s presence beside me. We stood together staring out the window at his perfect view of the Atlantic Ocean, from his perfectly huge house.
“This isn’t about writing a bestseller, at least not any longer, Kendrick.
I assure you I’d like nothing more than to crucify this organization, but my informant hasn’t told me enough, at least not to incriminate anyone.
No names. No location of this club or any others.
And you know how huge Miami is. Just enough details for a dark story and more than a few nightmares. ”
I laughed. “You’re hoping your book will be a bestseller and maybe draw these people out in the open.”
Maverick studied me. “Why the hell not? When powerful men are pushed, they do stupid things.”
Yes, they fucking did.
“That’s putting a target on your back,” Gabriel offered.
“So what?” Maverick finally smiled.
“From what the detective told me, these captors also keep the girls locked down for days, even weeks at a time in the same facility. They’re kept in cages. When she was up for auction, the girl was bathed, dressed in provocative clothing, primped, then finally fed and told how to act.”
“Fucking assholes.” Gabriel threw back the rest of his drink.
“Plus, Reese’s father is Thomas Murphy from Global Universal.” I purposely shifted my gaze from one to the other in the room, noticing Hudson had narrowed his eyes.
“Interesting. You might not remember this case, but Global Universal developed a piece of software that enabled a combination of the CIA working with Interpol to track the most notorious sex slave trade operation in their history. They cracked it wide open. And if I’m remembering correctly, Thomas Murphy was the architect. ”
“And a lot of people went to prison including dignitaries, corporate moguls.” Chase rubbed his jaw.
“Why should that matter?” Gabriel asked.
“Possibly revenge.” The reason for anyone acting on revenge was often very personal. But without knowing a single identity of the members, at this point the information was useless.
Chase whistled. “What are you thinking, Kendrick? That this case is a candidate for Raven Intel?” Even now, he had a smile on his face.
“The only way for that to work would be by getting someone inside, pretending to be one of them. Even going through an auction. And I assure you that given this girl escaped, their security will be extremely tight. Newcomers are tested and watched,” Maverick insisted.
“And before you say a goddamn thing, my picture is on the cover of every book I’ve ever written. ”
“So?” Gabriel teased.
The look Maverick flashed him was hot. “So, maybe none of you have read my books, but about a hundred million other people have. Plus, I’ve been on every major morning show more than once. What are the themes of my books? Catching the most heinous criminals in the world.”
“In other words, you capitalize on your former position with the FBI.” I knew where he was headed. Even if he’d wanted to, he certainly couldn’t gain the trust of anyone outside the snitch he’d been talking with.
“Exactly.” Maverick turned to face the others. “I’m trying to convince the guy to turn himself in and that he’d be provided with immunity, but so far, he hasn’t been interested.”
A change of heart? Growing a conscience? I doubted that.
“Would he be interested in providing enough knowledge about this club to the person eager to infiltrate the secret society? With the pledge of full immunity, a promise of secrecy and cooperation with the marshals getting him into WITSEC should anything go wrong?”
Witness protection. Hell, all five of us knew anyone could be found with the right people.
Maverick laughed. “I doubt he’ll go for it, but his conscience is eating at him.”
Yeah, and whoever the snitch was, he was fully aware of what happened to anyone discovered betraying them.
“So why the fuck does he stay in this abhorrent club?” Gabriel was as angry as I’d become.
“Because once you become a member, there is no way out.” Maverick turned his head toward me. He knew me too well. “Well, with one exception.”
“I want to do it.” Yes, it was spur of the moment, but it was the only way to bring justice to Denise and possibly save lives.
Chase snorted. “You of all people?”
“Yeah, me, Chase. I’m just a regular guy with a regular job. No pictures on the internet. No social media.”
“You’re an attorney, for fuck’s sake. You’ll be eaten alive. You can’t run with the big dogs and you know it.”
“You underestimate my abilities.”
“You’re serious about this?” Gabriel eyed me carefully.
Shrugging, I took a pull of my beer. “This group is destroying lives and no one is doing a goddamn thing about it. If there’s a way I can become a member, then why not?”
“My guess is you’ll need money and a new identity. Money you don’t have. We can fake your background, but you need to look the part.”
Gabriel was right.
“I’m sure we can think of something. Kendrick is correct. We can’t allow these women to suffer because the system failed them.” Hudson glanced from one to the other.
“A lot to deal with,” Chase tossed in. “The logistics would be a nightmare.”
Maverick sighed. “Yeah, but possible. I bought a house I haven’t moved into yet.
Nicer than this. I have cash to pad a bank account.
I can help with a little spit and polish with clothes.
The question is, are you willing to do what it takes to prove your loyalty?
To pass their tests before being considered a member? ”
“What kind of tests?”
“From what my informant told me, given the current twisted kick they’re on, they’ll include you in an auction first. To test the waters and see how much money you’re willing to spend. Which mean they’ll expect you to… invest in their organization no matter the cost.”
I had to laugh. “What else?”
“After that and before you can leave the building, you’ll be required to perform a sexual act with the girl selected the first time out.
In front of whoever they choose. My informant was required to do the same thing when he joined.
It’s all very by the book. All while not learning a thing about a single member.
Not until your loyalty is tested and proven. ”
“Meaning you’d be going deep undercover, something you’ve never done before.” All amusement was gone from Chase’s voice.
Yeah, I was just some good ole boy who’d decided to take a job in Miami, far removed from the cowboy in me.
The image of the girl’s face continued to haunt me.
“It’s something I want to do. No, it’s something that needs to be done and I’m the only one capable. You’re all too well known.”
“What about your job?”
I’d already thought about that. With Raven Intel, our secrecy was paramount. No one could know who we were or what our true intentions were. Not a single person outside of our group.
Our livelihoods and our lives were dependent on our anonymity.
“I have a few weeks coming to me for vacation.”
After a few seconds, everyone nodded in approval.
Raven Intel.
Soon justice would be served.