Page 54 of Hawk's Sapphire

Figuring this would be easier, I decide to mirror his screen to mine and watch what he’s doing.It’s kind of like cheating off someone else’s test only they don’t know you’re peeking over their shoulder.It’s a risky move.If he’s found my remote access program he could be alerted to my presence, but if he notices me, I’ll cut power to my laptop.

Hawk’s running facial recognition on everyone on the guest list and cross-referencing with the security camera footage from the actual party on one set of screens.The other he’s doing research on his sister, Shea.

I lock onto that screen and start reading everything he’s found.I’ve seen some of this already in my own research, but Hawk knows more about Nate’s habits.Looking at this, it’s obvious Hawk has been keeping close tabs on his father’s business.Apparently not close enough if he didn’t know he had a sister, but then I guess that’s expected if he didn’t know who Nate was fucking around with.His name wasn’t even listed on Shea’s birth certificate.In fact, Nate’s name doesn’t show up as being related to Shea until she was ten years old, and a paternity test was done at Nate’s request.Shortly after the results were in, Nate took Shirley, the girl’s mother, to court and was awarded shared custody.That explains why he had full custody after her mother overdosed.

He must’ve seen the downward spiral coming.

Shea went to public school and had high marks.She didn’t do any kind of sports but has several years of music lessons paid for by Nate.That doesn’t make sense.If he wasn’t sure he was the father, why was he paying for her to have lessons three times a week since she was four years old?In fact, the lessons are still paid up through Christmas this year, but her last day of attendance was several months ago.About the time Nate said she was taken from him.

She even got a scholarship to some fancy college of music in Boston where she was expected to start this fall but never finalized the acceptance of her scholarship, so it was revoked.

Hawk sifts through form after form.I watch, waiting to see what it is he’s looking for.A few minutes later, he finds it.Pictures of Shea from kindergarten until her last year of high school and a few sporadic photos of her at parties at what I assume is the Devils’ clubhouse, taken with a telephoto lens.

Someone was keeping tabs on her.

Hawk must realize the same thing because his screen focus changes to the federal files, and he starts searching Shea’s name in the databank.When her name comes up with a long list of history and the same photos come up along with several others at intermittent times.The most recent photo is of her curled up on an old mattress, wearing a dirty dress and covered in bruises.

Hawk locks onto that picture and seems to be trying to find a location, but there’s nothing mentioned in the notes of the file.Location in each group of photos is listed as unknown.

But someone has to have known in order to take the pictures.So who was it, and why didn’t they tell the Feds where the girl was if she was in this kind of condition?That’s the whole reason for this investigation is to find these women who are being abused and sentenced to slavery against their will.Why would the Feds have photos and no known location?Something’s off.

Hawk’s computer stills.Nothing is moving.Not the curser, the photos, the letters in the search bar.It’s like he’s walked away from his desk, but I know he hasn’t.I can’t explain it, but I can feel his eyes are still locked on the screen.I can feel him.His pain.His frustration.His need to make things right.

I pick up the cloned phone and send a text from Hawk to himself.

ME: We’ll find her.When we do, you’ll get your revenge.She will have the love of her family to help her heal.She will know peace.S.

I press send and power down both my laptop and the phone before crawling into bed to stare at the ceiling and wait for sleep to come.

22

HAWK

“Where are we at?What do we know?”

Pres called church first thing this morning wanting a rundown of everything that happened at the gala.Eli and his men went home yesterday leaving Cash behind in case things turn ugly.He’s been attending the birthing classes with Ethan and Sky as a back-up plan just in case.Though Skyler has threatened to remove Ethan’s balls if he misses the birth of their child.She also swore to feed them to him, pureed out of a baby food jar in case he wasn’t sure how serious she was about him being there.

“The gala was just what we thought it was.A bunch of high profile, wealthy people rubbing elbows and bragging about their latest achievements while making backdoor deals.All the while, the public believes they’re a bunch of caring citizens who are sharing their wealth to better the communities they serve.”Cash laughs, pointing a finger at me from his place across the table.

“You sounded like a twisted campaign commercial.”

“It’s the truth.”I shrug.

“Anyone of particular interest?Anyone you think might be involved in the auctions?”Gabe probes.

“There were people of all sorts there, Pres.Big business entrepreneurs, the police chief, lawyers, senators, even a couple of local mobsters.”Gabe raises a quizzical brow at me.

“What mobsters?”

“Matteo was there with Sadie as his date.”

“What the hell is she doing with him at an event like that?”Mack growls.“He’s not exactly what I’d consider a do-gooder in the community.”

“Depends on your version of do-gooder.”Cash shrugs.“I mean, he did help get rid of two assholes who were selling children and a crooked cop.”Everyone turns their attention to Cash.He’s not fazed by all the glares.“I’m just stating the obvious.Seems like a decent guy in my book.”

“He was there with Sadie.Parading her around like his good little puppy.”The words are bitter tasting in my mouth.“She wouldn’t even speak without checking with him first.It was weird and fucked up.”

“Maybe it’s what Sadie needs.”Cash is not letting this shit go.“If Matteo can keep her crazy under control, and she’s happy with him, let her be.”

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