Page 62 of Twice Missing
The phone's shrill ring cut through the tense atmosphere, startling Noah. He fumbled for a moment before answering, recognizing Riley's number.
"I don't have access to the reports on either," Riley said without preamble, "but I can get you in contact with Agent Gillian Jones. She oversees any requests for federal intervention."
Noah's brow furrowed. "Is she going to be a handful, Riley?"
Riley's sigh was audible even over the phone. "She's going to do her job, Noah. This isn't the wild west. I know you grew up seeing your father do whatever the hell he liked, but things have changed a lot since his day. We're under the microscope now. Like it or not, there are rules that govern us, and we have to abide by them or get fired. I sure as hell don't want my ass out in the cold. I like my paycheck, I like my time off, and I've built up quite the nest egg for retirement."
Noah couldn't help but chuckle. "You sound likesomeone else I know," he replied, thinking of Maggie who had handed over theAdirondack Daily Enterpriseto the Ashfords simply because she was ready to retire and the paper wasn't performing like it once had. Change was the only guarantee in life, it seemed.
"All right. Give me her details," Noah conceded.
"She knows you'll be calling. It's not like you'll be talking to her cold," Riley assured him.
As she reeled off the number, Noah kept his eyes on the unfolding action. Detective Oates was talking to Marcus in the back of the truck.
"Oh to be a fly on the wall when he's interviewed," McKenzie mused.
"Maybe I can make that happen," Noah replied, already dialing the number Riley had given him.
"Agent Jones," a crisp voice answered.
“It’s Noah Sutherland. Riley said you could help."
"Possibly," Jones replied, her tone neutral. "What's your interest in these cases?"
Noah took a deep breath and laid out everything — Emily Carter's discovery, the possible connection to human trafficking, his conversation with Daniel Roberts, and the rumors of cartel involvement. He held nothing back, detailing everything they'd learned so far. By the time he finished, the SWAT team was already leaving, and officers were bringing out evidence from the trailer in brown bags.
"All I'm asking is for you to put in a request for State's assistance on the Kayla Bravebird case," Noah concluded. "It'll give me an open door instead of having it slammed in my face."
"That bracelet may have no connection to her death," Jones pointed out. "She may have just bought it."
Noah nodded, even though Jones couldn't see him. "I'm aware of that, but you know how investigations work. We follow leads; some go nowhere, some provide more connections. I'm trying to connect the dots here. Our team is still processing the vehicle. In the meantime, I figured because neither the family nor friends knew about this bracelet, I'd follow up. In doing so, I discovered the girl who makes them went missing eight months ago. There's talk on the reservation of human trafficking and talk back in High Peaks of human trafficking. Do you see where I'm going with this?"
"You'll be chasing your tail for a long time," Jones warned. "These cases generally go nowhere."
"That's because we allow them to," Noah countered, his voice tight with frustration.
Jones sighed heavily. "A lack of resources, funding... we can't be chasing ghosts forever. There are only so many of us to work cases, and if you could see the stack of cases on my plate right now, you'd understand why it happens. I care. I do."
"Prove it," Noah challenged. "Because these families want answers. The Carter family does too. And quite frankly, the sooner I get this case resolved, the sooner I can get back and look after my family."
There was a long pause before Jones spoke again. "I'llphone Chief Sky. See what I can do. Just keep your distance until then."
"Will you be calling him now?" Noah pressed.
Jones laughed, a sound of both amusement and exasperation. "Riley said you were a pushy little prick. Then again, maybe that's useful."
After hanging up, McKenzie raised an eyebrow. "So?"
"Now we wait," Noah replied, his eyes still fixed on the scene before them.
They watched the steady flow of officers in and out of the trailer. An ambulance arrived, two EMTs hurrying inside with a stretcher. Time seemed to drag on endlessly until Noah's phone rang again.
"Approved," Agent Jones said without preamble. "They'll give you access to the files, and you'll be allowed to offer assistance on these cases, but I'm to be kept in the loop at all times. Also, don't expect them to be too enthusiastic about it. They wanted one of our agents down there monitoring your every move."
"And you don't?" Noah asked, surprised.
"I guess it helps to have people like Riley in your corner," Jones replied dryly. "Don't fuck it up."
