Page 54 of Fear of Flames
Her voice carried a faraway tone. “I wish he would have told me.”
“He couldn’t. I can’t.”
Michelle turned toward Fletch. “Then why are you?”
“Because Denny was targeted. We believe… Denny did a lot of the research...he was searching for a possible network responsible for many of the abductions.”
“A network?”
“They’re happening faster and neater. Professionals. This network is large. Apprehending or stopping the kidnappers would only be a hiccup in their system. We want those at the top, those making millions or more by selling people. It takes individuals at all levels for a trafficking network to succeed.”
“I’ve written a little about this.”
Fletch nodded. “You have. Most of what you’ve written is damn close to reality. In fiction, it’s easier to have fewer players. For one, it’s easier for your readers to follow. Denny’s learned over the years that there are the abductions, such as Timothy Wells. There are many other players. Social workers identify at-risk children and teens, especially ones without a support system. Law enforcement comes across a homeless mother with two babies. They all go missing and no one notices.”
Michelle’s nose scrunched. “I’d rather think it’s one stoppable person who’s responsible.”
“The people who need to be brought down are the ones with the money. The ones paying for the yachts and private flights.”
“That makes sense.”
“Denny suspected that Sheriff Perkins is part of that network, a cog in the wheel, you could say. You were right about your dad wanting to help Timothy Wells.”
That simple sentence revived Michelle’s faith in her father.
“Denny’s obsession was human trafficking, especially children,” Fletch said. “He believed the Wells boy was taken and is currently being moved via yacht to Nova Scotia. He’d reported his findings to our boss at the agency. If your dad’s hard work pays off, Timothy should be reunited with his family soon. Hell, today’s Thursday. He could already be saved or on his way to a new country.”
Michelle blinked, feeling the burn from salty tears she didn’t want to shed. “Dad was a hero. Wait, this network doesn’t kill children, as in Broken Promises?”
“It’s an imperfect operation. Some end up in the wrong hands—they don’t make it out alive. Some never adapt to the new life. Their whereabouts are unknown and unfathomable.”
“Dad was the good guy.” Thinking anything else was absurd. “Why would that get him killed?”
“If Perkins is part of a bigger network with powerful people at the top and he thought your dad was a risk to that endeavor, he’d kill him.”
Michelle tried to come to terms with what she was being told. Her questions continued. “I’ve been all through Dad’s house. He only has an iPad. That’s not exactly high tech.”
“There was an old shed about seven hundred yards behind the house.” Fletch shook his head. “Denny transformed it into a technological hub with a computer system your mom would have been proud to work.”
“Do you think the sheriff will find it?”
He pressed his lips together. “No. My contact was supposed to clear it out. Ralph may have had his suspicions about Denny, but if his setup is found, it could lead a talented cybersecurity person to the agency. We can’t risk that.”
“Who is your contact?”
“He’s one of the few that I trust.”
“Will I meet him?”
“Eventually. Tonight, like I said before, I’m going to take us to my place. It’s not much—an apartment in the complex. Think of it like a base. Sometimes it’s easier to equate the agency with a branch of the military.” Fletch shrugged. “I spend a lot of time traveling. This apartment is my home base, I guess you could say.” He took a deep breath. “Shelly, taking you to the agency is a one-way trip.”
The small hairs on the back of her neck rose to attention. “What does that mean?”
“If you’re willing to stay and if the powers that be agree you can be an asset, Michelle Holdcraft will disappear. She already has.”
“And do what? How could I possibly be an asset? I’m not a retired cop or a professional researcher.”
“I would disagree with the second. You research for your writing. Think of it as researching an idea for a book, but in this case, it’s real life.”
