Page 41 of SEAL's Providence
“Are the Marikistanis running this group, or is it the Russians?” Tony prayed it was the Russians. It was a weird thing to pray for, he knew, but if it wasn’t, this would get worse before it got better.
“From what I’ve learned, they’re Russian. Something about the language barrier with the girls. It makes them easier to control if they understand their captors.”
“I guess that makes as much sense as anything else. This is helpful, but what do you know about timelines, routes, etc.?”
“That’s where it gets interesting. They bring the girls over, have them work in nail salons all over the country for a few months. Then at the end of everyquarter, they have an auction. Once they’ve sold all of them they start the process again.”
A quarterly auction? That shortened their timeline considerably. They had a week, maybe two, to get those women out of there. Still, that left how many more women in danger? God, he hated this. But his hands were severely tied while he was on active duty.
“That doesn’t give us much time. I can’t use any of my teams. Can’t risk their careers. Do you have some guys who’d be willing to help? Do we know where Mike is?”
“Yeah, I’ll get the old team together. Mike texted last evening that he was on his way. Do you have a plan mapped out?”
“Working on it. It’s not nailed down yet. We think they’re being kept in the basement of a house on Fremont. But I can’t verify they’re all there. Just that the phone pinging at that location.”
“That’s something, at least. Text me the address. I got my hands on a Xaver. It’s that new device the Israelis developed that can “see through walls.” It should be able to confirm where they are in the house. How many women are we talking about?”
“Six, and a ten-year-old child.”
Pat’s gasp echoed the disgust Tony felt. “Fuck. Is she there alone?”
“No, she’s with her mother. But the women think they’re working off their transport. They have no idea what kind of horror story is waiting for them.”
“You gonna tell your woman about the auction?”
“I don’t want to, but I promised full disclosure. It sucks, she’ll want to pull them out as soon as she hears about it.”
“Can you delay telling her until I reconnoiter tonight?”
“Maybe, we’ll see. Get back to me as soon as you know anything else.”
“Will do.”
Tony tossed his phone onto his desk and rubbed his temples. He’d ask if the day could get any worse, but he sure as fuck didn’t want to find out.
He needed to talk to Providence. He’d put her off long enough, and he didn’t want her doubting his promise. She had to figure he’d heard something by now. Besides, he’d promised to text as soon as he could. At least that had given him a little time.
It was almost lunchtime. He could bring food over and they could talk while they ate, but he figured neither of them would have much of an appetite once he shared Pat’s information. Texting was a better option.
Tony: How’s my beautiful doctor doing?
Providence: Hey. Hanging in there. Are you avoiding me?
Tony: No way. I’ve been in meetings all morning. How are you? Got sick seamen barfing in your waiting room?
Providence: LOL No, thank God. I probably jinxed myself. Hear anything from your friends?
He’d been waiting for her to ask.
Tony: I did. You’re right. They are Russians working for a Marikistani trafficking group.
He wondered if she’d put two-and-two together. Tempest and Grace had told her all about Hope’s rescue.
Providence: Same fuckers who had Hope?
Yup, she was brilliant. Resisting her charms would be hard.
Tony: It looks like it. I’ll know more later. Pat’s going to swing by the house and take a look.
