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Becca’s face falls and her slender shoulders slump beneath the baggy sweatshirt she’s wearing. “That’s probably my fault.”
“I called the police too.” I hesitate before admitting the full truth. “Anonymously.”
“They probably just assumed that was me.” Becca snorted, the sound humorless. “You know, instead of investigating those fuckers who were trafficking young girls, they had the audacity to threaten to prosecute me for making false police reports.” There’s venom in her voice.
An amount of rage I’m shocked can be contained by her small body.
Becca’s shorter than me, and based on the way her baggy clothes hang, she’s just as tiny in shape as she is in height. But I’m starting to think I wouldn’t cross her. Right now she looks ready to go to war, and capable of causing bodily harm to anyone in her path.
I swallow hard. “How do you know about the human trafficking?”
Becca’s already hard expression turns to steel and I could swear she’s breathing fire as she says, “Because those fuckers have my sister.”
I don’t realize I gasp until I hear the sound. Of all the ways I thought Becca might be connected to Trevor, him and the assholes around him taking her sister wasn’t even on my radar. I thought maybe she was a girlfriend of his. Possibly someone he’d been seeing on the side while we were married. I thought maybe she was a journalist, or connected to one who didn’t want to make the call to report what they’d discovered.
Both of those things I could have handled. But this?
This has me ready to crumble. And I don’t deserve to break down. Not in front of Becca.
Not when I could have tried to do something about this nine months ago.
Maddox appears from the staircase leading to the upper floor. “All clear.”
Becca motions to the front room. “You guys want to sit down?”
I nod, feeling numb. “Sure.”
Becca leads us into her simple, but comfortable, living room, her bare feet making soft slapping noises against the tiled floor as she walks. After gesturing for Maddox and me to take the sofa, she settles into an oversized armchair, looking even tinier swallowed up by the excessive upholstery.
I don’t know what to say. What questions to ask. Not now that I know why I’m here.
But Becca has no problem directing the conversation. Her spine is straight as she turns to Maddox. “I don’t know if you heard what I told Audrey, but Trevor and the men around him are responsible for my sister’s disappearance.”
Maddox doesn’t seem shocked. “Are you sure?”
Becca tips her head in a single nod. “She managed to call me once after her disappearance. That was over three weeks ago, and I haven’t heard from her since.”
Maddox reaches into one of the pockets on his pants and pulls out a small device. “Is it okay if I record this conversation and pass it on to my team?”
Becca eyes the recorder then lifts her gaze to Maddox. “I guess that depends on who your team is.”
“I work for Alaskan Security.” There’s no missing the pride in Maddox’s voice as he explains the company he works for. What they do. What he does for them. Who exactly will be listening to the recording and what they’ll use it for.
Becca presses her lips together, a tiny glimmer of hope sparking in her dark eyes. “You guys will help me find my sister?”
“Absolutely, we will.” There’s no hesitation. No telling Becca he has to call and find out. Maddox believes without a shadow of a doubt Alaskan Security will wade right into this mess and throw out life preservers.
Becca studies him for a minute longer, then she leans forward and clicks the record button on the device. “Trevor Hawthorne the fucking third owns a clothing store.” Her eyes come my way. “I believe it’s the store you ran before you guys separated.” She refocuses on Maddox. “My sister went to work there about four months ago. At first he was never there, but then he started coming in more and more regularly.”
My stomach turns, but I do my best to hide my reaction to the story. The last thing Becca needs is my tears. They won’t do her any good, and they sure as hell won’t bring her sister back.
“My sister wants to be an attorney when she gets older, so of course she was thrilled about getting to know that piece of shit.” Becca’s disgust is palpable as she continues. “It all started out innocent enough that my parents didn’t see the red flags, but soon she was job-shadowing him and helping out at his office instead of the store.”
Maddox’s hand slides into mine, warm and strong. He holds tight as Becca spills the rest of her story.
“I tried to tell her that he was just a dirty old pervert trying to get attention from a young girl, but of course she didn’t believe me.” Becca’s lips purse, chin lifting and nostrils flaring. “I went to my parents. Explained what was happening and told them to get her the fuck away from him.” Her eyes come to mine. “They told me I was jealous. Said I’m just lonely and bored and have no life and accused me of trying to ruin my sister’s future so I would feel better about my own.”
My jaw literally drops open. “What the fuck?”