Page 80 of Gator
“First, thanks. I appreciate your help on this.”
Wolfe gave him a nod in acknowledgment of the praise, then asked the question we all wanted to know the answer to. “So, where are we now?”
“Wade wasn’t the brains. He was logistics. As you know, we’ve been tracking Merrick Sloan for years. Trafficking rings, movement of people, layered shell companies. Merrick doesn’t like to get his hands dirty, so he operates through contractors.Wade was one of those contractors. Small-time on paper, but oh so valuable to us.”
Chance held up a small evidence bag. Inside was a phone. “When we cuffed Wade, he had this. Our forensic team got into it fast, and this is the best piece of evidence we could have found. It has location data with timestamps. Financial transfers that don’t make sense for a legit business, but best of all, the messages. They’re what really sealed the deal.”
He placed the phone on the table and tapped it. “It has encrypted messages Wade sent and received referencing transit windows and wire transfers that our other investigations have tied directly to Merrick Sloan.”
“That was fast,” Hawk said.
“We were ready for a break, and you guys gave it to us. When we confronted Wade, he cracked. He confirmed that they’d moved to the farmhouse to lay low. They wanted to leave town, but couldn’t because the transfer for Noah Gentry had already been arranged. They were afraid that changing towns would spook the buyer, and apparently, he’d paid a premium price for the young man.
“The information on his phone, combined with Wade’s statement, put us over the top. We have more than enough for warrants and to open an official federal investigation on Sloan. He can run, but he’s exposed now. He’s not getting any comfortable nights.”
“What about the other people in the basement?” I asked.
“They’re all being cared for. The two who were transported to the hospital are still there, but they’re both doing well. They have a long road ahead of them because it seems they kept them drugged up most of the time. The women were cleared medically, and we have them in a safe house while they wait on family to come get them, and the other young man’s parents picked him up at the hospital last night.
“I stopped by and talked with Noah earlier. I still think he should’ve gone to the hospital with the others, but it was his choice not to. I gave him some names of people he can contact if he needs help. He isn’t sure what he’ll be doing from here—”
“He’s welcome to stay as long as he needs to,” Wolfe interrupted.
Chance smiled at him. “Yeah, I figured that was the case, but someone might want to make sure he knows that. Anyway, he’s eager to put all this behind him, as I’m sure you are.” He nodded in my direction.
“I am, but mostly I want to see these guys taken down. I know it’s a constant battle and there’ll be another trafficking ring rearing its ugly head in its place, but I still want these guys brought to justice.”
“That’s the plan. We’re going to follow this to Merrick and beyond. I can’t promise it’ll be fast or clean, but we’re committed.”
Hawk nodded. “Three Bears will keep feeding you whatever you need.”
Chance’s smile was a flicker that meant something. “You saved my case,” he said quietly. “I’ve been chasing Merrick Sloan for years, and I knew my supervisors were getting ready to pull the plug. But not now. Now, for the first time, this gives us something solid to stand on. So thank you.”
Chance left, and Wolfe looked at me. “Why don’t you go up and talk to Noah. Let him know that he doesn’t have to be in any hurry to go anywhere, but if he wants to go back to his apartment, we’ll make sure he gets there.”
I nodded and left them all sitting around the table talking about evidence and testifying and a hundred other details that I assumed would affect me later on, but not today.
I was relieved when I stepped off the elevator to find the ninth-floor common area empty. Surprised, but relieved. It was a Sunday, though, so I knew before long the place would be filled with snacks, people, and the sound of football.
I crossed over to the door of the apartment that, for a short time, had been mine and knocked softly. It took a minute, but after I knocked a second time, Noah pulled open the door.
“Hey,” I said.
“Hey.” He stepped back to let me in.
“Are you getting settled in okay?”
“I guess.” He shrugged. “It’s not like I have bags to unpack or anything. I’ve just been rotting on the couch, watching television, and eating a ton of junk food that Mika left in here for me.”
“Well, just so you know”—I checked the time—“in about an hour, that space outside your door is going to be filled with people who work here at Three Bears Tactical, but you’re under no obligation to interact with them if you don’t want to. That said, if you’re tired of being cooped up alone, you’re welcome to come out and join in.”
He glanced at the door and then back at me. “I don’t know if I’m ready to be with a whole crowd of people.”
“Well, no pressure. If you step out there and decide it’s too much, you can always just come right back inside.”
“Thanks, Julius, I might do that.”
“Also, Wolfe wanted me to let you know you can stay as long as you need. We can give you a ride back home if you want one, but if you want to stay, I’ll go with you to get your things.”