Page 56 of Mountain Refuge

“Why?”

“I thought you might need time to settle.” He frowned.

“No, why do you want to help us?” Suspicion laced through her words.

“I’d like to think it’s because I’m a nice guy. Can you lower that gun, please?” Astro growled beside him until Ryan slowly lowered a hand and laid it on the dog’s head. “What do you say? Can I give you a ride?”

“Tomorrow. Eight a.m.” She whipped around and hurried into the house.

Chapter Three

Taya woke thenext morning to see Tracy standing in front of the window. The slump of her shoulders told Taya everything she needed to know about the girl’s mood. Defeat showed in every line of her body. “Sweetie?” She climbed from her sleeping bag and went to stand next to her niece. “Want to talk about it?”

“You’ve never asked.”

“Asked what?”

Tracy gave her a red-eyed look. “About Amber.”

Her best friend—the girl also allegedly taken from the coffee shop. Taya felt as if she was about to get confirmation. “Tell me now.”

“Amber got sick and died about a week ago. She never was rescued.” She launched herself into Taya’s arms. “Amber died sick and afraid.”

“I’m so sorry.” Taya tightened the hug. “Are you ready to sit down and tell me everything you remember so I can write it down? The authorities can use any information we can give them.” Her thoughts drifted to Mason. If anyone could have brought the trafficking ring to justice, it would have been him.

“Okay.” Tracy’s words were muffled against Taya’s shoulder. “Maybe getting it out of my head will help me move on.”

Taya set her at the lopsided table in the corner and pulled her cell phone from her pack. She’d have to find a place in town to charge the phone. The battery had less than half a charge. “I’m going to record you, okay?”

Her niece nodded.

“Tell me what happened at the coffee shop.”

“Amber and I were sitting at the table we always sat at. We sat there almost every day.”

And someone knew that. “Go on.”

“A really cute boy came up to us. Said he was new to town and asked if we could show him where kids our age hung out. Amber started flirting right away, but the guy had a look in his eye that made me nervous.” She gave a shaky smile. “I must be as paranoid as you, Auntie.”

“Nothing wrong with that.”

She nodded. “Anyway, Amber said sure. We could show him the local burger joint. So, we picked up our drinks and followed him outside. As soon as we did, a van pulled up. Two men wearing masks jumped out and shoved us inside. It was that fast.” She shuddered. “We didn’t even have time to scream before they gagged us, put bags over our heads, and zip-tied our hands behind us. When we stopped, they led us to the cells you found us in.”

“How many girls were there?”

She shrugged. “A lot. You saved them, so you know more than I do.”

“You said they were…saving you for the highest bidder?”

“Yes. A doctor examined us, supposedly. Some of us were saved to get a higher price, others started…training.” She bolted to her feet and fled outside.

The sound of vomiting brought Taya to her feet. She grabbed a water bottle and rushed outside. “Okay, we’re done for today.”

“No.” Tracy held up a hand. “I’m good now.”

“Drink.” Taya shoved the bottle into her hand.

After she guzzled half the bottle, Tracy sat on the porch steps while Taya went inside to retrieve the phone. When she returned, she set the phone between them. “Tell me about the men. How many? What did they look like?”