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  “I agree. When are those men, the soldiers the sheriff knows, going to arrive here?” Leeann asked.

  “Any day now,” Faith said.

  They finished up the painting and then started to clean up. Faith headed outside with some of the materials to put into the back of the truck when she spotted Warren and Jordo.

  “Hey beautiful, finishing up?” Warren asked and kissed her softly on the lips and gave her a hug. Jordo kept a straight face but looked at her and nodded.

  “All done with this one. How are you guys doing?” she asked.

  “Making some progress. Got the kitchen sink in, and now we’re going to grab the truck and go to the warehouse to get the appliances.”

  “Awesome,” Faith said as Warren helped Leeann carry the bucket she had.

  “How is your day going, Jordo?” Faith asked him.

  “Okay,” he said and kind of looked away. He watched Leeann and Warren and then they approached.

  “You going to join everyone tonight at the fireside? It’s supposed to be a clear, beautiful night,” she prompted.

  “Nah, probably not.”

  “You should come by, and bring the team, too,” Warren added.

  “Not sure what they’re all doing. Everyone is busy,” he said and looked away again.

  “I’m sure that Brian is. Any word on that woman they found in the accident?” Leeann asked him.

  He shook his head.

  “That’s crazy shit. I hope that she’ll be okay and that Brian, the sheriff, and other investigators can get some answers,” Warren added.

  “That’s the hope. She hasn’t woken up. Brian wants to be there when she does. Seems to not be able to stop worrying about her,” Jordo told them.

  “I bet. I’m sure everyone at the scene was shaken up over the sight. If he needs to talk, let him know I’m available. Nothing formal,” Leeann added.

  He squinted. “He’s fine. You ready, Warren?” he asked Warren, who squeezed Leeann’s shoulder then gave Faith a kiss on her cheek.

  “See you later on.”

  They watched the men walk away and toward the pick-up truck.

  “Well, I guess I pissed him off again,” Leeann said.

  “Not a worry. You put it out there and it was perfect. More than likely Brian, just like the others on the scene, was affected. We have to remember that we don’t know every detail of their service action and what they experienced. Lots of things bring back flashbacks. Letting Jordo know that you’re here for him and his team is our job and what we do. Sometimes, it’s all we can do to just offer and let them know we’re here.”

  “I guess so,” Leeann said and shrugged her shoulders as they gathered the rest of the material and loaded up the truck.

  The moment the young woman awoke panicking and then speaking in a different language, they knew they would be waiting much longer to get details. She had a severe concussion, and the doctors were monitoring some bleeding in the brain she had. She would need plenty of rest and monitoring.

  “What is that? Greek?” Deputy Oliver Fey asked.

  “I think it’s Turkish. Maybe a mix? She’s mumbling, though,” Brian said as the nurse tried to calm her, smiling and trying to help her to relax.

  “Shit, now what?” Oliver asked.

  The woman started saying Cyprus, at least that was what they thought.

  “I got someone who might be able to help,” Tatum said and pulled out his cell phone. “Lilly, it’s Sheriff Lantern. I need a favor and on the down low. Yeah, can you meet me at the hospital in Benter? Thanks.”

  “Lilly Hayes? How can she help?” Oliver asked. Brian didn’t know who Lilly was. He heard of her, knew she was some kind of therapist and also an instructor at one of the dojos, but he never met her. A couple of the other deputies talked about how attractive she was and that she had incredible eyes. He really didn’t pay much attention to it. It was just single guys talking.

  “Let’s just say Lilly is a gem, and resourceful,” Tatum said.

  “Never mind absolutely gorgeous,” Oliver said with one hand resting on the butt of his gun and the other on his belt buckle.

  “Can’t argue with that,” Tatum replied.

  “You ever meet her, Brian?” Oliver asked. Brian shook his head and Oliver chuckled. “First sight hits you just as much as the ones that follow. She’s that good looking.”

  Now his curiosity was getting the better of him, and he wondered if maybe Oliver was messing with him, maybe the woman was ugly. The guys did crap like that to one another all the time. They were quiet as the nurse calmed the young woman down as they waited for Lilly to arrive.

  Fifteen minutes later the door to the room opened, and Brian felt like he got the wind knocked out of him. If this was Lilly, holy shit, the woman was gorgeous. She walked into the room, dressed in a mid-length skirt and sleeveless blouse, her breasts abundant, her hair brown and long flowing, and Jesus, her eyes were incredible. She glanced around quickly, and the sheriff greeted her. He shook her hand. She reached out and shook his as the sheriff introduced the others and then explained the situation.

  “This is Deputy Brian Vega, and you met Deputy Oliver Fey before, I believe.”

  “Yes, of course. Good afternoon, deputies,” she said.

  Brian felt that initial instant attraction to the woman go up several notches when their hands touched. She was striking. Stood about five-foot-four or so, he was six-foot-four and she wore heels so she reached his chest. She wore a sleeveless sage blouse that not only showed off defined muscles in her arms and abundant breasts, but also enhanced her light, almost glowing, sage green eyes. The v in her top lowered enough to see a glimpse of deep cleavage, and her skirt was loose and knee length, very conservative yet showed off her body, making her appear classy and professional. It was her stunning, bright, sage green eyes against a tan skin tone that got to him most. Then her scent. Sweet, fresh, floral maybe, but not overbearing, instead it made him inhale again and again.

  “Nice to meet you,” he said after they shook hands.

  “So, what’s the deal? You said on the down low,” she questioned the sheriff, her attention going right to Tatum, who kept a hand on her hip as he whispered close to her. She remained holding his gaze, and the sight made Brian feel a hint of jealousy, which was outrageous. It had been years since the sight of a woman alone made him instantly interested and possessive in an “I saw her first” kind of way.

  “I’m sure you heard about the car accident that occurred the other day right outside of town.”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, we discovered several women in one of the damaged vehicles.” He took a breath and exhaled. “Lilly, it’s believed as far as we know in our investigation that these women were abducted as part of a human trafficking ring. Maybe even sex slaves as we’re getting preliminary reports from the coroner on injuries.”

  “Bastards,” she whispered, and Brian was surprised, but also impressed. She didn’t seem shocked like the everyday civilian would be.

  “A lot of details we can get into later on, but for now, she’s scared and speaking in a language none of us know. Brian thinks it sounds Turkish or Greek, and the only word the woman said that we think we understand is Cyprus.”

  “Well, if she is from Cyprus, then the dialect would be both Turkish and Greek. There are various dialects, sometimes even Armenian, Arabic. Let’s find out what she remembers and any details if it is Greek or Turkish,” Lilly said, and the sheriff nodded.

  “You say what she says if you understand her, and we’ll take notes and you can interpret our questions,” the sheriff told her. Lilly nodded and walked over to the bed. The nurse was there keeping her calm, but the woman was shaking, battered and scared. Brian looked at Oliver, who widened his eyes, wondering how Lilly might be of assistance and perhaps knew these languages. She introduced herself to the woman, and the second Lilly spoke in Turkish the young woman responded. She eased up, cringed, and started rambling.

  Lilly sa
t right down on the bed, took her hand into hers, caressed her cheek, and calmed her as she spoke softly while the woman cried and rambled. Brian was impressed and stood right there beside Lilly, taking in the sight of her body, her crossed legs, and her body language. The young woman looked up at him and he gave a soft smile. She eyed over his uniform and gripped Lilly’s hand.

  “She says there were men in uniform there. A warehouse with a lot more women than the last two places.”

  “The last two places? Shit, any indication how far from here? Any faces she could describe?” Brian asked before the sheriff could. From there on out, they took notes, and Brian worked hand-in-hand with Lilly to get what they could until the young woman closed her eyes in exhaustion. He watched as Lilly released her hand and caressed the woman’s hair. She shook her head and glanced up at Brian. “Fifteen, Deputy Vega. She’s a baby,” she whispered and stared at the young battered teen. He shook his head and exhaled.

  As she got up, Brian placed his hand against her lower back guiding her from the room as the nurse came back over. They headed into the hallway.

  “Okay, let’s take what we have and get it to Caden. Lilly, can you stick around or be on call for this to help us as she awakens and can maybe remember more and stay awake longer?”

  “Of course, Sheriff. Whatever you need. I can stay here. I was finishing up at the office anyway.”

  “Great. Thank God you know so many languages. I can’t believe she was taken from Cyprus,” the Sheriff said to her.

  “It isn’t too shocking, just that she would be taken here to America. I mean, why? Usually American women are taken and then brought out of the country,” she said.

  “I guess that’s what we need to figure out. Let me call Caden,” the sheriff said, but just as he turned, Brian saw Caden approach along with two other men—one in uniform and one plain clothes but with a badge and gun on his hip.

  “Sheriff, this is Frank Burns, a Texas Ranger who will be assisting me in the case, and this is CIA agent Lent Ledkin,” Caden introduced the men.

  “CIA?” the sheriff asked.

  “I worked with Lent on a few cases in the last year. When we started looking into the missing women and the drivers of the van, he caught wind of it and gave me a call offering to assist. The two drivers of the van were in the U.S. on expired visas from Armenia.”

  “Armenia?” Brian asked.

  “Who is this?” Frank Burns asked.

  “Oh, how rude of me, gentleman, meet Lillian Hayes. She’s a friend, and I asked her here to assist with communications with the victim,” Sheriff Lantern told them.

  “Why is that? Who is she, and what are her credentials?” Agent Ledkin asked.

  “For one, she knows several languages. She was able to speak with our victim and get the information I’m sharing with you now. And two, she’s a social worker and therapist for victims of domestic violence. She’s trustworthy, and she won’t share anything we discuss,” the sheriff told them.

  “Nice to meet you, Lillian,” Frank reached his hand out for her to shake.

  “You as well.”

  Brian noticed that Ledkin eyed her over, but she straightened out her shoulders and eyed him right back. Brian hid his chuckle. Caden didn’t.

  “Why don’t I let you handle the official business, and I’ll wait over there for when I’m needed,” she said calmly and then walked away.

  “We shouldn’t bring civilians in on this. We don’t want it leaking that we have a witness here. We need to figure out who we are dealing with,” Ledkin stated.

  “Well, considering that Caden and I are lead on this, we’ll decide who we bring in and who we don’t,” the sheriff said.

  “What else can you tell me about her that makes me believe we can trust her?” Ledkin asked.

  “I’m not going to divulge anything to you but to say I take full responsibility for her. I trust she will be an asset. She already has been. This is what she found out talking to the victim.”

  As the sheriff explained what they found out so far, the agent added what they knew about the drivers and were definitely connecting them to some kind of incident a month ago in North Carolina.

  “I think it’s important that we keep Lillian on call here. She can definitely communicate with our victim,” the sheriff told them.

  “I can get an interpreter here within the hour,” Ledkin stated.

  “Excuse me, if I might add, Agent Ledkin, I saw the woman in action. She has a way about her. Dealing with victims of sexual assault and abuse, it’s usually difficult for a law enforcement investigator to gain trust, which takes time, and we don’t really have that. This woman, Lillian, she was able to draw that young woman in and get information accurately and quickly. Considering the victim mentioned a warehouse filled with other victims, I don’t think we should waste time trying to bring in another interpreter and hope they can build the same connection. Just an observation, Sheriff,” Brian said, ending with drawing attention to the sheriff.

  “I agree, Brian. Saw the same thing,” Deputy Oliver said.

  “Fine. Just don’t let her be privy to the process and what our next steps are. I’ll need to look into her if she is going to be a deeper part of this investigation,” Agent Ledkin said and then excused himself and walked over to Lilly.

  “What’s up with the CIA agent?” Tatum asked Caden.

  “Got wind of the drivers being from Turkey on the expired visas, then got a call from one of the agencies asking what was going on. Before it turned into a takeover, Lent offered to oversee the process of our investigation. He can be a bit of an anal lunatic with a case, but he’s thorough, and he’s on the good guy’s side. These types of cases could get out of hand quickly. We’re a small town despite our big backgrounds in the military. The shit happened here, and there are indications of this being a route, right through Texas, Warriorville and Benter specifically, we need to nip this shit in the bud. We have our own people to watch out for and don’t need any trouble this way or anywhere around here,” Caden said to him.

  “Okay, whatever you think then, Caden. So, what do you want to handle first with the information we got?” he asked.

  “Let’s split up some of this information. Lent has people doing their thing, too, and can get answers a bit quicker and without the red tape. I didn’t know that Lilly spoke several languages,” Caden said and glanced at her. Brian felt that bit of jealousy again.

  “Lilly has a lot of hidden talents. She’s good people, and believe me, she is trustworthy. Just don’t go trying to interrogate her or she’ll get pissed.”

  “I think Lent is already aggravating her,” Brian added after the sheriff addressed them.

  Lilly was definitely feeling a bit on edge, and that CIA guy’s attitude didn’t help. She knew this was a serious situation, and she didn’t like thinking about innocent women being abducted and used on some sex trafficking ring. She was thrown into the shock and chaos the moment she walked through the door and into the patient’s room. Her eyes locked onto the very tall, good looking deputy she had never seen before. She crossed paths with Deputy Fey twice for a domestic situation, and the sheriff she knew for the past year, and he was a friend of one of her commanders in the military. She asked that he keep her capabilities a secret after her commander carried on about how awesome of a soldier she was and how she was nearly killed while on an extensive, deep undercover covert operation. Depending on how anal this CIA agent would be, he would get some information on her and also hit the Top Secret file. The only one who could disclose what was in there were her commanders or herself.