Chapter 9

Moments later, the backup squad car pulled up beside us, its red and blue lights flashing and casting an eerie glow on the surrounding darkness. The low hum of the engine and the shrill screech of the brakes filled the air before two uniformed officers emerged, their furrowed brows and stern expressions reflecting the gravity of the situation.

The night air carried the scent of damp earth and distant traffic, heightening our senses as we briefed them on the circumstances. Afterward, I gently guided Caroline towards the backseat of the squad car, the warmth of the metal door handle burning my palm as I opened it for her.

Leaning in towards Caroline, I felt a mix of concern and determination. The officer's hand hovered near the door, ready to shut out the outside world. "We'll see you in a few minutes at the precinct," I whispered, my breath mingling with the tension in the air. Caroline's slow nod conveyed her understanding, but uncertainty lingered in her eyes.

Her voice trembled as she asked, "I'm not under arrest, am I?" I shook my head reassuringly, a soft smile playing on my lips. "No, not at all," I assured her. "You're just being placed in protective custody for your safety, that's all. Plus, I have a few more questions. We won't be far behind you."
~~
Ethan maneuvered the pickup onto the bustling street, the engine purring softly as we trailed behind the squad car. Frustration seeped through my veins, reaching its boiling point, and I couldn't hold back any longer. "So, are you just gonna ignore the fuck up I made when I called you last night?" I blurted out, my voice tinged with exasperation.

Beside me, Ethan let out a contemptuous snort, the sound mingling with the distant honking of cars. "Whatever fuck up you made, someone else heard it, because it sure as shit wasn't me you called," he retorted. His words hit me like a slap, and my head snapped up, my mouth struggling to form a response.

"That's the way we're handling this? By pretending you didn't hear what I said?" I challenged, my voice filled with disbelief.

Ethan remained silent for a few lingering moments, his expression transforming into one of confusion. It dawned on me that he wasn't playing games; he genuinely hadn't received my message. “Care to tell what it was about?” he finally asked.

Shaking my head, I muttered, "Uh, nothing much... just... Well... It wasn't important... Never mind." The weight of the situation hung heavy in the air, accentuated by the faint smell of exhaust fumes drifting through the open windows.

Ethan let out a frustrated sigh, the sound blending with the distant hum of city life. "Not going to work," he stated firmly, his voice tinged with determination. "You said something you're worried about me having heard. Otherwise, your panties wouldn't be in such a bunch over it. So, tell me, what did you say?"

Once again, I shook my head, refusing to spill the beans. The decision lingered in the air, accompanied by the scent of uncertainty. Pausing, I pondered over what I wanted to say instead. In the end, I shrugged, the sensation of resignation settling upon me. "I told you, it's nothing important. What do you say we forget this whole past month? You had your reasons for the way you acted."

Glancing momentarily away from the road, Ethan met my gaze with a humorless laugh escaping his lips. "Yeah, you could say that," he muttered, the weight of his words filling the vehicle.

The rest of the ride to the precinct was carried out in tense silence, the low hum of the pickup's engine and the sounds of the city providing the only background noise.

A short time later, as I hovered my pen over the notepad, Caroline's voice murmured, barely audible. "There were several men involved," she explained, her words hanging heavy in the air. "All high-ranking officials with connections to the city."

The scent of stale coffee hung in the air as Caroline continued. "They would organize these parties, inviting young girls from all over the country," she stated. “Some of them would be brought in under the guise of modeling or acting gigs, but there was never anything further written about some of them after that."

The weight of her words settled heavily in my chest, a sickening feeling of anger and horror creeping in.

Ethan's voice, tense with disbelief, broke the silence. "How many girls are we talking about?" he asked.

Caroline hesitated, her eyes filled with the weight of a thousand untold stories. "I couldn't say for sure. Hundreds, maybe even thousands," she finally replied, her voice barely a whisper. "They kept them locked up in a series of underground bunkers and warehouses around the city."

The image of innocent lives trapped in darkness flashed through my mind, filling me with a sense of urgency. "And these men, they were all part of the same ring?" I pressed.

Caroline shook her head, her expression filled with uncertainty. "I don't know for sure, but I think they all worked together," she confessed. "They had their own code names and systems of communication. It was all very well hidden."

Ethan's eyes met mine. "This is going to take some serious digging," he muttered.

Caroline's voice, filled with vulnerability, broke the heavy silence. "That's why I came to you," she said quietly. "I couldn't do it alone. I didn't know how to go about it or even who else to trust." Then, her hands shaking slightly, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a thumb drive. "Here," she said, handing it to me. "They're all on here. I made copies of everything I could find."

I sent her a grateful smile. “You’re awesome, Caroline.” Afterwards, I plugged the drive into the computer on the desk, and began to scan through the files. Each one contained a meticulous record of the girls' identities, their locations, and the men who were responsible for them. It was damning evidence, and it made me sick to my stomach.

"I'll need to verify this information," I said to Ethan, still scanning through the files. "But it looks like she's telling the truth. At least about this much."

Ethan nodded, his gaze still fixed on Caroline. "You’ve got our attention now.”