Rescued (11 page)

Chapter 20

Marty steered the truck to a stop in the space next to Oscar and Nelson’s SUV at the Santa Fe Diner. It had been a full day’s drive but they’d made it at long last.

Oscar and his partner had followed the kids the entire way from Memphis and scoped out the location of the training facility. They secured surveillance cameras in trees and other inconspicuous places around the compound and set up a twenty-four hour observation of the enclosed area.

The first order of business was a trip to the ladies room for Rose. The men seated themselves at a table in the corner and glanced at the menu selections while they waited for her to return.

When the waitress headed back to the kitchen with their orders, Oscar began to fill them in on what he had learned since arriving in Santa Fe. “The training facility appears to be as normal as anything else we’ve seen so far. There are dorms on opposite sides of the compound with a couple of buildings in the center.” Oscar paused to take a sip of water. “The smaller one houses offices of some kind. The other has more kid traffic, possibly the classrooms for this training program we’ve heard about. Everyone in the compound smiles and appears to be happy.”

“Until we hear it from someone who’s been through their
program
and are happy with their life, we can’t take all this on face value. The regular blood donations the kids were talked into making, the transplant lists, the interest in the price of my blood . . . we have to find out how deep this whole thing goes.” Frustrated, Rose glared at the men seated with her. None of them offered objections to her statements. She shook her head, lowered her gaze, and studied the checks in the tablecloth pattern, searching for answers.

“I agree. I say we sit on the place for a few more days and continue to record all traffic in and out. We should be able to get a better idea of who’s who by that time.” Nelson sat up and moved his arms off the table to make room for the waitress to put the plates down.

“Logan rented a house in the country for us to share, so you’re all set if you want to crash after you eat. We’ve got the watch at the compound after supper covered so you can get some rest.” Oscar gathered his half-pound burger with care to prevent any loss of fixings before he took a man-sized bite and hummed his approval. “Umm, now, that’s a burger,” he said through a mouth full of hamburger. Everyone laughed and followed his lead.

Rose’s smaller, more ladylike bite was finished sooner, allowing her to speak. “I’d like to get a look at the place before we settle in for the night, if y’all don’t mind.” Rose turned to Marty for his thoughts.

“Sounds like a plan.” Marty smiled as he dipped an onion ring into his mixture of ketchup and mayonnaise.

“Have your guys noticed if the kids in the compound are free to come and go as they please?” Rose was curious how restricted the kids were and if they would be able to make contact if need be.

“From what the team who started the investigation has observed, the place is locked up tight. There are vans that leave the compound on day trips but they have security at the front gate twenty-four seven,” Oscar responded. Logan’s teams consisted of one human and one Were paired together in an effort to cover any situation that might arise. Garth and Daily were another of those blended teams.

“Security or prison guards?” Rose wondered out loud.

“That’s what we intend to find out,” Nelson assured her.

“We are going to have to be careful not to be spotted by anyone we met in Memphis.” She and Marty were the only ones the kids
had
met in Memphis and the only ones they would recognize.

“We’re still monitoring the activity on the SUV’s from Memphis. They dropped the kids off and only stayed a couple of hours before they headed back east. Mabel’s arrest and the police activity there make it certain they won’t return to the house in Memphis but where they do end up may help track others involved in this operation.”

“Parents of the year didn’t waste much time now, did they?” Rose stated the obvious.

The group finished their meal and went their separate ways. Rose and Marty cruised out to the compound for a quick look around. All was quiet. No one was moving about but then it
was
after midnight. Oscar had described the set up in great detail. The grounds were well maintained, neat, and clean on the surface with high fences all around and a locked gate Rose observed from their first drive by.

“We have to get a rental first thing in the morning and limit our visibility in the area in the daytime. The kids from Memphis might recognize the truck, too.”

“Everything appears so normal. How do they do it? A set-up this elaborate confirms there’s so much more to this story than selling a few pints of blood. It must cost a fortune in upkeep on a place like this.” Rose surveyed the compound. “What’s really going on here?”

“The transplant list Nelson found in Wendy’s file at the clinic in Memphis confirmed there’re more pieces to this puzzle. I just can’t imagine what they do or how they get it done.”

“Wanna park in the edge of the woods and make our way around the fence? Maybe we can determine where the kids are housed.” She was curious to get a closer look.

“My thinking exactly, sweetheart.” Marty backed the truck into the edge of the woods and out of sight.

They stepped behind the truck and shifted into their other forms. Cats could slip out of sight more easily than humans as well as escape in a greater variety of places.

The shadows cast by the large trees lining the road and scattered around the outside of the gated area created excellent cover for the Marty and Rose to move closer to the compound. The dorm to the left of the gate housed at least forty males. The scent of raging hormones was unmistakable.

The backside of the property boasted a pool, a tennis court, and picnic area. Rose eased closer to the fence and processed the scents to determine if the kids inside had been allowed out. There was no lock on the gate, and it stood ajar a few inches. She eased her nose inside and pushed the gate open just wide enough to slink through. Marty followed.

Hanging close to the shadows of the tables and chairs at the pool, she padded to the dorm they passed on their way around the fence. There were ten windows on the ground floor and another ten on the level above. Accounting for a hallway down the middle, there could be as many as forty rooms in each dorm. Double occupancy would bring the head count near two hundred.

All dorm residents seemed to be asleep or settled in for the night. No lights were visible.

An enclosure between the buildings in the center of the property held a garbage dumpster labeled, KITCHEN
and another, MEDICAL. Rose turned to Marty. He raised his head high. His nostrils flared. He caught the same scent as she . . . blood, human blood.
What the
hell?

A flashlight beam bobbed up and down from the side of the building in step with the hand that held it. Rose nodded toward the coming danger to warn her mate. They slipped behind the dumpsters and waited. A security guard walked passed their hiding place and shined his light toward the pool and surrounding area before moving along on his rounds.

They made their way back to the fence and exited through the gate. Marty eased it closed with his paw before nodding toward the woods. They faded into the area darkened by the canopy of trees and broke into a full on run until both were satisfied they had rejuvenated their inner animals. Then they settled down for some quiet time.

Marty groomed his mate as she nuzzled close. They were limited in their daytime activities, so they would do their main outdoor investigations under the cover of darkness. Satisfied they had gathered all the information they could for one night, they moved to the truck for the drive to the house.

A house in the country, as Oscar had put it was an understatement. Rose cringed when she first got the news thinking the six occupants sharing the space would be stacked to the ceiling in tiny, cramped quarters. Fear of going stir-crazy, cooped up all day and not able to move around gripped her. But much to her surprise, the property was spacious inside and out. Secluded on several hundred acres of land with ample room to run, this might not be so bad. She could give this a try.

Rose relished the idea of lazy mornings in bed with Marty. Making love in the afternoon and collapsing into a deep sleep as a result. They could cook for themselves or get take out. It sounded like a working vacation. Work being the main concern to Rose.

A few days later, she was still sane and she hadn’t murdered any of her companions. Win-win. Life was good for the most part. Now if she could wrap this case up and head on back home, her life would be complete.

They filled their free time getting better acquainted with each other as mates. Most of their sleep time occurred during the day, allowing for nights spent prowling under cover in cat form and investigating the compound. The scent they picked up on their first night was cause for a high level of concern.

They made regular rounds at the compound with the same results every night. No activity in the medical building and the unmistakable smell of blood.

The blood was fresh.

Almost every day.

Chapter 21

“You gonna sleep all day?” Rose emerged from the shower with one towel secured around her body and another in her hands to towel dry her hair. She eased down on the side of the bed and brushed wispy strands of hair from Marty’s forehead. He smiled a sleepy smile as her hand cupped his cheek and leaned into her touch with a soft moan. “Mmm, what time is it?”

“A few minutes after four. The bacon and eggs Oscar had for us when we got in this morning were good but I’m hungry again.”

“Worked up an appetite, did you?” His sleepy expression turned mischievous.

She picked right up on his teasing tone, referring to their
undercover activities
in bed after breakfast. “Like this morning’s
activity
didn’t leave you hungry?” She delivered a light punch to his upper arm.

“I’m always hungry. What do you feel like for supper?”

“I’m thinking rib eye.”

“We’ll need to send someone to the store if you want steak.” Marty stretched both arms over his head and yawned.

“That’s the problem. Oscar and Nelson left early to get that tire repaired and Garth and Daily won’t be home until eight. I think there are burgers in the freezer. We could grill them, I guess.”

“No way. If my lady wants steak, she will have steak.” He reached up to touch the tip of her nose and winked. “Let me get a quick shower and we’ll head up north a ways to a grocery store out of the immediate area.”

The thirty-minute drive to the store seemed a bit excessive but they had to keep the fact they were in the area a secret.

“I left a fresh pitcher of tea in the fridge. Do you want salad and baked potato?” Rose checked out the sale paper as she strolled along the produce display.

“You know I’m not much on rabbit food. Rabbits? Yes, but not rabbit food. You go ahead, though.” Marty grinned and patted her bottom before he headed toward the meat section. “Rib eye, right?”

“Yep.” She selected the freshest mushrooms, cucumbers, tomatoes, and green onions to toss with her salad greens before joining him.

“How do these look?” He held up a package containing a couple of two-inch thick steaks and waited for her opinion.

“Great. What are you gonna eat?” She elbowed him in the side and laughed. “Kidding. I need to pick up some salad dressing. If you’ll get some of those soft, chunky, chocolate chip cookies and a carton of ice cream, we can make ice cream sandwiches for dessert. Oh, and we’re out of toothpaste. Better get enough food for the others, too. I’m not in a sharing mood.” Rose laughed but was serious about her statement and her steak.

He grabbed another couple of packages and tossed them into the basket.

Rose made her way to the condiment aisle and selected her favorite bleu cheese dressing for her salad. She caught up with Marty in the personal care section surveying the toothpaste choices. “Got everything?”

“Just trying to decide if we need whiter teeth or fresher breath?” He held up two different brands of toothpaste for her to decide.

“You trying to tell me something?” She elbowed him again and laughed.

He eyed the bunch of fresh green onions in her basket and wrinkled his nose. “You’re in a mighty playful mood today. I like it. I like to see you happy.” He set his hat back on his head a bit, leaned down, and brushed their lips together before settling into a serious kiss.

Rose tightened her grip on the basket on her arm to keep it from dropping to the floor. They were lost in the moment but interrupted by the sound of a familiar voice.

“Marty? Rose?”

A softer tone than she had been accustomed to hearing from her companions in the house for the past week caught their attention. Slowly they turned to find Roxie standing behind them.

“Rose, Marty, what are you doing out here? Oh, I don’t care, I’m so glad to see you. Both of you.” The girl’s chin quivered as she spoke.

“Roxie, hey. How are you? How are the others?” Heat from the kiss that had consumed her caused a tinge of embarrassment for Rose. She had no idea how to explain the fact they followed the group west. But the sound of Roxie’s voice, indicated she was relieved to see friendly faces.

“I’m scared, Rose.”

“Has someone hurt you?” Rose’s concern would shift to anger in a heartbeat. The kid’s safety came first.

“No, but I’ve seen some things and I can’t get the images out of my head. Something’s not right there,” she whispered with urgency.

“That’s why we’re here Roxie. Marty and I are private investigators and we’ve been hired to find some missing kids. We think this whole set up is a front for some activities that may not be legitimate. Can we go somewhere and talk? Are you here alone?” Rose wanted the girl to understand the situation was serious but didn’t want to go into depth about their concerns in the middle of the store.

“No, we’re on a field trip. There are two sponsors and five other kids. We just stopped here at the store for snacks. We’re going to another museum and then somewhere for supper before we go back to the dorms.”

“Roxie. We’re leaving.” A young man Rose and Marty had not seen before called for Roxie from the end of the aisle.

“Coming,” she said and held a finger up signaling she’d only be a minute longer.

Rose smiled and pointed to the toothpaste in Marty’s hand as if she were asking Roxie a question. “Play it cool. As far as he can see, we’re just talking toothpaste, okay? When will you be back at the compound?”

Roxie smiled and gestured to the toothpaste. “After supper.”

Marty joined in. “Are you able to move around on your own there?”

“There’s sort of a curfew but I can get around that.”

“Good. Come out the back gate and into the edge of the woods tonight after everyone goes to bed. Make it eleven-thirty or twelve. We need to talk but don’t tell anyone. Not even the others from Memphis. We absolutely must keep this a secret to protect everyone. This is very important Roxie. Do you understand? Your safety as well as the other’s is at stake if someone from the outside is discovered snooping around after dark.”

“Roxie, come on. The van’s leaving in five,” the now visibly impatient young man called.

Rose smiled and spoke up. “Thanks for your help. We didn’t mean to hold you up. Have a good day.”

“Play it cool, Roxie. Don’t let on to anyone that you’re scared. We will be in the woods tonight and we won’t let you down.” Marty met her eyes, his words earnest.

Roxie nodded and turned to walk away but paused after a step or two and turned back. “You guys . . . have been together the whole time, haven’t you?”

“Yes, Roxie. We have,” Rose responded.

“Wow, Rose, am I embarrassed for the way I went on about him at supper the other night. And Marty, I
am really
sorry for what happened at your truck before you left.” She directed her attention away, avoiding any eye contact. The light shade of pink that tinted her cheeks confirmed she was sincere.

“Don’t feel bad. Just shows you’ve got good taste,” Rose placed a hand on the girl’s arm and tried to reassure her. She experienced a slight twinge of guilt for wanting to bite through the girl’s jugular when she expressed a desire to get closer to Marty but she forgave the girl now. Not forgotten, just forgiven.

They watched Roxie make her way toward the door to join her group. Finally a break! There was someone on the inside to relay the real story and was willing to do so.

Rose turned to Marty. “Something happened at your truck that night, huh? And you, what?
Forgot
to tell me?” It took every ounce of strength she could muster to keep from bursting into laughter at the
uh oh, what do I do now
expression that covered Marty’s face.

“Rose, I . . .” He raised his hands as if searching the air for the words to continue.

“Stop it. Do you really think I’m the jealous type? That I don’t know how strong our bond is?” Her expression became solemn.

Relief replaced the fear on his face. Relief and adoration for this mate. He slid his arm around her waist and turned to walk toward the check out.

“Just don’t make a habit of it,” she teased.