Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 91212 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91212 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
"The family is no longer supporting Sadie and her habits. We discussed this."
"She's missing, William. Or did you forget?"
"I wish I could," he mutters, and I'm not certain he meant for me to hear it. "We have to sever all connections to her. I've told constituents, just like Dad did, that we've distanced ourselves from the destructive path that she's on. Her phone is one more connection. I couldn't allow it."
"If she gets into trouble, she might need—"
"That's the point, Cora. She's always in trouble. This time is no different from any of the others. I have a meeting."
He hangs up the phone without so much as a goodbye.
I feel all alone in missing her, in wishing for any sign that she's okay, even if that is another wave of wreckage in her wake.
I know this has a lot to do with how our last meeting went, how angry and hurt she was that I wouldn't cave and give her money or allow her to take our mom's jewelry from the house.
She was right in claiming that half of it should go to her. I wouldn't have blinked an eye in letting her have it if she was stable, but Sadie has never been stable and she didn't want the jewelry to wear to an event. It was going to end up at a pawn shop or in a drug dealer's hand in exchange for drugs, and I couldn't let that happen.
Tapping my fingers on my desk gets me nowhere. Calling people gets me nowhere.
My dad always told me that if I wanted something bad enough, I'd find a way to make it happen, so I guess that's just what I need to do.
I pick up my phone and let Alice know I'm going to take a few days for myself. Although I can hear the confusion in her tone when I confirm a few things I'll need her to take care of, she doesn't ask any questions.
Then I'm grabbing my purse and I'm out the door. One quick stop at home to pack some clothes, and then I can hit the highway. If others can't get to the bottom of where my sister is, then I'll just have to do it my damned self.
I feel as if I'm somehow taking back the power that I've been lacking, but I know it's a long shot that my plan will work. What I can't do is sit idly by and do nothing.
Chapter 7
Ace
Washington DC.
A place where hundreds of thousands of kids visit with their schools every year. Because of the history this city has, it's one of the most popular government-related destinations in the country.
It also has a ridiculously high crime rate, and I'm talking about the crimes that are counted with the police and not the shady backroom deals made by the politicians on the hill.
DC is on the list of places to tackle as far as sex trafficking is concerned, but it's also a multi-headed beast funded by some of the most powerful men and women in the nation. It would take a joint effort between nearly every organization in the country along with the covert-ops teams, and getting two groups to agree on a plan is nearly impossible, much less more than a dozen.
The small studio apartment that Cerberus set me up in is nice, better than what the Agency has ever provided for me. One huge plus about this place is that I don't have to share it with anyone. I don't have to make a schedule for cleaning or showers or anything like that.
Sharing a house with Mike wasn't so bad, but I've been with other agents who aren't as respectful of other people's time and belongings. It's always a crapshoot when given a new assignment, whether or not you'll end up with someone you're compatible with. There have been many assignments that have been torturous not by the work, but by the partner given by the Agency.
I tap my fingers on the countertop as I wait for the expensive coffee machine to finish making my espresso. I don't know if the amenities in this place are standard for what Cerberus provides these days, but a man can get used to this.
I've been in DC for two days now, and I started my time here by scoping out the house connected to Sadie Preston. I even managed to get a camera on the property, but I know it won't stay there long. Honestly, it being up now, providing live feed for me to watch, for over thirty-six hours, I know it's only a matter of time before they sweep the place and discover it. And I know when they do, they could very easily pack their shit and relocate. Businesses like this one are quick to scatter when they get a whiff of trouble. It's how they stay so profitable, and most of their clientele aren't inconvenienced by having to drive a little further or take a different route to feed their deviances. If anything, they appreciate the lengths those places will go to protect their privacy, seeing as most of them are politicians with families and wholesome platforms they've claimed to have to the people they're wanting votes from.