“What do you think, Isla?” Art asked.
I hadn’t been paying attention.
“Erm, about what?”
“Weren’t you listening?”
“Yes. You want to find out what happened to Acer’s friend.”
Art huffed out his exasperation. “Let’s take a break, everyone.” When the others filed out of the room, he said, “You’re on another planet.”
“Yeah. We need to dig into the dark web.”
He laughed. “We’re already doing that.”
“But don’t you find this whole thing odd?”
“How so?”
“I don’t know. Usually women like this are shipped out of the country, not brought in.”
“Not true. There are all sorts of underground prostitution rings in the U.S. that they could’ve been bought for.”
“You’re right. I guess this just leaves a rotten taste in my mouth.”
“Right now the only lead we have is Kent’s friend, who won’t answer our calls. The bureau sent someone over to his place, but he didn’t answer the door either. We’re waiting for a search warrant to be issued.”
“Art, do you think he was a part of this?”
He shrugged. “It’s anyone’s guess right now. But it’s all we have to go on. Come on. Let’s grab a bite before we have to get back to work.”
Shortly past noon, when Acer arrived, we reconvened in the conference room. He was visibly shaken when Art told him about his friend.
“He’s not there?”
“If he is, he’s not answering the door, which is why we’re getting a search warrant,” Art explained.
“How long will that take because that’s not like the Paulie I know.”
“It shouldn’t take too long, considering the circumstances.”
Acer pulled his phone out from his pocket and made a call. It was obvious there was no answer and he said as much. “Paulie still isn’t responding. Why do you need a search warrant? Can’t you go in on a missing person’s report or something?”
Art nodded and said, “Do you honestly think something has happened to him and that he’s not avoiding us?”
“At this point, I don’t know anymore. But I’m telling you the Paulie I know wouldn’t have gotten himself involved in something like this. He may have been a little shady, and by that, he may have kept some of the money I was supposed to have earned, but not this.”
It was my boss’s turn to make a call. “Hey, is it possible to go into that apartment on a missing person’s report?”
Art glanced at Acer and asked, “When was the last time you spoke to him?”
“Yesterday in Savannah.”
“What time was that?”
“I guess it was around ten. It was right when I left to drive here.”
Art relayed that information and then said, “I realize it’s not been twenty-four hours, but Kent thinks something’s happened to him.” Pause. “Right, but what about going in under the guise that Kent thinks he’s hurt or ill.”
The scowl Art wore wasn’t a good sign. He ended the call and swore. “Those jackasses. They don’t want to involve the local boys so they’re saying no.”
“I don’t understand,” Acer said.
I answered this one. “Because your friend is in New York, this case crosses state lines. That makes it a federal issue. Also, kidnapping and human trafficking fall under our jurisdiction as well as Homeland Security’s. We generally don’t like to bring in the local authorities because it’s a matter of who handles what. It’s easier if one agency does it all.”
“But that’s stupid. What if his life is at stake? Isn’t there anything you can do?”
Art got up and left the room. I imagined he was going to tighten the grips on someone, but I couldn’t say who. He was fairly connected in the bureau, so maybe it was a higher up.
I watched him through the glass wall and saw him frown and then his arm waving around. Yeah, he was pissed off all right. It didn’t make much sense how everyone protected their territory. Acer was right. Something could’ve happened to his friend and we needed to find out instead of waiting.
“Hey, are you finished questioning me?” Acer asked.
“I don’t know. Art’s in charge. Why?”
“Because I’m going to Paulie’s. If you guys won’t check on him, I will.”
My lips pressed together as I thought about this. He may have something. Art stomped back into the room and anger rolled off him.
“This is nothing but—never mind. Getting back to the issue at hand.” He aimed a no bullshit gaze at Acer. “Is there anything else you can remember? Any tiny detail can help.”
“I’ve told you everything. This has been stuck on my mind like glue. If there were something, I’m pretty sure it would’ve surfaced by now.”
“Hey Art.” I was taking a chance with this. “Acer brought something up that sounds viable.”
“Go on.”
“He wants to go to his friend’s place to check on him since our hands are tied. What do you think?” I asked. The members of the human trafficking team eyed me as I posed my question.
“I can’t stop Mr. Kent from visiting his friend, if that’s what you’re asking. My concern is that he’d be walking into a hornet’s nest. What if the perps have eyes on the place and see him? He could be playing with fire.”
“My thoughts exactly, which is why I’d like to go with him.”
Acer jumped into the conversation. “Uh, no. I don’t want you to be involved.”
Art shook his head. “You misunderstand, Mr. Kent. That’s water under the bridge. We are involved and the worst thing that could happen now is for you to get yourself into trouble with whoever caused all this.”
“Art? What do you think?” I prodded.
He slowly nodded. “Okay, but get in and out. And then out of New York altogether. Report back to me immediately and send pictures. I’ll handle the rest.”
Acer leaned forward and said, “But what if—”
“No what-ifs,” Art said. “This could potentially be a very dangerous situation you’re walking into. Chambers, you have to keep in mind you have no authority to act up there.”
“Life or death?” I asked.
“You don’t need me to answer that,” Art answered. “And yes, you can take your firearm. You have the proper authority to carry on the plane. If you have any problems, have TSA call here.”
“I need to call my brother to see if he can lend me the money for a ticket,” Acer said.
Art rubbed his chin. “We’ll do this from the inside. Get the arrangements made, Chambers. Mr. Kent, let your family know you’re going to pay a visit to your friend, but spare them any details. You should be back in Atlanta before they even notice you’re gone. I hope I don’t regret this.”
“You won’t, sir. In and out,” I promised.
“Yeah, I’ve heard that before,” he mumbled. I patted his arm as I walked out to make the call for our plane tickets.