83
Hours had passed, and there was no sign of James or Sophie. Candy worried maybe he had gotten to her mother before they could.
Slade and Candy drove around Miami side streets and back alleys for hours. After it seemed they were not gaining ground, Candy called Gage to meet them at a local park, as the sun was setting for a quick break.
Candy drummed her fingers on the picnic table. “Where could she have gone? Dad hasn’t heard a word from her.”
Gage rubbed his beard, trying to think. “Is there any place she or James frequented? Any place that you remember him talking about?”
Candy sighed. “No. He never spent much time with us. We seldom went anywhere with him unless it was drug-related. He only took me and Tyler out once to see a movie. That was the only good day we ever had with the jerk.”
Isis scrunched her nose. “Maybe we’re not thinking like he is. We need to think like a criminal. What sort of things does someone like him enjoy? Any hobbies? He’s probably laying low right now.”
Slade sat up straight. “Didn’t he say to meet him tonight? He’s going to be out looking for Candy now.”
Candy nodded. “Yes, but he didn’t say where.”
Isis tapped her chin, thinking. “Humm. He was probably just trying to scare you. Where would he take his girls? Or maybe he went where he would think no one would expect him to go.”
“Isis, you genius! That’s it!” Candy stood and grabbed Isis’ shoulders, shaking her. “I totally forgot. He would go out hunting. He mostly likes to fish and hunt gators at this place in the Everglades. He used to go there to hide out from the cops and gang members when he owed people money. He took me there once to help him hide a huge drug shipment. My mom and I were the only ones he took there, and I bet that’s where he’s been living. There is a barn on the property where he would cook meth and another barn that he wouldn’t let us into.”
Gage, trying to reason things out, asked, “Candy, where did he take the women who he was trafficking?”
“I don’t know?”
Slade looked at his friend, realizing what he was thinking. “You think that’s where he is selling the women from?”
Gage seemed sure. “It’s a perfect front. Who would think of a fishing shack in the glades being a place where human trafficking takes place?”
Candy agreed. “Gage is right. He could hide them out there and easily take them to ocean ports to get them out of the country.”
Slade stood up and grabbed his phone. “We have to contact your dad and Matteo.”
Gage took Isis’s hand. “Baby, I need you to head back to Candy’s house. Call Sahara and the guys and don’t let anyone leave until I say. Call Davis and let him know we’re all safe. IWX has already headed to the next town, and he’s probably worried.”
Isis grabbed him around the waist, pleading. “Please don’t go. I’m scared, Gage. They could hurt you. It’s too dangerous.”
“I’ll be fine, love. Candy and Slade need me. After this is over, we’ll work on having that wedding just the way you want it. I love you.” Gage kissed her on the top of the head.
Isis cried, “I love you, too. Please be safe.”
“Don’t worry, Isis. We’ll be fine. It’s time James gets some retribution. Right, Slade?”
He looked Candy in the eyes with a look of determination. “Damn right. Retribution doesn’t back down from a fight. And this is going to be a fight.”
***
Candy and Slade drove around the swamp for about an hour until Candy recognized the road leading to James’ fishing shack.
“I can’t believe Dad didn’t wait for us. What if they get lost in the swamp?”
Slade pulled a gun from the glove compartment of the rental car. “It’s going to be all right, Candy.”
“Where the hell did you get a gun?”
“Matteo. His instructions are that if things go bad Gage and I will get you out of here.”
Slade pointed to a house at the end of a dark road. The only light shining from the shack was in the kitchen and a light in one outbuilding. “Is that it?”
“Yes. Shut off the lights. We need to wait for Dad and Gage. Let’s just wait to see if we see anything.” Candy squinted, hoping to see any movement around the small house. She pointed to the yard. “There. What’s that?”
Slade stiffened up. “It’s your mom. What’s she doing?”
Candy looked at Slade and back at Sophie. “Does she have a gasoline can? She’s going to burn the place down.”
“Or James.”
“Slade, we have to get closer.”
Slade and Candy quietly got out of the car, and someone grabbed them. Slade tried to fight, but he soon saw the men with them.
“Shh! It’s us. Quiet.” Gage, who had covered Candy’s mouth to keep her from screaming, turned her to face him. “Don’t scream. Matteo and his men are on the other side of the house.”
“Gage, what the hell! You scared me. Daddy? What are you two doing here? I thought you were going to get the police.”
Kevin pulled his gun, looking around. “They won’t be here for a while. It’s a long drive into this area of the glades. I sent them the coordinates.”
“We saw Mom.”
“I know. We tracked her here. One of Matteo’s men is a tracker. Listen, something is up. I don’t trust Diego. He has been too calm and acting shifty, and Matteo agrees.”
Candy narrowed her eyes. “You think he is in on this?”
“He is a criminal baby. We can’t trust anyone. But I do trust Matteo. If he thinks something isn’t right, most likely it’s not. He’s never given me a reason to think he is a liar. Let’s get closer. Stay down and keep your eyes open. Gage, go check out the other two outbuildings and come straight back. If there are women in there, we need to make sure they’re safe. Don’t go in until the police get here.”
“On it.”
“Candy, get back in the car.”
“No. That’s my mother in there. I’m going.” Candy grabbed the gun from Slade and headed straight for the building.
“Candy, stop!” Slade tried to get to her, and she pushed him away.
Once she reached the building that her mother went into, it took a second for their eyes to adjust. She saw her mother standing over James, who was tied to a chair in the middle of the barn. He looked like someone beat him senseless.
“Stupid whore! You’re crazy if you think you can get by with this. If I miss this shipment, my buyers will kill you. I already told my boss you’re here.”
Sophie hit James across the face with the butt of a gun. “Shut up! Do you think you can hurt my child and husband, and I’ll let you get by with it again? I’m not scared of you anymore. This ends now!”
Sophie went to pull the trigger on the gun, and Candy yelled, “MOM NO!”
Turning to face the door. There stood her daughter and the love of her life, Kevin.
