Deliver Us from Evil (27 page)

Roark shook his head and glanced at his boss. “Think I'm gonna go check on Lincoln and Brannon.” He cut his eyes over to the agents. “I suddenly feel the need for some fresh air.”

Wednesday, 5:20 p.m.

Suburb South of Townsend, Tennessee

NOW.

Mai gripped Kanya's hand tighter, listening for signs of Poppy Fred lumbering back down the hall. Silence prevailed. Her heart pounded hard against her ribs. “We can go,” she whispered to her friend.

Eyes wide, Kanya nodded and lifted her pillowcase. Together the two girls crept toward the kitchen door. Mai eased it open—the hinges barely gave a squeak. She held her breath, waiting for Fred's bellowing. After a heartbeat with no sound of Fred, she slipped out the door into the frigid air. Kanya followed. They shut the door as quietly as they had opened it.

Freedom raced into Mai's bloodstream, shooting adrenaline through her veins. She grabbed Kanya's hand and ran. And ran.

Over the snow-covered backyard. Into the clump of trees. Dodging saplings and firs, she ran, dragging Kanya in her wake. The clumps of snow weighted down her pace, but she kept moving.

She ran through the woods, icy limbs slapping against them, until she reached the road she had heard the men describe. Mai crossed the pavement and quickened her pace into another set of woods, heading toward the mountains she could just make out from the last rays of the setting sun.

Her legs burned from running so fast and so hard, but she didn't stop. Not even when Kanya cried out she could not go any farther, Mai kept running, kept pulling her friend behind her. Her heart expanded as if it would explode in her chest, but still she ran.

This was their only chance. If they were caught . . . Well, she would not think about that. Mai kept putting one foot in front of the other, putting as much distance between them and Madam Nancy. They had to get away. Find help for the others. Find help for herself and Kanya.

A howl split the darkening woods. Terror snaked up her spine and her steps faltered. No, they could not stop yet. They had only been running for about fifteen minutes. Not enough time, not enough distance. Mai bent at the waist, gulping in air. They would catch their breath and be on their way again.

The howl shattered the rasping of their ragged breathing.

“What is that?” Kanya asked, the whites of her eyes barely visible in the rising moon.

Mai swallowed. “I do not know.” She straightened and looked in the direction from where they had come. “We have to keep moving.”

“I am tired. And scared.” Kanya sat on the forest floor shrouded in white.

Anger crashed into the fear in Mai's heart. “We cannot stay here.” She jerked Kanya's shoulder. “We have to keep moving.”

Snow and ice crunched under the boots they had stolen from Madam Nancy. The wind whipped around them, cloaking them. Mai paid no mind, just kept running. A chant formed in her mind, keeping rhythm with her stride . . .

Run, run, get away.

Run, run, must escape.

Branches lashed out and slapped Mai in the face. It stung so hard, tears blurred her vision. But it was no more painful than being hit by the American men.

Run, run, get away.

Run, run, must escape.

The evening turned so dark Mai could not see more than inches in front of her face. She stumbled, causing Kanya to trip as well. Ice burned into her palms and wet the knees of her pants.

“I am cut. Can we stop?” Kanya whined.

Mai shoved to her feet, jerking her friend with her. “No, we have to keep going. We cannot rest yet.”

Run, run, get away.

Run, run, must escape.

Kanya cried, but Mai tugged her hand harder. They had to continue moving, get as far away as possible before Poppy Fred noticed they were missing. When he came after them, he would be angry. And if he caught them, the punishment would be worse than anything they had ever experienced. Mai shuddered at the thought.

“Come on, Kanya. We have to hurry.” Mai's movements felt unsure on the uneven terrain. The too-big boots flopped with every step, rubbing against her sockless heels.

Run, run, get away.

Run, run, must escape.

Faster and faster she led Kanya through the woods and into the mountain range. Surely safety would be just over the crest. Or at least a place she could feel safe.

“Ouch!” Kanya froze, snapping Mai backward.

“What?”

“My hair. Something grabbed it.” Panic seeped into Kanya's voice.

“Calm down. Let me see.” Mai ran her fingers along her friend's scalp. She followed the long tresses in the darkness until her hand met with wood. “It is caught in a branch. Hang on.”

She struggled against the tangle, the moon not providing enough light to see what her fingers felt. Impatience surged inside as Kanya cried with each tug.

“Hold still. I cannot see.” She pulled and pried, but the hair would not come free. Kanya's cries turned to wails.

“Shh. Somebody will hear us.”

“It hurts, Mai. Help me.”

Mai gritted her teeth and tried again. The hair still held firm in the unforgiving branches. She needed to think.

“I need to get something out of my pocket. Be still.” She reached for the item she had hidden away. A pocketknife one of the men had dropped. Her nail sought the groove to open the blade. It opened with a quiet click.

She licked her lips with a dry tongue and reached for Kanya's hair. Her beautiful tresses were almost as long as Mai's. But they had no time to try to untangle it. Not in the dark. And not with the possibility of Fred already tracking them.

Run, run, get away.

Run, run, must escape.

Mai took a deep breath, then sawed through her friend's hair until Kanya was free. Closing the blade, she shoved it back into her pocket and lifted her pillowcase. “Come on, time to go.”

Kanya ran a hand over her head. “My hair!”

“Shh. It will grow back. It is more important that we get away, right? Now, come on.”

Kanya lifted her pillowcase and took Mai's hand but sniffled under her breath. Mai did not care—she, too, was tired, scared, and cold, but they could not stop. Not yet.

Run, run, get away.

Run, run, must escape.

TWENTY-FOUR

Wednesday, 6:10 p.m.

Howard Baker Federal Courthouse

Knoxville, Tennessee

ROARK'S CELL PHONE TWEEDLED. He flipped it open and stuck it against his ear.

“Hey, Holland.”

His retired partner's voice soothed his agitation. “Hey, yourself. What's up?” Roark ducked into an unused conference room.

“You asked me to run my own check on someone named Zimp? And to quietly look into Congressman Warren McGovern?”

Roark's chest tightened. “Yeah. Got anything?”

“I do. Funny thing, there's a connection between the two men.”

“How's that?”

“My check on Zimp reflects a couple of interesting things.”

“Such as?” Roark gritted his teeth but knew he couldn't rush his friend.

“That cell phone, Zimp's?”

“Yeah?”

“Guess who paid for it?”

“McGovern?”

“Yep. Have a transaction receipt. Well, a copy of it anyway.”

Here was proof McGovern wasn't as lily-white as he proclaimed. Roark studied the darkened room. “What else?”

“That's it, for now.”

Would it be enough? Roark thanked his friend and shut the phone. He needed to tell Demott and Daly what he'd found. He headed back toward the conference room where they continued to question Jefferson Montgomery. He opened the door, prepared to call Demott out, only to have his boss glare at him and hold up a finger. The message was clear—wait.

Wednesday, 6:19 p.m.

Howard Baker Federal Courthouse

Knoxville, Tennessee

“SHEESH, HOW MUCH LONGER do you think they'll be? I'm hungry.” Brannon stopped pacing and plopped onto the chair beside Lincoln. Her ankle didn't bother her at all. “We've been here for hours. What do you think they have to talk to Jefferson so long about?”

“Hon, patience is a virtue.”

She huffed and slumped back in the chair. “Of which I'm sorely lacking.”

Lincoln chuckled. “I don't know what's taking so long. Maybe Jefferson's helping them, giving them a lead.”

“I hope so. It rips my heart up to think about those poor children.”

“I know.” Lincoln patted her knee and glanced around. “Why don't you look for a vending machine? There's gotta be one around here someplace.”

She stood and dug in her pocket for quarters. “Want anything?”

“Potato chips would be nice.”

“Gotcha.” Brannon made her way down the hall toward the elevators. Now where would the vending machines be hiding? Hmm. Probably near the restrooms. Water fountains and vending machines seemed to lurk near the bathrooms.

She rounded the corner and spied the alcove housing the machines. Brannon smiled as she slipped into the darkened space and studied the offerings. What was she in the mood to snack on? Sweet or salty? Better yet, which would take longer to eat?

A cell phone's buzz tightened Brannon's fist around the coins.

“Yes?” A man's abrupt voice split the quiet of the alcove.

Brannon peeked around the corner. That arrogant congressman stood near the wall, cell phone pressed against his ear. She certainly didn't want to run into him. Jerking back into the shadows, she shoved her spine against the edge of the soda machine.

“What do you mean two are missing?” His tone left no mistake that he wasn't happy. “Where is Nancy?”

Brannon held her breath and inched farther into the alcove's recesses.

“Why is she with you? Who's watching the place?” He paced up and down the hallway, his steps heavy. “And Fred has no clue how long they've been gone?”

Although she could only hear half of the conversation, Brannon paid close attention. She didn't know why, but everything in her told her to be on alert.

“Look, send Nancy back. Call Betty and have her go out with Fred. They need to find them. Now.” His voice shook with anger. “Call me as soon as they've found them.”

Brannon swallowed a gasp. What all did it mean?

The snap of the phone shutting echoed off the wall, followed by the congressman cussing under his breath.

She needed to get out of here, get to Roark, and tell him what she'd heard, but she dared not reveal herself now.

The congressman continued to rant under his breath in the hall. His curses grew louder—he was coming closer. Brannon sucked in air and willed her heart to stop pounding. She shoved herself as far into the corner as she could. If he caught her hiding, he'd know she overheard his conversation. What would he do to her?

God, please don't let him see me.

His cell phone rang again.

“Yes?” Amazing how calm he sounded just seconds after cussing a blue streak. “When?” A short pause felt like an eternity to Brannon. “Fine. I'm on my way.” He spun and strode down the hall toward the elevators.

Brannon let out the pent-up breath of air with a whoosh.
Thank You, Father.

Only problem was, she didn't know where the congressman headed. What if he waited just around the corner? Would he suspect she'd eavesdropped?

She let a good two minutes pass before peeking out of the alcove. No sign of him. She inched into the corridor to the corner and peered around. No congressman in sight.

Letting out another sigh, Brannon hustled back to the hallway where Lincoln sat waiting. He glanced up as she rushed toward him. “Did ya get lost? Hey, where are my chips?”

“Shh. Listen to what I heard.” She dropped into the chair beside him and repeated the congressman's conversation.

“You need to tell Roark.” Lincoln stood.

Brannon joined him on her feet. “I know, but I can't barge in there.”

“Text him. Tell him you need to speak to him.”

“Good idea.” She reached for her cell, only to remember security hadn't allowed her to bring it into the courthouse. How did the congressman have his? “I don't have my cell, remember?”

“Oh, yeah.” Lincoln stared at the closed door. “I guess we don't have any other option but to wait until they come out.”

Great. Back to waiting. Brannon gnawed on her cuticle as she paced the hall.

What did the congressman have to do with all this? He sat on the council or whatever that was supposed to help expose child traffickers and help the children. How was it all connected?

Wednesday, 6:20 p.m.

Northwest of Little River Road

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

SUCCESS! THE FIRE CRACKLED and popped to life.

Mai smiled against the heat tickling her chilled face and glanced at Kanya. “I told you I could build a fire.”

Her friend huddled closer to the growing flames. “I am so cold.”

“You will not be for long.” Mai dug in her pillowcase and pulled out a piece of beef jerky. She broke it in two, then handed half to Kanya. “Here, we have to keep up our strength.” She bit into the bitter stick, grinding her teeth as she chewed.

Kanya ate in silence, her gaze locked on to the fire.

A growl sounded in the distance.

“What was that?”

Mai struggled to appear unconcerned. “Some animal settling in for the night is all. They will not come near the fire.” At least, that was what she had heard the men say when they would tell their stories. She hoped they were right.

“I am thirsty.”

Biting back a sigh, Mai pulled a can of diet soda from her case and popped open the top. “Here, but do not drink too much. We need to save as much as we can.”

Kanya took a long draw off the can.

Mai snatched back the soda. “We have to keep enough to last us.” She took a tentative sip and grimaced as the rank flavor hit her taste buds. How did Madam Nancy drink this too-sweet stuff so much? Nasty, that was what it was. She set the can at her feet, out of Kanya's reach.