Chapter 17 - The Road Out of West Industrial
The dispatch notebook gave investigators three routes. The first led to Brightwater's leased warehouse. The second led to a commercial laundry. The third ended at a former roadside motel, twenty miles beyond the county line.
"They called it overflow," Rae told me. "The invoices called it extended recovery."
I remembered Leah's words: Check the invoices. She'd known the names were wrong before anyone believed people were missing.
Police obtained additional warrants and asked neighboring agencies to watch the roads. A truck registered to Varrick's subcontractor was located at a fuel stop. Inside were boxes of uniforms, medical forms, and a folder of names. No women were aboard.
"It's another dead end," I said.
"Not entirely," Rae replied. "The driver is cooperating. He says they made a late-night transfer to the motel."
The next day dragged through count, breakfast, and waiting while my sister might be moved again.
Morgane sat near me at lunch. She didn't claim the best seat. She handed her unopened apple to Gloria, who accepted it without smiling.
"Did you ever know what happened to Simone?" I asked.
"No. I only knew they took her when she stopped being useful. I keep thinking about what I could've changed."
"You can help change what happens now."
She looked at me. "Will you still say that after I testify about how I helped them?"
"I won't pretend you didn't hurt people. I also won't pretend your testimony doesn't matter."
That night Brooks brought me to a monitored phone for an attorney call. Rae was crying, but she was speaking clearly.
"Harper, the investigators entered the motel. They found seven women alive. Josie's one of them."
I braced my palm against the wall. "Leah?"
May you like
Rae's silence lasted one awful second too long.
Then she said, "They found a woman with no identification who keeps asking for you."
