Chapter Twelve Min

CHAPTER TWELVE: MIN

By the time we've reached the hospital, Kristi is quietly sobbing. But the lack of any sound from the woman in the backseat has me slamming into park and hopping out of the car screaming for help. I only stop when someone wearing scrubs rushes out with two orderlies pushing a gurney.

"What's wrong?" the person wearing scrubs asks. I see her name badge. Cicely Oswald, RN.

"I found this woman, both women, on the street outside a church. The one in the backseat is unconscious. I think someone broke her jaw. She has bruises and other wounds all over her body. She hasn't made a sound since I found her. Kristi also needs help."

The nurse leaves the orderlies to move the body of the unconscious woman while Nurse Oswald moves to assist Kristi. I'm torn because I want to follow them, but know that I should move the car out of the way.

"Are you coming inside? The police will want to talk with you."

"I'm coming. Let me park my car."

She nods before they all disappear inside. As much as I don't want to talk with the cops, I dutifully park the borrowed car and head inside to wait.

And wait.

I've been sitting in the waiting room for close to three hours before two police officers approached me. One looks to be in his fifties, while the other looks fresh out of the academy.

"Are you the one who brought in the girl and the woman?" The first officer asks. I glance at his badge. G. Wilson.

"Yes, I am," I respond, standing so they aren't towering over me. "Min Yan."

"Excuse me?" The second officer asks. His badge reads M. Spalding.

"My name. Min Yan," I tell him, trying hard not to smirk at the oddity of their names as partners.

"Oh, right," Spalding says, writing it down in his notebook.

"Can you tell us what happened?" Wilson asks.

I give him the version of the story Kristi and I decided on. "I was driving on Sheridan when I saw two women. One was trying to carry the other. I pulled over to offer my help. That's when I noticed both women were wearing only blankets. The younger of the two told me her name and said she needed help. The older woman was unconscious. I helped them both into the car and came here."

"Do you know where they'd been?" Wilson asks.

"The younger girl, Kristi, said she'd been in the basement at the abandoned church. She didn't remember how she got there. She was very upset, so I didn't push her to tell me more."

"St. Michael's?" Spalding asks.

"I don't remember the name. I glanced around and saw what looked to be a church, but I didn't see a sign."

"Where were you going?"

"Why does that matter?" I ask.

"Just want to get the facts straight," Wilson says.

I almost lie, but then realize that they might run the license plate on the car I'm driving. "I was on my way to the auto shop on that street. The car I'm driving is their loaner."

"Are you certain the girls weren't coming out of the auto shop?" Spalding asks.

I stare at him in disbelief for several seconds before responding. "You think the girl confused a church with an auto shop? As far as I know, the auto shop doesn't have a basement. Does the church?"

"Maybe she's lying," Spalding says with a shrug.

I glance at Wilson, who's shaking his head at his younger partner.

"Why would she lie?" I press.

"Do you know who owns the auto shop? The Demon Dawgs. They're a motorcycle gang and they're dangerous. Maybe she claimed to escape from the church rather than risk them coming after her."

"Club," I correct. When he just looks at me, I continue. "I believe they are a motorcycle club. But that doesn't matter. The girls weren't near the auto shop. They were down the street in front of what looked like a church. Kristi says she escaped from the basement of a church. I'm not a cop, but I would think you should check out the church before shifting your investigation elsewhere."

Spalding takes a step toward me, but Wilson slaps his hand against the guy's chest. "Knock it off. We'll check out both, but we'll start with the church. Did the other woman say anything to you?"

"No. She never gained consciousness. But I'm sure once she does, she'll confirm Kristi's account that they were in a basement, not an auto shop."

"She won't be confirming anything," Wilson says. "She died thirty minutes ago."

Well shit.

The cops leave me after getting my contact information. Instead of giving the clubhouse, I give them the name of a hotel Babe and I passed on the way to the church. Pulling out my phone, I create a reservation just in case they decide to check. I then try calling Babe, but he doesn't answer his phone.

"Miss?" I hear someone call out, but I don't turn around until I feel a tap on my shoulder. Turning, I find the nurse who came outside to help me.

"Nurse Oswald," I say. "How is Kristi doing?"

"She's fine. Her parents are with her and they asked to talk with you."

"I heard the other woman didn't make it?"

"No, she didn't. Her injuries were too severe. I'm sorry. Did you know her?"

"No, I didn't. I saw them both on the street and pulled over to help. Do you know the name of the woman who died?"

"I'm sorry. I can't give out that information."

I nod, but then get an idea. "Do you think I could see her? Say goodbye? I know that may sound odd, but I feel like I need the closure."

She nods and leads me down the hall and into the ICU wing. "They're coming to get her body in a few minutes."

After thanking her, I step toward the body and place my hand on hers. I don't stop the tears from falling as I stare at her bruised face. She went through hell before her death.

"I don't know if I can help them find who did this to you, but I promise I'll try. You didn't deserve this. No woman does."

I turn to leave and see Oswald standing just outside the glass doors.

"Thank you. I didn't know her, but I feel like I failed her."

"How can you think that? You did what you could. But what did you mean about finding out who did this?"

"I'm a bounty hunter. I think whoever did this is hiding the men I'm hunting. The lead I'm working on placed the men in that church where I found the girls."

Oswald studies me and then nods. "I can't give you her name. But I can say that we used to work together at Chambers Medical Group. It's now Mountebank Medical Group. She isn't the only person I used to work with who has gone missing. Someone is targeting people who work or worked there."

"If that's the case, then you may be in danger," I remind her.

"I know. I'm being careful," she assures me before taking out pen and paper. "Here is my information. Call me if you have questions or if you find who did this."

I take it and then give her my contact information.

"Do you have a few minutes to talk with Kristi's parents?"

I nod and follow her out of ICU and back into the trauma ward. I spot Kristi sitting up in a hospital bed with a man and woman on either side of her. She sees me and waves. The man and woman snap their heads in my direction. The man lays a hand on Kristi, before coming toward us.

"You must be Min?" He says as he reaches us. He grasps my hand and gives it a firm shake. "I can never repay you for rescuing my little girl."

"I'm glad I was there to help," I tell him. "I don't want to scare you, but I think she needs protection. Whoever had her might try to get her back."

"That's what I'm afraid of. I own a security firm and plan to have someone outside her room day and night."

"A security firm?"

"Yeah, a lot of good it did to keep her safe. She was on a field trip when someone grabbed her. I've already told the school that the next field trip will include my crew."

"That's a good idea," I tell him. "How is she doing?"

He glances at her and sighs. "They raped her. Stole her virginity. She's strong, so I know she'll recover, but she'll need counseling."

"Can I speak to her?" I ask.

He nods and leads us back to Kristi's bedside.

"This is my wife, Cassie, and I'm Cliff," Cliff says.

Cassie wraps her arms around me and hugs me tight. "Thank you for rescuing my little girl."

"I'm grateful I could help. She's very brave."

"I heard the other woman didn't make it," Kristi says. I nod and watch Kristi's eyes fill with tears.

"Her injuries were too much."

"We tried," Kristi says. Her voice cracking from sadness, but still strong.

"We tried," I agree. Turning to Cliff, I hand him my business card. "I need to get going, but here's my card if you need to reach me." Turning back to Kristi, I give her a smile. "I'd like to hear how you're doing, if you want to keep in contact. However, if you need to put all this behind you, I'll understand."

Kristi nods at me and squeezes the hand I offer. "I won't forget you."

"I won't forget you, either."

Turning to leave, I'm surprised to find Cliff walking out with me. "You're a bounty hunter? From San Diego? Are you here on a job?"

"I am. My partner and I are tracking three men who escaped from jail with the help of a cop. We believe they're all here."

"If you need any help, call me," Cliff says, handing me his business card. "Any time for anything."

I smile in acknowledgement before leaving him with his family.