CHAPTER TWELVE

"Same as the others," said Ace. "Multiple cameras in each dressing room behind the mirrors, in the ceilings, and several in the floors, looking straight up. It's all being fed live to a server in the stock room, but it only uploads at the end of each day. It's like their security footage. They gather footage of those walking through the doors every day, and then it goes to storage."

"In theory, they could be watching for repeat customers and targeting them," said Ian. "They asked them to sign up for their mailing list. That's how they could keep track of who was coming and going. If someone saw something they liked, they could target them and ask them to return."

"Sirs? I have the algorithm data," said Hayes. They all just smirked, too tired to tell him to stop calling them ‘sir.' Besides, he'd be calling everyone sir in a few weeks' time.

"How many stores are we looking at?" asked Gaspar.

"More than nine thousand."

"Nine thousand!" yelled Nine. "Are you kidding me? Nine thousand stores across the country?"

"Yes, sir. Nine thousand eight hundred and one to be exact. They are all small boutiques. From what I can tell, they're getting paid between eleven thousand and a hundred-and-seven thousand a month. It depends on the city, location, that sort of thing.

"Stores in New Orleans, Chicago, New York, all make more because of the volume coming in and out of the stores. Those in small towns make less, but there's something else you need to be aware of."

"I'm not going to like this, am I?" said Ghost.

"I don't think so, sir. I think they're also using this to target women, mostly young women, for trafficking or prostitution. I had the system run a program that looked at potential customer counts for each of the stores, then cross-referenced for young women who had disappeared from the immediate area.

"Of course, I can't be positive, but it seems pretty damning. In more than seven hundred of the cities, at least three young women between fifteen and twenty-one, who had shopped at the boutiques, disappeared within two months of shopping there."

"Hayes, that's pretty fucking incredible," said Ghost, shaking his head.

"Yes, sir. I think the other thing that puts the nail in the coffin on this is that in those locations, the stores and boutiques appear to have been given bonuses. I think they rewarded them when a woman was found that they wanted and kidnapped."

"Holy fuck, what have we uncovered," said Jean, staring at everyone. "We thought this was just a few cases here in New Orleans. Now, we learn that it's nationwide."

"It is, and we need to stop it," said Gaspar. "Ace, Code, you too, Hayes. If we coordinated a shutdown effort with local authorities, can we get the video data off all of these stores."

Hayes turned to look at his computer, the scrolling screen of numbers and letters flashing so quickly it gave the others a headache. When it stopped, there was a loud ding, like the bell at a boxing match.

"We have it," he smiled. "I figured you'd want it downloaded. I have it on our servers, dated, alphabetized by location, boutique, and owner."

Nine shook his head, looking at the others. Ace and Code just smirked at the kid, shrugging their shoulders. Hoot was the one with tears in his eyes, knowing that his adopted son was going to do amazing things.

"Alright," nodded Gaspar, "let's get on the horn and coordinate this."

" An astounding story has come across our desk tonight, Bill. Local law enforcement, sheriff's departments, FBI, Homeland, and other law enforcement agencies coordinated a nationwide effort today in shutting down local women's clothing stores and boutiques.

"Based on an anonymous tip, more than nine thousand stores were raided, finding thousands and thousands of hidden cameras, video footage, and other disturbing information. It is alleged that these stores filmed their customers dressing and undressing, even in some cases, using the restroom. It's just too disturbing to even talk about, Bill."

"I'm horrified, Jack. My wife and daughter shop at one of those stores, and I can tell you that if I find out who is behind this, they'll be prosecuted to the furthest extent of the law. Whatever sick, twisted pervert finds this entertaining will find a whole new realm of entertainment behind bars."

"Way to tell him, Bill," smiled Ian. "Now, we just have to find who was behind all of this."

"Hey, TSA got a hit on Thurston and Craig," said Code. "They tried to board a plane to Bangkok and were stopped. They panicked and ran, but they didn't get on the plane."

"Where?" asked Gaspar.

"San Francisco." Nine nodded at his friend.

"Sounds like we're going to San Francisco."