Chapter 12

Before leaving the house, Peach grabbed their bags and locked up. Sheriff Eason had been put in his place, but there wasn’t any way Peach trusted the man not to harm Haisley later. There wasn’t any way he could stay in Georgia.

Haisley hadn't come out and explicitly said those men forced sex on her, but he'd seen enough to read between the lines. They'd drugged her, then had their twisted version of fun, and then tossed her out. They'd probably hoped she'd died, but she was still alive and had evidence that could be used against them.

No question, they wanted her dead, which meant Haisley had to move to California with him. She wouldn't like it. He would have to talk fast to convince her to come with him.

When he arrived at the hospital he was surprised to see Senator Unger with his wife. Peach made his way to them, glad that he’d had a chance to shower.

“Senator Unger, I’m Petty Officer Robert Barclay. My friends call me Peach. ”

Unger shook his hand and patted him on the back. “It’s an honor to meet you, Peach. I’m glad we could help.”

“Yes, we took care of the medical bills,” Ginger said. “So don’t let the hospital tell you she owes money.”

He couldn’t believe they’d paid for her hospital stay. “Are you sure?”

Unger nodded. “Absolutely. It’s my pleasure. And it’s my pleasure to meet another SEAL and tell you how much I respect the job you all do.”

The twist of embarrassment wasn't something he usually dealt with. Then again, he didn't tell most people he met that he was a SEAL. He worked hard and did things that were impressive. But he didn't like getting praise for what was just a job for him. That he got to do some wild things and kick ass sometimes made it even better. Sure, SEALs had saved people and stopped horrible terrorist activities, but they were still just guys who showed up for their jobs.

He didn't want people to make a big deal out of what he did for a living. He was just like anyone else earning a paycheck. The fact that he loved his job, the danger, the rush, and all the other stuff that came with being a SEAL set him apart from a lot of other people. It was still a job.

“Thank you for helping Haisley out. She’s been through a lot.”

Ginger shook her head. “I just can’t imagine someone wanting to hurt her.”

“I’m looking into some stuff. She’s had some threats against her.”

“The sheriff showed up and tried to convince us that she was dangerous. He didn’t have any specific charges, but honestly, it sounded like—“ Ginger glanced around and must have been satisfied that no one was close. “Bull hockey.”

Peach nodded, not laughing at the words she'd used. It had been ages since he'd heard someone use that word. On base, the men used much cruder language. Other people he knew just said bullshit or BS, but here, in backwoods—or what used to be backwoods—Georgia, women refused to use curse words.

“It is bull hockey. I’m certain she did nothing illegal.”

“We could move her into the guest house, but we’re due back in DC soon,” Ginger said.

"There's no need for that. She's going to California with me." Peach spoke the words like it was a done deal, but that wasn't the case. He had no idea if Haisley would agree to go with him. He needed to talk to her about it and find out if she would move to California with him.

“That’s good,” Senator Unger said.

"She will need support. I guess it's better out there. At least the mortality rates for both mother and child are better. Hopefully, she'll get the help she needs and can have a healthy baby."

Peach nodded. “Yes, I’ll make sure of it.”

He had no clue about what type of doctor she needed or how often she would have to go. If Haisley came with him, he would need help. Maybe he was biting off more than he could chew, but he felt the need to do this for her. Not only because his mother thought helping her was necessary, but it was the right thing to do.

Another thirty minutes passed before he was allowed to go back and see Haisley. He said goodbye to Senator Unger and Ginger, promising to keep in touch with both of them. She was hooked up to an IV, and worry blasted through him.

“Are you okay? ”

She nodded. “Yes. They just wanted to give me liquids because they do that for everyone who comes in pregnant. The ultrasound showed that the baby is fine. Nothing is wrong so as soon as they think I’ve had enough of this bag, I’m free to go.”

“I don’t think you can stay in Georgia.” Peach decided to rip the bandage off, so to speak, and just tell her he wanted her to come to California.

Worry crossed her face. “I don’t know how I can go anywhere else.”

“This place isn’t safe for you. We saw that tonight. Sheriff Eason isn’t going to stop. You didn’t have to say it exactly, but I’m good at putting things together. He will keep attacking until the problem is gone, and that means you would be gone. I know I only came out here to close up my parents’ house, but I can’t leave without you.”

Her lips pressed together, and her eyes narrowed. “Men only do favors for sexual stuff.”

Peach raised his hands. “Like I said before, I don’t do that. I only sleep with women who want to sleep with me. I know the difference between manipulated consent and real consent. My mother wanted you taken care of, and I’ll help you.”

“But California is so much more expensive than Georgia. How will I afford it?”

"I have a small house. It's not much. I bought the smallest place I could find near my buddies. They are great friends, and their women are amazing, but that's another topic for another time. The house has two bedrooms. One is mine, of course, but the other has nothing in it so far, so you could sleep there."

She bit her lower lip, and honestly, she looked so cute he wanted to reach out and run his fingers over her cheek. He kept his hands to himself. She didn't need some idiot lusting over her.

“What about work?”

“I’m sure you could find a job. What were you doing here?”

The pink in her cheeks grew darker. “I was just working at the local general store. Nothing special.”

“Hey, don’t discount what you were doing. Working at a store is valuable work. There are a few shops close to my place.”

“I feel like I’d be taking advantage of you.”

He shook his head. “No, you won’t. And when the baby comes, you can take some time off to take care of it. There are programs in California to help moms get back to work, but there is no reason for you to rush back. I know the first year is important. And if you come out there, Mel will have just had her baby.”

“Who is Mel?”

“My buddy Andy, his wife. She’s having a baby soon. So you’ll both have babies.”

Worry washed over Haisley's face. Meeting new people could be stressful for some. The women were all good people. But sometimes good people didn’t get along with each other. Hopefully, it wouldn't happen with Haisley and the rest of the women.

“It will be good for you. You’ll get away from here and can start a life in a new place without people knowing what happened.”

“I don’t want you to get sick of me.”

“Trust me, I’ve lived in terrible conditions. It will be fine. You kept my parents’ house clean?—“

“Except for the lawn, and that was because I didn’t have a car to go get gas for the mower.”

“I’m sure we’ll get along fine. Everything will be okay. ”

Haisley closed her eyes, and at first, he thought she was going to say no, but then she nodded. "Okay. It sounds good. I have a little money for the ticket."

“No, I’ll pay for that. I’m going to get it right now. Let me open the application and see what I can do.”

He found the app and started the process of buying another ticket on the same flight. Luckily, the price wasn't too bad, and he was able to get her a seat next to his. They had a few days for him to arrange for a realtor to take care of his parents' house and set up an estate sale. He didn't care how much money he made off the stuff inside. Whatever he got for the house, he would use to support Haisley. His mother would want that. He was sure his parents wanted him to keep taking care of this woman.

Their death weighed heavily on his conscience. Why had they really gone to Colombia? He still needed to talk to Diane and find out what was going on. Tomorrow, he would find out where Diane lived and figure out what had happened to Audrey.

“We’re all set for the flight on Sunday.”

“Thank you. I feel better knowing I won’t be here after this week.”

He hoped he was doing the right thing. He couldn’t imagine walking away and leaving Haisley here to fend for herself. There was obviously a huge problem in this community, and he at least wanted her to be safe.

The nurse came in a few minutes later and took out the IV line, allowing Haisley to leave. He took her to the hotel, and they were given connecting rooms. They ordered pizza and watched some TV together before she headed to her room to sleep. Of course, she shut and locked the door from her side, but he left his open. He wanted her to be able to get in if she needed help.

The next day, he made sure she had food and left to head to his parents' house. He'd figured out who Diane was and where she lived. He planned to stop after nine and talk to her.

Once he started gathering important paperwork, time flew by, and it was nine. He drove over to Diane’s house and parked out front. Maybe this woman would have answers for him. Otherwise, he would have to plan a trip to Colombia because all he had were questions with few answers.

The woman who answered the door was middle-aged, short, and had dark hair. Her eyes were rimmed with red like she'd been crying.

“Who are you?” she asked.

“I’m Robert, Ellen and John’s son.”

"Oh, thank God. Did you hear from them? I haven't heard a word since a few days ago. They thought they'd found Audrey, and they were going to look, but then nothing. I just want her to come home. I know she was out partying, and something happened, but that's no reason she should spend her life in hell."

The words weren’t as confusing to Peach as they should have been. He’d been a SEAL long enough to guess that Audrey had been trafficked.

“Can I come in?”

Diane nodded and stepped back. “Yes. Would you like some coffee?”

Peach sniffed and caught the scent of freshly brewed coffee. "If you have some already made up."

“I just started a second pot. I’ve been drinking too much, but I’m worried.”

“Could you tell me what happened and why my parents headed to Colombia?”

Diane nodded as she walked in front of him, leading him to her kitchen at the back of the house. She had a great view of the fields below, and in the distance, he could see what must have been the old creek he used to go fishing at.

“Audrey disappeared about five weeks ago,” Diane said as she poured a mug for him. “Cream or sugar?”

"No, thank you." He took the mug and a seat at the table, where she pointed for him to go. He didn't want to interrupt her story, so he sat back, ready to listen.

"She was out with friends at a local bar. I hated it when she went to Atlanta. I think it's dangerous. Obviously, this place is dangerous, too. They got separated at one point, and I know Audrey walked past the National Bank because the cameras picked her up. But then that's it. Then, two weeks later, I got a photo of her from a friend who was on a cruise ship. The ship stopped in Colombia, and they took a tour. They weren't in the big city. They'd taken a tour of the jungle. They drove past a small community and out walked a group of women who were chained together. She already had her camera out and snapped a few photos then turned it on to video while they were stopped at a stop sign. Then they started moving, and she looked at the photos. She didn't even know Audrey was missing when she sent the photo. She just thought the woman looked like an identical twin of Audrey's and thought it was weird."

“Did she send you the video?”

Diane nodded. “I called her immediately, but she didn’t pick up. Then I sent a text. The next morning, she apologized for not getting back but said she was still on the boat. She uploaded all the photos and sent those. Then the video. It took a while to get everything, but I have it all.”

“Can I see?”

Diane stood and grabbed her laptop, opened it, and then passed it to him. "I have the video up. I was just watching it, trying to figure out if there's anything else I can do."

“Did you contact the embassy?”

Diane shook her head. “I can’t get anyone to help me. Sheriff Eason told me that contacting the embassy would only harm her situation. I don’t know what to do. No one will help. Then Ellen and John came over and said they wanted to help. I didn’t think they would actually go to Colombia. Then they called the morning they were taking off, telling me that they planned to get Audrey and bring her home. Now I can’t get in touch with them. Do you think something happened?”

Peach set his mug down and leaned forward. “I’m sorry. You didn’t know. They were killed a few days ago.”

Diane clutched her throat, and her eyes went wide. "No. Oh my God. That's awful."

Peach nodded, his mind going over the facts that he knew. He needed answers, but he was sure there were no files with answers at the sheriff’s office. There was a common theme that disturbed him about this area.

“Diane, which bar was Audrey at?”

It took her a moment to answer as she wiped the tears from her cheeks. "I'm not sure exactly which bar, but if you go down to the old square and then drive two blocks south, there is a row of bars. They spent time at all three bars that night. That's how they got separated. I guess Audrey thought they were going to another bar, but they stayed. She wandered outside, and I guess she never made it back. The bank is between the bars on the corner."

Peach needed to check that location out. His flight was set to leave on Sunday, and he was almost finished boxing up the paperwork he needed to ship back to California. Once home, he could go through all of their papers and figure out what he needed to take care of and what he could ignore. While he was here, he should do some digging.

"I didn't know it was that bad here. I really thought it only happened in big cities, which is why I didn't want her to go to Atlanta."

Peach wondered how many other women had disappeared from this area. The population was booming and people felt safe in small towns, but the urban sprawl of Atlanta was here. Just across the street from the home he’d grown up in were streets lined with track homes that were filled with people who commuted into Atlanta for work. A bus from downtown Atlanta stopped about a mile from here. Not that the person trafficking people would ride a bus, but big city problems existed in what used to be small towns.

He needed information, but he wasn’t sure how to get it. A part of him wanted to ignore this, but he needed to investigate. Time was a problem. There had to be someone who could look into the problems here. Maybe the senator and his wife knew someone.

He thanked Diane for her time and asked her to get in touch with him if she thought of anything else. It sucked that they were at a standstill with her daughter, but he knew people who might be able to help.

The sad fact was thousands of women went missing every year. The US didn't keep up with the disappearances. It was too much work for too few people. Something needed to change, and he wasn't sure how to make it happen.

The one thing he could do was take care of Haisley. He was sure she would be just another sad statistic talked about on the news and then forgotten the next day if he hadn't been at the house. At least he'd kept her story from turning into a tragedy, but he wasn't sure how much help he could be for others here in the middle of Georgia.