“You were saying,” Matt said.
“I was saying, that while I was in Dallas, Curtis told me about this great company that has programs connected with the government. There was one I visited that has researchers who use special computer software and their research skills to help in criminal investigations. I don’t know all the details, but it sounded really fascinating, and something that I could definitely do.”
Matt scrunched his eyes together. He didn’t seem too confident in her abilities, and as she looked at Dale, he just looked away from her.
Before she could ask them what was wrong, or to ask why they didn’t seem interested in what she learned in Dallas, agent Mark Santos came over, and both Matt and Dale had to walk away with him to discuss something.
* * * *
“I just received a call from headquarters. Through tracking ownership of the warehouse and a trucking company, they were able to link rentals receipts to someone in the Dallas area. Now, from here, they basically try to pinpoint an area in Dallas, a company, and another warehouse, whatever they can to zero in on the individuals who rented that warehouse. The other link is the evidence found on the women’s clothing that were locked in the warehouse, and through interviewing them. One of the men was over talking on the phone, and said something about a sea port, and shipping cont
ainer.”
“Fuck. You think that’s how they’re smuggling these women out of the country, through shipping containers?”
“It seems so, or they could hide them below ship. There’s no way the patrols are going to search every incoming and outgoing ship. Especially if they’re local and do a lot of business.”
“This is great. Maybe you’ll have this investigation wrapped up within the week?” Dale stated.
“It’s what I hope for, but I think you should still keep the surveillance up and security as well. Your ideas about further training the women in town are a great idea. I would be willing to head back to Pearl to help you guys out.”
Agent Mark Santos looked across the room toward one of the young ladies that owned the local boutique in town. She was stunning, and he had a nice conversation with her when he first arrived about taking precautions.
“We’d appreciate that, Mark. Any further help to prevent anything like this happening again would be a great help,” Matt stated, and Mark smiled. It would be his pleasure to get to know the town of Pearl better, and perhaps get to know that woman who gained his interest. It made him wonder if he could find happiness for him and his two brothers, here as well.
“What’s that smile for?” Dale asked him.
“Just thinking about how great of a town you guys have here. It’s the kind of place my brothers and I have been searching for to relocate.”
“Really? I thought Lucas was doing another tour in the Marines?” Matt asked.
“He just finished up a month ago.”
“Is he doing okay, readapting to civilian life?” Dale asked.
“He has his moments. I think moving out to the country like this would do us all good. I’d even consider commuting if I had to,” Mark added.
“Commuting, hell, you could probably land a perfect job at one of the local headquarters in Keanter. You should talk to Wyatt. He knows a bunch of guys there,” Matt stated.
Mark smiled. “I appreciate that. I’ll let you guys know.”
“And what about Drake? He’s been out of the service for a couple of years. Lucas and Drake were into doing woodwork, right?”
“Sure are, and I think this town of yours might be the exact setting they need to continue with their hobby. I guess a visit by them will need to happen. They might not feel the same way about Pearl that I do.” Mark glanced back toward the young woman Diane Mercury who worked with her sister Melissa at the specialty boutique in town, again.
Dale and Matt followed his line of sight and then Matt looked back at Mark and smiled. “I have the feeling they’ll love it, for the same reasons you do.”
Chapter 11
The week had passed, and Sage was back to work at the bed-and-breakfast. She was in the middle of the lunch crowd, her mind on the conversation the men had with her every day since she returned from Dallas. They wanted her to move in with them. She practically was already. She spent every spare moment with them, slept there at night, and only went home to grab clothes. She didn’t even shower at home. Why would she when she always had company at their house? She smiled to herself. She loved them all so very much. She wished they would talk to her about the conversation she started at the party last week. But as she thought about it, and about their resistance to hearing her out, she figured out their problem. They’d misunderstood her, and tonight, after she hung out with her friends for a couple of hours, she was going to explain things to them.
“It’s nice to see you back, Sage,” Mr. Pierson said, as she welcomed him to his table.
“It’s nice to be back, and to try and gain some normalcy again.”
“I couldn’t even imagine.” He looked around. “I don’t see any of your men around. They’re finally letting up their guard?” he asked and winked.
She smiled. “They are a bit overprotective, but that’s part of their appeal and line of work.”