“Oh, so many questions. I didn’t expect this.”
“But I’m paying for your time. Why wouldn’t she take her daughter with her if she was getting married?”
“I think perhaps she wanted to let her husband get used to her first, and then he would soften and allow the baby to come. We hope that happens.”
“Because he chose Isabel, but not Isabel with a daughter.”
“I think so. She discussed this with Mr. Rojas’ sister.”
“I hope so too. For her sake, for the sake of the child.” Brady studied her again, and as she looked up at him, she blushed. He could tell the big question mark in the air was why he wasn’t interested in her, physically. He needed to have an answer for that. He began what he’d hoped would be the moment he could convince her to help him.
“I am looking for someone myself, and I was told that Mr. Rojas could help me.”
“I know he can. There are lots of people who come here, who have a great deal of money.”
As they spoke further, Brady began to understand that Mr. Rojas saw himself as a benevolent relative to all these girls. That’s why Mr. Rojas’ sister described the wedding as that of his “niece.”
“Come. I must work or I will not get paid.”
Brady had already shelled out close to a thousand dollars for this young girl, but he reached into his wallet and grabbed a few twenties.
“You take this. It’s just for you. I want you to have it, and there’s more, if you will help me. Wouldn’t you like to go to the United States and meet someone yourself, fall in love with someone of your own choosing?”
“I’m not sure. This is the only life I’ve known. My sister told me she remembers being hungry all the time. I can remember what it felt like to sleep in a bed with many other children. I like living here, because I have a bed all to my own. I never have to worry about going hungry. I’m never alone, and my sister’s daughter will be taken care of. And Mr. Rojas will protect me.”
Although he’d gained some valuable information, Brady called a halt to the interview. He explained to her he had a medical condition that didn’t allow him to “perform” and that he was exploring alternatives to a traditional relationship. He needed to discuss this with Rojas.
He knew now the ranch represented safety to this young girl, and the asshole who took Maggie away from him was like a favorite uncle or father figure in her life. There wasn’t going to be much chance Brady could shake that loose from her, and all trying would do was expose his team.
“I would like to come back. May I?” he asked.
“Yes. But no more talking. No more questions, Señor.”
Brady was led back through the kitchen, where he picked up Enemario and Riley, still stuffing his face just like at breakfast. The older woman who had been washing the floors on her hands and knees earlier beamed from ear to ear at Riley’s excitement with her cooking.
“We’re done here. Come on.” Brady couldn’t wait to get out of this place.
“But, Bones—” Riley stopped mid-sentence, realizing he’d made a slipup.
Enemario came in for the save. “Come on, bottomless pit. He’s tired and needs to rest. Can’t you see?”
It was said for the benefit of whomever was surely listening.
Chapter 14
“That is totally fucked up!” shouted Riley.
Several of the team put their fingers to their lips to quiet him.
“I don’t want to draw any attention to us, Riley.” Brady said. “I’m just as pissed as you are, but that’s not going to solve the problem. It is a huge mess, and he spent some time and energy setting this all up. We’re on our own here. We don’t have all the backup we used to have on the teams, so it is what it is. And, yeah, it’s fucked.”
Carter stood. “What’s amazing to me is that none of these girls, when they run into something that doesn’t work out for them, get news back to the ranch. You wonder what all these ladies think. People leave, and they never hear from them again. Or am I missing something?” Carter looked directly at Brady.
“It is just like what’s happened in other countries. The girls hear what they want to hear. They think they’re safe. This is what they do, and they do it so well. They trap them physically, psychologically, make it look like their life is going to be easy, and get their cooperation. In a way, it’s kind of a cult, sort of brainwashing that goes on. Stockholm syndrome.”
“Not to mention the fact that they have leverage,” added John. “They have the kids. The woman who goes away knows that, if something goes bad, they’ll never see their child again. It’s pretty smart leverage, I’d say.”
“Diabolical,” said Riley.
“Here’s the thing,” Brady began. “It looks like Rojas isn’t going to be back here for a couple of days. It’s been a lot of work, and it was a good idea to come here, but now we know he’s going to be in San Diego. I say we go get him from the Cinderella Slipper. We can get up there by tomorrow, cause a little drama, and yank him away from his payday. Because that’s the reason he’s there. Not to see the girls off, but to collect his money. I’d be willing to bet he doesn’t trust anybody with that. Especially if it’s a big payday.”
There was general agreement this was to be their next course of action.
But Brady had another thing to add. “But we have to be careful not to outplay our hand. We can’t draw attention to ourselves. Remember, we’re not even supposed to be carrying weapons.”
The team acknowledged him.
Without further delay, John cranked up the camper, and they headed back down the driveway, connected to the dirt “freeway,” and drove all the way to the border.
The team took turns driving the van. First thing in the morning, as dawn was breaking, they approached the outskirts of San Diego. Once again, they had slipped across the border, without much notice.
The Cinderella Slipper Hotel was grotesquely painted a bright pink color. Not a shade of flamingo or an attractive blushy color, but the color of a popular stomach ulcer remedy. On top of the revolving sign was a neon depiction of a glass slipper. It twinkled in the early sunlight of day.
As they approached the grounds, Brady noticed several warehouses nearby that had been abandoned, littered with old washing machines, cars without wheels, and other large pieces of garbage. There was no way this neighborhood was going through any kind of an urban renewal. Brady wondered what the young girls thought as they were driven here.
Avoiding the parking lots that looked more like a looter’s paradise, they parked in the rest stop across the street from the hotel, because the hotel lot didn’t accommodate a van as large as theirs. They also needed to have access for a quick getaway, in case it was necessary.
John set out cereal and cooked scramble eggs for them, while everyone washed their faces, checked their phones, and took turns taking a leak. A nice hot shower would make him feel whole and wash the stink of the ranch off his flesh, but he was going to have to wait a little while longer for that. Today, if they were perfect in their execution, they’d be hauling one Mr. Esquivel Rojas back to the Naval Base at Coronado, or another designated location. He was going to try the phone number for their benefactor one more time before they launched their next move.