“Yeah, so I’ve heard.”
“Well, we’ve been informed of a rising number of youth or young people who have been abducted or have disappeared, in almost all cases to be sold into being sex slaves.”
Dan felt hairs rise on his neck and arms. The thought of all these innocent children being forced into acts of depravity for someone else’s gain made nausea creep into his gut and his blood pressure rise. “I can almost deal with illegal sales of weapons to adversaries, or even the sale of drugs. But destroying innocent children makes me sick on a much deeper level.”
“Well, here’s the thing,” his boss said. “I’m putting you on a special task force to hunt down these traffickers, mostly in the States, but potentially all over the world. You’ll be working with local Law Enforcement Officers to help track down and shut down these scum. The more we catch, the more we can get them to rat on others. If need be, we can even go to foreign countries working in conjunction with liaison offices there. We have legal attachés in several countries.”
“Well, I’m up for that. Tell me what the particulars of the op are, and I’ll be more than glad to get on with it, including working with the local LEOs. I’ll take personal satisfaction in putting away the scum that victimize young girls.”
* * *
Evie felt the need to pray, knowing that Poisonous, being always on the prowl for trouble, had raised her ante. There seemed to be no end in site. “I’m amazed at what trouble a demon will cause, even in a human body.”
No sooner had she said the words than she felt a familiar heaviness in her bedroom. “Hi, VD. What’s going on?”
VD took on human form. “How did you know it was me?”
“The Father told me you would visit your old partner, and I suspect you heard me praying for Poisonous and were coming here to distract me.”
VD turned self-consciously away. “Please don’t rebuke me. I promise I will do nothing evil.”
The forlorn look in her eyes didn’t escape her. “Is something wrong, VD?”
“It’s hard, Evie. I miss her terribly, and I can’t be near her much, because all we used to do was encourage each other to be evil. Now that I can’t do that, there’s just no satisfaction in it any more. Good grief, I haven’t even been victimizing anyone since Poisonous came down here. I’m not doing a very good job as a demon.”
VD’s heart obviously had been softening. Silent thanks went up to the Father. “Well, honey. I don’t know what to tell you. All I can do is pray for you.”
VD gasped. She turned away from her for several moments, then looked back at her sheepishly.
“Well, I guess it couldn’t hurt too much. Just go easy on me. I know that those prayers are powerful, and they weigh heavily on our evil souls.”
“It’s up to you. You can go always go on like you are.”
A short, silent pause preceded, “Well, I don’t much like the way I am right now. Do what you must.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. I won’t even run away.”
She couldn’t pass up the obvious invitation. A prayer went up for VD right away. Just keep working on her heart, Lord.
“Thanks, Evie,” said the softening dark angel. “I like the way being at peace feels. I’m beginning to like it, and want to know more about Lord Yehovah and the Lamb.”
“I believe you will find those answers, VD. Just be willing to have your eyes opened and your heart changed.”
“I will,” said the not-so-dark angel, who started to cry.
“What’s wrong, honey?” Evie scooted over to her and gave her a hug, which made her cry even more.
“I like being happy for a change,” she managed, sniffling. “It’s so much easier to deal with than being full of hate and maliciousness. Thank you, Evie. I love you.”
“Awww. Thanks VD. I love you too.”
* * *
The prospects for the day had been good: lunch with Roger, and ‘dessert’ at his condo. Energized, she glowed with satisfaction. “You do that so well, I think I may want a refill.”
“You should know by now that you need no invitation.”
“Then fasten your seatbelts. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.”
She lay next to him; positively glowing. “I admire you Roger. You’re my equal in sexual prowess.”
“I do what I can...” He grinned.
Beep! She looked at her cell phone. Tyrell wanted to meet her tonight at a club called Zanzibar. “Well, sweetie. Another client. Gotta run. You know: ‘places to go, people to see.’”
He sighed. “Yes. The demands of a professional... err... huntress.”
“Oh, face it. You love me for it.”
“Well... I wouldn’t go so far as to say ‘love.’ But I do admire your talent.”
“As well you should. See you.” She walked out the door, and headed towards the U Street/Cordozo Metro station. The afternoon sun of the hot July day bore down on her human body. The clock on a nearby building read 2:36 p.m. Time on her hands always made her crave action—anything to keep her from boredom. After a few moments thought, she decided to head for Houston to see how her charge was doing. A short flight later, she landed in the bathroom of the expensive hotel where her colleagues, Oily Lies and Vile Destruction ran their victimizing business. Crossing the lobby and going into a doorway behind the reception area, she walked into a room with ‘Victor D’Archelles on the door. Knocking so as not to startle him, she said, “May I speak with you Victor?”
“Come in,” he answered.
She walked in, perusing his office. “Not exactly as plush
