“Charlie, Junior,” Fiona began, “I’m texting you the location of the abandoned mine. You two head there while Miranda and I go get Sandra.”
“Got it,” I responded as we exited the elevator and rushed into the parking lot. I jumped into the nearest company car and peeled out as soon as Junior was inside. The location was about thirty minutes away, but I’d make it in twenty if I pushed it. I could feel the adrenaline rushing through my veins as I desperately hoped we’d get to Amber in time.
36
Miranda
I came to a screeching halt in front of the Hope for Children building. The car was splayed out across three spots, but I didn’t bother correcting my terrible parking job. Instead, I hopped straight out of the car.
“You good?” I asked Fiona as she climbed out of the passenger side.
“I think you shaved a few years off my life there,” she quipped. “But I’ll manage.”
I snorted a laugh in response.
“Come on,” I chuckled. “I want to get my hands on this witch.”
We made our way up to the door. It was completely dark inside, which was a little odd considering it was the middle of the day. I pounded on the door and waited, but nothing happened.
“What should we do?” Fiona asked uncertainly. “Should we head to her house, instead?”
“Not quite yet,” I responded. I took a few steps back before running forward and kicking at the door. The glass window in the top half of the door shattered but didn’t break.
“Miranda,” Fiona gasped behind me.
“Gimme a minute,” I replied before repeating the action. This time the glass fractured into pieces and came raining down on both sides of the door. I reached inside carefully and unlocked it from the inside.
“Ow,” I hissed as I nicked my arm on a jagged piece of broken glass.
“What on earth is going on?” a woman called shrilly from the end of the hall.
“You must be Sandra Baker,” I called as I pushed the door open.
“I’m calling the police,” Sandra yelled.
“Please do,” I scoffed. “Whatever gets them here faster.”
“You’re making a big mistake,” Sandra sputtered as she fumbled with the phone in her hands.
“Yeah, okay,” I rolled my eyes. “I’m Agent Castillo with MBLIS. This is Agent Gardner. I’m assuming I don’t have to tell you why we’re here.”
“I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about,” Sandra balked.
“Why do they always say that?” I mused aloud. “Even Junior tried it.”
“Wait, what?” Fiona asked, turning to look at me.
“Not important,” I brushed her off. “Is Amber here, Sandra?”
“Wh-who’s that?” Sandra stuttered, looking around as if searching for a viable excuse.
“Oh, don’t play dumb,” I sneered as I stalked slowly toward her. She wasn’t armed, and it didn’t look like she was carrying anything, but I needed to be careful. I stopped about a foot in front of her and fished my phone out of my pocket. I scrolled through my contact list until I found the number I was looking for and pressed the call button.
A tinny, cheerful jingle filled the surrounding air. Sandra didn’t move, but it was clear the sound was coming from her person.
“That’s your phone,” I raised an eyebrow. “Why don’t you get it?”
She was visibly trembling now, and her mouth opened and closed like a gaping fish, but no sound came out.
“I just dialed the number that the Weavers were in constant communication with around the time they came into possession of Kamya. Also, coincidentally, the number that both Collin Atkins and the Anderson couple called before they came to be in possession of illegally trafficked children as well. It’s your number, Sandra. You’re the one who’s been trafficking children into this country.”
She gasped before suddenly turning and making a break down the hall. I took off after her and tackled her to the ground just seconds later. Sandra was a middle-aged woman with short legs, and she really never had a chance of outrunning me.
“You’re hurting me!” She squawked as I forced her arms behind her back.
“I’m sorry,” I replied sarcastically. “I’ll be sure to be more careful from now on.”
Just as I was finishing getting the handcuffs clicked in place, I heard the sound of a child’s voice singing from one of the back rooms. The three of us fell silent, and Sandra’s face went white.
“I’ve got it,” Fiona muttered as she began to make her way down the hall toward the source of the noise.
“Careful,” I called. “We don’t know if any of her men are here right now.”
Fiona nodded and glared at Sandra as she passed.
“Stay away from my kids!” she screamed.
“They’re not your kids, you evil--,” I cut myself off with a groan. I needed to remain cool-headed right now.
I couldn’t leave Sandra alone, so Fiona would have to clear the building on her own. It wasn’t a very large place, and the fact that no one had come running to Sandra’s rescue when she started shrieking was probably a good sign that there weren’t any other adults here right now.
Sandra was still struggling and yelling on the floor, but I tuned her out, hopeful that the police backup Wallace had said he was sending would be here soon. Just as I was thinking that, I caught sight of flashing lights through the front windows of the building. The sirens were off, probably to avoid alerting anyone inside that they were here—nice tactic, but a little late considering I already had the suspect apprehended.
“Police, put your hands up!” one of the officers yelled as he ran into the building.
“Help me!” Sandra screamed. “She’s trying to kill me!”
“Oh, shut up,” I groaned. “I’m Agent Castillo, with MBLIS. Ms. Baker here is the one we came to arrest. We heard voices in the back. We’re pretty sure it’s the kids, but we haven’t confirmed. My partner is back there now.”
“Understood,” the cop nodded as she directed the other officers to restrain Sandra and do a search of the building. Now that Sandra was in
