Chapter 13: The Horrid Truth...

Down at the docks, Fiona and Terry uncover the truth about Senator Bryce's dirty doings.

Fiona's POV

Looking in that shipping container...I just couldn't believe my own eyes. "Holy mother of Chaos!" the manager cried out, before quickly fainting because of the sight. There, packed into the container...were about 10 young girls. They looked just barely 18...sitting on bags of white powder. I assumed it was cocaine...and there was a shitload of it. The girls squinted their eyes because of the light coming in...and looked terrified.

Terry stepped closer...with his hand outstretched. "It's OK...we're good guys...You're safe, now...I promise..." he spoke softly to them. One of the girls inched forward...but another pulled her back again. "Don't hurt us!" she said...shaking with fear. It seemed she was the only one who knew English...as I couldn't tell what the others were saying. Probably along the same lines.

"American?" one asked, in a timid voice. "Yes. Well...I am. It's OK. You're safe. Come on out." I stepped forward. The girl who knew some English rushed out to me...and the rest slowly followed. "Come on...let's get you somewhere safe and warm." I told her. A small smile appeared on her face. She was a cat...with orange fur...and dirt on her clothes. "Thank you." she said, before calling to the others, presumably telling them it was safe.

Terry looked around the container...and soon found something of interest. "Fiona! I found a letter!" he called to me, holding it up. A letter? Saying what? "We'll look at it, later! Call HQ for a van...or two. We've got to get these girls safe and sound!" I called back to him. They were the priority, right now. Some of them looked half-starved. Their clothes were torn and dirty...some had blood on them. Each one had a bruise somewhere on their body. They'd been beaten, kidnapped and stuffed in a container for who knows how long. Whoever was behind this...I'd fucking kill them!

Later at the HQ, we got the girls something to eat and drink, putting blankets over them. As they sat in the cafeteria, being seen to by various officers, I stood back, watching in horror. Why would someone do this?! Because they were vulnerable...and scared, that's why! I can't believe that someone would treat them like goods to be sold! It's...beyond disgusting! I didn't even have a word for this, it was so bad.

"Miss?" the girl who spoke some English came to see me. I listened on. "I am...ready...talk." she told me. I led her to the interview room, just a few doors down from the cafeteria. Every step of the way, she looked over her shoulder...seemingly still worried about someone. I assume she must be frightened of the people that did this to her...and they would do anything to get her back in their possession. "It's OK. You're safe." I kept on reassuring her...but she still looked as frightened as ever.

We sat down in the interview room and I took out a notepad to write everything down. "Can you...tell me your name?" I asked her. Hopefully she understood. "Yes. I am...Serena." she said. Her accent was definitely Eastern-European. "Do you know who...did this to you, Serena?" I asked her another question. Serena paused for a moment...considering what might happen if she told me. "You're safe, here. No one will hurt you, again. I promise." I reassured her.

"OK...it was...man...er...no name. But...man here...'Bryce'. He buy us..." Serena tried her best to explain. BUY THEM?! THAT BASTARD IS DEAD! "Senator Bryce? Do you know where you were going, Serena? Where did they say they were taking you?" I asked. "Um...it...Barlow Street...they said.". Barlow Street...close to the docks. Lots of warehouses in that area. If Bryce bought them...he probably wanted to sell them and the drugs. But...why? He had plenty of cash, already. Debts to pay, maybe?

Terry's POV

As Fiona interviewed the one of the girls we found in the container, I was regaining my composure with a cup of coffee. Honestly, it tasted terrible...so much so that I considered making an official complaint to whoever sold us that coffee machine in the cafeteria. Discovering those frightened girls in that horrid place made me feel sick to my stomach...so I may be vomiting, soon. The terrible coffee didn't help that. How could someone do that to living beings? Then again, I'm not surprised...I've seen many wars in my lifetime. Vietnam, The Falklands, the Gulf War...to name a few.

Then I remembered the letter I found, stuffed away in the corner. It was mostly written in Polish...which I didn't speak...nor even know how to begin pronouncing. Luckily, we had translators here in the HQ. I did recognise one word of English, however...'Bryce'...written clearly in black ink. This letter proved that Bryce is at least connected in some way. Confronting him with this, he'd HAVE to admit it. His days are numbered...and he'll be in a cell, soon enough.

"Terry! Come over here!" I heard Fiona's voice calling to me from down the corridor. I dropped my coffee, with the contents sure to stain the blue carpet...but I wouldn't even wash my drains out with that swill. "What is it, Fiona?" I asked, rushing over to her. "The girl I interviewed, Serena...She says Bryce was the buyer of the shipment...both them and the drugs! Thing is...we're missing hard proof...like an email...or some shit like that..." Fiona went on, sounding worried. "Ahem...Fiona?" I tried to get her attention, but she kept on going.

"Where the fuck are we supposed to find something like that?! We haven't got access to his computer...or anything! We're so close to..." she stopped when she spotted the letter I held proudly in my hand. "Good boy! I'm impressed..." Fiona said in a half-sultry, half-praising tone...which was an amazing thing to listen to. "It's in Polish...but we can go see the translator." I smiled at her. Fiona shot me a cute wink and motioned for me to follow her. As she walked, her red tail swayed from side to side...almost teasing me. She was impressed with me finding that letter...and I hoped I earned another one of those great kisses. For my lips to touch hers...it's simply to die for. When Fiona touches me, it's like a spark of electricity is surging through me. I want to feel that, again.

Fiona's POV

Thanks to the help of the on-site translator...and Terry...the stud...we finally deciphered the whole letter. It laid everything out in black and white. The fact that Bryce had transferred money to another account...the fact that the container was full of trafficked girls and drugs...and the fact that Bryce is going down like a ton of bricks. The Chief came to us, personally, to thank us for our hard work...and offered up the chance for us to arrest him, tomorrow. How could I say no to a chance to kick the shit out of that sicko?

My shift was over, though...as was Terry's...and we met up outside HQ. "We did good, today...you and me. Definitely looking forward to tomorrow, though." I smiled at him, twirling my bangs, casually. "That we did. I'll see you tomorrow...partner." he waved goodbye, walking in the opposite direction...with a huge smile on his face. Where does he think he's going? I'm not finished, yet! A quick grab and pull of his tail soon brought him back.

"Ouch! You didn't have to do that..." he chuckled, nursing his tail. "I was gonna say...after we take down Bryce...you wanna take me to that bar, again? You know...for celebratory vodka and coke?" I asked him, hands on hips. I was practically teasing him...tempting him to say yes. "Why not? I'll pay...for all of it, this time." Terry chuckled...which brought a little fire into my heart. "Sure...if you don't mind buying 20 drinks for me! See ya, tomorrow...partner." I said my goodbyes, giving him permission to leave, without me having to grab his tail.

Before I could start off in the opposite direction to him...I felt his touch on my shoulder. "What the fu-?" I couldn't even manage to THINK anything before he spun me around...and kissed me...cupping one of my cheeks. My eyes were wide open...my tail was stiff...and my heart was on fire, beating a million times a second. It didn't last long, however...as he quickly pulled away. A pink blush was painted on my muzzle...and my eyes were still wide open.

Terry's blush was so red, it glowed...overpowering the orange evening skies behind him. "Until tomorrow, Fiona..." he said, softly...before running off. I just stood there...arm outstretched...as if to try to bring him back to me. I had my hand on my lips...where his once were...and that blush of mine wasn't going away...it was there to stay. Terry...you cheeky boy! Why did he do that, for? I mean, I enjoyed it...loved it, in fact. All I could do was make my way back to Amy's...still feeling hotter than a volcano...and blushing as red as a rose.

End Of Chapter 13