Stephanie shared everything she uncovered that day with Carlos and Agent Meyers. They were pleased Stephanie discovered the missing link between Elmer Martin and the countries where he collected the women and children he sold. However, Stephanie kept some of her suspicions to herself. She thought there was more to the trafficking ring than the FBI realized.
Hector wanted Stephanie to contact the other manufacturing companies to order products. It was part of her job, so she didn't feel it would compromise the position she held at E. E. Martin. "Babe, you're working undercover," Carlos reminded her.
"Yes, but the longer I'm there, the more information we can gather. I worked hard to fly under the radar. Brian found the malware and got the IT solutions company to remove it from the servers and build stronger firewalls. He tried to accuse me of planting it. I gave him a look that nearly made him shit his pants. The IT specialist told Brian it was there before I started working in the office. The virus got downloaded on the server, which I couldn't access three days before I stepped foot inside the building. We can't risk having Hector slip another malware program onto the servers and we need to find out who Elmer contacted in those countries. Don't you find it odd that he came up with this idea?" Stephanie asked. "I worked as Elmer's assistant. He got me to manage everything for him. Including contacting the manufacturing companies to arrange his visits. How did he meet the human trafficking kingpin?"
"I have my team and Hector scouring the deep web for purchases. Hector found one at 1355 today," Agent Meyers answered.
"That's strange," Stephanie said, furrowing her brows. "I finalized the product order at 1345 and received the purchase agreement at 1355. Is Elmer transporting the women with his orders?"
"It appears so," Agent Meyers replied. "We can have a team at the shipping yards to check the cargo."
"I want to take Tank with me to Indonesia. There has to be someone pulling the strings—Stephanie's right about Elmer and Evan not coming up with the plan. Neither man speaks Indonesian," Carlos said, reading the search details from the computer screen.
"Take one of my men," Agent Meyers suggested.
"Does he speak Indonesian?" Tank asked. Meyers shook his head. He didn't have anyone on his team that could. "I speak the language. Carlos and I will get more information. We know how to be discreet."
Stephanie didn't want Carlos to leave. Carlos and Tank contacted Frank to arrange their transport. They couldn't be seen on the commercial flights. "What happens if they can't get back?" Meyers asked.
"Lester and I will go rescue them," Stephanie replied. Her stomach grumbled, reminding Stephanie it was time to eat. She could smell the casserole baking in the oven.
Matt glanced at the stove's timer and excused himself. He didn't want to intrude on their dinner. "I'll return tomorrow," Matt said as Lester escorted him to the door.
"How about we call you when we gather more intel?" Stephanie asked. "I don't want you to come here too often that the neighbours suspect anything."
Agent Meyers called Frank to discuss keeping Stephanie and her team home. He didn't want to risk Stephanie's safety while Manoso and Sherman were overseas. "What if the Martins discovered Stephanie's role at E. E. Martin?" Meyers asked.
"Matt, you're underestimating my daughter. Stephanie has excellent instincts. She knows how to keep herself safe. Lester, Bobby and her friend, Hector, will watch over her. I trust she would contact her cousin if necessary," Frank replied.
"Do you trust that man?" Matt asked. Frank became frustrated with Matt. Stephanie went undercover six months earlier than anticipated. Matt seemed too focused on finding his daughter than bringing down the trafficking ring.
"Yes. He's my nephew," Frank said. "Matt, don't let Amber's disappearance interfere with the mission. Stephanie worked hard to graduate earlier than anticipated. She uncovered more than the malware Hector created. Let the guys do their jobs."
"I'm worried about Stephanie. Her safety is more important than finding the men responsible," Matt explained.
"What's going on?" Frank asked.
"Stephanie reminds me of Amber. She's loving and kind to everyone. Talking to Stephanie makes me miss my daughter," Matt confessed. Matt laughed when his phone chimed. "Speaking of Stephanie, she sent me a message. I'll talk to you in a few days, Frank."
"Take care, Matt," Frank replied and ended the call.
Matt read the text message from Stephanie. "Hector and I found something on the deep web. I don't want to give you false hope, but I think we found Amber." Matt didn't want to exchange messages with Stephanie. He wanted to talk.
"When can I get her?" Matt asked when Stephanie answered the call.
"From what we found, Amber's safe. We must find the ring's kingpin before we recover her," Stephanie warned.
"Are you sure?" Matt asked. "That Amber's safe?"
"Positive," Stephanie replied. "She's still working undercover. It would be best if you did not find her, or it would compromise the mission. Amber wanted you to think she got kidnapped to keep you on the case."
"What else did she say?" Matt demanded.
"I'm sorry, but that's all. Amber promised to contact me whenever she can," Stephanie answered. Matt thought of ways to get the forensic IT guys to comb the deep web for her message. "Agent Meyers, I don't mean any disrespect, but if you attempt to contact her, it would place her in direct danger. Those are her words, not mine."
Resigned, Matt said, "Okay. I'll trust you. Keep me informed."
"Will do," Stephanie replied and hung up.
Stephanie turned her phone off and looked at Hector. They had escaped to her room to contact Agent Meyers. Stephanie didn't want Lester or Bobby to overhear their conversation. "I'm afraid Matt's going to dig for Amber."
"I embedded a program to misdirect anyone searching for her," Hector said. Stephanie knew it was risky to contact Matt, but Amber wanted the message passed along. Amber was close to finding the man responsible.
It wasn't the only place where Hector embedded the program. He discovered Elmer Martin's deep web username. Hector tagged it and found the chat room where Elmer discussed the wares for sale. Once Elmer contacted a buyer interested in purchasing the woman or child, a virus would get downloaded to the computer, where Hector could collect the remaining evidence to imprison Elmer Martin for his remaining life.
"Should we be concerned about the Rico, Ricky reference?" Stephanie asked.
"Not yet. We need to catch the asshole. Hopefully, Carlos and Tank will discover more in Indonesia," Hector replied.
"Babe?" Carlos asked as he entered the bedroom.
"Be careful in Indonesia. Hector and I found Amber. She's safe for now but deep undercover in Mexico. Amber heard stories about Rico and Ricky. We don't know more than that. My spidey sense is screaming that someone is using your name to do their dirty work," Stephanie replied.
"Shit!" Tank said. "Do you think it's the same asshole who used your name before?"
"He learned his lesson," Carlos replied, thinking about when Javier used his name to pick up and have sex with random women. "Javier wouldn't get involved with human trafficking. He's too smart to get mixed up in that shit."
Stephanie wrapped her arms around Carlos. "Keep an open mind, and don't let anything cloud your judgment. Most importantly, stay safe. When do you leave?"
"At 0200," Carlos replied. Stephanie smiled and pulled Carlos from the bedroom. She planned to eat dinner first, then spend their remaining time making love.
Lester waggled his eyebrows when Stephanie sat at the table and dished her dinner. She savoured the flavours of the pasta mixed with vegetables, chicken and cheese. Her appreciative moan made Bobby grin. He made their dinner.
Torn between washing dishes and spending quality time with Carlos, Stephanie stood in the kitchen doorway, looking between the sink and the stairs. It gave her whiplash after a few minutes. Carlos raised a brow. "We can do the dishes," Lester volunteered. Carlos took that opportunity to toss Stephanie over his shoulder and carry her to their bedroom.
"How dangerous is the mission?" Lester asked Tank.
"Carlos and I are running a reconnaissance mission. We're patrolling the area, listening for clues about the men responsible for trafficking women and children," Tank replied.
Lester disappeared for a few minutes. He returned, passing Tank a satellite phone. "Use this to send us coded messages. I'll monitor this device from here," Lester explained.
Tank accepted the phone. He ensured it was fully charged before slipping it into his pocket. Tank went to his bedroom to pack his duffle and weapons. He only had dark clothes in his room. Stephanie often asked why he didn't wear colours. Tank said wearing black didn't draw unwanted attention.
At 0200, Carlos reluctantly left Stephanie behind. She stood in the foyer, wearing Carlos' shirt and boxers. Stephanie promised to rescue them if they got trapped in Indonesia. "We'll be fine, Babe." Carlos kissed his wife. His eyes never left Stephanie as he said, "Lester, I'm counting on you to keep Javier away from Stephanie. I don't trust him."
"I've got her back, Carlos. Bobby, Hector and I will keep your asshole brother away from your wife," Lester promised.
Tank hugged Stephanie and kissed her messy curls. "I'll have your man's back. I know you can protect yourself, but Carlos and I will rest easy if you stick close to the others."
Stephanie watched from the window as the men climbed into the car. They planned to meet Frank at the private airport, where they would receive money for their trip. Ace greeted them and told them to buckle in their seats.
"Nice jet," Carlos said, sitting in the co-pilot's seat. Tank sat on the bench in the cockpit behind the others.
"Thanks. My dad bought it a few months ago. Steph's going to be jealous I got to fly it first," Ace laughed.
"How do you know my wife?" Carlos asked.
"You married Stephanie? Wow. That's awesome," Ace replied. "Stephanie and I go way back. What has she shared?"
"You're a close family friend," Tank answered.
"We are. My father is Joe Juniak, Stephanie's godfather. I'm Ivan. Dad and Uncle Frank served together in Vietnam."
Carlos grinned. "Your father is the police chief at the Trenton precinct."
Ace went through the preflight checks before taxiing to the runway. He contacted the control tower and patiently waited for the orders to take flight.
"Where are we landing?" Carlos asked once the plane reached cruising altitude.
"In Australia. I contacted a friend. He's loaning me his plane for the drop. I'll fly back to Australia and wait for your extraction call," Ace replied.
Tank and Carlos discussed their plan to speak to the Indonesian locals. Carlos smiled when Stephanie messaged the satellite phone, telling them to check the orphanages and other low-income areas. "Stephanie told us to ask at the orphanages," Carlos said.
"Why there?" Tank asked.
Ace chuckled. "Stephanie probably thinks nobody is actively searching for the missing women and children because they are high-risk targets. You know, prostitutes, foster children or orphans. Nobody approaches law enforcement when those vulnerable people go missing," Ace reasoned.
"Stephanie's working the case when she should be in bed asleep," Carlos said. He shook his head before calling his wife.
"Yo," Stephanie answered. "Should you be on the phone?"
"It's safe," Carlos replied. "Why orphans and prostitutes?"
"Nobody reports them missing, and my spidey sense tingles when I think about them. It's how we're going to crack this case open, Carlos," Stephanie replied, yawning. She was exhausted.
"How do Carla and Penny fit into the mix?" Carlos asked.
Yawning, Stephanie replied, "They volunteered to help the homeless in Mexico. At least, that's what the direction claimed. However, they never arrived at their destination. The director thinks Carla and Penny changed their minds. Stay safe, Carlos. I love you."
"I love you too, Babe," Carlos said. He ended the call and leaned his head back. Carlos closed his eyes briefly before relaying the message to the others.
"Do you make Stephanie happy?" Ace asked.
"Yes," Carlos replied.
"Good. Because if you weren't, I'd have to hurt you." Carlos wasn't surprised by the threat. He received a similar warning from Vince, Stephanie's cousin, and Frank Plum. Even Tank, Lester, Bobby, Kyle and Hector issued threats. Everyone Stephanie met loved her. It made Carlos proud to be her husband.
In her Ewing Township home, Stephanie read newspaper articles about people disappearing off the streets. Nobody had names, and the missing women and children had no family searching for them. Stephanie wanted to help those kids. Maybe she could set up a non-profit organization for Carla and Penny to care for the children and hire retired teachers to educate them.
"Grandma and Grandpa, please watch over Carlos, Tank and Ivan. Bring them home safely," Stephanie prayed. She climbed into bed, feeling content. The fluttering in her stomach disappeared when she prayed to her grandparents. Stephanie knew they would watch over her family.