Author's Note: Well, I'm done traveling for a while. I had a wonderful time at the two conferences I attended! This chapter is a little shorter than my usual, but I think it's complete. Thanks to everyone who is sticking with me! I think we're drawing near to the end, though some stories will be carried into a sequel. At a reader's suggestion, I've added in a section about the kids. I started writing it in Evvy's POV and had a lot of fun with it. I'm neither Catholic nor Baptist (though I grew up Baptist), but I have friends in both crowds. Hopefully they would all get a big kick out of the kids' scene. Ian still has a lot to learn.

TW: This chapter involves human trafficking, abuse, and a murder. What I've written isn't graphic, so I think it stays at the T rating. If you prefer not to read those parts, skip over the sections about Findel and about Violeta/Catalina.

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Glossary (Spanish - English)

La Remanente - The Remnant

Sor Isabel - Sister Isabel

Hola - Hello

Burdel de la Rosa - Brothel of the Rose

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July 13, 1977

Emily kissed her husband. Now that his cast was off, he had been assigned to a new station. At the moment, he was captain of 36's B-shift. He had come home from work this morning looking sad. "What's the matter, honey?"

Hank frowned. "It just isn't the same. I miss working 51's A-Shift. These guys are OK, but they aren't family."

"They aren't family yet. You need time to get to know them. If you remember, it took a while at 51's, too." She kissed him again and stroked her fingers through his hair.

He nodded, but he didn't look any happier. "I suppose you're right." He wrapped an arm around her. "I've got a nasty headache. We had a rough night. I'm going to get some sleep."

"OK. I'll park the kids in front of the TV so they don't keep you awake." She didn't usually use the television as a babysitter, but sometimes it came in handy. She had promised Chet she would make some phone calls to other department wives. So many people were still out of their homes because of the quake, but several of the ladies were getting together weekly at Chief McConnikee's house to talk about how they could help one another. Emily had a list of current phone numbers.

She also knew something Hank didn't know yet. She wasn't allowed to mention it, as McConnikee wanted to make it public in his own time, but his wife Edyth had told Emily privately. They attended the same church and so they had been praying about it together.

Chief McConnikee's presence in their church was a sore point for Hank. In fact, Hank had suggested changing churches when Bob's marriage to Edyth brought him there. Emily had refused. "I like our pastor, I like my friends, and this is the best choir I've ever sung in. Bob McConnikee isn't as bad as you think he is!"

Hank's eyes had narrowed at that. "He's out to get me. That's why he came here, I'm sure of it."

Emily had just sighed and shaken her head. "He joined because he married Edyth. You really ought to tell him that Mike was the one who burned his hat. I never understood why you took the blame for it."

"Mike was a boot. His career could have ended right there," said Hank as he shrugged. "It seemed like the right thing to do at the time."

What Emily knew was that Bob McConnikee was retiring. He'd been diagnosed with severe COPD a few days before the quake. On top of that, he was starting to have vision problems. He was still coming to terms with the need to retire. The fire department had been his life for almost forty years now. Leaving it was hard.

When Hank found out, Emily had a feeling he would make plans to take the chief's test. He would pass it with flying colors, she was certain. Hank may struggle with paranoia on occasion, but he was a natural leader. He would make an excellent chief.

She prepared a glass of water and got some Tylenol capsules, then slipped quietly upstairs to the bedroom. "Here you go, honey. This should help your headache." She kissed him, then backed away from the bed. "Get some rest. I love you."

"Love you too." He lay down and closed his eyes, seemingly unaware that she was watching from the doorway.

Thank you, God, for the gift of Hank. Emily pulled the door shut as quietly as she could, then hurried back downstairs to deal with the kids and make her phone calls.

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Evvy yawned. She was tired of watching TV. Doug was out with friends and Mr. and Mrs. Frazier were shopping with little D.J. Auntie Jo was picking up Uncle Roy. Aunt Beth was at the hospital with Uncle Mike. Grampa Stoker was running errands and Uncle Johnny didn't live here anymore. Mom was making phone calls and Daddy was sleeping. That meant the kids couldn't play outside. There was no one to supervise.

She glanced at Jake. They were officially boyfriend and girlfriend now. Well, she liked Ian a little more than Jake, but he was going to be a priest and that meant he wouldn't get to have a girlfriend. Still, he said if he could have one, he would want Evvy.

The one good thing that had come out of the earthquake was Jake and Ian living at their house for a while. Eventually they would go back home, but for now she got to see them all the time. She liked the DeSoto kids too, but not the way she liked Jake and Ian.

She stretched out her hand and put it over Jake's. They liked holding hands. Neither one had been brave enough yet to try kissing, but Evvy was sure it would happen eventually.

"You know," said Ian, "if you marry Jake you have to become a Catholic."

That made Evvy wrinkle up her forehead. "Why can't he be a Baptist?"

Ian shook his head. "That's not how it works. The girl has to become what the boy is."

Evvy's forehead wrinkled up even more. "But when Chief McConnikee married Mrs. Diehl-well, Mrs. McConnikee now-he came to our church with her. I don't know what he was before that."

Jake squeezed her hand. "We'll figure it out." He was always so nice.

Evvy gathered up all her courage and then leaned over to give him a kiss on the cheek. The cheek was easy. Lips were something else altogether.

"I think we should get married right now," she said. "Ian could do it. He's going to be a priest when he grows up."

Ian shook his head. "Nope. Not unless you're Catholic."

"Well, how do I become Catholic?" She would do just about anything for Jake.

Now it was Ian's brow that wrinkled. "Let's see. You have to confess your sins and get baptized. I could do that. And you have to say the Our Father and the Hail Mary."

Evvy jumped up, pulling Jake to his feet. "OK. Let's do it. Right now. Then you can marry us."

Chris DeSoto frowned. "You gotta ask your mom. You're just a kid!"

Evvy glared him into silence. She wasn't going to let anyone get in her way now. She reached for Megan's hand. "Come help me choose a pretty dress," she said to the little girl.

About fifteen minutes later, the small troupe of children gathered in the bathroom. Evvy had chosen a pretty white dress with pale pink flowers. It reached almost to her ankles and was fun to twirl in. She spun around and watched the skirt of the dress float upward.

"Evvy!" Ian hissed. "This is a solemn occasion! Stop playing around!" He had put on a black jacket and had wrapped a white hand towel around his neck. He looked like the priest who married Uncle Chet and Aunt Kitty.

Evvy stopped twirling and put on her most serious face.

"First you have to confess your sins," said Ian.

Evvy thought for a minute. "Well, I didn't clean up my toys like I was supposed to, and I yelled at Doug, and I forgot to feed the cats even though Mom reminded me a zillion times."

Ian nodded. "Now you get down on your knees and tell God you're sorry. Then you say the Our Father. You know it, don't you?"

Evvy smirked. "Of course. I learned it in Sunday School." She knelt, folded her hands, and prayed. "God, I'm sorry for my sins. Please forgive me. Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name." She rattled off the whole prayer, then looked up at Ian.

Ian nodded approvingly. "OK, now you say the Hail Mary. I'll teach it to you." He said the words and Evvy repeated them. Finally, he filled his hand with water and dripped it on Evvy's forehead. "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. OK, all done."

"That's all? I thought you would have to dunk me in the bathtub." Evvy had worn her favorite swimsuit under the dress, just to be ready.

Ian rolled his eyes. "That's not how Catholics do it. All right, now you and Jake hold hands."

The happy couple intertwined their fingers. Ian did a small marriage ceremony. Evvy thought it was a lot like Uncle Chet's wedding. Once they had said their vows, he told them, "OK, after this last part, you have to kiss each other. On the lips."

Jake's eyes got kind of big, and Evvy squealed. Her spine tingled. She'd never had a real kiss with a boy before.

Father Ian said, "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

While he was talking, the bathroom door creaked open. Evvy didn't register who was there, though. She was too excited about the kiss. She watched Jake as he moved his head toward hers. First their noses bumped. "Ow!" Evvy said. Then they figured it out. Jake's lips pressed against hers.

And that's when a hand pulled her back. "Evelyn Rose Stanley, what do you think you're doing?"

It was Daddy. They must have been too noisy and woke him up. Evvy's heart sank. She liked the kiss part more than she had expected. "I'm marryin' Jake, Daddy!"

"Oh, no you aren't." Daddy's eyes flashed. The corners of his mouth twitched. "Jake never asked your mom and me for permission. Besides, you're too young to get married. You have to finish school first. Go to college. Get a job. THEN you can get married."

Evvy wilted. "But that's forever away! And Daddy, I became Catholic for this!"

Daddy's eyes flashed again. "When you are eighteen, you can decide if you want to become Catholic or whatever else. For now, you're going to keep going to a Baptist church with your family. Now, I declare this marriage annulled. Go downstairs, watch TV, and be quiet. I was trying to sleep."

He turned around and headed back to his room. Evvy stared after him. "What's annulled?" she finally asked.

Ian sighed. "It means the marriage didn't really happen." He put a hand on Evvy's shoulder. "I'm sorry."

Jake wrapped an arm around her. "Me too. Kissin' was kind of fun after all. Well, let's go back downstairs. It's almost time to watch Zoom!"

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Roy was released just before noon. JoAnne and Johnny had come together to pick him up.

"Let's go out for lunch, honey," said Jo. "We could sit and talk for a while."

Roy was pretty sure what was coming next. She wanted to talk about living at Mom's house instead of buying something new. He shrugged and grunted. "Yeah, OK."

They went to In & Out. It was cheap and the food was good. Soon, they were sitting at an outdoor table with their double doubles and fries. Roy had a vanilla shake, too.

Johnny stuffed his burger in his mouth. A minute later, he leaned forward. "Roy, I had an idea." His voice was muffled by the burger still in it. He swallowed, then continued. "I get it that it's hard for you to live in Harriett's house as it is. But what if you used your insurance money to remodel the place? It would be like a brand-new house, but you wouldn't have to make payments on it. And it's in a safe neighborhood."

JoAnne put a section of the paper in front of him. "Look at it, Roy. See the houses we can afford? I don't want to live in those neighborhoods. I'd be terrified to leave the house. Mama's house is near a good school. There's a school for D.J. close by. I think we'd be happy there."

Roy groaned, but he couldn't argue with their logic. Just to give himself a little time, he took the classifieds and looked at the listings. JoAnne was right. He knew the neighborhoods these houses were in. They were dangerous. They couldn't let the kids play outside there. He put the paper down and shrugged his shoulders. "OK. I give in. Let's remodel Mom's house."

A smile spread across JoAnne's face. She was awfully pretty when she smiled. It almost made Roy wish he had relented sooner. "Well, if you're that happy about it, we can move in today and start making plans."

"I love you, Roy." Jo pressed her lips to her husband's.

Mid-kiss, Roy noticed out of the corner of his eye that Johnny's hand was snaking across the table to steal some of Jo's fries. He clamped his hand down hard on his partner's wrist, but didn't say a word as he deepened the kiss.

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Ed Findel's yacht was anchored off the coast of Mexico, just south of Tijuana. Mexico had no extradition treaty with the United States* so it was a safe place to hang out while American authorities were looking for him. It was a good thing he had emptied his bank account before it could be frozen. His attorney had gotten wind of the warrant before it was actually issued. It helped that he had a member of the DA's staff on his payroll. He was in Mexican waters before the DA got the judge to sign off.

For now, he was stretched out on a deck chair, trying to relax and soak up some rays. He wanted to take a nap, but one of the Mexican beauties he'd brought on board wouldn't stop singing. Maria, that was her name. She was a pretty little thing, but she couldn't sing worth a damn. He'd told her over and over again to stop her caterwauling, but every so often she just burst into song again. "Maria!" he yelled. "Can it! You're flat and you're singing through your nose!" Ugh. That nasal voice was like sandpaper scraping his brain.

She didn't stop. Sometimes he wondered how much English she understood. Finally, he got up off his deck chair. If she didn't know what "can it" meant, he was going to teach her. He found her near the wheelhouse. Jacinta and Violeta were laughing as they watched her dance while she sang. The three women were dressed in skimpy bikinis, the sort of thing Ed's wife would never wear. Ed had left without telling his wife where he was going. She would probably squeal on him at the first opportunity if she knew. She hadn't loved him for years now. Not that he minded. He didn't love her either.

He grabbed Maria by the shoulders and shook her hard. "Stop singing!"

She screeched, her voice going up at least an octave. Ed had a feeling she had shattered his eardrums. Pain exploded in his head. Rage took over him, the kind of rage that made Laura Findel grab their kids and get out of the house as quickly as she could. But Maria didn't have anywhere to go. Ed tightened his hands on her skinny arms and continued to shake her. Tears were streaming down her face. He pushed her hard against the wall of the wheelhouse. Jacinta and Violeta tried to pull him off her, but he pushed them away. Maria was going to learn to do what he told her.

He shoved her around, knocking her head hard against the metal safety rail. She slumped to the floor, motionless. Violeta burst into tears. She threw herself down next to Maria and felt her wrist. "She's dead! You killed her!" the little minx screamed.

Ed's rage was starting to dissipate. He picked Maria's body up and tossed her into the water. Then he turned to the other two women. He narrowed his eyes and drew his lips into a grim line. "You won't say a word, or I'll do the same thing to you."

Violeta translated for Jacinta, whose English wasn't good. Ed reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. "I will pay you to keep quiet." He pulled out two hundred-dollar bills and handed one to each of the women. "Do we have a deal?"

Again, Violeta translated. Jacinta nodded silently. Violeta held out her hand. "More. For each of us. Maria was like a sister to me."

Ed rolled his eyes. "Fine." He pulled out two more hundreds and handed them over. "Deal now?"

"Deal," Violeta said. "And now you take us back. You paid Lobo for one night. You will have to explain to him about Maria."

"I'll figure something out." Ed was a bit worried. Lobo would kill him over a missing woman. Ed raised anchor, then moved into the wheelhouse and started the yacht. He would take the women back. Maybe he would offer to buy Maria. He didn't have to explain that she was dead.

He offered a thousand dollars for Maria. When he pulled ten fresh hundred-dollar bills from his wallet, Lobo's eyes got big as dinner plates. He asked no questions, just nodded his head and accepted the cash. American money went a long way here.

Ed watched as Lobo led Violeta and Jacinta away. He knew better than to turn his back on a dangerous cartel member. Once the limousine was out of sight, he headed back onto the yacht.

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Marco sat across from Chet, a notebook open on the table between them. Chet had a list of all the people he'd talked with so far. Just about everyone was willing to help.

"How about a spaghetti dinner for the fundraiser?" said Chet. "We could have a silent auction too. People have offered donations."

Marco nodded. "I like that idea. Would you donate a portrait session for the auction? People would love that."

Chet shrugged. "Sure. Good idea." He grinned. "I could even donate three or four sessions. The more buyers the better, right?" He looked at his calendar. "Think we could put it together by next Saturday?"

Marco frowned. "Well, the sooner we can start, the better. We'll have to find a location and get volunteers to make the spaghetti."

"Emily is making some calls for me. She'll put together some cooks. They can even use Mike's recipe-JoAnne has it. And I've already got us a location. We can use the gathering hall at HQ, free of charge. It's available next Saturday evening."

Marco grinned. "Well then, next Saturday it is. Now we just need to get people to come."

"They'll come." Kitty put a hand on Chet's back. She bent to kiss him, then set a few pills and a glass of water on the table. "Time for your meds, honey."

Chet nodded. "OK. Thanks." He put the pills in his mouth and washed them down with a swig of water. "You need a wife, Marco. I'm telling you, this is the life."

Marco shrugged. "Sounds nice. But remember, I'm living in a tent at the moment." He glanced at his watch. "In fact, I'd better get back over there. Mateo's shift starts soon."

"Are you really going back to the fire department?" Chet's eyes filled with longing.

Marco sighed. "If I pass the engineer exam next week."

"You'll pass." Chet's certainty bolstered Marco's confidence. "I know you will."

"Thanks, pal." Marco squeezed his friend on the shoulder, gave Kitty a hug, and hurried out.

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When Beth wheeled her way into Mike's room, she found him sitting in the recliner by the window. "Hi, honey. It's good to see you sitting up."

"First day I've felt up to it." Mike smiled as she wheeled around the bed and pulled up next to him. He reached for her hand. "Any word on the insurance?"

"We're not going to talk about that." She pulled his hand to her lips and kissed each finger in turn. Then she reached into her purse for the envelope that had come for him from LACoFD headquarters. "This came for you."

Mike opened it. Beth watched as the light in his eyes extinguished when he pulled out the contents. "It's my first disability check." He looked as if his heart was about to break. Beth wished she had waited to bring him the mail.

She grabbed his hands. "Listen to me, Michael Stoker. I know it's hard, leaving behind this part of your life. But you are going to find new ways to thrive. You are alive. You're recovering. Soon you'll be out of the hospital and home with us."

"Not home." Mike ground out the words through clenched teeth.

"Yes, home. We are going to rebuild. Sooner than you think. Maybe we'll stay with Hank and Emily a little longer, but we are going to have our house back. I know we will."

His hands clung to hers. "I hope you're right, Bethy. If we can just get home, everything else will fall into place. I'm sure of it."

Beth fetched a pen from her purse and handed it to Mike. "Endorse the check." Hank was taking her to run errands after they were done at Rampart. He wouldn't mind stopping at the bank. "I'll deposit it when I'm done here." The whole check would go toward buying supplies. Mike would be discharged in a week, and she would take him to their house so he could see the men already at work on it. Until then, she would keep Marco and Chet's plan a secret.

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Violeta hated her life. She had hoped that the money Findel had given her and Jacinta would be enough to buy their freedom. A missionary from La Remanente had promised to help her get to a safe place. She hoped they would take Jacinta, too. The girl was seventeen. She'd only been here for a month. She still cried in her sleep for her mama. She shouldn't have to live this way.

The thought of leaving made Violeta a little queasy. She had lived in the brothel for a long time now. Her father had given her to Lobo when she was only fifteen, in payment of a debt. Mama had protested. She threatened to take Violeta's younger brothers back to America with her if he went through with it. Papa didn't listen. "It's her or you, Carmela. There's a reason God made you beautiful." He dragged his daughter upstairs and locked her in her room. She fell asleep listening to Mama cry in the next room. The next day, Lobo came. Papa offered him a choice between his daughter or his wife. Lobo chose the daughter. Violeta had belonged to him ever since. Lobo named her Violeta. He told her to forget that she was ever called anything else.

But she had refused to forget her name. Mama called her Catalina. It meant pure. The name no longer described her. She couldn't remember her birthday or her address-the address didn't matter anyway, as she could never go home. Still, she had to get out. She couldn't be one of Lobo's girls anymore. The longer she stayed with him, the more likely she was to end up like Maria. Findel was crazy if he thought she would really keep quiet about her best friend's death.

When she offered Lobo the money in exchange for her freedom, he laughed. He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close. "You belong to me. Everything you have is mine." He plucked the bills from her fingers. "That is never going to change." Out of the corner of one eye, Violeta saw Jacinta push her money deep into the pocket of her jeans.

Violeta had memorized La Remanente's phone number. Sor Isabel had told her to call any time, day or night. If she could get to the phone once they were back at the brothel, she would call and ask them to help her and Jacinta escape.

Lobo chose her to keep him company that night. Once he started snoring, she knew he would not awaken until dawn. Thank heavens he was a sound sleeper. She slipped out of bed and tiptoed out of the room and down the stairs. Everyone was sleeping. The phone would be unguarded. Lobo didn't think any of his girls had the courage to attempt an escape. She dialed the number and waited for an answer.

"Hola. La Remanente." The woman who answered sounded sleepy.

Violeta felt guilty for waking someone up, but she had to take this chance while she could. She kept her voice down, terrified that she would wake someone up. If Lobo found out, he would kill her. "Hello. I am Violeta. Sor Isabel said I could call any time. I am at the Burdel de la Rosa. I want out. Can you help me? There's a girl I want to bring with me."

"Can you be outside in fifteen minutes?" the voice asked. "Manuela will meet you."

"Yes. We'll be there." Hope swelled Violeta's heart.

Moving silently, she tiptoed into the room she and Jacinta shared. Thankfully, the young girl was alone tonight. Violeta shook Jacinta's shoulder and beckoned for her to get up. "Get dressed, quickly. We're leaving now." Jacinta's eyes lit up. She got out of bed and went to the closet. Together, the two young women looked for the most modest clothing they could find. As soon as they were dressed, they slipped out of the room and down the stairs. The door was locked to prevent escapes. Violeta crept into the office and found the key taped under the desk.

She unlocked the door, opened it, and the two women slipped out in search of freedom. Within three minutes after their escape, a car pulled up. The window lowered and a grey-headed woman inside asked, "Is one of you Violeta? I'm Manuela, from La Remanente."

"Si! Gracias!" The young women climbed into the backseat of the car. They hadn't brought anything with them beyond the clothing they wore. Violeta hoped Jacinta still had her two hundred dollars tucked into her pocket.

"Sor Isabel is getting a room ready for you," Manuela said. "You are safe now. I'm taking you to our house outside the city. You can choose new names if you want."

"I wish I could have my old name back," said Violeta. "I'm not sure, though… Mama called me Catalina. It means pure." Tears filled her eyes.

Manuela glanced back at her. "Catalina. A beautiful name. You should reclaim it. Honey, you didn't do anything wrong. You were forced into a terrible situation, and you didn't let it destroy you. You're brave and strong. You got yourself and your friend out."

Violeta… no, Catalina… nodded. "I don't feel strong." She rubbed a sleeve across wet eyes. "Manuela, my friend Maria. The American who bought time with us killed her. I want to tell the police, but some of them are clients of the brothel. They would make me go back."

Manuela frowned. "Most of the police here are corrupt, but I know a few good ones. I'll call Detective Castillo first thing in the morning, and you can make a report. He has helped us get girls to safety before."

"He's really safe?" Fear gripped Catalina. She wasn't sure she could talk with a man.

Manuela turned onto the highway. "Honey, I know it's scary. I promise that you will never be alone with the detective. Did Jacinta see what happened?"

"Yes." Catalina intertwined her fingers with Jacinta's. The younger girl was trembling. Catalina didn't know her story, but she knew what it was like to feel alone. "Sweetheart, you're my little sister now. We're going to be all right."

Jacinta gave a quick nod. Catalina wondered what her real name was. Eventually she would ask, but not here in front of a stranger, even a stranger who was rescuing them.

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*The extradition treaty between Mexico and the United States was signed in Mexico in May of 1978, and entered into force in January of 1980.