Thank you all for reading and reviewing my story. You all are awesome and I love all the reviews and feedback. Most of all I want to thank each and everyone of you that are staying with me. I had some rough times and I will admit I got writer's block. I am doing better now. The sadness is better but not gone. I doubt we ever get over the loved ones that we have lost. We just have to take it one day at a time.
With that being said let's go on with this on with the recap. A lot was revealed and some wasn't. There is more to come. This will probably be a few chapters until they get all of the criminals.
Recap Chapter 27
Let's start with the children who are with their families now. Their mom's are being taken care of and then they are going to jail for abuse of their children. The father and boyfriend will also be taken in soon. I wanted to get that out there first as all of you were worried about the little ones they are safe.
Dr. Betty Greene is relieved of her duties and is being questioned by Raymond Steele and Connie Bratcher, both CIA and FBI.
Wow Dr. Greene said she wasn't involved in all they are arresting her for. Sex Trafficking and the disappearance of young children. Of course she says she is innocent and they made a mistake. I loved it when Ray said I do not make mistakes.
Mrs. Ralston of The Family and Children's Services realizes she should never take the word of children like she did with Nathan. Kimberly and Jennifer. She was ashamed of herself. The office was backlogged but she knew that was no excuse.
While Ray is away questioning Dr. Greene.
Dr. Constella is checking the children. Nathan is scared and doesn't want to talk to Dr. Constella.
Christian walks over to him and tells him he was hurt when he was younger and then when he was older by a family friend. He thought she was right when she told him no one would believe a kid over an adult.
Jennifer asked him if he was hurt as a kid. He told her he was and the person was a friend of his mom's.
He said… so you see some people hurt you and scare you. They are not your friends, they are bad people. He told them all that they wanted to help them and no one was going to hurt them.
Little Nathan started talking and telling all that was wrong with him and then his sister Kimberly and finally Jennifer.
These little children had been beaten and were bruised in places that no one would look. They are brave little ones.
Ana and Dr. Constella got into an argument when Ana noticed that Dr. Constella was badgering Nathan. Wanting him to continue talking even though the little fellow was scared and crying.
Dr. Standridge walked in after hearing them yelling at each other. He told them to take a break. Dr. Constella refused at first but she knew better than to take it any further with the head of the hospital.
Christian took Ana out of the room to take a break. She told him about the courses she had taken in college for electives but then she realized she was hoping to him especially after what happened between them and seeing him walking out of the hotel with Elena Lincoln and her holding him up.
As they were walking back they saw Ray and told him what was going on. They walked back into the room and Ray found out all the abuse the children suffered.
Ana and Dr. Constella apologized to each other.
They left the hospital after the children were placed with family members to keep them safe.
They headed home to have their cookout and to see what else was coming from her Deep Sea Diving. Paula had a lot to show and tell them about.
A lot of secrets revealed…prisoners being questioned…arrest being made and some you won't believe I guarantee you will be floored and shaking your head.
There are a few surprises for them when they get home.
Chapter 28 What now
"Ana you won't believe what your Deep Sea Diving has pulled up? There are major players and then some..well I will let you look for yourself. You won't believe who all were and are involved with this Sex Trafficking Ring."
"I knew we were going to get more but with you saying all that I am beginning to worry more now than I was earlier today."
"Well all I can say is take a look and you will be mighty surprised at who all you see."
"What are you keeping from me Paula? You know I can read you like a book."
"Let me just say your dad talks on the phone too loud and I overheard him. That is all I am going to say besides he told me not to tell you. But you have a way of looking at me and bringing it all out."
"Alright I won't ask again. I will wait for daddy."
"Thank you Ana."
"Well might as well look at what my diving pulled up. Have a seat y'all. I figure this is going to take a while."
"Hey where is Elliot, Paula?"
"He had to do something at the safe house.."
Before she could say more Elliot was calling.
"Ana, I need you and Christian to get over here at the safe house immediately."
"Okay El, calm down, we are on the way now."
"What is going on Ana?"
"I don't know Paula but he sounded very upset."
"Come on Angel, let's go see what is going on."
"I'm glad it's not that far from us."
"Yeah me too. Paula, will you call Ray and let him know we are going to be at the safe house? Tell him he can go ahead and start the grill and cook whatever he wants. There are steaks, hamburgers and hotdogs. I think there is some chicken if he wants to BBQ."
Christian says all this running out the door behind Ana.
"Go I got it."
"Ana, Christian."
" Damn Jason, where did you come from? I didn't see you."
"I am always close by you both know this. Anyway El called me and said to bring you over to the safe house."
"Alright let's go."
"Jason did he tell you anything?"
"Just to get you two over there and he seemed concerned about something. He was talking to someone."
"Angel, have you already brought the medical staff on board at the safe house?"
"I have talked to them but no they are not supposed to be there until we get more guests coming in."
"Oh okay. Well we will find out soon."
They pull up at the house and Jason opens Ana's door and Christian slides out on her side.
They all walk toward the house with Jason.
"Cory what is going on?"
"I will let Elliot tell you all. All I know is we have some guests and they needed a place to stay. They are all very scared."
"So how many guests do we have?"
"There are three girls and four boys Christian. They look like they haven't eaten or bathed in weeks."
"Thank you Cory."
Jason walks in front of Ana and Christian not knowing what they are going to see.
Elliot comes walking out of the kitchen with plates in his hands.
"Hey y'all need some extra hands here please."
"Elliot what is going on?"
"Let's go feed these kids and I will let them explain it to you all if they can without breaking down again."
"Okay Elliot you have me worried now. Do I need to bring Social Services and medical services here?"
"Well you might have to after you hear their stories and the law or better yet your father."
"Come on Ana. Elliot, are they hurt?"
"I am not sure but they are malnourished and dirty. Some of them haven't eaten in weeks. They are hiding out. Come on and talk to them."
They walk into the living room with Elliot and seven sets of scared eyes are looking at them.
"It's alright y'all they are family. This is Ana, my sister in law and my brother Christian I was telling you all about. They are the ones that set up this safe house. The big guy beside Christian is one of their CPOs or bodyguards."
"Please children eat first then you can tell us what is going on. No one is going to hurt y'all. Are you all okay? Do any of you need medical help?"
"No ma'am we are all fine, just need food, a bath and a place to stay until you all call our parents. My name is Austin Banks. I guess you can say I'm the one that does the most talking for our little group."
"Nice to meet you Austin. Would you introduce your group to us please?"
"Yes ma'am. This is Tammy Snow. She is the one with the blue dress on. This is Dora Everrett she has on the red top and jeans and this one beside me is Rhonda Pritchett."
"Hello ladies, nice to meet you all."
They say hello back.
"This fellow here beside me is Kendall Forston Jr. The guy with the mohawk is Tommy Bowers and the one eating is Bobby Blackmon."
"Hello young men, nice to meet you all. I wish there were better circumstances for all of you. We are here to help you all and we will make sure you all get back home to your loved ones. Now eat all you want then we can talk."
"Thay you ma'am. You sure are nice and Mr. Elliot is too. He took us right in with no questions asked."
"Yes, that is my loving brother in law. Always wanting to help when he can."
"Elliot why were you here? Paula said that you were doing something for daddy."
"Come with me I know you didn't notice anything when you came in."
He takes her hand and pulls her back out the front door.
"Ana look up?"
"Oh my lord is that…is that the name he chose for the house?"
"Yes it is and I believe it is a perfect name for this place don't you all?"
"Oh my goodness yes I do and I love it."
Christian walks over to her and wipes her tears with his fingers.
"Don't cry love, this is the name this house was meant to have."
"I know you are right but I didn't think he would name it this. Elliot, does he have names for the other homes too?"
"I am not sure Ray hasn't said anything about any more signs."
"Wow well let's go back inside and hear these kids stories. I am wondering why there have been no missing children reports posted anywhere or on the news. Something does not sit right with me."
The children have eaten and are watching TV.
"Can we turn this off for now? We need to talk to you all."
"Yes ma'am."
"Thank you. Now first of all where are you all from?"
"Austin, why don't you start?"
"Yes sir. I am fourteen years old and I live here in Charleston with my mom and dad and older brother Trey. My parents are Denny and Mary Banks. I got separated from my brother at the beach and by the time I got back where we were I couldn't find him. Someone came up behind me and grabbed me and put a cloth over my nose. I woke up in a dirty basement that had water all over the floor."
"Thank you Austin. How long have you been missing from home?"
"If memory serves me right, four weeks."
"Bobby, would you like to go next?"
"Yes ma'am. I am fourteen years old and I also live here in Charleston with my parents Allen and Dottie Blackmon and my younger sister Kelly. Whoever took me was going after my sister. I scared them away from her and she ran. They got me before I got too far from the playground. Some big man grabbed my arm and dragged me to his white van."
"How long have you been missing?"
"Three weeks, why hasn't anyone found us?"
"We don't know but we are going to find out. First thing we are going to do is call your parents. I am sure you all know their phone numbers right?"
"Yes ma'am we do. They took my phone and smashed it on the ground."
"Dora I am sorry about your phone and all of your phones if you had one on you. We will make sure they are replaced."
"Dora, how did they get you?"
"Well to start with I am thirteen years old. I was at the mall with my mom shopping. Well we live close to the beach and we went shopping at the mall in Myrtle Beach, S.C. While mom was in the dressing room I was looking around. She told me to stay with her but I wandered off. I know I shouldn't have but I saw some cute shirts that I wanted to try on. I started back over to the dressing rooms and some lady told me my mom was at the register up front. I walked that way and didn't see her and when I turned around I had a gun in my back. She told me to be quiet and no one would get hurt."
She starts crying.
"Honey it's alright, take a break and you can finish in a little while."
"No ma'am I need to finish this please?"
"Alright go ahead."
"I walked out of the store with the woman and she took my arm and told me if I made a sound or alerted anyone she would shoot me. I thought to myself shoot me. That would have caused everyone to come running even my mom and I didn't want her shot. So I stayed quiet and went with her. She opened the door of a white van and threw me in the back. I hit my head and when I woke up I had a headache and was in a dark room that smelled like mildew."
"Thank you hun and how long have you been missing?"
"May I see your calendar please?"
Ana pulled her calendar up on her phone.
"Almost a month tomorrow. She took me on the 10th of last month."
"Thank you honey. Herr drink this water and rest."
"Why don't we all take a break for a little while. We are going to call your parents. Thank you all for the phone numbers."
"Mrs. Trevelyan, may I ask you a question?"
"Yes Rhonda you can."
"Do you know Mary Pritchett?"
"Mary, she is blonde and blue eyed with a small limp when she walks. She has worked for me for two years. I believe she is packing."
"Yes ma'am she does and she thinks the world of you. She is so happy you gave her a job with her disability no one else would. They said it would slow her down. It's not her fault she was born with one leg shorter than the other."
"I thought you looked familiar to me but I know I never met you. Your mom is an amazing person and I couldn't ask for someone that can do their job as fast as she can."
"Thank you ma'am. By the way we all thought that was you and Mr. Trevelyan when you walked in the house."
"I take it you all know what happened to us and that I was an FBI Agent right?"
"Yes ma'am we do and I am sure everyone knows it."
"Okay now would you all like some ice cream and my chocolate cake?"
"Oh yes please."
Christian and Ana walk off to the kitchen and prepare the dessert for the kids.
"Christian what is going on? There are no reports of missing children. I am beginning to wonder if the parents or the cops didn't report them missing."
"I agree with you love. Let's have Paula pull their names and see what she finds. If they were reported missing by the parents then there are problems within the police force."
They walk into Ana's office and close the door.
"Paula hey I need you to pull the names of these seven children and see if they were reported missing by their parents please."
"Seven…did you say seven children?"
"Yes Paula I did. Here are their names, are you ready?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Tommy Bowers is from Charleston, S.C. he is 13 years old."
"Bobby Blackmon is from Charleston, S.C. he is 14 years old."
"Austin Banks is from Charleston, S.C. he is 14 years old."
"Kendall Fortson Jr. He is 14 years old and he is from East Point, Ga."
"Alright now the girls' names."
"Dora Everrette, she is 13 years old from Myrtle Beach. S.C."
"Rhonda Pritchett, she is 14 years old and is from Charleston, S.C."
"Tammy Snow, she is 14 years old and from Hapeville, Ga."
"Well hun as we speak the names are popping up like crazy. I am sending this to you on your phone. Wait, are you in your office there at the house?"
"Yes Paula fax it over to me."
"Ana, all these kids were reported missing by their parents weeks ago. I don't understand why the cops didn't follow up on this. Something is definitely wrong here. I wonder what the cops are telling the parents and why there are no news reports on them."
"Yes we are wondering the same thing. Paula, do you have a list of who the parents talked to and when?"
"Yes Ana that is coming your way. Girl I am so glad you don't have your other laptop here. I would never have been able to get on it."
"Yes you would have. Dav knows how to bypass the voice."
"Well he is not here right now."
"Alright I have all the information. Has daddy got there?"
"Yes he is outside with the grill."
"Tell him to hold off. Show him the papers you are sending me. He needs to know about this now."
"You got it."
"Thank you, see you later. Order you and daddy some food. This is going to take a while."
"Alright."
Paula heads out back to talk to Ray.
"Hey Ray, I need to show you some papers. Ana said hold off on cooking. This is very important and disturbing. Come on with me to the office."
Ray turns the grill off and follows Paula into the house to the office.
"What's going on Paula?"
"Here read these and I will explain what Ana told me."
As Ray looks at the papers Paula can see the veins popping out on his forehead and neck. This isn't good.
"Ray these kids have been missing for weeks and no telling how many more. Ana didn't say anything about any of the others, just the ones she told me about."
"What the hell is all of this? I mean I know what it is but why hasn't the law reported this and followed up on it. What the hell is going on?"
"Ana is trying to find out. She has the kids there with them at the safe house. Elliot called them and told them they needed to be at the safe house immediately as soon as they got home. They have been there ever since with Jason and all the security guards."
"There is mention of missing kids in any of the precincts. I don't see any ransom letters from the parents. I wonder what the hell the parents are thinking of our boys that are supposed to keep us all safe. My guess is not much right now."
"Ana is calling their parents as we speak."
"Alright, I am going over there. You're welcome to come with me and we will cook over there. Let's grab the food and the sides. I think there is more than enough to feed everyone there."
"Let me grab a cooler for the food and one for the sides. I know they have food there but this way no one has to go to the store so soon again."
"Good idea Paula. I knew I liked you for some reason."
He hugs her.
"Ha ha..I love you papa Ray."
"I love you Ms. Paula, you are another daughter to me."
"Come on old man, let's go before you have me crying."
They load everything up and head over to the safe house.
"Annie, we are on our way over with all the food. There is more than enough for everyone. Tell one of the guys to get the big double grill fired up. I am cooking."
"Yes sir I will get right on it."
"Have you called the parents?"
"Yes sir but I didn't tell them anything. I didn't want it getting back to the cops before we know what is going on. I just said we needed to talk to them about the kids. After I told them who I was and they were more than happy to just come on over."
"Yeah it's amazing what your name can do for you."
"See you all soon."
Conversations with the parents
"Hello, this is the Snow residents. How may I help you?"
"Yes hello my name is Anastastia Trevelyan I would like to speak to Mr. and Mrs. Snow please if they are available."
"One moment Mrs. Trevelyan I will let them know you are calling."
"Thank you."
"Yes ma'am."
"Hello Mrs. Trevelyan, this is Thomas Snow. How may I assist you?"
"Mr. Snow is your wife with you sir?"
"Yes ma'am she is."
"Mr. Snow, I need for you and your wife to come to Charleston, S.C with another couple Mr. and Mrs. Kendall Fortson. They live in East Point, Ga. Y'all are not that far away from each other."
"May I ask what this is pertaining to Mrs. Trevelyan?"
"Yes sir, I have information on your daughter Tammy Snow. My jet is being ready as we speak. I have a driver that will pick you and your wife up and carry you to the airport. I am doing this as it is a long drive to my house in Charleston from where you are at. Can you and your wife be ready in an hour?"
"Yes ma'am we can be ready at any time."
"Thank you sir. Now I will inform my pilot that you will be there within the next two hours."
"Mrs. Trevelyan, are you still FBI?"
"No sir, I retired when I got married. My dad still is."
"Okay I wasn't sure. I know what you did to help your husband."
"We will see you all soon sir."
"Yes ma'am."
Ana called the Fortson's and explained the same to them and they agreed to fly to Charleston on the jet also.
Ana called all the parents and explained to them a little about why she needed to see them. After they realized that this was Ana Steele-Trevelyan, former FBI Captain they had no problem riding over to the safe house.
The Pritchetts were more than ready to find out any information on their daughter Rhonda and they knew Ana as she was Mary's boss at the Baby food plant.
They have a driver there in Myrtle Beach that is going to bring the Everretts to Charleston so they don't have to drive.
Ray and Paula arrived with enough food to feed an Army and then some.
While they were waiting for the parents to arrive Ana and Paula called some places and had some clothes and shoes delivered to the house for the kids. They all took long baths since they hadn't had one in a while.
"Mrs. Trevelyan, are my parents on the way?"
"Yes Tammy and yours are to Kendall. We are flying them here in one of our jets that stays in Atlanta."
"WOW you have jets?"
"Yes we do."
"Oh wow does that mean we get to ride in one on the way back home?"
"Yes hun it does."
"Oh wow that is awesome. I can't wait to see my parents but I want to see this jet."
"Dora I have a driver that lives in one of my beach houses that is bringing your parents down here. They should be here within two hours."
"Thank you ma'am I was wondering if they were driving. I know how anxious my mom gets at times and she would probably have run my dad crazy. Saying "speed up, slow down..like she always does."
"We want them all to be safe."
"Kids this is my father Ray Steele he is going to grill some hotdogs, hamburgers, steaks, ribs, chicken and whatever else he has in those coolers for all of us to eat. Can you all eat again later?"
"Oh lordy yes ma'am we haven't eaten like this since we got taken from our parents. I can eat two steaks on my own."
Ray laughs.
"Nice to meet you kids."
"Nice to meet you sir. Can I help with anything? Dad says I am pretty good on the grill with him."
"Well young man, what is your name since my daughter forgot her manners and didn't introduce any of you to me?"
"Oh daddy I am sorry. This is Austin Banks that is talking to you. This is Tommy Bowers, Bobby Blackmon and Kendall Fortson Jr."
"Very nice to meet you boys."
"Same here sir. they all say"
The young ladies standing side by side are Rhonda Pritchett, Dora Everrette and Tammy Snow."
"Pleasure to meet you lovely ladies."
"Our pleasure to meet you kind sir."
"Well now young man let's go and get this food on the grill. Annie, you are making the slaw and chili right?"
"Yes daddy I am. I am also fixing baked beans and potato salad. I also made two gallons of my sweet tea."
As Ray and Austin make their way out the back door. The girls ask if they can help.
"Ladies, I am going to the kitchen. Anyone who wants to help or just come and sit is welcome."
"Angel, I am going to the office to read over some papers. I will let you know what I find out."
"Alright Boo."
"Wait a minute y'all. Who is Angel and who is Boo?"
"Oh sorry, those are our special names for each other."
"Oh that is so sweet."
Christian laughs.
"I will see you ladies later."
He walks off to the office.
Jason walks in and sits down on the couch.
"What's on your mind Jason?"
"You know me so well."
"Well yeah but I think Ana knows everyone better than I do. Even though you have been with me longer than with her. She can read us like a damn book."
"Yeah that little lady can. Barney was just saying you can't put anything over on her."
"Oh Barney just says that so she will fix him her Cinnamon rolls."
They both laugh but know it is true what Barney said.
"Alright now I did some checking and there is a lot of money changing hands from America to the offshore accounts. I am talking about big money, not chump change."
"Do we have names Jason Taylor?"
"Of course sir we do. Welch has been on this since we found out about the men abusing the women and kids sir. Like Ana said something is rotten in Denmark and the one I like is "Beam me up Scottie."
"Well are you going to tell me or do I have to start pulling it out of you like pulling teeth?"
"I would like to wait on Ray if you don't mind. Ana needs to be here too. I will tell you it has to do with the Police Commissioner and some of his men in different states. The loan shark in Vegas has his hands in a lot of dirty pots. That is just a few. Anyway the parents are here. We will talk later tonight sir."
"Thank you for telling me that much Jason. By the way, where is Gail?"
"She is at our house."
"Call her and have one of the guys bring her over here to eat with us. This is going to be a long night."
"Yes sir right away."
Jason steps out and calls Gail and tells her to have Luke bring her over to the safe house.
"Ana, excuse me love but some of the parents are here."
"Thank you, I will be there in a few minutes. Will you take the girls and the boys out back with Ray and come back in. I don't want them all getting excited right now as we need to talk to them first."
"Alright."
"Ladies, is that alright with you all? It won't be too long but we need to find out why there were never any missing reports on you all. I hope you all understand."
"Yes Mrs. Trevelyan we do. We will go outside with Mr. Steele. Just tell our parents we love them."
"Yes ma'am I sure will."
Christian gathers up the boys and goes outside to let them all know that they need to stay out here while he and Ana talk to their parents.
As Christian is coming back in the house he sees the parents walking in with Jason.
"Mary it is good to see you and you to Quentin. I am sure you both are wondering why we asked you to come here. Well why we asked all of you to come here?"
"Good to see you Ana and Christian. Please tell us what is going on with our children?"
"Mrs. Trevelyan, my name is Denny Banks and this is my wife Pasty."
"Mrs. Trevelyan, my name is Tanner and this is my wife Amy Bowers."
"Mrs. Trevelyan, my name is Allen and this is my wife Dottie Blackmon."
"Very nice to meet you all and this is my husband Christian and our CPO Jason Taylor. My father is out back grilling supper for everyone. You will meet him later. There are three more couples that will be here later as they do not live here."
"Mrs. Trevelyan you said you had information on our children. Do you know what happened to them? The cops are giving us the runaround."
The opening she needs.
"Yes, that is what we need to talk to you all about. Please come into the living room and have a seat. Can I get you all a beverage? We have sweet tea, coffee and water."
"Water is fine for us."
They all agree to water.
"Ana I will get it."
"Thank you Jason."
"I know this is going to come as a shock to all of you but from what I have gathered the police force never put out a missing report on your children. As of right now we do not know why."
"Why would they not do that? They told us they did and they would have it on the news soon."
"Mrs. Banks we are trying to figure that out. As you all know I was FBI and my dad still is. We are not pushing for answers right now to talk to the police force and who all were involved with the statements you all made regarding your children missing."
"Why in the world not?"
"Well we believe there is more going here. There was no reason for them to not post the missing children within the twenty four hour time period after you all reported them missing. I have the reports where you all filed your children missing and from where. What I don't have is who all the police talked to after you all gave your statements and gave them pictures of your children and what they were last seen wearing."
"So you are saying there is something else going on?"
"Yes Mr. Bowers I am but I can not divulge the information until I am positive who all is involved. I will say that your children were not the only ones abducted. Did anyone ever call or send a letter asking for a ransom amount for your children?"
"No ma'am we never received anything."
"None of you at all?"
"No ma'am and the police kept putting us off talking to the news people. We wanted it posted on every news channel there was but they said not right now."
"That is strange. I don't quite understand why they would do something like that."
"I am not sure Mrs. Trevelyan but I feel like they are stalling and not wanting us to broadcast live about our children."
"Thank you all for your time and as late as it is supper will be ready a little later. Daddy is grilling and I have to finish the sides. Please stay the night so we can talk more in the morning. There are plenty of rooms for everyone. I have 3 more sets of parents coming later as they are flying in and driving a longer distance. We would like to talk to all of you."
"I think that would be alright. What do you all say?"
They all agreed.
"Christian will you go out back and tell daddy everyone is staying to eat and you know what you need to do."
"Yes Ana I will and yes ma'am I surely do. Be right back."
"Could I get you all anything else why we are waiting for supper?"
"No ma'am we are fine thank you."
"Lordy mercy what is all that racket Mrs. Trev…oh my god that is Rhonda."
"Rhonda honey, come here to momma and daddy."
They are all crying as they see their kids.
"Tommy…Oh Tanner…Tommy come here."
Mrs. Bowers screams and takes off running to grab her boy.
"Mom, I missed you and dad so much."
"Mom, dad."
"Austin come here…oh my gosh my boy is home."
She looks him over from his head to his feet.
"Austin are you alright son?"
"Yes dad I am. Mrs. Trevelyan and her husband fed us all and bought us new clothes and shoes. God, I am so happy to be home."
"Bobby… my little Bobby."
HIs mom breaks down crying on the floor and Bobby goes and sits with her hugging her and telling her he is with her.
"I have missed you so much mom and dad, where is Kelly?"
"She is with your grandparents. You will see her tomorrow. She will be so happy to see you."
His father says hugging him tightly to him and crying like a baby. He doesn't care who sees him, his son is home, that is all that matters.
"Hello everyone. Looks like a right bunch of happy families."
"Everyone this is my father Raymond Steele FBI and CIA. He is also our grilling master tonight."
"Hello Mr. Steele you have one fine young lady right here and a son in law."
"Thank you Mr. Banks and let me say you have one smart young man here. He has been helping me grill our supper and doing a mighty fine job if I do say so myself."
"Well thank you sir, yes he is a whiz when it comes to grilling and his cooking isn't bad either."
He says as he ruffles his son's hair.
"Ana excuse me but just got word that the Fortsons and Snows will be here in ten minutes and the Everettes are twenty minutes out."
"Thank you Jason that gives me enough time to finish my side dishes."
"Mrs. Trevelyan, would you like some help?"
"Please call me Ana and no thank you. You all sit right here or go out back on the deck and spend time with your children. The girls helped me earlier and everything is almost finished but thank you so much for asking."
Ana got the sides finished just in time for the other parents to get there.
"Ana, the other parents have arrived love."
"Perfect timing just got everything finished. I need to take the paper plates and sides to the dining room and some to the bar for the children to sit and eat."
"What can I do?"
"Carry the tray with the condiments on it to the side table that we will be using so everyone can add what they want on their food. Then come back and grab the plastic ware and cups. Thank you Boo."
"My pleasure my lady."
"Would you tell Gail to come in here please. Yes I saw her when you opened the door."
He laughed.
"Yes love I will."
"Ana my dear your hubby said you needed to see me. What can I help you with?"
"Would you please take this dish of baked beans and sit on the bar for the kids along with this dish of chili. I already had Christian take the condiments out to the side table. I am bringing the slaw and potato salad. We should have everything I think."
"Oh don't fuss if we need something we will get it."
"Where did Paula go? I haven't seen much of her?"
"I think she was in your office on your laptop when I got here a little while ago. Do you need me to go and get her for you?"
"Oh just tell her and Elliot supper is ready."
"Elliot is outside with Ray telling him how to grill."
She says laughing.
Ana has her famous salad and vinaigrette wine dressing on her tray and almost drops it after she hears Gail tell her what her knothead brother in law is doing.
"Whoa, hold on. Here let me help you."
"I am alright Gail, you just surprised me with what you said about El. Is he still alive? You know how daddy is about his grilling."
"Yes he is still alive or he was a while ago."
"Alright Ana go sit your stuff down at the table and go meet your guests."
"Oh lord I forgot about them damn."
"It will be alright."
Ana walks out with her tray and sits it down and walks over to the other group of parents. They are hugging their kids like crazy.
"Oh my god Mr. and Mrs. Trevelyan I don't know how you have my son Kendall Jr. here but I am so happy and thankful you do. You just don't know what it has been like with him."
"No sir I don't as we do not have any children right now. I can look at all of your faces and see the love and compassion you all have for each other. I am glad they are all here with you all now."
"Mr. and Mrs. Snow welcome to our safe house and I am happy you have your daughter back with you."
"Thank you Mrs. Trevelyan."
"Alright now folks we are Christian and Ana please call us by our names."
"Mr. and Mrs. Everrette, so glad you made it. I know one little girl that missed her parents so much she told me a lot about you both while I was doing my side dishes."
"Thank you Ana so much for keeping her safe. For keeping all the children safe."
"It was my pleasure but my brother in law was here when they all got here. So thank him as well. He was feeding them all when we arrived."
"Now shall we all go and eat this lovely meal that has been prepared for all of us. My father Raymond Steele grill master extraordinar."
"Yes, by all means let's partake because it smells heavenly."
They all walk to the dining room table and the children go to the bar that will see ten people.
They all sat and ate and talked about their families and especially about the children.
After everyone was finished eating. The children went outside with security to play or just sit and talk amongst themselves.
"You know Austin we need to tell Mrs. T. about the other kids that are still there. They were too scared to come with us. I sure wished they had though."
"Yes we will after they all get through drinking their coffee and talking. You all know we are staying here tonight right? Mom and dad said Mr. and Mrs. Trevelyan wanted to talk to all the parents in the morning and find out why we were never reported missing."
"Yes we all know. Did y'all see the sign that Mr. T.'s brother put up outside?"
"Yes I did and I believe it is the perfect name for this safe house. I am sure glad we found it. I remember mom saying they were renovating old homes and hotels for safe houses, food banks and soup kitchens."
"You all know we are not but maybe two or three hours from where they kept us."
"Yes we know and so glad to be out of there. Austin if you hadn't got that key that was dangling from his pocket we would still be there. I hope they can get Libby, Jacob, Tyler, Courtney and Amos out of there soon."
"Come on, let's go and tell them where we came from and who all are still there. Y'all remember they said they were moving us all in two days. SO we better tell them now. I am sure Mr. Ray will work his guys to find them."
All of the children walk back into the house and sit with their parents.
"What is going on? Y'all are too quiet?"
"Ms. Ana there are more kids where we ran away tried to get them to come with us but they were too scared to run out the door."
"Oh my lord, how many more are there and where are they at?"
"There are five more, two girls and three boys all about our ages."
"Can you describe the place you were being held at for us?"
"Yes sir and we can take you there?"
"How far away is this place?"
"We think no more than two, maybe three hours. We ran for a long time then stopped and took off again. But we know where it is at. It is close to some run down mills that are no longer working. The men and women said they were going to move us to the ships in two days."
"We are sorry we didn't say anything sooner but we were starved and thirsty and our brains weren't working right. We hope it's not too late to save them."
"No, no, don't feel like that. It's alright we understand. Christian and I understand we have been in the same way you all have. I am sure you all know about the bombing of my baby food plant. Well Christian and I were in the plant when it happened and we were deprived of food, water and air. It's hard to comprehend when you are without all of that for a long period of time."
"Don't worry your head young man, we will get them all out and arrest the ones that put you all there."
"Thank you Mr. Ray."
"Do any of you remember what they looked like?"
"Yes we all do. They never blindfolded us and they talked right there in front of us."
"Good, good if we show you some pictures, could you identify any of them?"
"Yes sir and we can give you some names now. Like I said they talked right there with us in the room."
"Oh my lord they thought they were going to get away with y'all. That's why they didn't care what they said."
They all nodded their heads.
"Okay do you all remember how many people were there at any given time and did they have people outside like guards?"
"There were usually three or four inside and they had men outside at the doors. Yeah there were two doors. One in the front, one in the back. It was like an old office building but we were all in the basement I guess that's what it was. We had to walk down some old rickety stairs to get down to the place they put us. There was light except what came through cracks in the walls."
"Do y'all remember any signs or names?"
"I saw blue signs with the words Belk on it."
"Oh my lord daddy, they are at the old Belk manufacturing plant that made pillows for the hotels on the island. They were so soft."
"Children y'all have done an awesome job remembering all of this. Now who can tell us some names of the kidnappers?"
"We never heard any last names, just first names every once in a while but we all know what they look like."
The children started popping off names right and left.
"Ocar, Stella, Jamie. I remember someone called Mr. Sayers and another had a weird name like Linc or something like that. They were the ones inside most of the time."
"Can you tell us what this Linc guy looked like?"
"Sure can, he had beady brown eyes, yellow skin like he was sick and smelled of liquor all the time. He was skinny and barely had any hair. Looked like his nose had been broken a few times and a nasal voice I guess from the broken nose."
"Yep Ray that is Linc."
"That was Elena Lincoln's ex husband wasn't it?"
"Yes it was."
"Hey, who is this Lincoln woman? They mentioned her name and a few other women's names when they were all into their liquor. I guess they didn't think we were awake or listening to them."
"Why did they talk about them? Did they say anything else?"
"Yeah they were drinking heavily and the guy Linc he was cussing her out and talking about another woman that didn't know her place something like Grace or Gracie or Grey. Then he got real quiet."
"Oh my god what are these people up to?"
"I don't know for sure Christian but we have a whole task force standing by and waiting on Captain Steele- Trevelyan's signal to proceed."
Ana looks like a deer caught in the headlights and Christian is stunned and having trouble comprehending what the hell is going on with his wife.
!
That's all for now. Hang on don't shoot me chapter 29 is right behind this one. I am editing it.
Thank you all, I hope you like the little secrets that keep popping up. There is more to come. Oh my they are waiting on Ana's signal… How can that be? She isn't FBI anymore or is she? We will find out next chapter why and who authorized Ana to be back.
Are you all wondering what Ray named the safe house? Can you figure it out?
Thank you all for the wonderful reviews. They mean the world to me.
Until next chapter
Linda
octobemist11