Who Will Find Them?

A cell phone rang at 2:45 p.m. The caller was beyond irate and demanded his money back. He had been eagerly awaiting a delivery that had never arrived. If he weren’t fully reimbursed the original fee plus an additional inconvenience fee of 20%, bodies would fall. Tiffany, the woman receiving the call, did her best to appease the irate customer, explaining as best as she could that, unfortunately, unforeseen problems arise from time to time, but he would be made whole, plus his next order was on the house. Upon hearing the counteroffer, the caller dialed back the rhetoric.

“When shall I expect my package?”

“Two days, three at the most. I will handle everything personally. Are we good?”

“We’re good, but this is your one and only chance to get it right. Good day!”

            Tiffany couldn’t contain her outrage any longer and slammed the phone down on a high-end coffee table, not caring if she had scratched it or not.

“That pervert needs to be taught some manners. Billy, I want you to take a couple of the boys and remind him just who he’s talking to.”

“Are you sure that’s a wise thing to do, ma’am? He is one of our best customers, and he has a lot of connections.”

“I’ve been in this business longer than you’ve been alive, and if there is one thing I know for sure, it’s you can’t let anyone push you around. I’d go with you, but I have that ceremony to get ready for.”

“Oh, that’s tonight, isn’t it? Getting an award from the governor is impressive. I find it amazing that you’ve been able to keep both businesses separate from each other.”

“It hasn’t been that difficult. After all, I was one of those discarded kids many years ago, so I understand the system. The important thing to remember is very few people actually care what happens to the kids once they are handed off to the foster care system. You know how it works. My front company takes abandoned children in and places them in group homes. Some of them will be reunited with a family member, but most are destined to live out their childhood in the system. My shadow company takes in the permanently abandoned ones and periodically moves them from location to location so permanent bonds are never formed. Then, when a request comes in for farm or meat packing laborers, or sex workers anywhere in the world, we can fill the order for a healthy profit. It’s a great business. The do-gooders get to protect their consciences by giving me awards for my humanitarian work, while the greed mongers, many of whom attend these same functions, pay me for cheap labor or other services, but they all know what’s going on behind the scenes. By the way, have we found out how his order got screwed up?”

“It’s still too early yet, but I’m sure we’ll know something before you leave for your gala.”

Tiffany left Billy in charge of operations for the rest of the afternoon. She had nails to be filed and painted, hair to be coiffured, and the perfect dress to slip into. The idea was to look stylish but not over-the-top wealthy. Jewelry would be limited to a couple of rings displaying moderate-size stones, matching bracelets, and a necklace with a single pendant exhibiting a purple butterfly, symbolizing a lost child as well as the company’s logo. Her visual image would indeed be the envy of every woman attending tonight’s gala.

On her way out to the limo, Billy cut her off.

“Boss, you need to see this before you leave.”

He held out a tablet that was playing a local news feed in front of her.

“Breaking News: Local bus driver disrupts a human trafficking attempt, saving a young girl. More information as it becomes available.”

“I thought you should look at this before you go to your party because I’m sure everyone will be talking about it.”

“You’re right, Billy, they will be. And now we know why our delivery didn’t make it. See what else you can find out, and we’ll go over it in the morning. I have to go.”

“Enjoy your night, Boss. This is all about you.”

Tiffany did all she could to calm her nerves while quickly striding from the back of the large home to a waiting limo. This was supposed to be a fun evening with people of wealth and power fawning all over her. She would garner unlimited praise for the beautiful and selfless deeds she was constantly bestowing on the poor defenseless children in this country. Yes, that’s how the evening was supposed to go; before a big-mouth little brat and an interfering bus driver ruined it all for her. Now she would need to be constantly on her guard, avoiding any leading questions, dodging references of connections with the girl, and forcefully condemning every evildoer in the world. All these thoughts were roiling around in her mind as she sat almost motionless in the back of the limo. The only indication that something troubling was bothering her was a constant subconscious rubbing of her right wrist. It was a subliminal reminder of a darker time in her life when she was fourteen and shackled to a bed in the basement of a wealthy man. She always wore a loose-fitting bracelet on that wrist to hide the small scar created by the handcuff.

Tiffany arrived at the civic center to uproarious applause and cheers from the throng of well-wishers waiting to greet her at the front entrance. Men were dressed in tuxedos while the women were resplendent in low-cut evening gowns and glittering jewelry. It was clear that every attendee was from the wealthy side of town. As the guest of honor scanned the adoring crowd, she spotted several customers. It made her feel justified knowing that she wasn’t the only hypocrite here tonight.

A quartet played smooth jazz as the attendees haphazardly meandered into the main ballroom where tables with nametags were waiting for their guests. Waitstaff stood along the walls anticipating the start of festivities. Tiffany was the last person to enter, and when she did, everyone stood. The room erupted in raucous applause and cheers. Any inhibitions or misgivings she may have had about this event or her being worthy of such an honor were quickly laid to rest. This was her night, and she was going to enjoy every minute of it.

A familiar voice crashed into her happy thoughts like a sledgehammer into a plaster wall.

“You’ve done well for yourself, my dear.”

Tiffany immediately began rubbing her wrist as she turned and stared down at the man in the wheelchair. Her demeanor shifted from dominant to timid.

“I wasn’t expecting to see you here, Master. Are you sure you’re up for this?”

“Miss an event honoring my favorite little sparrow, ridiculous. I will always be with you, especially on nights such as these. Unless, of course, you would prefer I leave.”

“Of course not. I’m honored that you found the time to be here, Reverend Lancaster.”

Their conversation ended as quickly as it started as Tiffany rapidly scanned the room to see if any of the guests were watching her exchange with the elderly man. Her wrist was becoming raw from the heavy abuse she was inflicting upon it. She felt as though her feet were frozen in a block of ice, unable to move in any direction. Sensing her distress, the head waiter came to her assistance and guided her to the head table. He also signaled for an associate to help the wheelchair guest to his table.

Once seated among doting dignitaries, Tiffany quickly regained most of her composure. She wasn’t one hundred percent in control because she could see her former abuser and current boss situated only two tables away. This was not going to be the night she had expected.

The band paused as the master of ceremonies walked to the podium. It was time for the night’s festivities to begin. He began the way most MCs do by telling a couple of jokes to put the crowd in an upbeat mood. Next, he introduced the various dignitaries that were scheduled to speak, including the mayor, the governor, and lastly, Tiffany. With the mention of her name, the room erupted in raucous cheers and applause. Even Reverend Lancaster, finding himself caught up in the moment, cheered and clapped enthusiastically. This was quite uncharacteristic for a man who took pride in his outwardly stoic demeanor.

Tiffany rose from her seat and, in a gesture of humility, bowed to her adoring audience several times. Yes, this was indeed her night even if the Reverend had shown up to emphasize just who was still in charge. No one was going to take this away from her.

The speeches droned on as they always do at these events. Everyone sat politely feigning interest while discreetly checking their watches. Finally, the governor called Tiffany up to the stage. She rose from her seat, carefully climbed the short staircase to the stage, and took her place next to the governor while the audience offered a round of applause. Once again, the governor thanked her for all that she had done for the community and the poor abandoned children of the state and presented her with a plaque and a check for $500,000.

Tiffany spent the next five minutes expressing her gratitude for the award and the check. She told the adoring crowd that she had great plans for the money, including expanding the reach of her operation to include helping more children. As the gala wrapped up, attendees approached Tiffany before they left to personally congratulate her and wish her luck. One of the last people to do so was Reverend Lancaster. As he approached, Tiffany reflexively reached for her wrist but stopped her hand before it reached its target.

“You are definitely the belle of the ball, my little sparrow. I’m glad I got to share this with you. The accolades you received tonight only confirm that I made the right choice all those years ago. Please don’t forget to take care of that little incident in New York City tomorrow.”

“I’ve already got people working on it, starting with that interfering bus driver.”

“Very well then, I leave it in your capable hands.”

Having nothing else to talk about, the Reverend motioned for his attendant to wheel him to his waiting limo.

Tiffany’s car was brought to her, and she quickly got in and was driven home. On the way, she replayed the evening's events in her mind. One thing stood out as clear as the full moon overhead: the Reverend had to go, and soon. It was simply deciding on the best way for it to happen.