Monday, July 4, 2022

You Do What You Have To - 27


 

Robin arched an eyebrow. "Do you remember everything I tell you?"

 

"Jeez, it was only last night. Besides, it's not as if I've known you for years. It hasn't even been twenty-four hours."

 

For a moment Robin was startled. It feels like a lot longer than that, and not in a bad way. Well—maybe not bad. He's sort of getting under my skin, even in such a short time. My protective instincts kicking in? Yeah. Probably. He smiled to himself. He's got them too, it seems. Worrying about how Mackenzie treats me.

 

"I might be able to tail them," Robin said thoughtfully.

 

"Or get someone in your organization to do it, if you're afraid you'd be spotted before you decide how to approach them?"

 

"Afraid?" Robin cocked his head, looking at Micky, repressing a grin. "Was that a challenge?"

 

"No," Micky protested. "I didn't mean it that way."

 

"I know. I was teasing." Robin looked at the list again, specifically the names of the two men he knew about.

 

One, Carter Vaughn, ran an online dating service connecting Western men with women in Third World countries. On the surface it was as legit as any such site that panders to men looking for what they hope will be a submissive foreign bride. However, Robin was certain there was more to it, especially since Vaughn was connected to Mackenzie. Is Mackenzie thinking about expanding to international child sex trafficking? If so…

 

The second man owned a well-known escort service, which even advertised in some of the smaller, local newspapers. It was a closely kept secret, but one Robin was aware of, thanks to his association with Mackenzie, that Karl Tanzer would provide underage girls, and boys, to his "special" clients for a hefty price.

 

If the other three men on this list are also connected to child prostitution, I'd better get my ass in gear and give the names to Eldon so he can check out the other ones. 

 

Taking out his phone, Robin punched in a number. The call would be encrypted, as were all the ones he made to Eldon.

 

"Yo," Eldon said when he answered the phone.

 

"Do you ever just say 'Hello'? Even 'This is your captain speaking' would be better than 'Yo'," Robin replied, thus ensuring that Eldon knew it was him and he was free to talk.

 

"So what do you have for me?" Eldon asked. "Hopefully not trouble."

 

"I'm not in trouble, if that's what you're worried about. I've got two things. One, a list of five names. I know who two of them are, but check them as well." Robin read them off to Eldon.

 

"Got it. What's the second thing?"

 

"I have the guy who found the list." Robin glanced at Micky, who was listening intently to Robin's end of the conversation. "Or more, he found Darren Walker's wallet, and the list was in it."

 

"Why the hell do you have him?"

 

"Because right now, both Mackenzie and Olivia Hummel would like to get their hands on him."

 

"You're certain he's not a plant? And where do you have him?"

 

"He's not, and at my place."

 

 

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