Page 22 of Babe's Bounty
“She’s fine. Her parents are with her and they asked to talk with you.”
“I heard the other woman didn’t make it?”
“No, she didn’t. Her injuries were too severe. I’m sorry. Did you know her?”
“No, I didn’t. I saw them both on the street and pulled over to help. Do you know the name of the woman who died?”
“I’m sorry. I can’t give out that information.”
I nod, but then get an idea. “Do you think I could see her? Say goodbye? I know that may sound odd, but I feel like I need the closure.”
She nods and leads me down the hall and into the ICU wing. “They’re coming to get her body in a few minutes.”
After thanking her, I step toward the body and place my hand on hers. I don’t stop the tears from falling as I stare at her bruised face. She went through hell before her death.
“I don’t know if I can help them find who did this to you, but I promise I’ll try. You didn’t deserve this. No woman does.”
I turn to leave and see Oswald standing just outside the glass doors.
“Thank you. I didn’t know her, but I feel like I failed her.”
“How can you think that? You did what you could. But what did you mean about finding out who did this?”
“I’m a bounty hunter. I think whoever did this is hiding the men I’m hunting. The lead I’m working on placed the men in that church where I found the girls.”
Oswald studies me and then nods. “I can’t give you her name. But I can say that we used to work together at Chambers Medical Group. It’s now Mountebank Medical Group. She isn’t the only person I used to work with who has gone missing. Someone is targeting people who work or worked there.”
“If that’s the case, then you may be in danger,” I remind her.
“I know. I’m being careful,” she assures me before taking out pen and paper. “Here is my information. Call me if you have questions or if you find who did this.”
I take it and then give her my contact information.
“Do you have a few minutes to talk with Kristi’s parents?”
I nod and follow her out of ICU and back into the trauma ward. I spot Kristi sitting up in a hospital bed with a man and woman on either side of her. She sees me and waves. The man and woman snap their heads in my direction. The man lays a hand on Kristi, before coming toward us.
“You must be Min?” He says as he reaches us. He grasps my hand and gives it a firm shake. “I can never repay you for rescuing my little girl.”
“I’m glad I was there to help,” I tell him. “I don’t want to scare you, but I think she needs protection. Whoever had her might try to get her back.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of. I own a security firm and plan to have someone outside her room day and night.”
“A security firm?”
“Yeah, a lot of good it did to keep her safe. She was on a field trip when someone grabbed her. I’ve already told the school that the next field trip will include my crew.”
“That’s a good idea,” I tell him. “How is she doing?”
He glances at her and sighs. “They raped her. Stole her virginity. She’s strong, so I know she’ll recover, but she’ll need counseling.”
“Can I speak to her?” I ask.
He nods and leads us back to Kristi’s bedside.
“This is my wife, Cassie, and I’m Cliff,” Cliff says.
Cassie wraps her arms around me and hugs me tight. “Thank you for rescuing my little girl.”