Page 82 of Sam's Salvation
“I’ll help you.”
They reached the bar, where Geoffrey was waiting.
The older man smiled. “Introduce me to your friends.”
“Of course. This is Bernie and Manny.”
“It’s nice to meet you both. I’m Geoffrey. This way.” He turned and led them through a door in the wall behind the bar.
The music and chatter from the party faded as they entered the darkened warehouse.
“Excuse the mess. We run a legitimate business out of here as well. Have to keep up the front to keep the cops away.” Geoffrey chuckled. “Though a few well-placed bribes help with that as well.”
Jessica shook her head. “So many people are going down. I can’t wait.”
“So you have a fairly sophisticated operation, then?” Max asked. “Your location leaves something to be desired, but your refreshments and entertainment are nice. Tell me, are your servers part of the sale?”
Geoffrey tipped his head, glancing back as he stopped at a door. “I’m sure we could come to an arrangement.” He produced a set of keys from his pocket and inserted one into the lock. Before he turned the handle, he looked at them. “This is strictly a look-only preview. You cannot test the merchandise before purchase. And all the ladies are dressed for the auction, so please don’t ask them to disrobe. I think you will find their outfits satisfactory, though. We try to put their best assets on display. My fiancée has a keen eye for fashion and what looks good on the female form.” He pushed the door open.
“Oh my God.” Audra covered her mouth as the image on their screens changed.
Sam clenched his teeth, disgust churning in his gut at what he saw. The men had stepped into a room that was about thirty-by-thirty in size. A prison cell took up most of it, leaving only a six-foot strip along the front, outside of the bars. Inside the cage, dozens of women sat huddled in groups, staring at them with wide eyes.
“All of you on your feet.” Geoffrey motioned for them to stand. “Line up.”
With a sluggishness born of being drugged, the women got up and did as he asked.
“Oh my.” Jessica squinted at the screen. “Some of them look really young.”
“They do, yeah.” Sam pushed the button on the panel in front of him that would let him talk to Max. “Max, tell him you like the young ones. Let’s see how young they go.” They could be looking at heftier charges if some of the girls were underage.
“You’ve got some nice girls. I prefer young ones. Like that one, maybe.” He pointed at a young, dark-haired girl in a pink dress. “Virgins, preferably.”
“Many of our clientele are the same way, though not all of our girls are virgins. Sometimes, there’s something to be said for a woman with experience.”
“That’s true. I have one of those at home, though, so I’m really on the lookout for a young, nubile little thing.”
Geoffrey nodded. “I understand that. My fiancée is a tigress in bed, but sometimes you just need that virgin under you to feel like a man.”
Sam felt bile work up his throat.
“The one you pointed at is a good choice. She’s sixteen.” Geoffrey walked down the line and pointed out several more who were between sixteen and nineteen. “We don’t tend to deal in girls younger than sixteen. It gets too messy. The authorities look harder for the younger ones.”
“I’m going to nail his arse to the wall and make sure he ends up with a group of murderers who hate pedophiles.” Audra shook her head.
“I’ll help you,” Jessica said.
The four men spent a few more minutes discussing the women, then Geoffrey led them back to the party. It was more crowded now.
“Aud, you see anyone you recognize now?” Sam kept his eyes on the screen, cataloguing new faces.
“I’m looking. So far no—wait.” She tipped her head, then reached for the panel to talk to Dean, whose camera she monitored. “Dean. The guy in the silver suit and blue tie. Get closer.”
Dean walked toward one of the servers holding an hors d’oeuvres tray who was in the man’s path.
“Shit.” Audra leaned in. “That’s Donny.”
Thirty-Nine