Talking with Emerald was certainly easier and more productive than talking to Martin. We definitely should have done this first, but really, Martin seemed like he would be easy to scare into talking. I was wrong in that assumption. Among the other things that Emerald told us, she gave us some numbers. “I have no idea what these numbers are for,” she said, “but Mr. Haugen said they were important so I better not forget them.”

They didn’t mean much to me, but Mac was still with us, so I let him take a look. “These two are for modern safes, with electronic locking system,” he said, “likely for large walk-in types. This one is for a bank account in Switzerland, but is only half the number. This one is for a very expensive electronic alarm system, something a very large business would have, or possibly a bank.

This one is for a large safety deposit box, with an extra safety number. It must hold something very important. These two are incomplete, but they have something to do with government locks of some kind. This last one, well, seems like it might be incomplete too, or it’s for something odd.” “Wow,” said Emerald, “you can tell all that from numbers?”

Mac then went back to his room and we talked to Emerald some more. Sherry and Tracy were playing with Fluffy on one of the beds at the time and doing a lot of giggling. That’s when Emerald put her head down and stopped talking. I told the girls to keep it quiet while we were talking. “That’s not it,” said Emerald, “it’s just, well, the women that work for you are always so happy.

Girls like them get the good employers while girls like me get the dregs at the bottom of the barrel because no one else will hire us. We’re just garbage to most people. Drug addicts, alcoholics, working girls, thieves…it doesn’t matter, I’m sorry.” “Tracy, who are you?” I asked. “I was a drug addict, seller, thief,” she said, “I spent 2 years in prison in Mexico.”

“Sherry, what about you?” I asked. “I was a drug addict and working girl,” she answered. “But Steve gave us a chance,” said Tracy, “and we were not going to disappoint him.” “I worked in a large criminal organization,” said Jennifer. “So did I,” said Kat. “I was probably the worst of these girls,” said Sky, “but Steve was willing to give us all a chance. My team is called Bad Girls for a reason, but all of us have changed and Steve helped us with that.”

“Would you give me a chance too?” asked Emerald. “If you’re willing to change,” I said, “then yes, I will give you a chance, gladly.” “I have already changed Steve,” she said, “I just need a chance.” “Are you sure this is the kind of job you want?” I asked. She smiled. “Yes, I’m completely sure about that,” she said. “It’s nice to see you smile for a change,” I said.

“I haven’t had much to smile about the last few years,” she said, “but maybe I can smile more now.” Kat and Jennifer took her back to her room and stayed with her and Cindy. Sky, Angel, Dawn, Melanie and Chloe stayed with me. But just before going to bed, Mac returned. “What’s wrong Mac?” I asked. “One of those numbers,” he said, “remember that Emerald said her family disappeared about 6 months ago?

Those numbers are cryptic, spell out Greene Fam, from one of the cemeteries in the area I would imagine.” “That would be her parents and 2 siblings,” I said, “I will send some of the girls around to check tomorrow.” “If you don’t need me,” he said, “I can check. Easy for me.” “Okay, thanks Mac,” I said. He then went back to his room.

Meanwhile, Aari and his team have arrived in Dallas and are looking for that photo studio. When they went to the location they had for the place, it was just an empty building. They asked around, but no one seemed to know anything about the studio. Finally a woman came out of a florist shop next door. It had been closed all day due to renovations being done.

Carine went up to her and asked about the photo studio. The woman, Brandy, was glad the studio moved to another area of the city. She felt there was more going on than taking innocent photos at kids birthday parties. She even called the police once, but they found nothing. The next day she received a letter in the mail telling her to mind her own business or people would be buying flowers for her.

She called the police again who investigated and told her it was just some neighborhood kids playing a joke on her and not to worry about it. But she has received 3 more letters, including one to her apartment, so now she is scared and quit her job. But she still doesn’t know what to do or where to go.

While they were talking on the sidewalk in front of the florist shop, Carine noticed an open window on the third floor of a building directly across the street. She nodded to Aari. Just then a rifle appeared and there were four shots. But Carine had her hand on Brandy’s arm, keeping her safe…

To Be Continued.

©2025 Steve McLeod.