I clear my throat, my breathing slowing a little now that I’m not so nervous. My pulse is still racing, but not as it was. “We hear about the rescues through our networks. They may have expressed that they wanted to leave or have actively sought our help. Once our networks have deemed them to be serious and ready to go we move into transportation logistics. We have people ready to go in with SUVs and trailers to pick up families and their belongings and they pass them onto the contacts we have dotted everywhere. Not as wide spread as we would like, though. At the moment everyone we use is an ex-member that was rescued by Blanche.”
Dex nods at the information, running a hand down his short dark beard. “How many contacts are we talkin’?”
“Well, at last count, we have around 100 people give or take. Some of the older children have now joined and are running nodes as well.”
“Nodes?” Flack asks, leaning forward, interest sparkling in his eyes.
“Each contact node consists of a driver, someone with first aid knowledge, a handler that is in contact with the next node in the chain and the person who will handle the safe house, so to speak. Some people hold multiple roles within the network.”
“That’s fucking brilliant. Like the Underground Railroad network,” a lean, young blonde man says. Looking at his patch his name reads TumTum.
“That makes Blanche Harriet Tubman,” Flack says, eyes twinkling.
“Exactly,” I smile, more confident now I can see the excitement and dare I say it, respect in the men’s eyes.
“How do you protect the links in the chain? What if, say, the women and children were followed to their first safe house?” Sniper asks quietly, a frown on his sharp features.
“If the caller or handler thinks they have been compromised they will skip the first safe house and move closer to the next. Handover will happen at a business or property owned by other ex-Eden’s Keep members. For example, if Kentucky has been compromised they may head on to Mississippi where handover will take place at a restaurant an ex-member owns. The rescue will then travel via water to the Landry’s Gator Sanctuary before ending up here.” I look around the table, watching the men work through the information I’ve given them.
I know it’s impressive. I thought so too when I first found out about what Blanche had created. Dex’s head slowly turns to look at the Landry brothers, all sitting in a line, Vex next to me, then Omen and Saint.
“Fuck. I just think of Blanche as Tav’s badass wife, and you lot as weird alligator bayou folk. You fuckers have created a sophisticated way for us to help more people than I think you even realize.” Flack nods, the other brothers grinning at the description of them.
“OK, well, that side of the business seems sound. What we need to do is come up with cashflow ideas. We have enough of a start up from the DRMC to invest in some businesses to get us up and running, but they need to be money makers. We wanna help people? We gotta fund this shit somehow.” Dex looks around the table, waiting on suggestions.
Ideas fizz in my bloodstream, the idea of more money meaning more resources to help more people. I’ve been helpless, lost hope, I don’t want that for others.
“Well, we have the sanctuary and boat tours which our cousins run from our old site. That’s still bringing in wages, and our gator rehab clinic out back is set to open here in two weeks,” Saint offers.
“We could always use a hand,” Omen agrees. “There’s also a store front not far from here, it used to do booming businessselling bait and fishing shit, but the old man retired and moved deep into swamp country.” Dex nods at the information.
“I did a ride through the town earlier, they have a run down garage that’s been closed for a while. A fine lady at the diner told me the owner fell ill and now people have to go two towns over to get their cars seen to. Figured at least half of us have mechanic backgrounds,” Flack says.
Dex nods slowly, taking in the information. “Sniper, I want you looking into these properties. Vex, I’ll take you with me to view them. You know the area and the people.” He turns to look at me, sitting quietly watching how these men work. There’s mutual respect. Everyone’s opinions are heard. Everyone has a say. “Loyal, thank you for your feedback. I know you help look after the people in our care, if you need or want anything that you think will help, please let us know.”
I stare at Dex’s calm, kind face before my eyes dart around the table. There is something I’ve been wanting that I think will help, but I’m not sure I can do it. I hesitate, not sure if I’m brave enough to speak the words on my tongue. I open my mouth and nothing comes out, perhaps it’s a dream that remains just that.
“Breathe, sweetheart, you can do this.” My eyes snap to Vex’s at the endearment, shocking me out of my thoughts.
“I want to become an EMT. We have people with basic first aid knowledge, but we don’t have enough health care workers in our system. Many of our rescues come in hurt and traumatized. I-I think I can help make a difference,” I blurt out, my eyes turning wide when I realize what I’ve demanded.
I sit stock still, frozen in place, too afraid to do anything other than breathe.
“That sounds like a fucking fantastic idea, Loyal. Let us know what you need, where you can do it, everything, and we’ll get you signed up. Semester must be starting soon, right?” Dex asks, looking around the table.
The men stare at each other, momentarily confused.
“How the fuck would we know? None of us got any kids,” Flack says, face screwed up.
“Yet,” Saint teases, ignoring the groans of the men around the table.
I ignore them all, too stunned to speak or think too hard about what just happened. All I know is for the first time in my life, I think I might matter.
Chapter 2
Vex
Iwatch quietly as Loyal’s face cycles through her emotions. Fear, embarrassment, shyness, determination and then shock. I want to pull her into my arms and squeeze the hell out of her, tell her how proud I am that she spoke up about what she wants, and damn if what she wants doesn’t make me want to drop to my knees and claim I’m not worthy.
