“Have a seat,” she says, smiling warmly. “I find newbie reporters to be the most passionate about our cause, and I’m glad we share similar goals.”
This woman should be given a Nobel Prize or a sainthood or something. The work she has done here is phenomenal. And she’s so humble about it. “I know your backstory, and I just want to tell you how much of an inspiration you are to me and so many other women.” I mean that wholeheartedly.
“Thank you, Irena. That means a lot to me.”
“Why do it?” I ask, taking out my pen and notepad. I’ve got to make this look real. “You endured hell, and surely being around other survivors must bring it all back to you? Why subject yourself to that?”
“Coffee?” she asks.
“Yes, please. Black, no sugar.” I help myself to a cookie as she fixes my drink. I didn’t stop for lunch, and I’m famished.
“Moonlight has given me purpose,” she explains, handing me a mug. “For years, I couldn’t speak about what happened to me. It was only when I began talking about it that I truly began to heal. I was lucky because I had a loving family, a loving boyfriend, and the resources to get help. Not every survivor is that fortunate. The idea had been brewing in my head for some time, and when Keanu came back into my life, he gave me the encouragement to make my idea a reality. His entire family backed me, and we had the support of hundreds of donors. Now, we’re trying to lobby for government funding so we can set up more facilities. Unfortunately, there is high demand for our services, and it shows no signs of slowing down despite the efforts being taken to stop human trafficking.”
We drink our coffee and eat cookies while we chat, and I make an effort to take notes so it looks legit. After thirty minutes, I finally find the opportunity I’ve been waiting for.
“A lot of local businesses support our facility, and we couldn’t exist without them,” she says.
“My cousin works at Manning Motors, and she told me they organize an annual charity event with all the proceeds going to Moonlight.”
“Drew Manning is a big supporter of our work and a generous donor. He’s one of the kindest men I know.”
“I heard he visits frequently. Does he teach one of your programs?”
“I’m afraid that’s confidential and not something I can discuss.”
“Oh, of course. I didn’t mean to pry.”
Yeah, right. She doesn’t have to confirm it for me to know Drew doesn’t teach here. Andreas ran a check on street cameras going back three months, and he told me Drew visits most every Monday and Friday. If he’s not here to teach, it means he’s visiting someone.
But who?
I was hoping I could get a name, but that was delusional. Selena is never going to betray any client like that.
I could ask Andreas to hack into their systems and find out, but I draw the line at invading trauma survivors’ privacy. Plus, I know Selena’s brother-in-law Keven Kennedy personally oversees IT security at the facility. As a former FBI agent and a current co-owner of HADK Cybersecurity Solutions Limited, he is not someone to mess with, and I can’t risk getting caught.
“I’d love to give you a tour myself,” she says, rising to her feet. “But I’ve got a family event tonight, and I need to leave.”
“It’s no problem. I’m appreciative of the time you’ve given me.” I gather my things and follow her to the door.
“I have arranged for one of our team to show you around our community if you have some additional time.”
“That would be great.” I want to see it for myself, and I plan to make an approach to the board to ask them to apply the relevant governmental pressure to ensure Selena gets her funding.
There’s a knock on the door just as we reach it. “This must be them now,” she says, opening it. “Oh, it’s you.”
“That’s not the kind of greeting I was expecting, wife.”
Selena laughs and pulls her husband into the room.
Keanu Kennedy is as hot as the rest of his brothers, and he only seems to get more attractive with age. She leans up and kisses him, and it’s definitely the kind of kiss that should happen in private. I feel like a third wheel standing awkwardly to one side, but I don’t blame her. If I had a man like that, I’d kiss him any chance I got.
“That’s more like it,” Keanu says when they surface for air. He reels her in close, pecking her lips one final time before patting her ass and turning to grin at me.
“That was rude of us. My apologies, Miss?”
“Hall.” I thrust out my hand. “I’m Irena Hall. A reporter forThe California Times.”
“Nice to meet you,” he says, shaking my hand. “I was overseas for the past week on a business trip, and I drove straight here from the airport because I couldn’t wait a second longer to see my wife.”
