“Yeah.”
She was silent again. “What happens to Maya and all the other girls?”
“They’ll be free,” I said.
“But Maya really doesn’t have anywhere to go,” she said softly. “Her stepdad kicked her out.”
That’s what I was afraid of. Those girls were living in hell, but some of their living situations before hadn’t been much better. “I’m not going to tell you any more lies, Emily, so here’s the truth.” I glanced over at her. “I don’t know what’s going to happen to her. But it has to be better than what you girls lived through.”
She turned to look out the window. “I don’t know. She said at least Buddy gave her something to eat. She didn’t always have that before.”
My heart sank, but I didn’t have an answer. And I’d promised I wouldn’t lie. So I changed the subject.
“Your parents will probably want you to talk to the police,” I said carefully.
She shook her head, panicking. “No!”
I covered her hand with my own. “Ordinarily, I’d tell you to talk to them, but in this case?—”
She looked up at me with wide eyes. “Amber, the police really are bad. Buddy said Nixon and the big boss have policemen who work for them.”
“I believe you,” I said, “which is why I’m discussing it with you now. I think that’s what your parents will want you to do, but I’m going to try to convince them not to. Okay?”
She nodded, still anxious but looking more appeased.
I glanced at her again. “Do you remember Buddy or Nixon talking about the police and using their names?”
She shook her head.
“Did you ever see any of the police? Did they come to the house?”
She started to shake her head, then stopped. “Wait. I saw a guy one time. Out at one of the truck stops when I first started. He stopped and talked to Buddy while I was working the trucks.”
“Was he wearing a uniform?”
“No. He was wearing a suit. Maya was working the truck stop with me. She told me he was a cop, and if I messed up, Buddy would let him take me.”
Maya sounded like a first-class bitch, then again, she might have parroted what she’d been told.
But I was stuck on the fact the man was wearing a suit, which meant he was probably a detective. “Do you remember what he looked like?”
She shook her head. “It was dark and he was kind of far away. But I think he was tall and had dark hair.”
“You didn’t see his face?”
“No.”
“Do you remember anything else about him?”
She shook her head. “I’m sorry.”
“That’s okay,” I insisted. “You’ve told me more than enough. Thank you.”
She was quiet for a moment. “Will they come find me when I go home?”
“No,” I said firmly. “When my partner and I are done, there won’t be anyone left to look for you.” I noticed a sign announcing our exit a mile ahead. “We’re almost to your mom. Are you nervous?”
She nodded. “What if she’s mad at me for going to meet a boy after school?”
