Katherine exhaled her frustration. “I’ve called the police. He’s either paying them off, or they just don’t care. As long as it doesn’t interfere with their lavish lifestyles, my mother and my aunt don’t care. Poor Gabby hasn't slept in weeks, trying to keep my little cousin safe. If I don’t do something, who will?”
Joseph shook his head. There had to be another way to expose her father and his tribe of maggots that didn’t involve Katherine putting herself at risk. “What can you do?”
“I might know someone who can help. I’m gonna give him a call tomorrow.”
Joseph frowned. “Him? Who’s him?”
“His name is Rick Bolin. He’s a friend. He works for the FBI.”
He didn’t like the sound of that, but Katherine was determined, and Joseph understood. Of course, she wanted to help, but trying to bring down a network of criminals was working too close to the fire. Though, one thing was for certain. He wasn’t about to let her burn.
* * *
Joseph unlocked the door and opened it for Katherine to enter. He stepped inside the small diner behind her and looked around for her friend.
“There he is,” she said, waving to a man in the corner.
Her friend stood and waved as they approached. Joseph could see how Rick Bolin would be good-looking to women. With an overly wide grin, he looked Katherine up and down. He was tall and fit with blond hair and blue eyes, like a California surfer.
He opened his arms for a hug. With a clenched jaw, Joseph intercepted, sticking his hand out.
“Joe Storm,” he introduced. “You must be Rick?”
Rick’s smile fell. Joseph could see the debate in his eyes when he looked down at his hand, but Joseph stood his ground. The Fed would have to be content with a handshake because he wasn’t about to get a hug.
“Nice to meet you, Joe,” Rick relented, shaking Joseph’s hand. He looked over at Katherine. “Hey, Katie. It’s good to see you again.”
She smiled. “Rick, hi. How’ve you been?”
“Can’t complain.” He gestured toward the booth. “Have a seat.”
Katherine took a seat opposite Rick, and Joseph slid in beside her. Rick slid inside the booth with his eyes trained on Joseph.
Joseph smiled. “Thanks for meetingus.”
He made sure to emphasize the “us” to her friend.
“No problem. If what you’re telling me is true—”
“It’s true,” Katherine interjected. “I’ve seen the proof. There are files with names and addresses. There are polaroid pictures of children, some with…” She trailed off, unable to finish the sentence. “You’ve gotta do something.”
“I will, but you’ll have to go on record. I have to sign you up as a confidential informant. I can’t get a search warrant without it. Are you willing to do that?”
“Yes, I am. I’ll do whatever you need.”
Joseph frowned and turned to Katherine. “You know your father, but you don’t know these other men. You could be putting yourself in danger.”
“I don’t care, Joseph,” she huffed.
“I care!” Joseph barked, a little louder than he’d intended.
Katherine grabbed his hand under the table and looked him in the eyes. “Joseph, we’re talking about children. There were even babies in the pictures.”
She dropped her head in her hand and began to sob. Joseph wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close. As she cried into his chest, he realized that Katherine was all in. There was nothing he could do or say to stop her from getting waist-deep in a very dangerous situation.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” Joseph whispered in her ear.
Of course, her involvement in taking down a child sex ring, ran by her father, was important to her. Because of everything she’d been through, it was personal.
