Chapter Nine
A certain ring tone, one that sent vibes of tension detonating inside Alia Hawkins, jangled from the special phone she kept in her pocket. This small phone never got left behind and never ran out of battery. It was a lifeline for some poor youngster who needed help, and Alia would ultimately be their savior.
How the hell she got into this role, she’d never know. Life had a way of manipulating one and she’d been suckered by a pro – her son’s nanny, Ruby. The woman had often been described as an angel. True, Ruby did have a big heart. But it was her disciple, Alia, who had a soft head or she’d have put a stop to this nonsense a long time ago. But she hadn’t and each call brought action.
Quickly closing the drawer of her desk at the Honolulu FBI bureau’s office, she turned her chair to the wall and answered. “Hey, Ruby, what’s up?”
“This one sounds really young and scared, Alia. She’s being followed but managed to give them a slip and is at the ABC store on Kalakaua Avenue, the one near Koa. Her name is Sara.”
“Where do I take her?”
The slight hesitation left Alia under no illusions. Anger sizzled but resignation won out. “Not again, Ruby.”
“I’m sorry, Alia. Every place in the city is brimful tonight, Harvey can take her tomorrow. I’ll keep her in my room until then.”
“This isn’t—”
“I know. Can’t be helped. She said she’s clean. Are you on your way?”
“Heading for the car right now. See you soon.”
Alia walked out of the office, breathing a sigh of relief that no one stopped her. Since she often operated alone, the times she’d be forced to leave with no explanation had worked in her favor. No one thought to question her about her destination.
Heading to her black issued SUV, again she wondered how she’d gotten roped into these mercy missions. When they’d left San Diego, she’d sworn they’d stop and Ruby had agreed. But it hadn’t taken long for the big-hearted one-time-victim to set up a network here in Honolulu, and the next thing she knew, Alia, vigilante and street rescuer, had been revived yet again.
Not that she’d fought against it too much. Truthfully, it made her feel good to know she’d helped a lot of the young misfits find a way out of the messes they’d unfortunately gotten themselves into.
So many were teens with either problems at home, or had gotten with the wrong man or had a drug addiction that enslaved them. Hell, there were too many reasons to name. And they all led to a future that none of these kids had ever imagined for themselves.
Her nanny, Ruby, knew this all too well, life also had a way of engulfing those who couldn’t swim fast enough. And now every fallen angel had to be helped.
Alia arrive at the convenience store, leaving her car double-parked and hoping to get away with it. She entered the store and quickly found her victim, a young girl with a bright pink bathing suit cover-up wrapped around her like a native dress. Her long hair looked like a rat’s nest, her legs and feet were bare. And her eyes were full of terror. She couldn’t have been more than fifteen.
When she saw Alia, she flinched and began to cry.
“You’re Sara, right? Ruby sent me.”
“Yes. I’m Sara. It’s too late. He’s found me and keeps walking past the store, waiting for me to come out.”
“Tall dude, struts like he owns the world, long hair and a mean face?”
“Yes. He’s my friend. But I can’t be with anyone else. I just can’t.” Her voice began to get louder until Alia motioned for her to keep it down. “He’s going to kill me for calling you.”
“He’ll have to get past me first, honey. And that ain’t going to happen. Let’s go.”
Alia took the girl’s hand and pulled her to follow. Sara held back and began crying again. Just as they came close to the cash registers, the store manager ran up to them, waving his phone and hissing a warning. “I don’t want no trouble in here. I call the police if you make trouble. Get out now.” He pointed at the door, his face mottled with anger and his finger shaking with fear.
“No trouble. We’re leaving. Come on, Sara. Just do as I say and we’ll get away. You’ll never have to see that prick again, I promise. Let’s go.”
Sara locked eyes with Alia and must have seen the calm, the absolute certainty. She swiped her arm over the mess on her face, gathered her courage along with the cotton wrap and squeezed Alia’s hand harder.
As soon as they moved onto the street, the stalker dude stepped up. “Ah, here you are, baby. I was waiting for you.” He reached to take what he considered his possession and ended face to face with Alia instead. “Get into my car, Sara. The black Honda SUV double-parked.” She blocked the way so Sara had a clear path to the vehicle.
“Wait, girlfriend. Don’t leave me. I need you. We’ll talk things out, I promise.” The phoney good-looking actor, trying to con the young teen, could star in a porn movie, but for Alia, his syrupy whine, full of sexual coaxing, made her want to heave.
“Hey bud, back off. Sara, get in the car.” The girl only hesitated for a few seconds and then quickly dove to safety.
Once his charm wasn’t needed, the mean streak appeared, no doubt the same one responsible for the swelling on the Sara’s face. “Get out of my way. That bitch is my property.”