Rescued Read Online Free Page A

please, call me Margaret.” She reminded Rose of a normal, grandma-type lady who remembered Vinny the moment she spotted him on the screen. A warm, adoring expression eased across her face. “Oh, that’s the nice young man who helps so many people. He’s an absolute angel. He had a mechanic fix the starter on the maintenance man’s car so he could get to work every day and wouldn’t hear a word about Carl paying him back.” She clicked her tongue, sighed, and smiled at the man in the video. “He helps young people find their way when they come in and seem lost. Buys them tickets to get back home to their families. No questions asked. He is a true blessing to everyone he meets.” She stared as they watched Vinny purchase a ticket and give it to the girl with a sweet as you please attitude.
    “Ma’am, do you know his name or where he lives? We need to speak with him.” Marty placed his hand on her shoulder and drew her attention from the television.
    “Oh yes, his name is Vincent but I’m afraid I don’t know where he lives. Is he in some kind of trouble? I’d like to help him if he is. It’s the right thing to do.” She directed the question to Kelli and her uniform. “He has helped so many in need.”
    “We just need to ask him some questions, ma’am.” Kelli answered.
    “I’ll tell him to call you the next time he comes in if you like,” she said in a pleasant manner.
    Bless her heart . She doesn’t have a clue the kind of monster she’s put on a pedestal. Rose would never frighten this sweet lady with the truth about where these kids might really end up or the horrors they might face. In a way, poor Mrs. Fisher was just another of Vinny’s victims.
    “That won’t be necessary, ma’am.” Kelli assured the woman it was only a few simple questions. It wouldn’t help the investigation if Vinny found out the police were here and interested in him.
    “One more thing, ma’am. Could you tell us where the girl on the video went? We need to find her most of all. She’s my baby sister and she’s run away.” Rose worked up a little mist in her eyes and added a chin quiver to accentuate her cover story of the concerned big sister.
    “Oh, don’t you worry, honey. I’ll go find out for you.” The woman slipped out the door toward the front desk.
    Marty waited a couple of seconds after the door closed. “This could be our big break. If we can find out where the girl went, it might tell us where all these kids are.”
    “I wish, but my gut tells me it’s not going to be that simple.” Rose had a good track record with her gut feelings so it was hard to ignore this nagging inkling something was not quite right here.
    The doorknob turned and signaled the return of the clerk. Marty quickly slid his arm around Rose’s shoulder and pulled her face first into his chest. “Hush, sweetheart. Don’t you cry now, honey. We’re going to find little Suzie. I promise.” He held her tight with one hand and rubbed her back with the other as she struggled to breathe, her nose buried in the front of his shirt.
    “He’s right, sweetie. Don’t cry. I have her destination right here but the information says her name is Wendy.” She held up a copy of yesterday afternoon’s departure schedule. “She arrived in Memphis last night.”
    Rose was at last able to wrench herself away from her comforter. She glared at his innocent, concerned face with her best payback is a bitch glare. Marty smoothed her hair back into place and kissed the air in her direction. She replaced the furious expression aimed at him with a sad face accompanied by a few sniffles to keep the story believable as she took the paper and thanked the clerk for the information. “Yes, Wendy Sue and I are close. I just don’t know why she didn’t come to me. Thank you for all your help.”
    They left the office with the new information and headed for the exit. Marty stopped short.
    “What’s wrong?” Rose asked.
    “He’s here,” Marty