Bones of the Lost

sixteenth birthday.”
    “Gulpari wanted a better life for Ara.” Barely trusting my voice.
    Dew nodded, still looking down. “When Hayel talked of jobs in America, Gulpari believed him. He was her brother. Why would he lie?”
    “Hayel sold Ara to Gross.”
    “For two hundred dollars.”
    I got up to stir the embers. Pointless, but I needed to move. To divert the anger and grief threatening to overwhelm me.
    “After John-Henry died, did Archer continue with business as usual?” When I’d returned to my chair.
    Dew cleared his throat. Twice. Met my eyes.
    “Of the sixteen girls currently in ICE custody, two were brought into the country after Archer assumed management of the various Story enterprises, including SayDo.”
    “How does he explain that?”
    “Mr. Story claims to know nothing of his employees’ histories. And he vehemently denies any knowledge of prostitution at his establishments, forced or otherwise.”
    “You buy that?”
    The pink-lemonade face darkened. “I believe the government’s star witness is being less than forthcoming. But, thanks to you, our investigation has shifted focus. We
will
learn more. Much more.”
    “What about Dominick Rockett?”
    Dew was quiet a moment, probably deciding what best to say.
    “The mummified dogs will be returned to Peru. Mr. Rockett’s files have been confiscated to check for information on other illegally trafficked antiquities.”
    “Dom Rockett never smuggled human beings.” I’d given that question a whole lot of thought.
    “It seems not.”
    “Rockett met John-Henry Story through his nephew?”
    “Mr. Rockett and Lieutenant Gross served together in Desert Storm. Perhaps out of pity, perhaps at his nephew’s urging, John-Henry hired the disfigured vet. Rockett was compensated in part with shares in the company. At least that’s the version Archer Story gives.”
    “What did Rockett do for S&S?”
    “Whatever needed doing. Driving. Security. Hiring contractors and workers for maintenance and repair. Rockett also sold articles at S&S flea markets, items legally imported from South America.”
    “Rockett had no involvement with SayDo?”
    “It looks that way.”
    “But CC Creach saw him at the Passion Fruit.”
    Dew raised both palms, dropped them back to his knees. “Due to his condition, Mr. Rockett enjoyed limited access to women.”
    Delicately put.
    “Why did Rockett make the trips to Texas?” I asked.
    “He was assisting Story in the closing of his car dealerships. John-Henry was selling off inventory, and, occasionally, delivery was required. Rockett would fly to Texas and drive cars wherever they needed to go.”
    “What was Rockett doing at the warehouse last Thursday?”
    “According to Mrs. Tarzec, he showed up at the Passion Fruit that evening very agitated and wanting to look around. She told him no one was there. He demanded the truth about the girls, said he knew they were trafficked because the cops had told him. Then he asked where they’d been taken. When threatened at gunpoint, Mrs.Tarzec revealed the location. After Rockett stormed off, she phoned Majerick.”
    “Rockett went looking for Gross. Or maybe he just planned to free the girls. Either way, he’d had enough. He died trying to undo at least some of the evil.”
    “I believe you are correct.”
    “What will happen to the girls now?”
    “That must be worked out. If they are deported back to Afghanistan, there is an NGO-run shelter in Kabul for victims of trafficking.”
    “Will Ara’s body be returned to Sheyn Bagh for burial?”
    “If funds allow.”
    “I’m happy to help if money is an issue.”
    A sad promise kept.
    “Your offer is very generous, Dr. Brennan. I’ll do all in my power to assure that is not necessary.”
    Dew smiled sadly.
    “We accomplish what we can. But, worldwide, human trafficking generates billions of dollars annually. Think of this. A gram of cocaine or heroin can be sold only once. A human being can generate income for years. Did you know that North Carolina is the eighth most likely state in the U.S. for trafficking to take place?”
    “At least the problem is gaining attention.”
    “Yes. It is. But the picture is still bleak. In December of 2012, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime published a global report on trafficking in persons. Almost one third of all trafficking victims are children. Two thirds are girls.”
    Dew rose to his feet with Baryshnikov grace.
    “On a more positive note, one