“Fine.  It matters, but it would take too long to explain.  Let’s just say we think you’re right.  This is about the children.”

“I know that already.  I just don’t know why.  Do you?”

“No.  But we’re trying to find out.  In the meantime, we need to get you to the police so you can explain.”

“Explain what?”

“Everything.”

“Everything?  With what?  All my evidence is gone.  All I have is four pages,” she said, looking down at the table, “and some emails.”

“You didn’t make copies of your files?”

“I took some pictures with my phone, but only a few.  No one is going to believe me with that,” said Mona. “Besides, I need to find out if my sister-in-law is okay.  And Omar.”

“Try calling them again.”

Rickards watched Mona as she picked up her phone and began to dial.  Then, without warning, he reached out and yanked it from her hand.

“What are you–”

“Wait a minute,” he interrupted.

“Why?”

He remained still, deliberating.  “If you’re right,” he said, “and this guy Saad is trying to find you, it wouldn’t be hard to triangulate your location using your phone.”  He turned the device over and examined it, searching for the power button before pressing and holding it down.  After several seconds, the screen blinked off.

“Okay.  Now what?”

Rickards continued thinking.  “I’ll go with you.”

“Where?”

“To the police.”

“I told you, they won’t believe me.  Even if they do, it doesn’t mean anyone is going to investigate Saad.”

“We have to try.”

Behind Rickards, Townsend spoke aloud, thanking someone on the phone before hanging up.

“That was my friend.  He’s doing some digging.”  He looked expectantly at the others.  “So what’s the plan?”

“We’re going to the police.”

“No, we’re not!” exclaimed Mona.

“Yes.  We are.”

“Then you go!” she said, reaching down to pick up her purse.  “I’m going to find Dalilah, and then see to Omar.”  She grabbed her phone back from Rickards.  “I’ll keep it off.”

“Listen to me.  If Saad is as big as you say he is and is embroiled in some kind of child trafficking, you’re not going to be safe by yourself.  It sounds as if he already got to your sister-in-law and your friend.”

Hearing the words from Rickards’ mouth made her stop.  It was precisely the conclusion she’d been trying to avoid.  Instead, she’d tried to think of all the reasons it couldn’t be true.  That they were not in danger because of her.  That the events were somehow still unrelated.  But deep down, her gut said otherwise.

Nervously, Mona stared back at him.  “It may be a coincidence,” she tried.

“There are no coincidences.  Trust me.”

“Maybe–”