Free Blood Ransom by Lisa Harris Page B

getting word to anyone about the situation. And there was no telling when they would be back on. Outages were becoming more and more frequent, phone service completely unreliable.
    Chad flipped through the photos Natalie handed him, and his stomach clenched. She was right. An old woman fell to the ground as a rifle butt struck her from behind…A young boy attempted to fight back against his attacker…Dark shadows of blood…Terror on faces…
    There was no denying anymore that the Ghost Soldiers existed.
    He turned to Joseph, his heart wrenching at the boy’s loss. “I’m sorry this had to happen.”
    Joseph fiddled with the half-empty bottle in his hands. “Me too.”
    Chad gave the photos back to Natalie. There had to be a solution. No one deserved to be ripped away from everything they knew andloved for another man’s greed. But that didn’t mean Natalie was the one to try to put a stop to the horror.
    He leaned forward and rested his elbows against his thighs. “You gave copies of the photos to Stephen, and he’s got connections in the government. You need to let him take care of this.”
    Natalie shook her head. “I don’t trust him.”
    He raked his fingers through his hair. “I know you said you thought he wants you to be quiet about what happened, but you don’t really think he’s involved, do you? What would be his motive?”
    “What’s anyone’s motive to use slavery as a means for gain? It’s pure and simple greed.” She caught his gaze. “I never would have thought that Stephen could be involved, but there’s a leak somewhere. I told Stephen about the photos and within the hour my purse was stolen and my house was trashed. That’s not a coincidence. Either he’s involved or it was Patrick, who in turn sent the thugs after us.”
    “Maybe, but that doesn’t get us any closer to a solution.”
    “That’s why I’ve made a decision.” Natalie took a final sip of her tea, then set it on his desk. “I’m going to the capital to follow up on my own connections in the government. Rachel works directly for the minister of health and has access to demographic files that might help us find out where Joseph’s family is. There also might be someone at the U.S. Embassy who can help.”
    He felt a lump rise in his throat. “That’s impossible.”
    “What is?”
    “Going to the capital.” He sighed. Shouldn’t it be obvious? He could think of a hundred reasons that made the trip impossible. Impassable roads, the possibility of getting arrested, the dangers of hitting something—or someone—at night, as well as the additional roadblocks and security due to the upcoming election. And even if she did insist on following through with this insane quest, he could never let her go alone.
    He glanced at his watch. It was almost one. The day had beenslow, but he didn’t get off work for another four hours. He could get Dr. Wrede to cover for him, but was that really a solution?
    He decided to reason with her. “You know a trip to the capital is too dangerous, Natalie. If we left now, we wouldn’t reach the capital until the middle of the night, even if we could get past the damaged roads and heavy security. And that doesn’t even factor in the volatile political situation with the impending election. It’s not safe.”
    She set her bag in her lap and raised her chin. “I’m open to options. What would you suggest?”
    Chad frowned. Why did she have to be so stubborn?
    Joseph’s bottle clunked against the edge of the metal chair. “If I do not find my father, they will kill him.”
    They both turned to the boy.
    “Joseph’s right.” Natalie blew out a short, hard breath. “His father has TB, and you can imagine what they will do with a man who can’t work. And what about the election? You know what happened when President Tau took over. Over four thousand people were killed in protests, police brutality, and the eventual coup. If something’s being planned again, there’s going to be