ESCAPE FROM AMBERGRIS CAYE Read Online Free PDF Page A

sudden?”
Izzie barked, “Since when do I need your permission to check something out if I
feel like it?”
    “It’s not that, Izzie, but when you said the man
spotted you, well, I was concerned, that’s all.”
    Izzie turned in the seat to face him. “So you’re
all concerned about me, are ya ? Well, I don’t need your
so-called concern or your protection neither. I’m a grown woman. I can take
care of myself. If I want to do a little investigative reporting on my own
time, I’ll bloody well do it whether you like it or not. Got it?”
    “I’m not trying to tell you what to do.”
Jackson’s heart drummed in his ears. “It’s just that I’ve been reading about
human trafficking and…”
    “Human trafficking again? That’s what got your
shorts in a bunch? God, Jackson, get real. This is Tampa, Florida not Malaysia
or Thailand. Women here aren’t trying to leave the country or escape poverty by
falling for whatever dumb story some guy tells them.” As she spoke, she became
more animated, her eyebrows raising and lowering, emphasizing each point she
made.
    “I know. That’s what I thought too till I started
looking into it. Izzie, according to a report by the National Human Trafficking
Center, it’s happening all over the world—including in the United States. It’s
going on right in front of us, and we don’t realize it.”
    The skeptical look on Izzie’s face said it all.
She didn’t believe a word he said. “You always blow things out of proportion.
Babe, you need to get a life. Find a girlfriend. Go bowling. Do whatever you
want, but stop seeing bogeymen behind every tree. Or at least don’t keep trying
to ‘save’ me. It’s exhausting.” 
    Jackson lifted his hands from the steering wheel
in surrender. “I got the message, Iz , what you do on
your own time is your business. I’ll stay the hell out of it. You want to get
yourself in trouble, have at it. Just don’t say you weren’t warned.” With that
he pulled into the parking lot, grabbed his gear and walked away, leaving her
to follow in his wake.

Chapter 12
     
    Leon opened the back door and let Tiny out. That
was another reason he hadn’t wanted a dog. The mutt had to go out several times
a day. And remembering was a royal pain in the ass. If he waited too long or
was away taking care of business, the damned thing pooped in the house. One
time, Leon even stepped in it. Almost beat the dog to death for that. They’d
both learned something that day: Leon remembered to let him out and Tiny held
it until he did.
    The house was quiet now. Jennifer was gone.
Seymour’s client picked her up Friday night. The transaction had gone down
smoothly enough despite the unpleasant scene: she’d kicked and screamed, begged
him to let her stay. Little bitch even bit the client when he tried to take
her. In the end, they’d shot her up with drugs. That calmed her down long
enough for them to get her out of the house.
    Yes, it was quiet now, a little too quiet for
Leon’s taste. Well, not for long. Seymour’d be
sending another shipment soon. In the meantime, he had some rare free time.
Maybe he’d go to Clearwater Beach for some well-earned R&R. Pick up a chick
or two.
    How about the one he’d noticed hanging around the
other day? A real looker she was. Reminded him of somebody, but he couldn’t put
his finger on exactly who. He’d waved at her from the balcony and invited her
to go for a drink. She’d declined, but gave him a flirty smile, then turned and
left, her hips in those tight jeans swaying in the most inviting fashion. He
told himself she wanted him, that she was playing hard
to get. She’d be back, oh yeah. And when she came, he’d be waiting. He had all
the time in the world.

Chapter 13
     
    Hi Mom. Jackson’s fingers clicked rapidly
over the computer keyboard. He much preferred texting, but she hadn’t managed
to get the hang of it so he was left to either call or email. With his limited
resources, email was cheaper.