One Journey Ends

Henderson directed Ralph to an unpaved road off of deserted roadway. Justin had been following at a very discreet distance to keep from being seen, but Henderson took no notice of the green car that had followed him from the Boston suburbs. It had been almost an hour since he's dropped the second girl off, so they were some distance from the metropolitan area. The Japanese girl in the back seat sat quietly watching the scenery pass, oblivious to the coming danger to which he was delivering her. Henderson felt a small pang of guilt when he spied her in the mirror, but shrugged it off. He liked his lifestyle and her fate was of no concern to him.

They finally pulled into what looked like a clearing. But as the car pulled in further, a small wooden cabin came into view. There was no car in the drive, which perplexed Henderson as he'd left word exactly what time he'd arrive to hand her over. He noticed a note tacked to the door and got out of the car to retrieve it. Frowning, he read it carefully.

F.H.

Something important keeps me from meeting you. The door is unlocked. Put the merchandise inside and close the door firmly. It locks automatically, trapping whatever remains inside until I come to open it. The payment has been transferred to your account. Sign this note so that I know you have left my package.

Regards, S.R.B.

Henderson read it twice to be certain he understood its instructions. Then he smiled as he turned back to the van and opened the back doo leo let the girl out. While Ralph unloaded the large suitcase and carried it to the door, Henderson took a pen from his pocket and signed the note.

"Your sponsor isn't home right now, due to an emergency," he said apologetically, motioning her towards the door. "But this letter asks that I settle you in and they will be home soon to meet you."

The girl looked a bit apprehensive but shrugged and followed Henderson into the house. Ralph trailed behind the two with the luggage.

The cabin was small and dark. The client had left one dim light on in the kitchen area. Henderson gestured for the girl to sit down and asked if she'd need anything. The girl shook her head mutely and glanced around nervously. Henderson felt another stab of guilt but tamped it down again. He gave her his card with his phone number and told her to call him if she needed anything, knowing full well she'd never have the chance to use it. Then he and Ralph stepped back outside and Henderson pulled the door closed firmly behind him, testing it to be sure it was locked. It didn't open again. He sighed a bit sadly and walked back to the.
.

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"We cannot leave her here," Sven said alarmed.

Justin looked over at his partner not knowing how to calm him. The van had pulled out, as they lay hidden in the brush. Their car was parked well away from the clearing and hidden in the trees. He knew he was experiencing the remnants of guilt for his friend's daughter. But the dark haired man hadn't had much experience in comforting people. So he handled Sven the only way he knew how. He took control of the situation.

"We will not leave her, Sven," he said firmly grasping his partner's hand. "But you will have to trust me."

"Just get her out of there," the blonde man pleaded in a rare show of raw emotion.

Justin nodded. "Wait here."

When he was sure Sven had understood him and would comply, Justin slowly approached the door. The window was small but he could see the girl sitting in a chair looking around the cabin in fright. She knew something wasn't right. He quickly scanned the note, grimacing at its contents and subsequent signature. Checking the door, he found it was secured. He'd have to kick it in, he thought as he noticed there was no way to pick the lock. Backing up he readied himself glancing over his shoulder to see that Sven was now standing but hadn't left his spot. The dark haired man turned back to his task and suddenly kicked out toward the door. It opened cleanly. The startled girl cowered in a corner.

"Sven!" Justin called. "Do you know Japanese?"

Sven nodded and quickly trotted to the door speaking to the girl in a low soothing tone. After a few moments she shyly spoke back. Justin watched the exchange curiously. The girl slowly walked toward the Scandinavian man, shaking but trusting.

"She says her name is Seka," Sven said not taking his eyes from the frightened girl. "She knew something was not right when Henderson dropped her off but there was nothing she could do."

"Tell her we will take her home."

The blonde man spoke again to the girl as Justin watched. The girl began to speak in an agitated tone, shaking her head.

"She says it would disappoint her father if she were not to complete her semester," Sven finally said. "She was the first in her family to win such a scholarship. Honor is a big part of their culture."

"Well, we cannot leave her here."

"And we cannot let Henderson alert his client."

Justin pondered the circumstances carefully before an elaborate plan surfaced in his mind. He smiled slowly as the scheme unfolded. It would do very nicely and would help solve two problems at once. He turned to Sven who was regarding him quizzically.

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"Well that's taken care of," the dark haired man said as he hung up the phone.

Sven was still mulling over Justin's plan. He prayed to the heavens that it would work, as Tara wasn't faring too well these days. Seka sat on the couch with her hands folded in her lap, wringing them from time to time.

"Henderson has been neutralized?"

"Yes," Justin said. "He has been picked up for tax evasion. This will keep his suspicions from arousal and will also keep his client away from him, as he cannot make bail. Such a public-shy client would not to be seen visiting him."

"Frozen accounts?"

"Quite."

"Now onto the next stage of our plan," Sven said fastening his coat and heading out for his daily walk. He hoped Tara was in a talking mood today.

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Tara sat by the grave, as was her routine. She hoped to see Sven again as she hadn't been sleeping well again and he usually set her mind at ease. There hadn't been any further contact from her tormenter since the necklace had arrived on her doorstep, but she knew her troubles with him were far from over.

"Sweet."

Tara turned to the familiar Scandinavian accent and offered Sven a small smile. "How are you today?"

"I have been better."

"Is there anything I can do for you?"

"As a matter fact there is," he began carefully. "I know we do not know each other well but I have a favor to ask of you."

"Well, we don't know each other well," she conceded. "But you've been a great comfort to me over these last weeks and if there's anything I can do for you, I'd like to try."

"I appreciate that, sweet one."

Tara nodded and waited for him to continue. She could see he was stressed about something. It bothered her, as she was grateful to him for his support. She hoped she could help him.

"I do not how to begin."

"Well, let's start with the problem and work from there."

"There is a Japanese girl in my apartment right now who came over from her country to attend an American high school for a semester but the man who was responsible for her did not make arrangements for her shelter."

"I see," Tara said in confusion. "And how did you come to be responsible?"

"My business partner was at the airport when she arrived," he said evasively. "If our business were not so hectic, we would help her ourselves. But it would not be a fair experience for her."

"Why not send her home?"

"She does not wish to dishonor her family. There is money to pay for her board but I am loathe to hand her off to someone I do not know."

Tara felt sad for the girl and for Sven. It was clear he wanted to do everything possible to save her from having to go home to face her family. She knew what it was like to work hard to avoid disappointing those around her.

"No problem," she sighed finally.

"I am sorry?"

"I said it's no problem," she replied. "She can stay with me. I have room and there's a high school nearby."

"Are you sure this will be no inconvenience?"

"Sven, you have been a great source of comfort for me," she said sincerely. "This is a small favor to ask of me, really."

"Have I been that much of a comfort for you?"

"Yes," she said surprised.

"It is just that you still look very pale to me."

"I've been dealing with a lot of mean phone calls again," she said dismissively. "Having someone around will help me take my mind off it occasionally."

"Can you not refuse her calls?"

"I've installed Caller ID and let the machine take the brunt of them."

"You will still meet with me, yes?"

"Of course, Sven," she said. "Now let me give you my address so you can drop off . . ."

"Seka."

"Seka," she said. "Pretty name."

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"See?" Justin said later that evening after Sven returned from taking Seka to Tara's home. "Now we have someone to help us watch Tara while we finish the case.

"I do not know if it is enough," the blonde man said quietly. "She seems to be hanging on by a thread. Her eyes were so hollow, Justin."

Justin looked over at his partner and noted his despair. Without even thinking about it he pulled him close in an embrace. Sven gasped in surprise and tried to pull away but Justin wouldn't let him, resting his chin on the blonde man's shoulder.

"I know she is in danger, my friend," he said softly. "But I think we have done what we can for now. We will keep tabs on her through Seka."

Sven stopped struggling and relaxed into the darker man's frame. Justin felt him put his arms around his waist and nod mutely. All he knew now was that Sven felt good in his arms, like he was meant to be there. He wondered if the Scandinavian was feeling the same. This relationship was definitely going somewhere, he mused, but where was the question.