Haven Bound

13. Austin

13

Austin

The file folder weighs heavy in my hands as I stare at photographs of a young child with bruised and battered skin. I find myself wondering if Chelsea has any scars on her body that match the ones in these photos.

After leaving my parents’ place, I came straight to the hotel to see Zack Mercer, the head of our security department. He was hired on here at Elysian Suites’ primary location a few years ago after he left his hometown police force, making him the perfect fit for heading up our security. With the number of events we sponsor and the victims we provide housing for, we needed to bring on a full-time team of security to ensure our hotel guests are safe and protected.

However, his job also entails tracking down targets for The Phoenix Legion and giving us the most up-to-date information possible. The last report that places Daniel Witters in Haven Beach dates back almost twelve years ago. He could be anywhere in the world. Though something tells me that he’s a lot closer than we think.

“Dude’s for sure got a pattern,” Zack mutters as he clicks away at the keyboard, his eyes glued to his computer screen.

“Show me,” I say, standing from my chair and moving to stand beside him .

“Looks like he left Haven Beach about twelve years ago as you said, then settled in Sutton Ridge for a bit where he was involved in several relationships, if you wanna call them that. A handful of reports were filed with the Sutton Ridge Police Department, but they were never verified by the victims. Seems like the reports were always filed by friends or acquaintances.”

He’s got numerous pictures of filed reports pulled up on his computer screen. While the reports all detail verbal, physical, and some sexual abuse, none of them were verified and they were ultimately deemed false. Thankfully, the police department is still required to keep the reports on file. “Is he still in Sutton Ridge?”

The idea of Daniel Witters being anywhere near Chelsea ever again has my blood pulsing in my ears. If this man is in Sutton Ridge, just outside of Haven Beach, I’m not sure I will be able to stop myself from taking him out tonight.

“Looks like he’s been in Rivercrest for the past few years,” Zack says, pulling up Dan’s last known address for me to see. I quickly snap a picture of the listed address with my phone. “Got it. Any information on where he works?” I need as much intel as I can get on this guy. He doesn’t get to continue living his life in peace while Chelsea carries around the trauma he’s caused.

Just thinking of her has my heart beating faster and sweat coating my palms. I have no idea how I’m going to face her and pretend that nothing has changed. As if I haven’t suddenly been made aware of the horrific things she went through as a child. Thinking of her traumatic childhood also has me thinking of my sister, and I find myself wondering if Hailey knew about any of this .

The idea that my sister has been keeping all of this to herself when she knows that we could’ve handled the situation years ago has rage simmering beneath the surface of my skin once again. As eager as I am to have this assignment taken care of, I think I need to visit my sister first. I need to find out what she knows. The last thing I want to do is make any decisions that could potentially cause Chelsea more harm. And after everything she’s been through, she deserves to feel nothing but love and happiness for the rest of her life.

I want to be the one to make her happy.

I want to be the one to make her feel loved.

“Nothing yet,” Zack’s voice pulls my focus back to his computer screen as his fingers fly across the keyboard, desperately trying to find as much information on Dan Witters as possible. “Keep looking. Text me when you’ve got something,” I say, heading for the door of his office.

“Ace.” His voice and the use of my Phoenix name have me turning back to face him with one hand on the door and the target file in the other hand. His attention is still locked on his computer screen as he says, “Don’t wait too long to handle this. People like him have a habit of escaping conviction, no matter the charges.” His voice is strained, and I’m sure that memories of his police force days are likely invading his mind. Like so many other members of the organization, Zack has witnessed the failures of the judicial system one too many times.

He knows firsthand what it’s like to arrest somebody for their crimes, only to later see them get off without any charges. To be honest, given his background, he’s the kind of man we could use on the ground. But he has demons of his own that he would need to face before he would feel comfortable enough to step away from the safety of being behind a computer.

I nod silently despite knowing he can’t see the motion and close the office door behind me. Before I can do anything else and before I can head to Rivercrest, I need to see Hailey and find out how much she knows.