"Do you understand how to trick him into believing what you were doing out here?" I asked.

"He won't even think of me being away. He's too excited for the pre-filming party."

"Good." I was starting to like him. Something about him tugged at me and I wanted the chance to get to know him better.

"Alyana, your plan is brilliant. With the advent of some of these new recreational drugs, mixing them with his favorite cocktail isn't difficult. He won't even smell it, and being a drunk every weekend, Whitcomb is toast. I'll have him out for the duration. He deserves a little of his own medicine."

Chayton was washing dishes as we discussed our plans. I took a plate from him and ran a dish towel over it before slipping it onto the top of the pile on table behind me. Putting them back on the shelves was for later. My compulsive need to be active brought out dusting cloths and a bucket of hot soapy water. He checked his watch, and asked if he could help.

"Keep me updated if you can. I don't know if you can get away with having an open connection on your phone. I'll speak with my boss. We don't need a mess because our two agencies are out of touch."

I took the last glass from Chayton, dried it, and placed it on a clean shelf.

"That isn't a problem. I'll set a conference call. You gave me your boss's number, just make the call to him before I leave. If we can draw on the resources of both agencies, setting up on the forestry trunk road will be right out of both play books."

Chayton used the dishcloth to wipe down the counter and went over to the stove to deal with the spatter there.

"Of course. As soon as we put everything back on the shelves. Thanks for helping."

"Mom taught me to do the same at least once a year. I wouldn't dream of not pitching in." He rinsed out the sink and ran the cloth under hot water. Folding it, he settled it over the long faucet arm before turning toward me.

"Let me make that call." I went over to the kitchen table and picked up my cell phone from where it was laying face down. "I'll make sure Edison Jones knows you're up here. DOJ is looking into local law enforcement and the blind eye they have turned to indigenous women disappearing. Especially the ones in small towns around the reserves. I'm supposed to be heading out to Oklahoma next." I dialed the number I memorized, but never entered into my contact list.

"Edison, you need to call this number," I rattled off the numbers Chayton gave me while we were eating. My boss responded with a colorful string of rather blue language. My guest was listening in and mouthed the word impressive. I grinned and nodded.

"DHS, you say?" Edison's disbelief came barrelling right through my speaker.

"Yeah, there's a major porn ring, as you know. It isn't just Navajo women. The last few tapes are young Hispanic girls. He's the guy who's been sending me the tapes over the last few weeks. Illegal drug use and a funnel of narcotics coming from south of the border are a huge part of the operation."

"Bastards. Do you have a badge and driver's license for him? He might get taken in with the rest of them, but I'll let state patrol know. Deep cover like you?"

"Exactly." I rattled off Chayton's ID particulars before asking, "You'll take care of it?"

"Of course. Chayton Adakai? Where have I heard that name before?" Edison paused for a moment before continuing. "Doesn't matter. Brave man. Thank him. You'll have your warrants by tomorrow morning. I'll send them to the trooper detachment. Expect the raid mid afternoon."

"Make sure they coordinate with DHS, please." I couldn't keep the worry out of my voice. "There are survivors. Chayton knows where they're stashed."

"Does his boss have the info?"

Chayton nodded.

"Yeah, he's here now, and I'm going to let him use my equipment to upload his files to his home office. They should have it in the next thirty minutes. Call them after that."

"Will do. Stay safe. It's all I can say. I hope we have a clean take down. Don't want these assholes to walk on a technicality. Get those files moving. I'll call his boss in thirty five minutes." The way he repeated my timing suggestion told me he was under the gun to organize everything.

My phone disconnected with no further conversation.

"In here." I led Chayton into my bedroom. My workstation took over half the floorspace. My bed was on a platform above it.

"Nice." He pulled a USB thumb drive out of his shirt pocket.

I logged into my mini desktop and stood up to let him use the office chair. "Have at it. You're going to have to make a run for it to get back before there are too many questions."

"I'm aware." His fingers moved in a rapid tattoo on my keyboard. "Keep the drive safe after the upload finishes. I'm out of here."

Chayton stood up and framed my face with strong hands. His mouth descended on mine, and before I could register the heat, he headed out and I heard my door slam.

"Stay safe," I whispered.