Savana tenses the moment she hears the sheriff's voice. The voice that haunts her nights. Last night was the first night she'd been able to sleep since her parents and Grant Hudson, her boyfriend, were killed.

Finding out that Grant had to have known what his brother was doing was a blow. Finding out that he was part of it, or at least suspected of being part of it was devastating to her. She didn't love Grant, but she was beginning to really like him. The only thing that helped her was knowing that at least he died trying to save her. He hadn't just given her up like his brother had thought he would.

Then she wonders if the sheriff really loved his brother like it was believed. Any time they were out on dates, Grant never wanted to talk about any thing personal. She doesn't know whether to believe it was because he didn't want her to find out about what he and his brother were doing or because he and his brother weren't as close as they were thought to be.

Savana focuses back into the here and now and listens to Brice deftly maneuver and manipulate the sheriff to get the information he wants from him.

"Sheriff Tyler Hudson. I don't know any sheriff's and definitely don't know any one of that last name. There aren't any sheriff's from around here, we have a police chief." Brice allows just a hint of condescension and derision filter out of his voice into the conversation.

"I'm sheriff of a small town in California. A little town you likely have never heard of."

"Then how the hell did you get my name and number? Why the hell are you bothering me? I have plenty of work to do with those associates and colleagues that I do know. You are neither an associate nor a colleague."

"I heard that you went to an auction last night." The sheriff says trying to be a little cagey.

"What auction would that be, sheriff?" Brice says staying relaxed and calm. There is no doubt that he was there, there is record of him being arrested and processed. The sheriff, being in law enforcement, would have access to that information. But he doesn't need to make things easy for the ass either.

"The one that was held last night." The sheriff says a little more upset with Brice.

"I'm sorry, sheriff, but I have no idea who you are or why it is any of your business what my schedule might or might not have included. If you wish to continue this conference then you will need to be clear and concise. First of all, what auction are you referring to and who the hell gave you my name and number." Brice is getting bored with this call. If the sheriff doesn't start giving him straight up information then he'll be hanging up.

"The flesh auction that was held last night and raided by the FBI. That auction, is the one I was referring to." The sheriff is getting irritated as well. He feels that Brice is playing with him and looking down on him. He doesn't like the feeling.

"Now why would I go to an auction of cattle? I don't have anything to do with livestock."

"Not that kind of flesh, human trafficking, the kind the government really frowns upon." The sheriff grits out.

"I don't go to those kind of auctions, they are bad for business. As you said yourself, the FBI raided this one. I don't need to have that kind of nastiness in my life." He really doesn't. If the FBI didn't need him to draw out the other flesh dealers then he wouldn't touch the auctions with a ten foot pole.

"I know you were there. My informant told me that you were not only there but that you also bid on one of the girls that was being sold." Brice's eyes narrow at this. Finally something he can use.

"You have an informant here in New York? Didn't you say that you are in some little podunk town in California?" Brice is enjoying adding the derisive tone to his words. The sneer evident on his face as he looks at his phone.

KK is holding Savana to him and doing his best to keep her quiet. Her hearing Brice treat the sheriff with such contempt goes a long way.

Brice keeps his eyes on Savana and he's getting worried about her. If she doesn't settle down he'll have KK take her out soon.

"My informant is in the FBI, a friend of mine." The sheriff says cagily.

"Look, sheriff, it you don't start speaking plain I'm hanging up. I need a name in order to continue this call. I don't like what you are insinuating and unless you have legal grounds to back it up we are done and I'll be having my lawyer contact you about harassment." Brice is done with playing nice. He needs information and he wants to end this call.

"My informant told me you not only went last night, but that you bid on one of the girls that was up for auction." The sheriff says.

"Name, sheriff, or I'm ending the call in five, four, three, two..."

"Agent Lawson." The sheriff spits out. He hadn't wanted to let the man know who was helping him in the FBI. The agent will be furious if it gets out.

"Agent Lawson, why would he be telling you jack about the auction last night?"

"I had some girls I was selling. One of them, the first one up, was only partially paid for. I was to receive a percentage of any price over one million. Lawson told me that you were the winning bid on the girl in question."

"I did actually bid on the girl. But the feds raided the place before I was able to pay for her. If you want your money or the girl you should talk to your fed friend. The feds confiscated my money and took the girls with them."

"My friend said that they allowed the girl to go with you. That you were the one to actually take the girl out of there."

Brice motions KK to take Savana out of the room since she was about to lose it. KK is quick to move and picks Savana up and rushes out of the room. Brice puts the phone on mute as he leaves. Once the door shuts he unmutes it.

Brice allows himself to laugh, "The Feds would sooner allow the assassination of the president of the country then give one of the girls up for auction to my care. They've been looking to take me down for years, sheriff. I find it curious though, that you, a sheriff, have girls in the auction. Just how did that happen?" Brice really wants to know the answer to this question.

The sheriff ignores the question, "My contact swore that the girl went home in your custody last night. I want my money since you have the merchandise."

Brice laughs outright. "I don't have the girl. I like my girls with more life in them. The shattered look on her face, I don't know what the hell you did to that girl, but I sincerely doubt that she was the virgin you declared her to be. Girls don't look like that when they are untouched."

"She was a virgin. There was a problem on getting the girl, she witnessed her parents being killed."

"Hmm, perhaps that would do it, but I don't think that was all. No, I doubt she was a virgin after all. If you want your money have your contact get it out of lockup. They took my money before the transaction was complete. I would have taken her home and had her examined, if she hadn't been a virgin then I would have demanded my money back, so I guess we are both at a loss."

"That girl was a fucking virgin. You took her home, Agent Lawson was very clear about that."

"Then agent Lawson can get the money from the fed lockup. I didn't pass the money over or I would have been charged with human trafficking instead of just intent. You are a law enforcement officer, you have access to the records. Look it up. There is no way in hell that they would allow the very girl I was bidding on to come home with me.

"There is no way in hell I would allow her to come home with me if the feds are involved. I don't need that headache. There is a reason I stopped going to the damn auctions in the first place. The first one I go to in years and it just so happens to be raided.

"Talk to your fed friend and find out where your money is. I already lost over a million dollars last night. I have no intentions of paying for merchandise I never received a second time. This conversation is over, sheriff. Don't contact me again about this girl. I don't know her other than the auction last night and I'll likely never see her again." With that Brice hangs up the phone. 

KK had slipped back in earlier and stood waiting patiently.

"We will be able to expect him within a week I think. Let the men know that we have a war with law enforcement on the way." Brice smiles and it's a decidedly predatory smile.

KK makes a phone call as Brice picks up his own phone. "Agent Anderson, I know the name of the leak, it's Agent Lawson."

There is silence as Anderson absorbs what he just heard. "Are you sure?" Anderson chokes out once the information seeps in.

"I just got done talking to the sheriff that sold Savana. He flat out told me that Agent Lawson was the one to tell him. That he was looking over the sheriff's interest for him. He had the gall to demand money. Lawson told him that I have Savana.

"Anderson, he will be coming for her and when he does, I will have my men shoot to kill. He will be coming after me unprovoked."

"It is your right to protect your life and property and the lives of those that live there. Perhaps we should move Savana to a more secure location?"

"I don't trust your people. She will be safer here. I won't let her move unless she requests it. You can come over after hours today and talk to her if you wish. She doesn't speak, but she can write what she wishes down. She has a meeting with a psychiatrist to see if she can regain her speech."

"Yes, your man mentioned that the trauma caused her to no longer speak. Very well, I'll be stopping by later. Tell your men that I have your permission, please? I don't have a death wish."

Brice laughs, "You come through the gate and be polite and you won't have any problems. It's only those that try coming without permission or by legal means that they shoot to kill."

Anderson hums in response, "Have you told your boss yet about the sheriff likely being the cause of his granddaughters abduction?"

"Not yet, I'll tell him now, he's been in meetings all morning. He's not going to like the news I'll be bringing him."

"Better you than me," Brice smirks as he ends the call.