Chapter 11 - Katia
Delilah had barely stood when she saw Katia frantically running out of the office building in tears. Delilah glanced at Boone and immediately took off running after Katia. She knew Katia are upset. She also knew she had to help Katia. Delilah hoped helping Katia would lead her and Boone to Lucy.
Delilah lagged behind, not wanting to get too close to Katia until they were out of sight of Miner’s office building. Miner knew Delilah and Delilah would not put Katia in potential danger. When they were both several blocks from Miner’s Headquarters, Delilah called out, “Katia.”
Katia turned and looked at Delilah confused. “Do I know you?”
“We met a long time ago,” Delilah lied. “Maybe about ten years ago.”
“Of course,” Katia politely lied in return.
“Dee,” Delilah stated as an introduction. “Are you okay? Why have you been crying?”
“Just a bad day at work,” Katia replied. “I will figure it out.”
“Do you want to talk? I am a good listener,” Delilah offered as she looked around. She could see Boone about a half a block away. He was just close enough to hear the conversation but far enough away, not to be noticed by Katia. “I was just headed for a bite to eat. Would you like to join me?”
“I have already had lunch.”
“How about a cup of herbal tea?” Delilah suggested. “My treat.”
“Thank you. A cup of tea would be nice,” Katia agreed. Delilah took Katia by the hand and led her to a cafe further down the block and further away from the office building. Boone followed the ladies while keeping his distance.
Delilah ordered two cups of peppermint tea and led Katia back outside to a cafe table. She found an empty table as far away from the mid-afternoon patrons as possible. Both sat. Delilah remained silent, waiting for Katia to open up. She instinctively knew not to push Katia into talking. For a moment, she wished Boone was there to push calming thoughts into Katia’s mind. But it was too soon for Boone to join them. Delilah noticed Boone walking past the cafe but said nothing. She waited patiently for Katia to tell her story.
“I cannot believe my father sent me to college just to be a typist, and now someone’s wife,” Katia blurted out. “All I have ever wanted to do was to be a painter, an artist,” Katia sighed. “But my father says the prophets have another plan for me. I am to be a wife and mother. I know it is how I am supposed to serve God, by serving the church and my husband. But I want more, so much more. I want to travel and paint and to be free. And now I am about to be paraded around like a whore to some rich and probably an old man with dozens of wives. I want to be in love and not in a polygamist marriage. I want monogamy.”
“Paraded?” Delilah asked with one word.
“There is a party Friday night. Only a dozen girls from work are invited. Only the pretty ones. I saw the dress they want me to wear. It is red, bright red like a harlot. I could never wear something so...” Katia could not finish the sentence. She could not find the right word.
Delilah reached across the table and gently patted Katia’s hand. “I can help you. Will you help me?” Delilah asked.
“How can you help you?”
“Let’s go someplace a little more private. I have a story to tell you. But we have to hurry. I need you to go back to work this afternoon.”
“Back there! No. No, I cannot go back,” Katia cried.
“Once you know everything, I hope you will help us,” Delilah whispered.
“Us?”
“Yes, us,” Delilah replied and stood. She proffered her hand, and Katia took it. “Please trust me Katia. I promise to keep you safe.”
Delilah walked down the street hand in hand with Katia. She smiled seeing Boone. “Katia, this is my fiancé Boone. Boone, Katia.”
“It is a pleasure,” Boone smiled. Katia blushed as she looked up at the tall, gorgeous man smiling down at her.
“There is an empty storefront around the corner,” Boone told the ladies. “We should have some privacy there.” Boone started walking, and the ladies followed. Just minutes later the three were inside the empty store.
“Katia,” Delilah started. “We need your help. We are private investigators, and we are trying to find a girl who disappeared three months ago. We think Allen Miner might be involved.”
“A girl who worked for Miner? Is this about Marcie?” Katia asked suspiciously.
“Something like that,” Delilah replied. “And we think the party this Friday will give us a clue where to find her. I have promised her mother we would find her and bring her home, and we need your help.”
“In return, we will help you relocate, and you can follow your dreams,” Boone offered.
“What do I have to do?” Katia asked with apprehension. But she was more afraid of the thought of attending the party.
“Help us get into the party,” Delilah replied. “But it means you will have to attend the party. It is our only way in.”
“You have not seen the dress they want me to wear. It is scandalous. My father would shun me, maybe even beat me,” Katia called out in horror.
“Go back to work and tell them you changed your mind and you will attend the party. Tell them you want to practice wearing the dress and shoes and convince them to let you bring them home tonight."
Delilah paused while Katia attempted to calm herself and then continued. "I will meet you tonight, and I will take you to my hotel suite. We will make a few alterations to the dress. I promise you will like what I can do with a needle and thread." Katie nodded.
"While you are at work, get us the IP address of Miner’s computer or at least the one for his assistant. We need more information. Can you do it?” Delilah asked. “But whatever you do, do not repeat this conversation to anyone or use our names at work. Miner knows us.”
Katia started to cry again. Her body was tremulous. Boone lifted Katia’s face so he could look her in the eyes. “Katia, you are a strong, brave woman. You will go back to work as if nothing happened. You will get the dress, shoes, and the IP address. We will pick you up outside this store tonight at 5:15.”
Katia blinked and inhaled deeply. When she exhaled, she stopped shaking, and the tears dried instantly. “I am strong,” Katia nodded filled with resolve. “I will see you tonight.”
Katia walked out of the empty store and headed towards the office building. “I hope it worked. You pushed her, didn’t you?” Delilah asked Boone.
“I had to. It was the only way. She was about to run,” Boone revealed. “And I saw a glimpse of the dress. I am not sure what she is hiding under her plain dress, but the gown they picked out for her will leave nothing to the imagination.”
“More revealing than my gowns?” Delilah laughed.
“So much more,” Boone grimaced.
“It is a good thing I learned to sew as a young girl.”