Standing behind Pratt, at a distance, Pratt didn’t see Ian and Highlander exchange glances. Both men were shocked she knew what the device was and how she knew what it was used for.
“What do you mean?” Diesel asked, confused by the statement.
“Using Highlander and myself as an example, I piss him off, he’s trying to train me to be a good little whore, I buck, he knows my fear of the dark, he ties me to the chair and then place the box over my head and leave me there for hours. Not only do I have my fear of the dark, I have my fear of closed in spaces that teaches me to comply to his wishes no matter how much I want to fight him.”
Everyone in the room noticed how Pratt’s voice was monotoned and no emotion as she just stared at the object in Diesel’s hands. Breaking the silence, Raso walked up to the group with several burnt items in her hands.
“Looks like he knew it was only a matter of time before we found this place and searched it. These were found in the fireplace in the other living room that was dark compared to this one yet looked to be more widely used.”
Ian took the papers from Raso and looked at what was left of them. Cursing when he saw a few of the names on the items, he handed them over to Pratt.
“He tried to burn the slave contract he made her sign. The other looks to be a contract between them about her turning everything over to him, a normal contract between two consenting adults in the lifestyle, but this one is more in depth about what she can and cannot do. It goes along with the slave contract that she also signed.”
“The dates are three years ago. These can’t be legal since she wasn’t eighteen at the time. Federal law says eighteen, but this is also Florida. Ian, what is the age of consent here in Tampa?” York asked Ian, looking at the papers over Pratt’s shoulder.
“Age of consent in Florida, period, is eighteen. So, if these were signed when she wasn’t eighteen then they are null and void.”
“We got him! Mother fucker we got him! Let’s get to the department and nail this son-of-a-bitch!”
“Slow down, lass. Let’s look at the rest of the house and see if we can’t find anything else.” Highlander advised his wife, taking the papers away from her so she could focus on her surroundings.
Hesitating for several moments, she looked at everyone around her. Nodding, she walked off to check the upstairs room.
Two hours later, Pratt and Ian sat down in front of Jackson in the interrogation room, along with his attorney. Pratt and Jackson participated in a stare down for several minutes before his attorney coughed, breaking the tension.
“I’m the lead counsel for Mr. Ares, Delbert Robertson. Now, let’s get this unpleasant business behind us.”
Pratt and Ian ignored the attorney, both of them staring Jackson down, waiting for him to make a move or say something. Pratt cocked an eyebrow at Jackson while his attorney did his spiel.
“Now, as Mr. Ares already told you, he and this Ms. Hamilton are married, therefore she is not missing nor do you have any right to harass my client like you have been.”
Pratt burst into laughter before the attorney had finished his sentence. “For an attorney, you seem a little lax on the state of Florida law, Mr. Robertson. The ‘bride’ wasn’t eighteen when they wed. She couldn’t legally consent to shit with Mr.Areswhen he had her kidnapped…”
“She had her mother’s consent, officer. This isn’t California.”
Pratt looked over at Ian and rolled her eyes. “No shit Sherlock! First of all, it’s Detective! Next, you may want to look at your information again. Candy Hamilton-Ruiz was wanted for two counts of kidnapping, attempted homicide, first degree murder, and two counts of endangering of minors. Because she was facing felony criminal charges, her ability to ‘consent’ to Dakota’s relationship with your client became null and void.”
“Again, officer, this isn’t…”
“Yeah, yeah, this isn’t California. Now I’m starting to think you’re a court appointed shithead that daddy had sent in since you don’t know rank. Like I said earlier, learn your laws Mr. Robertson. Candy was wanted by the FBI since Dakota was taken across state lines. So, let me educate you how that works. When the FBI gets involved, CandynorDakota were able to consent to the relationship that this man fantasizes himself in with the victim.”
“Consent doesn’t apply to monetary gains either, Mr. Robertson.” Ian matter of factly pointed out to the attorney. “Your client paid to have his so-called wife kidnapped and brought to Florida. He purposely avoided law enforcement, then ordered a Navy SEAL to be murdered after he had three others involved in Dakota’s kidnapping executed so they couldn’t identify him.”
“You know this how?” The attorney asked sarcastically.
“Yourclientwas on the phone with me, gloating about Candy’s demise when he stopped his conversation to give the direct order to someone to take him out.”
Jackson smirked at Pratt as she informed the attorney about the execution order. Leaning forward, Jackson placed his elbows on the table with his chin in his hands, assessing Pratt as she spoke.
Several minutes into the interrogation, a knock on the door sounded. Pratt and Ian got up, ignoring the attorney complaining about the disruption and left the room. As they walked into the other room, Pratt noticed the look on Highlander and several of her teammates faces.
The door on the opposite side of the room opened, allowing a lone figure to walk into the room. Pratt gasped in shock when she saw none other than Dakota Hamilton enter the room. When Pratt walked towards Dakota, she stopped when she saw Dakota freeze in fear.
“I-I-I’m here for my husband.” Dakota said softly.
“Dakota, the marriage isn’t legal. He can’t force you to stay with him. We can protect you from him.” Diesel told Dakota, walking up behind her.
“No, you can’t. He’s my husband. I’m the one who called his attorney when you arrested him. I married him willingly.”
