“I talked to Terri.” Oliver leaned back and studied him. “The bullet in your shoulder. You saved our informant’s life. Eliza Lawrence.”
This was exactly what Jack wanted to talk about. “Where is she?”
“Yes, that. I’m not happy about it.” A shadow fell over Oliver’s face. “We’re struggling.”
That’s what Jack figured. “Terri told me she was sent to a residential placement center.”
“We tried that.” Oliver hesitated. “The place was full. She’s an adult, so she can’t stay with the other girls. The services we have for children don’t apply to her.”
Frustration filled Jack’s veins. “That’s wrong, sir.” He could picture Eliza’s blue eyes. “So what if she’s twenty. She might as well be fifteen. She’s never known anything but the Palace. We can’t just turn her out on the streets.”
“I agree.” Oliver stood and faced the window behind his desk. “Since 2000 we’ve tried to find the exact right way to help victims of trafficking. But our programs are all very specific.”
Jack knew only too well. As a victim of trafficking—which she was, even though she was never technically sold—if Eliza wanted citizenship, no problem. If she applied for a small business loan, she’d get preference. But how was she supposed to live in the meantime? Jack clutched the arms of the chair. “Where is she now, sir?”
“She’s not a Texas resident, Jack. That excludes her from a number of services. The ones she’s eligible for are full.” He paused. “And honestly, she’d face the same thing in any state.” Oliver turned to Jack again. He paused longer than usual. “She’s in a homeless shelter. I gave her food vouchers and a bag of clothes from the Goodwill. I had nothing else, Jack.”
“What about hotels?”
“We’re out of vouchers. I put a social worker on the case. If one opens up, Eliza will be the first to get it.”
Jack was on his feet. “Are you kidding me?” His voice was louder than he intended. He stared at Oliver, then he dropped back to his chair again. Even now he couldn’t be rude. None of this was Oliver’s fault. But he was seething. “A homeless shelter, sir? Really?”
“I was lucky to get her that.” Oliver sorted through a folder on his desk. “There’s a facility for domestic violence victims that might have a spot in a month or so.”
“What?” Jack couldn’t believe this. Eliza was at a homeless shelter, alone in San Antonio? “You said she can’t be with the other girls.” His mind began to spin. The floor felt unsteady. Eliza would feel tricked for sure. Lying on a mattress on the shelter floor, no doubt surrounded by some of the scariest people in the city? “Let’s get an exception.”
“That won’t work.” Oliver shook his head. “The new group home is licensed only for minors. She would be considered a liability to the younger girls.”
A liability? Jack was ready to blow up. “Sir, I’m requesting this day to figure out housing for the girl. She helped me. That’s the least I can do.”
Oliver hesitated, but only for a minute. “Yes.” He sighed. “The system is far from perfect, Jack. You know that.” He handed over the girl’s folder. “If you can find her something, it’ll be the best news since the raid.”
* * *
JACK’S FIRST STOP was the group home where the twelve girls were staying. Stan and Melinda Largo met with him in the front room. The two were born in Nigeria and moved to the United States to attend medical school.
They listened while Jack talked about Eliza, how she needed a place to live while she got on her feet, found work and an apartment.
“Please. You have to help her.” God… if You’re there, please. “She’s at a downtown shelter. She needs you.”
Melinda looked like she was about to cry.
Despite the kindness in his brown eyes, her husband shook his head. “I’d love to help her, Jack. The younger girls talk about her all the time. Especially Rosa.”
“I’m thinking, maybe just this once.” Jack was ready to beg the couple. “Something temporary. We could get the state to make an exception.”
“There are no exceptions, Jack.” Stan frowned. “The law is in place to protect children.”
Again Jack’s mind raced. “What about… hiring her? She could be a housekeeper, help do the dishes and laundry. Help the children with their homework. She’s extremely bright.”