Chapter One

Special Agent Lacey McCoy, the youngest FBI agent in Alabama, was contacted in the middle of the night when he was asleep in the city of Birmingham. When he opened his eyes, he groaned. When he noticed that the screen of his iPhone, which was resting on his nightstand, was illuminating, he picked it up and took a call. "Agent McCoy speaking," Lacey said, sounding worn out.

"Agent McCoy, I think you'd better come down here right now." Officer Brandon, one of the police officers, stated. Lacey questioned, "What's going on?" "There's something you need to see," stated Officer Brandon.

Lacey said, "Okay, I'm on my way," and ended the call. As an FBI agent, Lacey is expected to answer any calls about assignments and emergencies, and it was currently approximately two in the morning.

Agent McCoy got out of bed, put on his pants and shirt right away, and left his bedroom. He then grabbed his FBI jacket, placed his Glock 19MM holster on his belt, took his wallet and keys, and drove to the unmarked FBI 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe that was parked outside his house, facing the garage door.

After unlocking his automobile, Agent McCoy opened the door and climbed into the driver's seat. After closing the door, he fastened his safety belt. Agent McCoy grabs his keys, starts the vehicle, shifts into reverse, presses the gas, and backs the vehicle away from the garage door.

Agent McCoy eventually left his house and headed to a crime scene. Meanwhile, Agent McCoy reached the spot, put the gear on break, sighed, unbuckled his safety belt, opened the driver's seat door, and got out.

After exiting the vehicle, Agent McCoy closed the door, turned around, and proceeded to approach Officer Brandon.

Once Agent McCoy stood beside Officer Brandon, sighed, and said, "What do we got?"

Officer Brandon said, "Agent McCoy, several bodies were found in Monte Santo State Park. A witness named Sarah Lord who discovered the bodies over twenty minutes ago, is currently being questioned by Detectives Dalton and Evans, and she said that she was taking a walk in the middle of the night with her dog because she couldn't sleep. Until she tripped on one of the bodies which scared her. She called 911 and as soon as Detective Dalton and Evans came to the scene, they found something on the victims' bodies," says Officer Brandon.

"A barcode?" Agent McCoy inquired.

"Yes," answered Officer Brandon.

"Okay," Agent McCoy said, sighing.

He brushed his hair aside with his hand and fingers. Detectives Dalton and Evans, homicide detectives from the Birmingham Police Department in Alabama, finished their conversation with Sarah and approached Agent McCoy.

"Good morning, Agent McCoy," Detective Dalton greeted.

"Good morning. I see that this investigation is now a federal matter. I'll take it from here," Agent McCoy replied.

"Well, fifteen bodies were discovered this morning, and our witness, Mrs. Lord, claims she was out here all alone..." Detective Dalton began, but Agent McCoy interrupted, saying, "I'm aware of that, Detective. Officer Brandon informed me that there were barcodes tattooed on their wrists. This suggests we might be dealing with a child sex trafficking operation. It appears these individuals are linked to child exploitation, which means this is no longer your case." Agent McCoy explained.

"Agent McCoy, you do realize that fifteen young children were murdered. This is also a homicide," says Detective Dalton.

"Yes, I know. But since it's more of an investigation for the FBI to investigate, this is now under federal law. I get that you're trying to do your job, but let me do mine." Agent McCoy.

"Sounds like we have a problem, Agent McCoy," Detective Dalton said.

"No. I'd just wanted to let you know that the FBI will now handle this matter, so please let me do my job and you do yours, thank you." Agent McCoy said before he walked past Detectives Dalton and Evans.

Agent McCoy walked towards the bodies of the dead children and he squatted down and he put on his gloves and gently grabbed one of the children's pale and fragile wrists and he looked to see if a barcode was tattooed on their wrist. The children were indeed a part of a trafficking ring and Agent McCoy has every reason to believe that these children were treated like animals and abused by some trafficker who abused these children. The question is why?

Officer Brandon walked up to Agent McCoy and he asked McCoy if he needed any help. Agent McCoy looked up to him and said, "Can you please bring me a DSLR camera? I need to take pictures of these children's injuries for investigation," says Agent McCoy. Until Officer Brandon immediately returned to the crime scene and he walked away from McCoy. Agent McCoy sighed and eventually Officer Brandon returned to Agent McCoy and handed him the DSLR Camera. After Agent McCoy grabbed the photo from Officer Brandon he sighed before looking into the camera's viewfinder and he started taking photos of the children's injuries on each child and was carefully not moving a single body. Agent McCoy is a former photographer, who will know that lighting and scale are everything. They wouldn't just use a phone. They would use a DSLR or mirrorless camera with specialized macro lenses to show detail in injuries (bruises, burns, branding). They will use forensic scales (small L-shaped rulers) placed next to injuries to indicate size in photographs. Agent McCoy would prioritize the victim's comfort, likely asking permission before photographing, explaining why it's needed for the case, and giving the victim control, as the FBI takes a trauma-informed approach.

Agent McCoy should look for specific, often obscure, physical marks: branding, tattoos, cigarette burns, or rash-like abrasions indicative of forced labor or sex trafficking. Agent McCoy might notice things in the background of photos—specific hotel lamp styles, bedspreads, or city views—and use tools like TraffickCam to identify locations where the victim was held. Identifying The photos serve to identify not just the injury, but the trafficker's "signature" or control mechanism.

The photos must be logged in a chain of custody, with photographic logs, sketches, and notes to be admissible in federal court. While the FBI takes charge, Agent McCoy might have to deal with local law enforcement or patrol officers who didn't recognize the signs of trafficking initially. Agent McCoy would be able to spot subtle clues that other agents miss—lighting that indicates a room is in a basement, a reflection in a mirror showing a perpetrator, or a specific brand of equipment used by traffickers.

Agent McCoy sighed and he rubbed his eyes with his fingers and stood up from the ground before he heard someone crying. Agent McCoy looked up and he said "Hello?" Agent McCoy was the only one who heard a cry. "Hello?" Agent McCoy said once again.

The cries were heard from far away and Agent McCoy quickly grabbed his gun from his holster before he aimed it down at the ground and he slowly walked towards the trees and followed the path. Agent McCoy kept walking down the path as he aimed his gun at the trees this time and he continued walking until the cries were getting much more intense.

"Hello?" Agent McCoy said. "FBI, show me your hands where I can see them!" Agent McCoy said, continuing to speak. McCoy didn't just point the weapon; he presented it. In one fluid motion, the Glock 19M cleared his holster and rose to his eye line. He didn't squint or close an eye; he kept both open, his gaze locked on the suspect's chest while the orange front sight of his AmeriGlos settled into the center of his vision. He leaned into the stance, shoulders squared, his thumbs indexed forward along the frame like two arrows pointing at his target.

Agent McCoy continued walking farther away from the crime scene and he continued to slowly walk down the path as he continued to point his gun at the trees including his weapon light that was attached underneath the firearm.

Once Agent McCoy was getting closer to where the crying was coming from, he saw a boy sitting behind a tree. Agent McCoy slowly walked up to the boy and he said, "Hey, come on out."

The boy continued to cry and he was scared. Agent McCoy decided to put his gun back into his holster and he continued to slowly walk towards the boy.

"Hey, buddy. I'm not gonna hurt you," says Agent McCoy.

Therefore, the boy turned around and he saw Agent McCoy across from him. "Hey buddy, what's your name?" Agent McCoy asked. The boy hid behind the tree, he was still scared. "It's okay buddy, I'm not gonna hurt you. I'm a good guy. I help people," Agent McCoy said.

Then eventually the boy came out of his hiding place and he slowly walked away from the tree. Agent McCoy could tell the boy was dirty and barfilthy. "It's okay buddy. I'm Lacey McCoy. I'm an FBI agent. See?" Agent McCoy said, pulling out his FBI badge and showing it to the boy. The boy just stopped walking. He just stood where he was staring at Agent McCoy.

"It's okay buddy. You can come over here," Agent McCoy said. The boy continued to slowly walk towards Agent McCoy and he was quiet and scared.

"That's it. You got it." Agent McCoy leaned out a hand and eventually the boy grabbed his hand and Agent McCoy slowly turned around and continued to hold onto the boy and they started walking to the crime scene.

Eventually, Agent McCoy should not conduct a detailed interrogation in the woods. Instead, they perform a brief fact-finding session to determine if other children are in danger or if suspects are nearby. FBI Victim Specialists are immediately looped in to provide food, clothing, and emergency medical care.

Even though the boy is moved to a neutral, secure location, often a Child Advocacy Center, rather than a police station, to reduce trauma. FBI Agent McCoy uses a specific protocol for interviewing child victims to ensure statements are admissible in court.

Even though a forensic interviewer—not the discovering agent—typically conducts the session to maintain objectivity. Another process begins with a "practice phase" to establish a relationship before moving to open-ended questions about the events. Meanwhile, the interviewers must avoid making promises they cannot keep and must be sensitive to "memory fragmentation" caused by trauma.

Agent McCoy walked into the interview room and the boy was silent. "Hey uh, Agent McCoy it's good to see you. We need to have a chat." Mrs. Ray Forbes said as she walked past Agent McCoy and they both turned around and left the interview room together leaving the boy in the room all alone.

Once Agent McCoy asked Mrs. Forbes what was going on, Mrs. Forbes sighed and said, "He is very scared. He said that this man had forced him into doing things like labor, eighteen hours a day. He was being used for commercial sex where the man had him up for sale for money to buy expensive things. Basically living a luxury lifestyle using that money. And so he says that this man has sold him for money and this other guy who worked for this man would not tell me his name or the other guy's name—and once the guy had "purchased," the boy, he was being constantly abused and putting him on the streets to beg for money after the other guy who bought him," explained Mrs. Forbes.

"So he's a part of a child sex trafficking ring," says Agent McCoy.

"But this boy is obviously traumatized and he said he misses his mom and dad and that he wants to be back home. But also I asked him if he could tell me these guys' names, but he just stopped talking. Obviously, he's so scared he thinks the guys are gonna come back and find him," says Mrs. Forbes.

"Did he ever say anything about being sexually assaulted or anything about that?" Agent McCoy.

"No. I'd say he was physically abused because he had bruises and cuts on his arms and legs. He witnessed a lot of bad things like the children out in the woods. He saw them get shot and killed." Mrs. Forbes said.

As part of the Victim Assistance, based at FBI Headquarters, child forensic interviewers, such as Mrs. Forbes specializes in crimes involving human trafficking, child sexual exploitation, and violent crimes, including those on Indian reservations.

Another woman whom Mrs. Forbes works for Amanda Saxton, is a licensed clinical social worker and a highly trained interviewer. While her goal is to support criminal investigations, she must also consider the unique developmental and emotional needs of victims and witnesses like the boy.

"Agent McCoy, this boy is so scared, he wants to be somewhere safe. I called his parents and they're on their way up here now," says Mrs. Forbes.

Agent McCoy sighed and said, "Okay. Thank you," says Agent McCoy. Mrs. Forbes nodded her head and said, "You're welcome." Mrs. Forbes walked past Agent before walking back into the interview room.

After Mrs. Forbes entered the room, Agent McCoy just stood by the door looking through the window and was watching Mrs. Forbes talking to the boy. Mrs. Forbes was sitting in her seat across from the boy and Agent McCoy got a phone call from his partner FBI Special Agent Jonah Smithson. After Agent McCoy answered the phone, Jonah spoke to Agent McCoy and explained to him that he needed Agent McCoy to come down to the bureau. There was something important going on. "Okay, I'm on my way," says Agent McCoy. After Agent McCoy hung up the phone, he turned around and walked away from the interview room.

Agent McCoy eventually arrived at the FBI Field Office in Birmingham, Alabama and he walked into Level Four of the Field Office where he investigates child sex trafficking cases. He met up with Agent Smithson who walked up to him and said, "So I spoke with the Special Agent in Charge and he said that the boy's name is Rodger Bradford, ten years old, went missing in October 2011 and nobody has seen him since. His parents reported a missing person as their son and until Birmingham Police Detectives Alexander and Detective Johnson who both worked in the Missing Persons, they closed the case after a year of searching for Rodger, and his remains were found but it turned out to be a lie. Detectives Alexander and Johnson said the boy's body was found near a nearby river in Montgomery, so I called Missing Persons and they said that the boy's deceased body wasn't Rodger, it was actually a boy named Henry Granger. He was the same age as Rodger who died after being forced into child labor after being sold to this guy Vincent Nash. He has a partner with whom he sells his children. For money. The other guy's name is Jason Marbel. But the real question is why is Vincent selling these kids to Jason? For a much severer punishment?" Agent Smithson said.

Agent McCoy deeply let out a sigh and said, "I mean there are lots of reasons why. But we just need to investigate further." Agent Smithson said, "Yeah. Anyways Rodger has returned to his parents. I'm sure Mrs. Forbes has told you that already?" Agent Smithson wondered. "Yeah. She did. So what do we have on the other children? The ones who were murdered in the woods?" Agent McCoy asked.

"The first deceased victim is Hannah McGuire. The second victim is Heath Sanders and other members, who are considered unknown names for now. The FBI's
Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Forces are still trying to determine the exact names of these victims," says Agent Smithson.

"Okay. We should probably go speak to Rodger's parents, maybe they'd know something about the case?" Agent McCoy said.

"Yeah, sure." Agent Smithson said. Eventually, Special Agents McCoy and Smithson left the Field Office together and they drove to Rodger's house and went to speak with the parents.

Agent McCoy knocked on their door on the front porch. After Agent McCoy knocked on the door, he sighed and waited for Rodger's mother Mrs. Bradford to open the door. After Mrs. Bradford opened the door, she noticed Agent McCoy and Agent Smithson standing outside the door facing her.

"Hi, Mrs. Bradford? I'm Special Agent McCoy from the FBI," Agent McCoy shows his badge to Mrs. Bradford before he continues to speak.

"This is my partner Agent Smithson, can we come in?" Agent McCoy said.

"Oh my gosh, you're the one who found my son." Mrs. Bradford said.

"Yes ma'am. Can we come in?" Agent McCoy said.

"Yes, yes. Come in." Mrs. Bradford said, as she stood aside.

"Thank you," says Agent McCoy.

Both Agent McCoy and Agent Smithson walked into Robert's and his parents' house. After Mrs. Bradford closed the door, she said, "Please, have a seat." Mrs. Bradford said.

"Thank you." Agent McCoy said. Both Agent McCoy and Agent Smithson sat down on the couch in the living room.

"Can I get you two something to drink?" Mrs. Bradford asked, smiling.

"Oh uh, no thank you. We're not gonna be here that long. We just want to ask you a few questions. Is that okay?" Agent McCoy wondered.

"Yes." Mrs. Bradford sighed before she sat on another couch across from Agent McCoy and Agent Smithson. Mrs. Bradford sighed and Agent McCoy sighed as well.

"Mrs. Bradford, I know this must be hard for you. For you and your husband. Um, is your husband home by any chance?" Agent McCoy asked.

"Yes. He's upstairs. Uh, honey! Can you please come into the living room?" Mrs. Bradford said, shouting.

"Coming!" Mr. Bradford said. Footsteps were coming from upstairs and eventually, Mrs. Bradford, Agent McCoy, and Agent Smithson all glanced at Mr. Bradford as they watched him walk down the stairs, and then come into the living room.

"Honey, these two guys are from the FBI. They want to tell us something." Mrs. Bradford said.

"Uh yes. Thank you. Thank you for finding our son!" Mr. Bradford said.

Agent McCoy nodded his head and said, "It's not a problem. It's our job." He smiled. "So what is it you want to talk to us about?" Mrs. Bradford wondered.

"Well uh, Mr. and Mrs. Bradford, do you know if Robert had any contact with anyone who would want to hurt your son?" Agent McCoy wondered.

"No. I know he's ten years old, but this was five years ago when he was kidnapped. But I don't think a five-year-old would know who he's talking to?" Mrs. Bradford said.

"Do you know if he ever had been walking alone by himself, or something like that?" Agent McCoy wondered.

"Yeah. I lost him in a store. I was shopping and I lost my eyes on him for a second. Then the next thing I knew he was gone. I was so scared I thought I would never see him again." Mrs. Bradford said.

Agent McCoy sighed and said, "Okay. Um, did you ever see anyone following you or anything?" Agent McCoy asked. Local police Detectives Dalton and Evans had arrived at Mr. and Mrs. Bradford's house.

They'd knocked on their door. Mr. Bradford answered the door. "Hi, Mr. Bradford? I'm Detective Dalton and this is Detective Evans from the Birmingham Police Department. May we come in?" Detective Dalton asked.

"Yes, yes." Mr. Bradford said.

Detective Dalton and Detective Evans walked inside the house. Mr. Bradford shuts the door. "What's going on?" Mr. Bradford wondered as he followed Detectives Dalton and Evans to the living room. "Well uh, the FBI and the local police are looking for some information on the suspects who kidnapped your son. I can see that it's two of these men named Vincent Nash and Jason Marbel, do you recognize the names?" Detective Dalton asked.

"No. Never heard of them. Should we know their names?" Mrs. Bradford asked. "No. But we think these are the two guys who are responsible for kidnapping your son. Agents McCoy and I agreed we will investigate this matter as soon as possible and come to you if we have more details. But uh, right now, we would like to continue to investigate this matter with your son having to tell us what really happened to him and the other children," Detective Dalton said.

"Mrs. Forbes said he explained everything. We just don't want him to traumatize him even more." Mr. Bradford said.

"I understand Mr. Bradford, but to stop these two guys, it's best if we get more information from Robert. He's our only witness who survived the incident. Is that okay?" Detective Dalton asked.

"Uh yeah, sure." Mrs. Bradford asked.

"Thank you," says Detective Dalton. Agent McCoy cleared his throat and said, "Detective Dalton can I speak to you in private?" Agent McCoy said, after he stood up from the couch, then walked to the door and opened it. He stepped outside. Detective Dalton excused himself and turned around and stepped outside before shutting the door. He sees a distressed Agent McCoy pacing back and forth thinking about what to say to him.

"Are you serious right now?" Agent McCoy wondered.

"I am just doing my job, Agent McCoy," says Detective Dalton.

"No. I literally said that this is under federal jurisdiction. So let me and other agents just handle the situation," says Agent McCoy.

"My Captain said that I am responsible for this case too. I'd suggest you take a look at the facts that this is also a local investigation. So we will work together. Is that okay?" Detective Dalton asked.

Agent McCoy sighed and closed his eyes and said, "You know what, I don't care what your Captain said. I literally said this is under the FBI's radar and they are going to take the case. Now my partner and I have a lot of information on the investigation, but this is also a child sex trafficking investigation. Not just murder." Agent McCoy explained.

Detective Dalton sighed and said, "Exactly. You just made your point. This is also the police's responsibility and the FBI's. If you can't approve of this then you can just quit your job." Detective Dalton said.

Detective Dalton sighed and he turned around before walking up to the door and opening it. After walking back inside Mr. and Mrs. At Bradford's house, Detective Dalton shuts the door. Agent McCoy sighed and he walked back into the house as well.