“Near as we could tell there were three vans consisting of a number of couples. All looked like they were headed to some party of some type,” replied Fish
“Did any of the women fit the descriptions of the girls missing in the last two months?”
“No, and we saw no sign of Mitch Laurence or Alison Perkins.”
“Good, then that means we’re in time. They must all still be in the compound. Just to be on the safe side, Bo is sending cars to follow the vans to their destination and they’ll keep us informed if the vans go anywhere unusual. Alright, let’s go. No one is to be hurt. We’ve got the warrant to search again. Use force only if attacked.” They proceeded to approach the gate this time not having set off any alarms.
Ivan was in his lab when he heard a familiar voice coming from his monitors. He looked up to see Detective McBain and his men coming in the gate. There had been no alarms which meant they had been found out. Ivan calmly walked over and hit the switch that would close off the lab and proceeded to watch as the men scattered. Soon, he heard movement over his head and knew they had entered the main house. He watched as the detective walked over to the fireplace and triggered the hidden panel revealing the elevator. “Ah Carlo, it appears that someone figured out your compound.” He listened as the elevator was activated.
John and Brody along with several other officers entered the elevator and took it down to a level that was clearly below the basement of the cabin. The door opened to a stone tunnel the led to a large room. They moved quietly and as they were about to enter the main room they heard talking coming from a hallway to their right.
“Man, that was some party last night.”
“Yeah, I’m kinda glad I don’t have to attend the ceremony. My head’s killing me.”
“No kidding, watching these girls is light duty. Boy, the boss sure has changed. I never thought that ‘Alison’ chick would land him, but something’s different between them. He almost knocked my head off the other day because I complimented her.”
“No, Shit! The man’s downright possessive of her these days. Must be because she’s carrying his kid.”
“I guess. I just never thought he’d marry her. She’s been pining after him for a lot of years. What do you think happened to change that?”
“I’m guessing whatever it was, it had something to do with that wacky doctor.”
John looked down the hallway and spotted the two men, one was leaning against the wall looking down at his friend in a chair. Neither guy was paying much attention to the area “I’d love to hear the rest of this conversation.” John remarked as he and Brody entered the hallway.
“Hey! Who the hell are you?”
“The name’s Detective McBain and I have a warrant to search the facility. If you two will please move.”
Having been caught with their guard down the two men moved aside. John opened the door to find two young women reading the bible. He recognized them as Briggs’ granddaughter Beth Faulkner, and Tiffany Baker, the girls who had been missing. “Ladies, we’re here to take you home.”
The girls looked at each other and then Charlie Briggs’ granddaughter Beth spoke up. “But I don’t understand. We are home.”
John and Brody looked at each other. Was it possible they had joined of their own free will? ”You’ve been missing for two months and your parents are frantic. It will be necessary that you come with us at this time, so we can get this straightened out. Tell me, have you seen this woman and a little boy?” John then showed his picture.
“Of course, that’s Natalie and The Messenger’s son Liam. He’s adorable. Natalie is his caregiver since his mother died.” replied Tiffany and Beth agreed.
It was obvious that the girls had been brainwashed to believe whatever The Messenger wanted them to believe. John had heard all about the mind control Mitch had had back in the eighties when he had first formed his cult. It appeared the girls were now under his influence and would need help getting their lives back in order. “Do you know where they are right now?”
“Certainly, Natalie is attending The Messenger’s Handmaiden at her wedding and Liam is just down the hall in the nursery.”
“Show us, please.” John stepped aside as the two young women exited the room.
The girls were upset to see Brody with his gun on the two men who were fellow followers. “Why do you have a gun out? What’s going on?”
One of the men quickly spoke up and said. “Remember, Heed The Messenger. Don’t do anything else.”
John and Brody watch as the girls paused and then nodded to the man.
“Like I said earlier. We had reason to believe you were taken by force. These two men were found guarding your door. We could only assume you were being held against your will. If we are mistaken, that will be determined when we get back to Llanview. For the time being these men are considered dangerous. You were going to lead us to the nursery.” John said.
“I’m sorry we can’t do that, it is you who are dangerous. You’ve entered here with guns. We can’t let you get to the children.” replied Beth and with a look at Tiffany, took off down the hall headed back towards the elevator, yelling for help.
John looked at his men. “Go stop her, but don’t hurt her. She doesn’t know what she’s doing. Ms. Baker, if you’ll show me the nursery. Please, I assure you we’re not here to harm you. Liam is my son. I just want to see my son.”
Tiffany was puzzled. “No, Liam is The Messenger’s son. You must be mistaken,” she looked at the two men being guarded and back to John.
“I can prove it.” John took out his wallet and produced the picture taken at Christmas before the blackout. He held it out and Tiffany saw it. The man in the photo was that of the man in front of her and Natalie and Liam were also in the picture.
“I don’t understand.” She glanced up confused.
“Natalie is my fiance and the mother of my son Liam and they were taken by force months ago. We’ve been looking for them ever since. If you know where Liam is....” John prayed he had gotten through to her.
“Tiffany, don’t. Remember, heed....” The man suddenly felt a gun in his back.
“I suggest you stop right now, or I’ll find a way to shut you up,” replied Brody.
Tiffany nodded to John, she wasn’t sure why Natalie didn’t know her own son, but the man in front of her was clearly Liam’s father. She began to lead them down to the nursery as Beth was brought back to them from the great hall.
“Tiffany what are you doing?” asked Beth struggling in the arms of one of the officers.
“Taking a father to his son,” she replied simply. She reached a room and opened the door. There were several small children playing together being watched by another young woman, who looked up when the door opened.
“Tiffany is there something, I can do for you?” Melanie asked.
Before she could get her answer, Liam looked at the door and saw his father standing there. He stood up on his little legs and toddled forward, holding up his arms and saying “Dada.” John swooped up the little boy, unashamed of the tears that had gathered in his eyes. The women and men watched as father and son were reunited. Liam hugged his father and began playing with his hair. John turned and smiled at Tiffany. “Thank you. Now please explain what you meant when you said Natalie is attending the handmaiden at her wedding. Who is the handmaiden and where is this wedding?”
Tiffany smiled back at the Lieutenant. “Alison is marrying The Messenger in an hour at The Tabernacle of Joy where we worship. We were going to be leaving as soon as the vans returned for us.”
Just then Fish called on the walkie. “John, we’ve got several vans pulling into the compound.”
“Fish, round up the drivers and keep everyone contained up there. We’re coming back up. We found the missing girls and Liam.” Brody and John, still holding his son, waited with the girls as they watch the two men and the other officers head up in the elevator first. When the elevator returned, they entered and rode up to the ground level. Stepping off the elevator, John asked. “Did anyone find Kipling?”
Brody shook his head ‘no’. “The folks around here are telling us, he disappears at times. It seems he’s pretty much of a mystery to them. Only Alison and Mitch dealt with him. These people want to know if they’re going to be allowed to go down for the wedding?”
John walked out onto the porch looking at the people now assembled. “Everyone here will be taken into town, but I’m afraid the wedding is off. Mitch Laurence and Alison Perkins are persons of interest in several cases and we’ll need to talk to them today..” Looking at his men he ordered them to keep everyone together and confiscate all cell phones. Even as he said it, one man was frantically trying to text something. Brody seeing it, grabbed the phone before the message was sent.
“Fish, you and the men use the vans and take everyone down to the station. Leave a couple of men here to watch for Kipling. Brody, you take Liam to Llanfair and Vicki. Tell her we’re going to get Natalie, and then meet me at The Tabernacle. Let’s go.” Looking at his watch he realized it was only forty-five minutes until the wedding. It would take almost an hour to get back into town. He was on the phone with Bo the minute he got to his car. Since the majority of the force had gone up to the mountain, Bo agreed to send the men as soon as all the colonists were at the station and that he would at least send a man to monitor the wedding until John arrived.
***
Todd pulled into the garage at the Manning Building and jogged to the express elevator. Stepping out on the Executive Office floor he walked quickly to his office and over to the wall that housed his wall safe. Opening it, he took out the gun he used to keep at the penthouse. Checking to make sure it was loaded, he headed back out and was on his way to a place he hadn’t been in since CJ and Sarah helped him. Followers were standing around outside the Tabernacle when he drove past and parked about a block away from the building. He had debated dressing in a tux for the occasion but was glad he had chosen to just wear his suit. He didn’t want to stand out. He was pleased to see he had guessed right. He pulled out his cell and texted his reporter.
I’m here at The Tabernacle, where r you?
He waited and was rewarded with a ring.
Checking out the back. Found a rear entrance. Looks new.
He sent back:
Stay there I’ll come around.
Todd made his way past a few of the followers, taking his time. He heard several of them discussing The Messenger and his re-emergence. He nodded to a couple of the followers and said “Heed The Messenger”, and they responded back with smiles “Heed The Messenger.” He got to the alley and went around the building. Sure enough, there was a new back door to the building that had never been there before. Unfortunately, it locked from the inside. He turned to his reporter. “Listen, you stay here. If anyone comes out that door, follow them. You got that?”
“Yeah, but what are you going to do?”
“I’m going to a wedding.”
Great job....can't wait to see what he'll do at the event.
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