by Elaine Meece
“Think Tristen will tell Cynthia?”
“He said he wouldn’t. After I got in the pool, he took Shawn to the side and talked to him. I have no idea what he said.”
“It’s my fault. I got their hopes up about me moving back after the wedding.”
“I wonder what Shea has learned about Hayden’s identity,” Annie said.
“My PI has been checking into his past. I have an idea he was involved in something shady. I may seek custody of the boys if I don’t like what I hear.”
“No mother is going to pick her boyfriend over her kids. I’m sure if you uncover anything about him, she’ll dump him in a New York minute.”
“You know half my money goes to Shea and the boys.”
“I figured as much. I have friends whose husbands pay a lot, and they struggle with their finances.” Had he brought this up to explain why he couldn’t marry her? Is that what this was about? She started to bring up the fact that she owned a paid off house, her car had been a cash purchase, and she made slightly over a hundred thousand a year. It wasn’t chicken feed.
“If Shea remarries, will that put an end to the alimony?”
“It would, but I’d still have child support.”
Annie decided to back off the subject. She needed Brice to help her rescue Megan and Libby. She didn’t want to put a wedge between them, but once her sister and niece were safe, she’d let Mr. Jordan know, she wasn’t the type for a long friendship with benefits.
After crossing over the Alabama state line, Brice drove another twenty miles before turning on a two-lane road near the old carwash. A few miles up the road, she spotted a herd of fake deer and not far up the road, the mail boxes Renee had described. “Turn right.”
No sooner than she said it, his GPS instructed the same turn.
They drove five miles.
“Arriving at 1555 Hornby Road.”
Brice turned in the driveway. “I’m not sure how far back this goes.”
“These people are like moles. They like digging themselves in deep, so no one can find them.”
A big white house came into view. Air conditioners filled several of the windows, and a screen door on the front of the house hung loose and flopped about in the breeze.
Several large dogs stood, stretched, and then ran out to meet the SUV. One barked, and soon the others did too. They made enough noise to wake the dead.
“No way to sneak upon them,” Annie said. She realized the Phoenix commune probably had dogs as well that alerted them of intruders. The dogs knew Megan and Libby. Maybe they wouldn’t pay any attention to them leaving.
Brice stopped in front of the house beside a Ford pickup. A huge truck with a bed loaded with hay stood parked to the side. Several smaller cars scattered the yard. Some looked like they were drivable while others didn’t.
They left the car and walked toward the house.
A man stepped out on the porch with a shotgun aimed at them. “Stop right there.”
Chapter Sixteen
“I don’t know what you’re sellin’ or preachin’ but you get back in your car and leave,” the man shouted.
“Matthew James?”
“Yeah, what of it?”
“I’m Annie Spencer, Megan’s younger sister. She married your brother, Dan. I need to ask you some questions.”
He lowered the gun. “About what?”
“Someone slashed my tires, scratched my car, and broke into my house.”
“What’s that got to do with me?”
“I think someone in your family is responsible. I didn’t connect it until I realized Megan’s letters she’d written me were missing.”
“They’re not allowed to write letters,” Matthew said.
“Exactly, why I want them back. I know you don’t follow their doctrine. But someone who follows it, is involved. Someone who is communicating with your brother.”
Matthew leaned the gun against the house. “Anything else make you think it’s someone associated with Cactus Point?”
She told him what was written on the brick. “This all started after I had contacted several law enforcement agencies about Cactus Point. FBI agents went out there, but you know what a good performance of religious bliss they can portray.”
“I remember. My mom left my dad and brought us boys here to live with her father. Dan missed the commune and returned. I didn’t want any part of it.” He glanced over at Brice. “Who’s he?”
Annie introduced them. “He’s actually my boss and offered to come with me.”
Brice shook hands with the guy.
“You have other family who could have done it, don’t you?” she asked.
Matthew nodded. “They keep in touch with Dan. A couple of them here keep multiple wives. They legally marry one, and the others are married to him outside the government.” He motioned to his truck. “Let’s take a ride.”
Seeing how the truck only had two seats, Annie glanced at Brice. “You can wait here for that call you’re expecting. I doubt we’ll be long.”
Brice appeared uncertain about staying. “Sure. If you don’t think you’ll need me.”
“No, I’m fine.”
While Annie climbed in Matthew’s truck, Brice returned to his car. Matthew slid the shotgun in a rack on the back inside window, then lowered into the seat, and started the engine. “They’re all at the east field vaccinating calves.”
After a ten-minute drive over a bumpy dirt road through a field with grazing cows, they came upon another truck by a wooden corral. The ride tossed her around like a tennis shoe in the dryer.
Finally, the truck stopped, and Matthew climbed out and approached some men. He spoke with them and motioned at her. He appeared to be arguing with the younger one. Matthew grabbed him and yanked him toward the truck.
She opened the door and stepped down to the ground. “Are you the one who slashed my new tires and broke into my house?”
“I did it to stop the whore of Babylon from destroying our way of life.”
“Who is he?”
“He’s my boy, Jonas. He and his cousin decided to help Uncle Dan.”
“The letters you took. Where are they?” she asked.
“I mailed them yesterday.”
“He should get them sometime next week,” Matthew said.
“You know what they’ll do to her?” she asked.
“She deserves it,” Jonas mumbled.
Annie shook her head. “No, she doesn’t. She was tricked into going there. He never explained he had four other wives.”
Matthew turned to her. “You got the bill for replacing your tires?”
“In my purse. I left it in the SUV.”
“If you’ll leave it with me, Jonas and his cousin, Simon, will pay you back for the damage. Leave me an address where they can send a money order.” He gave Jonas a hard look. “We’ll talk about this tonight. There will be consequences to what you’ve done.”
Annie wondered if the teenagers had really mailed the letters. Somehow, she had to let Megan know. A letter wouldn’t reach her in time.
♦♦♦
Brice glanced at his watch. He wondered what was taking so long. Had the man taken Annie out somewhere and shot her? He wished he had gone even if it had meant riding in the truck bed.
When he heard the truck coming up the drive, a stream of relief flowed through him. Once it stopped, she climbed out. Annie opened the SUV door and slid in, leaving the door partially opened.
“Are you all right?” Brice asked.
She shrugged, appearing on the brink of tears. She pulled the tire receipt from her purse and jotted her address down, then handed it to Matthew, who waited at the open SUV door. “I wrote my address on the back. If they refund the money for my tires, I won’t turn their names over to the detective working the case.”
“I’d appreciate that. You won’t have any more trouble out of them. If I could get those letters back, I would.”
“I know you would. Thanks for your h
elp.”
Once on the highway, she sighed in despair. “I have to reach Mrs. Craven by phone. She and her husband are the only outsiders allowed on the property. I’ve got to warn Megan.”
“Can she give Megan your plans for their escape?”
“Maybe. That’d be great.”
His phone played the Star War song, and he flicked on the speaker phone. “Cynthia, anything wrong?”
Annie knew to be silent. She placed her index over her lips and shook her head.
Brice nodded.
Detector Tabor called. They arrested a nurse at the hospital. They have her on video going into Garner’s room about the time he died.”
“But who tampered with the machines?”
“Tabor said she had to be working with someone, but she’s not talking.”
“Can they tie her to Kayla Miller?” Brice asked.
“No, they haven’t been able to yet. We’re having all her bank accounts checked.”
Brice stopped at an intersection. He glanced over at Annie, who listened quietly.
“And Kayla Miller purchased Garner’s shares before the flowers on his grave had time to wilt,” Cynthia stated. “I still believe she’s behind it.”
“If they can’t prove it, she’ll get away with murder,” Brice added. “That lady’s diabolical. I hope our little pay back doesn’t push her over the edge.”
“Oh, she’ll want to get even. I’m not sure how far she’ll go.” Cynthia paused. “It’s quiet. Are the boys with you?”
“No, my sister has them. I had some things to do, and she hasn’t seen them in a while.”
“How’d the wedding go,” Cynthia said. “Are you packing to move back home?”
“Actually, it didn’t go that well. But I’m not giving up.” He winked at Annie to let her know he had said it for Cynthia’s benefit. “I’m driving. I guess I should concentrate.”
“We’ll talk Monday.”
After he disconnected the call, he glanced at Annie. “My sister has the boys for the night. We’ve never had a real date.”
“I’m not dressed for anywhere nice. Besides, I need to call Mrs. Craven.”
“Don’t forget they’re two or three hours behind us. It’s only three or four there.”
“I need to reach her as soon as possible.” She brushed the wrinkles from her skirt. “I’m going to be on the flight to Jacksonville with you. It’s an overnight stay. Why don’t we make that a date night? I think you need to spend tonight with Shawn and Gabe. I don’t want them to see me as the enemy.”
“Shawn will come around. Don’t forget Cynthia and Tristen will be with us in Jacksonville.”
“We’ll make excuses to turn in early, then sneak out.”
“I’ll leave the plans up to you.” Brice hated taking her home. With his sister keeping the boys, he’d hoped to have a full evening with her. But she was right. He needed to smooth things over with Shawn.
At Annie’s house, he walked her to the door. “I’ll see you Monday.” He leaned and kissed her lightly. “Goodnight.”
He hopped in his car and backed out. His phone rang and he answered it without looking to see who was calling.
“I want to fuck you.”
“Stop calling. I don’t find this amusing.” He disconnected.
If Kayla Miller thought this would win him over, she had to be insane. Actually, the lady scared the hell out of him. Once she learned he and Cynthia set her up, she’d be wanting to do more than fuck him. She’d want to murder him.
♦♦♦
After keying in Mrs. Craven’s phone number, Annie listened to the phone ring and ring.
Someone pick up.
Annie feared Mrs. Craven wasn’t home.
“Hello,” said an older woman.
“I need to speak with Mrs. Craven.”
“May I ask who’s calling?”
“Annie Spencer. My sister is Megan at the commune.”
“Give me your number and let me call you back.”
Annie gave the lady her number, then disconnected, and waited for her phone to ring. She answered it immediately. “Mrs. Craven?”
“Yes, it’s me. I had to be sure it wasn’t someone trying to trick me.”
“Megan is going to be in serious trouble.” She explained about the letters being discovered in her house. “They mailed them to Dan. When he gets them, he’ll take them to Hawkins. They’ll kill her.”
“There’s been many women they claimed have left, but I’ve checked up on some and never found a trace of where they had gone. I can’t chance getting caught. I’m not delivering any more letters or messages. I just can’t.”
“Remember when they find those letters, it won’t take them long to figure out who has been playing postman.”
“I’ll get the message to her.”
“There’s more.”
“Dear, I’ll be doing good if I can warn her about the letters. They watch us like hawks when we’re out there. I can’t hand her anything without them checking. I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can get anymore letters in or out. They’ll make us sorry if they find out I’ve helped her.”
“But I need for her to know…” She hesitated. What if they forced Mrs. Craven to talk and she told about the plan to rescue Megan and Libby. If she didn’t get a letter through and Mrs. Craven couldn’t tell her, how would Megan know when and where to meet them?
“I won’t be able to get out there until Monday. They don’t conduct any business on the Sabbath, and it’s too late to go out there today.”
Annie thanked Mrs. Craven and disconnected.
Sunday morning, Annie did something she rarely had an opportunity to do. She dressed in a simple dress with white sandals, then left for church. She drove to the United Methodist Church on Peachtree NE Street.
Inside, she joined others on a pew halfway down. During the times of silent prayer, she prayed for Megan and Libby. She prayed that she and Brice would be successful and wouldn’t get one scratch on Cynthia’s jet.
She sang the hymns and listened to the prayers. But when it came to the sermon, so many thoughts danced around her mind, she hadn’t been able to concentrate. But she did come up with a rescue plan.
Afterwards, she returned home. Her phone rang, and she dug it out of her purse and answered it. “Hello.”
“We’re swinging by to get you,” Brice said.
“Where are we going?” Annie asked.
“The aquarium. My treat.”
“I have a season pass. You’ll get off cheap with me. What about Shawn and Gabe?”
“I had a talk with them. Whatever Tristen said seemed to help.”
“I attended church this morning, so I’m already dressed and ready to go.” She didn’t think the skirt and blouse were too dressy.
“See you in twenty minutes.”
This would give her a chance to run her plan by him. He wouldn’t like it. The July days were passing quickly. The third week would be upon them soon, and they didn’t have a game plan ready for the rescue. They had a general idea and date but nothing etched in stone.
At the Georgia Aquarium, Gabe and Shawn stayed a step ahead of them, leading the way to each exhibit.
They had already seen the sea lions at Pier 225, strolled through the River Scout section, and the Dolphin Celebration.
“Annie, come see this?” Gabe shouted.
She walked over. “Cool. I like sea dragons. Look at the spider crab.”
“It’s awesome,” Gabe shouted.
Finally, they went into the Ocean Voyager area. She stared up at the army of stingrays swimming over her and the beluga whale. “I love this section. You don’t realize how big they are until you’re standing under them.”
When they reached a section where the boys explored on their own, they sat down. She told him what Mrs. Craven said. “She sounded really frightened.”
“I’m sure she is. You’ve got to think the sheriff and his deputies are all in on it. She has no one to turn
to. So how will your sister know we’re coming after her?”
“I’ve come up with a plan.”
“Something tells me, I’m not going to like this.”
“When I was there, Hawkins offered me a chance to join my sister and Libby. He would find me a husband, and I’d become part of the group.”
“No, stop right there. I’ll refuse to help you if you’re putting your life on the line.”
“Then you tell me how to get the information to her.”
With his thumb, Brice pushed up on his right brow as he thought about it. “I don’t know. There has to be some other way.”
“Well when you think of it, let me know.” She joined the boys. “Shawn, come pet the nurse shark.”
Shawn actually smiled at her. “It has smooth skin. You feel it.”
Annie didn’t particularly care to touch it but did anyway. “It feels spongy.” She smiled. “I used to have a goldfish named Petunia.”
“Do you still have it?” Gabe asked.
“No. How’s your puppy?” Annie realized they hadn’t mentioned it in a while.
They grew disheartened.
“It ran away,” Gabe said.
“I rode my bike all over and couldn’t find it,” Shawn added.
Brice sighed. “Maybe your mom will let me buy you one.”
Gabe shook his head. “Hayden said we can’t have another one.”
“Well, Hayden isn’t the boss.”
On the upper level, they viewed a film on sea life. They finished up with a walk through the Tropical Diver and viewed the life of an ocean reef.
In the aquarium gift shop, Brice whistled at the boys who were shopping up and down the aisles. “Forget it guys. I’m not buying you anything today.”
“Ah, Dad,” Shawn said. “I like this shark.”
“I want the octopus,” Gabe said.
“Put them back.”
“May I buy the toys for them?” Annie asked Brice.
“If you don’t have anything better to spend your money on.”
