by JR Thompson
Donovan had become desensitized to the value of human life. He admitted that he had gotten to a place where he could not look at anyone without wondering how much money he could get for them.
His confession made it easy for the jury. Donovan was convicted on fifteen counts of kidnapping and was sentenced to twenty-five years behind bars.
Several of the jurors felt he may have also been guilty of murder, but there was not enough evidence to convict him on any murder charges.
◆◆◆
As more of Branham’s associates were placed on the hot seat in coming weeks and months, the story began to make national news.
One of the most popular newscasts involved Dr. Fennell. A story collaborated by several of Branham’s goons shocked Clayville, Harmony, and the entire nation.
Dr. Fennell’s primary role in the venture was to locate human merchandise. He had an arrangement in place with Harmony High and Harmony Middle schools. When a school nurse felt a student had less than perfect vision, they would refer them to Dr. Fennell in exchange for getting a cut of his profits. The schools had no idea that Fennell was in the human trafficking business. They thought he was just using them to get more patients.
Fennell photographed each of his clients. He would ask them for their history. If a child, or even the child’s parent, appeared marketable, Fennell would provide that individual’s photo and personal information to Branham.
“Basically,” one of Branham’s associates confessed, “he was looking for certain types of people. He tried to find individuals whose families didn’t have a lot of money. Branham had given Doc Fennell that directive, fearful that private investigators might be hired to track them down.
“Fennell sought strong, healthy individuals who could be forced into servitude. People who could work on farms or in small, private factories. He also sought attractive individuals who could be sexually exploited.”
Witnesses said Fennell was not alone in his role. Everyone in their ring of human traffickers was responsible for seeking out potential merchandise.
It was believed that Fennell had been killed because Branham feared he was the weakest link. Fennell had become uneasy about Remmy being kidnapped. It wasn’t so much that he knew the Russells — he knew the families of most of his victims. It was more because the Russells had been among his favorite patients. He had grown to love and respect them. Branham was afraid he was going to spill the beans, so he ordered his life to be taken.
◆◆◆
During another trial, a trafficker said Branham had reportedly bragged about killing Duke Masselli himself.
“From what I understand, someone had put Masselli on Branham’s tail. Masselli tried to question Branham, but Branham dodged his phone calls. Duke was not one to give up easily. He shot him an email, showed up at his house, and even tried to pay him a visit at the station.
“Branham said Masselli had even went so far as to contact his parents trying to get information about him. He knew sooner or later, Duke was going to find his story and he would be done for.
Branham said he hadn’t planned on killing Duke. He went to his house just to scare him a little. He wanted to convince Masselli that he was not a man to be messed with. When he got there, however, he said something inside of him snapped. The next thing he knew, Duke was dead.”
◆◆◆
The small towns of Harmony and Clayville would never be the same.
Eleven other traffickers were put on trial, but charges were only brought against six of the eleven. Without enough concrete evidence of their direct involvement, the others were free to live out the rest of their lives however they wanted to.
The human trafficking business in both towns was officially stopped. However, the hard feelings toward Collin Russell for betraying the families of twelve middle school boys did not cease to exist.
The Russells were the most hated family to ever reside in Clayville. They were frequently subjected to ill treatment. No one would hire any member of their household. They were not welcome in the town and no one attempted to hide those feelings.
The Russells and Brock prayed and prayed and prayed, begging God for direction. They begged for the people’s compassion and forgiveness, or at least for an opportunity to move on, but it just wasn’t happening.
Then, one afternoon, all of that changed. Cleo Aurelius, a bank executive from Clayville, came out to their house.
Collin stepped out on the porch to see what kind of trouble was awaiting him this time.
“Collin, you know as well as I do that no one in this town wants you to be here. People have tried everything to run you out, but you stay put. Why?” Cleo asked.
“Cleo, we’ve been praying about it. We want to leave, but we can’t afford to move. We don’t have any money at all. We can’t even pay our electric bill any more, let alone afford moving expenses.”
“Is that all that’s stopping you?”
“Yes, Sir. We have been praying about it.”
“Then your prayer and mine have been answered at the same time. What if I offer you $250,000 for this house and property? I’ll give you cash.”
“You want to give me $250,000 for a property that is worth about $35,000?”
“I don’t want to, but I will. It would, of course, be under the agreement that you and your family would move out of the county and never come back.”
“It’s a deal!” Collin said. “You give us $250,000 and we’re out of here. It may take us some time to find a new place, though.”
“I’ll bring a contract out tomorrow. I’ll give you $50,000 as an advance payment and the other $200,000 when you leave. You’ll be given 30 days to get out.”
“Praise God!” Collin said. “Alayna, Brock, Remington, get out here!” he shouted with joy.
The three came running outside. “We’re getting out of this dump! We have a quarter of a million dollars at our disposal! God is good!”
Alayna, Remington, nor Brock had any objections. Clayville was old news. It was time for a fresh start — somewhere bigger, better, and brighter.
As soon as Aurelius left the property, Collin told the family they had no time to lose; it was time to figure out where they wanted to go and what they wanted to do.
With no friends or family in or around Clayville and no jobs to worry about, they could go practically anywhere.
“First things first — Brock, when you first arrived, we said you would be staying with us for ninety days to get back on your feet. We are well beyond that time frame now,” Collin said.
Brock looked worried, “Is it your preference that I not relocate with your household?”
“That’s not what I’m saying at all — well, not really,” Collin said. “We have accepted you as our family. We don’t want to turn you away, but we do want you to prosper. You are not going to learn to run unless you first throw on some running shoes.”
Collin went on to explain what he would like to see happen. He wanted to purchase a large piece of property with two houses on it. He and his family would reside in one and for the first ninety days, Brock could live in the other rent free. After those first ninety days were up, however, Brock would be required to start paying rent. He wouldn’t be able to set an amount for the rent, of course, until after he had found out more about the property his family would be purchasing.
Brock didn’t know what to say or what to think. For the first time since the mob had shown up at their place, he asked if he could take the Jeep into town; he needed some alone time to sort out his feelings.
CHAPTER 42 - SURPRISE
“Creeper!” A teenage girl yelled as Brock walked along Spudd Avenue.
Trying to ignore her, he continued walking. He didn’t know why, but he was headed straight toward the Creepy Masselli Place. Just as it came into sight, a man hollered, “Is it true? You folks really leaving town?”
That didn’t take long to get out. He turned to face the man. It was Jake, the town gossip.
Bro
ck chose not to answer him. He continued walking, wishing he could somehow be invisible. Seconds later, a passing vehicle honked its horn. Brock looked over his shoulder to make sure he wasn’t in danger — the Jetta was turning around.
Great! What now? Instead of continuing his walk, Brock turned completely around and faced the vehicle. He wanted to know what was coming.
Slowly, but surely the Jetta approached. It slowed as it got closer to where he was standing. Looking closer, he recognized the driver — it was Nikki. He hadn’t seen or heard from her in months. He wondered how she felt about him with all of the rumors circulating.
She pulled up next to him and rolled her window down, “Are you a parking ticket?” she asked.
“A parking ticket? Of course not. What kind of foolish question is that?” Brock replied dryly.
“Are you sure about that? It looks like you have ‘fine’ written all over you, stud,” Nikki winked.
Brock smirked. “Cute,” he said, while turning around to continue his walk.
Nikki scooted the car up beside of him. “What knocked the wind out of your sails?” she asked.
Brock briefly told her about the decision he had to make. Nikki had heard what people had been saying about the Russells and about Brock, but she didn’t care. She had never bought into media lies. She was a bit disappointed to hear about them moving though. She had high hopes that somehow she and Brock would become an item.
“I’m heading over to the library, do want to go with me?”
“Some quietude would be marvelous,” Brock said as he walked around to the passenger side.
Minutes later, Brock and Nikki entered the library. Each expected to find Grandma Librarian working away, but she wasn’t there. Excusing himself from her presence, Brock made his way to a sofa where he planned to simply sit and meditate on his future.
He sat there for a whole two minutes, before a familiar voice from behind him asked, “May I help you find anything, Sir?”
It couldn’t be! This is not happening. He turned around and sure enough, there was a new librarian in town — Victoria!
“I hear you’re moving,” she said.
“Are you stalking me now?” Brock asked. “You know with whom I reside, whom had employed my services, where I attend church, and even that I’m moving. Speaking of moving, you left Harmony to move to Clayville?”
Victoria sat down next to him, “Can I help it that I want to spend some quality time with my man?”
Before Brock could answer her, Nikki walked around the corner, “Are you about rea—, who is this?”
Brock was confused and speechless. I should have stayed home.
“Hi, I’m Victoria.”
“I’m Nikki. Don’t you think it’s a little awkward for a librarian to be snuggling up on a sofa next to one of her patrons?” Nikki growled.
“Perhaps, but not when he’s as sexy as this macho man,” Victoria teased.
Nikki was not amused, “Don’t think you’re going to move into town and steal MY man!”
My man, Brock thought. We aren’t dating. Still he didn’t say a word. He sat shell-shocked.
Victoria rose to her feet. “Listen to me, little missy, this man is mine. We have been married for fifteen years and have a child together.”
“Well, shut my mouth!” Nikki said. “Brock, tell me she’s lying.”
Brock raised up a little, reached behind him, and pulled out his billfold. He opened it up, reached inside, pulled out a ring, and placed it in the palm of his hand.
Nikki’s face turned a light shade of green. She ran out of the store, pledging to never speak to Brock again.
Surprisingly, Brock did not chase after her. Instead, he placed the ring on his finger, “I’ve missed you.”
Brock and Victoria stayed at the library talking for hours. When it closed at 5 pm, she asked him if he would like to see Scottie.
Wow! Victoria and Scottie in the same day? I don’t know how much my heart can take. “Without question.”
“What if I go home and talk to him alone and then bring him out to your place in an hour or so? Will that work?” Victoria asked.
“I’ll be there,” Brock said, scared out of his mind.
◆◆◆
When Brock arrived back at the house, Remington met him on the porch, eager to hear Brock say he was going to move with them; he was disappointed to hear Brock had yet to make up his mind.
Brock quickly made his way inside and told Collin and Alayna about the company which would be arriving shortly. They received the news well; Alayna said she would set a couple of additional plates out for dinner.
Brock ran to take a shower, shave, and put on a fresh change of clothes. He wasn’t sure if he was trying to impress his estranged wife or his son or both, but he fixed himself up nonetheless.
The hour passed before Brock knew what happened. Victoria knocked on the door. She too had changed clothes. She was wearing a pink dress with white polka dots. A white beaded necklace adorned her neck. She was gorgeous. “Scottie’s in the car. He was too —,” Victoria began to say.
“Daddy!” Scottie yelled, opening his car door. He ran as fast as his little legs would carry him.
Brock scooped him up in his arms and held him so tight Scottie was afraid his ribs might break. After a short embrace, Brock set him back down and the two stared at each other for a moment.
“I drew some pictures for you,” Scottie said, pulling some papers out of his back pocket.
Scottie had enjoyed drawing since he was in preschool. His skills had greatly improved, but Brock asked him to explain his drawings just in case.
“This one is Mr. Duffield, my teacher at school. This is our dog, Ralphie. This is me, you, and Mommy living together again, and —.”
“I didn’t know that was in there,” Victoria said. “Honest, I didn’t.”
Brock got teary eyed — he wasn’t the only one. Tears were building up in the eyes of every person there.
It turned into a very long, extremely pleasant evening. As a matter of fact, Brock’s love for Victoria was rekindled. He, V
ictoria, and Scottie were going to be a family once again.
Knowing how the town felt about her husband, Victoria urged Brock to take Collin up on his offer. She felt a new start was just what her family needed. Brock agreed.
The Russells and the Pearsons would all be leaving Clayville together to go wherever God would direct their steps.
A note from the author:
Thanks for taking the time to read “Hidden in Harmony.”
So what did you think? Love it? Hate it? I truly enjoy hearing from my readers. Please leave a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads to let me know what you thought of my book. I would be most appreciative of your feedback.
The sequel to Hidden in Harmony is now available.
FIGHTING FOR FARMINGTON
Brock Pearson, the new director of Laborers for God, has more on his plate than he can chew as private homes and businesses are becoming engulfed faster than his ministry can possibly rebuild.
Blazing properties form only a small part of the equation in this intriguing, clean mystery. The Pearson household has recently added a new member to their ranks — a runaway named Titus who brings a wealth of surprises to the table, including a quickly developing crush on their pastor’s granddaughter, Ericka. He’s going to have a difficult time winning her heart because she’s an extremely Godly young lady and Titus… well, let’s just say he hasn’t hit his spiritual growth spurt yet.
Order your copy today!
If you’re enjoying this series, you’re sure to love
Brady Clark endangers his family’s very existence with devastating lies. At fourteen, he has physically assaulted his father and is justifiably frantic. As local authorities find him racing through the woods with bloody bare feet and dressed in nothing but his unmentionables.
He finds himself nearly crippled with fear and begins impulsively spinning a web of deceit—a
web he soon finds himself caught up in. Brady’s not-so-innocent mistake forces his parents and his little brother to join him in a horrific nightmare where God is their only hope for survival.
Get your copy today!
