by Evans, Misty
She let that sink in. Waited for him to comment. When he didn’t, she continued. “I joined the FBI so I could uncover the truth behind what happened at Wrightsville. My job also allowed me to keep tabs on you and the other survivors. I became complacent. An incident earlier this year woke me up, turned me around. I realized how my mind had become poisoned. I no longer just wanted to meet you. I needed to come home.”
He faced her, one brow raised. “You’ve always known the truth about Mount Royal.”
“I was nine. Things didn’t make sense.”
“Did you want revenge? On the FBI agents who were there?”
Careful. “They killed our parents. Don’t you?”
He returned to gazing out the window. “This was your choice, then. To come here?”
“Yes.”
“The FBI didn’t send you to investigate me?”
She’d prepared for this question. “Why would they?”
“I’m Daniel’s son. I run a sanctuary they’ve labeled a cult. We’re a peaceful people running an organic farm and worshiping God, and yet they claim what I’ve done is illegal. They believe I’m a threat, just like my father.”
“You’ve given them no reason to believe you’re different than Daniel.”
His brows drew into a deep V. “How so?”
“The YouTube videos?”
His face relaxed. “Those were Jacob’s idea, but I kind of like them. They do get a lot of views and expand our mission across the globe. But the government thinks I’m looking for revenge.”
“Are you?”
“I welcome my enemies to the farm, just like I welcome my friends.”
Welcome. Her mind flashed back to the sitting room. The way he’d greeted Thomas, then told him to stay put like he was a trained dog. Or was that her overactive imagination? “That doesn’t answer my question.”
Adam grinned at her. “I am not looking for revenge, Roanna, and neither are you. We seek the light, like Daniel and Danielle did before us. We search for truth, yearn to be understood, and we retreat from harming anyone. Yet, we’re persecuted by those who fear us, fear our message. There are times when we are justified in defending ourselves and our beliefs.”
We. Our. He spoke as if she were already one of his followers. That was good. “The FBI is overworked and understaffed. Regardless of what you see on TV or read on the internet, they can barely keep up with the constant terrorism threats in our country. And the massive scope of criminals under their jurisdiction is mind-boggling. I assure you, Heaven’s Gate is not on their radar.”
Adam nodded. “And your friend? Tell me about him.”
So far, her act was working. Now for a little tap dance. “He’s as disgruntled with his job as I am with mine. Lost, you might say. I was hoping you would talk to him.”
“In time.”
Adam sat across from her, a new light in his eyes. “I’ve had visions. Visions of your role with Heaven’s Gate.”
She wasn’t sure she wanted to know what he’d supposedly seen her doing. Time to divert. “Daniel had visions. Some were quite…intense.”
“He was filled with the Holy Spirit. I, too, have been visited by that Presence. My visions…do you know what they have in common?”
Schizophrenia? “What?”
“You. You are in every one of them!”
Ronni swallowed. If anyone else had told her such nonsense she would have laughed. With Adam, it wasn’t funny. Creepy, yes. “What am I doing?”
“On Wednesday, I will be anointed.”
“So you said on the phone.”
“Do you know who will pour the oil on my head, signifying I am Chosen?”
Ronni’s chest tweaked. Her pulse quickened. He couldn’t possibly mean…”Me?”
Adam nodded. “You, Roanna. In every vision I’ve had, you break the first Seal.”
Chapter Seventeen
Thomas squirmed under Melanie’s gaze.
“Another cookie?” she inquired. She was the perfect hostess, smiling and keeping up small talk as she pawned cookies at him.
“I’ve had six. I think I need to loosen my belt already.” Where was Ronni? She and Adam had been gone for nearly an hour, and Melly had run out of things to tell him. She’d given him a tour of the main house and part of the grounds. Explained in detail about the irrigation system used for the vegetable and herb crops. She had not, however, run out of food. “Guess Adam and Ronnie have a lot to catch up on.”
“Yes.” She smoothed the apron across her lap, eyed his hair. “Anita did a nice job with your cut yesterday.”
“Ronni wanted her to shave it all off.”
Melly tittered. “I’m sure you could have carried the bald look quite well, but you have such thick hair, it would be a shame to shave it.”
“Never tried it and don’t plan to.” During Ronni’s absence, he’d carefully interlaced normal conversation with a bit of interrogation. He found out some interesting stuff about the farm, Melly’s childhood, and how Adam had saved the farm, like her salon, from bankruptcy.
He’d also discovered his partner was Adam’s sister.
How could she not tell me? She still didn’t trust him.
Did Dupé know? If so, it was a shitty thing to bring her there and make her take down her own flesh and blood.
During the tour, he’d made note of every entry and exit, scanned for hidden cameras, of which he found none, and inventoried the various security protocols. For a cult, Heaven’s Gate was pretty low-key on security. “You run a busy salon and make a mean oatmeal bread. Adam better marry you before someone steals you out from under him.”
Another subdued laugh. “He’s saving himself.”
Saving himself as in… “Adam’s a virgin?”
That got an outright laugh. “Oh, no. But his beliefs on divine marriage are different from society’s. It’s a rather private matter.”
“I see.” He really didn’t. Divine marriage? What the hell was that? “You ever been married?”
“No.” Her cheeks flushed. “I have my career and my service here. Adam depends on me to run the house and I manage the organic beauty products. That business is growing and expanding like mad.”
A loud squeak issued from the hallway, followed by the back door banging closed. A brawny guy peeked into the room, several boxes in his arms. His hair was military short, his dark eyes hard and commanding. Jacob.
He eyed Thomas suspiciously, spoke to Melanie. “Where do you want these?”
“Jacob,” she said. “This is our guest Thomas. He’s visiting with Adam’s sister. Thomas, this is Jacob. He oversees the iChurch media operations, and…other things.”
The two men sized each other up. Jacob’s arms bulged from his load, both arms inked with tattoos. Thomas didn’t bother to offer a handshake. Jacob didn’t so much as offer a nod.
“If you’ll excuse me for a moment?” Melanie hustled Jacob out of the room. Thomas heard them speaking in low tones as they went down the hall to the kitchen. Jacob sounded slightly annoyed. A minute later, the back door banged again, and Melly returned, cheeks flushed a deeper pink. She repositioned herself once more across from Thomas.
Did she know about the illegal prescription drug shipments? The guns? Did Jacob? He certainly looked like the type of guy who’d be familiar with weapons.
“Must be a big responsibility, keeping everyone happy,” Thomas said. “All these people, Adam, the farm. When do you sleep?”
Opposite of most people, when he asked Mel personal questions, she relaxed. He surmised it was easier for her to talk about herself than divulge Adam’s secrets. Sitting back in the chair, she sighed. “Our earthly mission does require sacrifice.”
“Earthly mission?”
She gave him an accusing eye. “I doubt you would understand.”
Try me. “That’s why I’m here…to learn. I’ve left my job, my family, everything. I let someone down, didn’t do my job, and it nearly cost her her life. I feel like I have a pur
pose, but I’m not sure what it is. I’m searching for understanding. For peace.”
Melly sat forward, earnest. “Life isn’t about peace. Life is about strife and fighting for what’s right. Only Heaven will bring peace to the faithful.”
He didn’t have a reply to that, so he nodded as if her wisdom had illuminated some great truth for him. Two sets of footsteps echoed in the hall. Melly leaned sideways, and her gaze went to someone Thomas couldn’t yet see. Her face lit up with a giant smile, and she jumped up from the chair.
Thomas stood, as well, and turned to look. Finally.
Ronni came through the door, Adam on her heels. One of his hands rested possessively on her elbow. “We’ll have a guest for dinner tonight, Melanie.”
Ronni looked washed out, her beautiful skin tinged with a gray parlor. She met Thomas’s eyes but he couldn’t read the message there. Tired? Scared?
Not scared. Unnerved. What had the bastard said to shake her up?
Melly whirled around Thomas, cast a solemn nod to Ronni. “It’s almost time for afternoon bible study, Adam.”
“Very good.” Adam released Ronni’s elbow and draped an arm over her shoulders. He glanced at Thomas. “I appreciate you accompanying my sister to see me. If you’ll excuse us, we have things to attend to.”
Was Adam kicking him out? Hell with that. “If Ronni’s staying, I’m staying.”
Adam’s eyes darkened. “Roanna is my family, and we are not finished catching up. I’m sure you understand.”
I understand all right. “I’m free all day, and I would love to attend bible study. After that, you can put me to work.”
Ronni’s features relaxed a fraction. Adam’s did not. His voice, however, sounded cool and calm. “Thomas, I appreciate your offer, and normally I would extend a hand in friendship and invite you to stay. Today is different. I have a lot going on in the coming week, so I do not have time to speak to you, to offer guidance. I must insist you leave, but you are free to return next Saturday night for Open Door services.”
Thomas glanced at Ronni. “You said he would help me. That he wouldn’t turn me away.”
Ronni played her part, turning pleading eyes on her brother. “Please, Adam. Thomas is not like the others. He’s like me. He needs help.”
Adam wavered. Anger flashed briefly in his eyes, but he smiled through it. “I must focus on my calling. You know how important the coming celebration is. I cannot be distracted.”
Ronni laid a hand on his arm. “Of course not. You don’t have to talk to Thomas today, but he can still stay for bible study, can’t he?”
Melly stepped forward, pulled Ronni’s hand away. “Stop. You’re asking too much.”
Adam lifted a finger and pointed it at Melly’s face. “Do not touch my sister or speak to her in that manner. She was blessed by my father for a reason and you know it.”
Mel blanched. “I’m only worried about you. She doesn’t understand our ways or the pressure you’re under, Adam. Please.”
So Melly was in love with the guy. What a waste.
“If Thomas goes,” Ronni said. “I go.”
Adam dropped his arm. Silence consumed them all for a moment. “You can’t mean that. All these years we’ve been separated.”
Ronni softened slightly, charming him. “I’m sorry Adam. I want to be here, but Thomas and I are a package deal. I promised I’d help him. I promised you’d help him.”
To emphasize her words, she grabbed Thomas by the hand and led him to the front door.
Adam didn’t call for them to stop. Didn’t come after them.
On the front porch, the coonhound raised his head, saw it was them, and put it back down.
Thomas stopped Ronni from going down the steps. “You walk away,” he whispered, “and you might not be invited back.”
She tugged on his hand, dragging him down the stairs. “Trust me. I know what I’m doing.”
He had no choice but to follow her to the car. They got in, buckled up.
Adam appeared in the doorway.
“You’re sure about leaving?” Thomas couldn’t help but ask. He didn’t want her staying without him, but this was her chance to get inside. If they blew this, they blew the whole case.
She waved to Adam, turned the key.
“He won’t let me leave,” she murmured to Thomas. “This is a test.”
Adam moved to the stairs. Melanie appeared behind him.
Ronni put the car in reverse. Began backing up.
“Wait!”
Adam came down the stairs, strode toward the car with angry steps. Thomas held his breath, wishing he hadn’t left his gun at his apartment.
Ronni stopped, but didn’t put the car in park. “Let me handle this.”
Thomas watched Adam step up to the car door.
“I have your word,” the man said, laying a hand on the open window ledge on her side, “that he is true of spirit.”
“Would I bring him to you if he weren’t?” Ronni shot back.
Adam breathed heavy for a minute, his gaze going back and forth between Ronni and Thomas. “He may stay under one condition.”
“Name it,” Thomas said before Ronni could reply.
“You stay in quarantine for the night.”
“Quarantine?” Thomas and Ronni said in unison.
“Those who come to me must go through counseling and be found worthy to join our fellowship. Because of your background, Agent Mann, I’m sure you grasp the significance of entering my group. My followers depend on me, and our interaction with the government in recent years has not been positive. I’m their protector. Regardless of your claims, allowing you access to them and our quiet and peaceful way of life before we’re sure about your intentions could cause them distress.”
Ronni started to object. Thomas touched her side, silencing her. This was no different than passing tests drug lords and gang leaders threw at him on any given day. Probably easier. “Hey, man, whatever you need. I’m here and I’ll do what it takes to prove to you I’m dead serious.”
Adam seemed appeased. He looked at Ronni.
She huffed, shot Thomas a look, then asked, “What exactly does quarantine involve?”
“We have separate men’s and women’s quarters. Thomas can stay in a room in the men’s quarters under Jacob’s watch. Once I’ve had time to assess Thomas’s intentions, and find him to be true of heart, he’ll be allowed to interact with the rest of the community.”
Thomas held out a hand. “Deal.”
Adam smiled for real this time, reaching through the window to shake it. “Come back inside. We have much to talk about.”
He leaned in and kissed Ronni on the cheek. As he walked to the house, he ushered Melanie inside. Mel glanced at Thomas over Adam’s shoulder, her brows knitted in consternation.
Ronni sat back, turned off the car. “What did we just get ourselves into?”
Thomas laughed. “This could be heaven or this could be…?”
“Hell,” Ronni finished.
His money was on the latter.
Chapter Eighteen
Three o’clock bible study. Ronni had to check her nervous tension at the door. She wasn’t a hand-wringer, but being inside the cult made her heart race and her pulse pound.
The small building on the south side of the property referred to as the “chapel” was packed with people. Ronni and Melanie arrived late after stowing Ronni’s belongings in the house’s tower-like bedroom. They took their seats in the front pew under many watchful eyes, including Adam’s.
On her right, the young girl who’d brought the iced tea and cookies with Melanie stared up at Ronni. Her mother, on the far side, gave Ronni a faint smile and put her arm around the girl, drawing her close.
“Melanie?” Adam said. He stood behind a simple stage raised a few feet off the floor in the front of the room with a wooden pulpit. Behind him was a large projection screen. “Before we get started on today’s scripture reading, would you give us an update on farm busi
ness?”
Melanie jumped up, eager to do Adam’s bidding. He backed away from the pulpit as she removed a piece of paper from a pocket and unfolded it. “Good day, everyone.”
The congregation answered. Next to Ronni, the little girl still stared at her with curious, solemn eyes.
Ronni smiled at her but the girl only continued to stare. The front row was reserved for Adam’s inner circle, from what she could tell. Jacob, Melanie, the little girl…Ronni’s imagination ran wild for a moment. The girl didn’t favor Adam, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t his daughter.
My niece.
She mentally shook off the thought. Mama, what am I doing here?
Melanie looked out at the congregation, back at her paper. “The August receivables aren’t all in yet, but from what we have so far, our profit rose for the sixth month in a row.”
Clapping, nodding, murmurs of approval.
She smoothed the paper, a small smile on her lips as she acknowledged the praise. “Belinda and I have set up the south barn with holiday packing materials, and we’re already taking orders for our bath and beauty sets. Those will begin shipping December first. Our candy and baked goods orders will be sent out via priority mail beginning December ninth. I’ve already set up a work schedule for everyone. It’s posted outside my office, so please stop by and make note of your hours. Everyone is expected to work on prep and packaging a minimum of twenty hours a week starting October first.”
A collective groan went up, reminding Ronnie of the SVCV taskforce meeting.
“I know,” Melanie said, waving off the good-natured complaining. “But we expect this holiday season to far exceed last year’s—if we can meet production demands. Our goal is to make enough money to fix the old tractor and buy a new one!”
The crowd switched gears again, clapping and hooting. Someone in the back gave a whistle.
For a tractor.
Talk about Mayberry.
But it was sweet and homey and normal. Like a real community. A family.
How sad was it that the only “normal” she’d ever experienced was inside a cult?
