Web of Deceit

by Peggy Slocum

  “Absolutely,” Joanna responds as she directs herself to the passenger door. “Wow, Elliot trusts you with his car?”

  “No, just the key in case he loses his,” Beth says with a rueful smile.

  “Nice, that makes this trip even better” Joanna grins as she opens the door and gets in the Vette.

  “Did you bring Sarah’s phone with you?”

  “Yes.” Joanna pulls a phone out of her coat pocket.

  “I don’t have Sarah’s dad’s cell number on me, and he’s the only one I haven’t tried.”

  “Good idea,” Joanna says. “Has anyone ever driven this car other than Elliot?”

  “Only Howard, the car’s mechanic.”

  “Oh …”

  “Yeah, this will probably end badly.” Beth grinds the Vette’s gears, backing out of the parking spot.

  “Is this the first time you’ve driven standard?”

  “No, it’s just been a while. They say you never forget,” Beth says, not wanting to show her lack of experience.

  “Yeah, so they say.” Joanna squints her eyes and presses her hand against the door as a chill runs up her back. “You know, it may be difficult talking on the phone and driving because it’s been so long since you’ve driven a standard.”

  “You’re saying?”

  “My car’s a standard, so I could drive while you use your phone,” Joanna replies, clarifying herself.

  “Well, I guess Elliot won’t mind, considering the circumstances.”

  “I’m sure he won’t,” Joanna agrees. After switching seats, Joanna feels a surge of excitement rush through her body as she grasps hold of the stick shift, depresses the clutch and shifts gears. “Which way are we going?” Joanna asks, keeping her cool.

  “You need to get on 93 South. We’re going to Kings Landing, just east of Norwell.”

  “OK.” Yes!!! I get to open her up on the highway. A confident smile stretches across her face.

  “Are you all right?” Beth asks, feeling jealous. I wish I could’ve handled his pride and joy like this.

  “Yeah,” Joanna says with a giggle. “I can’t afford one of these with my salary, and I can’t decide which is more exciting. Her smooth performance or the expression on Elliot’s face when he finds out I drove his ‘baby.’ ”

  “Yeah,” Beth agrees. “It will be fun to watch his reaction.”

  The ringing of Beth’s phone awakens her mind to the problem at hand. “Hello?”

  “Hi, it’s Symphony. The lady at the front desk said that she only has two security guards on duty tonight, but she can spare a couple bellboys.”

  “I’d rather not take the chance. Hey, I think that Floyd’s shift starts soon. He’s the night doorman. He’s been there as long as I can remember and he’s definitely trustworthy. Have them …”

  Bleep. Bleep. Bleep.

  Beth’s call-waiting interrupts.

  “Hey, I have another call. Tell them to switch Floyd with a bellboy and call me back …”

  Bleep. Bleep.

  “… if there’s a problem.” Beth presses Send to pick up the other line. “Hello?”

  “Beth, it’s Elliot.”

  “Thank God. Where have you been?”

  “Sarah was taken,” Elliot says. “So Elizabeth and I chased after her with a nurse from the hospital. Bottom line, the nurse was involved and somehow she jammed our phones, causing them to die. Praise God, he sent Edwin to our rescue and we’re safe. We lost the car that had Sarah, so we came to the police station. I’m sorry I didn’t call sooner, but Edwin left his phone home.”

  “Man, I’m glad you guys are safe,” Beth says. “Joanna and I are on our way to Mrs. Freedman’s. Symphony and I found Jade. After talking to her, I’m convinced Mrs. Freedman’s behind this entire thing. She is doing horrible things with drug-induced hypnosis.”

  “Stop by the police station and pick me up. I’ll have a warrant ready.”

  Beth glances out the window. “You’ll have to meet us there. We’re already en route, and I don’t want to lose any more time than I already have.”

  “OK, I’ll get dropped off at my car and meet you there.”

  “Uh … yeah … about that. Symphony has the jeep. She needed to take Jade and Vicky to safety. So Joanna and I took your car,” Beth says in an optimistic voice.

  “Oh .. well, just give me her number, and I’ll see if she can pick me up.”

  After giving Elliot the number she says, “All right. Be safe, and …”

  “Be careful with the car; she’s got a lot of power and those country roads may be icy.”

  “Don’t worry about your baby; we won’t let anything happen to her.” Beth messes with Elliot.

  “Yeah, it’s not the car I’m worried about. It can be replaced.” With that Elliot disconnects the call.

  “Is he mad?” Joanna asks as Beth closes the phone.

  “No,” Beth answers, puzzled. “There’s something different about him.” She pauses a moment to think about it. “He’s not worried about his car. He’s concerned with the car’s power on the icy roads.”

  “Wow. Maybe Mrs. Freedman got to him.”

  “No, compassion is not her thing. I think it may have been Sarah’s parents. All day, tragic things have been happening to their daughter, and their faith in God stays strong. Even Sarah gave God the glory when she escaped from the moving van. She said God gave her Bible verses to guide her. Things like that don’t happen. I’m starting to wonder if God really is on her side.” Beth ponders Elliot’s new attitude.

  “Yeah, my friend who fixed Chip today gave all the glory to God. And to be honest, it shouldn’t have been that easy to fix him.”

  “What was wrong with Chip?”

  “He was hypnotized into believing a tiny mechanical spider was injected into his brain,” Joanna says, “which caused him severe pain unless he did what was commanded.”

  “Man, after talking to Jade that sounds like Mrs. Freedman’s handiwork. Is he OK?”

  “Yeah, we pretended to operate and take that part of his brain out,” Joanna says. “We convinced him it was such a minute part that he wouldn’t even know it was gone. Then we pretended to put a shield around it so it can’t happen again.”

  “Wow, that sounds easy enough.”

  “Yeah, it was more difficult than that. But Dale prayed to God throughout the entire procedure. It was different though. He was talking to God like he was right next to him and like he was a friend more than an untouchable being.”

  “Sarah talks to God like that too. I’m starting to think there are more believers in the world than I thought.”

  “Yeah, and at times like this, it’s almost bothersome to think what will happen if they are right,” Joanna says with concern.

  “Yeah, like life in hell forever.” Beth gazes out the window avoiding any further conversation about life after death. She watches the South Boston lights fade as they journey deeper into the cold, dark night.

  Chapter 19: Catching Beth

  Reclining in Frank’s desk chair, Elliot places the phone on the receiver and picks it up again to dial Symphony.

  “Hello?” Symphony answers in a skeptical tone, unsure of the caller ID.

  “Symphony, it’s Elliot. I need to catch up with Beth. Can you pick me up at the police station?”

  “Yeah, I can be there in fifteen.”

  “Thanks,” he says before realizing Symphony already ended the call.

  Elliot approaches the desk where Elizabeth and Edwin are answering questions. The officer interviewing them is preparing an exhausting, detailed report. “Symphony is going to pick me up. You two stay here until we get back.”

  “That shouldn’t be hard to do,” Edwin says. “After we’re done filling these forms out, they said they have a series of traffic cameras and mug shots to go through online to see if we can recognize Catrina’s Cadillac or the Subaru Sarah was taken in.”

  “Great, I need to go in the other room and get a warrant then I�
��ll take off. I’ll let you know as soon as we find Sarah.”

  Elizabeth stands to her feet. “Stay strong and lean on Jesus. Remember you’re no longer alone; you’re a child of God now. Everywhere you go Jesus is right next to you.”

  “Thanks.” Elliot bends to embrace Elizabeth with a hug. “For everything.”

  Elizabeth returns the hug and responds with a smile. “Of course, but it wasn’t me, you know. God was just blessing me to let me be a part of it. Be careful, we’ll be praying for you.”

  Elliot returns the smile and then dashes to Captain Aims’s office.

  Knock knock!

  “Come in,” the gruff voice behind the door responds.

  As Elliot enters the office, the captain gets out of the chair behind his desk. “Thank God, son. I’ve been worried sick. Joanna called a little over two hours ago saying you were missing.”

  “We think we know who’s behind this, and I have to meet Joanna and Beth at her house with a warrant.”

  “Sweet. It just so happens I got one all ready for you.” Captain Aims pulls a document out of his desk. “All we have to do is fill in the blanks. I knew you’d be back with answers.”

  “Thanks,” Elliot responds while reaching over the desk and taking the warrant.

  “No problem. I’ll get a team together, and the minute you need back up, we’ll be there. Need anything else?”

  “Yeah, my phone’s dead. You wouldn’t have an extra phone, would ya?”

  “Absolutely!”

  Knock knock!

  “Come in.”

  “Sorry to bother you, sir. But there’s a girl here for Elliot,” a young-looking officer says.

  “Yeah, hey—Ralph right? Come in here for a minute.”

  The shy rookie enters closing the door behind him.

  “Do you have a cellular phone?” the captain inquires.

  “Yes sir, right here.” Ralph lifts it up to show Captain Aims.

  “Good. Do you have my number on that?” the captain asks.

  “Yes sir. I have the station’s numbers as well. Are you sending me on a case?”

  “No, give it to Elliot and get back to work. His phone died. He’ll get it to you tomorrow.”

  Disappointed, the eager rookie hands his phone to Elliot and leaves the room.

  “Thanks,” Elliot follows Ralph out and then closes the door behind him. “Thanks for the phone, and don’t worry. You’ll be on a case before you know it. He likes you. I can tell.”

  “Thanks for the pep talk. The girl said to meet her in the Jeep.”

  Minutes later, Elliot joins Symphony in the parking lot. “Hey, Symphony, thanks for the lift. Where can I drop you off?” Elliot gets in the Jeep to drive.

  “I’m going with you.”

  “People are dying, Symphony. It’s not safe for you to go.”

  “I live in Dorchester, Elliot. You know, ‘Death Chester.’ I’ll be fine,” Symphony says. “Besides, every time something bad has happened over the past couple of days, you’ve been there. So you’re either the unluckiest person I ever met, or you’ve somehow gotten caught up in this web of destruction. Either way, if Beth and Sarah need help, they need someone they can count on—me.”

  “How are you gonna defend yourself if someone comes at you with a weapon?”

  “Got it covered.” She makes light of the situation as she picks up a bat from the backseat while smirking.

  “A bat?”

  “It was a gift from Jade and Vicky,” she jokes. “But, seriously, I can handle myself. Besides, I have a detailed address with landmarks. You need me. Jade says it’s easy to get lost on the way.”

  Elliot watches her facial expressions as she pulls every card she has to go with him. “OK,” he concedes. “You can come.” Elliot takes a glance out the rear window before backing up. He notices Symphony’s motionless face. Oh, God she’s so sad. What can I do? ‘Be her friend,’ responds an inner thought, ‘as I have been yours.’ Elliot sees a vision of Jesus on the cross in his minds eye.

  Chapter 20: Are We There Yet?

  “Off route,” the GPS announces as Joanna takes a wrong turn.

  Beth tosses up her hands. “I don’t get it. This is the third time. I can see the destination.” She points at the GPS small color screen. “But I can’t find the road to get there.”

  “I have trouble with mine sometimes too. It ends up being one of two problems. Either it’s not updated, or there’s a path that the GPS thinks is a road,” Joanna turns the high beams on and drives slower. “Maybe if I zoom in.” She taps the GPS touch screen several times.

  “Why don’t I do that?” Beth becomes ill watching Joanna multi-task while driving on the icy roads.

  “Maybe the address is wrong.”

  “Good point. I’ll call Symphony. “Beth scans with the down arrow until she comes across Symphony’s name and presses Send.

  “Hello, Beth.”

  “Hi, is Jade there? I’m having trouble finding the road.”

  “No, but I can help,” Symphony says. “Where are you?”

  “We’re on Hullenbeck Road,”

  Symphony scans down the sheet of instructions. “After you turn right on Hullenbeck, you’ll come to a yield sign; take a sharp left onto Nigel drive. After two miles you’ll come to a Y in the road, keep left—that road turns into Castle View.”

  “Thanks, and have Elliot call me when he gets here.”

  “OK.” Symphony ends the call.

  “We need to turn left at a yield sign.”

  “We already passed a yield sign.” Joanna slows down enough to do a U-turn in the middle of the narrow country road and then regains her speed.

  “You should keep it slow,” Beth says. “It’s a sharp …” Her heart skips a beat and her stomach goes to the floor, “…right.” She scowls at Joanna.

  “We were closer than I thought,” Joanna says with a grin.

  “Obviously,” Beth agrees, unamused. “When we reach a Y in the road you need to veer left. That will turn into Castle View road.”

  “Stay left here,” Beth reminds Joanna as they reach the Y.

  “Arrive at destination on left in 2.5 miles,” the GPS says.

  “Oh. Look who decided to join us again,” Joanna says as she gives an angry gesture to the GPS.

  “We should find a place to hide the car and then walk the rest of the way.”

  “Good idea, but so far there aren’t any pull-offs and the ditches are steep and close to the road,” Joanna says, focused on the road ahead.

  “Arrive at destination on left in 1.5 miles,” the GPS warns.

  Joanna shakes her head. “Great, as if there wasn’t enough pressure, this thing’s on an automatic count down.”

  “When we get half a mile away, just park as close to the edge as you can.”

  “You only say that because you’re not the one driving Elliot’s baby.”

  “I think I see a pull-off up ahead.” Beth leans forward.

  “No, I think it’s a driveway.”

  “Pull into it; if someone’s there we will pretend we’re lost.”

  Joanna starts down the long driveway. “I don’t see any lights. Do you?”

  “No,” Beth answers. “It is an old, abandoned shack, and with all these evergreens around, it makes the perfect hiding place. Pull over here. I’ll call Elliot and tell him where to park.”

  “While you do that, I’ll see if I can find a trail.” Joanna gets out and slinks towards the dark woods.

  Joanna returns in five minutes. “Man, the woods are thick.” She reaches into the car and unhooks the GPS. “I hope this thing stays charged for a while.”

  “Good idea. Is there a mute?”

  “Yes.” Joanna leads Beth towards the very tall evergreens that surround the cottage. “Did you get in touch with Elliot?”

  “Yeah, it took a few calls though. I forgot his phone died, and he borrowed Ralph’s. Elliot said he’d be here soon. I can’t wait. It’s creepy out here.”
<
br />   “I know, just like Mrs. Freedman. I realize she’s adding false memories to people, but any idea why?”

  “Well, it looks like it started with her father-in-law. Symphony read some newspaper clippings on a Walter Freeman today while I did a search on the Net. All the articles I read suggested he was a Nazi scientist.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  “No, I wish I was,” Beth replies. “I don’t think that was ever proven, but they did catch him doing some illegal experiments on homeless citizens. His wife died while their son was still young, and he continued raising him alone. When Mr. Freeman was incarcerated, the son changed his name to Freedman. By the time the son was to be married, Daddy was out of prison and at the wedding. Soon after, the young couple moved in with Dad. So … summing it up, the daughter-in-law decides the world sucks, and if people would follow the rules of the Bible, there wouldn’t be so many problems.”

  “In other words, Mrs. Freedman took the discoveries of her father-in-law and decided to make Stepford Christians.”

  “Yep.” Beth nods.

  “Wow.”

  “I know. It’s mind blowing.”

  “Yeah, but no, don’t you see that huge, rod-iron fence that goes around the property?”

  “It a fortress.” Beth chins-up on a branch to get a better view. “Can you see that oversized farm house in the distance? It’s almost big enough to be a castle.”

  “The fence is too dangerous to climb over. We better crawl under it.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Beth says. “It seems odd to have a fence like this and no repercussions for trespassers.”

  “You’ve watched too many movies.” Joanna smirks. “They don’t do stuff like that in real life.”

  “Well, I have come to the realization that if Mrs. Freedman’s involved, we’re not necessarily dealing with reality. I’m not going near that fence.”

  “You don’t have to, I will.”

  “Humor me, just throw something under it,” Beth says, searching for other options.