“Dr. Jenner, kindly keep your subordinate under control.”
“Do you have any idea what happened out there?”
The governor faced Mitchell. “I only know what I’ve been told, as I believe is the case with you. Or did I hear incorrectly and you were out there, too, confronting this so-called Jersey Devil?”
Mitchell glared at him.
“I thought not, Mr. Harkness. Seems Dr. Jenner here is the only eyewitness. Awfully convenient, I’d say. And, considering his somewhat less than stellar condition, I’m not sure how any of us can be expected to believe his take on matters with one-hundred percent certainty.”
Derek put a hand on Mitchell’s shoulder. “If I’m not to be trusted, then where’s the rest of my team? Are you implying that perhaps they ran off, maybe got a better deal from a competing channel?”
“Could be,” the governor replied, all good humor gone from his beady eyes. “Or could be that you had an accident out there and are afraid to admit it. Or, maybe a falling out. These things have been known to happen.”
“That’s a serious accusation.”
“Not an accusation at all. Merely speculation. But you’ll forgive me if I find it a bit more believable than ... what was it you said, Mr. Zeist ... ah, yes. Toxic, inbred hillbillies.”
Eric smirked and nodded toward his boss.
Derek turned to his teammate. “Knew we should have discussed that in the other room.” After a moment, he faced the governor again. “Regardless of what you believe, the fact remains that my people are missing and I aim to find them and bring them home.”
Yarlberg shook his head. “Out of the question. You’ve done enough damage out there and I, for one, won’t stand by and let a small army of feds march into the preserve to play cowboys and Indians. The only thing you’ll be doing is catching the next flight out of my state. I should have known better than to think you could fix this without making a mess of things.”
“We’re not leaving without our friends,” Mitchell said.
“I don’t recall giving you a choice.”
“But...”
“Do I really need to point out,” Yarlberg said, addressing both men, “that the door swings both ways when it comes to your service? I have lots of pull in Washington. Believe me, it would take all of one phone call to get an investigation launched. We’re talking dereliction of duty at the very least, possibly even criminal negligence.”
“Criminal negligence?”
“If you were to disobey, say, the jurisdiction of a publically elected official such as myself.”
“That would never stick,” Derek said.
“Maybe not, but you and your friend here would still have a chance to cool off nicely in a prison cell while awaiting trial.” When neither Derek nor Mitchell said anything, he continued. “I’ll assume my point is made then, gentlemen.”
“You still haven’t told us what you plan to do about...”
“Yes, yes, your friends. Don’t worry. I’ll, of course, do everything in my power to ensure their safe return.”
“You’ll forgive me for asking how you intend to do that,” Derek replied.
“It’s none of your concern anymore but, if it helps, we’ve decided to make it an internal matter. We’ll cordon off the area, leak some story to the press about an endangered species being found.”
“Cordon off the area?”
“Yes, to minimize any further casualties. Then, once the election is past, we can...”
“The election is four months away!” Julia cried.
“I’m warning you for the last time, Ms...”
Derek stepped in front of the governor. “My apologies. As you can probably guess, it’s a stressful time for us all.”
The governor’s face turned a shade redder. “Stressful or not, I won’t tolerate another outburst from her ... or you, for that matter. One more word and I’ll see to it that your team is shipped off to the most remote part of the Alaskan tundra.”
“Been there already,” Derek replied grimly, but then held up his hands in a placating manner. “But I believe I get your drift, governor.”
“Do you?” Eric asked.
Derek ignored him, continuing to face Yarlberg who he towered over by a full head. “I know how this game is played. So does my team. We know the risks involved, both in the field and out. And we also understand the consequences. So long as you can assure me that everything possible will be done, I’ll take your word for it.”
Yarlberg stared at him long and hard, their eyes locked until Derek looked away. That seemed to satisfy the governor. “I give you my full assurance.”
Derek nodded and turned back toward Mitchell. “Start breaking everything down and packing up the equipment.”
“But...”
“And get the paperwork ready for Julia.”
“I’m afraid the reporter needs to come with...”
“And give her cause for both a criminal and civil lawsuit against your administration?” Derek asked, turning back to the governor. “Once she signs everything, I’ll give you copies so you can make sure they’re duly filed. You know as well as I do what’ll happen if she tries to talk. Her word will be about as good as Monopoly money at a bank.”
The governor thought that over for a moment, but seemed satisfied. “Mr. Zeist, please ensure Ms. ... uh...”
“Wilhelm,” Eric offered.
“Yes, Ms. Wilhelm. Please ensure she doesn’t leave until she signs everything Dr. Jenner requires of her. After that, she’s free to go.”
“You can go to hell if you think I’m signing squat!”
“Ms. Wilhelm,” Derek replied in a placating manner. “Think about this. You want to help your sister, right? Well, you won’t be able to do anything until you give us what we need. It’s nothing onerous, just some affidavits swearing you to silence about this matter.
“And what? If I don’t sign, some spook will shoot me in the head?”
“Hardly, but there will be consequences. At the very least, your career would most likely be over.”
“So you’re going to gag me?”
“I’m trying to ensure you’re free to do your job and continue your search.”
“And my sister and your friends can all rot while those things do God knows what to them?”
“The governor has assured me he’ll do everything in his power. Officially, I’m inclined to believe him.” He turned away from her before she could say anything further. “You’re all set with us, Arthur. Same deal applies to you. After you help Mitchell wrap up...”
“And send copies of everything to my office,” the governor interrupted. Derek raised an eyebrow, to which he added, “So that Mr. Krychech can continue this investigation from his end.”
“Of course,” Derek replied, before addressing Arthur again. “After that, you’re free to return to your normal class schedule.”
“But...”
“Where I highly recommend you forget about everything you’ve seen and learned here.”
The younger man merely nodded, seeming to understand that he was well out of his league on this.
That seemed to finally mollify the governor. “Make sure that everything is handed over to Mr. Zeist’s team within the hour. Then you’re to be on your way, and by that I mean, I don’t want to see your faces in my state ever again. Eric, kindly walk me out.”
Eric did as told, but not before flashing the others a triumphant smile as he and the governor stepped from the room.
The second the door closed, Derek held up a hand for silence. He knew he was about to be bombarded with questions and accusations, but also realized they didn’t have time for it.
“Let’s go, people. You heard the man. We have an hour to get packed up and be gone. We wouldn’t want to disappoint our esteemed host.”
CHAPTER 28
Noah more or less dragged Danni through the Lesterfields’ home. Had it merely been Ezekiel, she was certain she could have fought him off, maybe found
a way to escape. But, despite his seemingly endless deformities, the so-called Jersey Devil was far too strong.
She began to understand Sophie’s dismay. One clawed hand was at the back of her neck, holding on just tightly enough to let her know that any false move would end badly for her. His other hand held onto her arm, occasionally letting go to readjust his grip and grope her in the process, something that made her want to vomit.
Danni tried to focus on the layout of the compound as well as any possible venues of escape. After a few minutes, it became obvious this was no mere shack in the woods. Wherever they were, it was both massive and very old – rusted girders visible through collapsed wall panels were a testament to that. She could see where rotted beams had been replaced with newer supports. Crumbling masonry made up the majority of the walls, although it still seemed pretty solid to her.
Whatever it once had been, the Lesterfields now claimed it. The various repairs that had been done suggested they’d been here for some time.
Most of it was dank and dirty, but she could see signs of habitation where members of this damnable family had set up home. A distant hum that seemed to be present everywhere outside of the prison suggested gas generators were used to power the place.
Unfortunately, she didn’t have much chance to gawk. Every time she saw something of potential interest, Noah would give her a shove from behind, often punctuated by an excited grunt. Though still wearing the threadbare shirt they’d given her, Danni had never felt more naked.
“Come along, Sarah,” Ezekiel said with eerie calmness from up ahead. “Adam shouldn’t be kept waiting.”
She’d almost given up trying to correct him. It was like talking to a wall. Her own family had always been close, but nothing compared to the cult-like mindset here. It wasn’t even that her objections were met with violence – just a continual chiding that her name was Sarah now. Danni could understand how someone could break under that constant reinforcement, day in and day out. It was a form of brainwashing, infesting their victim’s mind a little at a time until their will was imposed.
“Danni,” she said defiantly, feeling Noah’s hand momentarily tighten its grip on her neck.
“You will soon be dissuaded of that notion,” Ezekiel replied. “All are. You may think you’re different, but you’re not. Just another Sarah to be welcomed into our family and loved as one of our own.”
“Loved? Is that what you call it?”
“Of course. You’ll want for nothing here, I can assure you.”
“Except my freedom.”
“Freedom is irrelevant when one is in tune with God. For it was written, ‘Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.’ We are your freedom now. In our family you should put your trust and in me in particular ... just as soon as Adam gives us his blessing.”
“I can’t wait.”
He stopped and turned toward her, his eyes intense in the dim light of the hallway, although it seemed to go beyond mere lust. “Neither can I, for I had very much hoped my previous dear Sarah would conceive. We’ve had but one viable birth in the last three years. You are our hope for the future, my new, darling Sarah.”
“What about that girl you took before I got here?”
Ezekiel shook his head. “Ah, Ezra’s wife. Much like my Sarah, she was weak, not fit breeding stock. I am sad to say the child lived for an hour, no more, before being taken back to God’s flock. Ezra was beside himself with grief. His reaction to his dear wife was ... unfortunate. Poor boy. It’ll be some time before Adam deems him worthy to wed again.”
She didn’t need to be told more. Danni wasn’t a particularly religious girl, but she recalled that some parts of the Bible were perfectly fine with men disciplining their wives as if they were little more than cattle.
Just try that with me, asshole.
The threat was half-hearted, however, even inside her own mind. The mounting panic of what was coming, knowing she was being led to an unspeakable horror, was starting to take hold. Each step was harder than the last and, despite her best efforts, she began to tremble with fear.
Then, finally, Ezekiel spoke the words she’d been dreading ever since being dragged from her cell. “Ah, here we are.”
They stopped in front of a closed door. Though it was inlaid into the same ancient masonry as the rest of the structure, it looked much newer.
“Our patriarch appreciates his privacy,” Ezekiel said, almost as if reading her thoughts.
“Don’t k-know why,” Noah replied. “I l-like it when they ssscream.”
“Now, now, child,” the older man chided him, “there’s no need to scare my blushing bride. This should be a joyous time for her.” He turned to Danni, smiling at her with crooked teeth. “Soon, Adam’s seed shall be planted within you. You’ll be one of us. You’ll be my Sarah. And if it’s God’s will that his seed takes hold, then I shall rejoice just as if it were my own.”
He knocked on the door, producing a hollow boom that echoed ominously in the long hallway in which they stood – almost as if it were a gong summoning an ancient horror from a dark place that humanity was never meant to know about.
After a moment, the doorknob turned and was pulled open. The figure standing within was silhouetted by the light coming from behind it, but Danni could see enough to know she was right to be afraid.
♦ ♦ ♦
“Pa, we brought Sssarah to you, just l-like you said.”
“I can see that, boy,” Adam replied in a gruff voice, his large frame filling the doorway. After a moment, he stepped forward and Danni was able to see him fully, though she wished she hadn’t.
He was a big man, six and a half feet tall, almost as large as Noah. His deformities weren’t nearly as pronounced as his son’s, but that somehow made it worse. It was as if he were half a devil, stuck in some awful in-between place that ensured there were few places outside of this accursed dwelling where he would fit in.
Yet one would never have guessed that by the surety with which he carried himself. He stepped forward, wearing a button-down shirt and stained overalls, and glared down at Danni with his one good eye – the other a fleshy ruined mass overgrown with scaly, discolored skin.
He had a thick grey beard, making it difficult to see the rest of his facial features, although Danni caught a glimpse of a pug mouth and bent nose. When he smiled, he showed off teeth very similar to his son’s – long and sharp, more fitting for a predatory animal than a man.
“I like this one,” he said after a moment, still leering at her. He lifted a misshapen hand to caress Danni’s cheek, two thick calloused fingers more reminiscent of a lobster claw.
She backed away, but Ezekiel was there to shove her toward the big man. “She’s a feisty one, my Sarah.”
“Not your Sarah yet.”
“Of course not, Adam. It is, as usual, my sincerest hope that you properly break her in. And if it pleases you afterward, to bless me with her as my wife, so as to ease my aching heart.”
“I got other aching parts that need tending to first,” Adam said with a snicker, before turning his head and hocking a wad of discolored phlegm at Noah’s feet.
“I l-like h-her too, papa,” Noah said in a small voice.
“I already told you, she ain’t yours. There’s too much work to do, keeping folks out of our woods. Can’t be having you distracted by her womanly charms.”
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