by CC Dragon
“I’ll try to figure out who left that on the porch. There are some men in that congregation who are okay with talking a bit,” Greg said.
“Matt did a report but it didn’t sound like there was a lot of hope. These pop up and scatter churches. I’m sure they want to keep their addresses and such very private.” I shrugged.
“You’re giving up?” he asked.
“No.” I sipped my water. “I want to get the girls safe. Take out the people who want out. The rest, I can’t prove abuse or anything. Freedom of religion isn’t something I’m trying to take down.”
“You’ve taken on a cult before,” Greg reminded me.
I nodded. “True. But this church is open to new people walking in. If they’re holding women against their will or abusing them—let’s put all those guys in jail. But so far, we have very little proof. Pushing girls to marry, coercion is a hard charge to stick. If we push too fast too hard, they could scatter. I think that’s why Matt is playing it slow and careful.”
Greg nodded. “I’ll be careful as well.”
“People know we work together. Don’t get in over your head,” I warned.
“You too. You jump in the deep end to rescue people,” he teased.
I shrugged. “That’s the job.”
“The church isn’t a paranormal or supernatural problem. Unless you know something I don’t,” Greg said.
“No, the weird crap is happening at Dungeon. But I have to help those girls. They’re doing stuff they shouldn’t. I can’t seem to get to the details but we need to get the info, the evidence of forced marriages and get the cops in there.” I nodded. It’d be so much easier if my powers just magically handed me the details and the proof. But this wasn’t magic and I wasn’t going to second-guess the angels or the big guy.
“That’s the plan.” Greg smiled.
“You doing okay?” I asked.
“Fine. I just needed a little distance. Then Lance has a heart attack. It’s like he’s sabotaging the divorce.” Greg stabbed his eggs with a fork.
I smiled. “You’re not far off. But it might not be him. Death claims he’s not on the list but someone is after him. I think someone is deliberating harming him.”
“It’s not me,” Greg said.
“Of course not. It’s not me either, but Lance got food poisoning and now had a heart attack. He had some blockage removed but his doctor swears there were no preliminary signs. I just want to shake Lester a bit and see if he knows anything. Then we need to check on Lucifer and warn Lance.” I finished my coffee.
“You think I’m good to drag along on this adventure?” Greg asked.
I shrugged. “At least to Lester’s. I have to catch you up on this girl from that church who contacted me. Weird stuff.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Greg nodded. “Mary Lou is leaving me alone. I’m not sure if she’s pissed or this is good for us.”
I sat back. “I can’t really tell. She’s been up and down lately. Sometimes she seems normal, other times she seems obsessed with Dungeon and Lucifer. I understand embracing the new job but she’s going to extremes.”
“Not too upset about Lance, I’m guessing.” Greg frowned.
“No, but annoyed at the delay in the divorce. She doesn’t want him dead, I don’t think. She just wants it all over. I agree the drama is dragging out but Lance isn’t making himself this ill,” I replied.
“Let’s see what Lester knows.” Greg wiped his mouth with a napkin as I signaled for the check.
Half an hour later we parked outside of Lester’s place. I wasn’t sure if he could help but I wanted to run it by him before Lucifer.
We walked inside and Lester was intently staring at his phone.
“Sorry to bug you,” I said.
“Always fun to see you, Deanna. Greg as well? What’s going on?” Lester asked.
“Lance had a heart attack. Before that he suffered from food poisoning. Anything you know about it? Any curse placed on him?” I asked.
Lester inhaled slowly. “Not by me.”
“Can you tell if he’s been cursed by someone else?” I asked.
“You don’t like my kind of magic,” he said.
Greg nodded. “We’re going.”
“Wait,” I said. “I agree. No dark magic. But if you know of anyone out to get Lance—like Lucifer maybe, I want the truth.”
Lester shook his head. “Lucifer wants Mary Lou but he wouldn’t do anything obvious or that could be directly connected to him. He could have a staff member do it, but Mary Lou works there. Which means she might find out about it.”
“You don’t know. Thank, that’s all I needed to hear.” I looked Lester in the eye before I turned.
Greg shook his head as we walked to the car.
“You could’ve called him,” Greg said.
“No, I need to see his eyes. Feel him out. He’s a good liar.” I slipped into the car and tried to figure out if I should bug Lucifer next or warn Lance.
Just then my phone beeped with a text.
“We need to go meet the girl from the church. Some other friends want out. Want to come for that?” I asked.
Greg smiled. “Sure.”
Parked at a different remote location, I waited. This time three girls emerged from the swamp oaks. I got out of the car as they approached.
“Were you followed?” I asked.
Candace shook her head.
“You’re sure? I got a threatening note and a weird doll left on my porch,” I warned.
The girls exchanged looks.
“Sorry, we didn’t tell them who you are. They check out everyone who shows interest or turns up in the church. You should go. No more contact,” Candance said.
“I’m not bailing. I just want you to be safe. Do you guys have bags?” I asked.
“Who is that guy?” Candace motioned to Greg.
“Another friend. He’s been to your church. He’s the one who told me about it. Are you guys ready to go today?” I asked.
The two other girls looked around nervously.
“If you’re over eighteen, there’s no issue. We can help you find a place to live and jobs. If you’re under eighteen, it’s trickier,” I said.
“It’s not the age thing. We felt like we were followed. We doubled back and changed the planned route but some of the men are hunters. They can track anything,” Candace explained.
“We could pick you up at the club. Might be easier to get lost in a crowd,” I replied.
Candace shook her head. “They aren’t allowed yet. They’re good girls. No pressure to get married off yet.”
“Well, get in the SUV before anyone shows up.” I turned back toward the car.
Greg hopped out. “De. Get down!”
Dropping to the ground, I crawled for the car. The girls ran off and I suspected it was a setup.
I reached for my gun nestled in the holster at the small of my back. Once I spotted the men with rifles, I saw they were chasing the girls.
Pointing my gun, I stood up. “Over here,” I taunted.
One of them shouted back at me, “We don’t want any trouble. Leave us alone.” He fired a warning shot in the air.
I didn’t need to shoot them. I mentally yanked the guns out of their hands and tossed them into the swamp.
“We have freedom of religion. You have no right to destroy our property or steal our girls.” He charged at me.
I shot my own warning shot in the air. “Freedom means adults can leave one religion for another. You can’t hold them against their will. Women are people.”
Greg jumped behind the wheel. “Get in the car, Deanna.”
“No, call the police. I want them arrested,” I said.
Then the men pulled handguns off their belts and I decided Greg was right. I hopped in the passenger side and Greg took off.
I texted Candace when she wouldn’t answer my phone call.
“Any word?” Greg asked.
“Only that they’re safe. It felt li
ke a setup.” I put my gun away then fastened my seatbelt. “But what’s the benefit?”
“Proof? Proof they are being followed by the men in their church,” Greg suggested.
I nodded. “We do have proof. Nothing beyond our testimony, though.”
“I took pics.” Greg smiled.
“Awesome! This is why I should always bring along backup.” My phone rang.
It was Candace.
“Hello,” I said.
“Sorry, I was worried that would happen. One of the girls swears her father and uncles are following her everywhere. They think she’s meeting a boy. Once you hit sixteen, they start telling you to find a husband and get engaged or your reputation could be ruined.” She sniffled.
“You said they were good girls. Do they have boyfriends?” I asked.
“One does but he’s the same age as her. He’s training for a job right now in secret so they can get married and leave. She should be safe with that ring on her finger but she heard we were trying to get out. Her father is very cruel. The other girl’s father is the one who is basically watching her every moment—him, an uncle, or even a brother. She has no boyfriend to protect her with marriage,” Candance said breathlessly.
“What a sad state. Okay, lay low and let this blow over. When it’s safe to meet again text me, or if you need emergency pickup text me and we’ll meet you wherever. You’re inside this, Candance. You have to be the best judge of how to keep you and the other women who want out safe. I don’t want to risk your lives if waiting a week will let us get you out safe.” That was too much pressure. I felt like Candace was young but she’d grown up in that culture.
“I’ll let you know. I have to go. We’re going to be punished.” She ended the call.
I stared at my phone.
“They’re safe?” Greg asked.
“For now. They’re going to be punished. I don’t understand our world sometimes.” I leaned back on the headrest.
“That’s not our world. Those young women didn’t choose that world either. You were right, they have a choice. It just won’t be easy for them to exercise that right.” Greg pulled onto the main highway and I felt better.
The backwoods and swamps made me nervous. Everyone was armed. It really wasn’t that different from Chicago but Chicago was pretty built up. New Orleans had stretches of hard to navigate swamps full of gators and poisonous snakes, plus places to hide. It was more Wild West than anything. I’d take Bourbon Street any day.
Chapter Eleven
After regrouping, I left Greg at the mansion. I had to talk to Lance and that was something Greg didn’t need to be a part of it.
Staying on decent terms with my exes was a good thing because John was the one texting back the hotel and room number. I got on the elevator and hoped Lance would have learned something from his recent brush with his own mortality.
I knocked on the suite door and heard some voices and noise inside. A woman answered the door. It wasn’t John’s new wife; I’d met her.
“Hi, I’m Deanna. I need a word with Lance Weathers.” I smiled.
The woman nodded and held up a finger. She closed the door. Maybe I should’ve led with I come in peace...
The door opened and I was waved inside.
Lance sat in the desk chair with his laptop in front of him.
“Hope I’m not disturbing you,” I said.
“John said you might be coming by. I don’t know why,” Lance said.
“I’m not here to upset you or talk about Mary Lou. Nothing about the divorce or anything, I swear.” I tucked my hands in my pockets.
“Sit.” Lance nodded to the guest chair.
“Thanks.” I sat down and took off my coat. The room was warm. Lance wasn’t in his normal suit. “Hopefully you’re feeling better. Taking it easy.”
“I’m feeling fine. My doctor gave me a couple of pills to take and a diet to follow. Up my exercise and all that. Decrease stress,” he replied.
I nodded. “Well, you never struck me as unhealthy. Stressed, yes. I hate to suggest this but I did a little checking.”
“Out with it. I don’t care what supernatural theory you’re going to give me so just get it off your chest.” Lance closed his laptop.
He wasn’t much of a believer.
“Fine. I checked with Death and you’re not on the list,” I said.
“Good. My doctor would agree,” he replied.
I smiled. “But I had a vision. I don’t know if things have changed but you should be careful. I think someone might be after you. Cursing you or attacking you. You got sick that one night, a stomach bug. Then not long after, a heart attack.”
“You’re here to warn me about a curse? You’re the most likely one to curse me,” he said.
“Hardly. I don’t deal in evil or dark magic. I know you have doctors and all that but if anyone tries to bait you into a fight, don’t. Watch what you eat. Go to church,” I advised.
“You can’t lift this curse?” he mocked.
“I didn’t curse you. Greg could try to cleanse you of any evil but I’m pretty sure that would piss you off more. Since I don’t know the details, I can’t give you a concrete cure but I had a curse on me once. You can outlast. You can be careful and survive it.” I shrugged.
Lance snickered. “I know you mean well but I’m not afraid of a curse. I’ve been a lawyer for decades. Plenty of people have cursed me and wished me dead. Never worked. This is a normal part of aging. The stomach thing was a fluke. Could happen to anyone. Not life-threatening. Worry about your friends. Leave me alone.”
“Sorry to trouble you.” I got up and headed for the door. “This wasn’t a ploy to get you to go easy on the divorce or give up on anything. I don’t want anyone to die if it’s not their time.”
Lance nodded. “I believe you. You don’t want blood on your conscience.”
“Bye.” I closed the door behind me and felt sorry for the nurse or caregiver stuck with Lance. His temper would boil over again at some point.
My guardian angel, Amy, showed herself in the hallway. I normally ignored her because she was a visual distraction who rarely spoke.
“What?” I walked for the elevator. “I did everything I could.”
“You did.” Amy kept pace with me.
“And you showed up to pat me on the head? What?” I asked again.
Luckily, I was alone in the elevator.
“Death wished me to tell you that the list has not changed.” My angel vanished. She was still there but I didn’t see her anymore.
“So chatty.” I rubbed my neck. Lance was still in danger. He’d ignore it. He wasn’t listed for a natural death.
My phone beeped. Paul wanted to take me to dinner.
I texted back that I needed the break.
Even though it was chilly outside, I dressed to show a bit of skin. Not for Paul or any man, really. It was somehow a rebellion of those creepy church men who needed women to cover up so they could behave.
Who drew that line? I stared at myself in the mirror. There were limits. I certainly saw women at Dungeon who wore too little in my opinion...street legal or not. Men didn’t have to walk around in nothing to get attention. But I wasn’t dressing like a nun either.
“You okay?” Ivy poked her head in my room.
“Why do you like dressing like a woman? Being a man has to be easier,” I said.
Ivy smiled. “It’s easier and you can jeans and T-shirts your way through life...girl or guy. Pant suits work, too. But men’s clothes are so boring. Like a uniform. Jeans, T-shirts or a suit. Business? A suit. Party? A suit. Wedding. Shake it up, a tuxedo-style suit.”
“You’re lucky,” I said.
“I love fashion.” She shrugged.
“But you can take it off. You can be a guy and avoid judgement if you want. Women have to worry every time they pick a dress. It is cut too low? Too high? Is it going to look like I’m a prude or a slut? Too much makeup or not enough?”
“Has Paul eve
r said anything like that?” Ivy asked.
“No, not him,” I replied.
“Half of that crap is women doing it to other women. Drag queens are nasty to each other. So cruel. Men judge each other on other things.” Ivy adjusted my necklace.
“How pretty the woman is on their arm?” I should be grateful I had a good guy but I was so worried about those young women. There hadn’t been another word from Candace.
“That’s part of it. Money. Cars. Power. They’re all supposed to be alpha males. Rich and powerful. Like a superhero. And there’s no excuse for failure. No room for fear or emotion. Men don’t do that.” Ivy rolled her eyes. “I like being a guy but I like the freedom of walking the line.”
“Do you like Paul?” I asked.
“Do you?” She turned it on me.
I smiled. “I do. He’s different.”
“Good. He’s a good one. Smart and strong but not a jerk. Not perfect but no one is. Go have a nice dinner and forget about life for a bit.” Ivy winked
“Sounds good. Thanks.” I put on some lipstick as the doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it!” Ivy ran down the stairs in heels better than I could’ve.
Why was tomboy a bad label? Comfortable clothes were functional. Heels were just torture.
“De, get down here,” Ivy called in a tone that didn’t say the expected cute guy had arrived.
I found her at the front door with it wide open. It wasn’t the blood so much as the pieces of dead snake on the welcome mat that was nauseating. The big snake had died with its mouth open and the fangs extended.
I shook my head. “Any note?”
Ivy sighed. “No. But the snake is poisonous. I think we can assume it’s your new enemy church.”
I texted Matt some pictures of the scene.
Then my phone rang. “Don’t touch anything. Leave it. I’ll be home in a few. No note this time?”
“Nope. Gross dead venomous snake.” I looked up at the security camera in the corner of the porch ceiling.
“Check the camera footage,” Matt said.
I pulled it up on my phone and played back the last hour on fast forward. A guy with a ski mask on and wearing all black had left the lovely gift. He held the live snake in one hand and a hatchet in the other as he mounted the porch steps.