Dark Channel

by Ray Garton

  The first was between Hester and an unfamiliar male voice that remained unidentified.

  “I just wanted you to know that he’ll be leaving tonight,” Hester said.

  “When tonight?”

  “He’ll leave here sometime between nine and ten o’clock. He’ll board the plane at the airfield and go from there to Hollis Airpark just outside of Los Gatos. You pick him up there and take him to the plant. During the ride, I want you to keep reminding him of his purpose. Pump him up. When you drop him off, wait and make sure he’s allowed through the gate, then leave, it’s up to him from there. If he’s not allowed through, he’ll come back to the car and that will be that.”

  “And if he gets caught? If somebody stops him?”

  “We’ve prepared for that. He’ll be armed. If he’s caught, he’s to re-embody himself immediately. We will release a statement denouncing his actions as those of a disturbed man who, according to our records, withdrew from our program shortly after joining, and we will remind everyone that the Alliance condemns violence in all forms, no matter what the purpose. In any case, he’s to re-embody himself after he’s done his job. Don’t worry, everything’s covered.”

  “So this … this is really it? I mean, after this, it all happens? It all begins?”

  “That’s right. It all begins. Return here as soon as you’re finished.”

  The connection was broken.

  “My god,” Lauren breathed, “that was Mark they were talking about, wasn’t it?”

  “Sounds like it,” Jordan said.

  “Who else would be going to a plant?” Marvin pointed out. “We’re going to have to be ready between nine and ten o’clock.”

  “Where?” Marvin asked.

  “I know where the airfield is,” Coogan said. “Just a few minutes from here.”

  Jordan massaged his forehead for a moment, took in a deep breath and said, “We should get to him before he gets there. Maybe we can get some ideas from Paula.”

  Lauren opened her mouth to ask, But what about Nathan? But she stopped herself because she knew that none of them could answer that question. Maybe Paula could tell them something about Nathan, maybe just about Mark. If they could get hold of Mark, maybe then they could learn something about Nathan. She tried to console herself with these thoughts.

  “Why can’t we just call the plant and warn them?” Lizzie asked. “Tell them a saboteur is on the way and—”

  “It would never work,” Lauren said. “During the years Mark has worked there they’ve gotten so many threatening calls—countless calls—they just don’t take them very seriously. They have very tight security, steps they go through to keep the place safe. Every time they get one of those phone calls, they run through those steps smoothly and see that nothing’s wrong. Nothing ever is. The calls are always cranks. And, of course, they would never suspect Mark of anything like that, even if someone told them they should. They all know him too well. They wouldn’t hesitate to let him in if he showed up.”

  Marvin pushed the button and the tape continued to play.

  They listened to seven more useless conversations before they came to the second notable exchange. Once again, Hester spoke to a male voice that remained unidentified. But the voice did not need identification. It was one of the most familiar voices in the world.

  Everyone in the room exchanged slack-jawed glances, then stared at the cassette player as they listened. It began after two simple, quiet hellos. Then: “I’m sorry I can’t be there,” the president said, “but I’m sure you understand.”

  “Oh, of course I do,” Hester said reassuringly. “I’ve been keeping track of your activities on the news.”

  “Well, as that guy in New York used to say, how’m I doin’?”

  “Very well, very well. More importantly, Orrin is pleased. But it hasn’t been easy, has it?”

  “Oh, no. Not at all. You’ve heard, I’m sure, about all the flak I’m getting. Your suggestion for the Supreme Court opening has not exactly been met with open arms.”

  “I realize that. But their reactions are perfectly natural. Most people tend to reject the truth. So, in a sense, you’ve been complimented. Just keep pushing and see what happens.”

  “Yes, yes, I plan on doing that, but I … well, there are times when … uh, times when I have, uh …”

  “Doubts?”

  He sighed. “Yes. That’s why I’m calling, even though I’m sure you’re very busy.”

  “That’s perfectly all right. Your doubts are natural. They are to be expected … but they are not healthy.”

  “I realize that, but … well, there are a lot of people who are very angry at me right now. If I could just tell them why I’ve done this, if I could give them the real reason, tell them the truth and—”

  “Not yet. They aren’t ready. You’re doing this because they aren’t ready.” She paused, thought a moment, then sighed. “I wasn’t going to tell you this yet, but I think it’s necessary. Before the New World Festival is over this week—unless there is some horrible unexpected surprise, either on your end or mine—Orrin will materialize here in Grover … if there is enough belief in him.”

  “Enough belief? Is that the reason for Orrin’s predictions? Like the death of Reverend Hallway and Edmond Fiske?”

  “Orrin doesn’t make predictions. He gives warnings. When enough belief has been generated and he does materialize, there will be a lot of very angry people. This is going to lay waste to the doctrine of their religions and they will be very angry. The religions of the world will be in a furor because this will contradict their every belief and they will fight like animals to condemn, denounce and prove false Orrin and his teachings. You know that your actions are needed to prepare for that, and you are the only one who needs to know. The religious leaders of the world will not be so quick to fight Orrin’s purpose here—which is to usher in the New Age—if they know he is backed by the most powerful nation on earth, and if some of that nation’s power is gathered on their doorstep.”

  “I don’t understand why the churches of the world would react so negatively to something like this. Orrin isn’t coming to harm anyone. He’s coming to bring what most people would see as heaven on earth.”

  “Think back. How did the world react to Jesus Christ. Like Orrin, he was another Ascended Master, a bringer of truth who was so misinterpreted and misunderstood by everyone around him that they finally ended up killing him. We want to make sure that doesn’t happen. We want to make sure that Orrin has far more power on his side than Jesus Christ. We want to make sure he actually accomplishes something.”

  A long pause, then: “I see what you mean.” After another period of silence, the president said, “Is it really going to happen this week? There in Grover?”

  “If there is enough belief.”

  “Will there be enough?”

  “I’m working on that. I am working very hard on that,” After a few moments of effusive good-byes, Marvin hit the button.

  “She certainly is working on that,” Lizzie said. But she got no response. The room was so silent with shock that they could hear one another breathing.

  Finally: “She’s been talking to the president,” Jordan whispered hoarsely.

  “I wonder for how long?” Marvin replied, sounding much the same.

  “Does it matter?” Lizzie asked. “She’s gained entrance.”

  Every head in the room, each bearing shocked expressions, nodded in agreement.

  “It seems to me,” Lizzie said, “that puts considerably more weight on what we’re doing.”

  “What did all that stuff mean?” Coogan asked. “That business about there being enough belief?”

  No one said anything. Then Lizzie asked quietly, “May I make a suggestion?” She glanced cautiously in Jordan’s direction.

  “Sure,” he said, “go ahead.”
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  She thought a moment, choosing her words carefully. “Hester has obviously convinced the president that if enough people believe in Orrin, in his power, Orrin will materialize. She says she is working on this, apparently by making predictions—or as she calls them, warnings—in Orrin’s name, then making them come true, like the deaths of Hallway and Fiske.”

  “Well, if he’s so powerful,” Lauren said, “why doesn’t Orrin do those things?”

  “I can’t answer that question definitely,” Lizzie said, “but I think I can make a pretty good guess. Hester believes that, in order for Orrin to become that powerful in this world, there must be a great deal more belief in him than there has been. But because Orrin isn’t powerful enough to stir up that belief himself, she must help him.”

  “But why do so many people have to die?” Coogan asked. “Do you know how many people would die if there were a meltdown at Diego?”

  “I don’t think she’s making the decisions here,” Lizzie replied. “I don’t think it was her idea to kill Hallway or Fiske or to do what she’s going to do with your husband, Lauren. I think she’s following instructions.”

  Jordan took a deep breath and said, “Okay, I think we’ve heard enough of—”

  “No, no, wait a minute,” Marvin said. “What kind of instructions? What good would all those deaths do?”

  “Hester believes she’s helping to create belief in Orrin because Orrin is telling her this. She’s doing it to enable him to materialize, as she says … but he’s telling her to do it for his own reasons.”

  “What reasons?” Jordan asked.

  “I don’t think there’s anyone in this room who believes Orrin’s intentions to be good, or who believes Orrin’s very nature to be good. Am I right?”

  Affirmative nods.

  “Then you won’t have to stretch your imaginations to accept this. Those who worship Satan claim that, in order to summon him, to make him materialize, a sacrifice is required. The sacrifice of a child is always preferable, and lord only knows how many children have been sacrificed here in the name of Orrin. Those who practice such things believe sacrificial death cannot only summon Satan himself but bring power to them, bring them riches and success, just as Hester believes that what she’s doing is for an ultimate good. And I think that the beliefs of Satan worshipers and the teachings of the Alliance all come from the same source.”

  With eye-rolling annoyance in his voice, Jordan said, “So you think the Alliance is really nothing but a bunch of Satan worshipers disguised as New Age believers?”

  “No. They would deny that accusation because they don’t believe it. They don’t even believe in Satan. But then, when you eat a bowl of Chex cereal, it doesn’t occur to you that you’re eating a bowl of something made by Ralston-Purina, the people who make dog- and cat-food, does it? It kind of works the same way. Satan is the father of deception and nobody does it better.”

  “That still doesn’t answer the question about all these deaths,” Jordan pressed. “What good are they? I mean, even if it is Satan who’s behind it, what purpose do all these killings—”

  “That’s your answer right there. Satan. Honey, his arrogance moved him to rebel against god long before mankind existed, and he’s been having a tantrum ever since.”

  After a long silence, Lauren said, “It would be so much easier … to believe that Hester Thorne is just insane and … and that she’s sucked all those people into her insanity. It would be so much … so much less frightening.”

  7.

  Paula arrived at ten minutes after six that evening and came through the back door into the kitchen. Coogan, who had been watching the news with the others, went in to meet her.

  “Hi, Daddy,” she said cheerfully, flopping her black leather purse onto the counter. “How are you?”

  She looked so happy in spite of her pallor and thinness. Could she possibly not know? Coogan didn’t think so; he remembered the look of guilt on her face when he’d asked her about the kids a couple of days ago. He had to fight the urge to grab her by the shoulders, shake her like a rag doll and scream, What the hell is wrong with you girl? You can smile at me when you know your own daughter was slaughtered? But he simply stood at the kitchen doorway and looked at her, feeling as if he would be unable to support the weight of his leaden bones.

  “I’m just fine, honey,” he lied. “How ’bout you?”

  “Oh, I’m okay. You got anything to eat?” she asked, heading for the refrigerator.

  “Why don’t you come on into the living room. I’ll pour you some coffee and make a sandwich if you want. I’ve got some roast beef. Some turkey.” He found himself wandering around the kitchen lost, as if he were a stranger in his own house.

  She smiled. “Yeah, sure. That sounds good. I hear the TV,” she said on her way into the living room. “Whatcha watching?”

  Coogan watched her go through the doorway, stop and look around at the others, glance back at him, then say nervously, “Oh … hi. How are you?”

  He poured a cup of coffee, took it to Paula and said, “Sit down.” He took her elbow and led her to the sofa. She looked up at him, her face tight with discomfort.

  “I didn’t know you were going to have company,” she said with a quivering smile.

  Coogan slid the hassock over to the end of the sofa and sat on it, facing her. “Paula, we want to talk to you.”

  She looked from her father to the others sitting around the room; they were all staring at her expectantly, as if they were waiting for her to do or say something.

  “We’d like to ask you a few questions,” Coogan went on, his voice tense. “About the Alliance.”

  “Who are these people, Daddy?”

  “You saw them this morning. They’re friends of mine who have, in one way or another, been affected by the Alliance. Now they want a few questions answered. That’s all.”

  “Well,” Paula said, “I’m sorry, but if you have a gripe with the Alliance, you’ll have to take it up with Hester Thorne or somebody who works for her. I just mind my own business and—”

  “What can you tell us about the Inner Circle, Paula?” Jordan asked.

  “What do you know about—how can you—” She turned to Coogan and whispered, “Why are you doing this?”

  “Why am I doing this?”

  “Trapping me here like this. With these people. Who are they, reporters? Is that why you’re letting them grill me like this?”

  “Never thought I’d say this, but I wish we did have a reporter or two here right now. Big ones. So people would find out what’s going on up here.” His voice was shaky and he felt himself on the verge of growling at his daughter.

  “What are you talking about? There’s nothing going on up here.” She set her cup of coffee on the floor, stood and glared down at Coogan. “I think I should leave. I sure didn’t come here so you could—”

  “Where’s Katie?”

  She stopped, took a deep breath. “Katie is fine. She’s back at the—”

  “She’s dead,” Coogan rasped.

  Paula flinched. She stood perfectly still for a long moment, then asked, “What are you talking about?”

  Coogan stood, pushing his face close to his daughter’s, and roared, “She’s dead, Paula, Katie is dead. She was killed by your guru and—” He pointed at Jordan. “—he saw it happen! Now, I don’t know how much you know about all this, but you’re gonna sit your little ass down until we find out, and you’re not going anywhere until I say so!”

  Paula was shocked by her father’s outburst and lowered herself slowly to the sofa again.

  “They’re gonna ask you questions,” Coogan said, his voice quieter but no less firm, “and you’re gonna answer them until they’re through, you understand?”

  “But I’m expected back in a couple—”

  “So you’ll disappoint whoever’s
expecting you.” He turned to the others. “You go ahead.”

  Paula reached up and took Coogan’s hand. “Is that true? What you said about Katie?”

  Jordan said, “She was taken to a cave and sacrificed in some sort of, uh … I don’t know, a ritual. It was something called the Inner Circle. We’d like to know if killing children is a regular function of the Inner Circle.”

  “Nobody kills children in the Alliance,” she snapped defensively. “Besides, there’s no such thing as death. People are just re-embodied. They return to human form and—”

  “Hester Thorne stabbed your little girl with a long sharp crystal, then shoved her into a crevice in the cave wall, a crevice that glowed with light. You can call it what you like. I say she was killed.”

  She stared at Jordan for a long time. “Katie?” she whispered. “How do you know it was Katie?”

  “They said her name. She was the Chosen One.”

  She closed her eyes, shook her head. “No, it wasn’t a sacrifice. You’re just trying to confuse me. You haven’t been trained, you haven’t been taught. You don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re like him.” She nodded toward Coogan. “Completely ignorant. Blind. You can ask all the questions you want, but even if I know the answers, you won’t understand them. It won’t do you any good.”

  Jordan said, “We’ll ask anyway.”

  And they did. They grilled Paula for nearly two hours, most of which was frustrating because she was stubborn. Occasionally, she would interrupt the questions angrily, standing to pace as she told them how blind they were, how they would not stand long in their ignorance because Orrin would come soon and either cure their blindness or re-embody them. She broke into sobs once and cried for several minutes, muttering gibberish into her palms.

  They learned from Paula that the Inner Circle was a seldom talked about faction of the Alliance made up only of people capable of making extraordinary contributions to the organization, whether in the form of money or of work to further the cause. Only those in the Inner Circle knew for sure what went on there, but Paula knew it had something to do with speeding the coming of Orrin and the New Age of Enlightenment.