by Sydney Addae
He thought of the men who died on the battlefield. “Some gave more. Gave their all.”
She nodded. “And God will bless them for their sacrifice, just as He’s given you this opportunity. Don’t waste it.”
He met her gaze and nodded slowly. “No, I won’t. Just... how can I tone it down? Some of the things I smell, I’d rather not.”
She smiled and it was as if the sun peaked from behind a cloud warming him from the inside. “Think about what you want, tell your body what to do.”
Sounded simple. He tried over and over again until he felt normal again. By that time Ryder and Ryan entered the restaurant.
<<<>>>
The twins could’ve been college students, they looked young, masculine, vibrant and drew the attention of several men and women as they strode through the restaurant.
“Over here,” Mia said waving her hand.
They reached the table and she introduced them to Noah. Ryan stared at Noah a few seconds longer while Ryder slid in next to her.
“Strange group. Not sure what they really believe. The woman in the student union who approached us couldn’t really tell us much about the group, instead, she wanted us to go to some meeting they’re having.”
Mia arched her brow. “What kind of meeting?”
Ryder shrugged. “I got the feeling that’s all they do, invite you to these groups and once you’re there try to sell you something. Maybe they’re selling religion. Who knows?”
“Hmm. When is the meeting?” she asked watching Ryder.
“Don’t know.” He looked at Ryan. “Did she say?”
“Maybe, I wasn’t listening, she was weird. Kept saying the same scriptures over and over, about the third time I tuned her out. But she wanted us to come to the meeting, that I remember,” Ryan said.
Mia read the brochure again. Other than the normal God loves you stuff and how great He is, there was little about the purpose of the group. What made it different than going to chapel on campus?
Noah whistled.
She hadn’t realized he pulled her laptop across the table. “This is a large organization. They’re located in almost every state with over a hundred chapters, mostly on college campuses but not all. There’s nothing about the corporate office, not on this page. I’ll keep looking, see who started it and who runs it now,” Noah said.
Mia pulled out her phone and looked at the information for the other murders. “Check to see if there are any organizations near these locations.” She gave him the names of the towns where the bodies were found.
“Every one of them is within five to ten miles of a Leviticus Club campus,” Noah said before looking at her.
Even though she knew there was a connection, it made no sense. “Why?” she looked at Noah, then Ryder and last Ryan. “I don’t see why.”
“You don’t see a motive?” Noah clarified.
She shook her head.
“Could be because you don’t know what these folks believe yet. By tomorrow, you’ll know and have a better idea. My guts’ telling me they’re involved somehow,” Ryder said.
“Yeah, we watched them from a distance before coming inside, you’re right. They’re definitely more interested in helping those with disabilities than without,” Ryan said.
“Almost asked one straight out but didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize your op,” Ryder said and shook his head. “Times have changed when we suspect people for doing evil for what could be a simple kindness.”
That was true. What was wrong with asking the handicapped if they needed help or spiritual guidance? Nothing. Perhaps that group of people was more inclined to shy from faith.
Still... she sensed they were on the right track even if she had no idea where the track would lead. “Guys, we need to go to a meeting.” She looked at Noah. He wanted to be on her team, well, they’d spend an evening investigating this group.
He didn’t turn from her gaze and nodded.
“Can you get us in?” she asked the twins.
Ryder stood. “Yeah. We’ll go back, see if she’s still there.” They turned and left.
“What are they?” Noah asked when they were alone.
Mia shook her head and mouthed. “Not here.”
Surprise flashed across his face as his gaze flicked around the restaurant. He sat back and stared at her. “You light up my life.”
She frowned. “Huh?”
“It’s an old song but totally appropriate for how alive and excited I’m feeling right now. Today’s a great day.” He nodded and winked at her.
“You’re in a strange mood. Hang onto it because I think we’ll be in a meeting of some sort tonight.” She called to cancel the meeting at the last college, it really was too far to be practical.
He frowned, disconcerted that she dismissed his romantic gesture. “You do?”
“I bet they have some sort of orientation every day. You don’t grow that large, that quick, without constantly recruiting. Bet they have quotas to move up in the organization or something like that.” She looked at her empty plate, wondered when she had eaten it and stood. “I need something sweet to hold me until later.”
Noah watched her hips for a few moments before noticing a few other men watched as well. He didn’t like it but couldn’t do much about it. Things were tenuous with them and he didn’t like it. He needed to make his thoughts about her plain.
When she returned, she ate while reading the monitor. The moment she finished she started typing. “Updating Tip and Thomas about everything. Tip can check out the campus in his area as well.”
“They’ll be impressed,” Noah said.
Her gaze flicked from the screen to him as she smiled. “Surprised for sure. Hell, I’m surprised. Never thought we’d find anything.” She looked around and leaned forward. “This group is relatively new, five years old. How’d they grow so fast? Plus, it’s a religious group, typically those are avoided like the plague.”
“Which is why college students are recruiting in shopping centers,” he said. “Makes you wonder if their numbers are inflated.”
She nodded and continued typing. “Probably.”
“Are you dating anyone?”
Mia’s gaze widened as she looked at him. “What?”
Energized, feeling more like himself than he had in decades, he repeated the question without hesitation.
“No. I don’t date.” She sounded embarrassed by the question.
“Why not?”
“Because I’m... different, you know that.” She huffed and continued typing.
Noah understood. She was in the same head space he had been until this morning. “I’m different.”
When she stared at him this time, her eyes widened slightly as his gaze lingered over her lips. “That’s true. You want to date me?”
He nodded. Although he wanted a lot more, he’d start with dating. “Yes, I do.”
She frowned. “Is this normal? I mean is this how people go about dating?”
Since it was how he did it, he nodded.
“We’ll talk about it later.” She looked up. “Ryder, what did you find out?”
“There’s a meeting tonight. Here’s the location. They must get points or something because she told me to make sure I use these tickets to get in. Starts in an hour and a half on the other side of town in a hotel.”
“Have you guys eaten?” she asked.
“Yeah, but we’ll grab a few burgers on the way.” He gave her two tickets. “Meet you there. Should be interesting.”
Mia agreed.
CHAPTER 16
THE DRIVE TO THE MEETING was done in silent contemplation. Noah had removed the handicapped placard and stored it in his glove compartment.
Earlier, Mia did a good job hiding her shock and elation. “Dating?” What did she know about any of that? Sure she had sex with other members of the group from time to time, it was more like scratching an itch, or meeting a basic need, but that stopped over 10 years ago, and all of those guy
s were dead.
She peeked at Noah’s strong hands on the steering wheel and imagined them on her body. Warmth coursed through her. “Stop,” she silently demanded before the scent of her arousal seeped across the seat to him.
“Nervous?” he asked.
“Not really.” She forced her thoughts away from his long, thick fingers to the case. Her case. “It’ll be interesting to hear what they’re selling.”
“You think it’s a sham?” He sounded surprised.
“Yes. The women in the shopping centers are serious believers, that came through. They were probably told to focus on the handicapped. Helping the disadvantaged is an easy sell. But I don’t think we’ll find the same level of devotion at the top.”
“Is that one of your ...um, gifts?”
“Empath. Reading the brochure, the club comes across as fake. Plus, there’s no mention of Christ anywhere, just Yahweh.”
“So?”
“Christ is all about love, peace, and joy, at least that’s my take from the books I’ve read. Old Testament Yahweh dealt with a lot of land taking, wars, killing, laws, and punishment. Which personality would appeal to murderers?”
He whistled. “Don’t know much about the Old Testament. Grew up Baptist dealing mostly with the New. But the Middle East is a hotbed of a mess because of land disputes in the Bible. So this group focuses on a particular book of the Bible which is about —”
“Laws. Leviticus means the law of the priests. Deals a lot with procedures.”
Noah frowned. “Laws of priests? They made a club about that?”
“Strange, right?” They turned into the parking lot of the hotel on the outskirts of town and pulled next to Ryder’s truck.
“Hey,” she said after Noah helped her from the cab.
“Hey. Not that many takers from what we noticed when we peeked inside,” Ryder said as they headed to the entrance.
Inside the meeting room, they were greeted by several smiling faces of men and women who welcomed them enthusiastically.
Taking seats on the third row, Mia counted 12 other guests seated nearby. Some looked bored. Others talked amongst themselves. One fella was asleep.
The meeting started on time. A young, blond, handsome guy greeted them and gave a spiel about the love of God. How God loves everyone and we owe it to Him to offer our service with our whole being. It wasn’t a long speech, didn’t put her to sleep or anything but it came across... practiced. Like a recital and she wondered how many times had he said the exact same words? Her gut said every night.
Next, he opened a large book that had been on a stand slightly behind him and started reading. “Leviticus 19.”
As he read, the members of the group stood with their hands on their chests as if they were making a pledge of some kind. When he read verse 14, “Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the Lord,” Mia’s eyebrow rose and she glanced at Noah. A blind man had been stoned.
When the meeting ended, Mia still wasn’t sure she understood what they believed or what the group was about.
“Thank you for coming, I’m Saul, we hope you’ll consider joining Leviticus Club,” the man who had read the scripture said, shaking Noah’s hand, then Ryder and Ryan’s. He didn’t even glance at her.
“Sounds good, but I’m not sure what the group stands for,” Ryan said moving between her and the rude man.
Mia bit back her frustration and allowed the men to gain answers.
“We believe the entire Bible but take our marching orders from the instructions given to the Priests. Each of us sees ourselves as Priests of God and strive to live in a way that meets His requirements.”
She listened a few more minutes and watched the others. Most were tall, thin, could be models on a runway. Frowning she looked at the men, noticed a similar quality. Whether blond or brunette, they were all the same type of pretty. Listening to the females, she wasn’t surprised by their discussions centered on fashion and beauty.
She walked to the women, noticed their surprise and forced smiles as they stared down at her. What? Don't they like short people?
“Hi, can I say you are so pretty, both of you. Your skin...it’s glowing.” Feed their vanity first she thought. “All of you are, that’s a powerful recommendation to join your group.”
“Yes, that and a serious health-care regimen,” one of the females twittered, covering her mouth with her hand as she grinned. “Some of the most beautiful people in the world are members of the Leviticus Club because of Biblical requirements to remain clean. Honestly, if more people would just obey the Bible, we wouldn’t have so many ugly—” She stopped. “Ugly wars and problems in the world.”
“You’re so right. How long have you been a member?”
“Two years,” she lied and Mia wondered why.
“You’ll meet a lot of great people at the conferences, become friends for life,” the other female said. Deceit.
“Is he in charge of the conferences?” she tipped her head to Saul.
One of the females smiled. The other shook her head. “No. Regional leaders are in charge of the events, sometimes our Priest comes. He’s our leader and trains the Holy Priests. You’re really pretty, you should come, you’ll love it.”
Smiling brightly, while cringing inside, Mia said. “Thanks for explaining things, you’ve convinced me this club is what I’ve been looking for. You two are the greatest in addition to being beautiful.”
Both ladies blushed as they smiled. “Yahweh is all,” one of them said as they walked out. Rather than return to Saul and the guys, Mia headed to the lobby to see if she could pick up anything from the attendees.
A few members were talking one on one with their guests but most had left. Taking a seat in the lobby, Mia listened in on their conversations. No one stressed the religious aspects of the group. One talked about a sponsor, Purity Products and how they gave away skin and hair care products, gym memberships, things that fed the body as well as the soul.
The other member kept telling the two women how beautiful they were and that the club was always looking for more beautiful people. Fortunately, the women didn’t seem impressed and declined the membership. When they left he stared hungrily at them in a way that had nothing to do with the 10 Commandments.
Turning, he headed to the bar and ordered a drink. Mia closed her eyes and focused to hear his conversation in the other room.
“Any luck?” the bartender asked.
“Naw. Thought I had them, but they bolted. Damn, I need three more to make my quota for this month. You know anyone?”
“Gave you everybody I know already.”
“I know, appreciate it. I might have to get another job, this one’s not panning out. Head guy’s on my ass for not hitting the numbers. Can’t help it if the recruiters aren’t sending in the right people.”
“Every time Saul reads those scriptures, gives me hives, man. That’s the killer right there. Makes people nervous, if you ask me,” the bartender said.
“It’s the one thing that can’t be changed. Gotta read it.” He sighed. “Let me know if you meet anyone who needs free spiritual guidance and direction.”
“Lots of people need that, man. Problem is, you don’t really want just anyone,” the bartender said.
Mia leaned forward, listening hard.
“Unfortunately not, gotta be without a spot or blemish.”
“Heard that,” the bartender said.
Moments later the guy walked out of the bar and out of the building. Noah, Ryder, and Ryan strode out a few moments later.
“Why’d you leave?” Ryder asked.
As they walked to their vehicles, she shared her conversation with the females and then what she overheard.
“I hadn’t noticed that about the people,” Ryder murmured. “Now that you mention it, they all had a similar look. You think that’s what this is all about. Pretty people?” he made it sound like a joke but she wasn’t sure he hadn’t hit th
e nail on the head. Emotions were all over the place, greed, fear, envy. Love, peace, and joy were conspicuously absent.
She shrugged. “I’ll listen to the book of Leviticus so I have a better understanding of what they’re supposed to be about. Honestly, I don’t see a parallel between the scriptures he read and what they were saying. Seems the more I learn, the more confusing it becomes. Maybe Thomas will have some insight.”
“There’s the main guy, a Priest, did they say where he was located? Does he travel? What about that group of priests?” Noah asked.
“They mentioned them but didn’t give details,” she said wishing she had pushed Saul a bit. He was the only one who might’ve known about the top tiers in the organization. “Today was a good day, thanks so much guys, really appreciate your help.”
Ryan looked at Noah and then her. “You need to help him control his voice. When he asked Saul a question, the man almost passed out from the compulsion. It doesn’t work if they can’t hear you.”
“What?” Her gaze flew to Noah’s.
“I didn’t realize I could do that until they helped Saul sit. Ryder explained it to me after I told him what happened this morning.” Noah looked sheepish. “It’s still new.”
“And unexpected,” she said wondering what was going on. This was not the time to fly off the handle with the unexpected.
“Because of Noah, Saul gave us two names,” Ryan said. “Aaron Mosely and Peter Drum. One is the Priest, one is the regional director. We can look them up too.”
Mia nodded slowly, watching Noah. “The Priest? That’s good information. You didn’t kill him did you?”
Noah scowled at her. “No. I don’t think he realized he said anything, just claimed a headache and walked off.” He extended his hand to Ryan. “Thanks for working with me on that, I don’t smell everything anymore and my hearing levels are good. It’s been a crazy day with all of that out of whack.”
Ryan shook his hand. “No worries. Just remember, you can’t ever betray what we told you. It’s a death sentence, seriously.”