by Lynn Emery
“I recommend the TEA review its policy on merely observing children it identifies. Especially if they’re in unstable families, foster care or orphanages. Legion exploits those places to further their schemes.” LaShaun crossed her arms. “I’m ready to get started.”
“We’re meeting in the conference room,” Val said. She walked off toward a glass enclosed office in one corner of the warehouse.
“Another damn committee meeting? Unbelievable. You people told me you had solid leads on which direction we need to go,” LaShaun shouted after her.
Val spun around and marched back to LaShaun. “The stakes for us and Legion have jumped up by a hundred percent. We can’t go charging across the countryside without attracting a lot of attention.”
“News flash, Val. They know we’re here looking for the kids. Sounds like you’ve bought into Zack Desmond’s wait and see philosophy,” LaShaun shot back.
“We’re trying to delay Legion figuring out we know more than them. The longer we can keep them off our tails, the better. If we make a beeline to the trail we think the kids took, we’ll lead the bastards straight to them. We have a plan, a damn good one.” Val blew out a puff of air. “I know this is frustrating for you. Just please, hear us out.”
LaShaun had paced in a circle while Val made her case. Then she stopped. “I’m used to being on my own. Gets in the way sometimes. Lead on.”
Val gave a curt nod. She spun around and started toward TEA’s version of a war room in the warehouse. Val gestured to two other team members, who followed as well. LaShaun heeded the slight tingle spreading up her arms. Confirmation that she’d made the right choice to hear Val and the others out.
Once everyone stood or sat around the table, Frank began. He pointed to a map on the screen that took up a wall. “Here’s where we think they went. Or at least where they’re headed. Monterrey.”
Ernesto whistled low. “Over three hundred kilometers. Does the kid even have a driver’s license?” He glanced around at Abril.
“Jonah’s an American teenager. Of course he has one, not that it would do him any good. They don’t have a car,” Abril said.
“Remember he’s brilliant and resourceful” Frank replied.
“They all are, even baby girl.” Ernesto smiled at LaShaun.
“Exactly. Jonah has either found a way to get his hands on a car, or found other means of transportation. They’re obviously not on foot. A group of kids have managed to get the tools needed, or the means, to slip away from Legion. Impressive.” Frank stared at the map.
“Why Monterrey?” LaShaun walked closer to the screen to study it.
“Large city, pretty good standard of living. Easier for them to blend in than staying in small rural towns,” Jennifer put in.
“Great points. Big tourist destination. Foreigners speaking English won’t stand out,” Cee-Cee added.
“Even more important it’s where El Obispado is located.” LaShaun spoke low, but those nearby turned to her.
“Excuse me, I didn’t hear you.” Frank glanced at LaShaun with a baffled expression.
“The Bishop’s Palace. It was built in the 1700’s. Obviously for Catholic Bishops. It’s a museum now. That’s all I know.” Jennifer shrugged, and looked at LaShaun.
“It sits on a hill. Here’s what you won’t read in history books. During the Mexican-American war, some of the US soldiers decided to loot the palace of gold and silver sacred objects.” LaShaun touched her vest as if she expected to find a familiar object in one of the pockets. Of course she didn’t. She couldn’t risk having it confiscated by the TSA screeners. “I inherited a knife, made of ninety-nine percent pure silver, made strong by the Holy Spirit. Family journals claim it was used by ancient Mayans to kill demons. But there were other objects at El Obispado.”
“Wait, wait.” Abril raised a palm. She hurried over to the laptop set up in the room. “Just give me a minute.”
“What the hell, girl. We ain’t got time for one of your geek moments.” Cee-Cee rolled her eyes.
“A few seconds. This is important. C’mon.” Abril bounced in the chair, impatient with the speed of the computer. “Got it. The TEA has objects from that site. It’s on the list for excavation by our archeology division.”
“I would be so fascinated with knowing this stuff any other time,” Cee-Cee said, her tone drenched in sarcasm. Then she tapped her wristwatch. “But tick-tock.”
“During the Mexican-American war, a couple of trenches were dug by soldiers around the site for defensive purposes. They found gold coins that convinced them more riches could be found in the Bishop’s Palace. They were more right than they knew.” Abril stood up. “Legion didn’t choose Mexico simply to exploit the chaos caused by cartels.”
“Okay, let’s start with a radical reassessment of what they’re up to in Matamoros.” Frank’s eyes went wide. He took off his reading glasses. “Game changer.”
“Somebody clue me in,” Cee-Cee blurted out in frustration.
“Not just you,” Ernesto added as he glanced around. Other members of the team nodded.
“We know many major biblical figures visited the area. The Spaniards looted sacred objects from North Africa. When they returned to Spain, many of these relics were donated to the Catholic Archbishops and Cardinals of their country who then doled them out to other churches.” Abril waved her arms around as if frustrated they didn’t understand.
“And?” Cee-Cee finally said, voicing the question it seemed they all had.
“The TEA must have reason to believe something is still at El Obispado.” LaShaun looked from Abril to Frank.
Frank shrugged. “It’s always been nothing more than a theory. I mean it could be in any of a number of places. Mexico is such a long shot.”
“My family stories tell of battles against evil being fought here. Something of huge importance must be at stake. This is the part where you can fill us in, Frank.” Ernesto gestured to the regional leader.
“What I’m about to tell you can’t be repeated. No one who’s not in the room can be told.” Frank jabbed a finger in the air.
“Yeah, yeah. We got it. Now spill,” Cee-Cee said.
“I’m sure you all know the story about Jesus feeding the five thousand?” Frank rubbed a large hand over his face. “Well, we have accounts that the descendants of the boy who supplied the fish and bread kept his basket. It’s been passed around, ended up in a Coptic church in Tunisia. The priests there became the guardians, but during a war, it disappeared. I’m giving you the short version. The history is way more complicated than that.”
LaShaun broke the stunned silence of the room. “So you think a Spanish Bishop was given it as a gift for his service, and he brought it to El Obispado.”
“All just talk between archeologists and historians. Gossip over drinks at conferences. We have our own legends and share of wild theories. Like the ancient alien fanatics.” Frank gave a snort to indicate what he thought of them. “Anyway, most believe having something so amazing end up here is about as plausible.”
“I don’t get what Legion wants with the basket. The power wasn’t in what our Savior used,” Jennifer said. “Right?”
“His use changes ordinary earthly items. One thing the ancient Christians understood. We don’t worship the relics of course, but…” Frank trailed off.
“The supernatural can and does affect physical objects. Call it physics, or molecular dynamics, or whatever for the scientists among you. All I know is we don’t want Legion to get their hands on it.” Val picked up her backpack from a chair. “Let’s go. We have two people in Monterrey already.
“There are three popular youth hostels in and around the city. We’ve jammed signals that would tip off Legion where we’re headed. No using cell phones for calls. Texts only until we’re at least an hour out of Matamoros,” Cee-Cee added. Her usually joking demeanor switched to all business mode.
Two hours of driving gave LaShaun way too much time to worry. Soft music played
on the SUV’s sound system, but didn’t help calm her nerves. The TEA staff person at the hospital sent encrypted text updates to Val on Chase’s condition. Miss Rose and the twins took turns keeping watch at his bedside. His physical wounds were healing as expected. The spiritual attack however had been more dangerous. Chase was responding slowly, which made LaShaun’s insides twist with guilt. She had no control over her family history and the paranormal abilities she’d inherited. Her behavior was another matter.
“None of what’s happened is your fault,” Val said. She never took her eyes off the road ahead.
LaShaun glanced at her before staring out of the passenger side window of the Range Rover again. “You don’t know…”
“That you were a badass once upon a time and used your skills to do some shady crap,” Cee-Cee put in her two cents. She continued to check her automatic pistol and other weapons. “Yeah, we do actually.”
“I’m going to propose changes to TEA snooping policies,” LaShaun muttered.
“We didn’t have to snoop to find out. You’re not unique when it comes to having a past you’re not too proud,” Cee-Cee said.
“We can swap war stories about shit we stirred up back in the day to pass the time.” Val wore a crooked grin.
“Like when you tried to get a cute teacher you had a crush on in middle school to notice you. She dabbled in a love potion. Or was it an incantation?” Cee-Cee glanced at Val, but didn’t allow her to answer before she plowed on. “Anyway, things didn’t go to plan. The guy’s libido kicked up. Women couldn’t resist him thanks to Val. He started humping every female teacher with a pulse, including the sixty-year-old vice principal. The girls’ basketball coach found them going at it in the sports equipment room. Get this, while she was leading three school board members on a tour of the new athletic facilities.”
“Oh. My. God.” LaShaun burst out laughing at the vivid image that flashed in her head.
“Hey, I’ll be the one to decide if and when I share my own list of scandalous deeds,” Val protested. Then she joined them in giggling. “What a mess. I was broken-hearted for months.”
“I needed that laugh. Thanks.” LaShaun wiped tears from her eyes.
Val’s smile faded. “Of course the consequences weren’t so funny. Both their careers suffered. Mrs. Madison’s husband left her, and she was demoted. My teacher transferred to another school. His ambitions to become a school principal went down the toilet.”
LaShaun grew somber as well. “But nobody died.”
They rode in silence for fifteen minutes when Val spoke up. “Who is the most revered saint in the Catholic faith, and the most revered apostle in the protestant church?”
“St. Paul,” LaShaun and Cee-Cee answered at the same time, and exchanged a glance.
“Before he became Paul, he was Saul. He persecuted Christians, killed them by the dozens. Not only that, but he loved hunting them down. Yet he was totally transformed on the road to Damascus. I’m gonna just let that marinate in your minds for a minute.” Val wheeled the Range Rover expertly around a sharp curve as she spoke. Then she read the screen display on the dashboard in a code only she knew.
Cee-Cee leaned forward from the back seat to whisper, “She’s right. Forgive yourself or it will mess up your relationships. Clouds your thinking. And in this fight, we gotta stay sharp.”
“Miss Rose and the twins keep saying the same thing. I’m working on it.” LaShaun sighed.
“Lots of us in TEA have the same issue, wrestling with things we’ve done in the past. Some of their stories have no punchline. I’m talking true evil unleashed. You’re not alone.” Cee-Cee gave her shoulder a quick pat before she eased back onto the seat again.
Val kept the speed at seventy-five miles an hour. The trip seemed too slow, but at least LaShaun felt better. She didn’t have the luxury of fighting herself. The real enemy lay ahead of them. The lives and souls of eight children were at stake. Ellie needed her focus to stay on the right target.
When they arrived in Monterrey, Val headed straight for the most popular hostel on the list the TEA had provided. LaShaun’s heart beat kicked into high gear with hope. But the kids weren’t there. They went to the other two with the same result.
“Okay, so now we’ve been to the nice ones. I had hoped they wouldn’t resort to some of the rougher areas, but…” Val tapped her fingers on the steering wheel.
“Jonah is no fool. His girlfriend, what’s her name?” Cee-Cee snapped her fingers a couple of times.
“Marissa,” Val replied. “She’s fifteen, but dressed older to blend in with Jonah’s crowd.”
“Yeah, whatever. Anyway, they figure Legion will look in those places. But they don’t have money.” Cee-Cee glanced around the neighborhood as they talked.
“I’m betting they do. Look, these kids have managed to slip out of a very determined, paranoid group’s grasp. Let’s give them more credit. I’ll bet Jonah and Marissa have managed to get their hands on money. They need to melt into a crowd.” LaShaun gazed ahead as well. “Too bad we don’t know this city all that well.”
“But we know people who do,” Val said. She spoke into her blue tooth headset. “Got it.”
Seconds later she nosed the Range Rover down several streets of a busy neighborhood. Like any big city, a mixture of heavy pedestrian traffic combined with lots of cars. A few sidewalk vendors sold food. Finally, Val pulled up to a historic building away from the center of the action.
“Looks nice enough.” Cee-Cee peered up at the colonial architecture, one elbow hanging out of the open window.
“I’m going in.” LaShaun started to open the door, but Val stopped her.
“They were here, but they’ve left. Like we said, they’re smart enough to keep on the move. This is a nice boutique hotel. Which means Jonah has more than a little cash to spend. Let’s just hope he isn’t taking chances to earn it.” Val nodded and then got out.
LaShaun joined her on the sidewalk. “Why waste time if we know they’ve moved on?”
“He’s running from us, too. Remember? Let’s see if we can find out something helpful from the staff.” Val went through the front door before LaShaun could respond.
“We’re along for the ride, honey. Relax. Val has hella good instincts.” Cee-Cee motioned for LaShaun to follow. “Let her do the talking.”
A slender young man the color of nutmeg greeted them with a warm smile. Val asked for the manager, and moments later a taller man emerged from a door that must have led to his office. He had the polished good looks of a Latin pop star. He beckoned for Val to come with him. She signaled for LaShaun and Cee-Cee to wait for her. Fifteen minutes went by. Cee-Cee strolled around the lobby, flipped through magazines, and even flirted with the desk clerk. LaShaun was about to charge the manager’s office when Val came back alone.
“Paolo has it arranged so they can’t run. The older kids are definitely in charge. Somehow Jonah got his hands on a decent amount of cash. He and Marissa are pretending Ellie’s their baby. The other four kids are with different families. Paolo is working on getting them back to their countries. He’s a good man.” Val wore a soft smile. She put on her sunglasses.
“Paolo, huh?” Cee-Cee nudged LaShaun. “You two got a thing going on?”
“You’re stuck in high school up here.” Val tapped her temple with a forefinger. “Let’s go. They’re at an apartment in San Pedro Garza Garcia. Not a far drive. Upscale neighborhoods. I wouldn’t have guessed they’d end up there.”
“Let’s hope Legion is making the same mistake and following dead-ends, too,” Cee-Cee replied. “I’ll drive to give you a break.”
Fifteen minutes later they drove into San Pedro Garza Garcia. The modern city had clean wide streets and lovely neighborhoods. LaShaun gazed around in surprise. “This is not the Mexico you see on the news back home.”
Val grunted. “Don’t get me started on the US media and the narratives they love to push.”
“Amen,” Cee-Cee added. She gave a
low whistle at the apartment complex she finally found. “Wow, pretty fancy. This is a pricey place to live.”
“A lot of American and UK ex-pats in the area. Which means our TEA member fits right in. He transferred here with his company.” Val tapped in updates to Ernesto, Abril, and Jennifer. “The others are nearby. Ernesto says they’re sure they haven’t been followed. If they pick up funny vibes, they’ll lead them away from us. We have two other decoy teams pretending to search Monterrey.”
LaShaun was about to express admiration of TEA team planning when childish screams cut through the air. LaShaun leaped out of the SUV and ran to the front door. She slapped the surface in rage because it was locked.
“LaShaun,” Val called out to her.
“That’s Ellie.” LaShaun raced through a neat flower bed. Petals scattered around her boots as she searched for an opening.
“Listen to me.” Val ran after her.
“I know my child’s voice,” LaShaun shouted without looking around.
Her boots pounded along a paved walkway that led to a courtyard. LaShaun rounded corners down more paths following the sounds. Her head pounded at the rush of adrenaline pushing her forward. Val and Cee-Cee sprinted to catch her. All three skidded to a halt at the scene before them. Ellie and the other youngsters wore bathing suits. They played in the community pool of clear blue green water. Grace cradled Ellie in her lap as the toddler happily splashed water from the shallow end. Jonah and Marissa sat with tall glasses of something cold, slices of fruit on the rim. Jonah saw them first. He jumped to his feet and reached for something beneath a beach towel.
Ellie waved happily at LaShaun. She acted as though nothing more serious had happened than she’d been away at summer camp. She pointed, and clapped her hands with excitement.
“Mama’s here. Yay!”
Chapter 16
Jonah sprang from the patio lounge chair. He stood around six feet tall. A thick lock of brunette hair fell across his forehead as he glared at them. His azure blue eyes widened with anger. Marissa, her dark blonde hair still wet from the pool, jumped behind him. She darted a look of panic at Grace and Ellie in the pool. They looked like regular kids on spring break except for the automatic pistol Jonah held and the knife Marissa pulled from a picnic basket.