The Bend

by Terri Tiffany

  “With all due respect, Pastor, I don’t think there are enough people left unaffected in the Bend to do what you're asking,” she said. “Earl has his thumb on most everyone. Including Tim, my editor. If we arranged a town meeting, invited everyone to it, Earl would shut us down. He’d find a way. In the meantime, women will continue to join in hopes for a better future.”

  “You aren’t listening to me, dear.” He hoisted himself from the pew and climbed the three steps to the lectern. “This church was once filled with true believers. Week after week, they filed down this aisle to confess their sins, and give their lives to the only one who can make a difference. They are not totally lost. Just confused. Troubled. Afraid. If we offer them hope, they will turn away from the path Earl set them on.”

  “But hope in what? He offers the men in the Bend a changed life. A life with a spouse who meets their every need. Your plan won’t work. I’m sorry we bothered you.” Kate stood, glaring at Seth. What was he thinking? Meeting with a man who thought throwing a town meeting and offering an alternative lifestyle for the people would convince a cult leader to stop his plan? Rick must have lost his mind being holed up like this.

  Rick’s shoulders dropped at Kate’s words. Had he been waiting all these years for someone to listen to him?

  Seth approached him, shook his hand. “Thank you, Rick. We’ll think about your plan.”

  Kate frowned. An empty promise. His plan wouldn’t work.

  “God has power to change lives,” Rick said as though in answer to her thoughts.

  She looked away. Tell that to Earl. The Bend was not going to change. She had moved into a town that preferred evil over good. Winning was not an option.

  Once they were inside the Jeep, Seth spoke. “I’m sorry. I thought he could help. He’s one of the few remaining men who haven’t fallen under Earl’s web of promises. I didn't realize how much he's changed.”

  As she turned over his words, an idea struck her.

  Kate faced him. “So are you. You are one of those remaining men.” Her pulse throbbed. She grabbed his arm. “You, Seth. You are the one. Why didn’t we think of it before? You can make the difference!” She wanted to run back inside and hug Rick. Maybe his idea wouldn’t work but talking with him had triggered one that might.

  “What are you talking about? Gone crazy on me, Red?”

  It didn’t even bother her that he called her Red. In fact, she kind of liked it now. She smiled and pointed at him. “You can go undercover. Isn’t that what reporters do? They go to the story. In the story. You’re single. You want a partner for life and where better to choose one? From Brother Earl’s Club. Be sure you order the right ring size.”

  He pulled onto the road. “You really are crazy. I’m not going undercover for a wife. Earl would smell me coming a mile away. Let’s face facts. My article is our ace. I’ll send it around to all the papers. Someone will take notice.”

  “He wouldn’t expect a thing. You’ve never written anything negative about them, and you’ve lived here almost two years. You aren’t an outsider. You aren’t dating anyone. And your only run-in with them is at the funeral but you were out of it that day.”

  Seth shook his head. “I don’t know. Won’t they wonder why I haven’t approached them before?”

  “Befriend David. I know that’s hard but the two of you have never spoken at length, right? Then ask him about it. Once you are given the real grand tour, you can find out who is doing the training. It will make a better story. Think about it. An expose. Reporter undermines cult by joining. You will be famous.” She didn’t know about that part, but the exposing might go farther with her share of the story. If only Seth would agree.

  He rubbed his chin with his free hand. “Famous, huh?”

  Kate punched his upper arm lightly. “Get back on track, Seth. You could save lives. Make the Bend what it used to be before Earl took hold.”

  She could tell Seth was mulling over the idea by the way his faced looked—all serious-like.

  “What’s the first step?”

  “Call David. Tell him you need a mate. You're tired of living out of cereal boxes and pizza.” She smiled. “But you have to be careful, okay?”

  He stuck out his ring finger. “I always wanted to wear gold.”

  CHAPTER 74

  She spent too much time with that reporter. He had to get rid of him. The risk that he might come looking for Kate was too strong.

  The Trainer nibbled on cold fries. Shoved the plate away. He didn’t appreciate interference. Not when he had a plan—a specific plan—and time was running out. Until Kate became his, he could not move forward. And moving forward was vital. He’d waited his entire life for this event. Prepared for the moment when it would happen. Dreamed about it. Wrote about it. Life comes full circle.

  He and Kate.

  He tapped the sticky table with his finger. Getting rid of Seth would not be easy.

  The long-legged waitress stopped by his table for the third time. “Dessert?” She smiled down at him like they all did. He had inherited his mother’s looks. Curse or not. It helped.

  “Are you offering?” he asked, with a slight lift to his lips.

  She giggled, wiped a few remaining crumbs from his table. “I get off at five.” She glanced over her shoulder toward her boss, Art, a scrawny disgusting man. Like she needed his approval or something. Harlots did what they wanted. No one was going to stop them.

  An intense heat tightened his stomach. Maybe his plan for Kate could hold a few days. A little more practice wouldn’t hurt. Another week remained until the event. Surely he could train Kate in that time on her part of the plan.

  He handed the waitress cash for his bill. “I’ll wait across the street. Come straight out. I know a private place for dinner.”

  Another pitiful smile meant to seduce him. She draped one finger across his shoulder and sashayed toward the counter. The Trainer waited, watched as she whispered to her coworker. Like always. It didn’t take much to seduce a woman like that. He bet she called her mother and yakked to her about her date tonight too.

  The Trainer stood, brushed his pants off. He glanced down at a spot. Gritted his teeth. That stupid waitress. She’d dripped ketchup onto his clothing. He schooled his anger and left the diner before his irritation grew.

  After he climbed into his truck, he applied sanitizer to the spot, cursing as he did. Then he drew a long breath. Don’t worry, he told himself. By tonight, the blood would cover it.

  CHAPTER 75

  Seth popped a chicken and mashed potato TV dinner into his microwave. Exhausted from the day’s events, he looked forward to a good night’s sleep. As if that would happen. Not after what Kate suggested. Infiltrate the cult? Go undercover?

  She’d read too many books.

  Sure, he might be able to convince David of his need for a companion. But would the guy believe him after catching Seth snooping around the cabins? Fat chance.

  He pulled out his oven mitt and plopped dinner onto a plate. What he’d give for a home-cooked meal. He stirred extra butter into the potatoes.

  Maybe Kate was right. Let David think he was tired of bachelorhood and wanted a woman who could cook and clean and meet all his needs. He could contact him and talk together at the diner. Convince him how wrong he was about Brother Earl and that he’d come around to their way of thinking. What else did they have to try? Kate didn’t think sending his article the way it stood would do much good. But if he had an insider’s point of view…

  He gulped down his glass of milk. Patted his stomach. A home-cooked meal. Not a bad idea.

  ###

  Kate’s dinner consisted of a piece of cheese wrapped around leftover turkey from lunch three days ago. She needed to get control of her life. The last twenty-four hours had kicked her butt. She tugged off her shoes and poured herself a glass of water. A shower and a quick call to Jackie and then she would sleep until ten in the morning. Saturday couldn’t come sooner.

  After eating, s
he pulled out her phone. Her fingers hesitated over the screen. The last time she spoke with Jackie, Trevor had started chemo. How many weeks had passed without an update? It was her fault. She couldn’t bear to hear bad news.

  She set her phone aside and strode over to her computer. She pulled up her photos and scrolled through them searching for the last one she took of Trevor. The one when she knew that something was wrong.

  Her scrolling came to an abrupt halt. The aura was no longer there.

  She shut her computer. Was he worse or dead? What did it mean? She reached for her phone, her hand shaking. What kind of friend doesn’t call? She stared out of her window as the sun set behind the row of trees. Her gift had caused nothing but pain for her for twenty years. Knowing when her family or friends might die. Knowing that time had run out for many. Maybe with Trevor. Her begging Jackie to get him to the doctor’s had changed nothing. Or had it?

  She reopened her computer. Found the picture of the church taken weeks ago. The aura had grown darker. Almost sinister looking. Like a mushroom overshadowing the building.

  Was this photo giving her the opportunity to save lives?

  The only way she would know would be to make the call.

  She pressed the contact button.

  Seconds later, Jackie answered. Her voice high-pitched. “You never called back!”

  Kate swallowed. “Tell me about Trevor. Please. How is he?” She tightened her grip. Afraid to listen.

  “Ask him yourself.”

  A familiar young voice came over the phone. “Aunt Kate? I miss you.”

  Kate dropped her head to her knees. “Hey there, Trevor. How are you doing these days?”

  “Are you coming home to my party? Mom says we can invite the whole team.”

  “Party? What kind of party?” She squeezed her eyes shut. Prayed. Please . . .

  “I don’t have to go back to the doctor’s anymore. I’m healthy. A miracle, the doctor said. Mom says it’s all because of you, Aunt Kate. You saved my life.”

  ###

  Seth met David at nine a.m. at the diner. Earl’s sleaze brother wore his fat grin with his hair dripping in girlie product. If Seth had eaten his breakfast as planned, he’d puke his guts out right now. Instead, he stood and shook the weasel’s hand.

  “Coffee, please,” Seth told the overly eager waitress when she made it to their table. David raised two fingers. She barely nodded before dropping a gusher of a smile into David’s lap. Why not climb into it? Seth gritted his teeth.

  After she returned and set the steaming cups in front of them, David spoke first. Of course. He was used to being in charge. “So you’re tired of the bachelor life. Need a good woman to cook your meals, clean your house and keep you warm at night.”

  “Something like that.” Playing nice would not come easy. David came off like a politician making a bid for the White House.

  “What makes you think I can help you?” The guy folded his hands together. Seth zoomed in on the ring. A new addition? Or he finally had the guts to wear one.

  “Why not? I’ve lived here long enough to know something. I hear you can find me the right girl. A trained girl. Someone who will follow the rules.” He pasted an earnest look on his face. Controlled his gag reflex.

  David laughed. Guess he didn’t believe him either. “What about Kate? She dump you too?”

  “Why bring her into this? She works for the paper. Period.” He stopped short of growling. “But if you need to know, she isn’t interested in me.” He might as well play it all the way. “I thought she was different. She’s not.”

  “Ah, someone’s got a crush on the wrong girl.” He stirred two packets of sweetener into his coffee. “She’s a tough one to crack. I’ll give you that. So we’re talking rebound, huh? The women you normally go after aren’t taking the bite.”

  Seth curled his fingers around his mug. If he wasn’t there for a noble reason, he’d smack that smug grin right off David’s his face. “Something like that. So are you going to help or not? I don’t have all day.”

  He waited—hoped he’d convinced him he was serious.

  David sipped his coffee. Set it down. Wiped his fingers on a napkin. He pulled his wallet from his back pocket, and plucked out a business card. He tossed it to David. “My email’s on it. Send me a reminder. We meet tomorrow night at the house. If you’re lying, you’ll be sorry.”

  “We?”

  “The boys. You can decide then if you're in or out.” He stood over the table. “Leave the recorder at home. We frown on reporters.” With that being said, he turned and moseyed out of the restaurant like he owned the place. Probably did.

  CHAPTER 76

  When Kate saw David coming out of the diner, she ducked. She should have parked further down the street. After a few minutes passed, time enough for him to get into his truck and drive away, she raised her head. All clear. She got out and hurried inside.

  Seth was hunched over a plate of potatoes and eggs. She slid across from him. “Well?”

  He looked over his shoulder then slid her a card. “He carries these on him,” he said between bites. “Like he’s important.”

  The engraved business card did look important. David’s name, phone number, email and a short blurb filled it. “Don’t wait for contentment in the next life, find it in this life.”

  She wanted to crush it. Instead, she discreetly slid it back across the table. “Are you in?”

  “Sort of.” He wiped his chin, tossed the napkin to the side. Another glance around the diner. “I’ve been invited to a meeting tomorrow night. At the big house. They’ll probably sit around the coffins comparing rings.” He rolled his eyes.

  “I know I’m the one who suggested doing this, but I’m not so sure anymore. Maybe we should rethink this.” She didn’t want to be responsible for endangering Seth. She didn’t need that guilt on her plate as well.

  “Too late. I’m going. You’ve made me believe that getting on their good side might be the answer to ending their power. Once I find out what I need to know, I’ll write a story that will bring every Fed and cop down on this place like ants to jelly.”

  “I don’t know if we have that much time. Remember the rally is next week. That photo . . .”

  She was certain after talking with Trevor that if she moved quickly she could save people when she found the aura around their photo. How, she wasn’t sure. But at least it gave her a fighting chance. Maybe the curse had been a blessing all along. Unfortunately, because of her fear, she hadn’t done anything with it.

  “Where did you go?” Seth’s voice brought her back to the restaurant. The smell of bacon was stirring her appetite.

  “I didn’t eat. I’m getting hungry. How about calling the waitress for me?”

  He shook his head. “I’m not David. Won’t do any good.” He motioned to where the young girl was swooning over another male customer. “She didn’t like me.”

  “That’s nonsense.” Kate called out to the waitress in a singsong voice. The waitress headed her way. Kate gave a hefty order, adding another plate of eggs for Seth. “You’ll need your energy.”

  “What are you going to be doing while I’m learning how to play nice with the cultists?”

  “I’m going to contact Shelly’s friend, Mandy Baker. I need to know if she’s ever been found.”

  He set his fork down. “Want me to go with you?”

  Her breakfast platter arrived before she could answer. The waitress slapped the food on the table before turning away. “I’ll go alone. Something doesn’t fit. I can’t believe that Earl or David would harm anyone. They might be trying to take over the town and people’s minds, but hurt someone?” She shook her head. “Call it a gut feeling. David has charisma like Earl. I think that’s all they have. Besides a messed up worldview. Can you imagine David strapping on a bomb?” She had sat up half the night thinking about that possibility. David wanted people to follow him. She couldn’t see him killing someone for that purpose. If he had, he woul
d have come after her by now.

  ###

  It took Kate forever to find the Baker house as it was so far out it was almost into the next town. She caught her breath when she rounded the corner. A two-story farmhouse surrounded by acres of fenced green pasture. A couple of horses grazed near a barn as she drove toward the property. Money for sure. She parked in front of the four car garage.

  Kate checked her face in the mirror before getting out, hoping she look presentable. This ranch didn’t look a thing like the rest of the houses in the area. Must be big money. She had found out that Mr. Baker was a CEO in NYC and commuted home on weekends. Mandy was their only daughter. Mrs. Baker served on the hospital board until a few years ago and then dropped out of sight.

  “Can I help you?”

  Mandy rode toward her on a beautiful Palomino. Kate recognized the fiery red hair, a shade darker than her own. “Hi, Mandy. Do you remember me? Kate, from the newspaper.”

  Mandy slid from the saddle. She tied the reins to a fencepost and sauntered over to where Kate waited by her car. Mandy’s hair hung loose and her shiny boots complimented her tight jeans. She looked like she’d dropped in from a photo shoot for a horse magazine. Mandy shook her hand.

  “What brings you out here?”

  Kate searched for a place to talk besides the middle of the driveway. Mandy saw her look and motioned for her to follow toward the massive front porch. They sunk into comfortable chairs separated by a wicker stand.

  “I’m here about your friend, Shelly. Have you heard anything from her?”

  Mandy’s pretty face grew dark. “I was hoping you had news. She’s never called and her parents refuse to believe that something may have happened. They think Shelly ran away. I don’t believe that. I think someone took her.”

  Someone took her? “Why do you say that? Was there anything in her past that might make her vulnerable? Maybe problems at home or with people in general?”