The Profile Match

by Jill Williamson

  “It’s all good,” I said, holding back laughter.

  “I am just so sorry all this happened,” she said. “I mean, first I was mad that you and Grace were spying on me, and then you crashed my conference! But when I found out Diane kidnapped you guys, that was all I could take. She’d just gone too far. And when I confronted her, she wouldn’t let me leave! I should have listened to Grace. What she said. From now on, I’ll do everything I can to undo the damage my films and Diane’s organizations have done.”

  Wow. That was both dramatic and heartfelt, but fairly well said for off-the-cuff Brittney.

  “I think that’s a good idea,” I said.

  And then Isaac. “Dude,” he said.

  I winced. “I’m sorry.”

  “Dude.” He shook his head at me, then held up a fist. I knocked knuckles with him. “If I ever have a partner as crazy as you, I’m going to take a desk job.”

  “There’s no one out there crazier than me,” I said.

  “I’m not so sure about that,” he said, nodding over my shoulder.

  I turned, and there stood Grace, looking bedraggled and still adorable.

  “I’m so relieved you’re okay,” I said. “Brittany too.”

  She stepped close and took hold of my hand. “I’m sorry I kept things from you—about the investigation. I didn’t understand.”

  “It could have been so much worse,” I said.

  “I know.” She sniffled. “I knew I had a problem with, you know, trying to control things, but I never really saw how bad it was until I was sitting in that place. In that, that . . .”

  “It’s over now,” I said.

  She relaxed and blessed me with that gorgeous smile. “I’m sorry I pick so many fights,” she said. “I really missed you. I’m going to do better now. I really am.”

  “Good,” I said, then took a deep breath. This was going to hurt. “Grace . . .” One word and I had to pause for courage. I just needed to spit it out, like ripping off a Band-Air. “I don’t think we should get back together.”

  Her eyebrows wrinkled. “Why not?”

  “Well, for one, we’ll be in different schools in the fall.”

  “Arizona isn’t that far,” she said.

  “I’m not going to Arizona,” I said. “Turns out they can’t take me after all. I don’t know where I’m going yet. But that’s not the point.”

  Now a scowl. “You want to be free to date other girls.”

  “No, it’s not that.” How could I put this honestly but nicely? “You and me, when we’re good, we’re so good, but when we’re not, it’s scary bad. We yo-yo too much, and I know I’m this buff and tough, totally handsome guy and all, but I’m actually kind of squishy inside. So, it’s been hard, you know? The yo-yoing.”

  “But I just told you. I see now, all I’ve been doing. And I’m going to really work on getting better.”

  “I know, and that’s great. But you’ve been through a lot, and it takes time to deal with all that. And you need to focus hard core on that. I’d just distract you, right?”

  She nodded, and her eyes glistened.

  “Plus, I want to get to know my dad,” I said. “And I need to try and figure out who I am—apart from you and the Mission League and the fake name I’ve had all my life. Even without basketball. And you should be free to start over, too.”

  Tears dripped down her cheeks. “But I don’t want to lose you.”

  “You won’t. Grace, I’ll always be your friend. And maybe someday, when we’re older and wiser and I’m playing for the Lakers . . .” I shrugged. “Who knows?”

  She grabbed me around the waist and squeezed. Then she started crying. It was more like sobbing. I’ve got to admit, that was really hard, standing there, knowing that I’d made her this sad. But I knew it was the right thing to do.

  REPORT NUMBER: 34

  REPORT TITLE: It’s Time to Tell the Truth

  SUBMITTED BY: Agent-in-Training Spencer Garmond

  LOCATION: Olympic Stadium Indoor Arena, Charles de Gaulle Boulevard, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

  DATE AND TIME: Saturday, May 4, 8:37 p.m.

  Brittany walked out onto the stage to raucous applause. In fact, many of the students had gotten to their feet, cheering and cat-calling. She was used to such a reaction, but today was the first time in years that she was nervous to speak in front of her fans.

  Nervous. Not afraid. Because Diane was dead. And Spencer said Ving would be arrested by the time they got back to Los Angeles. So she no longer feared for herself or her friends, but she was worried she might say the wrong thing. Grace’s God had set Brittany free, which she supposed made him her God now, too, though she still didn’t feel worthy.

  Grace had told her to pray when she needed to, and while she still felt self-conscious to pray at all, she believed he heard her. She prayed he would help her find the right words.

  “I’m honored to be here today,” she said, her headset mic blasting her voice through the auditorium. “I know it says on your program that I’m going to talk about how to become all-powerful by connecting to the source, but I’ve had a change of heart. Literally.”

  She smiled at the resounding silence. All eyes were watching her, waiting to see what she would say next. Most of them were probably a little confused. “I want to start by telling you the story of a girl named Kimatra Patel.”

  Brittany told Kimatra’s story, how Diane had bought her in India and given her to a man, who started a brothel in Cambodia. How Kimatra had gotten pregnant, how Diane had taken her son and made her work for their organization, bribing her with visits to her boy. Then she told Valeria’s story. Then she told her own. Slowly, one story at a time, she exposed the Free Light Foundation for what it was. The lies. The corruption. The drug addiction. The slavery. The extortion. The evil.

  “We all have power because we all have the freedom to choose. Our creator gave us that freedom because he loves us. It’s not a magical power, like you’ve heard about from my movies. That power is also real, but it’s not good and it doesn’t strengthen anyone. It breaks us, makes us vulnerable and dependent upon others. And if we seek that power too much, it can kill us. It killed Valeria. It killed Diane. I’m not going to let it kill me. And I want you to know the truth so that you can live free.”

  She went on to tell Diane’s story, how she had started out working in a girls’ school because she had truly wanted to help, but her father’s tragic death had fostered a desire for revenge. She’d let that hatred grow until it began to fester and destroyed the goodness in her heart. Once that goodness was gone, her humanity went too. People became tools for her personal gain. She met Irving MacCormack and together they created an international crime syndicate with money laundering, drug manufacturing and trafficking, kidnapping, human trafficking, extortion, and fake charities to hide it all. And while Brittany hadn’t known everything, she’d known enough and had gone along with it out of fear.

  “I was a coward,” she said.

  “The Free Light Foundation and the Free Light Youth are cults to turn young people into tools for Diane and Irving. If you have a story you want to share about how you’ve been tricked and exploited, I want to know it. We need to tell our stories. We need to speak out about the atrocities we’ve suffered. It’s important because it helps us heal, and it helps those who are trapped find the courage to speak out. Will you be brave with me?”

  The audience began to applaud. The cheering rose to such a volume that Brittany started to cry. She’d been a fool to think these people had been so naive. They’d known something about this organization wasn’t right, but they’d stifled their conscience in order to belong. In order to follow her.

  “Trafficking is wrong,” she said. “Taking illegal drugs is dangerous. There’s a better way to live, and it’s backwards from everything you’ve been taught. I want to introduce a friend of mine. Her name is Grace, and she taught me about God’s love. I should have died a dozen times over. I shouldn’t have a platfor
m to speak to all of you. I should have lost that opportunity. But here I stand. Because of God’s love and grace. Please help me welcome Grace Thomas.”

  REPORT NUMBER: 35

  REPORT TITLE: Brittany Testifies to a Multitude and I Win a Crown

  SUBMITTED BY: Agent-in-Training Spencer Garmond

  LOCATION: Olympic Stadium Indoor Arena, Charles de Gaulle Boulevard, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

  DATE AND TIME: Saturday, May 4, 9:12 p.m.

  I couldn’t believe what I was seeing as Grace walked out on the stage. She must have been waiting in the wings.

  She told them her story. About growing up with a dad who was a drunk and beat her and her mom. About the bruises, the broken leg, the two broken arms, her mother hospitalized. She shared about the nightmares, and how she was still afraid sometimes. Then she talked about Jesus, how much he loved her and had protected her. How he had sent someone to help her dad get better. How Jesus had given her good friends.

  But she wasn’t done.

  “Just because I now knew Jesus, it didn’t fix everything for me. I was still really broken inside. And I had—I still do have—a lot of bad habits. That happens to all of us. But if you had a really had childhood, your bad habits might actually be hurting you or others. If that sounds familiar to you, talk to a trusted adult about how to get help. It’s not easy, but you can learn to break free from those bad habits.” She wiped her hand over her cheek and sniffed. “Don’t keep living in a prison of your own making. Get help.”

  She looked to the wings. Brittany came out and hugged Grace as the audience got to their feet, applauding.

  I stood and clapped too, proud of my Shorty. My friend.

  Brittany thanked Grace, then she told the audience about God’s love, and how he sent his Son to save humanity. She told them how to accept his sacrifice and start living life with him.

  “Would you like to have your past wiped away, so you can start over?” Brittany asked. “Would you like to be forgiven? Becoming a Christian won’t be easy. In case you didn’t notice, a lot of the world doesn’t like Christians. Diane and Valeria didn’t. So, if you decide to follow God, know that it will be hard. Also know it’s worth it. You’ll never be alone again. You’ll have the Creator of the universe on your side. He’ll go with you when you leave this arena, back to your homes, to your schools. He’ll help you face each day of your life.” She paused, and the silence in the arena seemed absolute. The people were hanging on her every word.

  “Some of you are thinking, ‘Maybe someday, Britt, but not today. I have my whole life ahead of me. I just want to have fun right now, and that sounds boring.’ You know what? I get it. But let me tell you, you’re taking a dangerous risk. Because you don’t know how long you’ll be here. Valeria waited too long. So did Diane. When they stood before God to be judged for their life, they didn’t have Jesus to step in and speak for them. I know they didn’t because they told me they wanted no part of God and his Son, and now they have no part for eternity.”

  She paused and walked to the front of the stage, her gaze panning those seated below her on the floor. “What will you do, I wonder. You might never have a moment like this again. Tonight could be the only night—your only chance. You don’t know what’s going to happen when you leave this place, so make things right with God now. Right here. Make sure your sins are forgiven and that you’re going to heaven. If you want to do that, come down to the front. There are people here who want to pray with you. I want to pray with you.”

  And people came. Every aisle became a line of people streaming toward the arena floor. A chill ran over me as I watched and remembered the prophecies that had confused me from my dad’s journal in regard to the First Twin.

  To the false light will come truth by the word of the First Twin. Its flock will be shattered and torn.

  The First Twin will mentor the one who will mentor a generation.

  Grace had shared Jesus with Brittany, and it had changed her life. Then Brittany had testified to this audience of 7000 teens and more—the event was streaming live over the internet and would be posted on YouTube afterwards. Brittany would use her fame to mentor a generation of new believers.

  The First Twin had done her thing, without even knowing she was doing it. And I had done my thing too, by making sure Grace could succeed.

  “Some of you are asking, ‘That’s it? That’s all we have to do?’ ” Brittany said. “And I say to you, ‘Yes. It’s both the easiest thing you’ll ever do and the hardest thing you’ll ever do. Why? Because you’re giving up control and giving your life to God. I promise you, you’ll never regret it.”

  ● ● ●

  My dad drove me to the airport, and we talked a bit in the car. “I’m turning myself in to Agent Dominguez,” he said. “She and Agent McCarey are changing their flights so we can fly back together. They’ll take me into custody for a few days while I undergo some questioning.”

  “They have to let you go,” I said. “Kimbal confessed everything to me. They’ve already heard the recording.” Watkins had texted me a note, congratulating me on getting the confession.

  “Still, I don’t know that they’ll reinstate me,” Dad said. “I’ll need to find a place to live. Get a job.”

  “Maybe you could live in Kimbal’s house,” I said.

  “Maybe.”

  We arrived at the drop-off zone. Isaac and Grace were standing at the curb, waiting for me.

  “See you soon?” I asked.

  “I guarantee it,” he said.

  We got out, and Dad pulled my stuff from the trunk.

  “Over the years I managed to put aside some money,” Dad said. “I’d like to help you out with your first year of college. How long the money will last depends on where you go.”

  I hadn’t thought much about college lately. It still hurt too much. “I got accepted by UCLA,” I said. “I might take some general classes there. See what happens.”

  “A fine choice,” my dad said, giving me a hug.

  I thought so too.

  ● ● ●

  Grace and I got along fine on the flight home. I told her about searching for her in the red-light district and finding Ponnleu. She told me about the times she’d met with Brittany over the past few months.

  “I didn’t know what God would do. I was trying so hard to manipulate things. I thought the First Twin had to be some kind of hero, but I just needed to trust God with it.”

  “Yeah, that’s not always so easy,” I said.

  “I never imagined that all I had to do was tell Brittany about God and he’d do the rest. I thought I’d find some secret files or something.” She chuckled, but it wasn’t a funny laugh. “When they put me in with Brittany, she was so scared. She said Diane had killed Valeria, and she was sure Diane was going to kill her next. It just seemed right to talk about Jesus when neither of us knew if we’d ever leave that place alive.”

  “It must have been scary,” I said.

  “Not like being in that brothel,” Grace said. “I’d never been so terrified in my life.”

  I couldn’t blame her for that. “Well, it’s over now,” I said. “No more people chasing us.”

  “No more detail following us everywhere,” she said.

  Yasss. I smiled. “No more reports.”

  “For you. I have another year. But no more special meetings with Prière.”

  I grunted. “I’m pretty sure Prière and my grandma are dating.”

  That made Grace giggle. “Maybe Prière will be your step-grandpa.”

  “Please don’t,” I said.

  She gasped. “Then you’d be related to Arianna!”

  “You need to stop,” I said.

  “Let’s see . . . You guys would be second cousins, once removed, or something.”

  “That’s it.” I pulled out my Beats and set them over my ears.

  ● ● ●

  Then it was back to school like nothing strange had ever happened. With the investigation, basketball, and
Grace no longer taking up all my time, I had a lot of it free. I started by recording a new video for my YouTube channel. I’d been neglecting them ever since Arizona had reneged on their offer. I told my viewers that things hadn’t worked out with Arizona, that I was disappointed but still thought they were a great team and wished them the best. Then I talked about my D2 options and asked them what they thought I should do.

  A few weeks passed by. I had lunch with my dad a couple times. He’d rented an apartment in Pilot Point and was waiting to see what would happen and jumping through a bunch of legal hoops. It was really neat getting to know him.

  I hadn’t been planning to go to prom. Without a girlfriend, I was free to avoid that sideshow. Unfortunately, people loved me, and the week after Cambodia, I was voted a member of the prom court. This had never happened before. Arianna told me I had to go. I didn’t like Arianna telling me I had to do anything, but she wasn’t the only one trying to talk me into this. Lukas, Samantha, Drew, El McWilly, Kaitlyn, and even Martha said I should go, though I knew it was actually Mary that day, spouting off her very important prom opinions.

  I caved, and two Saturday’s later, I put on yet another rented tux and drove the Banana to yet another fancy high school dance. This time I went stag. I’d had enough girl drama. Tonight was just for me. I mostly hung out with Lukas, who’d brought Jasmine, and Arianna, who’d brought Grace.

  Apparently, that’s what friends were for.

  “Don’t give me that look, Spencer,” Arianna said, when the other two girls went to the bathroom. “There’s no rule about prom that says couples have to come as dates. I can bring a friend if I want to.”

  “Arianna, it’s fine,” I said. “Grace and I are friends.”

  “I just felt like she belonged here with us,” Arianna said.

  “She does,” I said. “It was a good idea to invite her.”