But she couldn’t just think of herself any longer. In addition to all these women, the wives, there were so many others back home in the compound. If Ezekiel and Thomas were arrested, what would happen to all the other Chosen? Where would they go? What would they do? Would COE even survive?
Chapter 17
As Jack had expected, the sheriff was skeptical. He rounded on Jack the second his office door clicked closed. “You may or may not be aware of this, but here in town that entire group of people is generally regarded as being crazy.”
“I understand,” Jack replied. “But the branding and torturing women is real. Hell, Ezekiel has like twenty or so wives and apparently mistreats all of them. But there’s more.”
He went on to tell the other man about the potential child abductions.
The sheriff’s eyes widened. “Abductions? As in plural?”
“Yes.” Jack scratched the back of his head, wishing he had more than his word. “I don’t have proof, not yet. I was working on that when all hell broke loose and I had to get Sophia out.”
“And all the other women.”
“Right. Except that’s not all. There are more of Ezekiel’s wives still inside the compound.”
The sheriff eyed him curiously. “So what’s your plan after? I mean, assuming we get a warrant and are able to go in and free anyone else who might be in danger. What are you going to do with all those women?”
“Wouldn’t social services need to get involved? They could possibly stay at a women’s shelter and learn some new skills, things that would prepare them for life outside the cult.”
“Yeah, that would probably work. They’ll have to testify, if they decide to press charges against this Ezekiel guy. Once he’s locked up, you never know. They might want to go back to the cult.”
Surprised, Jack realized he hadn’t even considered this. He thought of Sophia. Once she was free from her engagement to Ezekiel, what would she want? Would she choose to return to the only life she knew?
Even thinking about that possibility felt like someone had punched him hard in the chest. He loved her. With all his heart. But he loved her enough that he wouldn’t stand in the way of whatever would bring her happiness.
“For right now, we need to see about finding a place for everyone to spend the night. Most likely even the next few days,” Sheriff Jones continued. “What about you? Do you have somewhere to go?”
Jack considered. “I left my wallet with my ID, credit cards and cash in the safe of my motel room. I’m sure by now the motel manager has confiscated it. If he didn’t steal my identity or go on a shopping spree with those credit cards, there’s a chance I might be able to get them back.”
“What motel? We have three in town.”
Jack named the one he’d used, an inexpensive chain known for clean rooms and no frills.
The sheriff nodded. “I know the manager there. Janis is a good woman. I’ll bet when you get your wallet back, the cash is still in it.”
Over the course of the next several hours, numerous arrangements were made. The wives—including Sophia—would all be housed in one of the motels, two to a room, for free. It turned out Janis actually was a really good woman, because not only did she agree to put everyone up, but Jack’s wallet was, as Sheriff Jones had said, exactly the way he’d left it, cash and all.
Jack hadn’t had a chance to talk alone with Sophia. When they finally made it to the motel, he helped everyone get settled. Sophia hung back, apart from all the others. She wouldn’t even look at him. His heart ached at how lost she looked, and he wanted to pull her close and comfort her. But every time he tried to get close to her, she moved away.
He figured she was trying to come to grips with the enormity of the change she’d made. He knew if the situation were reversed, he’d need some alone time to think. He couldn’t begrudge her that. After all, they had plenty of time to sort out their new relationship. While he knew with rock-bottom certainty how much he loved her, he wouldn’t ask her to hitch her star to a failure. And if he couldn’t solve the Bartlett family’s case, that’s exactly what he’d be. A failure. He could barely support himself, never mind a wife.
If only he’d been able to get more information before all hell had broken loose. Still, he had to remain hopeful. Now that the authorities were aware of some of the crimes being committed under Ezekiel’s name, perhaps the abduction of children would soon come to light. If he were allowed to review the records on behalf of the Bartlett family, he could discover whether one of these children was theirs.
Once everyone had been settled in their rooms, Janis showed him where he’d be sleeping, a couple doors down the hall from the women’s rooms. Though his body felt exhausted, he couldn’t sleep. After a few moments of pacing the confines of the ten by twelve space, he gave up. While the motel didn’t have a restaurant or a bar, he’d noticed a pub a few doors down. Maybe if he had a drink or two, he’d actually be able to drift off to sleep. Though he’d been addicted once to narcotics, he didn’t have a problem with a beer or two. Alcohol had never been his poison.
After checking to make sure he had his room key, he slipped out, moving down the corridor quietly. Just as he reached the glass door that would take him outside, a door opened and closed behind him.
“Jack. Wait,” Sophia said.
Heart pounding, Jack took a second to get himself under control before turning. Walking fast, she hurried toward him. Her walk became a jog as she closed the distance. When she reached him, she threw herself into his arms.
Despite his injured leg, he caught her and held on tight. The feel of her, her scent, which even now seemed exotic and floral, made him never want to let her go.
And then she started to cry. Not a noisy, loud weeping, but quietly, though her shoulders shook with her effort to hold it all in.
“It’s going to be okay,” he said, smoothing her hair and holding on to her with a fierceness that made him feel as if he was the one in need of reassurance. In a way, maybe he was.
“I can’t,” she murmured, gasping like she couldn’t breathe. “I just can’t...”
Gently, he steered her back down the hall to his room. Still holding her close with one arm, he fumbled with the key card and managed to unlock his door.
Once inside, he led her over to the edge of the bed and helped her take a seat. As soon as he let go of her, she began furiously wiping at her cheeks with her fingers.
“I’m sorry—” she began.
“Don’t apologize,” he interrupted, his tone as fierce as the love inside him. “You’ve been through a lot.”
“So have you,” she shot back.
Carefully he lowered himself next to her on the bed. The movement earlier had started his leg throbbing again. “It’s not the same and you know it. Your entire way of life is about to change. It’s completely natural to feel upset.”
She sighed. then gave a slow nod. “I’m frightened and worried. Not just for me, but for all the other women. We swore an oath to watch out for each other. I’ve got to make sure they’re going to be all right.”
“We’ll figure out something,” he assured her, even though he had no idea what. When she leaned into him, he put his arm around her slender shoulders. Even though he wanted nothing more than to lower her back onto the bed and make love to her, he wasn’t about to take advantage of her when she was at her lowest point.
As she sagged against him, he realized she’d fallen asleep with her head on his shoulder. Carefully he eased himself out from under her, making sure to move her all the way up on the bed.
Snagging an extra blanket from the closet, he carefully covered her. Desire stabbed him again, ever present as always when he was with her. He pushed it away and stood looking down at her for the space of a few heartbeats.
Then he let himself out of the room.
Instead of heading to the pub, he turned in the direction of the sheriff’s office.
When he arrived, he wasn’t surprised to find Sheriff Jones still at work despite the late hour.
After greeting him, the sheriff took him to his office and closed the door. He walked around to the back of his desk and sat. “The FBI is going in to arrest Ezekiel and Thomas,” Sheriff Jones said, his gritty tone matching the grim solemnity in his face.
Surprised, Jack dropped into a chair across from the desk. “Now? This late in the day?”
“Yep. I think they should have waited until morning, but they felt like the cult might get tipped off so they rushed through the warrant.”
“Why aren’t you out there with them?” This made no sense. In Jack’s experience with law enforcement, the feds liked to work side by side with the local authorities. Unless... Maybe this was too big of a bust, with too much potential for something going wrong, like what had happened in Waco, when the ATF went to raid the compound and it caught fire. A lot of people died.
A second later the sheriff’s answer seemed to confirm that thought. “In this instance, the FBI has asked us to take a back seat. They have to make sure everything goes as planned. We’re to sit back and watch, basically. And assist if needed.”
“I’m sorry. I can tell you want to be there.”
“I do. This is the biggest thing to happen around here in years.”
Jack nodded. “I have a personal stake in this. I’d really like to be there myself.”
The sheriff reached into his lower desk drawer and pulled out a half-finished bottle of Scotch. “Join me in a drink?”
After considering, Jack declined. “No thanks. I’ve never been much for the strong stuff. I have an occasional beer now and then, but with my past history as a recovering narcotic addict, I prefer to play it safe.”
“Understood.” Sheriff Jones poured himself a couple of fingers’ worth and took a swig, making a face. “Wish I had ice. Ah, well, some things can’t be helped.”
The phone lines lit up, ringing all at once. The night-duty operator could be heard struggling to answer them. Eventually she must have placed them all on hold because she appeared in the sheriff’s doorway. “It’s news media, from all over the state and the country.” Her tone contained a hint of panic. “They’re wanting comments on the raid at the Children of Eternity compound.”
“What?” Sheriff Jones sat straighter. “How do they know about that?” He glared at Jack. “Did you leak something to the press?”
“No,” Jack answered. “Not me. And I’m positive none of the women did, either.”
“The FBI must have a leak,” the sheriff grumbled.
“Sir?” The receptionist again. “Do you want to take any of the calls?”
He swore. “I can’t. This is not my investigation. Refer them to the FBI office please.”
Turning on her heel, she hurried back to her desk.
“I’ll be darned.” Sheriff Jones took another deep drink of his Scotch. “Looks like our little town might actually make the national news.” He grimaced. “Let’s just hope nothing happens out there.”
Though Jack somehow doubted Ezekiel would go peacefully, he, too, hoped the FBI team was able to apprehend the COE leader, as well as Thomas, without incident. Thinking of all the people inside the compound he’d come to know and love, Jack didn’t want any of them to get hurt.
“Are they going to keep you posted?” Jack asked the sheriff, who by now had finished his drink and had started eyeing the bottle as if contemplating having another.
“I imagine so.” As if on cue, the sheriff’s cell phone rang. Answering, the older man listened, grunted a few times and thanked the caller before hanging up. “They’re in. Looks like they rounded up most of the cultists and are talking to them one-on-one. Also, they’re holding and questioning some guy named Thomas who’s apparently second in command.”
Jack nodded. “That’s right. He’s the one who knocked me out and brought me there. And from some of the records I saw, he’s also the one who grabs the children. Thomas does a lot of Ezekiel’s dirty work.”
“If only you could prove that.”
“I saw the records they have in the database,” Jack replied. “If the FBI can seize those, they should be able to get all the proof they need.”
“As long as the cult doesn’t wipe them clean first.”
Jack nodded. “True.”
“They can’t locate Ezekiel,” Sheriff Jones continued. “Right now they’re conducting a full-scale search of the compound. If he’s in there, he couldn’t have gone far, right?”
“It’s not totally enclosed. There’s not a wall on all sides, just the front and about halfway down on both sides. Beyond that, some fencing. There’s a wilderness area on the other side of the fence. He could have run there.”
“Are you sure?”
“Definitely. I myself disappeared into the woods quite often. I’m certain they have cameras somewhere nearby, but no one ever stopped me from leaving or coming back.”
The sheriff swore softly under his breath. He poured himself a second drink, his movements jerky, as if with anger.
Jack could no longer contain himself. He began to pace, wishing he had a better outlet for his agitation. “I really wish they’d let me go up there. I lived there for a couple weeks. I could help.”
“Yeah.” Sheriff Jones appeared unmoved. “I could help, too. But as long as the feds are in charge, there’s nothing we can do.”
“Would you mind calling them back?” Jack asked. “Let me talk to them. I promise I’ll keep it short and to the point.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m pretty sure with all I know about the compound, I could be of assistance. I just need to point that out to them.”
Though the sheriff didn’t exactly roll his eyes, his dour expression let Jack know how much he wanted to. Finally he sighed. “What the hell? Okay, I’ll give it a shot.”
Grumbling under his breath, he dug out his cell phone again and hit redial. Once someone had answered on the other end, he handed the phone to Jack. “Here you go. This is Special Agent Bentrick. Say your piece.”
Accepting the phone, Jack began to talk fast, aware he might only have a few seconds to capture the FBI agent’s attention. As succinctly as possible, he outlined what his investigation had focused on and what he’d learned.
Bentrick listened silently until Jack wound down. “We’ll look into it,” the agent said. “Though I tell you what, it would sure save time if we could come and pick you up. We can be there in thirty minutes. Will you be ready?”
After answering in the affirmative, Jack ended the call. When he told Sheriff Jones what had transpired, the older man pushed to his feet. “I’m going with you,” the sheriff said. “No ifs, ands or buts about it. Let me go get cleaned up and we’ll wait for them outside.”
* * *
A knock on the door woke Sophia from a delicious dream of sleeping wrapped in Jack’s strong arms. She stretched, feeling a bit disoriented since the last thing she remembered she had been doing exactly that.
“Who is it?” Sophia asked, standing on tiptoe to look out the peephole. With all the craziness she’d just been through, she wasn’t taking any chances.
The hotel manager stood outside. She appeared to be alone.
“Hi, there,” Sophia said, opening the door a crack. “What can I do for you?”
“A woman from the compound is in the motel office. She’s asking to see you.” Janis appeared bored. “I don’t think she’s one of the ones you brought here earlier. Says her name is Rachel. That’s it. Just Rachel. Do you know her?”
Sophia’s breath caught. “Yes,” she said. “I do. Is she all right?”
“I think so. I mean, she looks about the same as
all the others.” Janis shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “I can either send her up or you can come with me to get her.”
“I’ll go with you and bring her back myself. I don’t want to make her wait.”
As they walked down the long corridor, Sophia mused out loud. “I can’t believe she’s here, outside the compound. That’s amazing.” She struggled to contain her excitement, aware she was failing pretty spectacularly.
Janis glanced sideways at her. “Here we are.” She opened a door marked Office and stepped aside to let Sophia precede her. “I put her in the back, where she couldn’t be seen by the general public, if you know what I mean.”
“Thank you.” Sophia swept past the other woman, heading in the direction she pointed. She entered a small office. Rachel sat in one of the faded floral guest chairs. She looked up when Sophia entered.
“Rachel!” Sophia squealed, enveloping her friend in a huge hug. “I’m so happy to see you. How did you find me?”
“Me, too!” Rachel hugged her back. “I’m so glad you’re safe. When I escaped on foot, a woman was kind enough to stop and offer me a ride. She brought me here. We didn’t know what happened, but you know how gossip flies around the compound. Once we knew that half of Ezekiel’s wives had fled, I guessed you’d gone with them.”
“I did.” Sophia smiled. “I have so much to tell you.” She took a deep breath, aware how bizarre her story would sound. “But first, how’d you escape? It’s hasn’t been that long since we left. I would have thought the compound was on lockdown.”
Rachel shook her head. “Actually it was pretty easy to get out. It’s chaos there since you and Jack liberated the wives. Ezekiel and Thomas and their men are saying you and Jack abducted them. The wives who chose to stay are apparently going along with that story, but they’ve talked to their friends who told other people. Rumors are already swirling. A lot of people know the truth. I knew you’d need somewhere to sleep, and this was the first place I stopped at.”
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