“What about Dr. Drew?” Sophia asked. “Do you have any word on what happened to him?”
“No. He disappeared.”
At least he wasn’t dead. Taking a seat next to her friend, Sophia filled her in on what had happened, sparing nothing.
By the time she finished, Rachel stared at her, wide-eyed. “You’re serious.”
Sophia slowly nodded.
“I can’t believe such evil has been going on all this time, right in front of everyone, and no one outside of Ezekiel’s household knew.”
“Oh, some were well aware,” Sophia replied. “Thomas, for one. And Dr. Drew. He had to patch up the unfortunate women whom Ezekiel tortured.”
“That’s terrible.” Rachel shook her head. “I’m glad I left.”
“What about Phillip?” Sophia had to ask. “Are you still planning to marry him?”
“I don’t think so.” Eyes shiny with unshed tears, Rachel met her gaze. “When I tried to tell him what I wanted to do, he threatened to turn me in. Because of him, I had to go into hiding like a criminal.” She sighed deeply. “That hurts, but learning the truth about COE hurts even more. It’s weird how you can believe so strongly in something and then find out it’s rotten to the core.”
“I know. I’m hoping at least with the wives willing to testify against Ezekiel’s torture, law enforcement has enough to arrest him. He needs to pay for what he did.”
“Yes, he does. And you know what, I might be able to help with that.” A slow smile bloomed across Rachel’s face as she reached into her pocket and pulled something out. “A memory stick. We used them in the school to keep a list of all the grades. With all the craziness going on at the compound, I was able to do a little deeper poking around into the children’s records. Jack got me started and the little we found made me want to investigate further.”
She took a deep breath before continuing. “I found some hidden files. And I think it’s proof that several of the kids were abducted as infants—many more when they were small children—and brought into COE. It looks they’ve been doing that for over twenty years.”
Even though she didn’t understand a lot of what Rachel meant, still... Sophia inhaled sharply, unwilling to let herself hope. “Is there a list of names?” she asked quietly. “Not just of the newest batch of children, but the ones from a long time ago?”
Rachel nodded. “Yes. And I might as well tell you now, Sophia. You’re on it.”
Stunned, Sophia didn’t know what to say, how to think, what to feel. She’d suspected and even dreamed of such a thing, but not once had she ever truly believed her hope would turn out to be real.
“Come on,” Sophia finally said. “Let’s go find Jack and get this information to the sheriff.”
Hand in hand, they rushed outside from the motel and down the street. When they got to the sheriff’s office, Jack and Sheriff Jones were standing outside, waiting, they said, for the FBI to pick them up. Jack appeared thrilled to see Rachel and even more excited when she told him what she’d taken from the compound.
Sophia agreed to wait outside for the FBI while the others went inside to download the information from the memory stick onto the sheriff’s computer. “Best to have a backup copy,” Sheriff Jones said.
Sophia promised to bring the FBI agents to the sheriff’s office as soon as they arrived.
She felt silly standing by herself outside the building, glad no one else seemed to be in town. She liked the quiet.
“There you are,” a low voice growled from right behind her.
She froze. Ezekiel. Close. Too close. Instead of turning to face him, she leaped for the sheriff’s office door. She might have made it, too, had Ezekiel not swung his cane at her legs, sending her sprawling.
Chapter 18
As Ezekiel lifted the cane to hit her again, Sophia screamed, praying that someone inside would hear her.
“You belong to me.” Swinging the cane hard, he laughed.
At the last moment she rolled so that her shoulder took the hit rather than her head. Finding a strength she hadn’t known she possessed, she pushed herself up and at him.
Not only was Ezekiel elderly, but he wasn’t used to his victims fighting back. He went down with a satisfying thud. Once on the ground, he struggled to get up.
Jack came busting out the door, followed by the sheriff and Rachel. As Jack gathered Sophia into his arms, Sheriff Jones stood Ezekiel up and cuffed him, ignoring the older man’s loud protests.
Sophia turned in Jack’s arms, wincing at the pain in her legs and shoulder, watching while the sheriff read him his rights and led him inside. After a quick look at Jack and Sophia, Rachel followed the two men, gesturing at Sophia to call for her if she needed her.
Sophia managed a smile, even though she knew she would have some pretty big bruises later.
“Are you okay?” Jack asked, running his hands slowly all over her, his eyes full of concern.
“I think I’ll survive,” she told him, loving the way he fussed over her. “He got me twice with his cane.” She tested out her left leg, then her right, and rolled her shoulder, wincing at the pain. “But I don’t think anything is broken.”
“I’m glad.” He kissed her then. A careful, lingering sort of kiss that contained the hint of something much more powerful to follow later. “I’m sorry I failed you. I should have stayed with you and made sure you were all right.”
“You couldn’t know.” She kissed him this time, loving the taste of him, aware this was the only thing that could banish the pain inflicted by her former fiancé. “Plus, you were excited about the memory stick.”
“I am at that.” He gazed down at her, his expression serious. “Before we go inside, are you sure you aren’t badly hurt? I can take you to get checked out at the ER.”
“I’m fine.” Smiling up at him, she was struck by how much she wanted her life to be like this forever. Together, with him. She hoped he wanted the same thing, too.
The FBI vehicle pulled up just then. Jack motioned for the two agents to follow him. Once Jack gave them a quick rundown on what was going on, they shut off the engine and did exactly that.
“Did Rachel tell you I was one of the people abducted?” she asked Jack quietly right before they filed into the sheriff’s private office.
“No.” He bent his head as if to kiss her again, then apparently thought better of it since they had an audience. “We’ll make sure and locate your family once this is over.”
Her family. Something she’d occasionally longed for growing up, when the lack of a singular close connection had made her ache. The idea that she actually might have a real family out there—a mother and a father, maybe even siblings—filled her with both trepidation and joy.
Once the two FBI agents had viewed the information, they confiscated the memory stick. “Change of plans,” one of them announced. “Instead of going out to the compound, we’re taking this to the office. Ezekiel can remain in your custody here until we can arrange transfer, after charges are filed.”
Though Sheriff Jones appeared disappointed, he nodded. He watched silently as the federal agents took their leave. Only once they’d exited the building did he let out a sigh. “Good thing we made our own copy,” he commented, lowering himself into his office chair and peering at his computer.
“I’d like to take a look at the records Rachel found,” Jack said. He went around the desk to stand behind the sheriff, gazing over his shoulder at the computer screen. “I need to see if my client’s son is listed.”
Sophia’s shoulder had really started throbbing. She caught Rachel’s attention and gestured toward the outside. “Does anyone mind if we go back to the hotel?” she asked.
Immediately, Jack straightened. “Let me walk you.”
“That’s okay,” she protested. “Stay he
re. Rachel and I will go together. Since Ezekiel’s in custody, there shouldn’t be anything to worry about.”
Clearly torn, he hesitated.
“Stay.” She blew him a kiss. “We’ll be fine.”
“I’m going to send one of my deputies to escort them,” Sheriff Jones interjected. He picked up his desk phone, spoke a few words and a young man wearing a uniform appeared.
With their own armed guard, Sophia and Rachel headed outside.
* * *
The records were much more comprehensive than Jack had imagined. When he saw the name Ryan Bartlett appear in a list, he wanted to cheer. Instead he jotted down all of the details. Date of abduction, place and age of child—two. They all matched. This boy—now called Taylor—was not one of the children Jack had met.
The Bartletts’ case seemed solved. Even so, he didn’t want to notify his clients, not just yet. But he would soon. He imagined that DNA testing would have to be done on a lot of these children as a precaution before matching them up with their families. But with such detailed records available, he felt confident the information would turn out to be accurate.
All of them.
Including Sophia’s. As Sheriff Jones scrolled, Jack had him stop when they reached her name. According to the records, Sophia had been abducted twenty-one years ago when she was three. COE seemed to take small children who were between the ages of two and four. Jack tried to keep his professional demeanor, but the enormity and proof hit him like a ton of bricks.
With Sheriff Jones’s permission, Jack made detailed notes about both Ryan Bartlett’s information as well as Sophia’s. While he couldn’t wait to give his clients the happy news, he found his thoughts on Sophia, wondering how she felt knowing she had people out there somewhere. People who still loved her, people who’d welcome her with open arms and laughter and tears.
The FBI phoned an hour later. The sheriff spoke to the agent, saying little on his end. Finally he nodded. “I have men on staff guarding him, but you’re completely welcome to send your own, as well. And yes, I can be there in a few minutes.”
Once he’d ended the call and placed the phone back in its cradle, he eyed Jack. “They’re giving a press conference in thirty minutes and want me to be there. You’re welcome to join me. In fact, since you’re working an active case, they might even let you make a statement.”
“I’d love to, but won’t.”
“Why not?” Sheriff Jones eyed him.
“Well, even though my business could definitely use the attention, I haven’t yet spoken with my clients. I don’t want them to find out this way, on the national news.”
The sheriff shrugged. “Call them on the way there. Problem solved.”
And that was exactly what Jack did. He reached Ted Bartlett, for which he was glad. Through all of this, Ted had been calm and levelheaded while his wife, Janey, had been much more emotional. Yet when Jack gave Ted the news, the other man began to weep. “I can’t believe it,” he kept repeating. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
“I’m going to be giving a statement in a news conference shortly,” Jack told him. “Please let Janey know before then. I don’t want her to learn from the news that Ryan’s been found. And we need to make sure he’s in safe custody first.”
“I will.” Ted cleared his throat. “When can we see him? Janey and I will grab the next flight out that way.”
He’d expected no less. “Good idea. You might have to wait, though. I’m not sure what the FBI needs to do to process everything. They might want to do DNA tests on the kids to make sure they go back to the right families.”
“I’m all for that.” Ted’s enthusiasm made Jack smile. “I can’t believe this is actually happening! I’m going to go call Janey now. I’ll text you our flight information.”
Once the call had ended, unable to stop grinning, Jack turned to Sheriff Jones. “He’s ecstatic.”
“Good. You look pretty happy yourself.”
As they pulled up at the FBI headquarters in Landon and parked, the sheriff turned in his seat to face him. “This is going to be major news. All these missing kids—some of them grown—reunited with their parents. I’m sure many of them were believed dead. I’m going to give you an opening to say your piece, so seriously prepare something you want to say. Your little private investigation business might just take off after this.”
Gratified, Jack thanked the older man. All around him were news vans, some of them local, though many were major affiliates.
“See.” Sheriff Jones pointed at the crowd of reporters, several already on-camera. “There you go.”
“I’m ready,” Jack said. And he was. Shoulders squared, he got out of the vehicle and followed the sheriff inside.
* * *
Back at the motel, Sophia was surprised to find Deirdre in her room waiting for her to return. The older woman jumped up from a chair the instant Sophia opened her door.
“There you are. Have you heard anything? Do you have any idea what’s going on?”
“Ezekiel escaped and attacked me.” Sophia lifted the hem of her dress to show the welt and purpling bruise on her shin. “He got me on the shoulder, too. But he’s been arrested now.”
Tears filled Deirdre’s eyes. “I’m so grateful. I supposed I need to send the women down to press charges?”
“Eventually.” Sophia went on to inform Deirdre of the rest. When she finished, Deidre stared, clearly shocked.
“Abducting infants? And children? Why? Why would he do such a thing?”
“That’s a good question and one I suspect the authorities will be asking, too.”
Deirdre grimaced. “The only possible reason I can think of is he wanted to bring fresh blood into COE. He used to always worry about the bloodlines intermingling too closely.” She took a deep breath. “But he’s locked up for certain?”
“Yes. And under guard.”
“Good.” Deirdre twisted her hands together, turning her ring over and over. “I always took pride in the fact that I alone out of all his wives had been given a wedding band instead of a choker. Now, I want to bury it somewhere.” She sighed. “What about Thomas?”
“They got him, too. The only one they can’t find is Dr. Drew. I’m worried Ezekiel might have killed him since he helped Jack and me escape.”
A shadow crossed the first wife’s face. “Dr. Drew is a kind man. He used to be one of Ezekiel’s best friends. But that changed once Ezekiel decided he was the Anointed One. His misogynist and sadistic tendencies escalated, especially once he took other wives to abuse. He left the doctor to try to repair the damage he’d done.”
Sophia finally dared to ask the question that had been haunting her. “What will happen to all the others?” she asked. “Once Ezekiel and Thomas are gone, how will COE survive?”
“That a good question.” Tilting her head, Deirdre considered. “When Ezekiel and I first started it, the Children of Eternity had great intentions. Of course, Thomas and Ezekiel came up with that ridiculous Volumes of Choice and everything changed for the worst.”
To hear Deidre speak that way over a tenet that Sophia had always been taught was holy felt unsettling, to say the least. But then her actual words sank in. “They wrote it? So the Volumes of Choice wasn’t found in the forest on top of a bluff like it says?”
Shaking her head, Deirdre chuckled. “Nope. They put that in there so everyone would think it was a gift from the heavens.”
Tears filled Sophia eyes, stunning her as she realized how so many people had based their entire lives on lies. “They’re not used to thinking on their own,” Deirdre continued. “They’ll need someone to help them find their own way.” Her voice grew more animated as she continued. “This is something we could definitely do.”
“‘We’?” Sophia asked, not comprehending.
“Yes. The wives. Especially me.” The last was said calmly, not boastfully. “I more than anyone else know what COE was originally meant to be, what it could become. I can help.”
“You don’t think one of Ezekiel’s sons will try to take over? That’s a lot of power up for grabs.”
Deirdre’s eyes narrowed. “My son is the firstborn. He’s been talking about trying to leave for the last six months. I doubt he’ll try anything foolish, but just in case one of the others do, I’ll recruit him to help me.”
“You truly intend to go back there? It’s going to be crazy.” And it would. The regular members, people like Sophia’s friends and family group, would be in a panic because they wouldn’t understand what had happened or why. Those were the ones Sophia wanted to help.
As for the others, those used to more status and power, they’d be engaged in constant battles and jockeying for position. She imagined those had already started. The thought of facing all that insanity made her head hurt.
“Of course.” Deirdre eyed her. “Don’t you? Now that Ezekiel and Thomas can’t hurt us, we can change all of our lives for the better.”
Sophia didn’t hesitate. “I’m not going back,” she said. “I found out I was one of the children abducted and brought into COE. If my parents are still alive, I’d like to meet them. As long as they’re open to that,” she amended.
“I’m sure they will be.” Deirdre’s expression softened. “I’m sorry that happened to you.”
The door opened. Startled, Sophia jumped. Rachel hurried inside, her expression animated. “Turn on the television,” she said, excitement making her voice high. “Some of the others figured out how to do it.”
She grabbed a small, black square and pressed the red button marked Power. A few seconds later, they saw Jack and Sheriff Jones and several other law enforcement people.
“Numerous children will be reunited with their parents,” Sheriff Jones said. “Please do not contact our office yet, or the FBI. DNA tests will be done to make sure the cult’s records are accurate. We will then be contacting the parents of these children.”
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