Into the Light

by Bernard Burgess

  Finally, Detective Louden spoke up. “Lady, and gentlemen, I’m convinced that sufficient reason exists to open that well. I’m going back to the office and draw up the order to move the shed and open the well, hopefully tomorrow. After ten years, it’s time we know what happened to those two mothers.” He turned, marched quickly to his police car, and departed. He had a lot of coordination to do if he was going to make his deadline.

  Father Romero was silent and only said good-bye when they reached the doorway of the church. He was obviously both dismayed and overwhelmed by the firestorm he knew was sure to come from the upper levels of the church.

  After thanking and saying good-bye to Dori, who had even gotten an excuse to miss the half day of school, Bert pulled his client, Robert, aside. He endeavored to answer any question that Robert may have had and asked him how he felt about everything. The young man was even quieter than usual, and very withdrawn. He was obviously grappling with his demons from the past. Bert felt for him, yet he knew that this was something which Robert had to do if he was to move on with his life. Since he had little to say, Bert said good-bye and promised to keep him updated on the next events.

  They had just gotten to the motel when Becky called to say they were about ten minutes away. She reconfirmed the motel address. Bert felt an awkward mix of excitement and subdued restraint at the thought of Becky being with them. He liked her and was impressed with her, yet he had the conflicted feeling that he shouldn’t like her as much as he did. It seemed like months since she’d been with them in person. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. His eyes met Norah’s. She held his gaze for a second, then smiled her sweet smile, and turned away toward Missy. He knew she knew; she was psychic, after all. Damn it, why did he feel so guilty about liking an employee.

  When Becky’s truck pulled into the parking lot of the motel, the first order of business was introductions all around. Becky started to take Bert’s handshake, but gave him a warm hug, instead.

  “We’re huggers, remember?” She laughed.

  He laughed at that, as he knelt to one knee to meet Summer. “Wow,” he thought to himself, “this is one to tug at your heart. What a little cutie.”

  He met Lizzie next, and took a liking to her, instantly, just as Becky had said he would.

  When Missy was introduced, just as Bert half expected, she was instantly mesmerized by both Summer and Becky. She had Summer hugging her around the neck and burying her face in her soft coat within minutes, while she could barely refrain from wiggling out of the child’s arms. A couple licks on the girl’s cheeks had her laughing gleefully before they even headed for the motel room.

  With Becky, Missy was at first slow and a little shy to approach her, but from the first smell of her hand and stroke on her head, she was attached. She rubbed circles around Becky’s legs, whining joyously. She followed her as she hauled her suitcase toward her room, although Bert quickly took the bag for her.

  With Lizzie and Summer in their room, to freshen up, as the ladies like to say, Bert saw Becky to her room, which was next door to Lizzie’s. He was starting to explain the day’s events, when she asked, “How’s Norah doing? I take it she’s staying out of sight and behind the scenes.”

  “Yes, you’re right. She’s doing very well, thanks. Just staying low key.” He glanced at Norah as she stood beside Becky’s window, smiling at his awkwardness.

  Becky could almost sense Norah’s presence. She felt that Norah was listening to her. “Well, you be sure to tell her that I’m glad to have this chance to work directly with you two and I hope I can be a help in some way.”

  Bert started to return to his own room, but as he stopped at the door, Missy just stood in Becky’s room, looking at him and then at her. “Oh my gosh,” he laughed, “are you wanting to stay here with Becky for a while?”

  She did a couple of excited spins with her tongue hanging out. It was obvious that she wanted to continue getting acquainted with Becky, so Bert bade her good-bye and went back to his room. Norah was already there, giggling and giggling from Missy’s betrayal.

  “So, another girl dumped you, huh?” Norah laughed.

  He nodded and smiled. “Yeah, but she’ll be back. Nobody can leave me for long.”

  The remainder of the afternoon was taken up with a couple of hours for napping, more chats about the cases, and eventual order for pizza delivery. Bert took Missy for her evening outing. Becky asked to go along so she could see how he handled Missy. They walked her for about fifteen minutes in the chilly air of the darkening night. Bert knew that Norah was with them, also. He realized that he was lucky to be in the presence of two beautiful women; beautiful both inside and out.

  When they returned to the motel, Becky made an unusual request. “Would you mind if Missy stayed with me tonight? I feel a real bond forming with her and would love to continue it. Besides, it would be the first time that I haven’t slept alone in a long time.”

  He cast a glance at Norah, who nodded approval. “Sure, Becky, she can stay with you tonight. I told you that you two would hit it off. I’ll bring her leash over in case you need it. She’ll need to go out to the edge of the parking area right before you go to bed.”

  With everyone else settled for the night, Bert could finally relax with Norah in their room. They both realized how awkward the afternoon had been. How much easier it would be if they could just explain the situation to people. Some would understand and be okay with it, but most would not. Bert pointed out to her that those who they needed most to understand, probably would.

  “Yes, like Becky,” Norah answered. “She will understand in time.”

  As Bert was about to brush his teeth, his phone rang. It was Detective Louden. After a brief call, Bert hung up and walked over to Norah.

  “We’re on, babe. Louden has a crew lined up for tomorrow to move the maintenance shed, the Brigit shed, and break into the well. Also, a crew to first drop a camera and dive, if necessary, into the well. That’s if it’s safe. They will start the move about 8:30 or 9:00 in the morning. He said we can come out anytime to watch the proceedings. It will probably take most of the day.”

  Norah was ecstatic! She repeated herself several times that it was such a great feeling to know they might bring closure to those poor women. Bert called Becky to give her the news.

  When he was off the phone and back with Norah, he had a worried look. When she asked about it, he said, “Becky reminded me that we still have no idea how any of this connects to Summer.”

  “We’ll just have to see her reaction at the church and go from there, Honey,” Norah said. “It sounds like that’s a starting point.”

  Bert nodded as he leaned back in the desk chair, with his feet on the bed, and closed his eyes. A wave of fatigue just came over him. The pressure of the past few days was weighing on him, apparently. He got ready for bed, crawled under the covers, and turned out the light.

  “Good night, Sweetheart,” he whispered.

  “Good night, my Love,” she whispered back.

  ***

  Three doors down the hallway, Becky and Missy were seated in front of the TV. Becky was running her fingers through Missy’s coat as she caught up on the news. She realized that she hadn’t yet closed the picture window curtains, and Missy was probably ready for that bedtime outing. So, she closed the curtains, donned her winter coat and boots, and led Missy from the room to the door at the end of the hallway. She instinctively felt for her .38 special, semi-auto handgun, in her coat pocket holster.

  Missy evidently was more than ready to do her business, because she ducked out the door quickly to the right side of the building and to the edge of the parking lot. Becky strolled out into the parking area and turned to wait for her furry friend. She had noticed that a vehicle was getting ready to leave the motel and hadn’t thought too much about it. It started down the drive lane from behind her at a normal speed and started to pass her.

  She was taken by surprise when the dirty brown, extended cab, pickup
suddenly stopped just in front of her and the driver and the passenger behind him threw open the doors and jumped out. When the driver demanded to see her identification, it made her pause for just a second. Just long enough for the passenger guy to bolt toward her. She tried to react, but he was just too close. She couldn’t pull her weapon in time, before his left hand closed on her right wrist. His right arm was reaching for her neck.

  The impact spun her partly down to her left knee on the pavement. The hand on her wrist let go of her and a startled yell replaced it. Forty-five pounds of furry fury bumped against her as Missy’s attack carried her past Becky, the assailant’s wrist clamped tightly in her teeth. She didn’t let go, and the momentum pulled him to his knees, still yelling in pain. By the time the startled driver could react, Becky had pulled her gun, clicked off the safety, and had it trained on his chest. Missy held the man’s wrist in a death grip, and her low growl was all the more menacing as she backed up, pulling him and keeping him off balance on one hand and knees.

  Sensing that he was no longer a threat, Missy released her attacker and moved beside Becky in a guardian posture. Both men backed toward the open doors of their truck. Despite Becky’s warning to stop, they entered the truck. They were going to drive away and she knew she wasn’t going to shoot. So, she shouted at them, “Tell the sonofabitch that hired you to expect the law at his door. That’s if he’s lucky and it isn’t me, putting a bullet between his eyes. Tell him, and don’t come back. You won’t get off this lucky a second time. Next time, I’ll have her go after you in earnest.”

  She tried to get the truck license, but they pulled away too fast, and all she could tell is that it was a Montana plate. She had little doubt who was behind it. She felt like there was a good chance that he would not do anything again. If his boys gave him the message, he’d know she wasn’t fooling.

  As they disappeared, the fight-or-flight adrenaline was kicking in hard. Her hands were shaking, and she was slightly unsteady on her feet, feeling mildly dizzy. However, by the time she reached the door back into the hall and unlocked it, she was regaining her composure. As she let Missy in ahead of her, she dropped to her knees and hugged her close. The bonding was completed, she and Missy were now a team. Now she could cry, and she buried her face in Missy’s coat and sobbed for over a minute. The shock of the incident was so sudden and dramatic that it hit her harder than she ever would have expected.

  It was over, so no need to wake up her bosses. She’d tell them about it in the morning. Tonight, she knew she’d sleep well after a while, because tonight she had a champion guarding her room. Tonight, she vowed to never again be unaware of the vehicles behind her.

  ***

  By 10:00 on Tuesday morning, The B and N team was fully assembled, fed, watered, and walked, and they were ready to see the Holy Mother Church. It was time to find out what was binding the little girl to this place.

  Becky had told Bert and Norah about the attempted kidnapping last night, and they were both shocked and outraged. Bert promised her that he would see that it didn’t happen again. He said nothing else. He didn’t have to.

  As they drove up to the church and parked in the middle of the vacant parking lot, with a good view of the structure, Bert asked if he could sit in the back seat with Summer. Once he was there, Norah also, Becky moved her truck so Summer could see out her window. She pointed to the church.

  Norah was beside the child, watching her expressions and reactions. At first, Summer just stared at the front of the church. However, as her gaze went up the front to the peak and the guard towers, she began to show emotions ranging from anger to fear. She ducked back inside the truck, and began to cry and yell “No, no, no.”

  “No what, sweetie,” said her mother. “What do you want to go away?”

  “The man. Make him go away. Make him stop hurting me. Make him stop hurting us.”

  “Who is us, Summer?” Lizzie asked softly. “Who else is he hurting, baby?”

  “My baby, he’s hurting my baby,” Summer began to cry.

  They all sat, silently, not sure what to say as the little girl sat near Norah, sobbing. From the way she sat, she seemed to sense Norah, Bert thought.

  His gaze shifted onto the grounds and down to the Brigit shed. The work supervisor had already moved the shed from its foundation, exposing the concrete floor. They were discussing how to safely remove the floor without damaging or caving in the old well.

  Becky then suggested that they go into the church and look around. Possibly something inside would provide additional clues or stimulate more reaction.

  When they were inside the church, Summer was more subdued for a while. However, when they approached the front altar and surrounding area, she became increasingly angry and didn’t want to go any closer.

  “Why won’t you go any closer?” Becky asked her. “What’s wrong, Summer?”

  “He’s bad,” the child answered. “He’s a bad man.”

  Becky had another idea. “There are pictures of all the priests during the history of the church. They’re lining the one hallway. Let’s take her to look at them.”

  When they began to look at the pictures of all the men who had served as the Holy Father at the church, Summer turned toward her mother and hugged her tightly around the neck. She held so tightly that Lizzie had to stop at each picture and turn around so Summer could see over her shoulder. At first, the girl just held tightly, without a word. She suddenly began to cry loudly, which quickly transitioned into a scream. They had stopped in front of Father DelFranco’s picture.

  Becky stepped next to Bert and whispered, “Bert, she’s psychic. How else do we explain this? Somehow, she has tapped into this case. She’s picking up on the evil that this man did.”

  Bert nodded in agreement. “I don’t know how else to explain it. Let’s take her into the office and see if she will draw the circle drawing you’ve talked about.”

  Back in the main office, volunteer secretary, Susan, was on duty again. Bert greeted her warmly and then asked if he could borrow a pencil and some plain paper. He handed them to Becky. She sat Summer down at the nearby table and asked if she would draw her pictures.

  At first, Summer just scribbled, drawing nothing that was coherent. After a couple minutes of that, though, she seemed to become stoic and rigid, almost angry. She began to draw the large circle with the pencil, tracing it over and over in an increasingly angry demeanor. Then she drew the smaller picture inside the other. She didn’t go over it so many times.

  Becky had an idea. She brought the box of crayons from the play area and asked Summer what color she would use for the walls of the big circle. She chose a black crayon and began again to angrily trace it in black. Then she asked about the smaller circle. Summer chose yellow. She asked her to color it. The child colored the inside disk a yellow color. When asked about the area between the large and smaller circles, she found a dark blue crayon and began to fill in the area with blue.

  Bert was watching this with growing interest. Do you realize that we might be looking at a tunnel with a light at the end? Or,” he said slowly and with emphasis, “this could be a view of the sun from inside some kind of portal.”

  “From the bottom of a well around mid-day,” Becky suggested.

  About that time, Patty entered the office. Bert greeted and introduced her to everyone. Then he asked her what brought her there today.

  “I heard about the moving of the Brigit building,” she said. “I wanted to see some of this with my own eyes.”

  “I’m sorry,” Bert told her, “I should have invited you to the meeting yesterday and to this today. I couldn’t think of any questions for you but should have known you’d be interested.”

  Patty answered unemotionally. “That’s okay, Bert, I know you’re busy. Besides, I’ve been talking with BB almost every day. So, I’ve been keeping up with most of the happenings.”

  Lizzie beat Becky to the question. “Ma’am, did you say BB? Who is that?”

&
nbsp; “Oh, I’m sorry for using personal nicknames. My bad. BB was the most pet name that Vicki had for her son, Robert. She often called him Bobby Boy when it was just the few of us close friends around. Sometimes, she’d shorten that to just BB. He rode over here with me. He’s outside, somewhere.”

  Both Becky and Lizzie sat in stunned silence for a minute, digesting what they’d just heard. Did they just get another piece of the puzzle?

  Bert got up and said he wanted to see how the dismantling of the shed floor was coming. He hadn’t yet perceived the significance of the nickname. He walked outside and stood near the doghouse, watching as the main section of flooring, which had been jackhammered loose all around the foundation, was being lifted off the old well. Whatever condition it was in, it would soon be exposed for inspection. The same crane that lifted off the floor was moving back into place over the old well. It was evidently going to lower an electrical cable, with light and camera, into the well.

  Detective Louden was now at the scene, providing guidance about any evidence. From the increased pace of activity, Bert could tell that they’d found something. He continued to watch as the crane set up and lowered a lighted camera, along with something that looked like a grappling hook.