Page 43 of Shadow of Death
“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.”
And atrocities were certainly being committed.
“Brian,” he said, hunkering down by the boy. “No kid should ever have to see something like this, and I am so sorry. I believe you and your parents were swept into something that...well...that was cruel and evil at the utmost, but they didn’t know that.” In truth, he had no idea just what Brian’s parents had thought or known. But the boy had suffered enough traumas for one day.
He’d hung up on Amy, but not before telling her to reach Andy Mason and warn him they were going to need a small army to begin to remove the bodies pressed down into the deep crevice in the rocks. He thought Mateus, whoever he might really be, had to be the last broken and twisted form stuffed down the opening. But below him were another five or six individuals. He’d wanted to get Brian away, but in the bit of time he’d had to glance downward, he’d gathered they were in various stages of decomposition. The crevice, like the mud pits, had been a disposal ground for some time.
“Brian, come on, let’s get back to the trail. We’ll meet up with a few of my coworkers, and then I’ll get you back to headquarters.”
Brian nodded, allowing Hunter to help him to his feet and lead him back to the trail. By the time he did so, he saw another group of agents had been sent out and were hurrying up to meet him. He pointed out the crevice and warned they were probably going to need a fair amount of equipment to begin to extract the dead. The team leader nodded and assured him they were going to make the assessment. The medical examiners and personnel were on the way, and they could handle the situation from there.
Grateful, Hunter got Brian down from the cliffs and to his car. The boy hadn’t spoken again.
Hunter knew he probably was too close to the situation, but then again who could understand what this kid was feeling better than him?
Brian had stopped sobbing and sat in the passenger’s seat staring straight ahead.
“You’re going to be all right,” Hunter told him quietly.
Brian didn’t look his way. He winced. “My folks...” He broke off and turned to Hunter. “Will I get to see them again?”
“I’m sure you’ll get to see them again. I’m not a lawyer, Brian. I’m not sure what happens now. I believe there will be charges. The good news is your mom is going to be okay, and I believe they are good people swept up into something bad. But you saw that right away, Brian. You were wise for your years. I know you’re going to be strong—you’re going to help them. And in the end, it’s going to be okay.”
“You sound so sure.”
“I am sure.”
“How?” the boy whispered.
“Because I’ve been where you are,” Hunter said. “Almost exactly where you are. And I’m okay. Trust in us, please. The head man out here—Andy Mason—will see to it you’re taken care of, and we’ll hope your Aunt Violet will help out.”
“She probably hates us all with good reason.”
“You’d be surprised how forgiving people can be.”
In truth, he had no idea. He could only hope Brian’s Aunt Violet was a forgiving soul, and hoped she did love the boy. Otherwise...
Foster parents often got a bad rap. But if Andy Mason said he knew a good woman with children’s services, then whatever happened, Brian would be okay.
He turned to Brian. “Hey, it was horrible, I’m sorry you saw what we saw. But you were a tremendous help today. We will be able to trace people, to put a stop to a lot of horrible things because of you.”
Brian looked at him hopefully.
Hunter tousled his hair.
“I don’t know how everything will work out yet, Brian. But you’re a pretty amazing kid. And you’re going to be all right.”
They were almost at the local headquarters.
When Hunter had parked, Brian looked worriedly at the building.
“It’s okay. I promise,” Hunter said. And he believed his promise. Andy Mason ran a tight ship, and he was a man good for his word.
He set his hand on Brian’s shoulder and led the way in. Andy himself was there to greet them as soon as they entered along with a woman who was perhaps in her midthirties with a quick, friendly smile, bright green eyes,anda professional demeanor.
“Brian, right?” she said, greeting the boy. “We’ve already located and spoken with your Aunt Violet, and she’s going to be here pretty soon. And Assistant Director in charge here, Andy Mason, has already arranged you’ll get to see your mom tonight. Oh, I’m sorry! I’m Belinda Montgomery, and I’m here just for you, to help you with anything you need.” She flashed Hunter a quick smile, assuring him she was the real thing and was telling the truth.
“You found Aunt Violet,” he said. “Great. And she—”
