Page 60 of Shadow of Death
“You’re right, Andy,” he said. “It’s people looking for acceptance, for afamily, who are easily broached. Especially when what appears to be higher ideals and true purpose are introduced. Then, of course, there’s one more thing.”
“Fear,” Amy murmured.
“Yes. Fear. Once you’re in, you come to realize that not obeying the will of the leader may be deadly. There was a case in Rulo, Nebraska, that was truly terrifying. The cult arose out of a sect; and after years certain members were so terrified, they obeyed truly horrific punishments that included sex with animals. And one member’s child was severely punished forbad thoughts, until he wound up with his head bashed in by the leader—and still his father, who dug his grave, was too terrified to do anything. With good reason because he wound up dead, too. Fear can make people do the unimaginable. But first, you must be seduced into membership. Martin, having been so rejected by his family, would have been looking for what he received from Mateus—or what he perceived he received—respect, care, and belonging. Now for Mateus...hmm. Karaoke hosts tend to be outgoing, people persons. But somewhere along the line, he met someone who convinced him there was more.”
“Maybe he went through a night of really, really bad singers,” Andy said dryly. “We’re having a tough time tracing anything on him since he seemed to have disappeared from his known world quite some time ago. His social security hasn’t been touched, no taxes, no credit cards... He went by Mateus, and that was it. Others must have been supporting him. And after questioning all those brought in, no one has any idea regarding an actual address for him. But they didtitheto the church, and the church was a cliff, so we can assume theirtithingwas to support Mateus,” Andy told them.
“Someone knows something, but a man like Mateus, using people as he did, might have kept it close. So close that maybe only Martin knew where and how to find him if he was needed,” Hunter said.
“And Martin is dead,” Amy murmured.
“And we believe hehelpedwith the deaths that occurred at the pits—he didn’t orchestrate them. So who did?” Hunter asked. He frowned and looked at Amy. She knew what he was going to say when he spoke again, “Is there anything even slightly flaky about Barrington Advertising?”
“Pardon?” Andy said.
“Malcolm Barrington showed up at the hospital. He said he was there to see Carey. But then he stopped in on Magda Kenward as well,” Hunter said.
“Offering her a job,” Amy murmured.
“Well, that was a nice thing, wasn’t it?”
“If he was just being a good and decent nice guy, yes,” Hunter said.
Andy was studying him. “Ah, but you think Barrington might have thought of Magda as a sinner for being a stripper?”
“Well, not just that—her family has money. She just didn’t want to use it; she wanted to make it all on her own. And I did a little reading,” Amy said, “on the web, various sites, and through social media. According to everything I can find out there, the club where Magda Kenward works is possibly one of the most transparent—sorry, no pun intended—and legitimate out there, meaning no sex sales on the side. But Barrington possibly believes any form of stripping is sinful.”
“I don’t know,” Andy said. “Okay, Barrington heard what had happened, and he maybe just hoped he could help the woman.”
“And maybe he could care less, and he just wants to keep an eye on her in case something else about her kidnapping comes up in her memory,” Hunter said. “Or she’s vulnerable if he decides she does need to disappear again and have all those sins of hers taken on by others. Most likely, he may just want her dead to protect his own ass. Yes, I’m speculating. But Carey was a victim, and Don Blake has gone missing. And they both worked for Barrington.”
Andy shook his head. “Okay, I understand. We become jaded quickly in this business, and I’m not saying you’re wrong. I’m just saying we need to keep our minds—and our options—open. We’re still dealing with the attorneys on charging the group we picked up on the cliffs. Some are suddenly remorseful, horrified, and swearing they didn’t know they’d come to witness a murder and to drink blood. Others are saying we’re the crazy ones, Armageddon is coming, and we’re condemning souls to Hell to burn for eternity. That group...none worked for Barrington Advertising. In fact, not a person we picked up seemed to have anything in common with the others—except for Mateus, who brought them together, who taught them about the depths of love they could experience while paving the way for angels of God to return and fight at their sides.”
“Hayden is in Florida,” Hunter said with certainty.
As he spoke, Andy’s assistant came down the hallway, anxious to speak with them. “Report from tech, sir,” the young agent said. “Another text came through.”
“And it said?” Andy asked.
“Help. Just the one word.”
Hunter shook his head. “Okay, someone else has the phone, and I’m assuming they want us to think Hayden is in Florida. Whether she’s there or not, I don’t know. But there is no way she texted hours ago and then just texted again now. Whoever is sending the texts is not Hayden.”
“You agree?” Andy asked Amy.
“I do. First, when she was taken, they would have searched her for her cell phone right away. I believe Hunter is right. I don’t think Hayden is sending the messages. I agree. They’d never let her keep her phone.”
“So, Hayden is still somewhere in Colorado?” Andy asked.
“I think something is going to happen here,” Hunter said. “The texts are a lure. It may be important to head there soon, but today...something is going to happen here. I’m afraid something might be planned against one of the survivors.”
Amy’s phone was ringing. She glanced down at it. Carey was calling her again.
“Carey, we’re working—”
“No, no, Amy, I’m scared!” Carey said.
“Carey, there’s an agent watching the house—”
