Page 84 of Shadow of Death
“Not so much anything specific,” Ida said. She frowned, looking at Amy, still confused she couldn’t place her.
“Please, Mrs. Peterson, speak freely. She is one of us,” Hunter said, his voice low, as if Ida Peterson herself was being invited into a secret realm.
“Well, of course, we’re well aware body parts have been found—some of them in areas near us, just north of here.”
“Yes, I’m afraid the news is true,” Hunter said. “So, have you seen or heard anything suspicious?”
“Again, maybe not, maybe this is just silly. But you’ve heard about the Lost City, of course?”
“The Lost City of the Everglades,” Amy said. She smiled. “We’ve talked about it lately. It was a hideout for rebels in the Civil War who stole Union gold, some claim, and were killed, they believe, by Northern forces or Native Americans. It was reported there was a moonshine still for Al Capone there. It is supposed to be haunted. Archeologists have found bones, relics, etcetera over several acres, but it’s not on any maps, and is almost impossible to find.”
Ida nodded. “Right—that Lost City.”
“Are people in the Lost City?” Hunter asked.
“No, that’s just it. Not that I’ve found the Lost City, but I know the general area where it’s supposed to be. South of here, and far, far west. But there was a group of young people in here the other day, three couples, and they thought they had been in it, just up the road off 27. They said they were walking around, taking pictures, when one of the boys found bones, or so he said. He believed they had found an old burial ground. Then they heard sounds, strange sounds, like ghostly chanting. Well, apparently, they were all making fun of one of the girls because she heard whispering in the trees—she had an overwhelming sensation of danger and made them all leave.”
Amy glanced at Hunter.
That young girl had probably had the bestsenseshe’d had in her life; they might have become victims as Sandra and Regan had been when they met up with their attackers.
“Lots of people believe the Lost City is haunted. There were relics found there that might well date back to the Tequesta, and they’ve found Seminole relics and the remains of small groups living out there. But it isn’t on any maps, and only old Gladesmen like my Frank and members of our local tribes know how to find it. But that’s not it. The thing is, whatever happened out there made them allthinkthey’d been in the Lost City and itwashaunted and scary. So...”
“We’ll look into it,” Hunter promised her. “Thank you. And please—”
“Oh, Special Agent Hunter, of course! We know we have you out there, and Frank and I would call you immediately if we knew anything at all!” Ida promised. “You’re always in with the cops and agents. Are you with the FBI or the FDLE?” she asked Rich Carver.
Rich Carver grinned. “No, I’m the—”
“He’s a doctor!” Amy said.
“Nice!” Ida murmured. “All right, let me allow you to finish up your meal in peace.”
She rose and left them. “What?” Rich asked Amy. “Were you afraid she might scream and run if she knows what I do?”
Amy smiled. “I think you’re going to get larger pieces of apple pie if she just thinks you’re a doctor.”
“Hey, my profession is noble!”
“And so appreciated, respected, and needed,” Amy assured him. “I just... I just think you’ll get better and bigger apple pie slices.” She smiled at him sweetly.
Carver studied her. “Wow. She really doesn’t know you, and if I didn’t know you... The look is really something. Entirely different. I take it you don’t want anyone who might be involved in this to know you?”
“Right,” Amy said.
They paused their conversation as Ida swung back to place a healthy serving of apple pie, looking more like a quarter of the baked good than a regular slice, on the table before moving on to another customer. Amy gave Rich a knowing look.
“You’re going to entice them to snatch you, aren’t you, Amy?” Carver asked. He looked at her and then stared at Hunter.
“Don’t worry—she’ll never be alone. Aidan is partnered with her, and I and others will be within shouting distance at all times. But they are trying to seize female victims. Mickey and my boss, Garza, have been over everything and getting an agent in there may be our only way of finding whatever hideout they’re using right now. And the thing is, they lost two men and failed to find their sacrifice. Maybe they need a girl by a certain time. Things could move fast,” Hunter said.
“Good luck, Amy. Good luck,” Rich said. “More than luck. Be careful, extremely careful. I don’t want it to be...”
“You don’t want it to be my body that winds up on your table,” Amy said. “I know and thank you. But they don’t kill their victims right away. They hold them to be used in a ceremony. They tell their followers the victims they intend to kill are sacrifices; and by killing the victims, they’re also saving their immortal souls. And because of the amount of sin the victims have in them, they won’t be chosen when the Apocalypse happens. Only the chosen are taken. In other words, the heads of this cult convince their followers they are doing God’s work to kill—and thus cleanse the sins of others.”
Rich looked over at Hunter. “And people believe this?”
“When they begin to doubt, they wind up getting bitten by an alligator,” Hunter said dryly. “People, by nature, look for companionship. When they find themselves misunderstood or not finding what they need from others in life and wind up lonely and disenfranchised, they make easy targets. It helps if you have a talent, but drones are always useful. Anyway, sometimes, someone falters at the right time—which we began to learn in Colorado. I was hoping to have a link yesterday—but both links are dead. You’ve seen one. I’m sure the body of the second man will find its way to you. We think we know who we’re looking for, but they have something here. And whatever it is, they’re well hidden.”
