The Rapture of Omega Read online

  A former law enforcement instructor of mine had the honor of knowing a sheriff that had been shot and killed by the leader of the Posse Comitatus. As I listened to him speak of the incident, I was clear on one important detail. These militias, cults, domestic terrorists, or whatever you choose to call them have one common denominator. They answer to no one, law enforcement included, and all are on a quest for nothing more than retribution and redemption; loss of life is nothing but a roadblock on their way to a greater salvation.

  According to Project Megiddo, there are approximately 1,000 cults operating in the United States. Cult expert Dr. Margaret Singer estimates that 5,000 economic, political, and religious groups have used tactics of coercive mind control to deceptively influence 20 million victims in the United States alone in the last ten years, including 2.5 million at any given time. Worldwide figures are even greater. And Dr. Paul Martin, cult expert and director of Wellspring Retreat and Resource Center in Ohio, deduced that, “The cult problem is so prevalent, the chances of a family member joining a cult are greater than a family member catching chicken pox, four times greater than contracting AIDS, 90 times greater than contracting measles, and 45,000 times greater than contracting polio.”

  I had initially put this particular story line for CeeCee much farther down the road. Always anticipating a plotline involving a religious group, I happened upon a newspaper last summer that headlined the execution of the leader of the Kirtland, Ohio, cult murders, Jeffrey Lundgren. I began to research the story since I didn’t remember much about it. I had only been a junior in high school when the murders occurred in 1990. After seeing a documentary on The People’s Temple (Jonestown) suicides, I was thoroughly disturbed, especially for the children. What makes a human being stand by while another takes the life of their child? These were the minds I wanted to get inside of. I attempted to interview Jeffrey Lundgren’s son, Damon, inside of the Mansfield Correctional Institution, where he is currently serving a life sentence for murder. I can only assume he didn’t care to talk to me about his experience.

  The subject of global warming was brought forth when I was thinking of a motive for Illeana Barron; some type of reasoning behind her actions. A brief news clip featuring global warming as an “apocalyptic era” put the story in motion. During my research, I found many of the aspects of global warming quite unsettling.

  Although it is merely fiction for entertainment purposes, The Rapture of Omega portrays the realistic threat that domestic terrorists pose to all of us, especially when humanity is faced with the unknown. Sporadic doomsday cults are already beginning to surface with the end of the Mayan calendar—December 21, 2012. Some feel this is the true end of time, while others quickly dismiss it. Regardless, there are those out there, like Illeana Barron, who are quietly preparing.

  Clearly, there is no logical explanation for the actions of these people. Whatever it is that makes a grown man, or woman, succumb to the misguided and psychopathic teachings of another, and cause them to take their own life or someone else’s, will always remain a mystery. But, there is one regrettable fact that holds true: history does repeat itself and this will happen again.

  —Stacy Dittrich

  Praise For Stacy Dittrich!

  THE BODY MAFIA

  “Another gripping tale from Stacy Dittrich will have readers rushing to the end, strangling on emotion and wondering just how much couples must be willing to forgive.”

  —Fresh Fiction

  MARY JANE’S GRAVE

  “The whodunit is terrific with its ties to the late nineteenth century atrocities as Stacy Dittrich provides a unique voice with a fresh brisk thriller starring a heroine who resonates with readers.”

  —Midwest Book Review

  “A creepy ghost story lies at the heart of Dittrich’s second thriller starring Detective CeeCee Gallagher. The crime is horrific and puzzling, and Dittrich does an excellent job laying out a clever procedural that is hauntingly laced with eerieness. A book to send true chills down the spine.”

  —RT Book Reviews

  “Mary Jane’s Grave provides a fast-paced storyline with a ghostly flair, emotional turmoil and multigenerational twists.”

  —Fresh Fiction

  THE DEVIL’S CLOSET

  “The Devil’s Closet is jam-packed with mystery, suspense, romance and much, much more. A perfect combination of elements kept this reader’s nose between the pages. I really like debut author Stacy Dittrich’s style of writing.”

  —Fresh Fiction

  “CeeCee Gallagher is the real McCoy—gritty and tough, but with smooth edges. She embodies what a true detective needs to be.”

  —Andrew Peterson, author of First to Kill

  “Twists, turns and nonstop action.”

  —The Mansfield News Journal

  Other Leisure books by Stacy Dittrich:

  THE BODY MAFIA

  MARY JANE’S GRAVE

  THE DEVIL’S CLOSET

  Copyright

  A LEISURE BOOK®

  September 2010

  Published by

  Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc.

  200 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10016

  New York, NY 10016

  Copyright © 2010 by Stacy Dittrich

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  E-ISBN: 978-1-4285-0926-9

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