The Rapture of Omega Page 3

  She glared and gritted her teeth. “I appreciate your concern, Sergeant, but I’ll take it from here.”

  “At least someone around here is concerned.” I was getting angry. “You obviously couldn’t give a shit about the welfare of this child. I have a rather large and beautiful home that has more than enough room for her, and you—you would rather put her in some hellhole. I’ve never worked with you before, but I can tell you now that I will be speaking with Leslie about this immediately.” I referred to the director of children’s services and her boss.

  I’m fairly sure that if she could’ve gotten away with punching me square in the nose she would have. Wisely, she relented. This would be one less case she’d have to deal with and not have to waste any more of her own precious time, if nothing else, the time she would spend driving the baby to a group home.

  “CeeCee, don’t you think you better talk to Michael about this?” Coop whispered loudly in my ear.

  “I’ll handle it.”

  Eventually, the caseworker threw her hands up and started toward her car, mumbling about the phone calls she needed to make. I had won. Now I needed to call Michael. I didn’t expect him to be overly receptive.

  “You did what?” I held the cell phone away from my ear and told him to lower his voice. “For Christ’s sake, CeeCee! Don’t you think this is something we should’ve talked about first? You can’t just bring some stranger’s baby home!”

  I looked back into the car at Lola, who was still sound asleep. I couldn’t leave her here, period. I began to feel the warm tears well up in my eyes before I answered Michael.

  “Please, Michael. She doesn’t have anybody.”

  His voice lowered to a sympathetic tone. “Listen, Cee, I know the miscarriage was hard on you. It was hard on both of us, but you need to really think—”

  “This isn’t about the miscarriage, Michael! There’s something about her. I can’t explain right now.” I took a deep breath. “I’m not letting her go into a foster home. I can’t.”

  Even though we were on the phone, I knew Michael could imagine the anguish in my face. He must have heard the emotion in my voice and knew there was no changing my mind.

  “You realize what all of this means, don’t you?”

  “Of course I do,” I said softly.

  Before hanging up, I told Michael to bring the portable crib up from the basement and put it in our bedroom. Once the caseworker was finished making her phone calls and finalizing the arrangements, I would go with Coop to Kelly’s apartment and get whatever I could of Lola’s things.

  A foreign emotion began to rise inside me. Exhilaration? Excitement? I wasn’t sure but I knew the thought of waking up in the morning with Lola sleeping next to me was a feeling I couldn’t possibly describe.

  “How’d Michael take it?” Coop looked concerned.

  “Okay, I guess. He was a little upset at first, but…” I stopped, my eyes locked in on something I hadn’t noticed before.

  “But what?”

  “I’ll tell you in a minute. Do you see that guy over there on the side of the road?” I pointed. “He’s watching us.”

  July 1

  The move was a long one, but we’ve finally arrived in Ohio. It’s just as hot here, but she said there’s less tornadoes. Molly complained the whole way because she was bored, but I expect that from a ten-year-old. Quint drove most of the way, stopping rarely to sleep. He was anxious to get here and start our new life that has been blessed by Eve.

  Illeana’s vision that Eve could be found here excited most of the members and even brought new ones. Three more families sold everything they own and gave the money to Illeana. A couple younger people, Jake Ellis and Tyler Briggs, joined right before we left, recruited by Ken at their college. Tyler was a former Scientologist and was totally taken in by Ken’s offer. According to Ken, they became believers within minutes.

  I’ll never know how my parents came to be believers, but I wonder if it happened that way. I wish I could turn back time and show them what a fatal choice they made, but all I can do now is save their souls, and the others.

  She suspects nothing, and I doubt she ever will—until the time comes for me to expose her for the evil, criminal, and twisted monster that she is. She is too busy right now preparing the camp and getting to know the many new faces. I don’t know who half of these people are, but I’m sure I will soon.

  She said once we arrive in Eden’s Purgatory, there would be no more spouses as we’ve once known. This makes me nervous. I anticipate she will pair everyone with different partners every night like she did once in Missouri. It sickens me to have another man put his hands on me, let alone have sex with him, but I can’t protest or act offended since that would raise their suspicion.

  Whatever happens, I have a feeling things are going to be very different here.

  R—

  Chapter Three

  The man stood next to his antiquated bicycle, returning our stares with a look of unreserved amusement. Since he was wearing handmade blue jeans, a blue button-down oxford, and straw hat, at first glance I thought he was Amish, maybe Mennonite. But the earring in his left ear and his gold watch refuted those assumptions.

  “He’s probably just some Amish guy poking around,” Coop murmured.

  “With an earring and a gold watch? I don’t think so.” I tugged on his shirtsleeve. “C’mon, let’s go find out what he’s doing here.”

  The man fidgeted with his handlebars while we approached, but kept his eyes locked on ours, his smile still visible.

  “Excuse me, I’m Sergeant Gallagher.” I flashed him my badge. “Can I help you with something?”

  His smile began to fade. “No, ma’am. I just rode down here to see what all of the fuss is about. I’ll be on my way.”

  As he mounted his bicycle, I shot Coop a look of alarm and grabbed the handlebars to prevent the man from riding off into the sunset. He was entirely too eager to escape our questioning.

  “Hold on a minute. What’s your name?” It was my turn to smile.

  “Kirk.”

  “Kirk what?”

  “Look, lady, I’m not doing anything wrong and I don’t have to tell you my name. Please let go of my bike so I can leave.” He was getting angry.

  “Let me give you a crash course in Legal 101, Kirk. You brought it upon yourself to ride down here and stand within the perimeters of my crime scene. That makes you a person I might be interested in. Understand? Furthermore, if you don’t give me your full legal name, you are obstructing official business, a second-degree misdemeanor in the state of Ohio. I will take you into custody and your bike will belong to me. Any questions?”

  “No.” He hung his head in defeat.

  “Good.” I let go of the bicycle. “I need to see some type of identification. Driver’s license or state ID card.”

  “I don’t have one. I’m on a bike, not a motorcycle!”

  He was sweating badly and I noticed his hands were trembling as he wiped his brow. He was nervous about something. This went beyond the standard being-confronted-by-cops tremors that people get when pulled over for speeding. Not to mention, there was something about him I didn’t like or trust. I just couldn’t put my finger on why.

  “What’s your name?”

  “Kirk Richards.”

  He smiled again, stiffened up as if to regain his composure, and changed his tone to the level of a high-class smart-ass.

  “I live on a farm at 4566 Benedict Road with my aunt and uncle. We just moved here a month ago from Missouri. I’m six feet and two inches tall. I weigh 195 pounds, unless I take a really good shit in the morning. My hair is brown and my eyes are blue. I jerk off anywhere from two to four times a week. I wear a size thirteen shoe, but it doesn’t come anywhere near the size of my cock. You’ll have to measure that yourself.”

  Coop got a hold of him before I could even contemplate a response. Grabbing him by the back of the neck, Coop tore him off the bicycle and planted him, facedown
on the ground—all in one swift motion.

  “How ’bout you measure me, you little punk-ass bitch!”

  Suppressing my laughter, it was hard to hear what Kirk was saying. A mouthful of dirt makes it difficult to talk, I’m sure. His arms and legs were flailing while Coop’s strong hands pushed down harder on the back of Kirk’s head. Grinning widely, I nodded at Coop to give the guy some air.

  Kirk pushed himself up and spun around, sitting upright, while brushing the dirt and blood from his face. It looked like his nose took the brunt of the small rock that Coop held him down on.

  “I see you haven’t had much contact with law enforcement, eh?” I grabbed a tissue out of my pocket and threw it at him. Dumb-ass.

  “What is the matter with you people? I’m gonna have both your fucking badges when this is over with.” He furiously wiped at his nose before standing up.

  “Ah, be careful, Kirkie, r-e-s-p-e-c-t. A lack of it will get you thumped, as you’ve figured out,” Coop warned him.

  “Who else lives at the farm with you? Other than your aunt and uncle?” I was tired of wasting time.

  He looked like he was about to mouth off again, but wisely thought better of it.

  “Just a couple of cousins, that’s all. May I please go now…ma’am?”

  “A few more questions. Why are you dressed like that? I know you’re not Amish, considering the language you’ve just used.”

  He sighed before rolling his eyes. “No, I’m not Amish…I’m a Mormon.”

  Desperately wanting to get back to the Lola situation, I waved him off, after telling him I would most likely be in touch. Clenching his jaw, he hopped on his bicycle and pedaled away like a madman.

  “That was fun. It’s always a good day when I get to make a little asshole like that bleed. Do you think he had anything to do with this, Cee?”

  “I don’t think so, but run a criminal history on him anyway.” I rubbed my eyes. “Do you want to go with me to the victim’s apartment? I think they’re about ready to leave.”

  “Nah, I already sent the other detectives over there to check it out, but they didn’t find much. I think I’m gonna head home. You sure you know what you’re doing with this kid?” Coop’s eyes narrowed.

  “Yes, I’m sure…I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  While the caseworker was still off making arrangements, I rode with the babysitter back to Kelly Dixon’s apartment. I had plenty of things at home for Lola. I had kept Isabelle’s crib, toddler bed, and clothes in storage, but I wanted some personal items she was familiar with, specifically, pictures of her mother.

  Since the other detectives had already cleared the apartment, I was free to walk around. Kelly Dixon’s life was devoted to her daughter. I saw stacks of nursing books and papers strewn all over the kitchen table in an apparent attempt to rejuvenate her nursing career. Although modest, the apartment was clean and full of life. A fleeting thought of Kelly Dixon having no idea she would never return home, nor see her daughter again brought a twinge of sadness. The empty apartment was what lay behind Kelly Dixon’s “board of life” experiences.

  She had been quite organized. A filing cabinet in her bedroom held all of Lola’s important papers: birth certificate, social security card, immunization records, etc. I took them all, knowing if I had my way, Lola would be staying with Michael and me—permanently.

  After grabbing her entire supply of diapers, baby food, and several of Lola’s stuffed animals, I closed the door to Kelly Dixon’s apartment.

  On the way back to the murder scene, I called my mother in Cleveland and gave her a brief explanation about Lola, eventually asking her to come and stay with me for a week or so to help out. I still had Kelly’s homicide case to work and needed Lola to be familiar with everyone around her. Knowing better than to launch into one of her lectures, my mother said she would be at my house in the morning.

  Lola, who had slept soundly through most of the commotion, continued to sleep as I put her into my car, still in her car seat. It had gotten late and I wondered if she would actually sleep through the night.

  Michael was waiting at the door when I pulled into the driveway. Handing him the car seat with Lola, I instructed him to put her in our bedroom while I ran around like a maniac trying to get the portable crib ready and get her settled in. I also left Naomi a voice mail explaining I wouldn’t be at work tomorrow and why, although I’m sure Coop filled her in. Children’s services would be here tomorrow afternoon for a home inspection and to fill out paperwork with me. After that, I would have to attend an informal custody hearing in juvenile court. This is when the judge would officially place Lola into my temporary custody.

  I checked on Lola, sleeping soundly within the confines of her crib, before making my rounds to the other kids’ bedrooms and found Selina still awake. Michael had sat them all down earlier and explained to them about Lola. Selina announced she had been too excited about Lola to sleep.

  “Can I go in and see her? I’ll be quiet, I promise,” she pleaded.

  “No, honey, let her sleep. I don’t want her to wake up in the middle of the night. It’s already going to be bad enough in the morning when she starts asking for her mommy.” I gently pushed a strand of hair from her forehead.

  “Is her mommy dead?”

  I sighed. “Yes, honey, she is. We’re all going to have to help make her feel safe here. Okay?”

  Selina nodded and eventually lay down. Now it was time to face Michael. He had been waiting patiently downstairs for me to get Lola situated. Seated on our couch watching the late news, he seemed to be staring through the television, unaware of what was on the screen.

  “Michael?” It appeared he hadn’t noticed me entering the room.

  “Come over here and sit down.” He patted the empty seat next to him affectionately and muted the volume of the television.

  “She’s beautiful,” he said quietly, reaching for my hand.

  I nodded and did my best to smile.

  “Cee, I’ve got to ask you this. Have you really thought this out? I mean, what if a relative comes out of the woodwork to take her and you’ve gotten yourself attached? I know what you went through with the miscarriage and I can’t bear to see your heart break again.” The lines on his face deepened with concern.

  “I’ve thought about that, Michael, and I guess I’ll deal with it when, or if, the time comes. I know this seems like a spur-of-the-moment thing, but there was something about her that I can’t explain. I couldn’t bear to see her put into one of those homes. And I might as well tell you now, if it comes down to it and I’m able—I’ll adopt her.” I felt my eyes begin to brim with tears.

  Michael let go of my hand, looking somewhat shocked. “You’ll adopt her, Cee? What about me? Am I a part of this?”

  “I’m sorry, Michael.” I realized my mistake. “Of course you are. We’ll adopt her, she’ll be our daughter.”

  As he smiled and gently touched my cheek, I noticed the television. Kelly Dixon’s murder had already made the news.

  “Turn that up.”

  We watched the short news clip in silence and I felt myself become alarmed. They didn’t say much about the murder but the only part that sunk in was when the newscaster said, “…the victim leaves behind a daughter.” What if Michael was right? What if a relative came forth after seeing the news? And if that wasn’t enough to make me lose sleep for the night, the following weather report would.

  “Jesus! Look at that…” Michael let out a low whistle.

  The radar showed a line of tornado-producing thunderstorms headed right for us, and it was large. The meteorologist was pointing to a purple mass and waving his arms about excitedly. He was saying the mass of storms was one of the largest on record, and telling everyone in the viewing area to be on their guard and have the proper emergency survival kits ready. I put my face in my hands and groaned.

  “I can’t go through that again.” I was thinking of the Shiloh tornado, and the visions of bodies were still fresh in
my mind.

  “Don’t flip out yet.” He leaned forward toward the screen. “If you look where we are on the radar, the storms may just clip us. North of us is going to get the brunt of it.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  July 6

  How can I put into words what hell this place is? We are not allowed to leave without permission. I can’t even spend time with my own daughters without asking. I fear she is offering Molly to the other men as a reward, but I can’t get her alone to ask. If I am right, that woman is going to pay much more than I had originally planned.

  She said at the last vigil that Eve spoke to her and told her that women became empowered on their twelfth birthday, and to celebrate their power over men. She didn’t come out and say it, but I know she meant sex. I’m so angry and disgusted I want to kill her with my bare hands.

  But, unlike J, death would not be the worst thing for her. For her to rot in a prison cell for life would make me happy enough, and I will relish the day I visit her in jail.

  She opened the books today and showed us that we have $78,000 in our fund—or SHE does! She told us that $20,000 would be used for a large purchase we’d learn about later. I can only begin to imagine what that might be.

  Luckily, when I was sent to the grocery store I was able to make some copies of the accounts to place with this journal. It’s going to take a while to get everything together that I’ll need.

  We are now having three prayer meetings a day. After cooking for everyone, cleaning, and preparing for the meetings, it leaves me with very little time. She claims to be getting more visions quicker so I anticipate we’ll begin having even more meetings. One of my biggest concerns is that she said our training was going to begin very soon…

  R—

  I was trying to prepare myself for when Lola woke up. At two years old, she would be scared and confused. I wanted to make it as easy for her as I could. I had only slept for two hours when I awoke to the sounds of her cries. She was sitting up in her crib, tears streaming down her face, and crying for her mama. Doing my best to console her, I picked her up and gently stroked her back, trying to explain who I was in a way she’d understand. Michael woke up and tried to help, but Lola had a death grip on me. I finally calmed her down enough to take her downstairs for something to eat.