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As I came down for some morning coffee, I heard a thud on the front door. Some of my neighbors still had newspapers delivered but I didn’t. It could be the wind blowing something around, but I had a funny feeling.
When I unlocked the door, I heard tires peeling out.
Jerking the door open, my paranoia mounted as I searched the empty street until something told me to look down.
A realistic doll rested on the welcome mat. She wasn’t staring up at me as you would expect. The eyes had been gouged out.
“Close the door, it’s chilly,” Ivy called out.
“Get Matt,” I gritted out through clenched teeth. This was getting personal.
“What? Why?” She walked up behind me. “What the hell?”
“Looks like there is a note under it,” I said.
“Crap. At least it’s not a voodoo doll. Don’t touch it.” Ivy headed back upstairs, her usually swaying gait moving a little quicker.
Matt was down fast and used plastic gloves to put the doll and note into bags.
“It’s for you.” Matt handed me the plastic bag containing the note and I read it through the clear material.
Deanna Oscar,
You’re not welcome at our church. Leave our young women alone. You have no right to frighten them or try to lure them away from God with your paranormal nonsense. Don’t you dare try to take these women away from their families.
I read it twice. “They’ve done their research.”
“They have. And they avoided threatening you so there isn’t too much I can do.” Matt sighed.
“The weird doll?” Ivy asked.
Matt shrugged. “They can say it wasn’t them, that they only left the note. We need to put in some security cameras.”
I nodded. “Gunner, do the camera thing.”
“Odds are the big guys didn’t do this. They probably sent a kid to deliver the message.” Matt sipped his coffee.
I shook my head. “I heard a car speed away.”
“Someone else drove and stayed in the car. Hell, Uber even. You don’t know. Criminals are smart. The cameras won’t hurt but you need to be more concerned with your actual safety,” Matt said.
I nodded. “Fine. But Candace is over eighteen. It’s not like I was trying to lure their kids away with candy into a panel van.”
“Some of those tiny churches are weird. Women are subject to their father until they’re married and then their husband. Seriously old school crap. It’s not right but you’ll never convince them of that,” Ivy advised.
“But legally that can’t get me in trouble,” I explained.
“You’re looking to be a target of these jerks. Unmarried woman with a lot of money and a house full of misfits. They’re judging you,” Matt said.
I wondered if Matt was judging himself.
“Well, if God judges us on how we treat others—I’m way ahead of them in that race. I’m not backing off. If those girls need help, we’re getting them out. They’re adults so if they want to stay, I’m not kidnapping anyone. But if they are using and abusing underage girls, the cops should be aware.”
Matt nodded. “Agreed. I can wire you.”
“I can record it all on my cellphone if you want. I can try to get them to send details on their phones but I have a feeling these church guys try to keep the girls in the dark as much as possible,” I replied.
Ivy huffed. “Well, you need to do a report on this doll crap. Make sure it’s documented so when you get the weirdos, you have a paper trail.”
“I’ll do it.” Matt rolled his eyes at the creepy doll. “Not very original.”
“At least they didn’t do anything gross,” I said.
I tried to ignore the vision of something much grosser on my porch. They weren’t done trying to scare me. This was a pretty sad first attempt but they didn’t really understand who they were dealing with.
I met Greg for breakfast at a French Quarter café. He’d missed all the fun on the porch by sleeping in.
“I’ll try to figure out who left that on the porch. There are some men in that congregation who are okay with talking a bit,” Greg said.
“Matt did a report but it didn’t sound like there was a lot of hope. These pop up and scatter churches. I’m sure they want to keep their addresses and such very private.” I shrugged.
“You’re giving up?” he asked.
“No.” I sipped my water. “I want to get the girls safe. Take out the people who want out. The rest, I can’t prove abuse or anything. Freedom of religion isn’t something I’m trying to take down.”
“You’ve taken on a cult before,” Greg reminded me.
I nodded. “True. But this church is open to new people walking in. If they’re holding women against their will or abusing them—let’s put all those guys in jail. But so far, we have very little proof. Pushing girls to marry, coercion is a hard charge to stick. If we push too fast too hard, they could scatter. I think that’s why Matt is playing it slow and careful.”
Greg nodded. “I’ll be careful as well.”
“People know we work together. Don’t get in over your head,” I warned.
“You too. You jump in the deep end to rescue people,” he teased.
I shrugged. “That’s the job.”
“The church isn’t a paranormal or supernatural problem. Unless you know something I don’t,” Greg said.
“No, the weird crap is happening at Dungeon. But I have to help those girls. They’re doing stuff they shouldn’t. I can’t seem to get to the details but we need to get the info, the evidence of forced marriages and get the cops in there.” I nodded. It’d be so much easier if my powers just magically handed me the details and the proof. But this wasn’t magic and I wasn’t going to second-guess the angels or the big guy.
“That’s the plan.” Greg smiled.
“You doing okay?” I asked.
“Fine. I just needed a little distance. Then Lance has a heart attack. It’s like he’s sabotaging the divorce.” Greg stabbed his eggs with a fork.
I smiled. “You’re not far off. But it might not be him. Death claims he’s not on the list but someone is after him. I think someone is deliberating harming him.”
“It’s not me,” Greg said.
“Of course not. It’s not me either, but Lance got food poisoning and now had a heart attack. He had some blockage removed but his doctor swears there were no preliminary signs. I just want to shake Lester a bit and see if he knows anything. Then we need to check on Lucifer and warn Lance.” I finished my coffee.
“You think I’m good to drag along on this adventure?” Greg asked.
I shrugged. “At least to Lester’s. I have to catch you up on this girl from that church who contacted me. Weird stuff.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Greg nodded. “Mary Lou is leaving me alone. I’m not sure if she’s pissed or this is good for us.”
I sat back. “I can’t really tell. She’s been up and down lately. Sometimes she seems normal, other times she seems obsessed with Dungeon and Lucifer. I understand embracing the new job but she’s going to extremes.”
“Not too upset about Lance, I’m guessing.” Greg frowned.
“No, but annoyed at the delay in the divorce. She doesn’t want him dead, I don’t think. She just wants it all over. I agree the drama is dragging out but Lance isn’t making himself this ill,” I replied.
“Let’s see what Lester knows.” Greg wiped his mouth with a napkin as I signaled for the check.
Half an hour later we parked outside of Lester’s place. I wasn’t sure if he could help but I wanted to run it by him before Lucifer.
We walked inside and Lester was intently staring at his phone.
“Sorry to bug you,” I said.
“Always fun to see you, Deanna. Greg as well? What’s going on?” Lester asked.
“Lance had a heart attack. Before that he suffered from food poisoning. Anything you know about it? Any curse placed on him?” I asked.
Lester inhaled slowly. “Not by me.”
“Can you tell if he’s been cursed by someone else?” I asked.
“You don’t like my kind of magic,” he said.
Greg nodded. “We’re going.”
“Wait,” I said. “I agree. No dark magic. But if you know of anyone out to get Lance—like Lucifer maybe, I want the truth.”
Lester shook his head. “Lucifer wants Mary Lou but he wouldn’t do anything obvious or that could be directly connected to him. He could have a staff member do it, but Mary Lou works there. Which means she might find out about it.”
“You don’t know. Thank, that’s all I needed to hear.” I looked Lester in the eye before I turned.
Greg shook his head as we walked to the car.
“You could’ve called him,” Greg said.
“No, I need to see his eyes. Feel him out. He’s a good liar.” I slipped into the car and tried to figure out if I should bug Lucifer next or warn Lance.
Just then my phone beeped with a text.
“We need to go meet the girl from the church. Some other friends want out. Want to come for that?” I asked.
Greg smiled. “Sure.”
Parked at a different remote location, I waited. This time three girls emerged from the swamp oaks. I got out of the car as they approached.
“Were you followed?” I asked.
Candace shook her head.
“You’re sure? I got a threatening note and a weird doll left on my porch,” I warned.
The girls exchanged looks.
“Sorry, we didn’t tell them who you are. They check out everyone who shows interest or turns up in the church. You should go. No more contact,” Candance said.
“I’m not bailing. I just want you to be safe. Do you guys have bags?” I asked.
“Who is that guy?” Candace motioned to Greg.
“Another friend. He’s been to your church. He’s the one who told me about it. Are you guys ready to go today?” I asked.
The two other girls looked around nervously.
“If you’re over eighteen, there’s no issue. We can help you find a place to live and jobs. If you’re under eighteen, it’s trickier,” I said.
“It’s not the age thing. We felt like we were followed. We doubled back and changed the planned route but some of the men are hunters. They can track anything,” Candace explained.
“We could pick you up at the club. Might be easier to get lost in a crowd,” I replied.
Candace shook her head. “They aren’t allowed yet. They’re good girls. No pressure to get married off yet.”
“Well, get in the SUV before anyone shows up.” I turned back toward the car.
Greg hopped out. “De. Get down!”
Dropping to the ground, I crawled for the car. The girls ran off and I suspected it was a setup.
I reached for my gun nestled in the holster at the small of my back. Once I spotted the men with rifles, I saw they were chasing the girls.
Pointing my gun, I stood up. “Over here,” I taunted.
One of them shouted back at me, “We don’t want any trouble. Leave us alone.” He fired a warning shot in the air.
I didn’t need to shoot them. I mentally yanked the guns out of their hands and tossed them into the swamp.
“We have freedom of religion. You have no right to destroy our property or steal our girls.” He charged at me.
I shot my own warning shot in the air. “Freedom means adults can leave one religion for another. You can’t hold them against their will. Women are people.”
Greg jumped behind the wheel. “Get in the car, Deanna.”
“No, call the police. I want them arrested,” I said.
Then the men pulled handguns off their belts and I decided Greg was right. I hopped in the passenger side and Greg took off.
I texted Candace when she wouldn’t answer my phone call.
“Any word?” Greg asked.
“Only that they’re safe. It felt like a setup.” I put my gun away then fastened my seatbelt. “But what’s the benefit?”
“Proof? Proof they are being followed by the men in their church,” Greg suggested.
I nodded. “We do have proof. Nothing beyond our testimony, though.”
“I took pics.” Greg smiled.
“Awesome! This is why I should always bring along backup.” My phone rang.
It was Candace.
“Hello,” I said.
“Sorry, I was worried that would happen. One of the girls swears her father and uncles are following her everywhere. They think she’s meeting a boy. Once you hit sixteen, they start telling you to find a husband and get engaged or your reputation could be ruined.” She sniffled.
“You said they were good girls. Do they have boyfriends?” I asked.
“One does but he’s the same age as her. He’s training for a job right now in secret so they can get married and leave. She should be safe with that ring on her finger but she heard we were trying to get out. Her father is very cruel. The other girl’s father is the one who is basically watching her every moment—him, an uncle, or even a brother. She has no boyfriend to protect her with marriage,” Candance said breathlessly.
“What a sad state. Okay, lay low and let this blow over. When it’s safe to meet again text me, or if you need emergency pickup text me and we’ll meet you wherever. You’re inside this, Candance. You have to be the best judge of how to keep you and the other women who want out safe. I don’t want to risk your lives if waiting a week will let us get you out safe.” That was too much pressure. I felt like Candace was young but she’d grown up in that culture.
“I’ll let you know. I have to go. We’re going to be punished.” She ended the call.
I stared at my phone.
“They’re safe?” Greg asked.
“For now. They’re going to be punished. I don’t understand our world sometimes.” I leaned back on the headrest.
“That’s not our world. Those young women didn’t choose that world either. You were right, they have a choice. It just won’t be easy for them to exercise that right.” Greg pulled onto the main highway and I felt better.
The backwoods and swamps made me nervous. Everyone was armed. It really wasn’t that different from Chicago but Chicago was pretty built up. New Orleans had stretches of hard to navigate swamps full of gators and poisonous snakes, plus places to hide. It was more Wild West than anything. I’d take Bourbon Street any day.