The Vanishing Gary Brown (booksvooks TXT) 📖

I better help Pike wrap this up. He can get statements from both of you later. Take Claire and Amanda and leave. You all could use some rest and a good hot meal.”

“Thanks. We’ll do that.”

“Ain’t nobody leavin’ until I’ve had the chance to say goodbye,” Earl Bentley called out. He walked over to Martin and Claire. “What’d I tell ya, little lady? Never mess with the code.”

Claire smiled. She gave the old trucker a hug, kissed him on the cheek. “I don’t know what else to say except thank you. You put your life on the line for us, Earl. That’s more than anyone could ever ask for.”

“Wasn’t nothin,” Bentley replied. “But if the wife ever found out what I did, she’d probably kill me herself.” Martin and Claire laughed. “Speaking of my wife,” Bentley continued, “she’s probably wondering where the hell I’ve gotten to. Guess I better be on my way.”

Martin smiled. “You sure you can find your way out?” he asked.

Bentley glared at Martin, winked at Claire. “Mile marker 14.5. Through the woods on your left. Follow the broken branches and trail markers. Geez, junior. Didn’t ya learn anything I taught ya tonight?”

Martin laughed as he watched the old man walk towards the woods. “You have no idea,” he called out. “Thanks, Earl. You can back me up any day.”

Martin turned to Claire and kissed her. “Let’s get out of here,” he said. “We’ve seen enough of this place to last a lifetime.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Claire replied as they watched the helicopter lift into the air.

74

MARTIN KNOCKED ON the door to Claire’s room. She opened it quietly.

“How did you sleep?” he asked.

“Pretty good, I guess,” Claire replied. No bad dreams, she thought. For the first time in years, no nightmares.

Martin glanced into the room. “And Amanda?”

“Not so good, I’m afraid. She tossed and turned all night. But I guess that’s to be expected after what she’s just been through.”

Martin was dressed in his jacket and jeans. At his feet lay an overnight bag. Claire glanced at the clock. 9:00 A.M.

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“The airport. I’ll be back in a few days.”

“What’s going on?”

“I’ve booked a flight to Uganda. I’m going to look for Melanie.”

Claire stepped out of the room and closed the door behind her. “Let me come with you,” she said.

“Don’t be silly, Claire,” Martin replied. “You’ve just found your sister after being apart for years. You don’t want to come with me.”

“Yes, Martin, I do,” Claire replied. “If it weren’t for you, I would never have found Amanda. Now it’s my turn to repay the favor. Let me help you find your daughter. Besides, Justin and Cynthia strongly suggested I limit my contact with her for the next couple of weeks to give them time to do their jobs.”

“Yes. They’ll need to take her through a de-programming process.”

“Exactly. I’m not worried. I know she’s in safe hands. And you don’t have to say it for me to know how much you need me right now.”

“I won’t argue with that,” Martin agreed. “All right. The plane leaves at noon. Think you can be ready in an hour?”

“Forty-five minutes.”

“Even better.”

75

CLAIRE SAT ON the edge of the bed. Amanda stirred. She stroked an errant strand of hair from her sister’s damp brow.

“Good morning, sleepyhead.”

Amanda sat up, surveyed the room. “Where am I?” she said. “What am I doing here?”

“It’s okay,” Claire replied. “No need to be frightened. You’re among friends. You’re safe now.”

“What about the others? Virgil, Sky, Blessing?”

“They’re fine. The authorities assured me they’ll be well cared for.”

“I want to see them,” Amanda demanded. “I want to see for myself that they’re all right.”

“I’m sorry, honey. That’s just not possible right now.”

“Why not?” Amanda pressed.

Claire sighed. “The police have a lot of questions for them.”

“Such as?”

“They want to learn more about Joseph Krebeck and what went on at the compound where we found you.”

“Prophet,” Amanda corrected her. “His name is Prophet. You’re not allowed to call him Joseph. No one is.”

“No, honey,” Claire said. “His name is Joseph Krebeck. He’s been on the run from the police for a very long time.”

“You’re lying.”

“I wish I was, but I’m not. There’s a lot you’re going to hear about Joseph in the coming days you’re not going to like, but I can assure you it’s all true. You know I’d never intentionally set out to hurt you.”

“But you have! You took me away from my home, from the very people who loved me!”

“No, sweetie. It was Krebeck who took you away. From mom and dad and me. Your real family.”

“Liar!”

“Amanda, please.”

Amanda screamed. “You lie! YOU LIE!” She struck Claire in the chest with her fists.

Claire grabbed her sister, pulled her close, held her in her arms as she sobbed.

“I’m so sorry, Amanda. Everything’s going to be all right. Just give it some time. Now lay back and get some rest.”

Amanda pulled her bedsheets up to her neck, turned away from Claire, and buried her head in her pillow.

Claire stood and walked to the door. Her voice quivered as she spoke. “I know this is difficult for you, sweetie. I really do. You’ll understand the truth soon enough. No one is ever going to hurt you again. You have my word on that. I love you, Amanda. I always have and I always will.”

Amanda cried.

As Claire closed the door, she heard her sister whisper. “I love you, too.”

76

KAMPALA, UGANDA

SITTING IN THE tiny reception area of Sacred Light Mission, Martin and Claire waited for the director to arrive. Framed photographs of the many children who had once come through their doors adorned the cracked concrete walls. In the center of the wall hung a large, gold-framed portrait of a former child of the mission, Areebe Tumba, seated behind his desk at the United Nations, the flags of Uganda and the UN behind him. Martin read the inscription.

For the Sisters and children of Sacred Light Mission. Beyond these walls, destiny awaits. Seize it with the knowledge