*****
Bobby, when he returned from school that day, expected to find Archie at home. They had fallen into a routine of saying hello to each other after Bobby came home. Instead, what Bobby found made his heart sink.
The building manager, Mr. Fuller, was standing at the wide-open door, on his cell. As Bobby came closer, he noticed the apartment was empty.
“Assholes moved away in the night,” Mr. Fuller said. “I hate it when this happens. They hadn’t even paid the full deposit. The dead of winter, I thought I’d be nice...”
Bobby didn’t say a word, just kept walking to his door. He had not said good morning to Archie before leaving for school, the apartment already empty. He pulled out his phone. He had been too busy at school to check his messages.
The first and only message was a text.
“I’m at the Dockside Motel.”
The Dockside was a run-down place, renting by the week or month.
Bobby texted back, asking Archie to call him.
His phone rang, Sonya on the other end. She had been quiet all day; he knew something had been bugging her.
“Archie and Colin moved out,” Bobby said.
Sonya, who had been ready to tell Bobby about being duped by SkolClik, said, “They only just moved in.”
“They’re staying at the Dockside. That’s all I know from his text.”
“Do you think they’re getting ready to run?”
“I can’t think of anything else.”
“He’ll probably want to see you. Don’t go.”
“I trust Archie, but I don’t think I’ve ever had a good look at Colin. He was just never around much.”
“Why do you trust Archie?” Sonya asked.
“Well, it’s not just because he’s gay or about the same age. There’s something familiar about him. He’s not a bad person. And he’s certainly not the sniper.”
“What about Colin?”
“Not so sure about him.”
“There’s another bad storm coming. Winter storm Chuck. No one’s going out.”
“I’ll just talk to him on the phone, okay?”
“Really?”
“They only have the truck. I know I’m not going anywhere for twenty-four hours.”
“Mr. Yakes assigned homework for the next two days. I think they already know we’re getting a snow day.”
“I think they’ll be relieved. A day away from the school and the paranoia.”
“Bobby?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t go out. Don’t let Archie persuade you.”
“I know, I know.”
“That’s what Timothy Union looks like?” Piper asked.
Brown eyes, almost black, with a long, lean face. His hairline was receding a bit, but his face was unlined, the photo taken while Timothy was in his early thirties, before his father’s death. There was also a photo with his estranged wife, Annie.
“These pictures were hard to come by,” Robin said. “The leaders of The Church don’t like having their faces out there too much, except for the prophet and his books. Marshall was always well-dressed, but those guys in the background of this picture look like Mafia thugs. That’s what The Church is like on the West Coast. This was at one of their Christmas parties!”
“Where are the kids?” Piper asked.
“Probably locked away somewhere. In Thomas Lang’s book, he mentioned that Marshall Union didn’t like kids, only wanted them around to talk about their past lives so he could find the new Jesus. I think the kids were coached. I mean, how can a five year- old recall being a Holocaust victim?”
Piper and her mother had finished dinner, enjoying a quiet evening in the ship’s lounge, the Caribbean sunset through the windows.
“A new storm is coming to Michigan,” Piper said. “Chuck.”
“I’m afraid to go home,” Robin said. “I don’t want to drive to work in that shit. Another long, dark winter...”
The cruise had also been an attempt to keep Robin from getting winter depression. She had kept special lamps at work and at home, the lack of natural sunlight making her tired and moody.
“Why would a religion like The Church of Mankind want to come to Marine?” Piper asked. “These are people who don’t like kids and are dark and secretive. They would never be accepted by the average person with children. Marine people always have their kids around.”
“Family is secondary to The Church,” Robin said. “The Mission is first, no distractions. According to Lang’s book, there are former members who admit that the reason they left was because they couldn’t take being separated from their children. They were cut off from family members not in The Church, including their parents. Can you imagine not speaking to your mother for years because she isn’t in your church? But the Church of Mankind could get that hold on their followers.”
“A cult.”
Robin nodded. “Too many people have been hurt or disappeared. Frieda Union’s husband hasn’t been seen in years, same with Annie Union. Of course, Lance Hawkins says they’re all fine, just needed some time away.”
“They’re not dead, are they?”
“I don’t know. But I don’t like those people in my ignorant little city. I know, the First Amendment protects everyone, and I’m one of its biggest supporters, but The Church of Mankind gives me the creeps, and I think most Mariners would agree with me. The Church won’t last long in our town.”
“I think Cal might have something to do with that.”
“Knowing him, he’s putting together his exposé.”
“His source from The Diamonds got killed in that explosion.”
“I defended Elijah Barnes once. He was a lot younger then. Your dad and I were still married. Breaking and entering. Heroin addict. He got clean later. I wonder what made him want to be Cal’s source, why he was willing to let a few secrets out for some money. I thought maybe he was using again, but I’m not so sure.” Robin closed her laptop. “Maybe I can fit in a massage before bed.”
Bobby, while waiting for Archie to call, found the photos sent by Piper to Sonya on his laptop. He stared at Timothy Union’s face for a while before getting an idea. He downloaded the photo to his phone, heading for Mr. Fuller’s office.
He lucked out. Fuller was still in Archie’s former apartment, inspecting for any damage.
“Mr. Fuller, are you busy?” Bobby asked.
“Like usual. Why?”
Bobby showed him the photo on his phone screen. “Does this guy look like Colin?”
Mr. Fuller nodded. “Yeah. Or his younger brother. Why? You know where he is?”
“No. Sorry.”
Bobby returned to his apartment. He looked out the window, at the snow now coming down in wet clumps. He hoped Archie would call soon.