Her Anchor (2 page)

“I’m sorry Tim.  That’s got to be awful.” 

“Oh, it is.”  Tim sipped his coffee.  “My parents are devastated-especially my mom.  This was her baby girl-the youngest and only girl out of her boys.”  Jason shook his head sympathetic. 

“Maybe we can talk to her.”  Tim frowned, taking a long sip of his coffee. 

“I doubt it.  Billy Johns isn’t going to let one of his followers say anything bad about him or his place.  I’ll be amazed if he even lets us alone with her.”  Julie had to agree.  She didn’t see that happening. 

“So what exactly is the plan?”  She put down her fork. 

“We head to the compound at nine.”  Jason informed her.  “We need to be there right at nine.  I’m not sure they’ll let us in if we’re late.” 

“Well, I’m ready when you two are.”  Julie shrugged.  Jason looked at Tim, who nodded. 

“Ok then.”  Jason got to his feet.  “Let’s go.”

******

Julie kept herself tucked into the backseat of Jason’s rental SUV.  She didn’t want the guards from yesterday to recognize her and possibly turn them away because of it.  But the two men simply talked to Tim and motioned them inside. 

Tim drove the car up the dirt road.  A collection of wooden buildings was scattered at the top of the hill.  Julie wondered if it was once a summer camp.  That would make sense. 

Another guard approached them.  Tim pulled up beside them and exchanged a few simple words.  The guard then directed them to pull up beside the largest of the buildings. 

A man was standing on the porch.  He was tall and suntanned.  His hair was a tangle of white.  He was wearing thick black plastic sunglasses.  Julie frowned.  Even from here he was creepy.  Personally, she didn’t see the appeal. 

“Welcome my friends.”  He stepped down the porch, extending his arms to them.  “So nice to meet you.” 

“Mr. Johns.”  Jason shook his hand.  “I’m Jason Maines from Seattle television.” 

“Well, Mr. Maines it is nice to meet you.”  Billy Johns shook his hand.  Julie gulped as his eyes turned to her.  “And who might you be, my dear?”  Julie pulled herself together.  She had to be strong.  She had wanted this-had asked for it.  Now she had to be tough. 

“Mr. Johns.  I’m Julie Parker from the Houston Chronicle.”  Johns smile widened. 

“Mr. Grimpe, you did not mention you were bringing such a pretty friend.” 

“I didn’t know Julie was joining us until this morning.”  Tim answered grimly.  “Now, Mr. Johns, about my sister-.” 

“Ah yes, yes.  Chelsea is waiting for us inside.  Now if you’ll come this way.”  Johns turned, heading into the building.  The three looked at each other.  Finally Jason shrugged and led the way after him. 

The room inside was large and lined with long tables.  It was brightly lit with fluorescent lights.  Julie was even more convinced that this had once been a camp. 

“Tim!”  A woman was coming towards them.  Julie felt her appearance was slightly better than she’d seen in some cult videos.  She wore a pair of dirty jeans and a long flannel shirt Julie suspected was a man’s fit.  Her brown hair was pulled behind her head in a long braid.  She looked closer to Julie’s age than her brother did. 

“Chels!”  Tim took her into his arms.  Julie watched as he took a step back, studying her.  “You look good.” 

Julie had to admit that the woman did.  She was plain, but she looked decent.  She’d apparently been eating.  Tim’s sister smiled at him. 

“Thanks.  I was hoping you’d think so.  How are Mom and Dad?  Are they well?” 

“Yeah but….”  Tim glanced over his shoulder, eyeing Johns.  “They’re worried about you.” 

“Why on earth for?”  Johns was strolling over to them.  He draped an arm around Chelsea’s shoulders.  “Our Chelsea has everything that she could want here.  Don’t you Chelsea?” 

“Yes.”  She nodded immediately.  Julie tried to make note of the woman’s behaviors.  While she looked well enough, she appeared to be going along with the conversation.  Her body was stiff and robotic.  Julie thought that she would have said anything in this moment. 

“Now why don’t we all sit down and talk?”  Johns kept his arm around the woman.  As he turned to guide them to one of the tables, Jason caught her arm. 

“Do not leave our sight, ok?” 

“Ok.”  Julie did not need to be told twice.  She didn’t have any interest in wandering away from the men.  As curious as she was to know what was going on, she didn’t have the nerve to take risks.  Not here, at least. 

The group sat down around the table.  Johns kept Chelsea close beside him.  Julie squeezed in beside Jason, and Tim moved to a table behind them. 

“Can we film?”  Jason asked.  Johns shrugged.  He’d taken off his sunglasses.  His eyes were a bright blue behind them. 

“Sure, why not?  Maybe after people see the video, they’ll want to come and join us.”  Julie hoped not.  She truly, truly hoped not. 

“So, Mr. Johns,” Jason began once the camera was situated, “why don’t you tell me a little about what goes on here at Christ’s Community?” 

“Well it’s simple really.”  Johns leaned back in his chair.  “The people who have come to us here at Christ’s Community have been rejected by the rest of society.  They have even sometimes been rejected by their own families.  Here at Christ’s Community, they’ve found a home where they are loved and accepted for the people they are.” 

“If that’s the case, why is Mr. Grimpe here?”  Jason motioned over his shoulder to Tim.  Johns nodded sympathetically. 

“I understand how families can worry about their loved ones.  It makes them want to seek out their family member in order to assure themselves.  I hope Mr. Grimpe is seeing now that his sister is safe and well cared for among us.”

Jason shot a glance back at Tim, but he didn’t say anything. 

“So here at Christ’s Community, would you say you promote a Christian faith based community?” 

“Well, let’s not just say “Christian”.”  Johns appeared to think for a moment.  “I like to promote what the good Lord wants without putting additional labels on them.” 

“So what does the good Lord promote?” 

“He promotes communal faith.”  Johns began.  “He promotes family.  He promotes community.  We are a united community here.  We support each other, and stay together.” 

“What about children?”  Jason was leading into the reason that they were all here. 

“Children are the best things for our community.  They lead us into our future.  By them growing up here with their families and seeing how they can have a whole extended family.  It’s a concept that does not occur anymore in our world. 

“So then the rumors going around the outside community about child sacrifice here at Christ’s Community are completely unfounded?”  Jason asked the question. 

“Absolutely.”  Johns responded immediately.  “We’d never hurt a child.  Not ever.” 

“Then please speak to the body of the little boy who was found last week.”  Jason leaned back, his hand poised over his notepad. 

“I can only say that it must have come from our community neighbors.”

“You’re blaming an outsider for a death of a child from the community of Christ’s Community?”  Jason allowed the question to hang in the air for the moment. 

“Yes I am.”  Johns nodded.  “And I will not settle for your people coming in here and accusing our people of something that you know little about.” 

“Even though the little boy in question was found beaten to death along the edge of your property?  Mr. Johns, to me and everyone else, we have to question if there is child abuse occurring here.  Which would indicate that the children of Christ’s Community are in-.”               

“The children of Christ’s Community are perfectly safe here.”  Johns cut him off.  “They are perfectly safe so long as your people do not interfere in our lives.  If you are interfering, then we will have to see that as a war.”  He looked directly at the camera in that moment.  “This interview is over.  Now, if the three of you will please leave.” 

Julie sat stunned for a moment.  She had to give it to Jason.  He’d not only had Johns talking, but he’d gotten information out of him.  She admired his courage.  She momentarily wondered if she should have gone into television instead of written news. 

The three wasted no time.  They gathered up their things and headed out to the car.  Tim paused, momentarily. 

“Can I say something to my sister first?” 

“No I’d prefer it if you went on your way with your people.”  Johns motioned him towards the car. 

“Ok, that’s unacceptable.  This is a free country, and she can decide if she speaks to me or if she doesn’t.”  Tim looked agitated, desperate even.  Julie wondered just how far this was about to go. 

“Here in Christ’s Community, your world’s rules have no authority.  My law is the only law.  If I say that your sister does not speak, then she does not speak.”  Johns was staring at Tim. 

“Tim,” Jason murmured into his ear, “let’s go.” 

“No, I need to-.” 

“No, you don’t.”  Jason grabbed Tim’s arm and began to pull him towards the car.  “Julie, get into the car, please.” 

Tim was heavier than Jason.  And while Jason may have been just as strong, Tim was putting up a fight. 

“I will not let you get away with this!”  Tim snapped.  He broke out of Jason’s grip before running up to Johns.  Julie gasped as she saw his fist connect with John’s cheek. 

“Tim!”  Jason threw himself on the other man.  Guards were running towards them now.  Julie could hear the shouts all around her.  “Come on!  Let’s go!  Julie-car!” 

But Johns didn’t appear to be angry.  In fact, he was laughing. 

“You see!”  He yelled after them.  “Your men shout orders to your women!  What right have you to judge us, outsiders?”               

Julie did not waste any more time.  She climbed into the backseat of the car.  Jason was shoving Tim into the passenger seat.  Then Jason was pulling the car away from the community and back down the drive. 

“What the hell, man?”  Jason snapped.  “What the actual hell?” 

“He can’t do this.”  Tim was muttering.  “Fucking bastard can’t do this.” 

Julie hunched herself into the backseat.  She couldn’t believe what she’d just seen.  It terrified her, but it also thrilled her.  She officially had a story to take home. 

******

There was a knock on her hotel room’s door.  Julie glanced up.  It was almost after twelve.  They’d gotten back to the hotel around 10:30, and Julie had gone right back to her room to write her story.  She’d texted her editor what she’d learned, and Monica had practically flipped.  She’d declared she couldn’t WAIT to read it.  Julie promised a story, plus video as soon as it came through.  She’d done it.  She’d really done it.  She’d completely impressed her boss. 

Opening her door, she found Jason standing on the other side.  He was wearing a pair of swim trunks and a t-shirt.  He smiled at her. 

“I thought a trip to the beach might be in order.”               

“Really?”  Julie beamed.  “What makes you want to go there?” 

“I think we need a breather after this morning.”  His tone dropped just a notch. 

“’We’?”  Julie asked hesitantly. 

“You and I.  I don’t know what Tim’s up to.  I’m not really concerned.” Jason rolled his eyes.  She guessed that he didn’t want Tim to accompany them.  “I’m sorry about that.  He was out of line-completely.  I knew he was worked up going out there, but I didn’t realize he’d just snap.” 

“It’s ok.  I really do understand.  I mean, I don’t think it’s ok but still.”  He nodded, apparently understanding what she had said. 

“Well, I’m glad you’re not livid.  So, how about the beach?  Yes?  It’ll take us a little bit to drive, but it’ll be nice once we get there.” 

Julie blushed a little.

“I didn’t bring a bathing suit,” she admitted. 

“Oh come on, this is California.  We can find one anywhere.  Come on.  Get changed and let’s go.”  Julie nodded.  She had to admit, getting out for a bit sounded good.  And she wasn’t scheduled to fly home until tomorrow.  It wasn’t like she had anything else to do today. 

******

They finally made it to the beach by one.  It had been a bit of a drive with traffic, and then there’d been the bathing suit issue.  Julie had realized that since this was a business trip, she hadn’t packed any casual clothes.  She’d had to stop and buy a towel, some shorts, a bathing suit, flip flops, and a bag.  Fortunately it was fairly cheap the closer they got to the water. 

It was a beautiful day.  The sun was gleaming and sparkling over the water.  Julie and Jason spread out their towels and settled down.  They shared the bottle of sunscreen which Jason had brought with him. 

“Do you have a favorite beach?” Julie asked, stripping off her t-shirt before getting up to remove her newly purchased shorts. 

“Not really.”  Jason was watching the water.  “I just like the beach.  I’ve been to Hawaii once-on my grandparents’ anniversary trip.  That was fantastic.” 

“I’ve never been.”  Julie sat back down beside him, reaching for the sunscreen once more.  “Maybe I’ll get an assignment there one day.”