Reluctant Runaway (26 page)

He staggered from his seat in a crouch, and then fell forward
between the pilot and passenger seat, just missing the front panel. He writhed, groaning.

“Get him out of there!” The pilot almost screeched the command. “Those are touchy instruments.”

Romlin grabbed Desi’s upper arm, and his gun pressed against her temple. “Mr. Lucano, I suggest you disembark before this pistol accidentally discharges.”

“I’ll be … right with you.” Tony levered himself up using the front passenger seat and came out through the forward door.

They all headed for the kiva, Romlin gripping Desi’s arm.

“Crude structure.” He shook his head. “Did you know that roof is nothing but crisscrossed logs and dirt, and we have to climb across it to get inside?”

“Thank you for the Pueblo culture lesson.”

“I told you to keep quiet.” His fingers dug into her flesh.

Desi stifled a cry. Strong for such a pip-squeak. The man couldn’t be over five feet five, a few inches taller than she.

They passed a fat metal pipe sticking out of the ground. Ventilation shaft? Beyond the pipe, a pair of those beehive-shaped adobe ovens squatted. Heat emanated from them.

At the kiva, wooden rungs made hand- and footholds for climbing to the apex of the mound. Karen and her guard went first and disappeared through the open hatch at the top. Romlin motioned for Tony to go next.

Tony took a step forward and winced. “Hope you’ve got all day, because I’m not moving too fast.” Sweat beaded his forehead.

Desi’s heart twisted. “Let me help him.”

“Sure you can help.” Romlin wrenched her arm, and she yelped. “Move along, Lucano. Ms. Jacobs will let you know if you’re not progressing fast enough.”

Tony’s stare could have incinerated stone. Then he turned and began the climb.

The sun baked down on Desi’s head as they waited. Romlin growled something nasty under his breath, and his hold tightened.

“Twist my arm again—” she glared at him—”and I’ll mash my heel onto those pretty Gucci loafers on your dainty little feet.”

The pseudopreacher’s mouth flopped open. His face went red, and he flung her at the kiva. “You next. Shove Lucano down the hole if you have to.”

Desi climbed. No opportunity to make a run for it with a pair of guns trained at her back. “You’re doing fine, hon,” she told Tony. “Just a little farther.”

Her answer was a pain-filled grunt. She hurt just watching him. He reached the apex and slowly descended into the opening at the top. When his head disappeared, Desi followed down a sturdy ladder. The air cooled as she descended. Twenty rungs. This was one deep hole in the sandbox. Finally, her feet touched bottom.

She edged toward Tony. Mr. Goon eyed them, cradling his gun. Romlin and the pilot reached bottom, and the pilot jabbed his gun at Tony, making him back away from her. She moved to go with him, but Romlin stepped between them. She glared at him. “Where’s Karen?”

He grinned. “You’ll join her in a moment.” He walked away. Her gaze followed him to a door in the curved wall. He entered and closed it behind him.

Desi looked around. Four fat wooden pillars supported a roof of logs spaced at regular intervals. The gaps were filled in with shaved poles chinked with adobe. At the base of each pillar lay a long stone slab, and toward the head of each, a deep gouge in one side of the rock led to a cavernous clay bowl on the floor. Chills snaked through Desi’s middle.

For catching the blood from the severed jugular of the sacrifice.

 Twenty-Two

D
on’t think Look at other things. Tony has a plan. He won’t let …
Desi gulped and tore her gaze from the altars.

Lamps flickered at intervals on the wall. A continuous bench ringed the perimeter, and on the bench, many red-robed figures sat silent. They passed a clay jar from one to another and sipped. The air smelled of earth and vaguely of rot.

Cloth rustled, and a huge figure flowed toward her. Jabba the Hutt in a red gown.

Hamilton Gordon beamed. “Welcome, my dear. I’m so happy this moment has come. The other young lady has gone to be prepared. The acolytes will escort you to join her.”

A pair of women appeared beside her. One of them was built like a linebacker. Desi took a second look at the other one. “Hope?”

The ponytail was gone, and the woman’s unbound, blond hair draped her shoulders. She smiled, perfect white teeth gleaming. “Isn’t this exciting? Such an honor for you.” The two women tugged Desi toward another door she hadn’t noticed before.

“But—” She looked back over her shoulder.

Tony took a stride in her direction. “Wait just one—” Goon jabbed him in the side with the gun. Tony gasped and subsided.

Gordon lumbered over to him. “You will not disrupt the service. To you the honor of sacrifice has not been given. We had
hoped you would be the ram for our sacrament, but your injuries have disqualified you, and we’ve found another. Watch in silence and learn. Perhaps you will become enlightened.” He nodded toward the armed men. “Bind the unbeliever and put him with the other. And get those guns out of here. This place is for reverence, not violence.”

Desi’s gaze sought and found Tony’s. Then she was pushed inside the antechamber, and the door separated them. In the center of the rectangular anteroom sat a pair of large metal tubs filled with steamy water. A soft coo turned her attention to the far end of the chamber.

Karen, eyes glassy, held a baby Though she was clearly drugged, a smile lit her face. “It’s Adam. I never thought I’d see him again.”

Desi glared at the red-robed women. “How did you get the baby? What have you done with Max and her family?”

“Who’s Max?” Hope moved between her and Karen. “We found the little lamb at home, just as Ham’s Inner Witness said.” She glanced toward the mother cuddling her child and then beamed at Desi. “So perfect.” The young woman stepped away and offered Karen the water jar.

“Don’t drink any more of that.” Desi charged forward, but the linebacker tackled her, and they hit the dirt. Ms. Linebacker twisted one arm behind Desi’s back and rested a knee on her wrist. Hot spikes radiated up to Desi’s shoulder, and her hand began to go numb.

“Be calm.” Linebacker’s voice was as dainty as her build was sturdy. She lifted Desi to her feet like she were no more than a puppet. “Drink!” She thrust a jar at her. Under her glare, Desi took the ceramic pot and sipped. The flavor on her tongue was wonderful, fruity.

“Swallow!” Linebacker stepped toward her.

Desi let the drops slide down her throat. Probably not enough to turn her gaga, but the moisture whetted her appetite for more. It had been a dry day.

“You will bathe now.” Linebacker motioned toward the tubs.

Nursing a stiff shoulder, Desi disrobed and eased into the water. Linebacker nodded approval. Karen slipped into the other tub with Adam. “Mommy’s glad to see you.” She leaned him back on the water, supporting his head, and tickled his bare belly Adam burbled and kicked, splashing water onto Karen’s chin. She laughed and lifted him and kissed his fat tummy.

Desi’s heart filled with a strange ache. A wholesome envy, if such a thing were possible.

Hope handed Desi a cake of pink soap. Desi put her palm over the bar and curled her fingers around the cult member’s hand. “Do you have any idea what you’re doing?”

The young woman canted her head, eyes wide and innocent. No, not innocent. Vague. This one was on the joy juice, too. Desi glanced at Linebacker. Not that one.

Hope pulled her hand away. “There’s nothing to fear. You’ll be blessed above all others in heaven because you gave your health and vigor to us who remain behind.”

“Wash,” Linebacker said.

Desi scowled, but drew the soap over the dirt and bruises that covered her skin. The warm water mellowed her weary bones and muscles. More hot water poured into the tub caressed her abrasions. Her body went slack, and her head began to go woozy. No way could she take another drink out of that water pot. The stuff was too potent.

“Relax.” Hope’s voice tickled her ear from behind. The woman massaged Desi’s scalp with warm oil. Linebacker put the jar to Des’s lips. She took in a mouthful, then sank her chin into the bathwater and released the toxic moisture her dry throat ached to swallow.

The bath ended too soon. Reprieve over. She got out and was given a soft towel. She dried herself in slow, dreamy movements. Was she convincing as a drugged person? Too bad only part of it was an act. She
had
to clear her head.

Desi took in deep breaths, while Hope rubbed more oil into her hands, her feet, her face and neck, then gave her a white robe. Not as soft as the towels, but it covered her everywhere except where the oil glistened on her skin.

Karen stood beside her, face slack, dressed the same as Desi. Hope placed a naked sleeping baby into Karen’s arms and gave her another drink. Linebacker came to Desi and lifted the pot to her lips. She let the cool moisture enter her mouth, but held it there. When the red-robed women went to the door, Desi wiped her lips with her sleeve and spit the water onto it.

They were led out into the round room. A spicy odor came from incense burning on a small table that now sat in the center of the room under the ladder. Other items sat on the table—the knives missing from the museum and the ceremonial bowl used for drinking the blood of the slain sacrifice. Desi’s mouth lost what moisture remained.

“Our lambs are lovely, aren’t they?” Hamilton Gordon drew Desi and Karen with the baby to the center of the room. Others in red robes swirled around them, touching, smiling, congratulating. Mostly women. Few young. Some with ravages of illness on their faces.

Desi backed away, shaking her head. “Wait one minute. What do you get out of this?”

The Red Robes stared at her, eyes unfocused.

Gordon took her hands. “Haven’t you understood? We lead half-lives here on earth. A physical debility keeps us from wholeness. Even young Hope. She just found out her leukemia is back. But you—” he squeezed her hands “are the picture
of vitality.” He leaned closer. “I had meant for you to handle my business affairs, but Reverend Romlin convinced me that this is the proper course for our relationship. You do see the beauty, the symmetry? I told you we would become one, and when we do, I shall receive health, and you will achieve glory unspeakable.”

Desi’s stomach churned.

Gordon turned toward his motley congregation. “Did you know that this morning my dear cousin proved herself by the ancient ways and is doubly worthy of honor?” Heads shook. “The Reverend tells me she climbed the initiation ladder. He found her on the exalted perch.”

“Initiation ladder? I was trying to get out of the canyon.”

Gordon chuckled. “The ladder was never intended as a way out. When the Ancient Ones made the grooves in the rock face, the canyon was open. Where was the need? No, the ladder tested the courage of young warriors, but you were supposed to bring a rope to let yourself down. Good thing we had a helicopter.” He beamed.

“I’m supposed to say thank you?” She gazed around, bile rising. “You think drinking the blood and eating the flesh of another mere mortal will get you anything but a murder conviction? You don’t need to partake of any body and blood except the Spirit of the Lord Je—”

“I don’t believe our lamb is properly prepared.” Romlin stepped into the room from the other chamber. He wore a black robe with a white stole. Very ministerial. His silver gaze glittered. “If it does not stop using its mouth as I instructed it some time ago, it will regret the consequences to someone it cares about.”

A goon followed Romlin, shoving Tony ahead of him. Tony’s hands were behind his back and one shoulder drooped. White edged his compressed lips. Then the pilot came out pulling
another bound man, this one dressed in a white robe. Desi’s eyes widened. Brent!

“Karen!” The young man struggled against his captor, and the pilot slugged him in the mouth. He reeled, but kept his feet. Blood trickled down his chin and stained his robe. Bruises already marred one side of Brent’s face.

Gordon spluttered. “Reverend Romlin, I must protest this abuse of our ram.”

Everyone ignored him.

Brent stared at his wife. Karen stared back. She mouthed his name and then looked at her feet, face pale, clutching Adam to her chest.

Desi narrowed her eyes at Romlin. “Why did you grab Brent? What have you done with Max and her family?”

The Reverend lifted white brows. “I don’t know any Max.”

“This fake preacher—” Brent jerked his chin at Romlin—”and his bully boys pounced on me and Adam this afternoon as soon as we got home from the airport. With my name cleared, I flew out last night to get the little guy and came back today.”

Romlin smiled. “That sums the matter up well. We brought the baby’s father here to fulfill Ham’s need for a sacrificial ram. However, Mr. Webb has been uncooperative about taking his medicine, which makes this whole matter more unpleasant for him.”

Brent’s eyes went bleak. “I thought Adam would be safe after we heard … well, you know.” He nodded at his drooping wife.

Desi’s heart ached. Pete was reported dead, and Karen had no idea. But what did it matter if none of them got out of here alive? Karen would never be found. Brent and the baby would disappear—little Adam’s life cut off before he ever had a chance to live. Pete Cheama’s family
would
be destroyed, just like he dreamed. And Max and Jo would live in agony, never
knowing what happened to any of them.

Fury choked Desi. “In the name of Jesus, no!”

Everyone turned to stare at her. The color washed from Romlin’s face. Gordon staggered backward, mouth agape.

Tony smiled. “You go, babe.”

Romlin growled, spittle showing at the edges of his mouth. “Let’s get this done. Now!” He strode to the central table where the knives lay.

“But
Archer”
Gordon’s whine grated Desi’s raw nerves “This is supposed to be a solemn celebration. Not rushed. We don’t want to diminish the efficacy of the sacrament.”

“Sit. Down.”

At the snarled command, Gordon sniffled, backed away, and sat on the bench.

Romlin’s gaze traveled the room. “Sit. All of you.” The other Red Robes found places.

The Reverend closed his eyes and took deep breaths. His face settled into a mask of calm. “That’s better.” He opened his eyes and shook himself, as if emerging from a bad dream. His stare bored in on Desi. Karen cowered against her, and the baby whimpered in his sleep.

Romlin picked up a knife, then looked toward the room where he had changed clothes. “Mayburn, help Jack and George bind the sacrifices to the altars.”

Gordon’s lanky assistant stepped out of the anteroom, and Tony jerked.

“What the—? You’re behind bars.”

Gordon leaped up. “What are you doing here? Haven’t you caused enough trouble?”

Mayburn pushed his glasses up on his nose. “Bail, my friends. My true boss—” he nodded at Romlin—”is a wealthy man.”

Gordon spluttered. “Reverend Romlin, what have you to do
with this … this thief! He embezzled money from Gordon Corp. He—”

“Obtained the sacred instruments.” Romlin lifted the knife in his hand. “Didn’t he deserve extra compensation?”

Gordon’s jowls trembled. “I don’t know. It doesn’t seem.

“All is well.” The Reverend held out the drinking pot, a saccharine smile twisting his features. “Regain your inner peace, and prepare yourself for the ceremony.”

Gordon took the jar. “Yes, of course. You have your eye on the important thing, as usual.” He gulped from the container.

Romlin guided the big man toward a spot on the bench.

Tony glared at Mayburn. “You and Romlin don’t believe any of this, but you’re going along for kicks? You’re sicker than I thought.”

Mayburn’s cold smile stretched his lips. “I’ve seen a lot, but never watched anyone eaten. Besides—” his voice dropped to a whisper Desi had to strain to hear—”Gordon’s going to sign a check for 2 million dollars to Inner Witness Ministries after the ceremony’s over. Then we bulldoze this place with everyone inside, and no one ever knows what happened to any of you.”

Romlin hustled up and turned savage eyes on his hired help. “Be quiet, or you can stay down here, too.”

Mayburn paled and faded into the shadows.

Nostrils flaring, the Reverend turned toward the waiting Red Robes and lifted his arms. “Are you ready to receive the Feast of the Lamb, a sacrament of healing for your flesh and exaltation of the spirit?”

The Red Robes answered as one. “We are!”

“Hold it a second!” Everyone looked at Tony. “A last request. Romlin, whatever your beliefs, or
lack
of them, you’re licensed to perform marriages.” He turned his gaze on Desi. “Will you marry me, sweetheart?”