CHAPTER 19 Bodies
*Joy*
"I'm so sorry, Joy," Xavier said. "But we're too late."
The tears began to well up in my eyes while my body began to shake uncontrollably. I didn't want to believe it. Joan Summers is dead.
"I just got news from Bismarck. Two bodies were found floating in the lake between New Salem and Bismarck this morning. Both female. One has been identified as a Kimberly Smith, college student at Bismarck, twenty years old, dark hair, dark eyes. The other was identified as Joan Summers, seventeen, with auburn hair and brown eyes. Part of her blue gown was still on her when they recovered her body floating in the lake," Xavier said, choking at the end.
I buried my face in my hands and began to sob. They took a young girl's bright future and ended it. How could they!
Cristos, Sebastian and Xavier came to where I was seated and tried to comfort me, but I just continued to cry. I felt like it was all my fault.
I could still save young girls from that town. I could still save the people of New Salem.
I raised my head, wiping the tears from my tear-stained cheeks and decided it was time to take back that little part of me that they took.
"It's time for me to go back home," I told them, my face contorted with rage. "It's time to punish the assholes who hurt me, so they won't ever do it again."
"Are you sure, honey? Are you sure you can face them?" Cristos asked unconvinced.
"Yes. Xavier said there's no expiration date on revenge. It has been nine years since I left. I've waited long enough. If I don't do anything now, more girls will end up in the lake. That's something I can't live with knowing I can do something about it... we can do something about it," I said, my voice low from the anger I felt.
"I'll do it," Xavier volunteered. "Give me forty-eight hours and it's a done deal."
"They don't deserve to die that easily, Xavier," I argued. "I want them to suffer. I want the whole town to know the truth. I want their families to be ashamed of them. I want them to feel pain."
"Alright," Sebastian surprisingly agreed so easily. "Remember, I have a debt to pay. But if we're going to this, we need to plan meticulously. We can't just be two steps ahead of them. We need to be a mile ahead of them."
"What do you propose, Sebastian?" I asked.
"Cristos, what do you know about the four men? Are they single or married with kids?" Sebastian asked.
"Cristian Murdock is the only one among the four who's married. He's married to a Lisa Brent," Cristos replied. Lisa married Cris?! Oh wow. She nabbed her all time crush.
"Is this the same Lisa who lured you to the gym, Joy?" Sebastian asked me. I nodded my head. "Cristos, gather information on Lisa Murdock. She must know something."
"She's a realtor," Cristos mumbled, clicking rapidly on his laptop. "And on her agency's website, there's a two-storey colonial dubbed "The Ol' Taylor House" for sale."
"Wait a minute... My dad's old house is for sale?" I asked, surprised. Cristos showed me the screen of his laptop and I saw my old house. The house where I had many fond childhood memories. "Make an offer. I'm buying it." He nodded his head and began to work his magic.
"Okay, this is what I have planned," Sebastian said. "The boys and I will be moving to New Salem to put down some roots and learn about the people of the town while gathering evidence against these men. We need new identities, a change of hair color or hair style maybe contact lenses or laser surgery. To avoid detection by the Angels of Darkness, we will employ dummy look alikes who will pretend to be us here in Califoria while we are there. Cristos, have Cassandra scout for men and women who resemble all four of us."
"Copy that," Cristos said, without looking up from the screen of his computer.
"Xavier, ask your friends to scout the businesses in New Salem and their owners. See which ones are willing to sell or if there are any commercial spaces open for lease. We will pretend to be lottery winners or heirs to a small fortune when we move there," Sebastian said.
"On it." Xavier took out his phone and dialed.
"And what about me?" I asked. Sebastian sighed.
"You will be doing the most difficult part of our deception, Joy," he said, taking my hands in his. "Actually, it will be difficult for all of us. You are a beautiful and bright woman and they are men. I need you to make them fall in love with you."
"No! Nah-ah," Xavier refused outright, almost throwing his phone at Sebastian. "I will not allow those animals to touch her in any way! No fucking way! No Sebastian!"
"Do you think I want those assholes near her?!" Sebastian yelled back at Xavier. "I've been plotting their murders in my head ever since that summer in Lake Tahoe!" He inhaled and exhaled deeply, trying to calm himself. "They need to fall in love with her. When they do, Joy will manipulate them and lure them to where we want them."
Xavier stomped his foot angrily, not convinced it was the right thing to do. I wasn't either. I would rather jump over a cliff then be next to them.
"Fine!" Xavier exclaimed, frustrated. "When do we move?"
"When Cassandra has found us dummies and we get used to our new identities," Sebastian answered. "I propose at least six months before next spring. Joy, you'll make the move much later on. Our deadline is the next spring formal. Those bastards seem to be consistent with that particular event. However this time, it won't be young girls floating in the lake."
I smiled slyly at Sebastian. His plan made sense.
"New Salem, Joy Taylor is coming home."
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