Apocalypse Cult (Gray Spear Society) by Alex Siegel Page B

hurry his packing, but it was hard to know what to bring. Would he ever have a chance to get more of his stuff? He froze for a moment, indecisive about what to grab next.
    "Don't worry about what to pack," Marina said. "You'll get the money to buy new clothes and anything else you need. Just bring enough for the next few days."
    He focused on personal mementos that could never be replaced. He took a box of medals and awards that he had earned as a police officer, even though the memories were bittersweet. There was also the first black belt he had ever worn. He wanted some of his family photos, but the frames were bulky, so he was forced to settle for just the three most important. He desperately wished he had more time.
    A couple of minutes later, Victor announced it was time to leave. On the way out of the apartment, Aaron gave it one last look. He liked the place and was very sorry to lose it.
    Aaron immediately drove his car to the Waters' house, fearing what he might find there. Marina accompanied him, but Victor went back to his own home to get some sleep. They still had a meeting scheduled for very early in the morning.
    Aaron and Marina arrived at the Waters' house. Police cars with flashing lights were parked on the street in front, and there was police tape across the front door.
    "I'll check it out," Marina said as she stepped out of the car.
    "I'll go with you," Aaron said.
    "Information gathering is my specialty, and your face looks like raw beef. Stay out of sight."
    She approached the nearest police officer and started chatting with him. Aaron was amazed at the transformation in her body language. Suddenly, she was a sweet young woman with a coy smile. She kept averting her eyes and covering her mouth as if intimidated by the cop's potent manliness. He puffed out his chest proudly as he explained the situation to her in serious tones. She gasped with an expression of horror, and he put his hand on her shoulder to comfort her. Aaron shook his head. Just a little while ago, the same woman had laid waste to a room full of thugs.
    She returned and sat in the car. "Brittany's parents are gone. There is evidence of forced entry. The police believe they were kidnapped."
    "Do they know the cult is responsible?" Aaron said.
    "No, and we won't tell them."
    "Are you kidding? The police need that information!"
    She grabbed his arm, and her black fingernails scratched his skin. "This is a Spears investigation. We will keep the authorities out of it."
    "Why?" he said. "Is that official policy?"
    "We're already racking up a body count, and it will get worse. Our missions always get very messy towards the end. If the cops are involved, they'll just get butchered in the cross-fire."
    "What about Frank and Caroline Waters? If we don't tell the police about the cult, then it's our responsibility to rescue them."
    "Fine, but they're a secondary objective. Simon is our top priority. Once we take him out, the rest should fall into place."
    He shook his head. "I don't like this. When I was a cop, we used to fight over jurisdiction with the state police, county, and the feds. Politics and bragging rights always got in the way of good police work. Sounds like you're the same way."
    "No, you don't understand." She gave him a serious look. "I'm trying to limit casualties. We are creatures of death, and anybody who crosses our path gets killed. Talk to Ethel. Maybe she can explain it to you. Just take me back to your apartment building so I can get my car. I want to go home and sleep while I still have a few hours left. You'll stay in a guest room in headquarters until we find a safe place for you to live."
    * * *
    Aaron walked into the same small, white room that he had entered earlier that day. Jack still sat behind the bulletproof glass, light shining from his bald head. Does he ever sleep? Aaron wondered.
    "Back so soon, sir?" Jack said with a smile. "You just can't stay away. You should ask Yvonne to put some ice on that face before