April 29 12:42PM
Basement office, FBI
"You're not coming." John said. "No ifs, ands or buts."
"I have to."
"No, you don't. We've got enough agents on the task force heading to Logan, and the Sergeant and his officers will also be present. You're not needed."
"You said you didn't believe my dream." Monica accused. "So what are you afraid of?"
"I don't believe that it will happen. But I do believe that this case has affected you personally. You need to step back. Let us handle it."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"For the last time –" John growled.
"Is there a problem here, agents?"
They both swung around in surprise to see AD Skinner standing in the doorway.
"No sir. Not at all." Monica said.
"Agent Doggett?" Skinner questioned.
John looked from Monica to Skinner and back to Monica again. "No sir," he sighed. "No problem."
"Good. Don't you both have a plane to catch?"
"Yes sir. We're on our way now." Monica replied.
"Keep me informed." Skinner ordered, as John and Monica made their way to the elevator.
Xxx
7:46PM
Logan police station
Sergeant McKinley was briefing John and Monica about Daniel Winfield's movements during the past month. He'd kept his word and had not mentioned anything to Daniel, his sisters, or their husbands. He seemed very contrite for hampering the case, and was eager to make up for his disgrace in any way he could.
"He's going about his business as usual. I've got two of my plain clothes officers following him whenever he leaves the house, but to be honest, he doesn't get out that much."
"What about the sisters and their husbands?" John asked.
"Nothing out of the ordinary. They drive into town, shop, lunch – sometimes go clubbing. That's about it."
"Have you noticed any of them watching a particular woman? Something that might give us a clue as to who the eighth victim will be?" He still couldn't quite bring himself to accept Monica's belief that she would be the next victim.
"No. They don't seem to be overly interested in anybody but themselves."
"We'll need tails on all of them, from tonight onwards. We don't know who's going to snatch the victim, or where they'll snatch her from. Hopefully they'll stick to their routine of not picking up the victim until the night of the assault. But just in case… I want to know where they are at all times."
"Consider it done." The sergeant pledged. "Do we have a search warrant?"
"Yeah. Found a judge who signed off on Winfield's home. If he takes the victim someplace else . . . " John chanced a look at Monica. "Well, we go in, regardless. I'm not taking any chances."
XxX
April 30 – Beltane
1:03AM
"Are we ready?" Daniel surveyed the cellar; his eyes ensuring everything was in its place. It had been transformed into a temple five years ago. A hidden door prevented strangers from even guessing of its existence. Idols of Priapus and Ayana graced the many tables that were scattered randomly, sculptured phalluses stood proudly from carved holes in the walls, and a giant statue of the God was guarding the entrance. The altar had been sanctified with secret herbs, the ceremonial knife blessed, and the cauldron purified. Candles were placed strategically around the room, throwing light forward. A blue crystal hung suspended from the roof, emanating a glow that touched everything in its path.
"Yes. We're ready." Seanna confirmed.
"It won't be easy." Rodney remarked to the group. They were all there, soaking up the atmosphere and wildly anticipating the coming nights activities.
"But so worth it." Fiona purred.
They all smiled in agreement.
"She is indeed a worthy offering." Justin remarked.
"Oh yes." Michelle agreed. "We'll all enjoy her."
"You know what to do?" Daniel addressed everyone.
They nodded.
"You'll be watched. You'll have to be careful."
"We always are." Fiona replied.
XxX
1:15 AM
Monica slept fitfully. She tossed and turned, sometimes crying out in ecstasy, sometimes howling in frustration. Her skin became hot and clammy; she writhed against the sheets and panted heavily. Still, she slept on. Unaware that John was standing guard over her at the foot of the bed. Just in case.
Basement office, FBI
"You're not coming." John said. "No ifs, ands or buts."
"I have to."
"No, you don't. We've got enough agents on the task force heading to Logan, and the Sergeant and his officers will also be present. You're not needed."
"You said you didn't believe my dream." Monica accused. "So what are you afraid of?"
"I don't believe that it will happen. But I do believe that this case has affected you personally. You need to step back. Let us handle it."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"For the last time –" John growled.
"Is there a problem here, agents?"
They both swung around in surprise to see AD Skinner standing in the doorway.
"No sir. Not at all." Monica said.
"Agent Doggett?" Skinner questioned.
John looked from Monica to Skinner and back to Monica again. "No sir," he sighed. "No problem."
"Good. Don't you both have a plane to catch?"
"Yes sir. We're on our way now." Monica replied.
"Keep me informed." Skinner ordered, as John and Monica made their way to the elevator.
Xxx
7:46PM
Logan police station
Sergeant McKinley was briefing John and Monica about Daniel Winfield's movements during the past month. He'd kept his word and had not mentioned anything to Daniel, his sisters, or their husbands. He seemed very contrite for hampering the case, and was eager to make up for his disgrace in any way he could.
"He's going about his business as usual. I've got two of my plain clothes officers following him whenever he leaves the house, but to be honest, he doesn't get out that much."
"What about the sisters and their husbands?" John asked.
"Nothing out of the ordinary. They drive into town, shop, lunch – sometimes go clubbing. That's about it."
"Have you noticed any of them watching a particular woman? Something that might give us a clue as to who the eighth victim will be?" He still couldn't quite bring himself to accept Monica's belief that she would be the next victim.
"No. They don't seem to be overly interested in anybody but themselves."
"We'll need tails on all of them, from tonight onwards. We don't know who's going to snatch the victim, or where they'll snatch her from. Hopefully they'll stick to their routine of not picking up the victim until the night of the assault. But just in case… I want to know where they are at all times."
"Consider it done." The sergeant pledged. "Do we have a search warrant?"
"Yeah. Found a judge who signed off on Winfield's home. If he takes the victim someplace else . . . " John chanced a look at Monica. "Well, we go in, regardless. I'm not taking any chances."
XxX
April 30 – Beltane
1:03AM
"Are we ready?" Daniel surveyed the cellar; his eyes ensuring everything was in its place. It had been transformed into a temple five years ago. A hidden door prevented strangers from even guessing of its existence. Idols of Priapus and Ayana graced the many tables that were scattered randomly, sculptured phalluses stood proudly from carved holes in the walls, and a giant statue of the God was guarding the entrance. The altar had been sanctified with secret herbs, the ceremonial knife blessed, and the cauldron purified. Candles were placed strategically around the room, throwing light forward. A blue crystal hung suspended from the roof, emanating a glow that touched everything in its path.
"Yes. We're ready." Seanna confirmed.
"It won't be easy." Rodney remarked to the group. They were all there, soaking up the atmosphere and wildly anticipating the coming nights activities.
"But so worth it." Fiona purred.
They all smiled in agreement.
"She is indeed a worthy offering." Justin remarked.
"Oh yes." Michelle agreed. "We'll all enjoy her."
"You know what to do?" Daniel addressed everyone.
They nodded.
"You'll be watched. You'll have to be careful."
"We always are." Fiona replied.
XxX
1:15 AM
Monica slept fitfully. She tossed and turned, sometimes crying out in ecstasy, sometimes howling in frustration. Her skin became hot and clammy; she writhed against the sheets and panted heavily. Still, she slept on. Unaware that John was standing guard over her at the foot of the bed. Just in case.