Chapter IV: Missing & Endangered
F.B.I. headquarters was alive with pretty much everything one would expect from the top law enforcement agency in the country. Looking down intently at one of his numerous filing cabinets, Assistant Director Benito Garcia, an unremarkable looking man in his mid-forties, with thinning hair, rifles through various files. His face betrayed apprehension as he occasionally looks back at the phone on his desk, as if waiting for the shrill ring to break the silence at any moment. A few minutes into the endeavor and the phone rings.
Before he answers, Garcia intakes a deep breath as he lifts the receiver "Garcia…"
"Hello Brother Garcia, how are things going on down at the beehive?" asks the voice on the other end.
"Father, I was waiting for your call. I heard about Brother Jeffries little outing and put two and two together."
"Yes, due to Brother Jeffries carelessness, we have a potentially damaging situation unfolding. His choice of sacrificial victims was less than ideal due to the implications." says Father Emmett.
"Well it wouldn't have been that big a deal. Three college kids going missing can usually be put down to partying or just not being responsible. But the port authorities insisted on making this a matter for the Bureau, since they surmise they vanished out near international waters, even though that's yet to be proven." says Garcia.
"Regardless, Jeffries actions have inadvertently brought unwanted attention that could lead to the discovery of The Church, something we must protect at all costs. Now, especially since we all but have conformation that Ryleh is indeed rising, just as the Necronomicon has foretold."
This brings about a nervous smile to Garcia's face "Praise be to The Old Ones Father."
"Indeed Brother, however we must stay on task. What's the latest if you please?" says Emmett with impatience.
"Um, of course. Well they've got Mr. and Mrs. Downs coming in to make a statement. They're the parents of one of the missing students, Jenny Downs."
"I see, and who have they assigned to the case?" asks Emmett.
"Some of my best Agents. Aiden and Parks respectively."
"Do all that you can to stall them out, Brother Garcia. The Church's sanctity may now rest on your shoulders. Do not fail us as Brother Jeffries has."
"I'll do all that I can Father. It's just hard to believe that as much power and influence as The Church has, that we might be close to being discovered, especially this near to the prophecy of Ryleh being fulfilled."
"The Church of the Sinking City are master infiltrators, however even we have our limits. Our power is not yet absolute and things unfortunately fall through the cracks. Yet there is promising news that I received just the other day."
"Oh?" asks Garcia, as he sits up in his chair.
"According to Dr. Lundy, she has identified a very promising candidate for the mantle of The Eldritch Prophet. She's running blood tests as we speak and has arranged that I meet the fellow in person, so that I may see for myself."
"Ya got a name by any chance?" asks Garcia, his curiosity piqued.
"One Marcos Raphael Morales, currently an inmate at Deathridge Gate."
Suddenly the color from Garcia's face drains and his eyes glaze over "Morales, as in The Prophet Bomber?"
"Is that a problem, Brother Garcia?"
"Colonel Marcos Morales was tracked down and captured by Special Agents Joshua Aiden and Jordan Parkes, the same F.B.I. duo that's just been assigned this particular missing persons case."
A long and telling pause ensues over the phone before Father Emmett finally responds "Well the universe certainly does have it's way of toying with us, doesn't it?"
"If ever I was a believer in Fate, this might just be it." says Garcia.
"Continue with everything on your end Brother. We've come much to far to let things drop off now, understand?"
"Yes Father." says Garcia as the other end of the line goes dead.
Just outside of Assistant Director Garcia's office, sits Special Agent Josh Aiden, tall well built black man in his mid-thirties. He's going about his normal day and a few moments later his partner, Special Agent Jordan Parkes, an attractive young black woman, walks in holding two large cups of covered coffee.
"Mocha latte, hazel nut extract, light on the foam." says Parkes as she places the cup on Aiden's desk.
Aiden smiles up at her as immediately takes a sip "The woman knows what a brotha likes."
"After four years of being partners, I damn well better."
"Good point." says Aiden as he nods and takes another sip.
"So you got anything on our case?" asks Parkes, taking a seat next to her partner.
"Just working up the preliminary's now. Background, social media presence, grades, crushes, the works. Seemed like some normal kids to me."
"Well Jenny's parents are coming in soon to give a statement. Hopefully we can run down some leads afterward." says Parkes.
"Speak of the devil." says Aiden as he notices a distraught looking man and woman walking in. He goes over to greet them "Mr. and Mrs. Downs?" the pair nods and Aiden extends his hand "I'm Special Agent Aiden, this is Special Agent Parkes and we'll be heading up this investigation from here on in. If you folks would just have a seat at my desk…"
At that moment, Garcia swings his door open "We'll be conducting the interview in my office Agent Aiden. Mr. and Mrs. Downs if you would kindly pull up a chair in here, we can begin."
Aiden scrunches up his face in bewilderment and he looks to Parkes for answers, to which she just shrugs.
"Agents if you don't mind, you are heading up this investigation after all." says Garcia as he motions for the agents to come in as well.
Once inside the office, Garcia shuts the door as Aiden slightly takes him aside "Forgive me Assistant Director, but I was under the impression that myself and Agent Parkes would be the ones to question the Downs'".
"Well you were misinformed Agent Aiden, I've just been given the directive to take point on this particular case due to it's international status. You and Agent Parkes will still head up the field part of the investigation, but you'll be reporting every single one of your findings directly to me and to me only, is that understood?"
"Um, yes sir." says Aiden, still a bit confused.
"Good, let's not waste anymore time shall we?" says Garcia as he takes a seat behind his desk and addresses the Downs' "I'm so glad you folks could ,make it in. My name is A.D. Garcia and you've already met Agents Aiden and Parkes."
"We're happy to provide anything to help find our daughter." says Greg Downs, Jenny's father.
Garcia gives an indifferent sort of nod "Mr. Downs when did you and your wife first notice that your daughter was missing?"
"About three days ago. She said that she was going diving with her boyfriend the morning before and that she could be out all day. So we weren't worried when we hadn't heard from her, till the next day. We called Zack's parents when we got the news that he hadn't shown up either, we knew something was wrong." said Mrs. Downs tearing up.
Garcia looks over to Aiden for conformation as he nods "Yea that all checks out sir. We ran the timeline through the boyfriend's parents and they confirm the Downs' story. Zack, Jenny and another friend, a Tommy Wu all set out together. Nearest we can figure they departed sometime after 8 a.m. to parts unknown." Aiden says clamping his hands.
"You guys didn't call us in because you suspect us of anything right?" asks Mr. Downs with concern.
"No Mr. Downs, it's more or less standard procedure, but we always have to check with those closest to the missing. Now is there anything else you can remember about that day, any idea who your daughter and her friends might've gone with?" asks Jordan.
"Well not really, the only other person they hung out with a lot was their Professor. He would take the kids on diving tours sometimes." says Mrs. Downs.
Garcia clenches his jaw as Aiden speaks up "…and what's the name of this Professor?"
"Um, Professor Jeffries I believe."
Garcia suddenly decides to interject "Ok, we'll definitely be following a lot of this up. If you folks think of anything else, please call us. Agent Parkes will escort you back downstairs." he says as he motions to Parkes.
"You will find her, won't you?" asks Mrs. Downs still with tears in her eyes.
"We promise we'll do everything in our power ma'am." says Aiden as Parkes accompanies the grieving parents outside.
"Ok, I think we have enough to start making our rounds…" Garcia starts to say before being cut off by Aiden.
"Are you alright sir? I mean with all due respect, this is highly unusual procedure. I've never had to run a case directly through an A.D. once I've been assigned and I've never seen you question family members directly before."
"I've already told you Agent, due to the international sensitivity of this case, we're doing things a bit differently, that's all."
"But sir, we've had international cases before and I've never…"
"Just do as your told Agent Aiden. Now you and Parkes run down every marina, scuba place and boat rental. After which you can try and get a fix on where exactly in the ocean these kids disappeared. I'm gonna check out this Professor Jeffries, see if he can shed light on any of this."
Aiden just gives a weak nod as he reluctantly heads out the door.