Protecting Her(106)

I’m listening, but finding it difficult to believe. This can’t possibly be real. But Jack is very serious, so maybe this group really does exist.

“I’m sure from your history studies you learned about secret societies,” he says.

“Yes. But generally, the purpose of such groups is to help their members get ahead in their careers. Network with the right people. Get access to top positions in politics and business.”

“Our group does that as well. But we also do other things.”

“Like manipulate the outcome of political elections.”

He nods. “Yes.”

“How do they not get caught?”

“We have people planted on the inside. People placed within the government, law enforcement, financial institutions, major corporations. Some of these people are members. Some aren’t. Senator Wingate wasn’t a member, but he was working for us on the inside.”

“And if people find out about this group, they’re hurt. Or…killed.”

He nods again. “Yes.”

“Pearce is NOT part of this! This group you’re talking about is evil. Pearce is not evil. He doesn’t hurt people. He’s kind. And loving. A good father. A good husband.”

Tears break free from my eyes as my emotions overwhelm me. Anger. Sadness. Disappointment. They all hit me at once, and I know the reason I’m feeling this way is because part of me believes everything Jack is telling me. It would explain why Pearce acted the way he did. Why he’d sometimes have to leave suddenly, saying he forgot to do something at work. He’d come home later and be quiet and withdrawn, completely different than when he left. Or sometimes he’d get a call on his work phone and I’d see his expression change. He’d look worried, almost panicked. Then he’d hug Garret or me really tight, tighter than normal. And sometimes he’d look really sad for no particular reason. I thought it was just his personality. He had a horrible childhood, so I thought maybe those memories haunted him sometimes, filling him with sadness.

For years I found ways to explain his behavior, all reasons that made sense to me. Never in a million years would I have thought Pearce was part of some secret society. Why would I? It’s crazy! The thought hadn’t even entered my head.

“You saved him, Rachel,” Jack says. “Before you met him, Pearce had nothing to live for. His father treated him like shit. He worked nonstop. And he was forced to be part of this group. He hates being part of it. He would do anything to get out, but he can’t.”

“What about our son? What about Garret?”

“Pearce and I have been trying to find a way to get him out of his obligation. We’ve both been talking to the other members, seeing who else wants to get their sons out before it’s too late.”

“When is it too late?”

“Once they’re initiated as members, they can’t get out. Initiation usually happens when a man is 20 or 21.”

“Garret is 10. Twenty isn’t that far away.”

“Let Pearce and I worry about that. For now, we need to worry about you. If everything worked as planned, the organization now assumes that you’re dead.”

“Why do they want me dead?”

“Because Pearce married you. A member’s wife is supposed to be chosen for him and the woman’s father is usually a member. So when he broke tradition and secretly married you, the organization was furious.”

I think back to when Pearce and I were dating. He kept trying to hide our relationship. And his parents were so angry when they met me, as if he shouldn’t be with me. And our elopement. It was so sudden. Pearce was so insistent that we had to get married that weekend. I found it odd that he was in such a hurry, but he said if we didn’t, his parents would try to interfere. Now I know why. It’s all piecing together and finally making sense.

“When they found out what he had done,” Jack says, “Pearce thought for sure they’d force him to divorce you, but they didn’t. Instead, they told Pearce he would be punished, but he wasn’t told what the punishment would be or when it would happen. The plane crash today was his punishment.”

“That note you showed me said there were meetings and warning letters. Is that true?”

“No. They only put that in there to justify their actions. There was one meeting that occurred right after your wedding in Vegas. During that meeting, they told Pearce he would be punished, but they never told him he had to divorce you. In fact, they were the ones who planned the March wedding.”