DS Fischer’s eyes fly up in surprise. “We must get social services involved to take care of the children. And we need more vehicles for transporting people from the compound.” He points at the man next to him. “Ring in for more transport and get social services here ASAP.”
“What else? Are you saying everyone is involved?” Fischer looks at me.
“I can only speak for the people I had contact with. The female nurses were aware Raymond held me against my will. So were the doctor, and the guards. Kids may or may not be victims of abuse. I’m unsure about the other women. It is possible that the criminal activities involved all the adults in some form. The documents I sent through to Wellington could have more information.”
“With the material you’ve sent through, we can take the whole group into custody. I’d like you to come along. You seem to know your way around. Would you mind showing us the way?”
Scottie must have seen that I flinched at the suggestion to go back to the Gateway compound.
“I don’t think she should come along. Elise has had a hard day. I’d rather we do this without her.”
I love him for the care and consideration he has for me. Although he’s been standing by me for over a year, it still feels wonderful each time he stands up for me. In this case, though, I don’t need protection. I need closure.
“Darling, I love how you show you care but I have to do this. I must prove to myself that I did everything to put a stop to these monsters. I have to see it with my own eyes. The children of the Tribe need to see that it’s over once and for all.”
“Are you ready then?”
“Yes, Officer Fisher, I am. I’d appreciate some spare clothing if that’s possible. I’m wearing nothing under this hospital gown.”
“We always have spare clothes and trainers in case the men need to change after a mission. I’m sure we’ll find something for you, including a bulletproof vest.”
Looking at Scottie’s pleased expression, I know not to refuse DS Fisher’s offer.
But a bulletproof vest?
Chapter Thirty-One
Elise: 24 March, Early Evening, Gateways
I’m dreaming. You know, the kind of not quite a dream where you know it’s a dream and you should wake up any moment now but you can’t get your eyes to open. For a while I’m dipping in and out, getting lost in the story of a police car chasing me through a rocky riverbed. The police car is coming closer and closer, hopping over the boulders in the river like a rabbit on its way to its burrow.
A police siren blares, breaks squeal, and doors slam.
Startled, I pull out of Scott’s arms. It takes a few seconds to realize I’m halfway falling off the seat of a police bus. A glance out the window tells me we are standing at the gate. It’s cold and I rub my arms to help them come alive again.
“Did I doze off?”
A glance out the window tells me we are at the Gateway gate.
“Do you know you snore when you fall asleep?”
“How romantic of you. Why didn’t you wake me up?” I mock-box his good arm.
“I gathered you could do with the extra sleep.”
Scott pulls me toward him and shares his body heat with me.
“You only missed about half an hour it took for the additional police vans and social services to join us. Our motorcade has doubled in numbers. I decided to let you sleep. You were knackered and needed the rest.”
Have I mentioned I love this guy? I do. When have you ever seen anything like him? Do I even deserve him?
“Thanks for looking after me. What’s happening now?”
I stretch and stamp my feet on the ground to get my legs working.
Two cars ahead of us, the driver stops. Two men jump out and work on the gate. It takes a while but then it finally opens and we drive through. A shiver runs down my back when we pass the parking bay where we stopped with Simon Barker and waited for Raymond.
I remember the niggling concerns I had when we drove down the same street with him. There were plenty of warning signs I didn’t listen to. I’m sure the Tribe will tell me off for it as soon as we’re out of danger.
It isn’t far to get to Gateway village. The good thing about Gateway’s need for secrecy is that they set up their village over a mile away from the highway, nestled deep into the valley and the bush. That means nobody has yet noticed the imminent invasion of police vehicles.
“Are you still okay to come with us?”
DS Fisher seems to worry the closer we came to the village. I’m not worried at all. Knowing that my fight for sanity and freedom is coming to its conclusion, I’m keen. No longer alone, there is no doubt about the outcome. We will prevail.
“Yes, I am. I might be mistaken, but I don’t see these people as gun-slinging miscreants. I’m sure they’ll give up and surrender. Some might try to run away but I’m not expecting much resistance.”
We are coming to the part where the road loops around the park, where the beautiful Swiss houses are lining the road.
“The big house to the right is the Community Hall. You might find people in the kitchen preparing dinner.”
DS Fisher gives commands into his radio and as if moved by invisible hands, two big buses and the ambulance divert and stop in front of the Community Hall. Six armed police officers slip out and rush to the door, their guns at the ready. Meanwhile, other police cars drive into the small side streets and park in front of the houses. In the blink of an eye, armed police officers are everywhere.
I point to the white house at the opposite end of the park.
“The large white house over there is the hospital,
