“It would seem that way.Although we can’t prove that the Mother Superior was taking money for the kids, there were multiple deposits over three years, all in cash, all two-hundred-and-fifty thousand dollars each.”
“But it all went to the orphanage, right?” asked Cam.
“It went into the account but strangely disappeared.Every damn time.She left roughly fifty-thousand in the orphanage account with each deposit. In her personal account, which is supposed to be minimal at best, was more than six-hundred-and-twenty-one thousand dollars,” said Code.
“So, she did all this for money?That doesn’t make sense when someone from the diocese would have figured out that she had way too much money in her account,” said Luke.
“Yes, you would think so,” said Ace.“What we also discovered was that Dr. Paul Jericho had a sister.Literally.”
“No fucking way,” said Eric.“The Mother Superior is his sister?”
“Exactly.Better known as Sister Madeline Jericho.My guess is that her brother was bribing her or she was in on this the whole time.But he killed her because the diocese, was in fact, going to review the books for the orphanage.”
“So, chances are pretty good that Madeline had a conscious after all and got scared,” said Luke.“But where does that leave us.We still don’t know where to find Dr. Jericho, the woman and the other man that the children saw.”
“We’ll find them,” said Eric.“They would be in something similar to the hospital if they’re planning to continue their work.They’d also be scoping out kids who are savants.Ace?We need to connect on that site looking for musical savants with disabilities.”
“Already done.They’re using a pretty sophisticated response system that tracks the respondent’s location.Fortunately, we’re more sophisticated.I made sure that our location is in Jackson, Mississippi and our signal is bouncing more than an over-inflated basketball.”
“Good reference,” smirked Eric.
“I’m not a complete nerd,” said Ace staring at his old friend.
“No, sir, you are not,” laughed Eric.“So, for now, we’re just waiting to find something that will lead us to them?”
“Sounds like it,” said Luke.“Any indication if they’ve ever attempted to take adults with disabilities who are savants?”
“No indication,” said Code.“But, it would make sense that they would want to see them as well.I’m guessing it’s more difficult because an adult isn’t just going to succumb to their charms.If it’s just the three people, the doctor, the other man, and the woman, then that’s a thin team.”
“We’ve got to dig in and find out more about this woman, Judy.Is she related to the doctor in some way?Did they have a professional relationship prior to this?” said Luke.
“We’re working all angles, Luke,” said Sly.
“I know you are, I’m sorry if I seem impatient.We have no idea if they have any children in their possession right now and they can’t be happy about Sutton escaping with the others.I don’t imagine that they’ve just given up on them.”
“Then we find them,” said Eric.“We find them before they find one more innocent child.Do a search for any orphanages or schools that specialize in children with disabilities, who also happen to be savants.No matter how far, let’s figure this shit out.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
At breakfast, Luke and the others walked in to find the children playing their instruments once again.They were hovered over by Marnie and Lennon, both pregnant, one with triplets and one twins.
“What’s going on?” smirked Cam.
“Well, it seems that Jordan babies like music,” smiled Marnie.“The babies have been so active I haven’t been able to sleep but when the children play their symphony, or whatever it is, the babies are calm.”
“Same for me,” smiled Lennon.“You would have never been able to convince me it was true but here I am, begging for another song.”
“I’m not a woman, nor have I ever been pregnant,” smiled Eric, “but maybe you ask them to play for them at night, right before you go to bed.Then you’d have a great nights’ sleep.Now, they’re going to sleep and you’ll be up all night again.”
“Oh, shit,” muttered Lennon.“He’s right.”
Both women stood, waving at the children as they hurried out of the room and back toward their own cottages.Eric could only laugh.He turned to see his father, Tailor, and Alec signing to Charlie.
“Is something wrong?” he asked.
“No.Not at all.It’s just that Riley, Jane, Marnie and all the doctors feel that if Charlie can sing, he can speak.We think something traumatic happened that made him unwilling to speak,” said Tailor.
“That makes sense,” nodded Eric.
