“Very standard with fringe sects,” Clare said. “Is this the first time she’s left the compound?”
“Uh-huh. We’ve had a few sporadic phone calls, and I’ve always asked her to come stay, but this is the first time I’ve seen her in almost eleven years. Both our parents are gone.” She swallowed. “It broke their hearts that they never got to meet their granddaughter.”
“Has anyone from the church come looking for her yet?”
“No. I don’t think they know where we live.”
“That’s good. The longer she stays the better chance she won’t go back.”
They continued down the block and across the street to a sunken outdoor commons, the space lined with wooden benches and half a dozen picnic tables. A woman and a young girl sat at the nearest table. They both wore simple button-down blue shirts and full-length jean skirts. Their hair was covered by thin white scarves. Both caught sight of Clare at the same time and stared as she and Sandy approached.
“Bev, Manda, this is Dr. Clare Murdock. She’s got a few minutes talk to you.”
“Nice to meet you,” Clare said, shaking hands first with Beverly, then with Manda. The girl had large brown eyes that flitted from Clare to the buildings to the tree-studded street and back again. “Is this your first time in Portland, Manda?” Clare asked, settling onto the bench across from the girl. Manda glanced first at her mother, then nodded slowly. “What do you think of the city?”
“We’re not used to it,” Beverly said after clearing her throat loudly. “It’s very noisy.”
Clare shot a quick smile at the little girl before focusing on her mother. “Sandy tells me you’re from Annover. It’s beautiful there.”
“It’s a city like this, just smaller, so it’s dirty too. We’re outside of town about twenty minutes. Air’s clearer there.”
“I see.” Clare repositioned herself on the bench. “Sandy told me you’ve recently left your church.”
Beverly sat stock-still, staring blankly for so long Clare was sure she wasn’t going to answer. Finally she said, “We’re taking a sojourn.”
“Okay. Everyone is entitled to a vacation from time to time. You’re staying with Sandy?”
“Yes. For now.”
“Dan and I have an extra room. It’s been great having them both home,” Sandy chimed in.
“That’s nice. And have you done anything fun lately? Gotten out to see—”
“I know what you’re doing,” Beverly said. “I know the tricks people like you play.”
“Bev,” Sandy hissed.
“It’s okay,” Clare said, then directed her attention back to Beverly, holding the other woman’s gaze steadily with her own. “What type of tricks do you think I’m playing?”
“You’re a doctor?”
“Yes. A sociologist.”
“All doctors lie. You obfuscate the truth of God’s word. Twist it for your own benefit.”
“I understand how you feel, Beverly. I do. I grew up in a very separatist group,” Clare said, carefully avoiding the word ‘cult.’ “I’m not here to tell you your beliefs are wrong. I just want to listen to you.”
“I confess to the Lord God Almighty. He knows all sins.” Beverly shot a poisonous look at her sister. “I told you I didn’t want to come here.”
“Bev, Dr. Murdock just wants to help.”
“We don’t need help. We have all the help and safety back at home on the land. Come on, Amanda.” Beverly stood and pulled the girl up with her.
“If you were completely happy there, why did you leave?” Clare said quietly.
“I told you. We’re on a sojourn. We’re allowed—”
“But you’re not, are you? That’s why you’re so nervous being here. Whoever’s in charge when you return won’t be happy you left. I’ve studied your church, Beverly. Interviewed people who have escaped.” The indignant heat and anger in Beverly’s face had cooled, her skin now as pale as the evening light fading from the streets. “You’re afraid, and you should be if you’re planning on going back. But you’re also extremely brave for even being here right now. I know you feel alone, like no one else will understand or accept you, but that’s not true. There are people who can help. Your sister here is one, I’m another.” Clare glanced at Manda, then back to her mother. “You’ve come this far, so please, tell me why you’re here. Talk with me, that’s all I’m asking.”
She watched the war rage within the other woman. Watched her fight until finally the battle tipped one way, her defenses hardening. “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Beverly’s eyes blazed and she grasped Manda’s hand tightly in her own before striding away.
“Bev! Bev, stop!” Sandy cried, taking a few steps after her sister.
“It’s okay,” Clare said. “She’s done for now.” Beverly walked quickly down the sidewalk, pulling Manda along so that the little girl’s skirt swished fast across the concrete. Manda threw one look over her shoulder, wide eyes finding Clare. And in that moment she was every girl at the will of the world, powerless and caught in the current of those around her.
“I’m so sorry,” Sandy said, wringing her hands and on the verge of tears again. “She’s different now. Like another person. I just . . . I don’t know what to do.”
“You’re doing it. Being there for her and Manda is crucial. Having support, even if it seems like she’s fighting you the whole time, is the most important part of leaving a cult. She’s going to be morose, unresponsive, combative even, but you’re making a difference.” She gave Sandy’s shoulder another squeeze, then fished out a business card from her briefcase. “Call this number, she’s a good friend of mine who’s helped a lot of people. I’ll make sure she has time for both Beverly and Manda if they agree to talk to her.”
“I’m not sure we can afford—”
“It’ll be taken care of.”
Sandy did cry then, looking at the card. “Thank you. It’s been so . . . so hard.”
Clare embraced her, letting the other woman sob quietly against her shoulder for a moment. Anger flared within her, as it always did when dealing with the fallout of a cult. This was another facet of harm groups like Shining Rock did, collateral damage they were unaware of or didn’t care about. And Sandy’s pain was nothing compared to what Beverly and her daughter would go through if they didn’t return to the cult’s control—it would be a long, treacherous road freeing themselves from the brainwashing and other heinous tactics Shining Rock employed.
The only thing worse would be if they did go back.
Clare and Sandy parted, the other woman walking in the direction her sister and niece had gone. Clare went the opposite way toward her vehicle, trying to quell the sick feeling in her stomach. Chances were Beverly would return to Shining Rock, and from what she knew about the cult, retribution would be swift, severe, and kept completely within the fold. The thought of the little girl enduring punishment handed down by power-hungry elders made her grasp her phone and text Adam.