Out Of The Past

We sat there stunned at the events that had just transpired on screen. To see Alan and the Judge so shaken bothered me, but I tried to keep up a positive face for the kids as I said, "Ok, we got a break for about a half hour, so anyone who wants to get something to drink or go to the bathroom, head on out." which seemed to elicit a stampede, although Sammy and the trinity remained in their seats, and Peter had stopped at the door with Derek, both looking back at me with concerned expressions on their faces. 

"It's ok, go on." I told them, but they just looked at Sammy for a minute before returning their gaze back to me, and then swiftly departing the room. 

Somehow I felt as though they had just gotten permission, and not from me either.

Kevin and Danny followed them out, after giving me one of their 'looks', but Sammy and Randy, who had gotten up at the same time came over and wrapped themselves around me, sitting in my lap and hugging me tightly.

"What's wrong dad?" Sammy asked, while Randy just looked at me.

"I'm kind of worried about the reactions to those statements, so lets ask Alan what's going on." I told them, before turning the microphone on and asking Alan.

"Alan, what is going on?"

"Trouble, Mike, big trouble." he told me solemnly.

"Explain." I said succinctly.

"The church is almost classified as a terrorist organization, Mike, and it is classified as a hate group." he told me.

"Why haven't I heard of it?" I asked.

"I don't know." he answered, Eric was saying something, and Alan pointed to something, and I soon saw it was a headset which he placed on his head.

"Mike, it's the FCC." he told me.

"Oh shit!" I said, as my mouth dropped open.

"Yeah." was all he said, as I thought about it.

The FCC was what everyone referred to them as. They were a religious group which had far reaching ties, and was beyond extreme. No wonder things had moved this quickly. They had money, adherents and power. The worst combination possible and they had it. They didn't like a lot of things, and sex was the least of them. They were constantly getting themselves involved in various cases that they felt 'God's Word' needed to be impressed upon. Lately, homosexuals were their target of choice, but then again they didn't like a lot of people. I was sure now, that they figured me for being gay, and therefore a target. Not to mention their ideas of children, and the proper raising of them. The reason I was in Montana was my sister joining a church just like it. These people had been suspected in a number of attacks on peoples and groups, ranging from judges to abortion clinics, but no one had ever been able to prove anything. 

They were law enforcement's worst nightmare. 

Unlike many previous groups which had come onto the LE radar, this one was very well thought and planned out. They didn't preach hate outwardly, but very subtly. The people involved were well off as well as poor, educated as well as not so learned. They very quietly put people in power all across the land and these people generally kept themselves just on the edge of crossing the law, so as not to attract undue attention to themselves. It was thought that their military wing, charged with carrying out assignments, was run very tightly, much like a real life covert ops team was. Cell structure and security paramount. All attempts at infiltrating them by various government agencies had been dismal failures.

One agency had put an agent in place for 5 years, and he learned absolutely nothing. Others had mysteriously died, but nothing that could ever be proven. It frightened a lot of people, me included. Montana was just one of many states where they had operations, and their resources were frightening. It was theorized that they had former, and possibly current military and covert operations specialists in charge of their more military aspects. Things that were out of James Bond were commonplace with agents dying of heart attacks for no reason, and other such instances. 

They did things by innuendo and intimation, rather than offering actual proof, and they were very good at it. They had learned the lesson very well, that if you can get people questioning things then you can just sit back and let the natural course occur. It had many times. They had learned that it didn't matter if it were true or not, just raise the possibility, and that would usually do the trick.

There had been a teacher a number of years ago, who was single and 40. He loved children a lot, and he was very good with them. The students really loved him as well. Some members of the church had started very simply asking why he was single, then why was he always touching the kids. He always had a hug or a pat on the back for his kids, and they used it against him, never openly accusing him but raising questions, suspicion. There were a few more things that were asked, but the damage had been done. The police had opened an investigation and the kids had been 'warned' about him and stopped trusting him. He was hurt deeply, and finally left giving up teaching altogether, even though the investigation proved he had never done anything remotely inappropriate. The kids lost a great and wonderful teacher, and the man lost his greatest love, the children. I heard eventually he met and married a woman and started a family of his own, but he was never the same after that.

That was what was so frightening about this group they struck from the shadows without ever facing the light of day, and they removed themselves from the attack before there was any chance of being accused of precipitating it.

They preached a very subtle form of hatred; that people seemed to fall for mainly because by the time they might have realized they had went down that road it was already too late and they were well on it most of the time not even knowing it. 

The other main thing was that a great deal of the people weren't what you'd call the normal stereotypes for such an organization. A great many of them were educated and wealthy, which was scary. More than one member of the ACLU belonged to this church, although they all eventually gave up their memberships in that group.

They didn't have websites devoted to the extermination of blacks, Jews or even homosexuals, but they advocated it just the same, only no one could prove it.

I was brought back from my thinking by a worried SamSam calling, "Dad, dad?" 

"Yeah, baby what is it?" I asked him, as I noticed he was looking at me worriedly.

"You just seemed to go away." he said. 

I bent my head forward, and gave him a kiss on his nose, which got a little Sammy giggle out of him, before hugging him to me for a moment, then repeating it with Randy.

"I'm sorry, just thinking about something." I told him.

"You understand now?" Alan asked me, now that I was back with him.

"Yes, I do." I told him. 

"What are we going to do now?" I went on.

"Well, this complicates things a bit." he told me, which was a bit of an understatement, as he continued, "but in actuality, for this case, it might make things a bit easier, if I can tie them to being behind this." he said.

"Alan, be careful, these are some dangerous people." I said seriously.

"I will, don't worry" he told me.

"You too Eric." I added, while he just gave me a dirty look, but I could feel the boys tense in my arms, and knew they were worried too.

"Maybe you should join us Eric," I told him, while he just scowled now and said, "I won't run from these assholes." clearly angry at this turn of events.

"Ok, I need to take care of something," I told them, before removing my headset and pushing the kids off of me.

The threat level had just increased.

I headed towards the private office, and pulled the radio from my belt, as I went, saying into it "Mr. Kamarkov, I need to see you in my office, immediately please." releasing the button and hearing him reply that he was on his way.

In a very, few minutes, Vassily was coming through the door. 

"What is wrong?" he asked all business.

"The situation has taken an unexpected turn, and the threat level is increased significantly." I told him.

"How significantly?" he asked.

"It would require them to operate on foreign soil, but they are professionals." I told him, which caused him to look at me quickly, and intensely.

He knew the import of those words. They would have to come here, which was a plus, but were trained and experienced enough to do it, which was a negative.

He nodded his head, and walked back out, and that was it. The necessary precautions would be put into effect immediately.

I took a deep breath before picking up a secure phone, and dialing a number on it.

"Hello."

"Hi, we have a little problem." I told the person on the other end of the phone.

"Little, every time you say that, I get shivers down my back." the voice said to me.

I didn't say anything, and the voice continued, "So I have heard, I am looking into it." 

"Ok, thanks." and the phone went dead.

I took a deep breath, and tried to calm myself down some, before returning to the conference room. This development meant that my family was in danger now. It wasn't just being taken away from me anymore, that presented that danger, but a real threat if they chose to make one.

With myself calmed at least outwardly, I headed back to the conference room, and found Samantha to be the only one there, as I took my place at the table.

As I sat down Samantha looked at me and I could see fear on her face, but before I could ask she said, "Mike, do you remember when I told you I was worried about my husband's friends, who weren't very nice?" 

"Yes, I do." I told her.

She took a deep breath, shuddering slightly before continuing, "he...they...Mike...he was with the Church." she said, quickly trying to get it out.

I gasped, as she said it, and asked, "Why didn't you tell me?" 

She looked down and didn't answer, but we were both shocked when a voice said, 

"You have to tell him, Mom," and I turned to find Derek in the doorway, wheeling Chris, and both of them were crying.

"What..." I started to say, but Derek interrupted, "Tell him, Mommy!" rather forcefully.

"Tell him, you have to." Chris said, now as everyone was startled by another voice behind them saying,

"My dad can help you," and I watched, as Sammy came up and placed a hand on each boy's shoulder. 

Samantha had tears running down her face, and she was still looking down, refusing to meet our gazes, as the boys and I all looked at her.

Finally, brokenly, she sobbed, "I don't know what to do." as Derek wheeled his brother around to their mother, and Sammy came over to me, and crawled into my lap, while Derek crawled into his mother's lap, with Chris taking her arm, and moving his head to her shoulder.

I heard Chris and Derek softly repeat to her, "Trust him mom, you have to, tell him." before going silent.

I noticed the time, and we had about 10 minutes left, before court started, and I wasn't sure if that would be enough, and decided to do something about it. Turning on the headset, I told Alan that we were going to be offline for a bit, and shut down all the outgoing monitors and sound, to his protests, as Samantha took a deep breath, and began.

"When I got together with Tom, I didn't know he was involved with the Church." she said, and I could tell how difficult this was for her, as it seemed she was struggling with every word. 

Sammy tightened his grip on me, as she began speaking, and I glanced at him to find him with tears in his eyes, but what she was saying brought my attention immediately back to her.

"I didn't find out for the longest time, and when I did, I didn't know just how involved he actually was, in the Church." she paused, taking a deep breath, and continuing.

"He...wasn't bad, at first, and it wasn't until near the end, I found out how bad he really was. He tried to involve me in it, and the boys, but I wouldn't get involved or allow him to bring them. His ideas..." she trailed off.

I didn't say anything, and she went on.

"He didn't really start getting bad, until a few months ago, at least with me. I started to suspect he might be doing something to the boys." she said, and broke down crying telling them.

"I'm sorry, so sorry," while hugging them to her. 

"It's ok mom." Chris said, and Derek echoed it, "Yeah, Mom, its ok."

I was just stunned with these revelations, but she brokenly started again,

"I didn't know it was this bad, but I confronted him several months ago, about what I suspected, and he denied it. I didn't believe him, but the boys said he hadn't done anything to them, and I...I didn't know what to do. I threatened him, and told him if he ever laid a hand on them, I would see him in jail, if I didn't kill him myself."

She stopped, and took another breath, before continuing, "He didn't say anything, just stared at me. I thought I had scared him." she said, before barking a short laugh full of bitterness, and continuing, 

"He went to bed, and I slept in the boys' room that night. I went to work the next day, and when I came home, I found out just how scared he was of Me." she said, stopping again, and breaking down once more, as the boys tried to comfort her. 

Sammy was openly crying now, and I was getting more and more worried, as the seconds went by. 

"I didn't know anyone could be that evil, that cruel." she said, staring off into space, now clearly not with us, as her voice took on a flat tone.

"I came home, and found out that one of the most important things in the world had been taken from me. He told me, he would return it eventually, if I obeyed him, and didn't cause him any problems. He said, I was going to be a proper wife to him, and a proper mother to my children, from now on. He said, I would learn God's ways, and pay for my past transgressions against him. He said that his 'friends' would keep...that as long as I obeyed, nothing would happen but..." and she stopped, breaking down again, as the kids comforted her. 

I was at a loss as SamSam just held me tightly, still crying, and I wasn't far behind, seeing the obvious pain in their faces.

Finally she started speaking.

"When you found Chris, and Tom went to jail, they weren't happy. They said that if I cooperated, everything would be alright. They blame the boys, but not me for it. They have contacts all over the place, and said they knew I wasn't responsible. They're real angry, and especially at you, Mike." 

She stopped, took a deep breath, and then looked right at me, saying,

"Derek and Chris aren't my only children, Mike." as I gasped, and sat bolt upright.

"He took Matthew, and they still have him. I'm so scared, Mike." she said, falling silent at last.

"Please save our brother." Derek asked, looking at me, with such hope in his eyes that it hurt.

"I'll try, but do you know where he is?" I asked them, and watched as they all shook their heads no.

"Ok, give me some information on him, how old is he, and a description and we'll go from there." I told them. 

"I have pictures in my purse, he's almost four. Please." she begged me.

"Samantha, do you have any idea where he could be?" I asked.

"Somewhere, still in Montana, he let me see him once, and it only took us about 30 minutes to get to him." she said.

"Where was it?" I asked. 

She was shaking her head, as she said, "I don't know, they blindfolded me, and I couldn't see anything. They brought me inside somewhere, before they took it off, and Matt was there, but no one else. I only got to spend a few minutes with him, and then Tom took him from me again." she said, crying still.

"My dad'll find him for you, don't worry." Sam said, and I wish I had as much confidence in that statement as Sammy did.

They were all three looking at me, with unconcealed hope in their eyes, and I didn't know how we were going to do it. This organization was well planned and executed, and I couldn't just put out an Amber alert either. Not only that; but even distributing the child's picture amongst law enforcement, would ensure it got back to them, that we knew. Matthew would never see his mother or brothers again.

I had to table it for now, and said to them, "I will do everything in my power to find him, and bring him back to you, but right now we have to get back to the hearing, alright?" I said gently, but firmly, as I stood up with Sammy in my arms, and walked around the table, placing my hand on each of their shoulders, briefly. 

"It'll be ok." Sammy said softly, as Derek and Chris looked up at him, and me. I tried to smile, but it was a weak effort. These poor children and this poor woman. She had been having her son held, as hostage all this time.

Sammy wiggled down from my grasp, as I reached down, and picked up a startled Chris, and hugged him to me. He was stiff at first in my arms, and then just melted into me, as I grasped him tightly.

"Come on munchkin; let's get your face washed." I softly told him, as I headed out, noticing that Sammy had taken Derek and was hugging him as well, before pulling him along behind me. 

Samantha followed, trying to wipe her eyes, and I soon found the bathroom. 

I didn't know how they knew, but all 7 kids were sitting quietly in the living room, watching as we had come out, but not saying anything at all. 

They all kept their eyes glued to us, as we walked across the room, and into the bathroom, and I grabbed a washcloth, sticking it under the faucet and wetting it slightly, before gently wiping Chris's face, who seemed embarrassed at first, but then sighed in contentment, as I washed him. Sammy was doing the same thing to Derek, and I watched with love, at the tenderness and caring he was displaying towards the other boy.

The kid never ceased to amaze me; I thought as he suddenly looked up and gave me a small smile, before returning to his ministrations. 

As we finished, I asked Chris if he needed the restroom, while we were here but he shook his head, and we headed back out.

We were just leaving the bathroom when Chris said something which brought me to a dead halt, and made my breath catch in my throat, as tears came to my eyes.

"I wish you could have been my dad," was what he softly said, and there was so much longing and pain in his voice, that it was like being hit in the stomach, as I looked down into his face, and saw the pain, along with the fear I would be mad in them, as I then heard, 

"I do too," causing me to look quickly up at Derek, who was watching us like a puppy, afraid he was going to be kicked or something. 

Those looks hurt more than I can say, and I just looked back and forth between them, as Sammy watched us intently.

With my voice breaking, I said, "I would be proud to have had sons like you, very proud, and I wish you had been mine as well," as I bent my head to give Chris a kiss on his forehead, and then Derek as well, pulling him into me as I hugged both of them to me.

Sammy was smiling at us, as I heard another voice softly say, "I do too," and turned my head to find Samantha, standing there with a sad smile on her face.

I just stood there hugging them for a bit, before Samantha said, "We should really be getting back." 

I nodded my head, and we started walking, with Derek holding on to one arm and Sam the other, as we went back to the conference room, all of the others falling into place behind us, and taking their seats as we entered.

I got Chris settled, with Derek alongside him, and gave each one a kiss on the top of their heads, saying, "very proud" which got smiles which lit up their faces, and broke my heart. Why couldn't they have been loved before now? It was such a simple thing.

"I love you guys." I said softly, meaning it completely, and if I thought their faces had lit up before, now they were blinding, as I squeezed each of their shoulders before walking back to my seat, trying to regain some control of myself.

As I sat down, I realized that I had six sets of eyes looking at me, intently "what?" I asked, as soft smiles appeared on their faces.

I just shook my head, this bunch was too smart for their own good, sometimes, but I still loved them, I thought, as I put the headset on, and activated my link with Alan.

"Alan, I'm back, and ready to go live." I told him.

"Good to hear that, Jennings has been pissing himself." Alan told me, as I looked around; making sure everyone had their headsets on, before asking, "you ready Alan?" 

"Yeah, go ahead." he told me, and I activated everything, except the microphones of course. 

"Ah Mr. Reynolds, you're back with us I see." Judge Kendall said. 

"Yes your honor." I replied.

"Very well then, shall we proceed?" he said.

"Your honor, I would like to call Elizabeth Perkins to the stand at this time." Jennings intoned, and we watched, as a woman in her late forties walked forward, and took her seat, where she was sworn in, before Jennings walked up and asked, "Mrs. Perkins, can you tell us your educational background, licenses, certifications and where you currently work please?" 

"Certainly, I have a Masters degree in Child Psychology, with specialties in child abuse and prevention, as well as child molestation, with a sub-specialty in pediatric offenders. I currently work for the state department of child protective services, as well as having a private practice, where I provide treatment to both the juvenile victims, as well at the perpetrators of sexual assault. I also work in several public facilities as well as private ones, providing treatment or consultations, regarding victims and offenders." she finished.

"Well, thank you Mrs. Perkins, that's quite a resume. How long have you been a Psychologist, and how long have you been working for CPS?" Jennings asked.

"I graduated in 1985, and I have been with CPS for 10 years now, here in Montana." she replied.

"I see, and you are directly under the new administrator?" Jennings asked.

"Yes." was the reply.

"Do you know a Mrs. Agatha Higginbottom?" he asked next.

"Yes." was the reply.

"Can you explain your professional association with her please?" he asked her.

"I would be glad to, Agatha has been with CPS for 14 years, and I met her shortly after I began my tenure there. In the course of our work, she often consulted me about cases, and often referred victims to me for help. She also would send perpetrators to me as well. Oftentimes, we would discuss various aspects regarding cases, as she was seeking my professional opinion on them." she replied.

"Very well, we will leave that for a moment, and move on to something else. You stated that you work under the new administrator, so since she has taken over the department, have you noticed anything in the policies or procedures which she implemented which has concerned you?" Jennings asked.

"Quite frankly yes. Millie is a wonderful person, and I believe she truly loves children, and wants what is best for them, but I also believe that she is misguided, with the policies which she has put into place. I believe that the new policies are harmful to children, and result in their further and continued abuse." she stated.

"I see, and have you ever brought your concerns to the administrator, regarding these policies?" Jennings asked.

"Certainly, but she has become enthralled with the new age psycho-babble, which has emerged in recent years, regarding these matters. I have tried repeatedly to impress upon her the...harm that these courses of action will cause, but unfortunately to no avail." she said sadly.

"I see, and can you explain please exactly what these new policies are, and why they are harmful in your professional opinion?"

"Yes I can, but first you have to understand the whys behind the entire issue. Children, at least prepubescent children, do not want desire or engage in sexual activity, of their own volition. The only time a young child would be interested in something like that, would be if he or she had been the subject of a molestation by another child, or an adult, prior. Pubescent and post pubescent children can be sexual, but again, with the pubescent child it is likely to be masturbatory rather than any activity between the child and another, unless of course the child offends, or has been victimized at some prior time. The post-pubescent child is the first one that is liable, without a proper upbringing, to seek out some type of sexual outlet." she said, pausing while Jennings interjected, 

"So you are saying that in your professional opinion, young children are not interested in sex, and even children of, let's say, 11-13 would not actively engage in such activity voluntarily? That only an older child of 14 or beyond might seek out such activity?" he asked.

"Yes, that is correct. Usually by around 15, there is some interest that may lead to such types of activity, but not earlier. Now the policies and guidelines that have been placed into effect by the new director of CPS, run contrary to that scientific fact. The policies and training now in place, say that children including young, very young children are capable and do want to engage in such activity, which is patently untrue." she concluded.

"So with that in mind, you believe that the policies are bad for kids?" Jennings asked.

"Oh, undoubtedly, there is no question of that." She said, before Alan said "Objection." 

"In my opinion of course," she added, before the judge could speak.

He just looked at her and Alan said "withdrawn," while the judge nodded

"What's all that stuff she was saying mean?" Kevin asked, with a puzzled expression on his face.

"Well...ummm" I started to answer, trying to figure out the words to convey the meaning that I wanted to, when Sammy said, disgustedly,

"She's saying kids don't like playing with their dicks, til their like 15," which caused me to choke, and start coughing, while Sammy just sat there with a grin on his face.

When I finally could breathe again I said, "yeah essentially." and let it go, but Sammy had other ideas. 

"So, can I talk to her dad?" he asked, very sweetly, but before I could answer another voice spoke up with confusion evident in it.

"I'm only 6, and I like playing with it sometimes, she's dumb." Peter said. Which got me choking again; and the rest giggling, while Peter turned an interesting shade of red.

"Mike, Mike." I heard and got myself under control, to answer Alan, "yeah sorry." I said, quickly looking up, to find everyone focused on us, which sobered me quickly, as I activated my microphone and told the court

"I'm sorry your honor." 

"We couldn't hear you, but it looked quite funny." Kendall said.

"Well it was, but I am sorry to disturb the court." I told him, while Sammy just grinned.

"Just out of curiosity, what was so funny?" the judge made the mistake of asking.

I quickly looked at Sam, only to find all the kids with evil grins on their faces, and even Samantha joining in.

"Ahem, I don't think you want to know." I replied quickly, which just caused a raised eyebrow from the judge.

"I don't?" he asked.

"Come on dad I'll tell em." Sammy said. 

"No you won't" I shot back, forgetting for the moment that the microphone was on, while Sammy's grin got wider.

"Excuse me?" I heard the judge say. 

"Oh...uh...sorry your honor, I was speaking to my son." I said, embarrassed.

"Why don't you put the children on, I am curious to hear what was so funny." the judge said, smiling slightly, and I could tell it wasn't a request. 

With a sinking feeling, I shot a look at Samuel, and the others who were looking way too happy, and started flipping switches.

"Ok, you guys are on, and everyone in court can hear you, so behave." I told them, but I was still very scared, as Sammy said, in an injured voice.

"But dad, we always behave." which caused me to choke again, as the judge asked,

"So boys, would you mind telling me what was so funny?" in a very kind voice;

I watched, as Sammy and the others looked between themselves and then Kevin started.

"I didn't understand everything that lady was saying, and asked Uncle Mike about It." he said, then Sammy took over and I covered my face, as he told the judge.

"Uncle Mike was sorta like trying to figure out how to tell it to him, and couldn't, so I did." he said. 

Oh no, I knew what was coming, and sure enough it did.

"And what did you say, young man?" the judge asked.

"Well, I told him she was saying that kids didn't like playing with their dicks, til they was way old, like 15 or somethin." he said, giggling, and then while the judge started to laugh, another voice, once again chimed in with, "And I told him that I was only six, and liked playing with my dick sometimes, and that lady is sure dumb." which got the judge choking, as well as half the courtroom and me, while the kids giggled, and in the background you could hear.

"OBJECTION, YOUR HONOR, OBJECTION" from Mr. Jennings. 

As the judge managed to say, "out of the mouths of babes," and yet again. 

"OBJECTION, please your honor," from Jennings, which the boys all found hilarious for some reason, while I just sat back looking at their satisfied grins, and the look of shock on Mrs. Perkins face.

Oh boy!