Chapter 14: Disappearance

“Sarasota Approach Control, November-One-Two-Echo-Romeo is with you passing through twelve-thousand on the way to eight-thousand. We have information Sierra at SRQ.”

“Two-Echo-Romeo, Sarasota Approach. Radar Contact. Continue on course. You may descend to two-thousand, your discretion. Sarasota altimeter two-niner-niner-two.”

Dave responded, and the Cessna Citation continued its descent at twenty-five-hundred feet per minute. Passing through ten-thousand, Dave reduced the speed to two-hundred-fifty knots.

Alice asked from the copilot’s seat, “What’s Wendy going to do?”

“Dev and her safety depend on them becoming invisible for some period of time. In case you didn’t take it in, the hospital purged any records for Devlin Connor. That was even spooky. I don’t know and don’t want to know how or why that happened. I suspect Wendy is going to need to disappear for some long period of time with her family.”

“Will we be able to remain in touch with their family?”

Dave shook his head. “I doubt it. If someone was to tail one of us to them, that wouldn’t be good. I don’t even think parents or siblings are allowed contact in witness protection, but maybe I watch too much TV and there are exceptions.”

“When will we find out?”

“Wendy will likely find out probably in the next couple of days.”

Twenty-minutes later the Cessna Citation X touched down at Circle Airport. The weather was ideal and there was a gentle headwind to facilitate the landing. After parking the plane, the four took some golf carts that had been left for them up to the Circle.

At her request, Dave accompanied Wendy to her home two doors away from his house on Circle Drive. When she opened the door, there was a man standing in the living room with his gun drawn. He ordered, “Who are you?”

Wendy said, “Excuse me, I live here. I’m Wendy Connor. This is my neighbor, David Prentiss, and what the hell are you doing in my home.”

The man holstered his weapon. He said firmly, “I am Morris Merman, a U.S. Marshall.” He brought out official looking government identification with a badge attached.

He announced, “Mr. Prentiss must leave. I need to talk to you about the coming week, Mrs. Connor.”

Wendy firmly said in reply, “Mr. Prentiss stays or you can go fuck yourself and whatever organization you came from. I’m sick of the way you are constantly stirring up our family life because you think the world needs to be saved by some unique event only my husband can do. In case you haven’t noticed, the government has a piss-poor track record in resolving international situations. I can start at the Bay of Pigs and go forward or back in time if you’d like a recitation.”

The man was taken back. He started again more slowly, “Mrs. Connor, I am a United States Marshall attached to what is normally a witness protection program. My job is to ensure your safety, the safety of your husband when he is up and about, and the safety of your children. IF you weaken our system by allowing casual friends to know where you are, you put yourselves and all our efforts to protect you at risk.”

Wendy smiled, “Mr. Prentiss stays. He is NOT a casual friend. I trust him with our lives AND not one other person within the gates of this compound would be considered a casual friend. I trust every one of them the same way – and that is with my life, the life of my child, and the life of my husband. It’s you and the government that I don’t trust. You guys leak like a sieve.”

Merman shrugged. “This is crazy. All right. Let’s see how far we can get.”

Wendy sat in a straight-back chair with her arms crossed. “Tell me the agenda, please, and then get the fuck out of my house.” Dave had never heard Wendy so angry.

Merman said, “You have forty-eight hours to gather what you want to take and be ready to travel. We think the threat to you and your family will escalate dramatically after that period. We have a safe house arranged, and one of my associates will take you from there to your permanent location. We do this so that those initially involved in your relocation, like me, do not know either your destination, and those further along your origin. Your husband will join you as soon as he is able to travel. As you might expect, you will undergo a name change along the line.”

“What am I allowed to take?” She gestured around the room.

“Suitcases only – you pack them, we’ll get them to where they need to be. No furniture or large items. You may take photo albums and keepsakes. Do not take computers, in fact, we recommend you wipe them of all data. We will do that for you, if you wish. You may take a backup of some files. We will provide you with new technology at your destination. You were given a cellphone; I am number three on your speed dial. Call me if you feel in any danger or in a suspicious situation. After you are secure in your safehouse, you will be shown how to clear those storage locations on your phone.”

“What about my child? Can I tell my parents what’s happening?

“Marshall Carrie Manson is with Willow right now in your home-schooling classroom. She’s helping out the other teachers. The teachers were told that there was a possible threat against your family, and that she is part of a protection program. This is accurate. We kept details to minimum. The others accepted that situation, with only concern for you.

“We have the contact information for you parents, your husband’s parents, and several other relatives. Their safety has already been assured. You are not to contact them without arranging that contact through us. They’ll know generally what’s happening, but not the specifics including your new name and contact information.”

Dave asked, “Do you have some idea of her future destination?”

Merman said, “I don’t other than it will likely be in the southern United States – that covers about sixteen states. We don’t like to take people used to the sunbelt and put them in the arctic. We’ve found that doesn’t work well.” He chuckled to himself over some past situation.

Dave continued, “Is there some way we could set up a situation for one or two of us to be in touch with them? We have people living in a similar compound to this one near Atlanta. I’m sure they’d like to be in something like that.”

“All I can say is maybe. Give me some information about it – ASAP. Names, social security numbers, too. The same for the people in your Circle. Two of my partners have been watching the TV show about your Circle, and one of them read the book about it. I know this is an unusual place. Tell me about any other situation you think they’d fit in, too.”

Wendy volunteered, “We have reason to believe that Dave is Willow’s father. Devlin may be the father of one of the other children in the Circle. You can see that you’re started to rend families apart here. Please don’t be cavalier about this. I’d rather preserve some of what we hold dear and accept some security risks than suddenly ghost every person I’ve ever known and every part of my life up to this point. I know my husband would say the same thing.”

Merman looked thoughtful. He said, “Get that data to me as soon as possible.” I need to take a walk around the premises before the sun sets. I need to have a feel for what the place will be like after dark. I might add that we’ve already met your security force. Mr. Harnett has been helping us.”

Dave was on the phone to Bret Edwards before the Marshall had shut the front door. He explained what he needed and was able to duck responding to the reason why other than to say he was getting a security clearance. There was some truth to it. Two hours later Dave had all the info on the Atlanta Group in one place.

The information he needed for the Circle was on the computer that Julie maintained. A call to his wife produced that data file without any further explanation. He also asked that she detach that computer from the Internet until further notice.

Dave found Marshall Merman later that day, and in a few seconds had emailed the files to him in a secure way. The Marshall was surprised at the completeness and the suggestions. Dave also explained a little more about the Atlanta Group and why he thought Dev and Wendy might fit in well there.

Dave reminded the Marshall of Cricket’s book and reality TV series in which Dev and Wendy had occasionally appeared. He took note, including the names of the producers who were also Circle members.

On Saturday, Hillary, the head of the Kappa Delta Alpha sorority, and Wyatt, the president of Phi Theta Rho fraternity, found Dave on the patio. Hillary ask, “We wanted to talk to you about two possible pledges to the Circle. I know it’s unusual this time of year, but we think we have a man and woman that fit the criteria and that we think would fit in well here.”

Dave devoted his attention to them. He appreciated the diversion from what was happening with Dev and Wendy Connor. Wendy was home packing up things at a frantic pace. Alice and Sharon were helping her. Some things were going to be stored in a storage locker rented in Ty’s name with the hope of eventual reunion with the Connors.

Wyatt laid two resumes in front of Dave. He then talked about them. Both students we are recommending are alumni of our organizations. The man is Don Carpenter, age twenty-four, working on his Ph.D. in computer science engineering. He just finished his course work for the degree and is starting his research work. He wants to work in the field of robotics. Tatiana, Chelsea, and Jazz have met him, but only as a struggling grad student. He does not know of their affiliation with the Circle, and perhaps has no idea that the Circle even exists or what it represents. He went to University of Illinois and had a GPA around 3.7 in EE.” He gestured to Hillary.

Hillary said, “The woman is Blake Cosler, age twenty-two, working on her master’s degree in education. Her master’s thesis has something to do with home schooling, but I’m sorry I can’t tell you more; I haven’t talked to her that much about it. She’s a serious student and I think her undergrad GPA was around 3.8. She needs to loosen up, and shows signs of wanting to do so. She contacted us several weeks ago because she wanted some kind of social life. She went to Ohio State undergrad, joined the sorority there but didn’t participate much, and is now at our university for her graduate work. I also don’t know whether she knows anything about the Circle.”

Dave glanced at the two pages he’d been given. The two candidates both looked sterling, particularly if he was hiring them for some job. He looked up and said, “Bring them around but before you do, tell them a few things about the Circle, please. Pique their curiosity, if nothing more. You might mention the weekend dress code and our predilection with sex with people we like a lot. I’m around the rest of today and tomorrow.”

Hillary and Wyatt both nodded that they would.

Sunday, just after the lunch hour, Hillary appeared between two of the houses with a pretty blonde with a mature look to her. She saw Dave and the two made a beeline for his table. Bridget was sitting with him; they’d been planning a few parties for the Circle and also coordinating with Mark Worthington’s clan for some of them.

Hillary introduced Blake to Dave and Bridget. Bridget, of course, was only wearing a highly revealing thong. Dave was only wearing athletic shorts. Both were lathered up with suntan lotion despite being under one of the large sun umbrellas.

Blake looked around the patio. She said, “Well, Hillary told me about the dress code here but I thought she was kidding. Do visitors need to conform?”

Dave and Bridget both laughed. Bridget said, “Not in the least. Do whatever you’re comfortable with. We’re comfortable this way, plus the weather is perfect.”

Dave added, “Some of our members aren’t always as bare. They play it by their mood, I guess.”