26
Donatella
Less than a week after she and Kelly fled the BOC, Donna found herself just outside the property. An intense feeling of glee washed over her as she spied the scene from a distance. Bobby Lee, Clara, Harry Barber, and a handful of other cult members were handcuffed and ushered into the back of local squad cars. They were being taken to the police station in Springfield and from there, they’d be transported to the Sangamon County Jail.
The satisfaction she gained from putting away drug dealers was no comparison to the satisfaction of taking down the religious cult, or at least its leaders.
Donna knew that drug dealers played on the weak and addicted. But for the life of her, she still didn’t know how Bobby Lee Khal had conned hundreds of seemingly intelligent people into relinquishing their free will. He preyed on those that so desperately needed some sort of purpose in life. Something, or someone, to believe in. His followers would do anything for him, even allowing the cult leaders to enslave their children.
Donna often wondered why there were no kids in the BOC, and she had plans on finding out before their mission ended. She’d inquired about the children with several members, but she had yet to get a straight answer from any of them.
When she did find out why she never saw any children running around the grounds, she was sick to her stomach. During the raid on the compound, agents discovered an unoccupied building to the far south end of the compound. After further inspection, they realized the building wasn’t unoccupied at all. Once they breached a door that led to a basement, they discover where the children were being held.
It was dark, damp, and filthy. Essentially, a dungeon. There were sewing machines in the middle of the room and dirty pillows and blankets surrounded them. It appeared that the child laborers had been constructing work uniforms for several major grocery and department stores. They would work during the day and sleep on the filthy blankets at night.
Donna watched with binoculars as dirty, malnourished children were led out of the building. With their tiny hands, the children shielded their eyes from the sun. They’d obviously been denied fresh air and sunshine.
After a final head count, the Department of Children and Family Services confirmed that there was a total of seventy-five children. It was safe to assume that some, if not all, of the parents would be charged down the line.
Donna had had enough of the scene. She’d face the monsters in court, and she couldn’t wait. In the meantime, she needed a distraction.
She raised the window and grabbed her phone from the center console. A smile formed when she found the number she was scrolling for. Now that her part of the investigation was over, she was ready to put the BOC in her rearview mirror.
Are you in the states?
She sent the text and waited eagerly for Lincoln to respond.
Chicago. How are you?
Done. Mission over.
Great! Dinner tonight?
You read my mind. Pick me up at 8?
Address?
You found me in Springfield. Use your resources.
I know where to find you. I was just trying not to be creepy. See you tonight.
