My buddy had come through at his insistence. After I’d told him about what we were dealing with, he’d been insistent we have a second plan in place.
“Thank you for everything,” Emmeline told him.
“My pleasure. We knew what you were dealing with. They’re dangerous people and no one has really taken them seriously. Here are two flashlights in case the underground lights go off, which they are prone to doing.”
“Who are we talking about?” I asked as I took the items, shoving them into my jacket.
The priest seemed confused I didn’t know. “From what I was told, the two of you were aware of what you were dealing with.”
Emmeline studied my reaction.
“I offered my friend a list of possibilities,” I answered.
“While I wasn’t privy to your entire conversation, what I was told led me to believe you could be dealing with the same entity we’re looking for and have been gathering information on for years.”
I glanced at the others. “Name’s Joe,” the guy said as he leaned against the console. “They’re the master of disguises, especially during the last few years.”
“A group of men out of Savannah?” Emmeline threw in.
The woman moved from where she was working on the computer. “I’m Marcy. They have several central locations, Savannah included. Why do you ask?”
“My lovely wife was being stalked by a photographer hired by William Dreyfus ofSouthern Comfort Magazine. Ring a bell?”
Through the vents on the walls, noise could be heard. There were at least a couple more of the bastards roaming around the old church.
“He’s one of the faces of the organization. Keeps his nose clean. Old money. Two sons who are high up in the organization.”
“They want Emmeline.”
As soon as I made the suggestion, Francoise whistled and the other two shared a moment.
“Then you need to get the hell out of here.” Francoise was more insistent than before.
“Why the sudden urgency?” My question sounded more like a demand.
He headed to one of several computers, his finger flying on the keyboard.
“I’ll give you the crib version. They go by the Brotherhood, but depending on their mission, they will use their identities from crime syndicates, royal families, third world politicians, and corporate moguls. It just depends on their operation and what they’re going for. But their name change doesn’t matter. They are powerful and ruthless. If they’ve set their sights on the Prince family, which it seems they have, you should warn them that they don’t give up easily. They also use women as tools, which is why you should be very concerned they’ve targeted Emmeline. I’m printing a copy of a few known players. There are thousands.”
Emmeline didn’t falter, but I could tell she was angry that anyone had placed a target on her back. “Is there one leader?” Her question was a viable one.
“Not that we know. They exist in every country throughout the world.”
“Why the Prince family?”
As Francoise handed me the group of photographs, Emmeline leaned over my shoulder. “That’s William Dreyfus.”
I didn’t recognize the others, or at least that was my initial reaction. Although at least two of the men did seem familiar.
“Is your family on the way?” Francoise asked.
“Last I heard.”
“Well, you should find somewhere truly safe to hole up. Here’s a list of a couple places.”
I took the offer, folding that and the pictures, sliding everything into my jacket pocket.
Hearing the warning and the concern in his voice, every muscle tightened. “Don’t worry. We’ll handle them.”
