Chapter 10-1
The Masked Dance
Part 2
Recognizing the effectiveness of my impostor's performance at Shawn's boarding school at Crest-ridge, Stringham took it upon himself to make certain adjustments to my disguise and cover story, focusing on practicality and functionality. The decision was made to forgo the extensive use of latex and instead opt for matching my hair color with that of my impostors, while also keeping the eye patch. I will wear a pair of glasses. Jared too was fitted for a pair of glasses, but his were just plain, clear nonprescription window glass, plus a deaf hearing aid that was just cosmetic. When we saw him wearing those glasses in the mirror, we both erupted into laughter. It was a humorous sight, especially considering that he hadn't worn glasses since he was a mere five-year-old child, unlike me.
The cover story would be that my left eye was under the care of a surgeon and had been working on returning my sight to that eye, but only enough to see with a pair of glasses. That way when I go to school I can participate with the other students in the classroom. Besides, Tony and Jenny could easily fit in as part of the student body with a few modifications like a different haircut and a pair of glasses. Tony and Jenny groaned. "High School, it was bad enough the first time."
Stringham said; "which would mean quadrupling your salary. Unless you would prefer teaching history and combat training," Jenny raised her hand first said. "I'll take the teaching job,"
Tony said. "Well, I guess that means I'll take being a student."
Stringham motioned Dad in with something with wheels covered with a sheet and parked it in front of us. Stringham removed the sheet with a ta-da flare. "Which includes this lovely gift that Tony has won, a matching set of wheelchairs … let me introduce you to the new Viking 4 X 4." displaying as if it was a brand-new car. "The Viking 4 X 4 has a nice leather heated, high back seat and an electric motor that can travel 5 to 10 miles per hour down school hallways. Swivel wheels for quick turns and game stick control. Race car buckle straps to keep you in your seats.
"The accessories include built-in cameras in not just 2 but 7 different angles and an on-board state-of-the-art sound system with comfortable headrest with movie surround sound speakers that can hear a pin drop in any classroom. And radio control for those who like to cruise down the hall listening to music complete with headphones and a cassette player.
"It has turbine power wheels for outdoor and indoor use. The Viking 4 X 4 is a completely unstoppable 4 X 4 Wheelchair that will take you anywhere you want to go. Whether it's Snow, Rain, and Sand, Mud, Hills, Rough Terrain or even small steps are not a problem for the Viking 4 X 4 for it cannot be stopped!
"Viking 4 X 4 can reach up to the speeds of 35 miles an hour on the open road for a quick getaway or car chases with L. E. D headlights and taillights at the touch of a button. It comes in blue, fire engine red, silver or black. With the option of a horn and removable basket, for those who need a spot to put their homework or go to the store.
"This beauty is the top of the line not found in most retail stores, comes with a lifetime guarantee of oil changes and a flight recorder, and can plug into any wall socket for recharge. It will turn the heads of anyone that sees you in it. Oh, I am not done yet folks: It also comes with a cup holder and guarantees to keep your cold soda or water bottle cold. And an umbrella for when it rains, plus a flag at the top with your name that is sure to impress the ladies.
Jenny took one look at Tony's face and said. "Nope, I am not going to switch … no sir."
Tony hopped in and said. "You had me at the cup holder and flag. I'll take mine in black," and gave it a go around the living room.
I groaned, "I thought we were going to get me walking … not plant my ass in the seat?"
Stringham said. "I changed my mind, you did such a good job in the chair that I thought what the hell, let's see what they say when you ride around in these beauties and then say a cure is possible, but it will take six months to a year to cure you, by that time. Bye, bye, bad people. We can always cure you with some new wonder drug, besides the cast worked as a distraction and so did your fingers and arm, so why not something that has little extra piazzas to it?"
Tony came back and spun on a dime, said. "This is really, really cool. Come on, we can be ass-kicking chair buddies by day and ninjas by night. I'll even throw in a pair of ninja pajamas. I was going to anyway after what you did at the boarding school."
I rolled my eyes and said. "Fine, so it really has a radio and cassette player and a cold drink cup holder?"
Stringham said. "I said it did, didn't I? Now get in. You have about an hour before we have to get ready to leave." I had to admit the new wheelchair was the coolest thing since sliced bread. Mom came in, watching me and Tony race around the living room.
Jared joined us in his built custom-made Viking 4 X 4, painted in blue with fire graphics and a matching-colored flag with a fierce-looking bear with his name under it John Carrion in bold print in circling the bear with metallic silver print against his black flag. Mine, of course, had an Orange and black tiger with my name, circling the tiger in black bold print with a red background to match my wheelchair. Nate Carrion, while Tony has his with a big fierce black panther and his name circling it Tony Basken, Mom screaming. "Careful boys, please don't― break anything," as she caught the lamp that was about to fall onto the floor.
Jenny didn't get excited until our ride showed up in the driveway a fully stocked 1984 Van with custom high inset rims in her favorite color silver with tinted black windows. We watched her jump up and down and run outside. Stringham tossed her the keys. Giving her the tour of her brand-new van with every bell and whistle she could think of. Then, of course, the wheelchair ramp for me, Tony, and Jared.
He smiled. "We can change the color if you like, or you can still switch with Tony." She grabbed Stringham and kissed him and he lost his balance. He said. "It has everything, including hidden panels to hide your gear for your missions, and is quiet as a mouse."
She kissed him again, said. "It's mine? It's really, really mine?"
He said. "Of course, it is … someone's got to take the kiddies to school and church. What better way than to let my favorite gal know how much we need her on our team?"
She kissed him. "I am still getting the Cinderella wedding."
He rolled his eyes and said. "Kiddo, I wouldn't dare not give you one. You're like a daughter to me."
She hugged the stuffing out of him then she growled, "You knew I would take the teaching job," noting the license plate with her black silver tiger on it, with Jenny 100 on the back.
"Well," Tony said. "You wanted a chance to teach, and I said why and the hell not, let the girl teach.
Stringum said. "Tony had his own little gig with Eric and his new merry band of misfits to keep Tony occupied plus Jared considering they start the ninth grade as a freshman here. Leaving Jason and Jonathon in elementary school with their own bodyguards, I have placed them as teachers and janitors. I had to consider of changing their first names, but it was just easier not to and covered up my mess with the High Bishop. Stating that parents felt they didn't want the youngest children participating in a Satanic Ritual which is common for children their age not to be attended unless it includes them as a family blessing.
"It also means you taking the lead more often with him being gone, setting up shop here and there and you taking a point in training new recruits for our team. And with Crest-Ridge needing a replacement leader until we can move to the next one, not to mention getting a foothold in each of the schools. Now that we know the Satanic Church is trying to take the schools and the students with the most money and influence to bring them into the fold.
"We need more teams to spread around. Tony and you are the best of the best. I need more. The United States Government needs more people trained like yours and Tony's team. Now, go inside and put on that very beautiful ball gown and so we can go hunting for some devils." He gave her a swat on the bottom, and she smiled.
Tony stood in the door frame asking her. "So, do you like it? Or do you want a trade?"
She patted his cheek and said. "Nope, not one little bit. Now get down that hall and be a good little boy, and maybe we can do a little―" She whispered something in his ear that said he wanted it badly as I watched her rub his crotch. It didn't take a genius to know what that little something was.
Tony said. "I want you ready in thirty minutes, boys or I am going to kick your butts. Jenny and I got some devil hunting to do."
Everyone was going … it didn't matter if they didn't want to go they were going if Stringham had to strap them in screaming and kicking after all the time and money he had put into this little party … they were going. It wasn't going to be anything more than a nice dinner, mingling with the hob knobs and some dancing. Not with Big Brother watching and more than half the town and some of Stringham's friends that had loads of money.
The rumor was that only millionaires would be admitted. However, with the masks on, real or fake, no one would know who anyone was. That included a few government people and mayors and congressmen. The Satanic Church doesn't like coming out to the public and remains in the shadows until it's time for a total takeover. So, they would be stupid to try anything.
Mine and Eli's mouths dropped when the girls came down the hall in their ball gowns. We had taken off the wedding rings and replaced them with very elegant engagement rings. After all, Shawn was the one that had been married last night, yet he just didn't know who he married because they were no longer at the school or in Texas; with the black wedding last night ending in a raid and capturing nearly everyone. We were fairly sure that Eli and the girls could use their real last names. Stringham and I, with Jeff's help, concluded that it was safe to do so. As I have said before, people are stupid, and other covens or grottos. Normally, don't mix and mingle with others, more so when it comes to great distances. It looked like a mile long of stretched limos pulling up to the old theater where the Satanic Church meets.
I noticed right away that none of their stuff was lying about and in places, there were lots and lots of flowers that had cards with advertisements stating the shop that created the arrangements. What was good for the goose is good for the gander the saying goes, so a little free advertising wasn't going to hurt. Even Stringham had some as well.
Every store in the state of Utah, from clothing goods to tools and hardware, was discreetly listed. The print was bold, highlighting the four new stores: one here in Heber, and four towns back, including Salt Lake City, American Fork, and Santaquin. Additionally, there are plans to open one in Orem and Provo within the next year or so. Let's not forget about places like Saint George, Utah, and a few others.
The dress code for the occasion demanded that all the men and boys wore sophisticated tuxedos, accessorized with black bow ties, while the girls made a statement with their luxurious ball gowns, each one worth more than enough to feed a small county. Stringham had my friends hand-out wedding announcements which would be placed in the local paper in the morning. Making sure the High Bishop got a copy, he formally reintroduced me and introduced Tony and Jenny, then Eli and the two girls, his finger tracing the smiling faces on the announcement. The crisp announcement crackled softly as he handled it. Stringham smiled when he recognized me as he was telling him that I had been to the eye doctor. A specialist in his field and said that I would get my sight back in my other eye, but only enough that I would need glasses.
However, we had a setback regarding my legs that they couldn't do anything until the first of the year, but it looked like I could be using a cane by next spring and have total use without one in the following months. However, his best friend Tony, who had just come home from the hospital, would be lucky if he got to witness any improvement other than a slight movement.
Stringham said. "Unfortunately, his parents died in the crash that Nate and he were in and his brother John and Tony and Tony lost both his parents and his two sisters on the way to the hospital. Mr. and Mrs. Carrion have been asked as his godparents according to the Will that he be raised by them. Until his soon-to-be, Mrs. Jenny Basken will be helping with his recovery like she has been doing for the past year or so, until they are married, which according to his parents "Will" he must be married by his seventeenth birthday which is in November of this year. Or lose most of his inheritance."
He whispered loudly enough for a small radius to hear about 300 billion dollars. "He will only receive less than half of it if he is not married by then, and he must stay married to her for a minimum of twenty-five years. Otherwise, she won't receive her inheritance of twenty-five billion dollars for being his wife once the term is over. However, for now, both of them receive yearly checks of ten billion dollars from their holdings once they have been married, until they either pass away or complete the full twenty-five years. In fact, I have been asked to give you a donation to make sure that the church doesn't decide he or she isn't worthy of becoming members of our church." I watched his eyes pop out of his head when he saw the check for 250,000 dollars. Asking him if he would like that in cash or he could put it in the bank in the morning.
Stringham motioned Landon over and had him open the silver briefcase and so he and everyone could see it. I could see the wheels turning in his head, as he took the briefcase and handed it to his honor guard, said. "I think we can work something out, Mr. Stringham … and Mr. Basken it's always good to welcome new members. I am looking forward to seeing you this Sunday, as well as you Nate, and your three friends."
Stringham pointed to the wedding announcement. "They will be all on their honeymoon and won't be back until the following week, But perhaps once they come back we can discuss a wedding within the church for them and of course my wife and two daughters, Nothing major considering me and my wife Roberta and my daughters, who couldn't make it tonight and is busy planning the wedding with her relatives and moving down here and will be on our second honeymoon while my two daughters are up at BYU and knee deep in test and finals this week and won't be free until we get back next Friday. And the same as Nate and his friends and Jody and Dave, who you have met last night."
Bring them forward, making sure he had included everyone, including Jason and Jonathon. Mr. Vincent would arrive shortly for the second half of placing the cheese before the rat. Everyone else just mingled in as part of the people on the guest list wearing masks of some kind either with a stick on the end or a tied-on type, and a few painted on with sparkles that looked like encrusted jewels.
Plus, lots of paste jewelry either on the fingers, hair, neck, and hands or all the above as they mixed in with the other rich folks spreading gossip and lies that they had intended to implant regarding the High Bishop and the now dead High Priestess. Or if they have heard about the mess in Texas where some of the members had been captured by government officials, or planting it, telling them it could have been the drug cartel, or the mob.
Stringham leaned over closer to the High Bishop. "This is for your trouble a token for anything I might do to thank you for your generosity and a little something extra for your birthday." Stringham placed a large fat envelope into the High Bishop's breast pocket and said. "I must not detain you any longer. May Mormo bless you with a long life and service to our church?" He repeated the phrases and went on his merry way. If I didn't know better, he jumped up and clicked his heels, singing Happy Birthday to me.
Stringham gave Jenny a nod as she blended in, and she was gone, following that briefcase. That had a tracking device on it and the cash including the one in his pocket. He wanted to make sure that he got that money back and so it would cause distrust among his high-ranking members when he discovers the briefcase empty when he opens it tonight. And other things are missing, as others give large discrete, donations or rich birthday presents.
Eli and his Dad said that greedy people like him always blame their high-ranking members for stealing from them because they ask them to commit murder and raping their children to gain access to the holy rights to give them even more power and more money. So that was his number one goal to locate the middlemen and take them out quickly. It wasn't long before he came back and he was indeed in a jovial mood, but so was Stringham getting the sign that our team had captured the flag. Now there was nothing to do but enjoy the party. We placed the bait. Now it is time for them to step into our little trap of who is really in charge of this show.