Isabella thought about her depression medication. Was evil controlling her mind? She believed not. But she’d lost the desire to go to church. Her mum once told her bad could masquerade as good, a demon can masquerade as an angel of light. They could tell you the things you want to hear.

“I believed the drugs they’re dishing out for depression is lifting up the boom gates and letting these pesky little things, as someone called them, come running in. That’s the industry your mum chose a career in. The pesky things are starting to rule. ”

“I’m sure Mum was aware of all this.”

“She was, Isabella, but she didn’t have the experience of seeing these evil things to consolidate her spiritual beliefs. I haven’t seen them either, but I’m convinced they exist—but they don’t broadcast their existence. It’s like they’re on a covert mission. Your mum started to realise something was wrong, but it was too late.”

If this was true, then no more depression medicine for Isabella. She watched as her Gramps looked to the floor, as if collecting his thoughts. He straightened and looked straight at Isabella.

“People protecting their own interests killed your mother, Isabella. And now they’re coming after you because you know something.”

She expected this, and knew he was right. She thought of the barn. “What do I know, Grandpa?”

“I’ve forgotten.”

<°)))><

Aaron sat with Isabella. It was a smaller room. They allowed her some time to refresh and Aaron could pick up the scent of the bathroom soap she used. He felt for her, she’d been through a rough time. But he needed to try and understand the events that had taken place and he needed to be certain that Isabella wasn’t just hiding the device.

“Sorry about all this, Isabella. We appreciate all your help and what you’ve told us. It appears you didn’t know a lot about your granddad. But don’t worry he’ll be fine. I’ll make sure he is looked after.”

She stirred in her seat. “It’s all a bit overwhelming. It’s been a long time since I’ve had any physical contact with my gramps. And being enlightened with what he’s been up to just adds to the confusion. And then these other things . . . “

“Yes, these other things. Do you have any idea why this lady did what she did?”

“Crazy. She’s a friend’s mother. She said she killed my parents.” Isabella closed her eyes and bowed her head. “No, I don’t know why she did those things.”

Aaron placed his hand on Isabella’s shoulder. He silently asked God to comfort her.

She looked up. “It’s all recorded. My dad had CCTV cameras set up everywhere. It was a hobby thing. I had the recording but I misplaced that also. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.”

They believed her. Inattention can stem from stress. The medication they found in her backpack could also make one forgetful. Two devices missing, just like misplacing the car keys and the wallet. Come on, Aaron, there’s no comparison. Sympathy does not help.

If this Ava lady had worked out her actions were recorded then she would be in pursuant of the recordings. It would be of more importance to her than doing anything to Isabella. But then to wipe out both Isabella and the device would give her a clean slate. But why get involved in the first place?

45 – Recordings and sketches

THERE WAS A HIGH WHINE SOUND followed by crackly sounds. The TV was coming back to life after months of hibernation. The sound of wind and background birdsong brought their attention to the TV.

James saw two men heading to the front door. He noticed a pimple on one man’s nose as he stared directly into the camera, oblivious to being watched. The other man had turned and James saw the ‘DoD’ on his jacket. One was talking—there must be support people somewhere.

Now they were inside what looked like a barn of some sort. They had guns. The taller of the two put some goggles on.

“They’re heat sensing goggles—oops, almost said googles.” Lucas laughed at himself.

James didn’t respond. He watched as the men went outside the barn. Then he saw Ava.

“She is a stunner,” James said.

“Yep, but those eyeballs of yours can get you into trouble. Misperception can get you into big, big trouble. And this lady is trouble with a capital T.”

“You’re right, but she’s still a stunner.”

“Yep, dangerously so. We need to look beyond the good looks.”

James nodded in semi-agreement. The lady was talking.

". . . agree with you. There’s an underground bunker. You also should know that your drone up there is out of communication with you. You see, we need the girl more than you do and we’re desperate".

There was a sound. Like a rush of air. A swoosh. They watched as the DoD men fell to the ground.

The lady’s voice could be heard as the cameras readjusted to her movements. She was now in the barn.

"Maybe we should set fire to the barn. That would have the vermin scattering.

"So, Isabella, I know where you are and it looks like we may need to come and get you and your friend. Be warned we are armed and dangerous. Your lives mean nothing to me. Just like your parents."

When the file reached its end, a listing of files and folders displayed. “That might do for now, James. There are more media files, but I’m sure we got the gist of what’s on the device.”

Included in the list of folders was one named ‘Perdu.’

“See, she’s a dangerous woman. And I’m puzzled as to why she wants to kill Isabella.” Lucas said. “But we have some conclusive evidence here. And the barn was set alight. We just need to get this recording to the authorities. There could also be some interesting things in that ‘Perdu’ folder.

“That’s the business name, I assume?”

“Or the family name,” Lucas said.

“It may be best for me to contact the authorities, Lucas. You’re a wanted man. Maybe we can send in the proof and they may be more lenient towards you.”

James watched Lucas as he reflected on the proposed strategy.

“Okay. Understand. You can make the call and get details of where we can drop off the recording.”

“We must be the only people on planet earth that don’t have a mobile communication device. I can wander down to a store and get one?”

“I’ve been in prison and you’ve been living as a hermit. So we have valid excuses. Can we get a disposable phone? I doubt they still have public phones.”

James was stroking his chin. A hermit, hey? “Okay, I’ll shoot off.”

“Get some food while you’re out there, please. I don’t have any money, but I’ll pay you back somehow.”

James brought his hands together. He didn’t feel good about the flow of the conversation and decided that Lucas’s head wasn’t in the right space yet. Aftershocks, maybe?

“That’s okay. I had a big piggy bank back in my hermit shack. I raided it before I left.”

“James, I think maybe we’re both a bit out of touch with reality. Not sure if you have kept up-to-date with things with your lifestyle choice, but in prison I read a lot about what’s happening in the outside world. I guess you focused more on the inside world.”