Hell’s Gates Part 1

Chapter 277

Hell’s Gates

Part 1

 

Dad and I made it back to my room only to have Mr. Bronson quickly follow us, as he brought with him the three more boys that had just arrived. Dad and I looked at him and he said. “What? I told you if they don’t have boys they can’t win the vote, ensuring Mr. Wesley cadence?”

Dad said. “I get it, but something says that you two are up to something.”

Mr. Bronson said. “Alright, but hear me out first, you and I both know what they plan to do with these boys; Mr. Wesley and I don’t want that to happen. Without boys to pledge they can not enter the chamber empty-handed.

“We will simply wait until the time expires and then Mr. Wesley being the only one here with eligible boys the other candidates will not be able to take the position. Then after he crowned king he and I will take the boys for ourselves and put them on a plane tonight while they are celebrating in Mr. Wesley good fortune. No one will be the wiser, and too drunk to notice what we have done until we are long gone before he has to pledge at the stroke of midnight when the moon is at its highest point. We will then take the boys, and they will have a new High King and we will be 4 billion dollars richer.  We are willing to give you 35 percent of the profits if you help us; we both get what we want.”

Dad and I looked at each other, we both knew something else was going on, but we couldn’t trust Mr. Bronson or Mr. Wesley without knowing what they were really up to. Dad rubbed his chin and said. “Fine, but I think it should be 40 present since you are risking our lives to get involved and to keep our mouth shut and providing you and all these boys a place to stay until you can get safe passage for you and your boys.”

Mr. Bronson said. “You’re a shrewd man Mr. Carrion, but being as we don’t have another option; I think 40 percent is a fair deal. Now we just have figure out how to get the boys out of here unseen. Before our new guests realize that their boys are all missing.” 

Dad said. “Yes, and I know just the man we need to talk to. Give me 20 minutes or so and see if I can reason with him. Just stay in this room and keep quiet. If anyone comes looking for you hide. There is a hidden room behind the linen closet. Mr. Tate was a crafty b*****d and has hidden rooms everywhere to hide guests from the police.

“I’ll bring Mr. Vincent back to help and see if I can get Stringum on abroad as well since we are going to need their help to get you and these boys out of here…” Dad barely opened the door when Stringum was about to knock. Dad quickly pulled him inside the room. Stringum looked at Mr. Bronson and all the boys they had gathered including the ones that had just arrived. 

Stringum demanded an explanation Dad and Mr. Bronson did all the talking when Mr. Wesley barged in with 5 more boys. Dad said asking Mr. Wesley. “How many more boys are left may I ask and don’t you dare say you just purchased them when I know your friend here just told me that you intend to make sure there isn’t a single boy left that can be used as a pledge.”

He said. “5 maybe six, providing no more show up. I just overheard Mr. Striker and Mr. Gregory talking said they had 15 more they have just taken from a nearby church house. To ensure Mr. Striker and his friends have the pick of the litter.”

Stringum said. “Not necessarily, my men have taken care of the problem. They won’t be coming to our little party and the men Mr. Striker sent to retrieve them are being held hostage until we can figure out what to do with them. They just haven’t gotten word yet and I intend to agree that Mr. Bronson and you are doing the right thing.

“However we need to move quickly as events are about to get even more interesting now that the rest of members have arrived, but they are still short 4 votes at the moment. So in the meantime, we need to act like we know nothing. However, these boys need to be moved, before they start counting heads. Mr. Tate may have been a snake, but he was also a genius when he had this house built.

“There are hidden rooms all over this place, and a tunnel that we can use to get these boys out, however, we must wait because if you two or Mr. Carrion or Nate is missing when the game begins our goose is cooked. So let’s get these boys into a more secure place and do it quickly. Mr. Carrion knows the way while I go down find a couple of men I can trust to keep these boys safe until we can move them. Having Mr. Wesley follow me, so it won’t look like we have just kidnapped every boy they are going to be looking for when those men start looking over who they want to use as a pledge tonight.

“Mr. Carrion once the boys are secured you and Nate and Mr. Bronson meet me in the control room. I’ll send Mr. Vincent and see if he can round up the rest of the boys that are under the age of 12. Being as they will be too old to be considered and see if we can lay us a trail… and blame this on Mr. Striker and his pals when the s**t hits the fan; which it will when he discovers that the men he sent out to kidnap some of our local boys aren’t coming back.” Everyone quickly grabbed their stuff, or what little they had, and followed me and Dad behind the linen closet. While Mr. Wesley and Stringum went out of the bedroom door like two peas in a pod with my friend Jeff walking along just as curious as we were.

There were 15 boys in total 5 more were still down there and it was going to take some sort of diversion to get them out without being seen. We led the boys though very narrow walkway that was basically built between the main walls of the house and between all the rooms as it winding downward to the basement where the control room was and the wine cellar and the storage room.

The room had several bunk beds along the walls and small bathroom no bigger than the one at my mother's house with a built-in shower only and one small vanity sink and mirror. It wasn’t the ritz by any means, but then again if you were hiding from the cops it was the perfect place to hide until the coast was clear and the only way out was back the way we came… or out through the tunnel that would lead us from the house to about three maybe four blocks down disguised as a manhole.

Once the boys were secure telling them to make themselves comfy leaving the older boys like Terry in charge until Tony’s men could come and take charge. The biggest problem we would have is that some of the boys didn’t have either shoes or warm clothes with them and we would need to find a way to get them without raising an alarm. Dad had Mr. Bronson follow me and him into the control room.

Watching him gasp seeing all the cameras he had been told had been disconnected in all the rooms including the meeting room. Dad said. “What? You think that Stringum was simply going to turn them all off all the hidden cameras. The first rule of being a spy is to get your victims to trust you. Sure he removed the cameras, but only the ones that were obvious to anyone once they realized where they were. Just not the ones we needed.”

Stringum quickly came back as he left Mr. Wesley to work the room and as telling everyone that asked about his friend Mr. Bronson was that he was with Nate and Terry having sex. It was a good alibi, and one they would believe and Dad was busy as well with a couple of other boys. Stringum entered the room pointing to each of the monitors as he told who was who in regards to Mr. Striker’s new guests watching them leave their room and heading down the stairs.

Each of them was wearing a circlet of gold in the shape of a crown with several gems. Indicating they were royalty of some sort. They quickly worked the room as Mr. Granger headed for the library to ensure everything was ready to take the vote and to discuss what had just taken place.

Stringum took his chair at the console and told someone to go ahead and deliver the message once they all go into the library and wait for his queue, in regards to Mr. Striker’s men who were still missing and the ones who he had sent out to gather up some local boys now that he didn’t have Colby’s brother.

It was now 3:15 pm. and it was time for the candidates to give their speech to why they should be considered to take the throne; narrowing it down to two people, but that vote was to take place in the library, since the people had already chosen the ones who they think should take the throne.

Stringum sent Mr. Kirkland out disguised as Stringum to work the room; Mr. Bronson gaps, seeing him on the monitor while the real Stringum sat right here with us. Stringum said. “What? I can’t be in two places at once. Watch the monitor it will all make sense in a few minutes when Mr. Granger puts in the video. However, as you know Mr. Tate has been killed, but what you don’t know is, he was killed nearly a week ago.

“I have placed the blame on Mr. Striker, and his friends. Those boys they think they killed are alive and well; in fact very close by, but we needed a patsy. So we framed Mr. Striker and his men to take the fall, considering they were going to kill him anyway.”

Mr. Bronson smiled and started to chuckle. “You crafty little b*****d, so in truth, you are the one that actually killed Mr. Tate.”

Stringum said. “Yes and no,” not giving him anything, least not answer he would believe anyway. He had a lot of explaining to do before he would get access to those questions. Stringum rubbed his hands together as he asked if they were ready, to show the news for our friends inside the library wanting to wait for them to turn on the TV. Stringum said. “This going really put starch in their shorts;” watch them all come into the room with the 3 of the candidates as they are now about to learn that Mr. Fairchild is running a little late and won’t be coming back anytime soon.

Once they took a seat, Mr. Granger noted the large metal box with his name on that been locked and sealed. Plus the video containing everything Mr. Striker had done today, including the murder of Mr. Tate and the news feed, plus the altercation between him and Dad. Mr. Granger waited as they all took seats noticing the box as Mr. Striker was asked about Mr. Fairchild and why he was missing.

Mr. Striker said as if it was business usual said. "Mr. Fairchild is securing boys as we speak that might be eligible for or master to accept as my pledge. Since the one, I had chosen was no longer viable, being as one of my men killed him accidentally when he took him task. I have dealt with the situation and sent Mr. Fairchild to bring me back several local boys. He should have been back by now, knowing you would be here my Excellency.” We all knew what he said about Colby’s brother was a lie, well except Mr. Bronson and Mr. Wesley.

Mr. Granger said. “Then let us move forward since time is wasting; he will have to have a good reason to why he is late, considering the hour is drawing near, but first let's see what Mr. Tate has left us being as this his last Will and testament according to this sealed letter and box.”

He opened the letter and quickly read it out loud that everything belonged to Mr. Stringum the house, his properties his withholding's, including all boys and business. That he was deep in debt and Stringum, Mr. Carrion and Mr. Vincent as well as Mr. Earl. Paid his debts, and back taxes including purchasing several properties; showing receipts and sold deeds and contract signed by him and notarized using his own blood.

Mr. Grange said. “So it is true then this b*****d Stringum and this Mr. Carrion is indeed fools thinking that if they buy Mr. Tate out if he can not pay them back with interests they own everything.”

He stood up placing both hands on the table and growled angrily at Mr. Striker. “And you and your men who I sent here to secure things and buy Mr. Tate out with enough money to do it. Instead of buying him out you killed him. Now everything we have worked years to build is owned by these idiots.

“Our master will not be pleased; did you at least obtain his key before you idiots killed him? And what about the other members, where are they? They were supposed to be here tonight long before I arrived overseeing these proceedings. So we could place a new person on the throne.

“We cannot be late tonight, everyone here besides me must be ready to renew our contracts and our vows with our master. Or suffer his wrath. I for one will not be blamed, being as I have just learned about what has just taken place.

“However, without those keys, we can not open our temple and meet our master. I see no keys here, other than a note telling me where to find them as it seems Mr. Tate was able to do what you Mr. Striker was told to do. Not more than 6 months ago to ensure tonight will go off without a hitch. So I will ask again do you or do you not have Mr. Tate’s key and vile of his blood?”

Mr. Striker said.  “My most holy one, Mr. Tate wasn’t wearing the key when we killed him and the boys. In fact, we don’t even remember doing it.”

Mr. Granger looked at him as he pounded the table with his fist, then waved the video in his hand and yelled. “Apparently you did kill him and those boys you brought with you according to many of our members here you came in with blood all over your clothes and body. Plus the fact Mr. Stringum stated not more than 30 minutes again that this tape contains everything. So you better not be lying to me, because if you are, we have a serious problem.

“I understand you have seen the tape, but I and my two council members have not.” He tossed it across the table to Mr. Gregory and told him to put in the tape. Stringum counted down as he told the man outside the door to knock. The moment the TV came as he waited for his queue and queued his man at the console to start the newscasts they had recorded.

“A woman voice came on, said. “I am standing here with the Police Chef of Heber City where this morning murders took place not more than a few hours ago. We are now witnessing a hostage situation at the local LDS Stake House here not more than 20 miles where the murders had taken place. Apparently, five men went inside wearing silver face-masks and guns had gone inside the chapel….”

Stringum gave the man at the door the green light. As Mr. Granger told Mr. Gregory to hold it, stopping him from pushing in the tape not that it would play until Stringum flicked the switch. Mr. Holliman opened the door telling the man that we were busy, as the man handed him a sealed letter addressed to Mr. Striker.

He took the letter and handed to Mr. Striker watching him rip it open. His face paled reading it, as Mr. Granger took the letter out of his hands as the news, described the scene inside the build. As they watched the swat team who were no doubt Tony’s and Stringum’s men getting ready to take control of the situation. Everyone’s eyes were glued to the TV set.

Mr. Granger said crumbling the letter in his fist; “Apparently those members we are waiting for have been found dead. With a note addressed to Mr. Striker and me that Mr. Tate had killed them has taken each of their keys for himself.” I watched Mr. Wesley as he began to get very nevus as the room was a powered keg. Even Mr. Bronson seemed he was sweating as if they were hiding something. Jeff smiled telling me and Stringum that things are about to get interesting.

We watched the monitor as they watched the TV as we watched them and the monitor with the news footage. Tony came in taking a seat, said. “Oh good, I haven’t missed the best part.” We heard glass breaking as his men threw tear gas into the chapel while his men busted down the door going into the chapel hearing loud pop pops like gunshots. Then people screaming as they ran out the door as the swat team took them to safety. Within moments the swat team had taken control and everyone was out of the building; watching Mr. Fairchild and the rest of Mr. Striker’s men being led out in handcuffs.

The newswoman quickly got update that no one was injured except for two men who they just now bringing out on the stretchers with white bloody sheets over them. Mr. Granger told him to turn it off as he looked squarely at Mr. Striker and Mr. Gregory.

But instead, the video came on. Showing Mr. Tate on his yacht; he said sitting on the deck on a lounge chair with a drink in his hand said facing the camera. “If you are watching this video that means I am dead. Well, the last laugh is on you, my good friends. Over the last few years, I knew I was about to be retired; and felt cheated by some of you, because you refused to help me when I was down and out. Causing me to find someone new friends, and very rich friends since none of you were willing to invest in my movies or my other business ventures.

“In the box before you are documents signed by me and my attorneys, giving everything I used to own now that I am dead to my real friends Mr. David Stringum and his three partners Mr. Robert Carrion and his Husband Mr. Lance Vincent, their friends Mr. Brain Earl. That includes the house, properties everything. So you greedy b******s couldn’t take it, if or should I say when you kill me. Like I said the last laugh is on you.” He got up from the chair placing his drink on the table. Next, to a black stone box about the size, a basketball would fit inside it with plenty of room.

He turned it around showing the contents of the box, said. “Inside this box, I have personally prepared, is 4 sets of keys. You and I both know you will need them to open the temple we have built and have taken care of for the last two thousand years. It has taken me several months together them for this moment you are about to wittiness.

“In the box before you in the small tiny envelope, you will find the coordinates where these keys are. Yes, that’s right, I have them, but that’s not all I have…Inside this box, you can see five vials of blood. Which has been frozen and preserved with several spells and what not to ensure they remain viable? So if or when you find this box you will everything you need to open the chamber door.

“The last key the fifth key and vile of blood is mine, which I am now adding to the box. I am now going to seal the box and it is up to you to find it, but as you know I am a cruel heartless man and have no soul. This box and everything in it will be sent to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean in the advent of my death, within 24 hours, if you haven’t solved the puzzles I have left behind that gives you access where this box is and who I have given it too.

“In the bottom of the box in front of you is a map of 5 places. To get to those places you will need 5 keys of my own design, which I have asked Mr. David Stringum to hide in plain sight. You have until the moon rises on November 1st, 1984 to find my keys and this box.

“If you haven’t solved the puzzle by such time, this box and everything in it will then be lost forever at the bottom of this ocean; one other thing to help you start this quest of mine I have made 2 keys one for me and another person that is with you if he has agreed to the terms of his own contract a debt I owe for what I have done.

“One of those keys the person will receive by unusual means, if he is in the room with you he’ll know what I mean if he is not then you will receive a duplicate key by messenger addressed to Mr. Granger at by the time he arrives overseeing the proceedings to elect a new High King no later then 3:30 pm November 1st 1984 to Mr. Granger. Good luck and farewell.”

The room gasped as Mr. Tate took off the key around his neck and put inside the box and sealed it; watching powders of metal so hot when ignited that the only way to open it would be to use a jackhammer. He picked up the box and handed it to someone. Picked up his drink and smiled. “See you all in hell, and may you suffer the deaths you so rightly deserve.” The video ended as they watched several young boys who were Mr. Vincent’s two boys and Jonathon plus Jessie and Kirk's little brother Darren running up to him naked as the day they were born. Then the screen turned to snow.