Ridge
Reverend Lyle Anderson said, “Before you start your search, at least let me send Sam and Max next door to warn my clients before the police barge in and scare them.”
Bill Taylor step forward, “That won’t be happening, Mr. Anderson.”
Anderson said, “I prefer Reverend.”
Bill laughed, “Yeah, I don’t think so Mr. Anderson. You see, I did a little checking. When you left your last church five years ago, the church did a little investigating. They found a lot of irregularities with the church’s finances and to keep things quiet you gave up being an ordained pastor. Filling out a form online does not make you a reverend. It only allows you to officiate a wedding.
Anderson was getting more agitated by the second. I could see his mind racing trying to think of something to respond to what Bill just told him.
Bill gave him the warrant and said, “You will have a seat in that chair, Max and Sam will sit over there while we start our search.”
He sat down, clearly defeated, he asked, “And what are you hoping to find?”
I pulled out three pictures and held them up, “DJ Willers, Noah Chang and Wyatt Tillman.”
The color drained from his face. Max and Sam’s eyes went wide.
We were soon joined by several more uniformed officers. Two stayed with Anderson, Max and Sam while the rest of us walked down the hall. Just I suspected, the rooms were bedrooms converted to an office and what appeared to be conference/classroom. Two of the officers started to unplug the computers in the office, we would take them back to headquarters for our tech guys to search. We went upstairs and found what appeared to be Lyle Anderson’s living quarters. Once we had gone through all the rooms in the first condo, we headed out the door to the next one.
As we approached the door, we paused to make an entry plan. I didn’t expect to find anyone waiting with weapons, but we needed to be prepared, just in case. We all pulled our guns out and I slowly turned the knob and pushed the door open. I didn’t hear anything.
I said, “Miami police department, we have a search warrant.”
Again, I heard nothing. I slowly looked around the door jamb and saw no one. We entered and started to clear the room. We walked into a common room with a couch and several chairs. As we entered further, we saw a dining room with a large table with eight chairs around it. This led to a kitchen with some dishes sitting on the counter, it looked as if lunch had just been served. What happened next totally took me by surprise.
A woman walked out of a door in the hall. We all turned with our guns drawn, causing her to scream and throw her hands up in the air. She was just as surprised as we were.
Blake yelled, “Miami police, don’t move.”
She froze and I got a good look at her, I nearly dropped my weapon when I realized who she was.
I said, “Joann Chandler?”
She looked at me, “It’s Joann Anderson.”
I shook my head, “It was Chandler when you disappeared 5 years ago.” She didn’t respond.
I regained my composure, we needed to finish our search, I said, “I need you to stand over by that officer. Is there anyone else in here?”
She motioned down this hall, “Just our current clients.”
Ollie and I quickly walked down the hall, there were 4 doors, they were all locked.
I returned to the kitchen and asked, “Where are the keys?”
She pointed to the hooks on the wall; I grabbed all the keys and went to the first door.
I found the right key and turned the knob, I said, “Miami police.”
I stepped into the room to find a frightened teen girl against the far wall.
I said, “There is no need to be scared, I’m with the police department, I’m here to help you. Can you tell me your name please?”
She looked me over, “Carissa Walsh.”
I smiled, “I’m Detective Ridgeway, did you come here of your own free will?”
She rolled her eyes, “No, my parents made me.”
I asked, “How old are you?”
She sighed, “I’m 17.”
I said, “Okay, please come with me. We’ll help you figure things out.”
I told Ollie to take her out to the car. Once he did, he had another officer wait with her until we were ready to go back to the station. I moved to the next door and repeated the process. I was relieved to be greeted by Wyatt Tillman. I had him join Carissa out by the car. I found Noah and DJ in the next two rooms. They gave each other hug as soon as they saw the one another. Blake, Ollie and I all breathed a big sigh of relief, glad that we found all of our victims alive and well. When we searched the second floor, we found two more bedrooms, I assume that was where Sam and Max stayed. There wasn’t anyone else in the condo.
It wasn’t until I walked back into the kitchen that I remembered that I had also found Joann Chandler. She was now sitting at the dining room table as we led DJ and Noah out to join Carissa and Wyatt waiting by the car.
I sat across the table from Joann and asked, “Have you been here for the last five years?”
She nodded, “Well, ever since Lyle started the Ministry.”
I asked, “Did you not know that we were looking for you?”
She shrugged, “I suppose I thought you might be, but I didn’t really think that anyone would really miss me.”
I shook my head, “What about your daughter?"
Joann sighed, “My daughter and I are not very close. I just thought I needed a fresh start; she was an adult and was already living her own life.”
I wasn’t sure what to make of her attitude, I took a deep breath and stood up.
I said, “We are going to need you to come down to the station with us, we have a lot of questions for you.”
She asked, “What about Lyle?”
I said, “Oh, he’s going to the station too. I’m sorry, but you won’t be able to see him until we get some things sorted out.”
We got everybody loaded into the cars and left for the station. I returned to the first condo to get Lyle Anderson. Blake and Ollie led Max and Sam outside so they could be taken downtown too. I wasn’t sure how much of a part they played in this whole thing. We had to keep them separate until we found out.
Ollie and Blake returned as I was talking to Bill Taylor. Bill nodded as I turned them and said, “Go ahead and read Mr. Anderson his rights, and we will take him to the station for more questions.”
Ollie grinned, “I will be happy to.” His smile got bigger as he pulled out his handcuffs.
Ollie said, “You have the right to remain silent…”
I chuckled to myself; Ollie was getting a little too much enjoyment out of this. To be honest, I was a pleased with how our morning was turning out too.
Once we got back to the station, We took Anderson, Joann, Sam and Max to holding cells. I had a feeling that Max and Sam had no idea what was going on, but we needed to learn more before we just let them go. I wanted to talk to all of our victims first.
Devin
I had finished all of my interviews with Slocum sex ring victims. I had talked to all of them that were still in Miami. The week before I came to Miami, I called all the others that had moved out of town. I think I had enough to at least get started on my book. I spent the rest of the afternoon typing my notes and began writing my outline. I was trying to keep busy because Mike was coming to town tomorrow afternoon, his plane was scheduled to get in at 2pm. I couldn’t wait to see him. He would still be working so it would be too early to call him for our nightly talk.
I paused and looked at my second notebook. I had started to make a few notes about the Joann Chandler case. After my visit to the church and to her former office, I was beginning to believe her daughter was right. The thought that she ran off with her Pastor even ran through my head. I quickly pushed that thought aside, surely Ridge would have investigated that angle. I decided I needed to do a little more digging on the Pastor.
A quick search of public records and I learned that Lyle Anderson was involved in some sort of scandal after he left the church and was not actually a Pastor any longer. This guy was up to something shady; I just wasn’t sure what it was. I also learned that his wife had divorced him shortly after he left the church. Maybe that was because he was seeing Joann Chandler. Carl nelson’s theory did really make sense.
I really didn’t want to piss Ridge off, but I felt like I needed to talk to him and let him know what I was thinking. Maybe I am way off base here and he has already investigated this, but I needed to find out. He was the professional after all; I was just writer that liked to follow the clues.
I decided to call him; I was not surprised when my call went to voice mail.
I said, “Hey Ridge, it’s Devin. I’m sorry to bother you, I know you’re busy, but when you have a free moment could you please give me a call?”
I set my phone down and waited for him or Mike to call me. I was hoping Mike would be first.
Ridge
After we got back to the station, I told Ollie and Blake to take our four victims to different interview rooms and get them something to drink if they wanted. I wanted to talk to them separately to see how close their stories were. While they were getting everyone situated, I started making phone calls. Glad that I was going to be able to deliver good news to all of them. Although, I’m not sure if Wendy Nelson would be happy to learn the truth about her mother.
I called Tom Willers first; he answered on the first ring.
He said, “Ridge, do you have news?”
I smiled, “I do Tom. DJ is safe and at the police station right now. You can come see him whenever you want.”
He let out a deep sigh, “Thanks Ridge, we’ll be there right away.”
I called Owen Chang next; I didn’t even bother calling Noah’s father. Owen told me that he and Katie would come see Noah as soon as they could. Gary and Barb Tillman were just as relieved and would soon be on their way too. I also called Jon Thomas and realized we were soon going to have a full house. I briefed the front desk to prepare for them, and we formed a plan to try to minimize the chaos.
I noticed I had a voice mail. I listened to Devin ask me to give him a call when I had a minute. I assume he has a few follow up questions. I would call him back later; I wanted to get started on our interviews.
I called Wendy Nelson last.
She answered, “Hey Detective, has there been a development?”
I took a breath, “Yes, we have your mother in custody.”
She said, “Custody? What does that mean?”
I explained what we knew at this point and I wasn’t sure how involved she was, but we had a lot of questions for her. I looked at the clock, it was after 2, I told her that I probably wouldn’t talk to Joann until tomorrow morning. When I finished talking to her, she could see her mother if she wanted to.
Wendy said, “Yeah, I think I would like to talk to her, but I understand you need to get your information first. Thank you for calling me, let me know when you are done talking to her and I will come see her.”
I ended the call relieved that it went as well as it did. I knew I had a few more hours of work to do, so I called Lucas to let him know I would be late.
He answered, “Hey sexy.”
I smiled, “Hey, we found our guys and just got back to the station. It’s probably going a few more hours before I get home.”
He said, “I’m glad you got them home. I haven’t started dinner yet, so no problem. I think I’ll just call to have Chinese delivered; we can heat it up when you get home.”
I said, “You’re the best babe. That sounds good to me. I’ll call when I’m headed home.”
After I ended my call with Lucas, I grabbed my notebook. Blake, Ollie and I went to talk to DJ first.
He asked, “Will I be able to go home today?”
I nodded, “Yes, we just need to get your statement first. Do you feel up to answering a few questions.”
He said, “Yes. Will Noah be able to go with me?”
I smiled, “Yes, and your parents are on their way, they should be here in about ten minutes.”
His eyes went wide, “My parents? Are they in Miami?”
I nodded, “They were the ones that reported you missing, they came to town on Monday. They were worried after you didn’t call them on Sunday.”
DJ sighed, “I’ll bet they are going to make me move back to Augusta with them.”
I smiled, “I don’t think so DJ. Your dad was just happy you were safe when I called to tell him I found you.”
He gave me a slight smile.
I said, “So, tell me what happened last Saturday night after you left the club.”
He said, “So you already know we were at the club?” I nodded, he continued, “From out of nowhere, a van pulled in front of us and pulled us inside. They held a rag over my face and I blacked out. I woke up the next morning in that room.”
I asked, “How many people were in the van?”
He said, “Three, the driver and the two guys that pulled me and Noah inside.”
“Were any of those guys Sam or Max?”
He shook his head, “No, I don’t think so. I know Sam wasn’t in the van, I don’t know who Max is.”
I made some notes and asked, “So what happened while you were at the condo?”
DJ said, “Sam came in on Sunday morning and started to tell me that I was there to get help. He explained that being gay was wrong and he was going to help me change. When I told him I was happy and didn’t want to change, he tried to read me some bible verse, and I stopped him and told to let me go. That’s when he closed the bible and told me to play along with the conversion. He said that if I did, I would start to get more freedom and would be able to see Noah again. He told me that is what he did and now he can come and go as he pleases.”
I asked, “So you don’t think Sam knew you were pulled off the street?”
He shook his head, “No, he told me that his father dropped him off two years ago. I think he assumed my father did the same to me.”
DJ filled us in on the rest of the week that he spent in the condo. Basically, Sam was DJ’s mentor during his stay, he would come to his room, and they would just sit and talk. Sam told him to tell the Reverend what he wanted to hear, and he wouldn’t be locked in his room once the Reverend was satisfied he could trust him. Sam even taught him a few of the bible verses that the Reverend like to hear.
After I had asked all my questions, I was coming to the conclusion that Sam and Max weren’t involved in the kidnapping but were just using the ministry as a place to stay. They had a warm bed and were fed three meals a day. I would have to confirm that when I talked them later.
I talked to Noah next. He told me the same thing that DJ did, except that Max was his mentor. He didn’t know who Sam was. Max had also told him to tell the Reverend what he wanted to hear, just as Sam had told DJ to do. Noah told me that they had not been mistreated and Max brought his meals to his room every day. Max said that a lady named Joann cooked the meals.
Wyatt and Carissa also gave me the exact same statements. Sam was Wyatt’s mentor and Max was Carissa’s.
I had a few more questions for Carissa, she wasn’t abducted like the guys were.
I asked, “How did you end up at the Ministry?”
She rolled her eyes, “When I told my parents I had a girlfriend, they totally freaked out. The next day my dad picked me up from school and drove me the Ministry. He told me he would come pick me up once I was cured.”
I shook my head, God, how could a parent do that to their own child. Carissa was just a kid that was already scared because she felt different and she needed the support from those that were supposed to protect her. Maybe I was lucky that I didn’t have parents in my life.
After I finished the rest of my questions, I needed to find someplace for Carissa to go. I sure as hell wasn’t going to send her back to her mother and father.
I asked her, “Is there anyone we can call to help you?”
She asked, “Can I call my girlfriend?”
I nodded, “I’ll call her parents. Do you think they would be willing to let you stay with them?”
Carissa said, “Yes, we have a good relationship with them.”
I called the parents, and they were more than willing to let Carissa stay with them, I also called CPS and they agreed, it would be quicker than trying to find a temporary foster family while we worked out a permanent place for her to stay. I felt like I would need to talk to Carissa’s father later.
They were the first to leave the station. I asked them to come back in the morning for any follow up questions I might have.
Wyatt Tillman was hugging his grandparents as I returned from saying goodbye to Carissa. Gary Tillman shook my hand and said, “Thank you so much for all your help, Detective Ridgeway.”
I smiled, “You are very welcome.”
As I was talking to them, Jon Thomas came running into the room. He saw Wyatt and immediately wrapped him in a big hug. They shared a quick kiss.
Wyatt said, “Grandma, Grandpa, this Jon Thomas, my boyfriend.”
Barb Tillman smiled and gave Jon a hug, “It’s so nice to meet you.”
Gary shook Jon’s hand. Wyatt was all smiles as a tear formed in the corner of his eye, clearly happy that Jon was being welcomed so warmly.
I told them they were free to go, but I would like them to come back in the morning to finish their statements.
Gary said, “I think it would be best if Wyatt stayed at our house tonight.”
Barb nodded, “Yes, I do too. Jon, you are welcome to stay too.”
The look of disappointment that the pair shared after Gary’s statement turned into joy when Barb extended her invitation. They clearly wanted to spend the night together after being apart for the last three days. We said our goodbyes as they walked out the door.
Ollie had moved DJ and Noah to the same room as we waited for DJ’s parents to arrive. Owen and Katie Chang walked in first. Noah shared a hug with his siblings and then introduced DJ. I was glad that Noah had his brother and sister, his father was clearly offering no support.
Tom and Beth Willers arrived a few minutes later. I led them to the room where DJ and Noah were waiting. DJ introduced Noah and his siblings to his parents.
Beth kept hugging her son, glad that he was safe. DJ finally said, “Mom, I’m fine, you can let me go now.”
We all chuckled a bit as Beth sighed and let go of DJ.
I filled them all in on all the next steps and that we would know a lot more after I talked to Anderson in the morning.
DJ said, “Thank you for all your help Detective… I’m sorry I didn’t ask your name.”
I said, “It’s Ridgeway, and you’re welcome.”
Tom said, “DJ, it’s Detective Drake Ridgeway and we were friends when we were kids.”
DJ looked at me, “Drake?”
Tom nodded, “Yes, that Drake. This is the man that you are named after.”
DJ said, “It’s an honor to meet you.”
I chuckled, “It’s an honor to meet you too, and you can call me Ridge.”
He grinned, “And thank you for calling me DJ.”
After we discussed the case a little longer I told them they were free to go. Beth suggested that DJ come stay with them in the hotel.
DJ said, “I would rather go back to my apartment mom.” He gave Noah a look, I have the feeling that the two wanted to spend the night together.
Tom noticed the look, he said, “Beth, I think DJ will be fine at his place.” He turned to me and asked, “Is DJ out of danger, Ridge?”
I nodded, “Yes, he is fine now.”
Beth sighed, “Well, we’re going to take him out for dinner first, he probably hasn’t eaten a good meal all week.”
Tom shook his head, “Fine, we can go out to eat. Noah, Owen and Katie we would love for you to join us.”
Noah smiled as he accepted the invitation. I let out a big sigh of relief now that I had reunited all my victims with their families. I joined Ollie and Blake after everyone left.
Blake asked, “So, what’s the plan?”
I said, “I think I want to let Anderson sweat it out for the night. We can talk to him in the morning. I think I will do the same with Joann Chandler…or Anderson I guess it is now.”
He asked, “What about Sam and Max?”
I sighed, “From what all our victims told me, they really had nothing to do with the kidnapping. They actually helped DJ and Noah, telling them how to play the game with Anderson. I think they have been playing that same game for the last two years. I think I may talk to them tonight and maybe let them go if I think they are telling the truth.”
Blake nodded, “I agree. I don’t think they had any idea how the clients got to the condo.”
I looked over at Ollie, he was deep in thought.
I asked, “What are you thinking, Ollie?”
He sighed, “We know Carissa’s father brought her to the ministry. It looks like Noah was collateral damage and got grabbed with DJ. If DJ’s parents and Wyatt’s grandparents didn’t call Anderson to have them picked up. Who did?”
Ollie had a good point, who did set this all up?
To be Continued…
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