Page 121 of Forged in Deception

“Did you guys figure out the whole Professor thing yet?”

“Yep. Dr. Peter Rorhart was actually pretty brilliant. Got his PhD super young, ended up heading up the history department at Panhandle Plains College. Until he was ousted for preying on female students, that is.”

Asher’s jaw fell open. “Oh man.”

“He wasn’t convicted, unfortunately,” Gabe said. “Got off on some technicality. But Dana Corbett was apparently one of his victims, groomed by him since she was seventeen, though obviously she refused–and refuses–to see things that way.”

“So he started a cult?”

“We’ve been able to piece together a story that fits pretty well from what we learned from Dana and Cora. When Rorhart was driven out of his teaching job, he started some hippie commune in the desert. It wasn’t in the same location, though. Apparently, they moved into their current compound after he disappeared in the early nineties, leaving Dana–who changed her name to Lily Moonchild–in charge.”

Asher could hardly believe what he was hearing, but he wasn’t exactly surprised, either. This was the weirdest case he’d ever worked on by a long shot.

“Did you ever figure out what the preliminary ritual was that caused Amira Gorsky to try and extricate herself from the group?”

Gabe exhaled loudly. “Their other rituals were sexual in nature, and yes, unfortunately, they included the underage girls that were groomed into the cult.”

Asher felt sick to his stomach. It was unbelievable to imagine that this evil had been going on for over twenty years, all without anyone really seeming to notice or care until recently.

How many young girls had turned to hard drugs, alcohol, or other self-destructive behaviors to try and escape the reality of what they’d taken part in?

He could only pray that no one else had followed in Amira’s tragic footsteps, but at least the cult had been disbanded now. And hopefully for good.

“Oh, before I forget–were you able to find out why Paul Durant signed up to participate in the DX8 trial?”

Karlin had never found out, and it had been bothering both of them ever since the older man had gone home to Montana.

Gabe sighed. “I did, actually. Kind of broke my heart. Mr. Durant is battling an aggressive cancer. He’s not going to live much longer, and despite his Christian faith, he was experiencing intense anxiety about death. I guess he thought a psychedelic experience could help him to face it.”

Asher felt like he’d been kicked in the gut. Paul had seemed so calm, like nothing could shake him, and yet, it had all been a facade.

Then again, he knew what that was like. It was easier to put on a happy mask than to admit you were hurting.

“Man, that’s terrible. I’ll be praying for him.”

“Me too, bro. And I’ll let you know if we find out anything else important,” Gabe said after letting the silence rest between them for several moments. “We’re still digging on Senera. We’re going to do what we can to help Karlin. I just wish I’d done more sooner. I’m sorry.”

His apology sent a jolt of guilt through Asher’s heart.

He had so much to apologize for himself, and so much to confess.

And now that the right moment had come, it was absolutely the last thing he wanted to do.

“No, it’s…it’s okay,” he started. “There’s actually something I need to talk to you about. I’m sorry I’ve waited until now.”

“Everything okay?” Gabe asked.

“You remember what happened back on South Padre, right? When I screwed up?”

“Yes, somehow, I seem to be able to recall that particular incident pretty well, considering you literally shot a dude by accident.”

Asher flinched. Apparently, his big brother was still a little bit mad about that one. Not that he was in any position to get defensive.

“I’m sorry.”

Gabe let out a long sigh. “Nah, man, sorry to bring it up again. We all make mistakes.”

“That’s the thing,” Asher said, trying to find the words. “I knew I was taking a big risk when I took part in that operation. And then I did it again this time.”

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