What We Deserve

Part 69: Formidable

I could hardly focus on work this morning.

Knowing Iggy was talking with Joel, not only made my nerves fire on all cylinders- it made me want to just throw up constantly in the bin.

Alright.

So maybe those are the Beans talking.

Yet still!

He has been with Iggy since this morning and it's already well past lunch.

"Hey, Baby!" Speaking of.

Max comes walking in with two brown paper bags and a huge smile on his face until he looks around and finds Joel missing.

"Where's he at?"

"With Iggy still. He took him at 8. Why is he still there if it's already 3:47?!" I stand and pace- now worrying even more.

"Well...I supposed debunking the last ten years of a cult is a complicated matter." Max says as he sets down the bags and opens his arms for me.

"I feel so sick."

"You need to eat something." He says.

"What I need is to go up there and see what the bloody Hell is going on." I move towards the door and Max steps in front.

"Honey, let Iggy do his job. You seen this weekend how Joel can just shut down and not open up about certain things. Iggy knows how to get him to talk- so it just takes time. Okay?"

"But don't you think seven hours is a bit much?!"

"No. I wouldn't be surprised if Iggy keeps him until we leave. He wants to be thorough and that is what is needed. So please, Honey—eat and relax." Holding me close, his hands slide up and down my body slowly. The feel of him so comforting and yet I need answers.

"Can't we just call them? Can't we just take something up for him to eat and see how...."

"Iggy already fed him. Texted me about it back around noon. He is taking care of him." Sighing, I rest my head against Max and I feel so anxious.

"You don't...you don't think Iggy would send him away, do you?! He wouldn't ship him back behind our backs?!" I begin to panic and Max stills.

"No- Babe. Don't be ridiculous. That situation is horrible. Iggy wouldn't send him back there."

"But you think he would send him into the system. Don't you?! Don't you?!" Hysterics take over me and Max is trying his damnedest to calm me. "We have to go get him. We have to..."

"Helen, Sweetheart- you're getting all worked up and worried over nothing. Iggy wouldn't do that."

"You don't know, Max....you don't know..."

"I do know that, Helen. Iggy stated himself that he wouldn't do anything like that. I made him promise." Shaking, I feel very sickened by all of this and Max simply tries to console me. "I've been trying to do my own digging on Eden and have been having a hard time at it. This place is...huh...it's well hidden. If it even goes by Eden. And to be honest, finding a singular cult in Utah is rough as it is. There's quite a few out there ya know."

"You're not making me feel any better- you know?"

"I'm sorry. What I meant to tell you, is my dad used to be in the military- still has some buddies who have connections and everything. FBI, CIA- bunch a different government programs...I asked him if he'd have them put a lure out. See if they can't find Eden or the guy who goes by Papa. Dad said he would try his best. So we're working on it, Baby. I promise."

"That makes me feel...a tad better."

"You know what will make you feel even better?" He says with wagging eyebrows.