Under Fire and Undercover

That Really Scared Me

Alice's baptism was tomorrow. While Edgar wouldn't be there, it meant that he was ready to fully accept her into the cult. He was starting to spend more time alone with her outside of their sessions and even running some decisions by her. She knew he had an ulterior motive, but at least she was inserting herself further into his life.

"I'm really proud of the progress you've made here, Alice." Edgar mused from across his desk.

"Thank you, Edgar. For everything. I don't know if I'd be here if it weren't for you." Alice said with a smile, but she internally rolled her eyes. She had been through more in her 46 years than most experienced in a lifetime, and she didn't need a power-hungry huckster to coax her back to normal. Charles brought her out of the trenches Hal threw her into, not Edgar. It didn't feel right that he was getting all the credit.

"We all just want to see you thrive. You seem to be doing that. You're an incredible example to the others." Edgar said, standing and walking to lean against the desk in front of her.

"That means so much. I hope I can help them the way you've helped me." Alice looked at him, making her eyes sparkle. He leaned closer to her, which wasn't atypical. Boundaries weren't always respected here at the Farm, and personal space barely existed. But then he moved even closer. Closer than was comfortable for Alice, but she knew pulling away would seem suspicious. He kissed her, and it took all she had not to slap him across the face. Instead she allowed it, kissing him back even. This wasn't exactly what her and Charles had meant when they said she needed to get close to Edgar, but it certainly seemed like a sure-fire way to ensure she made it to the inside.

"Sorry if that was out of line. I should've asked first." Edgar said as he pulled away. He didn't seem sorry at all. It was all part of the game. Little did he know, Alice was playing too.

"No, it's okay." Alice lied. She felt guilty, knowing that she was meeting FP tonight. She had to chase this opportunity though. "I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought about us that way, but Evelyn..."

"Evelyn won't mind." Edgar said, catching Alice off guard. "We've been looking to expand our circle of love." She couldn't believe what he was saying.

"Wow. I had no idea. And you're considering me?" Alice asked hesitantly, trying not to look as disgusted as she felt.

"Well, yes. But there will be plenty of time to discuss this later. I have a session in just a few minutes." Edgar said vaguely.

"Of course, Edgar. I'll just be going." Alice stood up from her chair and turned to leave. Edgar caught her wrist and kissed her again. Harder this time, in a way that said he was displaying his dominance over her. She let out a gasp of anger as he released her, which she played off as breathlessness. She didn't have the control to say anything without cussing him out, so she gave him a shy smile and walked out the door.

Alice ran to her car, holding back her tears until she was in the driver seat and exiting what used be the Sisters of Quiet Mercy parking lot. She cried and cried. Not because Edgar had practically forced himself on her. She could handle him. But she knew she had push FP away for real this time. If Edgar wanted to marry her, everyone would find out. She couldn't have FP thinking that she was cheating on him, but she couldn't tell him why she was actually doing all of this.

It was hours before they had planned to meet, but Alice drove to Pop's to pick up lunch and then to the police station. She put her press pass around her neck so that her visit would look like business and walked to the back of the building to FP's office.

"Al, what are you doing here? I thought we were meeting at Sweetwater tonight." FP questioned. He was worried something was wrong, she wouldn't normally risk people seeing them in public.