The Promise by Patrick Hurley Read Free Book Online Page A

vanishing. 
     
    But, like a rock tossed in a lake causing circular ripples which soon smoothed over, Allison Taylor found the same fate and was gone.
    The evidence revealing what might have happened had disappea red with her. So many students had walked that same sidewalk and cut across that lawn that it was almost impossible to find any physical clues to suggest anything. 
     
    In that sense, the potential abductor was smart.  He or she knew it was practically untraceable.
     
                  If Allison Taylor had been abducted.
     
                  At the morning briefing, Chief Parker addressed the team of officers on the case. "We have several reports this morning on the Taylor disappearance and we need to pay close attention to what evidence we have so that we can pick up something, anything; to get this case going in our favor.
     
    I would also like to introduce all of you to Elie Larsen. She is a special agent out of Quantico as a profile specialist and is now working with Detective Gallagher, primarily in an undercover role.
     
    Larsen, come on up and brief us on your new residence."
     
                  Elie moved to the front of the room with her file folder. She spoke as a matter of fact, "We have received some information that Allison Taylor may have been involved in a secret cult in her prep school called, ‘The Promise.’
     
    As a result, I was transferred here from Virginia to join all of you in this investigation. My role is to infiltrate this group to see if there is any credence to the possibility they may have something to do with her disappearance.
     
    I have moved into a dorm room at the Colony school as a high school senior. I am now located there and classes begin the day after tomorrow.
     
    Any questions?"
     
                  One of the younger officers, Frank Murphy, spoke up, "Hey, if you meet any good looking classmates, send them my way." This statement brought laughter to the room.
     
                  Larsen never hesitated, "Since all of them are under 18, I’ll send a judge with ‘em!" she laughed.
     
    This made the officers roar with delight, for they knew that Murphy had a reputation for being a ladies’ man.
     
    Score one for Larsen.
     
                  Gallagher interrupted, "Okay, okay, we’re all having fun now. Let's get serious, we have a missing woman here.
     
    Any other questions?
                 
                  Another officer raised his hand, "Is the possibility of this cult group being involved strong enough to warrant Detective Larsen's undercover assignment? Shouldn’t we wait and see if there is any fire burning with that smoke first?"
     
                  Gallagher was quick to respond, "I wouldn’t label it a cult group at this point. But, because of the secretive and tight-lipped nature of this secret society, we believe we need an insider to infiltrate it, yes.
     
    It may be nothing more than a harmless version of a high school sorority. But, if this Promise group is more than that and is capable of doing harm to others we think it could be integral to our investigation.
     
    Any other questions?  No? Okay, take a seat, Larsen.
     
    Frazier? What do you have on the insurance policy that Taylor took out on his daughter?"
     
                  Officer Frazier stood and reported from his seat, "We have confirmed there was a five million dollar policy taken out in Allison Taylor's name with Washington National Insurance one week before she disappeared.
     
    It lists one beneficiary, Archer Taylor, in the event of her death and it pays double-indemnity if she dies unnaturally.
     
    They are willing to pay if she is found uh, harmed, assuming, of course, that Mr. Taylor is not involved in any way in that result." 
     
    It was apparent even the officers on this case respected the young woman and were reluctant to refer to her in a sordid way. This