November 4, 2025 • 17 mins
We turn back time, without the help of Cher and get a better handle on who Alex is.
We also return to the Cottage by Simms Divide and attend a very important meeting.
Only to conclude with the loss of a dear friend as we finish setting the foundations for this final story.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_02 (00:00):
The following podcast is a work of fiction.
All characters are the creationof Peter Williams.
Any resemblance to someoneliving or dead is purely
coincidental.
Thank you.
SPEAKER_01 (00:13):
How quickly chapters turn.
The same way months seem toblend into each other, or years
slip through our fingers.
As this week we change settingsand return to the cottage by
Sins Divine.
(00:34):
But before we do, we have somecatching up to do that will
hopefully explain a few things.
However, that doesn't keep mefrom my duties as your host to
warn you that this podcast maycontain images of graphic
(00:55):
violence, child endangerment,adult situations, and naughty,
salty language.
Now, let us wind the clock back.
Not just an hour, but a fewmonths.
As this Tentacle Tuesday werejoin the story.
(01:18):
As well as some old friends withchapter 2 A Visitor.
SPEAKER_02 (01:30):
Alex Kutchman knelt down in the rain before her
mom's tombstone and placed a setof assorted wildflowers.
Heavy tears rolled down herface.
It was hard to believe that ithad already been a month since
she had passed.
What had happened?
Well, to fill in my listeners,it was very simple, heartbreak.
Although fragile for how thingshad ended with her husband, the
(01:53):
betrayal of Silas as both aconfident and potential lover
had left her with the feeling ofbeing used and unloved.
She fell asleep one night afterdinner and never woke up.
Alex was now an orphan, and yet.
She looked at the soggy paper inher pocket, the one Arista had
(02:14):
given her with the time anddate, September 15th, 1700.
That was tonight.
She had no idea what to expect.
The fact that he was comingback.
Detective Warren Stevens, theman that had sent her back.
Crossing herself and standingback up, she wipes away a few
(02:35):
more tears.
Mama, she said, pulling thechain from underneath her
raincoat.
I did it.
I graduated.
The pendant was one of asingular-colored red flame
semi-imposed over the crest of arising sun.
I'm a member of the Sacred Dawn,Alex added.
(02:57):
Deep down she knew her momprobably wouldn't approve, but
Alex couldn't turn away fromeverything she had learned.
Everything she had seen, and nowshe had a different reason.
SPEAKER_01 (03:09):
I'll find him, Mom.
That wretched Silas.
SPEAKER_02 (03:13):
I'll make him pay.
I promise.
Turning her back on thetombstone and towards the
waiting car, Marka was alreadystanding outside with an
umbrella and holding the reardoor open.
She smiled and sighed as shereached him.
You're gonna catch your deaththat way.
Yes, ma'am, he replied, as heclosed the umbrella and shut the
(03:35):
door before returning to thedriver's seat.
He adjusted the mirror andlooked at the soaked girl and
handed her a towel.
Isn't tonight your meeting withMr.
Stevens, ma'am?
Yes.
Do you want me to take you homefor a hot shower first?
No, Marco.
I'll try.
Now who's trying to catch theirdeath?
(03:58):
Ah, but Marco, I have a specialcheat.
I'm sure you do.
Now, please, take me toMcCluskey's.
I mean, I am 21, you know.
Marco nodded dutifully and droveaway from the cemetery towards
McCluskey's.
The first sound that met Alex'sears wasn't the loud music or
(04:20):
the jute box, nor the typicalcrowded boots that were to the
right of the bar.
Nope, it was the old toofamiliar sound of a shot glass
hitting the bar top and slidingdown to greet her as she made
her way towards an old familiarfigure.
Chief Donaldson.
She smiled, and he looked up andgave her a wave and a smile.
(04:41):
I should really bust you andJacob for serving alcohol to a
minor, he said.
Uh, come on, Chief.
I'll be 21 soon enough.
Six weeks.
Ugh.
Do you want me to give it back?
No, you've earned it.
Graduating, losing your mom andwell.
Yeah, about that.
(05:03):
And without any hesitation, heplaces a folder on the bar.
That's everything I have onSilas.
After he got mixed up with thatbusiness with Reverend Ricci, he
seems to have gone underground.
I'm sure that the news that boththe Order and Jonah are hunting
him must have surely reached himby now.
Donaldson looked over at the inmemory of board and the brass
(05:26):
bell next to it.
Hard to believe that's alreadyseven years ago.
Chief Henry Bell's pitcher hadbeen added two years ago, never
fully recovering from his woundsat the hands of Malus.
Another reason to hunt downSilas, Chief Donaldson thought.
Alex placed the folder insideher jacket and swallowed her
shot, and waving off Jacob, whowas already pushing down a
(05:50):
second shot.
One was one thing, two, thechief really might arrest her.
Not out of spite, but just tokeep her safe.
You're off to see him now,aren't you?
Alex nodded.
Yes, this is the day and time herequested I see him.
You know, I haven't been upthere yet.
(06:12):
The detective pointed in thedirection of the cottage.
Why not?
Alex asked.
Because if he wanted to see me,he sent for me.
He let me know he was back twoyears ago.
He had Jonah deliver me thattrench coat.
Plus, I think Jonah was alsoletting me know he was okay.
And he introduced me to that newapprentice of his, uh, what was
(06:35):
her name?
Arista, Alex said.
Yeah, Arista.
He replied and then addedthoughtfully, I wonder how he's
making out.
Losing an arm, and Maggie backto being a crow and all.
I wonder that too, she replies,catching the glimpse of her ride
returning in the window.
(06:56):
Well, it's time.
She gave the chief a big hug.
He had been like a father toher, especially after her mom
died, letting her stay with himand his family.
Now, now she was setting off onher own.
Well, mostly.
She still had Marco shadowingher.
Be safe, kid, and keep in touch.
(07:18):
I will, Chief.
I will.
Once again, Marco was ready withthe passenger door.
Thanks, Marco.
Uh-huh.
He said, shutting the door andslipping into the driver's seat.
SPEAKER_01 (07:30):
What?
SPEAKER_02 (07:31):
Well, apparently, you're not quite 21, Miss
Kuchma.
She laughed.
A good man once told me, alwayskeep me dressing.
What am I gonna do with you?
Drive me to Mr.
Stevens, Marco.
Just drive me to Mr.
Stevens.
It had been two years since shehad last seen the cottage.
That's when everything had gonebad for the sacred dawn.
(07:55):
Now the windows were once againwarm with a soft glow, and even
out here she could smell thefire.
Perhaps hickory?
She could also hear the sound ofsearing meat.
Taking a deep breath, she walkedacross a gravel walkway towards
the wood door, and before sheeven knocked, a voice called
out, Come in, Alex.
(08:16):
The first thing she noticed wasthe stone fireplace wrapped on
each side by two cherry-coloredbookshelves.
Just to the left of thefireplace, a rocker with a
blanket, a small, long coffeetable in the center, and to the
right, another chair surroundedby an assortment of books.
Disappointed not to see thedetective, she began to look
(08:38):
towards the kitchen.
In spite of the now gray hair,she knew him immediately.
Although he was much thinner, healmost looked grandfatherly,
stirring the pot on the stove.
He scooped out something thatsmelled wonderful into a bowl
and placed it onto a tray beforerepeating the process.
Then turning, lifting the tray,the old detective turned to her.
(08:59):
His eyes were still bright andyoung, his face, although older,
remained kind.
And around him, she sensedsomething else, as if the air
itself vibrated in a funny way.
Hello, Alex.
Have a seat, he said almostmatter of factly, as he carried
the tray to the coffee table andoffered her a bowl.
(09:20):
I hope you like sausage andyellow squash casserole.
It's one of my favorite falldishes.
It smells wonderful, shereplied.
But but he goes to sit, butnearly gets knocked over into
the rocker as she hugs him.
Oh easy, easy, he laughs.
(09:41):
I'm not as young as I used tobe.
I don't care.
You don't know how happy I am tosee you.
Actually, I know more than youmight believe.
He gently stroked her head andthen turned back to the other
chair and rocker.
That's part of the reason why Iasked you here tonight.
(10:01):
Oh he began with his meeting ofArista on the other side of the
gate, and him using the SolomonGate to help adjust a few
things.
He put it to Alex that way, notwanting to share the extent he'd
gone through time, preventing orhelping what he could.
The only thing he couldn't haveknown was how much those five
(10:21):
years would have aged him.
Is that why you've stayed hiddenhere at the cottage?
Alex asked, to which Warrenreplied, No.
Actually I've been working too,he said.
These last two years, I've beenlooking for signs of what Jonah
calls an event.
An event?
She asked, looking forclarification.
(10:43):
Yes.
The coming of a new demonhunter, similar to Jonah.
Really?
Is that possible?
She wondered in disbelief.
Jonah up to now had been ananomaly.
Yes, but there's a problem,Warren said, closing his eyes,
picturing exactly what he hadseen.
Oh what?
(11:04):
Cassandra found him first, hereplied.
Cassandra?
Ah, right.
You were on the other side ofthe gate for that.
Let's just say she's a lot likeMalus, if not worse.
SPEAKER_01 (11:18):
So what can we do?
How can I help?
SPEAKER_02 (11:22):
Well, how do you feel about going back to high
school?
High school?
I'm almost twenty-one.
Yes, but you can still pass fora high schooler, Warren replies.
Ugh, you can't be serious.
I hated high school.
Alex agonized, and Warren waitedpatiently for her to relax.
(11:44):
Alex, young man.
He hands her a folder.
Is about to turn fourteen in afew weeks.
I can arrange for you to beenrolled as a student.
But my last name will set offall types of alarms, Alex
replied correctly.
The name Kuchima was beingspoken in many dark circles.
(12:05):
She had become someone thatcould challenge them.
My last name, however, Warrenbegins, has almost been
forgotten.
They believe I'm dead, and mygrandfather's bloodline
destroyed.
So, Alex Kuchima, would youbecome my daughter?
It was perhaps the most unusualproposal a girl could get.
(12:29):
Are you serious?
I had Bishop Brock and SecretaryFritz create the documents.
They are official.
You would truly be adopted intothe Stevens family, which may
seem odd for an almost21-year-old, but I will cover
your tracks, and I couldn't askfor a better person to carry my
(12:50):
name.
At least until you marry.
She looked at the papers, at thegentle face of the man who had
saved her life and could onlythink of one answer.
SPEAKER_01 (13:01):
Yes.
I would be honored.
SPEAKER_02 (13:05):
Good.
Tomorrow, pack your things andfind some younger looking
outfits.
He handed her an envelope filledwith money.
That should cover your expenses.
Holy Alex looked at the amountof cash.
I can't.
Yes, you can, and yes you will,he replied with a snarky smile.
(13:27):
A.
We are now family.
B, we're also going intobusiness together, and C, you
need to get ready for school.
Shortly after that, they paid avisit to the seminary.
He and Alex sat in two redleather chairs across from
Bishop Rock.
He too had aged some, but stilllooked spry.
(13:48):
Secretary Fritz, as usual, wasrunning around, but that wasn't
the reason they had come to theschool for.
After their meeting with thebishop, they made haste to
Terence White's small office, anapartment in the dormitory.
He sat, eyes closed, his hairwhite as snow under the blanket.
He opened up his eyes as the twoentered, and he beckoned for
(14:10):
them to sit.
SPEAKER_00 (14:12):
Warren, I'm glad I got to see you one last time
before I pass.
SPEAKER_02 (14:18):
I'm sorry it took me so long to get back to you, my
old friend.
Nonsense, he replied.
You've been busy and I amgrateful for you.
Alex felt a littleuncomfortable.
She knew Professor White alittle.
She had interacted with himwhile joining the Sacred Dawn,
and sometimes even during hertraining, he had even made sure
(14:40):
that she had had help after hermom passed.
Like Warren, he always seemed tohave his finger on the pulse of
things.
Warren, did you recover the itemI asked you to look for these
last two years?
Yes, although they thought theyhad hidden it well, Warren
replied.
Cassandra embedded it into theflesh of Devron Winters just
(15:01):
before Jonah banished him intothe waste.
SPEAKER_00 (15:04):
I see.
Can you retrieve it?
SPEAKER_02 (15:07):
A sly smile came across the detective's face as
he reached into his trench coat.
Even retired, he loved his coat.
He held up a baseball-sizedobject.
The missing apostle, Peter.
unknown (15:20):
Ha!
SPEAKER_02 (15:21):
Terence laughed.
SPEAKER_00 (15:22):
I knew hiring a good detective would pay dividends.
Good.
SPEAKER_02 (15:26):
He closed his eyes once more.
SPEAKER_00 (15:29):
Warren?
Yes, Terence.
Hold on to that.
It will serve you well.
And Alex Yes, sir.
Do as your adopted father tellsyou, no matter what.
Understood?
SPEAKER_02 (15:44):
Yes, sir.
SPEAKER_00 (15:45):
Good, he replied softly.
SPEAKER_02 (15:48):
My work is done, friends.
It's time for me to sleep.
His breathing grew shallow.
As he drifted away, Warren couldhear him say quietly, Hello,
Sam.
Are you to be my guide?
Terence was buried quietlybehind the cottage.
Only a few were informed of hispassing, and for serious
(16:10):
reasons, even Jonah kept hisdistance.
Although Warren thought hecaught a shadow just outside the
tree line, neither would sayanything, not wave or
acknowledge the other.
Both had a job to do, and bothcould not afford to be detected
yet.
A month later, Alex and thedetective had opened up a coffee
(16:32):
house, and here she was standingin front of a room of
14-year-olds.
Life was weird like this.
At least for Alex.
For Warren, too.
He had changed.
The tough exterior he had as adetective had almost faded.
And now he seemed exactly as therole he had proposed to play.
(16:54):
A dad.
SPEAKER_01 (16:59):
Interesting.
Nothing like growing up, only tobe forced back into high school.
However, it does mean that Alexis in direct contact with our
new friend, Mr.
Taylor.
Meanwhile, Warren hands us somejuicy tidbits of a story we
(17:20):
haven't heard.
Perhaps it's in the sequel toMr.
Williams' new book, soon to bereleased, Acolyte.
I am most certain it is.
However, that isn't where ourstory is headed.
As we move on to chapter three,in a very familiar title 14.
The following podcast is a work of fiction.
All characters are the creationof Peter Williams.
Any resemblance to someoneliving or dead is purely
coincidental.
Thank you.
SPEAKER_01 (00:13):
How quickly chapters turn.
The same way months seem toblend into each other, or years
slip through our fingers.
As this week we change settingsand return to the cottage by
Sins Divine.
(00:34):
But before we do, we have somecatching up to do that will
hopefully explain a few things.
However, that doesn't keep mefrom my duties as your host to
warn you that this podcast maycontain images of graphic
(00:55):
violence, child endangerment,adult situations, and naughty,
salty language.
Now, let us wind the clock back.
Not just an hour, but a fewmonths.
As this Tentacle Tuesday werejoin the story.
(01:18):
As well as some old friends withchapter 2 A Visitor.
SPEAKER_02 (01:30):
Alex Kutchman knelt down in the rain before her
mom's tombstone and placed a setof assorted wildflowers.
Heavy tears rolled down herface.
It was hard to believe that ithad already been a month since
she had passed.
What had happened?
Well, to fill in my listeners,it was very simple, heartbreak.
Although fragile for how thingshad ended with her husband, the
(01:53):
betrayal of Silas as both aconfident and potential lover
had left her with the feeling ofbeing used and unloved.
She fell asleep one night afterdinner and never woke up.
Alex was now an orphan, and yet.
She looked at the soggy paper inher pocket, the one Arista had
(02:14):
given her with the time anddate, September 15th, 1700.
That was tonight.
She had no idea what to expect.
The fact that he was comingback.
Detective Warren Stevens, theman that had sent her back.
Crossing herself and standingback up, she wipes away a few
(02:35):
more tears.
Mama, she said, pulling thechain from underneath her
raincoat.
I did it.
I graduated.
The pendant was one of asingular-colored red flame
semi-imposed over the crest of arising sun.
I'm a member of the Sacred Dawn,Alex added.
(02:57):
Deep down she knew her momprobably wouldn't approve, but
Alex couldn't turn away fromeverything she had learned.
Everything she had seen, and nowshe had a different reason.
SPEAKER_01 (03:09):
I'll find him, Mom.
That wretched Silas.
SPEAKER_02 (03:13):
I'll make him pay.
I promise.
Turning her back on thetombstone and towards the
waiting car, Marka was alreadystanding outside with an
umbrella and holding the reardoor open.
She smiled and sighed as shereached him.
You're gonna catch your deaththat way.
Yes, ma'am, he replied, as heclosed the umbrella and shut the
(03:35):
door before returning to thedriver's seat.
He adjusted the mirror andlooked at the soaked girl and
handed her a towel.
Isn't tonight your meeting withMr.
Stevens, ma'am?
Yes.
Do you want me to take you homefor a hot shower first?
No, Marco.
I'll try.
Now who's trying to catch theirdeath?
(03:58):
Ah, but Marco, I have a specialcheat.
I'm sure you do.
Now, please, take me toMcCluskey's.
I mean, I am 21, you know.
Marco nodded dutifully and droveaway from the cemetery towards
McCluskey's.
The first sound that met Alex'sears wasn't the loud music or
(04:20):
the jute box, nor the typicalcrowded boots that were to the
right of the bar.
Nope, it was the old toofamiliar sound of a shot glass
hitting the bar top and slidingdown to greet her as she made
her way towards an old familiarfigure.
Chief Donaldson.
She smiled, and he looked up andgave her a wave and a smile.
(04:41):
I should really bust you andJacob for serving alcohol to a
minor, he said.
Uh, come on, Chief.
I'll be 21 soon enough.
Six weeks.
Ugh.
Do you want me to give it back?
No, you've earned it.
Graduating, losing your mom andwell.
Yeah, about that.
(05:03):
And without any hesitation, heplaces a folder on the bar.
That's everything I have onSilas.
After he got mixed up with thatbusiness with Reverend Ricci, he
seems to have gone underground.
I'm sure that the news that boththe Order and Jonah are hunting
him must have surely reached himby now.
Donaldson looked over at the inmemory of board and the brass
(05:26):
bell next to it.
Hard to believe that's alreadyseven years ago.
Chief Henry Bell's pitcher hadbeen added two years ago, never
fully recovering from his woundsat the hands of Malus.
Another reason to hunt downSilas, Chief Donaldson thought.
Alex placed the folder insideher jacket and swallowed her
shot, and waving off Jacob, whowas already pushing down a
(05:50):
second shot.
One was one thing, two, thechief really might arrest her.
Not out of spite, but just tokeep her safe.
You're off to see him now,aren't you?
Alex nodded.
Yes, this is the day and time herequested I see him.
You know, I haven't been upthere yet.
(06:12):
The detective pointed in thedirection of the cottage.
Why not?
Alex asked.
Because if he wanted to see me,he sent for me.
He let me know he was back twoyears ago.
He had Jonah deliver me thattrench coat.
Plus, I think Jonah was alsoletting me know he was okay.
And he introduced me to that newapprentice of his, uh, what was
(06:35):
her name?
Arista, Alex said.
Yeah, Arista.
He replied and then addedthoughtfully, I wonder how he's
making out.
Losing an arm, and Maggie backto being a crow and all.
I wonder that too, she replies,catching the glimpse of her ride
returning in the window.
(06:56):
Well, it's time.
She gave the chief a big hug.
He had been like a father toher, especially after her mom
died, letting her stay with himand his family.
Now, now she was setting off onher own.
Well, mostly.
She still had Marco shadowingher.
Be safe, kid, and keep in touch.
(07:18):
I will, Chief.
I will.
Once again, Marco was ready withthe passenger door.
Thanks, Marco.
Uh-huh.
He said, shutting the door andslipping into the driver's seat.
SPEAKER_01 (07:30):
What?
SPEAKER_02 (07:31):
Well, apparently, you're not quite 21, Miss
Kuchma.
She laughed.
A good man once told me, alwayskeep me dressing.
What am I gonna do with you?
Drive me to Mr.
Stevens, Marco.
Just drive me to Mr.
Stevens.
It had been two years since shehad last seen the cottage.
That's when everything had gonebad for the sacred dawn.
(07:55):
Now the windows were once againwarm with a soft glow, and even
out here she could smell thefire.
Perhaps hickory?
She could also hear the sound ofsearing meat.
Taking a deep breath, she walkedacross a gravel walkway towards
the wood door, and before sheeven knocked, a voice called
out, Come in, Alex.
(08:16):
The first thing she noticed wasthe stone fireplace wrapped on
each side by two cherry-coloredbookshelves.
Just to the left of thefireplace, a rocker with a
blanket, a small, long coffeetable in the center, and to the
right, another chair surroundedby an assortment of books.
Disappointed not to see thedetective, she began to look
(08:38):
towards the kitchen.
In spite of the now gray hair,she knew him immediately.
Although he was much thinner, healmost looked grandfatherly,
stirring the pot on the stove.
He scooped out something thatsmelled wonderful into a bowl
and placed it onto a tray beforerepeating the process.
Then turning, lifting the tray,the old detective turned to her.
(08:59):
His eyes were still bright andyoung, his face, although older,
remained kind.
And around him, she sensedsomething else, as if the air
itself vibrated in a funny way.
Hello, Alex.
Have a seat, he said almostmatter of factly, as he carried
the tray to the coffee table andoffered her a bowl.
(09:20):
I hope you like sausage andyellow squash casserole.
It's one of my favorite falldishes.
It smells wonderful, shereplied.
But but he goes to sit, butnearly gets knocked over into
the rocker as she hugs him.
Oh easy, easy, he laughs.
(09:41):
I'm not as young as I used tobe.
I don't care.
You don't know how happy I am tosee you.
Actually, I know more than youmight believe.
He gently stroked her head andthen turned back to the other
chair and rocker.
That's part of the reason why Iasked you here tonight.
(10:01):
Oh he began with his meeting ofArista on the other side of the
gate, and him using the SolomonGate to help adjust a few
things.
He put it to Alex that way, notwanting to share the extent he'd
gone through time, preventing orhelping what he could.
The only thing he couldn't haveknown was how much those five
(10:21):
years would have aged him.
Is that why you've stayed hiddenhere at the cottage?
Alex asked, to which Warrenreplied, No.
Actually I've been working too,he said.
These last two years, I've beenlooking for signs of what Jonah
calls an event.
An event?
She asked, looking forclarification.
(10:43):
Yes.
The coming of a new demonhunter, similar to Jonah.
Really?
Is that possible?
She wondered in disbelief.
Jonah up to now had been ananomaly.
Yes, but there's a problem,Warren said, closing his eyes,
picturing exactly what he hadseen.
Oh what?
(11:04):
Cassandra found him first, hereplied.
Cassandra?
Ah, right.
You were on the other side ofthe gate for that.
Let's just say she's a lot likeMalus, if not worse.
SPEAKER_01 (11:18):
So what can we do?
How can I help?
SPEAKER_02 (11:22):
Well, how do you feel about going back to high
school?
High school?
I'm almost twenty-one.
Yes, but you can still pass fora high schooler, Warren replies.
Ugh, you can't be serious.
I hated high school.
Alex agonized, and Warren waitedpatiently for her to relax.
(11:44):
Alex, young man.
He hands her a folder.
Is about to turn fourteen in afew weeks.
I can arrange for you to beenrolled as a student.
But my last name will set offall types of alarms, Alex
replied correctly.
The name Kuchima was beingspoken in many dark circles.
(12:05):
She had become someone thatcould challenge them.
My last name, however, Warrenbegins, has almost been
forgotten.
They believe I'm dead, and mygrandfather's bloodline
destroyed.
So, Alex Kuchima, would youbecome my daughter?
It was perhaps the most unusualproposal a girl could get.
(12:29):
Are you serious?
I had Bishop Brock and SecretaryFritz create the documents.
They are official.
You would truly be adopted intothe Stevens family, which may
seem odd for an almost21-year-old, but I will cover
your tracks, and I couldn't askfor a better person to carry my
(12:50):
name.
At least until you marry.
She looked at the papers, at thegentle face of the man who had
saved her life and could onlythink of one answer.
SPEAKER_01 (13:01):
Yes.
I would be honored.
SPEAKER_02 (13:05):
Good.
Tomorrow, pack your things andfind some younger looking
outfits.
He handed her an envelope filledwith money.
That should cover your expenses.
Holy Alex looked at the amountof cash.
I can't.
Yes, you can, and yes you will,he replied with a snarky smile.
(13:27):
A.
We are now family.
B, we're also going intobusiness together, and C, you
need to get ready for school.
Shortly after that, they paid avisit to the seminary.
He and Alex sat in two redleather chairs across from
Bishop Rock.
He too had aged some, but stilllooked spry.
(13:48):
Secretary Fritz, as usual, wasrunning around, but that wasn't
the reason they had come to theschool for.
After their meeting with thebishop, they made haste to
Terence White's small office, anapartment in the dormitory.
He sat, eyes closed, his hairwhite as snow under the blanket.
He opened up his eyes as the twoentered, and he beckoned for
(14:10):
them to sit.
SPEAKER_00 (14:12):
Warren, I'm glad I got to see you one last time
before I pass.
SPEAKER_02 (14:18):
I'm sorry it took me so long to get back to you, my
old friend.
Nonsense, he replied.
You've been busy and I amgrateful for you.
Alex felt a littleuncomfortable.
She knew Professor White alittle.
She had interacted with himwhile joining the Sacred Dawn,
and sometimes even during hertraining, he had even made sure
(14:40):
that she had had help after hermom passed.
Like Warren, he always seemed tohave his finger on the pulse of
things.
Warren, did you recover the itemI asked you to look for these
last two years?
Yes, although they thought theyhad hidden it well, Warren
replied.
Cassandra embedded it into theflesh of Devron Winters just
(15:01):
before Jonah banished him intothe waste.
SPEAKER_00 (15:04):
I see.
Can you retrieve it?
SPEAKER_02 (15:07):
A sly smile came across the detective's face as
he reached into his trench coat.
Even retired, he loved his coat.
He held up a baseball-sizedobject.
The missing apostle, Peter.
unknown (15:20):
Ha!
SPEAKER_02 (15:21):
Terence laughed.
SPEAKER_00 (15:22):
I knew hiring a good detective would pay dividends.
Good.
SPEAKER_02 (15:26):
He closed his eyes once more.
SPEAKER_00 (15:29):
Warren?
Yes, Terence.
Hold on to that.
It will serve you well.
And Alex Yes, sir.
Do as your adopted father tellsyou, no matter what.
Understood?
SPEAKER_02 (15:44):
Yes, sir.
SPEAKER_00 (15:45):
Good, he replied softly.
SPEAKER_02 (15:48):
My work is done, friends.
It's time for me to sleep.
His breathing grew shallow.
As he drifted away, Warren couldhear him say quietly, Hello,
Sam.
Are you to be my guide?
Terence was buried quietlybehind the cottage.
Only a few were informed of hispassing, and for serious
(16:10):
reasons, even Jonah kept hisdistance.
Although Warren thought hecaught a shadow just outside the
tree line, neither would sayanything, not wave or
acknowledge the other.
Both had a job to do, and bothcould not afford to be detected
yet.
A month later, Alex and thedetective had opened up a coffee
(16:32):
house, and here she was standingin front of a room of
14-year-olds.
Life was weird like this.
At least for Alex.
For Warren, too.
He had changed.
The tough exterior he had as adetective had almost faded.
And now he seemed exactly as therole he had proposed to play.
(16:54):
A dad.
SPEAKER_01 (16:59):
Interesting.
Nothing like growing up, only tobe forced back into high school.
However, it does mean that Alexis in direct contact with our
new friend, Mr.
Taylor.
Meanwhile, Warren hands us somejuicy tidbits of a story we
(17:20):
haven't heard.
Perhaps it's in the sequel toMr.
Williams' new book, soon to bereleased, Acolyte.
I am most certain it is.
However, that isn't where ourstory is headed.
As we move on to chapter three,in a very familiar title 14.
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