Tuesday, January 7, 2014 – 2:38 PM EST – The Compound – Old Saybrook, Connecticut



Detective Ewing and his search time have been inside the main building of the Compound now for more than three hours. Having uninvited guests is unsettling as it is, now with this team going through my personal property, my rage is building. Of course, I need to remain calm. I can not show the slightest bit of hesitation or agitation while they are here.


I continue to wait around with my father, my son and my most trusted advisers in Asmodeus's cottage. Asmodeus continues to play with his grandson and Matthew has fallen asleep on the sofa.



ASMODEUS: “OH MY LORD!”



Jake and I both look at Asmodeus who has a look of absolute fear on his face.



JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “What is it, Father?”

ASMODEUS: “Get it if off me. GET IT OFF ME!”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “What!? What the hell are you talking about?”



His face is scrunching and contorting in a way I can not explain.



JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “Father?”

ASMODEUS: “His...... thing!”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Use your words, Dad. We don't know what the hell you're raving about.”

ASMODEUS: “Thaddeus! That thing on his belly button! It fell off and its on my leg! Somebody get that thing off me!”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “You mean the umbilical cord?”

ASMODEUS: “YEEESSSSS!”



Jake and I both burst out in a fit of laughter as Jacob walks over and tosses the dried up little thing into the fire.



ASMODEUS: “Thank you!”

JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “No problem, Father!”



After that moment of sheer hilarity ended, it was time to get serious again. Detective Ewing is at the door. I open it shortly thereafter and ask him to come in.



DETECTIVE EWING: “Mr. Duke, we've concluded our search and I have some questions for you.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “By all means, Detective. Have a seat, let's talk.”

ASMODEUS: “Detective, would you like some coffee? It's quite cold out there today.”

DETECTIVE EWING: “I'd love some, thank you. Black, please.”



Asmodeus scurries off to his small kitchen to fetch the Detective some coffee. A short time later, Asmodeus returns and hands the man his coffee. Detective Ewing takes a seat near the fire, I take a seat across from him.



DETECTIVE EWING: “The building, you said it's 250 years old?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “There about, yes. Give or take a decade or two.”

DETECTIVE EWING: “You said its a historic place. What did you mean?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Detective, the property you just searched is hallowed ground, sir. During the Revolutionary War, it was first occupied by the Colonials. In 1777 it was overrun by the British military before being taken over by the Colonials again a year later. The grounds out back, are home to the remains of more than a thousand Colonial and British soldiers.

“I'm a fan of history. Which is why I bought the place.”

DETECTIVE EWING: “I wasn't aware of it's historical significance. Thank you for clearing that up.

“There are a lot of men inside that building. A chapel, a library. What exactly do you do here?”



Asmodeus walks into view.



ASMODEUS: “Detective, if I may. I'd like to answer that for you.”

DETECTIVE EWING: “By all means, sir.”

ASMODEUS: “Sir, I'm an ordained minister. I have been for many years. One thing that always troubled me, was the fact that there are so many young troubled men out there. No families. No faith. Nothing to look forward to in life. The security aside, our doors are open to all of the worlds youth that have troubles and are searching for something.

“They are welcome to stay as long as they feel they need to. That's been my goal my entire life. I find great satisfaction in helping those that are less fortunate. They come here, and I teach the lessons of God. Some find meaning in my words. Others find their own meaning within their own souls.

“What you see in that building, are more than two hundred men that I consider like my own sons. I love them all deeply. And they, me.”

DETECTIVE EWING: “I understand. Sir, the cells in the basement. Care to explain those?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “As I told you, it was pretty significant during the American Revolution. Those cells were used by the British to jail the Colonials. It was those imprisoned, that led the revolt against their captors and retook the building.”

DETECTIVE EWING: “And the torture devices?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “They've been here since that war, Detective. Having such historical value, I never sought to remove them. You can plainly see they have not been used in quite some time. In fact, I'd imagine that if someone were to try and use them, they'd fall apart very quickly.”

DETECTIVE EWING: “I couldn't argue that. Why not donate them to a museum?”

ASMODEUS: “It's symbolic, Detective. Symbolic of the Colonials struggle against the tyranny of the British crown. In a way, it's not unlike what those men inside struggle with. They are at war against themselves, Detective. At any time they can venture to the basement and look at those pieces and they can know, that no matter how hard their lives were, no matter what they are up against, that they too, can overcome.”

DETECTIVE EWING: “Hell, I can't argue with that. Perhaps I was wrong about you Mr. Duke.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Probably. Most are.”

DETECTIVE EWING: “Will you be in town this week?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I'm preparing to fly out to San Diego for business. I should be back on the weekend.”

DETECTIVE EWING: “I'll be in touch.”



The detective begins to exit, then stops as he reaches the door.



DETECTIVE EWING: “I did notice one thing that wasn't here before, but is definitely here now.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “What's that?”

DETECTIVE EWING: “The child.”



Jacob, who has been holding Thaddeus since the Detective came in, steps forward.



JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “Allow me to present to you, Thaddeus. He's my son, born on Christmas Day. Unfortunately, his mother passed while giving birth.”

DETECTIVE EWING: “You have my condolences.”

JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “Thank you.”

DETECTIVE EWING: “You all have a nice day, now. My men and I are set to leave.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Detective, I appreciate your kindness on my property.”



Detective Ewing opens the door.



DETECTIVE EWING: “I'll be in touch.”



Without another word, the Detective disappears.

---

Wednesday, January 8, 2014 – 1:25 PM EST – Aboard Air Darkness One



After the events of the passed few days, I find comfort in the air as I head toward San Diego. The flight as usual, is uneventful as I drift in and out of sleep. My slumber is interrupted by a phone call. I look at my phone and find that it is Matthew calling from back home at the Compound.



SEBASTIAN DUKE: “What is it?”

MATTHEW: “Are you near a television?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Yeah. What is it?”

MATTHEW: “Turn on the local news. They're about to hold a press conference.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “So?”

MATTHEW: “We have reason to suspect it's about the girl.”



Quickly, I turn on the large television screen and tune it into one of the Connecticut local stations just in time to see Detective Ewing emerge through a door to the podium set up.


MATTHEW: “Are you watching?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Yes, shut up.”



I turn up the volume I order to hear it all loud and clear.



DETECTIVE EWING: “Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen of the press. My name is Detective Ewing with the Missing Persons Division of the Connecticut State Police. You are all aware my team has been investigating the disappearance of a woman by the name of Caitlyn Nguyen.

“During my investigation, I had only one solid lead and that was to investigate a former boyfriend of hers by the name of Sebastian Duke. He was considered the prime suspect in her disappearance and he was investigated thoroughly.

“My team has found no evidence of any wrong doing by Sebastian Duke or by those he surrounds himself with. I announce today, that Sebastian Duke is no longer considered a suspect and is free of any and all limitations placed upon him by the State Police.

“I've already talked to Ms. Nguyen's family and are fully aware of what I'm discussing with you now.

“Regretfully, the case of the missing Caitlyn Nguyen has gone cold. I have no leads. No more information to follow up on. If anyone watching has information on the whereabouts, or knows anything about why she has disappeared, I urge you to contact the State Police immediately.

“Once again, I have informed the family of Ms. Nguyen and they know that I will not give up. This family deserves answers and I am determined to give them the answers they seek.

“I will not take any questions at this time. Thank you.”



As fast as it began, it was over.



MATTHEW: “Did you hear?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I heard it.”

MATTHEW: “What are you going to do now?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Get some sleep. I haven't had that in a long time.”



Without so much as a warning, I ended the call. I switch off the television and as we flew high above the United States of America, the King of Darkness drifted off to sleep for the remainder of the flight.



Fade to Darkness...