Page 43 of Innocence

“Oh, no, ma’am,” said Zane. “But someone knew about it. I don’t know how unless they saw the medication we take. We take the same thing to help cope with our symptoms. When we’re really stressed about school or grades or our parents divorcing, we both get into pretty dark places and need additional medications and therapy.”

“Another thing we have in common. Divorced parents,” frowned Lenny.

“I’m not following this conversation, gentlemen. What’s going on?” she asked.

“About a month into the semester, we both got a note demanding that we meet Professor Gates in this random room in the science building. We thought we were already in trouble, and of course, because of our phobia, we high-tailed it over there.

“When we arrived, the room was dark, but someone was there. They were covered in black clothing, black face paint, black gloves, and had one of those voice thingies that alters your voice.”

“A voice moderator?” questioned Noah.

“Yes, sir. The voice said that we were going to help them with an experiment. We thought it really was Professor Gates, but when we ran back to the hall, he was standing right where you are.”

“So, it wasn’t him. What did this voice want you to do?” asked Mary. The young men moved from one foot to another, shifting their weight.

“We didn’t know what would happen. We had no idea. The voice asked us to find out where Tracy Bingham lived. That’s all.”

“That is all?” growled Noah. “That is all! You helped to murder that young woman.”

“No! No, sir. We swear we had nothing to do with her murder. We work part-time in the student administration office. We just got her apartment address and gave it to the voice, as you call it,” said Zane.

“When we heard what happened, we couldn’t believe it. Then, the voice was demanding that we tell them where Gifford Macklin lived. If you could have heard the voice,” said Lenny, shaking his head. “I know it was wrong. I know that, but that voice. It sounded like a cross between Satan and God. Something in me just couldn’t say no. It said that if we didn’t do it, they would make our lives a living hell.”

“You’ve never seen this person’s face?” asked Mary.

“No, ma’am. We swear. Never. I have no idea what they really sound like, how big they are, nothing. They’re intent on seeing how people react when faced with their phobias.”

“You are going to need to speak with the police,” said Noah. “With a lawyer.”

“Yes, sir. We thought that might be coming,” said Lenny, looking down at his feet. “We were summoned by the voice last night and refused to give them the information they wanted.”

“And what was that information?” asked Mary.

“Where you live, ma’am. It wanted to know everything about where you live, your family, all of it. We refused.”

Noah moved so quickly Mary couldn’t stop him. He had his hands around their throats, their feet dangling in the air as they were pressed against the wall. Ian and Angel came rushing into the room.

“We heard on comms,” said Angel, hugging his wife.

“Noah. Noah, son, let them down,” said Ian. He let out a long, slow breath, allowing their small bodies to glide down the wall. Falling to the floor, they coughed, staring up at the big man.

“My apologies,” said Noah. “I do not like people who hurt my friends.”

“We didn’t do anything! We swear. That’s why we came to you. We refused to do it, and the voice threatened us. We wanted to come clean.”

“Is anyone else involved?” asked Ian.

“I don’t know. I don’t think so. I mean, we never saw anyone else. Just this person in black,” said Zane.

“Do you have a lawyer?” asked Mary.

“My uncle is a lawyer. We called him earlier, and he’s on his way down here. He lives in Shreveport. I told him we were coming to visit you, and he was okay with that. We’re so sorry. I wish we could help more. I don’t think anyone will understand how paralyzing it is to hear someone with that voice yelling at you.

“It’s why we acted out with Professor Gates. He has a deep voice that carries, and it truly sent our anxiety through the roof. I almost quit school.”

“You should have,” said Noah.

“Noah,” whispered Mary. “Listen, I have empathy for your phobia, but it won’t be a good defense in a court of law. You were still a willing participant. This person may have threatened you in some way, but you should have stepped forward sooner.”

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