Free Jake's Women (Wizards) by John Booth

can’t blame their wizards for that.” They had blamed them for the drought in Old Testament style.
    Urda nodded. “They don’t. The religious fanatics became devotees of the goddess that saved them and wizards became their high priests.”
    “I don’t really see a downside,” I confessed. “Everybody’s happy.”
    “Religious fanatic wizards who believe their Goddess was stolen from them by the evil God they know as Jake Morrissey?” Urda queried.
    Jenny and I looked at each other, caught in the utterly preposterous nature of that statement. If I looked as surprised as she did then we were very surprised indeed. And yes, we were surprised.
    “That could create a bit of a problem,” I said slowly.
    “It puts all of Jake’s family in danger from them,” Jenny said.
    “They are the Cult of Bronwyn and she would be their first and most important target. To return her to Barren and restore her to be the Goddess they believe her to be,” Urda sounded almost triumphant. I supposed that knowing who had taken Anna must be a great relief to her. Now she could do something to rescue her. However, a thought had occurred to me.
    “Bronwyn left books of magic in Barren. They probably can restore her if they want to.”
    Jenny gave me a sad look. “You were supposed to bring me chocolates and flowers, Jake. Not this.”
    As if on cue, Merlin began to cry.

13.        Looking for Bronwyn
     
    We stood outside Bronwyn’s house and I found myself hesitating before pressing the doorbell. Bronwyn’s parents had been through so much. Tortured by their daughter, then worrying about her being missing, then getting her back with over a years’ worth of memories ripped from her head. I had been avoiding them since the wedding, What if we were wrong and Anna’s disappearance had nothing to do with their daughter? Was it fair to worry them all over again?
    The door opened with my finger still poised above the button. It was Brian Mathews, Bronwyn’s father and he looked both excited and anxious.
    “Jake. Have you found her?”
    Urda stepped forward. “Jake has been away and has only just returned. Can we come in?”
    Brian’s face fell and then he recovered. “I’m sorry. We knew you were away. Your parents told us you were away at a conference and couldn’t be contacted. Come in.”
    Gwyneth Matthews stood up when we entered the room. She looked older than I remembered and her face lit up until her husband shook his head.
    “Thank you for coming, Jake. How are your wives?”
    I smiled. “As of yesterday I have a son in Wales and a daughter in Salice. Mothers and children are doing fine.”
    “Jenny doesn’t know about Bronwyn. Peter and Mary kept it from her with the baby being so close to term,” Brian said as we sat. Brian was a longtime friend of Jenny’s father.
    “Neither do we,” Urda said. “If you assume we have been told nothing, can you tell us your story?”
    It was good Urda had taken charge because I felt awkward and tongue tied.
    “There were these men in white robes, like monks. They never came close, but they scared Bronwyn as they seemed to be waiting everywhere she went. At home, at school, and even when she was out with friends,” Brian paused and Mrs. Mathews broke in.
    “She’s been so good since the wedding. A different person. We were getting on so well as a fam…” She stopped speaking and broke down in tears.
    “She vanished five days ago. Never came home from school,” Brian’s voice was bleak. “The police wouldn’t give it any publicity. Given what happened to you last time round and how they ended up looking like fools, it wasn’t that surprising. Inspector Thomas told us that she probably wasn’t on this planet anymore. Not that he could tell his Chief Constable that. We contacted your parents and they said you were away.”
    “And there’s been no sign of her since then?” Urda continued.
    They shook their heads. I decided it was time to join the conversation