Gated Community

Gated Community
Bjorn 

The iron gates loomed in the distance. Guards stood sentiary at either side, unmoving like statues. There was no chatter, no sign of humanity in them. They stood straight backed with their guns held in both hands, ready.  
I sat back in a layby a little way down the road with a map open in front of me. It was just for show so that I could watch them for a while without raising suspicion. There are plenty of gated communities out there, but this one was different.  
The armed guards were just the beginning, the tall, solid, impenetrable walls gave off an imposing feeling, despite the surrounding beauty of the landscape, covered in sparse trees and wildflowers.  
A man had approached me at the airport as I got off the plane. He handed me keys and told me a parking lot number, simply saying ‘courtesy of J.F.Goldberg Enterprises.’ Before disappearing off into the crowd again.  
My flight had arrived at lunchtime and my meeting wasn’t until the afternoon, so I had decided to go for a drive. The car was set up with everything I could need, the latest GPS system, water, snacks, even charging cables and emergency kits.  
This was not a cheap rental car, this was the kind you see important people use in movies. I hadn’t been able to get far when I reached The Sunshine Collaborative compound, but the thick walls told me they were certainly hiding something.  
I was able to gage the scale of the operation too although it was hard to guess numbers without seeing past the gates. Still, I had little time today, but this assessment was worth the journey.  
Why build such thick walls if they have nothing to hide? So far, it seemed to confirm that I am right to be suspicious of them. I headed back to town before they had a chance get suspicious of me too.  
I got to the cafe where I had arranged to meet Lezly early so settled down for something to eat whilst I waited. The cafe was small and had a warm and friendly atmosphere. It wasn’t too busy, so it was easy to get a table.  
The lady behind the counter was older, with a friendly smile and a motherly nature. As I watched her work, I noticed her sharp, blue eyes, slightly misted with age. There was something familiar about her that I just couldn’t place.  
I watched her interacting with a kindly older man in the kitchen who appeared to be her husband. I imagined for a moment, that me and Jennifer might look like that one day. A friendly, older couple who had been brought closer together over the years by all the storms they had weathered together.  
I was lost in this daydream when a female's voice caught my attention next to me. “Detective?” The energetic older voice called questionably. “Ms. McLure?” I asked, the lady gave a polite nod to the woman behind the counter and then sat down opposite me with a bright smile.  
The older woman wore a bright scarf, wrapped around her head and tied at the back. Her layers of bold patterned clothing gave a feel of an excentric, artistic type. She wasn’t afraid to stand out and be exactly who she is, inside and out.  
A few moments later, the lady from behind the counter came over with a steaming hot cup of tea and placed it in front of her. “Just your usual today, Lezly?” “Yes, thanks Julia.” The exchange made it clear that these two were old friends.  
“Who’s this nice young man you’re with today?” the woman, Julia asked. “Oh, he’s a detective, wants to talk about...you know where.” She whispered the last part in a conspiratorial way.  
“Oh, that awful place, I hope this means someone will finally do something about it?” Julia spoke in a faint voice too, glancing around as if nervous that someone might overhear.  
“You know about the village to the north of here?” I asked, looking at the two women in turn. “I don’t know much, just rumours really. Lezly will be able to tell yu9 more than I will.” Julia replied before seeming to decide something and heading for the door.  
It was late in the day by now so no one else was in the cafe and I thought she was going to kick us out until I saw her turn the ‘open’ sign over to ‘closed’ and lock the door. “You have to be careful who hears you talk about that place you know.” She said as she went behind the counter and started fixing another drink.  
“Thanks Julia.” Lezly said as she came to join us a few moments later. “Oh no problem at all, you know this place is always a safe place for you Lezly.” Julia replied. “Me and Frank will do whatever it takes to help stop those people.”  
Lezly gave her a caring and comforting look, gently patting her hand. “Julia and Frank had a baby, taken at just two weeks old.” Lezly explained to me. “You think it was The Sunshine Collaborative?” I asked.  
“I only caught a glimpse of him as he ran off, I had forgotten to lock the front door you see, we had only made it to the bottom of the garden, so I quickly ran back. I never imagined someone would grab her straight out her pram as soon as my back was turned.” Julia’s eyes began to redden, and she looked down, holding back tears as the words left her.  
“You recognised him?” I asked, trying to be as delicate as I could. She blew her nose and took a deep breath, straightening up “Not at first but then I saw a picture of that Anderson fella on their website. It was the man stood next to him, I swear it was him.” She said angrily with conviction.  
“What happened after that? Did you report it?” I asked my mind spinning through many different ideas about why they would take a baby, none of them good. I have to get to the local police station and find out if they have any other missing child cases that could be connected to this case.