When I arrive at the station, Bill Taba greets me with a mocking grin.
“Well son, find anything interesting?”, he said to me knowing all too well that he doesn’t approve of searching for their family. The supposed bearded strangers line.
I respond, “Not exactly, but the house(s) seemed to be very barren, like it hasn’t seen life for quite a few weeks”.
“I see … Well, at least we know that they have moved out some way or another, but where?” Bill says with a very pensive expression on.
After a moment of pause, he says “Give me fifteen minutes with the boy, alone. I bet I can break him. I’ve seen this situation all too many times before”.
“I was in their family’s ward for a time, none of this makes sense” I reply.
“I’ll make it quick and painless” Bill states.
Following a sigh of frustration, I simply say,
“Fine”.
___
I observe the interview behind a two way mirror. He begins with some familial questions, “Is is true that your parents entrusted their business to Dan”.
“Yes. But, I haven’t seen him in a year, why?”
“It seems that they have failed to pay many payments and even their taxes, do you know why that is?”, continuing his interrogation.
Allen explains that after Dan had taken over the business, he had felt very overwhelmed with all the responsibilities. He was far in over his head, and couldn’t pay all of the bills. Dan then began blaming it on the taxes, and advocating for a society similar to when the states were first founded; lawless essentially.
Bill continues, “Interesting, you’ve said that you haven’t seen them. Is there a place that you suspect they might have gone to? … After, of course, experiencing financial difficulties?”
Allen thinks for a long moment, then sais, “I really don’t know, but my family does own another plot of land. It is our cabin, a place that we would go to rest and relax during the holidays”.
“Do you know the address” Bill asks.
“No, but I could lead you there if needed,” Allen says, trying to be helpful.
Bill sits down, changes the subject saying, “Listen, I’ve been married to a beautiful lady once too”. After a moment continues, “She broke my heart wide open, she cheated on me. Some nights I just wanted to wring her neck for all of the pain she caused”.
Bill glances over to Allen then resumes, “Was your wife seeing someone? Or was it you, that had someone on the side?”, … “Listen, my partner’s not here. Your bishop’s not here. It’s just us guys”.
Allen response, “Are you LDS sir?”
“No, never was, is that a problem?” Bill clearly states.
“If you want to find who is responsible for this, look to them, the Mormons, their saints”.
“Aren’t you and your wife LDS?” Bill asks.
“We were … she was still, seven days a week”, Allen says as he gives a nod of understanding to Bill.
*Choice
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