It seemed logical to split into two groups, one to handle the break–in at West’s and the other to infiltrate this increasingly sinister cult.

Given the allegedly New Age nature of the Inner Light it seemed logical that Billy be the one to infiltrate their meeting. Unfortunately whatever it was he saw when he ‘sensed’ the body still had him seriously upset and more than a little frightened. He would only agree to go in if he had company and this would logically be provided by Patrick, the two of them having been thick as thieves throughout the day so far. The jittery Billy was still not reassured so it was decided that Agent Jones should wait outside the meeting place, ready to leap to their assistance should anything go seriously wrong.

That left Agent Fox and I to deal with the break-in and the tailing of West. In order to balance out the teams Agent Scott agreed to assist us. It was clear that with my skill at electronics and Fox’s array of intelligence techniques we should have had what it took to get the job done.

As the Inner Light meeting was taking place quite close to the hostelry Patrick, Billy and Jones remained there. Meanwhile Karl, Heather and I made our way back to the safe house to pick up the pool car which had been issued to Fox and collect the first aid kit which had been provided.

Before we set out for West’s apartment I made use of the computer at ‘base’ to check out West and the Gilman Foundation. It was obvious that we wouldn’t find anything on either on official Website so I made a quick check of ‘conspiracy theorist’ ‘sites. I could find nothing on West but mention was made of links between the Gilman Foundation and the CIA’s Project Candlelight, a covert project dedicated to the development and exploitation of psychic abilities. In view of what had already occurred a very disturbing pattern was beginning to appear.

The Church of the Inner Light

While Fox, Scott and I did our work amid the shadows the others made their way to the meeting of the Church of the Inner Light. Their plan was for Patrick and Billy to attend the cult meeting in the guise of interested newcomers while Jones remained outside, ready to rush in and help or make a quick getaway as the situation required.

The two Irishmen arrived fashionably late at the ‘Church’ meeting, which was also located on the college campus. On entering they found a group of cultists, including the chief suspect, Sebastian Lux, and West’s girlfriend, Miss Nichols. There were four others, two of whom appeared to be regulars. Lux came across as a quiet, reasonable individual who led his group of followers through a combination of charisma and sheer force of will.

Billy used his psychic gifts to investigate the other cultists, learning that one of the regulars had a dark aura that indicated a terrible history of abusing the innocent and other such foul acts. Nichols was also interesting for Billy could sense in her a kindred spirit – a young lady possessed of psychic gifts similar to his own. Unfortunately her aura was also twisted and bore the marks of recent corruption and deviance – indications that would become clearer when we knew more of her history.

The two Agents listened as Lux expounded the philosophy of his Church, explaining that they believed in total freedom. It quickly became clear to my colleagues that this meant not merely personal or political freedom but total freedom from the constraints enforced by society and the morality of the common man. The investigators could tell that the seductive lure of this code, combined with church leader’s own sinister presence created followers who were dedicated to this later day Mephistopheles.

At this juncture Lux asked if the two agents would like to take place in one of the cult’s meditations, which involved the use of what appeared to be New Age crystals. Both men were distinctly wary of Lux’s invitation and politely refused, asking if they could watch instead. As the meditation went on Billy could detect the flow of precious soul energy leaching out of the Church’s initiates and into the crystals, a sight which disturbed the psychic considerably.