“The synagogue and the church share a property border with only a few bushes separating them. If one of them is set on fire it will surely spread to the other one. There isn’t enough distance between them for one to be destroyed and one to be unscathed. Just like there isn’t enough distance between us for one of us to be injured and the other unhurt. You and I, the church and the synagogue, we are all in this together. Your people are my people,” she said, quoting Ruth from the Bible.
A shudder seemed to pass through him. He pulled her into his arms and buried his head on her shoulder. “Your God is my God,” he whispered.
7
Mark practically staggered in the door when he got home. He was exhausted and the little discussion he’d had with Jeremiah hadn’t helped matters any. “Hey, Hon,” he called. Traci was in the living room, sitting cross-legged on the couch, a slice of pizza in one hand and an open Bible in the other.
“There’s pizza on the counter. It just got here.”
“Oh, good,” he said, happy that he wouldn’t have to reheat it. He never thought it tasted as good that way.
He walked into the kitchen, reached for a paper plate and then paused. Something wasn’t right. He turned, walked back to the living room and stared at Traci.
“You’re reading the Bible?” he asked.
She nodded, flushing, before she set it down. She shoved the last bit of her pizza into her mouth and began busily chewing.
“When did you start reading the Bible?”
“Today,” she said around her mouthful of pizza.
“Oh.”
He turned back toward the kitchen, made it three steps, then came back. “Why?”
“Cindy recommended that I start reading in the New Testament. I’m in Matthew. Apparently, it’s the first book.”
“Okay.”
It had been a long, stressful day, and his brain felt fuzzy, like he was trying to think through a fog. There was still something not right.
“Why did Cindy recommend that you start reading it?”
“Because I became a Christian today.”
Mark walked all the way into the living room and sat down on one of the chairs. “You…you what?”
Traci finished chewing her pizza and swallowed. She licked her lips. “I became a Christian today.”
He felt like he’d just walked into a theater in the middle of a movie. He took a deep breath. “Did I know this was happening?”
“No,” she said, shaking her head.
“How long have you been thinking about this?”
“If I’m being honest with myself, almost a year-and-a-half.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?” he asked, wondering how she could have been thinking about it for that long and he hadn’t known the least thing about it.
“Because I wanted to make up my mind for myself. I didn’t want you to talk me out of it.”
“How do you know I would have tried to talk you out of it?”
She tilted her head to the side. “You’ve been an atheist for how long?”
“Yeah, but, most of our closest friends are Christians.”
“It doesn’t mean that you’re ready to live with that on a daily basis.”
“Do I get to?” he asked bluntly.
She looked at him puzzled, “I don’t understand.”
“Do I still get to be with you?”
“Of course! Why wouldn’t you?”
“I’ve heard a lot of that ‘Christians shouldn’t be married to non-Christians’ talk.”
Traci shook her head. “We’re already married, nothing changes that.”
“Promise?”
She got up, came over and sat down on his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck, leaned in and kissed him. “I promise,” she whispered.
He held her close and kissed her again, breathing in her scent.
“So, how was your day?” she asked after a minute.
“Am I still allowed to swear?”
“Same rules apply. Not around the children.”
He sighed and closed his eyes. “It wasn’t good.”
“I’m sorry. Let me make it better,” Traci said, leaning in for another kiss.
~
Jeremiah was in a dark place. Somehow, though, Cindy managed to follow him there and be a beacon of light and hope in the darkness. That was just one of the many, many things that he loved about her.
They were sitting on opposite ends of her couch, legs outstretched, and their feet intertwined with each other as they ate Chinese take-out and read over the list of questions the rabbi had sent them.
“Do you prefer sleeping with the bedroom door open or closed?” Jeremiah said, reading the next question out loud. “On the count of three. One, two, three. Open.”
“Closed,” Cindy said at the same time.
“Why?” he asked.
“Because I was always afraid someone would break into the house and I figured they’d see me if the door was open. Basically, I wanted to hide.”
“I always want to see who’s broken in and is coming for me,” he said.
“Huh. We both had the same fear, albeit yours was a lot more realistic than mine, but it resulted in opposite behaviors.”
“You’re right,” he said.
“So, how about we sleep with the door open, because I know I’m safe with you there. But, if we have company, we sleep with the door closed for privacy,” she said, rubbing her foot up and down the inside of his calf.
“It’s hard to argue with such persuasive logic,” he said. “But I think you should come over here and explain it to me in more detail,” he said leaning forward.
“Nuh uh uh,” she said, putting her foot on his chest. “Focus.”
“That’s what I’m trying to do.”
“On the list,” she said with a laugh.
He couldn’t help but wonder if she had any idea just how wild she drove him. He kind of doubted it. He gave her an exaggerated sigh.
“Fine. Door closed when company is over.”
She tried to move her foot, but he grabbed hold of it. “Nope, I’m sorry, this foot belongs to me now.”
“Oh really? And what are you going to do with it?”
“I could kiss it or bite it.”
“Eeew.”
“Hmm, guess I’ll just have to tickle it.”
“You wouldn’t dare!” she said, eyes opening wide.
He tickled her foot and she shrieked and thrashed, trying to get it back. He finally relented, and she yanked her foot out of his hands.
“Well, I guess I have the answer to number thirty-seven,” he said.
“There is no way that ticklish spots are on that list!”
“Since you’re making me read the list I guess you’ll never know,” he said with a smirk.
~
Jeremiah looked so pleased with himself it was ridiculous.
“Okay, so where are your ticklish spots?” Cindy asked, readying herself to pounce.
“I don’t have any.”
“You have to be ticklish somewhere. I’ll find it,” she threatened.
“Trust me, you won’t be able to tickle me. I am immune to all forms of physical torture.”
“Big talk,” she said, rolling her eyes. “What if I tickled the bottom of your feet or the back of your knees right now?”
“Knock yourself out. I’m just telling you, if Hamas couldn’t break me in ten days of torture you’re never going to be able to tickle me into submission.”
“You were tortured?” she asked.
His grin faded. “Yes, I was.”
“For ten days?”
“Yes.”
“What happened?”
“I killed three guards and escaped.”
“I mean before that.”
Cindy felt sick deep inside at the thought of what he must have gone through. She knew she shouldn’t push, but the revelation had
caught her completely by surprise.
“You’ve seen a couple of the scars from it. There are others you haven’t yet.”
“What did they do to you?”
“I’ll tell you after the honeymoon.”
“Why after the honeymoon?” she asked.
“Because the first time you see me naked, I don’t want you to look at the scars and think of the pain and the horror.”
“That makes sense, but I’m pretty sure the first time I see you naked that won’t be what I’m thinking about.”
“I just want to make sure of it,” he said, giving her a slight smile.
“You know sometimes you are really weird,” she said.
“And the rest of the time?”
“You’re unimaginably weird,” she said, giggling.
“Okay, just for that…”
He lunged forward and grabbed her left foot. She squeaked as he began tickling it.
“We’re supposed to be working on our list!” she shrieked when she realized there was no way that she was going to be able to break free.
“Number seventeen, what temperature do we set the thermostat at?” he asked, without letting up on the tickling.
“Seventy-one!” she shouted.
“In winter or summer?”
“Both! Stop tickling me!”
“Acceptable. Number eighteen.”
“Stop it or I’ll kick you in the face!”
“Wouldn’t be the first time I got kicked in the face.”
Jeremiah’s phone rang. With a sigh he surrendered her foot and answered his phone.
“Joseph, is everything okay?” he asked. “I’m at Cindy’s house. Sure. We’ll be right there.”
“What’s going on?”
Jeremiah shook his head. “Joseph sounded pretty upset about something. He didn’t say what. He did ask that we go over there now.”
“Well, we better get going,” she said.
She turned to put her plate on the coffee table just in time to see Blackie filch some chicken chow mein. “Hey!” she yelped as the cat disappeared under the table with a long noodle.
“What’s wrong?”
“Blackie just grabbed a noodle from the chicken chow mein.”
“He’s been going to town on that since we got it into the house.”
“What?”
“Yeah. He loves chicken chow mein. He’s usually careful not to let you see him.”
“You knew about this?”
Jeremiah shrugged.
“Okay, that is bad parenting. We need to have a united front,” Cindy said.
She stopped, suddenly aware of what she’d said.
Jeremiah looked away. He cleared his throat. “So, I’m Blackie’s…father?”
“Yes. Is that okay?” she asked, aware that this was strange new territory for both of them.
He nodded and then stood up abruptly. He grabbed her plate and the take-out cartons and carried it all into the kitchen.
She put her shoes back on and got up. She went to the restroom and when she returned Jeremiah was ready to go. He gave her a small smile, but she couldn’t read his expression.
Jeremiah was quiet as they drove to Joseph and Geanie’s house. At that moment she was just as curious about what he was thinking as she was about what was happening with her friends.
~
Mark parked in front of Joseph’s house and headed for the door. He hadn’t made it more than half a dozen steps when Jeremiah and Cindy arrived. Whatever was going on apparently Joseph had called in the cavalry. As much as he wanted to be home, cuddling on the couch with Traci, he was absolutely sure that he was where he needed to be.
“Did Joseph tell either of you what’s going on?” he asked.
“No, he just said he needed us here,” Jeremiah said, frowning.
“Same line he gave me. Well, let’s go figure this out,” Mark said, walking up to the front door.
He turned as he heard a car engine. Liam drove up and parked next to the other cars before getting out.
“Well, the gang’s all here,” Mark muttered.
“Except for Traci,” Cindy said.
Mark turned back to the front door.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” Joseph said, opening the door a second before Mark could ring the bell.
They followed him into the kitchen. When Joseph sat down on one of the stools, Mark finally got a good look at him. The other man was ashen and his hands were shaking.
“Joseph, what’s wrong?” Mark asked sharply.
“Remember that secret society from a few months back? The one that those guys were trying to join?”
“It’s a little hard to forget,” Mark said.
“The last I heard from them was in May when they said they’d be in touch. Today that was delivered to the house,” Joseph said, indicating an envelope on the counter.
Mark grabbed a couple of gloves from his pocket and slipped them on. He didn’t want to contaminate their one piece of evidence.
It was a thick, glossy gold envelope, and it looked like it could be a wedding invitation. There was a red wax seal on the back that had been broken. Mark carefully took the envelope in his gloved hands and opened it.
Inside was a black card with gold embossed lettering that glittered in the light.
“What makes it glitter like that?” Mark asked.
“It’s gold leaf,” Joseph said.
“I get that it’s gold colored, but what makes it catch the light like that?”
“It’s gold leaf,” Joseph said again. “It’s similar to the gold flakes some restaurants use on expensive desserts.”
“Wait, as in gold gold?” Mark asked.
“Just like,” Joseph said. “Whoever sent the card may be a lot of things, but cheap isn’t one of them.”
Mark turned his attention back to the card. As he started to read it, he realized why Joseph had called them. He felt a sense of horror washing over him as he stared at the monstrous invitation.
For the New Year we always choose three potential new members. Only one will have the skills, wit, and determination to do what has to be done. We cordially invite you to compete for that slot. To that end you have until midnight on New Year’s Eve to kill your wife.
8
“Kill your wife!” Mark exclaimed out loud.
“So, the secret society that you had to feign interest in joining so we could bring down those two killers still thinks you’re a viable recruit?” Jeremiah asked.
“Apparently so,” Joseph said through gritted teeth.
“Where is Geanie?” Cindy asked apprehensively.
“Don’t worry, I’m alive and well,” Geanie said as she came in from the living room. “Joseph hasn’t bumped me off yet.”
“It’s not funny,” Joseph said with a scowl.
“I agree,” Mark said. “Not funny one little bit.”
“Okay, it might not be funny, but it is a fantastic opportunity,” Geanie said.
“To do what, get yourself killed?” Mark asked incredulously.
“To bring down a whole pack of killers at one time,” Geanie countered. “Think about it, every man in that group has killed at least one woman to gain entrance.”
“That’s insane! You can’t risk it. Either of you,” Cindy blurted out.
Mark was more than inclined to agree with her.
“It would be dangerous,” Liam said quietly.
“There’s no way we’re even contemplating this. I mean, it’s preposterous. Joseph knows nothing about secret societies. He wouldn’t know the first thing about how to act or what to do,” Mark said.
Joseph let out a short, sharp laugh.
“Something funny?” Mark asked, turning toward him with one eyebrow raised.
“I went to Yale.”
“So?” Mark asked.
Liam cleared his throat. “Yale has more than forty secret societies. A coupl
e of them are pretty famous such as Skull and Bones.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Mark said. He turned back to Joseph. “Were you a member of any of them?”
Joseph just shrugged.
Mark glanced at Liam. “How do you know about them?”
Liam shrugged.
“Okay, I’m starting to get irritated,” Mark warned.
“I think the more relevant question here is, would Joseph feel comfortable infiltrating this one?” Jeremiah said.
“No, not really, but as my beautiful wife has already pointed out, someone has to stop them and bring them to justice.”
“I can’t deal with this right now,” Mark said, pressing a hand to his forehead.
“Unfortunately, we have to. If we don’t, it will be too late. Besides, if Joseph backs out there’s no guarantee that the group won’t try to come after him just because he knows they exist.”
“They wouldn’t be brazen enough to try and kill someone like Joseph,” Mark said.
“You might be surprised,” Joseph said grimly.
“They’ve given you until New Year’s Eve, so we have some time,” Liam pointed out.
“Not nearly enough,” Mark said.
“Enough that we don’t have to figure this out tonight,” Cindy said.
“I think we need to take these people down,” Geanie said.
“I agree that they need to be taken down, but I’m not loving the idea of trying to do it this way,” Mark said.
“Neither am I, but I’m not seeing another way. Who are they? Where are they? We literally have nothing to go on and time is literally running out,” Geanie said.
Mark’s head was pounding and it felt like it was going to split open. “I can’t do this. There’s been too much for one day.”
“Are you okay?” Joseph asked, his forehead creasing with concern.
“I’ve got an arsonist targeting synagogues who has decided that Jeremiah’s is his next target. Also, Traci became a Christian today, and I have no idea what that means or what’s going to change because of it.”
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