In John 14:6, Jesus told his disciples, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Ryan, I always wanted total control over my life, not wanting to relinquish any of it to anyone or anything. I struggled constantly. Selfishness was my god until I met the real one. And, no matter what, I have an unmistakable peace and fulfillment.
Colin
Ryan stood motionless in the middle of his hotel room, clutching the cross and the letter. His mind wandered through scenes of his childhood—he and his mother kneeling beside his bed for nightly prayers—his small hands as a boy holding onto this very cross, the cross he’d refused the day before he left for college.
The letter fluttered to the carpet, and he fell to his knees. His fingers closed around the cross. Letting his head drop onto the bed, he felt completely drained—physically and emotionally. His guilt of how he’d treated his mother for so long pressed down on him. He’d shut her out of his life as an adult and not stood by her when she’d needed him the most. It was all too much. His resolve broke, and he started to pray.
∞∞∞
The next morning, Vernon and Ryan exited the hotel lobby and entered the waiting taxi. The mid-day air was clammy against Ryan’s skin. He’d forgotten how the humidity weighed on a person. Or was it a dreaded fear of what he was about to do?
The cab ride lasted about twenty minutes, yet it seemed only five. He didn’t want to do this, but he must. The time had come. He and Vernon discussed the sequence of events that could occur, as the air conditioner pushed coolness into their area. His heart pounded in his chest with the rhythm of the tires as it met the expansion joints on the bridge.
The taxi door slammed. Vernon paid the driver as Ryan stepped onto the sidewalk.
“Ryan, are you okay?” Vernon’s voice was laced with concern.
“I’m fine … a bit nervous.” That was the first time he could ever remember confessing any weakness aloud.
“I understand. But we must have a first-hand account of what happened that day—and thereafter.”
“That doesn’t make it any easier.”
“Yes, well, follow my lead.” Vernon offered Ryan his most confident grin. “This isn’t the first time I’ve been down this prickly road.”
Chapter 28
Neville, North Yorkshire, England
2019
Colin stepped off the train in Neville, his mind still in a whirl from his hasty trip to New York. He hoped he’d done the right thing by giving Ryan the letter and the cross. That young man needed God so desperately it hurt Colin to his core. If only Susannah could’ve seen her son come to God before she’d died. That hurt him even more. He prayed that Ryan would seek God for himself.
Forcing composure, Colin entered the tea shop to meet Letice and Amanda to start planning Hodge’s 100th birthday celebration. He had volunteered the use of Horden Castle for the party. Hodge was a man to be admired, and Colin wanted everything done in a very special way. Hodge’s family had been a part of Neville’s history for more than three hundred years, and the whole village should be able to join in the celebration.
As soon as Colin walked through the door, they waved him over.
“Good afternoon.” Letice spoke cheerfully. “How was your trip to the States?”
Colin diverted his eyes briefly. “Fine—quick.” He turned to Amanda and noticed April was at the table as well. “Hello, April. I didn’t know you were working on Hodge’s party.”
“Yes, sir. I also wanted to visit Letice’s tearoom. Isn’t it splendid?”
“It certainly is. She did a wonderful job renovating this place. Sorry, I’ve been away so much and haven’t had an opportunity to enjoy it.”
April tugged on her necklace. “So, you recently got back from America? Were you on vacation?”
“A business trip. A hurried one at that.” He sat in the vacant seat next to Letice and poured himself a cup of tea. “All right, ladies, what do we have in the works for Hodge?”
April looked over the fireworks details. She had a friend who owned a fireworks business and offered them a bargain.
Colin folded his hands on the table. “That sounds like an impressive, and professional, display. I’m certain Hodge will be excited to see it. I was fortunate to see one myself while in New York …” His voice trailed as he inadvertently revealed where he’d been.
April’s eyes widened. “Did you see Ryan?”
Colin turned away and fumbled with his cup.
Letice took the opportunity to ask her own question. “So … your business took you to New York. Did you happen to go to Louisiana as well?”
“Letice!” Amanda’s face looked stricken, appalled at her boldness.
“Oh, give over. I wanted to know if he found out anything about Susannah. How she died and all. She was a good friend, and let’s face it, she left in the strangest possible way,” she said miserably, and crossed her arms.
Colin saw April studying him. He traced the rim of his cup. The quiet settled on their table. He sighed. “I’ll not lie to you. My hope was to see Ryan and find out what happened to her. I was deceitful and have apologized to Ryan, revealing my intentions, which left me knowing no more now than I did before. And no, I did not go to Louisiana. There was no point.”
April gently asked, “And how was Ryan?”
Colin noted the concern in her voice, saw it in her eyes. “He’s a very confused young man. As I told him, I believe he’s struggling with God. He refused to talk about his mother. I didn’t press him.”
“Oh,” was all April managed to say.
Letice chimed in. “Colin, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pressure you. I want to know what happened to Susannah as much as you do. Why was she so secretive about her departure? Why didn’t she stay in touch? It’s all so peculiar.”
Amanda cleared her throat. “We need to move on. Not only is it depressing, but we don’t know any more now than when she left. We must pray for Ryan and let God take care of it, all right? Let’s discuss the party now.”
Everyone nodded in agreement and returned to the business of the day. By the end of the meeting, they were all in a lighter mood. Letice and Amanda excused themselves, leaving April and Colin at the table.
“How about one more cup of tea? I’m not quite ready to leave.”
“Sure, that sounds nice.” She chewed on her lower lip, looking pensive.
Once their tea was refreshed, Colin opened the conversation. “I have a reason for keeping you.” He paused, struggling for the right words. “You’re obviously concerned for Ryan, so I gather you two became close while he was here.”
She shook her head. “He’s a very private person, not sharing much about himself. He was anxious to get back to New York.”
“I’m sorry. I assumed by your reaction that you were somewhat close. We had a couple of meetings—mostly business-related. I met him to apologize for seeking information about his mother.” He continued, emotion thickening his voice. “I tried to share my faith with Ryan. That’s all I could do. I left it to God.”
April’s eyes misted. “Mr. Heard, I’m glad you did. Judging from your success, I think Ryan would look up to you. You may be the exact person God put in his path to reach him. I’ll pray that your words will remain on Ryan’s mind and heart.”
“Call me Colin, and thank you for that. Perhaps that’s what compelled me to go to New York after all. God has a way in dealing with us, and sometimes we don’t even know it.”
April met his eyes and gave him a small, sincere smile. “Yes, He does, Colin.”
∞∞∞
Vernon and Ryan approached the outer gate of the prison. After showing their credentials, the guard pushed a button. The gate clicked open with a loud buzz. They followed the same procedure through a second gate. Each gate was connected to a tall chain-link fence topped with rows of barbed wire encircling the compound and a building of gray concrete.
Inside the structure, they approached a wi
ndow and presented their identification again, this time placing it in a drawer. A guard waved them through a metal detector and asked them to surrender the contents of their pockets. The items were placed in baskets behind a counter. They searched Vernon’s briefcase thoroughly, checking every pocket and crevice before returning it to him.
Ryan’s mind whirled at the order of events leading up to this meeting. He took deep breaths to steady his nerves. A guard unlocked the door and led them down a long narrow hall. At an intersection, another guard intercepted them guiding them farther into the facility. He placed them in a small room with a table and three chairs, one chair facing the other two. A large one-way glass covered most of a wall.
Vernon and Ryan seated themselves side-by-side. Ryan’s hands trembled. He clasped them in his lap and was still looking down when the door clicked open. In his line of vision, he saw two pair of feet—one the guard’s black military-style boots, the other pair belonging to someone wearing bright orange pants. There was a gentle clink of metal from chains around the prisoner’s ankles.
Vernon cleared his throat but remained silent.
Ryan’s gaze rose to the body of the prisoner—the handcuffs on slender wrists, hands loosely clasped. It was almost too much for him. He’d never been in a prison in his life. What was he doing here? Why hadn’t he let Vernon take care of this alone?
But deep within he understood he should be here now, it should’ve been years earlier. He swallowed, steeling himself, and forced his gaze to meet the prisoner’s—and peered straight into the hazel eyes of his mother.
Chapter 29
Louisiana, U.S.A.
Present Day
The courtroom crowd was sparse. Coverage had been minimal by the media. Ryan sat behind the table where his mother and Vernon Sturdivant were seated. He held the pocket cross, fumbling with it, silently praying. The bailiff announced for all to rise and introduced the judge. The jury followed, and the trial commenced.
In no time, the opening statements were given, and the prosecution called Susannah Wilkinson to the stand. Walking to the front of the courtroom, she exuded confidence and strength as she was sworn in. Ryan was proud of her—it seemed—for the first time in his life.
Ms. Lola Percy, of the prosecution, began to grill her. “Ms. Wilkinson, what exactly were you doing in front of the Timlee Clinic on the third of May?”
His mother spoke, her voice faltering. “I was merely trying to talk to each of the women going into the clinic.” She looked at her lap.
“And what exactly did you tell them?”
“That they did have a choice. That they didn’t have to abort their babies. I wanted them to know there are many couples who would love to give their child a home.” Her shaky sigh was audible.
“Did you say anything about religion or your faith?”
“I only asked if I could pray with them, and they agreed.”
Ms. Percy threw a sidelong glance at the jury and faced Susannah again. “I see. So, you caught them at a vulnerable moment and pushed your religious beliefs on them, did you not, Mrs. Wilkinson?”
Vernon stood and called out, “Objection, your honor. She’s badgering the witness.”
The judge looked at him, then at Ms. Percy. “Sustained. Counsel, conduct yourself professionally, or I will cite you for contempt.”
Ms. Percy scowled and reluctantly asked another question, “Why weren’t you arrested with the others?”
“I was off to the side speaking with a young girl and her mother when the police came. When we finished talking, I went to my car parked along the road. Before I discerned what was happening, I heard glass breaking and I saw an elderly woman get hit by a rock and stumble. I rushed toward her and tried to catch her, and that’s when the smoke bomb exploded.”
His mother sighed with feeling. “It was chaos. I barely got her out of the crowd to a nearby bench. I checked her arm, but it was only bruised and scratched. I walked her to the bus stop to make sure she was all right. I returned to my car to leave and saw people being arrested. It all happened so quickly. But I was not part of that violent group. It’s an approach I don’t believe in.”
“Mrs. Wilkinson, what did you do then?”
“I was frightened.” Her face etched with pain, and Ryan ached to take her hand. “I sat in my car and prayed for a few moments before I left.”
Ms. Percy’s shrewd eyes narrowed at his mother, and she glanced at the judge. “No mention of religion should be made, your honor.”
Ryan noticed the judge conceal a smile. “Isn’t that why we’re here, Ms. Percy? You are trying to prove that Mrs. Wilkinson was using religion to sway someone’s rights and that she ran in order to avoid prosecution. Am I correct?”
Ms. Percy stammered. “Well, yes … but …”
The judge frowned. “Please continue, Mrs. Wilkinson.”
“As I said, I was in my car praying and asking God what I should do. After a few minutes, I left.”
“You went home and forgot about it?” Ms. Percy asked.
“I went home, but I have never forgotten about it. I did go on with my life, though.”
Ms. Percy tented her fingers, tapping them against her lips. “Was going to England a way to move on with your life?”
“I’d planned the trip for some time. Long before this happened. I’ve wanted to move to England for many years. A dear friend helped me with the decision.” Ryan followed his mother’s gaze to see Diann in the courtroom sitting beside Wayne. Diann gave her a reassuring smile.
“Your move to England was not to escape arrest?”
She responded emphatically. “No, not in the least. I had no idea I was under any type of suspicion as I was not part of the violence. And I was unaware of the warrant for my arrest until they knocked on my door in England and forced me to return to the U.S. They brought me before a judge and said because I had left the country, I had no rights and would not receive a trial—but go straight to prison.”
“I don’t understand, Mrs. Wilkinson. Did they not allow you an attorney?” Ms. Percy asked with an air of disbelief, her resolve cracking slightly.
Ryan watched his mother fight back tears, her chin trembling. He shifted in his seat and wished there were something he could do.
“No, they didn’t.”
“Ms. Wilkinson, I find that hard to believe. Do you have any proof?”
The judge then addressed her directly. “Mrs. Wilkinson, are you saying that you were not given any occasion to contact an attorney or family member?”
“Well, initially, I was allowed one call. I left my son a message but didn’t hear back from him.” Her eyes focused on the floor. “I had no way of knowing whether he’d received the message. After two days, I asked to try again but was not allowed.” She blinked several times and continued. “Had it not been for a friend who saw a writeup in the newspaper about my extradition …” Her voice broke.
Ryan noted that she didn’t mention their estrangement, for which he was grateful.
The judge didn’t press for further details. He looked at the prosecuting attorney and asked, “Ms. Percy, would you like to explain what has happened here? Everything Mrs. Wilkinson has said can, and will, be substantiated. She has no reason to lie, knowing that it can be proven.”
The room erupted with loud murmurs, and the judge tapped the gavel a few times for silence. He thumbed through the file in front of him. “It seems there were a few other arrests within days of the event. They were only held a short while, paid a fine, and released.” The judge gave Ms. Percy a piercing look. “Why is there no mention of Mrs. Wilkinson’s name?”
She squared her shoulders. “I have no idea, your Honor. Except, at a later date we viewed the video surveillance and found Mrs. Wilkinson to be a part of the violence that ensued. Your Honor, I certainly do not know what this is all about. No one is ever denied a phone call or representation. I’m sure Mrs. Wilkinson is mistaken. No one would allow her rights to be violated. The system works.” He
r tone was confident.
Vernon objected again.
The judge responded, “Overruled, Mr. Sturdivant. Let’s see what evidence Ms. Percy has, although you should have been apprised of any evidence in advance.”
“Thank you, your Honor.” Ms. Percy waved in the direction of an assistant who dimmed the lights and turned on an overhead screen, which She pointed to. All heads turned. “If the jury would please watch the video from the security camera outside the clinic on the day in question.”
The video showed the crowd, calm at first. An obviously pregnant woman approached the front of the clinic. As she passed in front of the protesting group, one of the women gently grabbed her arm, but she shrugged it away. The woman would not let her pass, clearly attempting to force the woman to listen to what she was saying. An instant later, several police cars pulled up. A rock sailed through a windshield. More rocks followed, flying randomly in all directions. Chaos broke out, people running helter-skelter. From one corner of the frame, Susannah came running across the scene, thick smoke covered the footage. Once the smoke cleared, police were making arrests.
Ms. Percy turned toward the judge. “As you can see your Honor, Ms. Wilkinson was running into the thick of things, anger clearly evident on her face.” She tossed her folder onto the table and turned to look at the jury, and to the judge. “Your Honor, this is why Ms. Wilkinson has been charged with disturbing the peace, rioting, obstructing public passage, leaving the scene of a crime.” She ticked each charge off a finger for emphasis. “And, finally, fleeing the country to avoid prosecution.”
The judge didn’t respond for a few moments. He tapped his index finger against his chin. “Well, Ms. Percy, do you have any witnesses? Or does the prosecution rest its case?”
“Yes, your Honor. But I reserve the right to question the witness that the defense calls.”
“Duly noted. Mr. Sturdivant, you may call your first witness, or you may proceed in questioning Mrs. Wilkinson since she has already been sworn in.”
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