Phone in hand, Angelina ran up the carriage house stairs. “We have to do something.”
“He has an answer for every suspicion we raise concerning Gavin and balks at Gavin faking his death to further frame Nick. We have to prepare the defense of the century before Monday’s hearing.”
She went inside, locking the door behind her. “How can I help?”
“I don’t know. Maybe we should start at the beginning. What’s throwing me off is the real estate fraud investigative team is now working with local FBI agents on another angle. Remember the necklace in the gold box?”
“The one they kept.”
“It’s stolen.”
“That can’t be.”
“I’m telling you what I just learned after they finished the polygraph.”
She sank onto the couch. “How’s Nick?”
“He’s in bad shape, Angie. I’ve never seen him this discouraged. Simon’s mad. He’s right in the middle of a power struggle between two groups of federal agents. He’s putting a lot of pressure on Nick, trying to break him. He’s offering a deal for a confession.”
“But Nick didn’t do any of the things he’s accused of.”
“I’ve seen lesser men break. Ten years, versus life in prison, or the possibility of capital punishment. A deal would guarantee he’d come home at some point, as opposed to a trial where the worst could happen.”
She couldn’t think about that.
“We have to find Gavin,” she said. “I made enough at the sale. If I budget wisely, I can keep us afloat. Hire another private investigator. Do whatever you have to.”
“Cameron’s been in Mobile for days. He’s got no leads.”
She rubbed her forehead. “I should have stayed and helped him search. I was right there. Can you and I meet tomorrow? Just so I know all we’re up against?”
“If it’ll help you feel better, I’ll make time. After I see Nick in the morning, I’ll come to you.”
She ended the call, watched through the windows as evening approached.
Another sunset alone. How many had she spent by herself? Too many to count.
Dear God, I didn’t want to feel this way ever again. Wrestling the loneliness I always battled when Nick had been gone for a couple of days and the sadness settled in. My heart was ripped away from his and torn open so many times. It can’t be right for me to hurt this way anymore.
She needed to paint. To get the pain out.
She grabbed a blank canvas and set it on an empty easel. She loaded a palette with blots of color, chose a brush.
No image came. No texture. No shape.
Her fingers itched. She turned the easel. Flipped the canvas to vertical. Flipped it back.
Still, she had no idea where to begin. No vision for where she would end.
The pain blossomed.
I’m right here.
But I can’t see You, she thought. I can’t touch You. How would I know if You leave?
I don’t leave. I never leave.
She slashed black across the white cotton. She could feel the darkness pressing in. Feel herself huddling up to hide in solitude.
Self-preservation became the goal. Like every time before, her heart wanted to shut down and close itself off to avoid being hurt.
She made another full stroke of black.
Keep your heart open to Me, to Nick. Abide with Me.
She flung down the brush, stepped away from the canvas. Curled up on the couch with her blanket.
You don’t have to be alone. Abide with Me. Abide …
Sunlight speared across her face. She opened her eyes to morning.
Sunday morning.
She stayed still. She didn’t want to be alone. She wanted God’s presence.
“I open my heart to You, Lord,” she whispered.
She didn’t want a heart full of loneliness. She wanted a heart full of love.
“I open my heart to Nick, too.”
Abide with Me.
“Yes, Lord. I will abide with You.”
She wanted companionship and friendship, learning and laughter.
Angelina rose and dressed for church. This morning she’d go by herself, but not alone.
***
Angelina helped Kay clear the table. “Laurie, lunch was great, but I could have met with Julius at my place.”
“Nonsense.” Laurie rinsed lunch dishes in the kitchen sink. “One or two more here on a Sunday afternoon isn’t a problem. Besides, the men are already napping in the rocking chairs on the porch.”
“Hope’s already napping on Daniel,” Kay said.
“Knock, knock.” Julius stuck his head around the porch door.
“Come on in,” Laurie said. “Take over the table. Kay and I’ll be in the living room if you need us.” They left the kitchen.
“Julius, I’ll be right back.” She followed the women. “Laurie, Kay.”
They turned, and Angelina extended her arms, a request to them both. The group hug made her feel warm and safe and welcomed.
“You both mean so much to me.” She dabbed at her eyes, then looked at Laurie. “Look, we match. Happy tears.”
Kay squeezed her hand. “We’re right here if you need us.”
She returned to the table. “How’s Nick? Should I go see him this afternoon?”
“Honestly?” Julius unloaded documents from his briefcase. “He was pretty quiet this morning. I think we’d help him most by strategizing for tomorrow’s hearing.”
“Right.” Dear God, I love Nick so much. Please show us what to do. “Tell me everything, from the beginning.”
He laid out the sequence of events from the first arrest, through yesterday’s polygraph.
Angelina sat beside Julius. “If Gavin is alive, and he hasn’t been seen since he left his office the night before Nick’s first arrest, he’s covered his tracks well.”
Julius spread pictures before her. “You remember his office?”
“Yes. I went there a couple of times years ago after Nick first met him.”
“See anything out of place?”
“I don’t know if I remember enough to tell.”
“What about this woman?”
The selfie of Gavin and the long-haired blonde looked as if it had been taken in a bar or dimly-lit restaurant.
“Who’s the woman?” Angie tapped the photo.
“We believe his girlfriend, but can’t confirm. She’s a model, supposedly out of the country on assignment.”
A model?
Her memory pricked. “I saw her yesterday outside a restaurant in Mobile.”
“When?”
“Before my art show.”
Julius’ smile spread. “You’re sure?”
“Absolutely.”
He whipped out his phone. “Cameron. You still in Mobile? I need you to talk to Angelina. She thinks she saw Olivia Furtado there yesterday.”
She gave Cameron every detail.
“I’m on it,” Cameron said. “Tell Julius I’ll call back after I get to Antoni’s.”
She ended the call and handed Julius back his phone.
“I think we should drive to the prison.” Julius gathered his documents. “If we get a break, I want to be able to tell Nick in person.”
“Will they let me see him?”
“I’ll call ahead and ask. Since you couldn’t see him last night, they might make an exception.”
“Go. I’m right behind you. Just let me fill Laurie and the others in. I want them praying for us.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Nicholas looked up when Julius entered the interview room.
He knew what he had to do. Ten years was ten years, was ten years.
This time, he’d use that time as wisely as possible and hope Angelina would forgive him for all his actions had and would cost her.
“I want to take the deal. I’ll start my sentence now, or as soon as they’ll let me.”
Julius glanced at the officer who’d been waiting with N
ick. “Can you leave us alone, please?”
The officer complied.
His attorney made sure the door had fully latched. “I know what you’re thinking. I want you to listen to me.”
“Julius, I want you to call Simon right now and take the deal. I’ll sign it in blood if I have to, right now.”
Julius raised his hands. “Hold on.”
“Do you work for me, or not?” He couldn’t hold his composure much longer. “Don’t you have to do what I want?”
“Yes. First, just listen.”
Nick shook his head.
“Five minutes?” His attorney’s eyes darted to the one-way mirror. “You know you can trust me.”
Nick’s gaze locked on Julius. Someone was watching? Someone was listening.
His attorney’s face relaxed. “Let me fill you in. You knew when I left here earlier I was going to meet Angelina. We reviewed all that’s happened, including various photos. Yesterday, Angie saw Gavin’s girlfriend—the one we believed to be working abroad—in Mobile outside a restaurant called Antoni’s. Cameron has spoken with the owner there. Olivia Furtado, the model to be featured in Antoni’s new promotional flyers, is really Olivia Furtado-Knight, daughter of Jarrod Knight, casino boat line owner.”
Nicholas got a glimmer of insight. “Does Knight own the casino boat Gavin took me and others on?”
“Yes, he does. And until recently, when his little girl got her heart broken by a boyfriend who disappeared and stopped returning her calls, he’d extended a very large credit line to Gavin Hawk, a frequent boat visitor and gambler.”
The glimmer flashed bright. “Gavin framed me and ditched the girlfriend.”
“We believe he was using her as a buffer with Knight, to buy time to pay his debts.”
“Which brings us back to all the money he stole.”
Julius nodded. “That’s what we believe. We also believe the jewelry was a side job for Hawk. You said he accompanied you to the jewelry gallery, right? Did he influence your choice?”
“Actually, he did. We narrowed it down to two or three. I chose.”
“The Feds say you’re not the only client Gavin steered toward jewelry when on the boat. Possibilities are high they’ll be arresting the gallery owners for selling stolen goods. They believe Gavin took a cut each time one of his clients made a purchase. But being a terrible gambler …”
“He lost more than he acquired and couldn’t repay his debts,” Nicholas reasoned.
“Some people always want more.”
“God knows I was like that.” He took a deep breath. “What now?”
Shellie Arnold
“Cameron just texted me. He spoke with Furtado by phone. She had no idea about the real estate scheme Gavin was into, so she’s doubly mad now at being deceived by a crook. She said the authorities should check one of her father’s casino boats, which is currently docked for reprovisioning. It seems she and Gavin had used a suite there more than once as a private getaway. Knight’s just given his permission for the search. The Feds and local authorities are moving in now.”
Nicholas wiped a hand over his face. “How long? Hours?”
“Maybe. How about I get you some water? Something to eat?”
“Just water, thanks.”
Julius left. Nicholas turned toward the glass. Were detectives watching? Was State Prosecutor Simon? Other federal agents?
Julius didn’t return. Nick tried to count the minutes. Knew he’d sat alone at least ten, twenty.
He put his head down on the table.
Dear God, could this nightmare be over soon? In days or hours, can I be home again with Angelina for good?
Abide with Me. Wherever you are, abide with Me.
The door opened.
Julius’ smile said it all. “We got him. There’ll be some paperwork. Procedure might take a day or so, but even though we can’t get your money back, I thought you’d like to see someone. For the record, Simon cleared it.” He motioned toward the mirror. “And of course, he’s watching.”
Angelina rushed into the room and into his arms. She kissed him, and he held on to the woman he loved more than anything else.
“You’re going to be free,” she said. “It’s almost over.”
“Thank God.” Nick pressed his face to hers. “Thank You, God. Angie, I’m so sorry my greed and insecurity nearly ruined our lives. I’ll never make another big decision or big purchase without talking with you first.”
“You mean no more gifts?”
“Only inexpensive ones, and only once in a while.”
“Fine with me. Although I’m glad now you bought that necklace.”
EPILOGUE
Valentine’s Day, tenth anniversary
Angelina stopped before the sanctuary’s double doors. She slipped her arm through Daniel’s and gave in to the urge to bend and kiss his cheek.
“You’re a beautiful bride,” Daniel said. “Can’t believe you won’t let me chew gum.”
“You smack too loudly.”
“I can be discreet.”
“But you never are.”
“Shh, you two.” Kay straightened the train of Angelina’s thrift store gown. “You’ll miss your cue.”
“Daniel,” Angelina whispered. “I was never given away before. Thank you for doing this for us today.”
“You’re gonna make this old man cry,” he said. “Now I really need my gum.”
The wedding march began. Angelina heard the rustle of fabric as her friends and church family stood. Deacon Floyd and Clyde Newman opened the doors.
She scanned The Barn Church sanctuary from the rafters, to the pews, to the stage.
Laurie stood at the front on the left, holding Hope’s hand. A pile of red rose petals lay at the child’s feet. Pierce stood in the center, holding his Bible. On the right, Nicholas waited, wearing a dark suit.
As Daniel escorted Angelina down the aisle, her eyes met her husband’s. Hey, Nick mouthed, and she couldn’t help smiling.
They reached the front. This time, Daniel kissed her cheek, then turned her to face Nicholas and went to his seat.
“I’ve never loved you more,” Nick said.
“Nor I you.”
“Abide with me?”
“Forever and always.”
Pierce cleared his throat. “You’re not exactly supposed to start without me.”
The crowd chuckled. Deacon Floyd’s ha-ha echoed in the vaulted space.
Someone giggled. Someone popped gum.
“Daniel,” Kay whispered. “Where did you get that?”
“I have friends.”
The laughter rumbled, then grew.
“Hurry up and kiss her!” Clyde yelled from the back.
“Shush, you,” Millie said. “They’re not done yet. Haven’t even started, really.”
Angelina’s shoulders shook. “This is very different from the courthouse and McNuggets and French Fries.”
“Ree-ries! Ree-ries!” Hope took off and ran straight to Daniel. “Papa, ree-ries!”
“Soon, baby girl. Soon.” He scooped her up. “Now, let’s watch these two get married again.”
“Dearly beloved,” Pierce said. “We are gathered here today, to witness the reunion of this man and woman. Nicholas, Angelina, please join hands.”
They complied. Nicholas stepped closer.
“You’re so beautiful,” Nick said. “I can hardly believe you’d marry me again.”
“I’m just glad you asked me again.”
“Okay,” Pierce lowered his Bible. “Are we doing this by the book, or are we flying by the seat of our pants?”
“By the book,” they said in unison.
Again, the crowd laughed.
Nicholas kissed her forehead. “Never again will we leave God or His Word behind.”
“Never,” Angelina said.
She turned to Pierce. “We’re ready.”
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. At the opening of the story, we see Angelina in
Las Vegas at a wedding. The beauty and romance of the ceremony is in direct contrast to her unhappiness in her marriage. When have you looked at your marriage and seen it lacking? To what or whom did you attribute that lack? Discuss that Angelina’s real hurts led to fantasizing about a different life and another man. Do you see a link between Angelina’s spiritual condition and the condition of her marriage? Why, or why not?
2. From the start of the marriage, we see Angie’s naivety. As a newlywed, about what aspects of marriage were you naïve? Did that naivety cause any problems? What problems did it cause, and how?
3. From the start of the marriage, we see Nick’s focus on providing for Angelina. While that goal can be a manifestation of love and is a good trait for a husband, Nick’s desire is rooted in negative childhood experiences. What goals do you have, which on the surface might appear normal or good, yet they originate in a negative experience? How can you work with God to sort healthy goals from unhealthy goals? Is it possible for a goal to be “good” yet not of God?
4. At six months married, Angie and Nick have already discovered profound personality differences between them. Nick is an extrovert, while Angie is an introvert. Nick is a morning person, while Angie prefers to sleep in whenever possible. What personality differences are present in your marriage? What problems have these personality differences caused? Discuss how a personality trait (such as Nick’s compulsiveness and Angie’s self-inflicted solitude) can lead to bigger problems and challenges in a marriage.
5. Obviously, God orchestrated the meeting between Nick and Angie, and Daniel and Kay. Who has God placed in your life to help you on your walk with Him? To help you in your marriage? Do you need to seek out counsel for an immediate need? For long-term support? Daniel and Kay constantly direct Nick and Angie to explore a personal relationship with God. Discuss why that starting point is best for any marriage.
6. Angelina and Nick are drawn to God in different ways. What aspect of God draws Nick? What aspect of God draws Angie? Discuss how husbands and wives relate to God differently, because of gender, background, hurts, or life experience. What traits of God draw you most? What traits of God most draw your mate to Him? How can sharing those needs and insights bring a deeper spiritual connection to your marriage?
Abide With Me (The Barn Church Series Book 3) Page 28