Shortly, the door opened and standing there was a young man about my age. Taller and thinner than I, he wore a white Episcopalian collar under a black vest. He had close-cropped blonde hair, brown eyes, and a warm smile he quickly displayed when he saw Buddy.
“Brother Daniels, great to see you!”
They embraced.
“Thank you Brother Timmons, it’s good to see you, too. This is Jack Carter.”
The young pastor reached around Buddy and shook my hand.
“Welcome Jack, nice to meet you at last. Follow me, Brother Edwards is expecting you.”
Wait, did he say ‘at last’?
We walked without speaking, our feet making no noise on the thick purple carpet running the length of the hallway. The dimly lit passage, appearing much older than the rest of the building, was of stone and mortar construction. We walked single file, passing a series of black-and-white photo portraits lining the left side of the passage. When we got to the fourth door, Brother Timmons stopped, knocked twice, and opened it.
We walked into a room the size of my house. Floor-to-ceiling windows ran the length of the room, light streaming in from the summer sun. Bookcases made of oak or walnut or some other expensive wood covered the wall opposite the windows. The shelves overflowed with Bibles and books used for studying the Bible.
The purple carpet from the hallway continued through the door and stretched to the far end of the room, where a desk the size of a small car sat in front of a fireplace.
Mounted above the fireplace, a brass medallion nearly four feet in diameter dominated the room. The picture in the center of the medallion was of a pathway leading into the sun. There was writing around the outside, but I couldn’t make out what it said. My foreign language skills are not great, but I guessed it to be either Latin or Hebrew.
Striding toward us from behind the desk, Pastor Gary Edwards was beaming. Probably in his fifties, Pastor Edwards was easily six-three, and a fit two hundred and twenty pounds. He wore the same collar and vest as Brother Timmons.
“Buddy Daniels, it’s been too long!”
They embraced, and Buddy nearly disappeared in the man’s bear hug. When the Pastor stood back, he turned toward me and gave me a once over before stepping forward with an outstretched hand. His beaming smile tempered to a grin.
“You must be Jack Carter.”
“Yes sir, nice to meet you.”
He shook my hand with the grip of a Russian dockworker.
“Never mind that ‘sir’ stuff, Brother Edwards, or even just Gary, will do fine. I’ve heard a lot about you Jack, and you’ve been in our prayers.”
Suddenly, I felt like the guest of honor at a surprise party, and everyone just leapt out from behind the couch. Apparently, everyone in the room knew what my path was before I did; something I found to be very unnerving.
“I was not aware you had me on your prayer list,” I said, shooting a glare at Buddy. “I appreciate you thinking of me.”
Brother Edwards reached his arm around me and steered me toward a set of chairs near the window.
“Come, sit, and we’ll talk.”
Buddy followed, and all three of us sat in overstuffed Queen Anne chairs. Brother Timmons, who I hadn’t noticed leave, returned with coffee and a tray cookies. He handed me a cup.
“Black, right Jack?”
Okay, I was starting to freak out a little. I was clearly known to these men, and I felt exposed, but maybe I was being paranoid. Brother Timmons extended a plate of cookies.
“Shortbread cookie, Jack?”
My favorites. That was too much. I stared at Buddy.
“These gentlemen seem to know an awful lot about me, Buddy. Have you been telling secrets out of school?”
Buddy only smiled as Brother Edwards answered for him.
“Don’t be angry with Brother Daniels, he’s only been doing what was asked of him. Your name was laid on our hearts by the Holy Spirit, and we’ve been praying for you ever since.”
“When did this happen?”
“About eighteen months ago.”
“Eighteen months! You’ve been watching me for that long?”
“No, we’ve been praying for you that long. Buddy’s only been watching you recently.”
CHAPTER 10
After the revelation I’d been on their prayer list for eighteen months, I sat quietly while Buddy and the two pastors caught up on old times. My mind spun with the things I’d learned.
Why had the Lord chosen me?
How are these people connected to each other?
Why are Brother Edwards and Brother Timmons so familiar with Chasing?
Oh, and I had one other question. This one I asked aloud.
“You said ‘We’ve been praying for you.’ Who’s we?”
The conversation stopped, and all three men looked in my direction. Brother Edwards stood, walked over by the windows, staring out in the distance.
“Jack, did you notice anything different about this office as compared to the rest of Journey Chapel?”
“Yes. This area seems to be of much older construction.”
“That’s right. This office is in fact the original Journey Chapel. The fireplace was put in when the altar was moved to the new sanctuary, and obviously the pews have been removed, but this is the original structure.”
I looked around me at the walls.
“How old is it?”
“This chapel goes back to before Lewis and Clark went west from this city, over two hundred years ago. The new sanctuary was built just fifteen years ago.”
He turned to look at me.
“Can you guess why we didn’t tear down the old structure when we built the new?”
“Sentimental value?”
Brother Edwards smiled, but carried on.
“Journey Chapel was built with the mission of supporting Chasers like yourself. Since its early days, Chasers have come to Journey to seek support, guidance, and weapons. The ministry that takes place in the main sanctuary is a secondary purpose. Chasers and their mission have always been the primary focus of the leaders of this ministry.”
He walked back from the windows, sat across from me, and looked me straight in the eye as he leaned in toward me.
“I’m a Counselor, called to minister to those who risk their lives chasing. I’ve been counselor to Buddy since his decision to follow the path, and if he goes to be with the Lord before me, I will be your Counselor. Likewise, Brother Timmons has been chosen to take my place should I join the Lord before him.”
I looked over at Buddy, who nodded his head as if to say ‘it’s all true.’ Brother Edwards sat back, bringing his hands together in one of those ‘here’s the church and here’s the steeple’ poses.
“Jack, you asked who we are who have prayed for you. It’s the three of us here, along with the entire congregation. They don’t know what the ministry is, but they know Jack Carter had been called and had a decision to make. They prayed you would follow God’s will.”
My mind went to the pictures on the hallway wall.
“Those men in the portraits, they were…”
“…Chasers and Counselors,” he finished my thought.
I got up and started to pace. Down to the desk, back to the door, and back to the desk. I tried to wrap my head around what he was telling me.
The ministry I’m called to is old, very old, and I’m to be one in a long line of servants. I’d be carrying on a mission that I didn’t even know existed a week ago. Now I’d be stepping into a line stretching back hundreds of years.
I began to understand why the Lord of Hosts himself visited me in my bedroom. Without that visit, I might not believe any of this was real.
None of this information changed the way I felt about my decision. I wanted in, I wanted the opportunity to serve, and I wanted to make a difference. From everything I’d heard, this calling ticked all those boxes in a big way. I stopped pacing, turning to see three sets of eyes focused on me.
“Okay, what’s next?”
Brother Edwards got up, walked over to me, put his hand on my shoulder, and squeezed.
“Training. Buddy will finish your training by teaching you more about chasing and how to cross over those who don’t want to go.”
“And then?”
“Then you come back here for your Anointing Ceremony. The Lord can call you into action any time after that.”
I looked at Buddy, who had a silly grin on his face.
“What happens to you? Retirement and a golden halo?”
Buddy burst out laughing.
“No, not exactly. No golden halo, not even a gold watch.”
Brother Edwards squeezed my shoulder again, and with his dockworker grip, it hurt. I wish he’d quit doing that!
“Buddy will receive fewer and fewer assignments as you become more and more involved. Eventually, he will no longer be called on to chase, and he can spend time with Sarah. God does not allow a void between Chasers. He calls a replacement to serve before there is a need.”
I pointed at the huge medallion over the fireplace.
“What’s the significance of that? I’m guessing it has something to do with Chasing.”
Brother Timmons got up and walked over by it.
“It’s the crest of the Chaser. The pathway to the sun is self-explanatory, but the words are Hebrew. Know any Hebrew, Jack?”
“Anything beyond simple English is a test for me.”
Brother Timmons smiled.
“The words surrounding the crest are Hebrew for ‘Complete the Journey,’ the mission of the Chaser.”
I tried to remember where I’d seen the crest before. Suddenly, it dawned on me I, and I turned to Buddy.
“That crest is on your sword, isn’t it?”
“Yes, and the cross as well.”
Complete the Journey. Complete…the…Journey.
I realized these words would become the focus of my life from this day forward, and I was anxious to get started.
Brother Edwards squeezed my shoulder again.
Ouch!
“That’s all for today, Jack. Do you have any more questions?”
Uh, yeah. Probably a couple hundred or so!
I shook my head.
“Okay, good. I’ll walk you and Buddy out.”
I followed Brother Edwards out into the hallway. Buddy was right behind me, as we walked single file toward the small wooden door at the other end. As we got to the door, I turned to say something to Buddy and realized he wasn’t there. He’d stopped halfway down the hall, and was staring at one of the portraits, tears in his eyes.
I walked back to him.
“You okay, Buddy?”
He nodded but didn’t answer. I looked up at the picture.
“Is that your mentor?”
“Yes, mentor and friend. Working with you has brought back many memories. Much of my own apprenticeship has come flooding back.”
The man in the photo wore a robe much like Buddy’s, but his had a hood. His face looked like a well-worn ocean cliff with crags and fissures, which undoubtedly became even more noticeable when he smiled. A full head of gray hair that continued down into a manicured beard surrounded his piercing eyes.
Brother Edwards had come back to stand beside us. “He was one of the best. Resolute in his calling, even Harbinger didn’t scare him. He was one of the few to challenge the Runner, who has defined this ministry since day one.”
The Counselor looked at me, but thankfully didn’t squeeze my shoulder.
“Brother Daniels told me you’ve had a run-in with Harbinger already.”
“Two, actually.”
“Really? I didn’t hear about the second one.”
“It wasn’t much, really. He surprised me on the front step of my house.”
The pastor looked at Buddy. “He might be the one to do it.”
Buddy nodded, wiping his eyes with his sleeve.
“That would appear to be what Harbinger is thinking as well.”
I looked from one to the other.
“Hey, I’m just a rookie. No pressure, okay?”
They both laughed, and Buddy patted me on the back.
“Okay, fair enough.”
*******
When we’d said goodbye to Brother Edwards, Buddy and I drove back toward his home, but before we got there, he instructed me to head downtown.
We eventually parked in front of the St. Louis Pizza Palace. Buddy’s voice had a far-off quality as he pointed toward the building.
“This was an old warehouse before they made a pizza place. That door down there near the south end of the building, that’s where Justin and I entered the day we went to face Harbinger.”
I could see the door he was referring to, but the warehouse was gone. In its place flashed bright colors and kids enjoying pizza. The night Buddy described was so long ago, but I could tell it was still clear in his mind, recreated to include the smells and the pain.
“I came back out that door alone. Brother Anderson, who was Justin’s Counselor, showed up to get the body. When a Chaser dies, it must be kept quiet. There can’t be any scrutiny of what our mission is, or who we are, so sometimes we’re forced to make up cover stories.”
“Like what?”
“As far s the public is concerned, Justin died in a drug deal gone bad. He was supposedly alone. My presence was covered up in the story.”
“That’s awful. What about his wife and family?”
“He had no kids, and like my Sarah, his wife knew the truth. But his friends and church family really struggled to make sense of it. Many refused to believe the story.”
I thought about my mother, and her being told a similar story if I died on a chase. I didn’t want to bring pain like that to her, but I knew if she knew of the calling on my life, she would tell me to accept it. Maybe someday I’ll be able to reveal my mission to her. Of course, the best way to avoid hurting her is to not get killed on a chase in the first place.
Buddy seemed to regain himself, sitting up a little straighter.
“He was welcomed into the arms of Jesus, I know that. You ready to go?”
I nodded and put the vehicle in reverse.
A short time later, we arrived at his home. Getting out, he turned and looked at me.
“Be here tomorrow morning. Nine is plenty early enough.”
I laughed.
“Okay, I’ll sleep in. Say hi to Sarah for me.”
He closed the car door and waved as he headed up the walk. I’d just pulled away from the curb when my phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Jack.”
“Hi, Mom.”
“How’s my favorite son?”
I laughed at the old joke we played out on a regular basis.
“I’m your only son, Mom.”
“Okay, my favorite child.”
“Only one of those you’ve got as well.”
She laughed.
“Okay, how’s my Jack?”
“Good.”
“Are you staying busy?”
I thought of her face, and the pain it would cause her, if something happened to me. Of course, my investigator work wasn’t without some risk also, but this was different.
“As a matter of fact, I am.”
“Great. Have you talked to Amanda lately?”
“Yes. She’s fine.”
“Glad to hear it. Tell her hello from me. Just checking in to see how you’re doing. Gotta run.”
“Bye, Mom.”
I hung up and drove in silence until I pulled into my driveway. Instinctively, I began scanning for Harbinger. I could tell my senses were already becoming more heightened, more aware of what was out there. I was tuning into spiritual enemies more dangerous than any human foe.
Given what I was feeling, I could only speculate what spiritual gifts were given to an anointed Chaser.
CHAPTER 11
I arrived at Buddy’s house just after nine, having gone to the office firs
t to clean up some business and return a couple calls.
I noticed Sarah’s car gone. The front door was open, so I called through the screen. “Buddy?”
“In the kitchen.”
I went in to find Buddy in shorts and a t-shirt, filling a sports bottle with water from the fridge. He didn’t look up.
“You want some water?”
“No, thanks.”
He shut the faucet off and turned toward the backdoor. “Follow me.”
“Good morning to you, too.”
He ignored my sarcasm, which always unnerved me, and I followed him as he headed for the patio. Instead of going outside, he turned left and started down a small stairway to the basement.
I had to duck to keep from hitting my head as I carefully made my way down into the darkness. I lost sight of him as he crossed the room, but a few seconds later, I heard a click and the lights came flickering on.
The fluorescent lights revealed a workout room of sorts. There was the usual equipment such as weights, mats, and a speed bag. However, there were a handful of items I hadn’t seen in a gym setting before.
Leaning against one wall were several lead pipes about three feet long with some sort of wrapping around one end that I guessed was for better grip. Next to those were similar plastic pipes, the same wrapping on one end.
At the far end of the room, there was some sort of track or path, painted jet black, which went up the wall and continued several feet across the ceiling. I could see dusty footprints along the path.
“Some workout room you’ve got here.”
“It serves the purpose. I know you go to the gym and stay in shape. I also know you’ve had training in Tae Kwon Do. Fitness and fighting skills will serve you well as a Chaser, but you must refine them, and learn to use them with the power of the Spirit.”
“What skills come from the Spirit?”
“Speed and insight. Speed is the physical gift from the Spirit. Insight, an acute awareness of the spiritual world, is the mental gift.”
“Both sound pretty useful. How fast will I be able to run?”
“It’s not about foot speed.” Buddy turned and picked up one of the lead pipes. “You’re about half my age, right?”
I nodded.
CROSSOVER (THE CHASER CHRONICLES Book 1) Page 6