by Rachel Dylan
“Nicely played,” Ben said to Micah.
“I didn’t know they’d go for that, but their egos are so large, I thought it may work. We don’t need them hanging around here and putting negative thoughts and doubts in her mind. We need to do as much as we can to help her. If there’s any chance to save her soul, we can’t give up. Especially with the strength of prayers that are being lifted up for her.”
“Abe is praying now. He hasn’t prayed like this in years,” Ben said.
“Praise the Lord.”
**
Olivia sat behind her desk across from Associate Pastor Chris Tanner. He’d agreed to come by her office and talk to her as part of trial preparation.
“I received the subpoena to testify from the State,” Chris said. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that they’d want to call me as a witness, but I still don’t like it.”
“All you have to do is tell the truth. Your testimony will hold a lot of weight with the jury.”
He raised an eyebrow. “And you want to make sure that I’m not going to throw Dan under the bus.”
“That’s one way to put it. I’d like to think you’d be happy if I could prove that Dan was innocent.”
“Of course I would, but I’ve also told you all along that my first and primary duty is to the church body, not to Dan.”
“Are you sure there’s not something else? Something else you aren’t telling me?”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know, but I feel like you’re keeping something from me, and I’d hate to hear about any surprises for the first time when you’re on the witness stand.”
“I’ve looked at the documents, Olivia. I don’t see how there is any other explanation for what happened.”
“What if I told you that I could prove that Dan was set up?” She couldn’t prove that as of today, but she wanted to see his reaction.
His eyes widened. “That’s not possible. How? Who?”
“Why is it not possible?”
“Because the only people with access to the accounts were me, Beverly, and Dan. I know I’m not guilty, and Beverly certainly didn’t do this. So I don’t see how it could be a setup. The electronic transfers into his account are crystal clear.”
For the first time, a nagging feeling deep in the pit of her stomach made her question Chris’s innocence. She’d been so focused on Beverly. What if it was Chris all along? “I’ve seen falsified records which show that no money was taken out. Someone had to create those records. And we still don’t know who controlled the offshore account. The bank is fighting the subpoena, and I don’t expect the bank will comply given the loopholes in international law.”
“But the first level shifting of funds is clear.”
“So give me your theory then. Why would Dan do this?”
“I mentioned it before that ever since his wife got sick, he’d been so stressed and worried. I honestly think it got to be too much for him. The medical bills piled up, and even with insurance, I’m guessing that he was drowning. He never said anything, but it’s a pretty reasonable thing to assume. So he set up a scheme to take money from the church account and put it into one of his. All the while keeping a totally different set of paper records that didn’t show anything being removed. I personally think he planned to only do it a couple of times. But after his wife’s death, he spiraled into darkness and kept on going with his plan. It wasn’t until Beverly started digging around into the online system that she found all the discrepancies.”
“And I’m assuming when you’re put on the stand, this is going to be your testimony?”
He nodded. “Yes. I’m sorry, Olivia, but I’m going to tell the truth as I know it.”
“I wouldn’t want you to do anything but that. I’m just trying to figure out why you believe all of that to be the truth. It seems a whole lot more like speculation to me.”
“Do you have a better explanation?”
“Well, I actually do have evidence showing Dan might have been struggling, but nothing to justify him taking such radical action as stealing. He was still able to cover all of his bills on his salary and the savings that he and his wife had accumulated over the years.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“Now you do, and I will be introducing that evidence at trial. I believe Dan was framed.” She leaned forward. “And I’m going to be able to show it with or without your help.” She hoped her message was loud and clear. If Chris was somehow involved in this mess, she’d have no problem taking him down.
“Olivia, I get that you’re in a tough spot. I appreciate the fact that Dan has someone like you in his corner. You’re a fierce and loyal advocate.”
“But?”
“We both have to do what we have to do. I can’t compromise my position just like you can’t yours. I’m relieved to hear you have some evidence to support Dan’s story. I just hope it will be enough. There are still a lot of questions in my mind.”
“Thanks for taking the time to talk with me. This will all be over soon.”
Grant walked into her office. “Hey, Chris. Sorry, am I interrupting?”
“No,” she said. “We’re finished up.”
Chris stood and shook Grant’s hand. “Hope to see you two in church on Sunday.”
“Of course,” Olivia said.
Chris walked out of her office, leaving her alone with Grant.
“How did that go?” he asked.
“Do you think there’s any way that he could be involved in this?”
“I don’t think so, but at this point, I’m not sure what or who to believe.”
“His testimony is going to be highly damaging to us.” She rubbed her temples as a headache started to come on.
He walked around to where she sat and pulled her up out of her chair and into a tight hug. “Don’t start doubting your case now, Olivia. God will come through. Just keep looking for the answers.”
“Oh, believe me, I’m not giving up. I just want to plan the strategy and be able to put that reasonable doubt into the jury’s mind. Between the physical evidence and the testimony of Beverly and Chris, though, it’s going to be an uphill battle. I presented the information to him about Dan’s financials, and while he said he was glad I found it, I’m not so certain. It’s like he doesn’t want to believe that Dan is innocent.”
“You’ll figure out a strategy. I know it.”
“Thanks for having faith in me. I need to meet with Nina Marie. I feel like she’s at a crossroads right now. She might know something.”
“Why would she help prove Dan’s innocence though?”
“I’m at the point where I have to try everything.”
**
Nina Marie felt like she might be losing it. Her whole world seemed to be turned on its head. For the life of her, she couldn’t figure out why she had felt compelled to listen to Abe—and even more, to consider what he was saying to her. To actually contemplate that she could live her life differently? There was no rational explanation for any of it.
Her choices to follow the New Age ways and occult practices had been her own. She enjoyed the life she had created for herself. She was happy—wasn’t she? Yeah, sometimes she got lonely, but she was independent by her own choosing. Everything was about what she decided for herself.
Abe’s words kept replaying in her ears because deep down she knew he was at least partially right. All of her material things were nice, but ultimately she was lonely and felt lacking.
But when she practiced the dark arts and wielded her powers, she became strong. Why would she give that up and risk the ire of the evil one?
Because there’s a different way, a tiny voice whispered in her head.
Looking around she saw no one. “I really am losing it,” she said out loud.
I am the way, the truth, and the life, the voice said.
“Who’s there?” she asked. Then it occurred to her. Could there be angels in her house? Would they dare to come into her home?
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br /> She couldn’t recall a time in her life where she was more conflicted. The fact that she was even having these thoughts made her think that something was wrong with her.
To make matters worse, she was waiting on another visitor she didn’t want to deal with. Olivia had called and asked to meet her at her place. She said it was important, so she decided to take the meeting even though she knew that might not be the best decision given her current state of weakness.
A light knock at the door let her know Olivia had arrived. She welcomed Olivia into her home and invited her into the kitchen.
“Would you like some coffee or tea?”
“Coffee would be great,” Olivia said.
So, the acceptance of a drink meant that she planned to stay a bit. She was interested to know what Olivia had up her sleeve. She put the coffee on and sat down at the table across from Olivia.
“You said it was important. What do you want to talk about?”
“I need your help.”
“With what?”
“This trial. I know you have information that could help me defend Dan.”
Nina Marie rolled her eyes. “You’ve seriously lost your mind if you think I’m going to help out the pastor. Have you forgotten who I am?”
“No, it’s because I know who you are that I’m asking you. Because deep down I think there is good in you, Nina Marie. No, I know there is good in you, and that even though your judgment has been clouded by darkness for years, that you wouldn’t want to see an innocent man go to prison for a crime he didn’t commit.” She paused. “And I also know that you can’t stand Layton, and this would give you an opportunity to foil his plot. Assuming you were truthful to me at the beginning in saying that this was all Layton and not you.”
She admired Olivia’s tenacity, coming at her from all angles. Olivia knew her well—well enough to know that playing the Layton card was smart and strategic. Before she could say anything, Olivia kept talking.
“You won’t get anything out of this. If Dan goes to prison, Layton will claim victory. He’ll toss you to the side and consolidate power around his big win. You don’t want that to happen, do you?”
Olivia raised an interesting point, and one she foolishly hadn’t even been thinking about. There had been too many others things on her mind. She stood up and poured them each a cup of coffee. Placing Olivia’s in front of her, she had to confront the situation directly. “What are you doing to me, Olivia?”
Olivia picked up her purple coffee mug. “What do you mean?”
“Something very strange is happening to me. I’m not myself, and I have the sinking suspicion that you’re the cause of it.”
“I haven’t done anything to you, Nina Marie, but I have been praying for you. Very hard and consistently.”
“I told you not to even try that with me.”
“I know what you said, but I also believe prayer is more powerful than you can imagine. The Holy Spirit can intercede and change your heart.”
“You have no right to do that to me. I make my own decisions.” She had the mind to try to hurt Olivia right then and there. She had the power to do it—or at least she thought she did.
Undaunted, Olivia reached over and grabbed onto her hand. “You do have the right. You have free will and choice. It’s completely up to you whether you heed the call of the Lord and reject the devil and his dark ways.”
“If this is completely my decision, then why am I affected by your prayers?”
“I believe deep down you do want to go another way, and that is enough to allow your heart to open. Whether you want to believe it or not, you and I are connected. I saved your life for a reason, and I don’t want that risk to have been taken in vein.”
“And what about Abe?”
“I did hire him as a PI, but whatever he is pursuing with you right now is all him. I had nothing to do with that. I believe God is working in his life right now, too, and in yours, whether you want to embrace it or not. Abe’s a good man.”
She huffed. “Are there really any good men?”
“I know that someone you loved hurt you. You’ve never told me any details, but I’ve read between the lines enough to know that it was a huge betrayal of trust. I get that, but not every man or every Christian is corrupt just because some people made mistakes.”
“I’d say being beaten and raped by someone who you thought you could trust is a lot more than a mistake.”
Olivia’s eyes widened as she squeezed her hand. “Nina Marie, I had no idea.”
“It’s not something I ever speak about. At least not … the physical violence is about all anyone ever gets out of me. I’m telling you the other to let you know just how far gone I am. How damaged I am, and my reasons for not trusting anyone. The path that I’m on may not bring me complete fulfillment, but it brings me safety and the power of my own life. My own body.”
Olivia closed her eyes for a moment and then looked back at her. “You may not know this about me, but one of my passions is assisting victims of domestic violence. I did a lot of work at clinics in law school and have volunteered my time on a pro bono basis while at the firm. I can’t pretend to know exactly the pain you’ve gone through, but I can say that keeping it all bottled up inside is not the way to heal.”
She couldn’t say that Olivia’s revelation surprised her. It was just the type of thing that Olivia would do because that was the type of person she was. A good person with a moral compass unlike anything she’d ever known. “There’s no such thing as healing, Olivia. I died a long time ago. I’m just doing the best I can.” As the words came out of her mouth, she couldn’t believe she’d shared this most private aspect, the darkest secret of her life, with her enemy.
But could it be that Olivia was no longer an enemy? Maybe she hadn’t been for quite awhile.
“With God, there is hope, but with the powers of darkness, there is only pain. No matter how strong you may think you feel, it’s just temporary. What God offers is something different. Yes, there are trials and tribulations in this world, but then there is eternal peace with Jesus.”
Nina Marie couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “How did this go from a conversation about giving you information to trying to convert me?”
“It’s all tied together, isn’t it?”
“I need to think this all through. If I cross Layton on this, he will try to destroy me.”
“Do I need to remind you that he’s already tried to kill you once? He’d have no hesitation doing it again, regardless of whether you choose to help me.”
“I hear you, but I still need time to think.”
“And while you’re thinking about helping me, why don’t you think about all of this other stuff, too.”
She blew out a breath. “Given how much you and Abe are hassling me, I don’t really have much of a choice.”
Olivia smiled warmly.
She saw everything in Olivia that she wasn’t. “I’ll never be like you, Olivia.”
“You don’t have to be like me. You just have to be you, and I’m just hoping it’s a better version of you that sees the light and turns away from the evil one.”
A piercing pain shot through her head, forcing her to shut her eyes.
“Nina Marie, are you okay?”
“I don’t know. My head.” A wave of nausea rushed through her as the pain only amplified. A throbbing sensation at her temples. She was gripped by pain and couldn’t move.
“You’re under attack,” Olivia said.
Nina Marie tried to speak but no words could be formed.
Then Olivia started praying out loud, telling the demons to leave the house. Calling out the name of Jesus.
After a few minutes the pain left her as quickly as it had hit her. She opened her eyes looked up at Olivia.
“They know,” Olivia said. “And they’re not going to lose you without a fight.”
Nina Marie feared that, one way or another, she wasn’t going to make it out of all of this alive.
Chapter Fourteen
As the day came to start the trial, Olivia sent up a prayer. Nina Marie hadn’t provided any information up to this point that could help her prove Dan’s innocence. She’d just have to do the best with what she had and pray that God took care of the rest.
She planned to rely heavily on all the facts and history of Dan’s financial situation. Abe had come through along with her forensics expert on one other piece of the puzzle. While they couldn’t say for certain where the person was located who made the transfers, they weren’t at the church or at Dan’s house. She was going to use that to her best advantage.
Her last meeting before the trial with Dan had gone much smoother than expected. Dan had told her he was at peace with whatever happened, but she was going to fight as hard as she could for an acquittal.
Standing outside the courtroom in one of the hallways away from the media, Grant pulled her close to him. “You can do this, Olivia. This is much bigger than this case. The battle is so much larger.”
“Thanks for the reminder, Grant.” She smiled up at him. Through all of this, he’d been her rock. Even with his own questions and concerns, he never let her falter.
He leaned down and kissed her forehead and took her arm in his, escorting her into the courtroom.
A couple of hours later, they had picked the jury, broken for lunch, and were ready for opening statements. The jury composition wasn’t perfect for her, but it wasn’t atrocious either. Evenly divided, six men and six women. Eight of the twelve self-identified as Christians. The State had wanted a mix because they weren’t sure how this was all going to play out. She feared the four non-Christians would automatically be skeptical of Dan and probably would not be in their corner. She could only pray that the eight Christians on the jury would be open to hearing his defense. A defense that she was still refining, given the damaging evidence against him.
“Mr. Sampson, please proceed with your opening statement,” Judge Matthews said.
“Thank you, Your Honor.” Tony walked up to the podium with his eyes fixed on the members of the jury. “Ladies and gentleman of the jury, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to do your civic duty as jurors for this trial. This is a sad story that unfortunately doesn’t have a happy ending. But it’s my job as the prosecutor for the state of Illinois to lay out this case. It’s your job as the jury to listen to the evidence presented to you and deliberate upon it.”