by Diane Noble
“But they belong to Davis Carr’s family, don’t they?” Kate frowned. “Why did you take them? And how did you know where they were?”
“If you trace the history of the diamonds, which I did many years ago, Davy’s mother was right. They rightfully belonged to her branch of the family tree—but somehow ended up hidden in the wrong house. So, specifically, they belong to Davis Carr, not the aunt and uncle he lived with that summer. Certainly not Clive Garfield, who is trying to lay hold of them even as we speak.”
“How did you know where they were?” Renee asked.
“Your mother and I were in on this part together,” he said, smiling gently at Renee. “We were both at Davy’s bedside when he was delirious with a high fever. He’d obviously found the diamond bags before he fell ill. He was rambling on and on about the stones under the bathtub. Everyone else thought he was imagining things because of his fever—and he was. He came up with a whole different view of what happened that summer, as you know from his description. But he was telling the truth about the diamonds. He’d nosed around the house before he got sick and found them. Probably took baths in that little slipper tub, and being a child—a nosy one at that—discovered the loose tiles. After he mumbled about finding them during his high fever, only Caroline and I knew where they were.”
“Mama’s known all this time and never told anyone?” Renee looked around as if for a chair to fall into. “She doesn’t need any further work with the Bees. She’s the one who should be teaching the rest of us how to keep our mouths shut.”
Brother John frowned. “Bees?”
“The Bee Attitudes. A club sort of like Gossipers Anonymous,” Renee explained to a grinning Brother John.
“It was your mother’s idea to retrieve the stones a bag at a time, and then await the day when Davy was ready to receive them.”
“It sounds like he has to pass a test or something,” Renee said.
“Of sorts...” he said before continuing. “About his other hallucinations, after he was well, I tried to convince him that it was all a hallucination, but that tender little boy was so needy that he just could not let go of the dream. I think to this day, he still believes all those good things happened to him while in Copper Mill that summer.”
“Did his mother ever come back to pick him up?” Renee asked.
“Oh yes. It was well into September before the quarantine was lifted, but she came back and took him home with her. The first question she asked was, ‘Did you find them?’ Not so much as a ‘How are you, Son?’” He shook his head sadly.
“But you and Mama decided to keep the news about the diamonds to yourselves.”
He nodded. “We kept a close watch on Davy and his mother, and if there was ever a true need, we found a way to help them financially—always anonymously, though.
“After that, I decided that’s what I wanted to do: help others in any way I possibly could. I was able to scrape up enough money to buy this little acreage up here. Didn’t cost that much. It’s a distance away from any town. But I cleared as much land as I needed for a small cabin and a garden. God has blessed my efforts.”
He led them back outside and into the fresh air. Kate drew in a deep breath, relishing the scent of pines and earth and loamy soil. They walked around the perimeter of the meadow clearing, and he continued with his story.
“For years Caroline helped me identify people in Copper Mill, sometimes even in Pine Ridge, who had a need. Most never knew who intervened, but I always had the assurance that God was using me as his instrument, and I had no need for any recognition.”
“But how did you support yourself?” Kate asked.
“I had the little vegetable garden here that provided a good deal of food—nutritious food at that. Caroline, and others who came to know what I was doing, would sometimes leave food or other supplies in the bushes at the bottom of the dirt road. Sometimes Caroline—and later, your father, Renee—would hand me an envelope with cash in it.
“Probably the greatest joy came when kids I had helped in times of trouble contacted me years later to thank me and offer support. I’ve tried as much as possible to stay in touch with ‘my kids,’ and they all know where I live.”
Renee had a puzzled look on her face.
“You’re obviously wondering how I keep in touch. The mail carrier doesn’t come to this door, and there are no cell-phone towers out here. Well, I’ve had to succumb to a little bit of modernity. I rented a box at the Copper Mill Post Office and check it periodically.”
Kate was trying to take it all in, and from the look on Renee’s face, she was feeling the same way.
“I kept a close eye on Davy through the years and stayed in touch on a regular basis, that is, until he broke off all communication a few years ago.” Kate thought she saw tears in Brother John’s eyes. “Davy had come to me, telling me tearfully he’d lost his way. He said he no longer had any purpose in his life.
“We talked for a long time. I asked him about his business, about his financial success, about his colleagues and friends. He was proud of his accomplishments in business and eager to talk about his financial success, but when it came to talking about people, his demeanor soured. He said he felt he’d done all he could and that no one really cared about him anymore. They cared only about what he was worth.
“I admit I did some straight talking with him. I told him that greed had gotten in the way of the gentle, caring heart he used to have. God had saved his life all those years ago for a purpose, and it wasn’t just to build a fortune. I read to him the words of Jesus, ‘Go, sell all that you have and give it to the poor.’ And then I said, ‘When you do that, you’ll find your way again.’”
Kate could see the pain in Brother John’s eyes. She walked over to put a hand on his shoulder. “How did he react to that?”
“He stormed out, and I haven’t heard from him since.” Brother John wiped his nose, then his eyes. “When I heard about his gift to the museum, I hoped and prayed that he would come to see me. But the only time I saw him was at the grand opening, and when our eyes met, he turned and looked away. It made me very sad. Yet still I hope he’ll do the right thing.”
“Is that what the test you mentioned is all about?” Kate asked. “Are you waiting for him to care more about others than himself?”
“It is. Every June I leave my mountain and slip into Copper Mill. The house has been abandoned more often than not, so I go in, light a candle, and thank God for Davy’s life—and just as I put the child into God’s care all those years ago, I repeat the prayer and ask him to watch over Davy Carr. Been doing this for years.”
“So that’s the reason for the monk’s robe,” Kate said.
Again, he surprised her by throwing back his head and laughing. “Oh my, no. A person doesn’t need any special kind of robe to worship God, to walk and talk with him. He accepts us just as we are—whether in worn jeans, Bermuda shorts, or a monk’s robe.”
Kate glanced at Renee, who was frowning, then she looked back to Brother John and smiled. “The bags of stones are easily concealed with that robe.”
“Right again, my dear. Yes, I wore the robe for that purpose. Plus, many in our little Copper Mill think I’m as crazy as a loon anyway. The robe just gives them more to talk about.”
“Does Davis know that you make that pilgrimage every year to celebrate God giving him back his life?” Renee asked. “And does he know anything about my mother’s involvement?”
“The answer is yes to your first question and no to the second. Sadly, I think that’s why he chose June to present those fake paintings to the town. It may have been Clive Garfield who pushed him into it, but he went along with it. When I last read the articles about Davy’s businesses, I noticed that his fortune is dwindling somewhat. I’m sure he thinks he needs more money. Maybe it was just a wild guess on his part that I knew something. Maybe he was hoping to catch me on those security cameras, thinking I’d lead him to the cache of diamonds.”
Kate
looked up at the slope of the sun. “It’s time for us to head back,” she said, thinking how much she’d like to stay longer.
“Come back anytime,” he said. And then to Renee, “Give your mother my best regards. She’s an unforgettable woman that I’m honored to call my friend.”
He gave them each a thermos of cold water for their journey back and then prayed a blessing of safekeeping over them.
Kate took a deep breath. “We came out to warn you that Davis, Clive, and the others are planning something, according to James. It involves you, it’s to happen soon, and it isn’t good.”
He nodded. “That doesn’t surprise me, but thank you for the heads-up.”
“Can you come back with us?” Renee said, surprising Kate. “You can stay with Mama and me. We have plenty of room. And Mama would be pleased as punch to see you.”
He shook his head. “I’ll be fine here. God’s grace and love are all I need. I give everything else to him every morning.”
Kate dropped her head, wanting to remember every word of what he’d just said. “That’s beautiful. I wish I could live as simply.”
He smiled. “You can, my dear. You just have to let go of everything that doesn’t have God at its center.”
“But they may be planning something bad to do to you,” Renee said, stepping closer. “Wouldn’t God rather have you safe with friends than all alone and vulnerable out here? After all, you said that Davis and others know where you live.”
He chuckled. “My God has me in the center of his hand, no matter where I am physically. But thank you for caring...for asking.”
They had walked several yards from the compound when Brother John called after them, “You never asked what the diamonds are worth.”
The women turned around as he cupped his hands around his mouth and called out, “Practically nothing. They’re Arkansas diamonds.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
The first thought that flew into Kate’s mind when she woke the next morning was that “something bad” would happen soon. And James had said the target was Brother John.
She ached all over from her hike the previous day and groaned when she swung her legs over the side of the mattress and tried to stand. Then she grabbed her robe and fastened the tie while hunting for her slippers.
That was the final piece of the puzzle, and she was determined to find out how it fit with everything else. Things had come together as Brother John answered her questions about the past, but one big question remained: what did Clive Garfield have to do with the diamonds? He was ten years younger than Davis Carr, and she wondered if he had ever lived in the Victorian. Were his parents still living, and if so, were they pushing him into finding the diamonds?
Strangely, it didn’t matter whether the diamonds held much value or not. At the bottom of the actions of all involved—except Brother John and James—was greed.
Kate padded into the kitchen and started the coffee, wondering where Nehemiah and Paul had gotten themselves off to, and then sat down in the rocker for her devotions and prayer time.
She’d just made herself a cup of instant oatmeal, stirred in some brown sugar and milk, when the kitchen phone rang. She glanced at the clock. It was after eight. She blinked twice to make sure she wasn’t seeing things. The hike had taken more out of her than she realized.
She picked up the phone and, clearing her throat, managed a fairly chipper hello.
“Kate, this is Livvy.”
“I was hoping you’d call...I’ve got—”
Livvy gently interrupted her. “I know you said you were planning to visit Brother John.”
“I saw him yesterday. Renee and I hiked out to his cabin.”
“I just heard that an all-points bulletin has been put out for his arrest.”
Kate fell into one of the chairs, stunned. “What for?”
“Theft. Word has it that the FBI is even getting involved because it’s such a big case.”
“You’re kidding. Theft of what?”
“The Webcams picked up images of him at the museum just before it was discovered that Davis Carr’s originals were replaced with fakes.”
“That can’t possibly be true.” Thoughts zinged through Kate’s brain faster than she could process them. Her spirits fell. “We didn’t report the fakes soon enough,” she said. “Nehemiah and I should have called the sheriff as soon as we saw the difference. We would have, but I honestly didn’t think a crime had been committed. It was a sleazy thing to do, but illegal? I didn’t think of Davis Carr’s actions as that at all.”
Livvy didn’t seem surprised that Kate had already discovered that the paintings were frauds. She sighed. “You know that and I know that, but it’s completely wrong that Brother John might have to spend even one night in jail.”
Kate hung her head. “Do they know where to find him?”
“I can’t help thinking that Davis Carr, to get himself off the hook, would give Brother John up without a stab of conscience.”
“I’m sure you’re right,” Kate said quietly.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m just thinking about this godly man with his simple way of living, how he loves God’s creatures and gives himself completely to serving God, asking for nothing in return but God’s love and grace. I would love to live a life with such godly simplicity.”
Livvy was silent for a moment. “I would too.” Then she added, “I wonder if he thinks that everything that happens is in God’s plan, even what we see as hurtful.... Do you think he sees it differently?”
Kate thought back to Brother John’s loving manners and gentle ways, the stories of him preaching to animals, and what he told her about the sparrows’ nests on the other side of the cross.
“I think that’s the way he lives his life, every minute of it. He takes joy in the moment without thinking about the future. He knows God will provide for him and for those he’s brought under his wing, as if he’s Christ’s only representative on earth.”
“I think you’re right, Kate,” Livvy said. “But I can’t imagine how difficult it would be to take joy in the moment your fingerprints are being taken and your mug shot is being sent around the world through cyberspace.”
Kate’s heart was even heavier, but then she remembered those vivid blue eyes that virtually shone with compassion. “Maybe we’re looking at this from our perspective,” she said, “not God’s.”
They said their good-byes and ended the call.
Kate heard Nehemiah and Paul come in the front door, and moments later, they entered the kitchen.
“Don’t fix anything for us,” Paul said. “I took Nehemiah with me to breakfast at the diner to visit with the other pastors.”
“Should’ve started this get-together years ago,” Nehemiah said. Then he grinned. “Do you know how many Episcopalians it takes to change a lightbulb?”
Kate shook her head.
“Ten. One to call the electrician, and nine to talk about how much they liked the old lightbulb.” Nehemiah chuckled. “That was from the priest at St. Lucy’s. How about this one? How many Catholics does it take to change a lightbulb?”
Kate grinned and shrugged. “I can’t imagine.”
“None. They always use candles.” Nehemiah roared with laughter. “I haven’t had such a good time with a group of other pastors for as long as I can remember.” He wiped his eyes. “Oh, and you’ve got to hear this one. How many Baptists do you think it takes to change a lightbulb?”
Kate was still smiling, glad for the lighthearted banter. Laughter truly was good for the soul. “Haven’t a clue,” she said.
“At least fifteen. One to change the lightbulb, and three committees to approve the change and decide who brings the potato salad.” Nehemiah wiped his eyes again. “There are a lot more. I jotted a few down so I can share them with a friend at Orchard Hill. Nothing like laughing at ourselves to keep us humble.” He chuckled again. “The one about Presbyterians is priceless, but I’ll save it for another time.”
Kate poured herself some coffee, offered them each a cup, which they declined, then sat down at the table. Nehemiah was getting around with only a cane now and, hobbling to the table, sat across from her. Paul sat down beside Kate.
Sobering, she told them about Livvy’s call and about the all-points bulletin for Brother John.
“It’s a setup,” Nehemiah said. “Remember what James told us? He said something bad was going to happen to Brother John. This apparently was what they had in mind all along. Davis and Clive want Brother John out of the way so they can get to the diamonds. In their thinking, this was a way to do it.”
Kate pondered what she knew about the gentle-hearted man, and almost winced at the thought he might be harmed. “Why him? What has he ever done to them?”
Paul sighed deeply, and then, as if reading her mind, said, “Sometimes when evil hovers over a man’s shoulders, he can’t stand to see goodness and light. He wants to abolish the light, no matter what it takes.”
Kate leaned forward intently. “This man has been nothing but kind to Davis. He nursed him back to health when he was a child. He saw to his needs from a distance, without accolades, without Davis or his mother’s knowledge. He’s saved all the bags of diamonds for Davis. All Davis has to do is go to Brother John with a humble heart.”
Nehemiah’s eyes were bright. “It reminds me of how God is with us. He’s got such abundant riches for us, if we’ll only humble ourselves and come to Him.”
Kate nodded. “I hadn’t thought of it in that way, but you’re right.”
“We can get so wrapped up in material gain that we forget we need others, that we need God,” he continued. “Coming to that point of acknowledging our need for Him, acknowledging that our lives aren’t worth much without Him, no matter how much wealth we’ve acquired, can be an almost impossible bridge for some to cross.”