The Believer

by Kym Davis Boyles

  “Ignore him Maria but no ma’am, I haven’t eaten,” Greg said, having saved his appetite for the visit knowing how Maria loved to cook.

  “Babe, we’ll be in my study. Let us know when the food is done,” Ben said.

  Greg followed Ben back to his office and closed the door. He took a seat on the old tan sofa that he knew Ben had owned for at least 20 years. He helped pick the thing up from the furniture store when it was first purchased. “Did you get anywhere?” Greg asked.

  Ben sat down at his desk that was cluttered with paper and picked up a folder. “We got something. It seems that a couple of officers picked Devon up a couple of times and released him. It was on dash cam video; ironically they never gave him tickets at these stops.”

  “And…”

  “And they happen to be of the Caucasian and Hispanic persuasion: Officers White and Hernandez.”

  Greg put his finger to his chin. “Interesting.”

  “Yes, it is.” Ben nodded, placing the file back on his desk. “Whether Tim’s telling the truth is still to be seen but we need to keep searching.”

  “What do we know about these officers?” Greg asked.

  Ben leaned back in his chair. “Not much yet but I’ve got some friends looking into some things for me.” His eyebrows rose. “I do have something else that might even be more surprising.”

  “What’s that?” Greg asked.

  “Victoria Mason is broke.”

  Greg’s forehead creased “What do you mean broke? They live in a mansion with expensive cars and own several properties.”

  “She’s broke, Greg,” Ben said.

  Greg laughed. “Ben, rich people broke and our broke are two different types of broke. What do you mean broke?”

  “I mean I asked my man with the FBI to look into their financial situation. Her family sold off their shares of the company but when her daddy died he was in so much debt that the estate was used to pay off their creditors. Victoria’s investors made some risky moves which caused her to lose most of her money due to bad deals about five years ago.”

  “That sounds like rich people broke,” Greg said. “She can still go buy a car with cash most likely.”

  Ben smiled then shook his head. “Well, it’ll only be a matter of time before we find out what’s really going on but I’m working on it.”

  “We need to work fast because if Tim is telling the truth then there’s only a matter of time before they find out and silence him,” Greg said.

  Chapter 55

  Evan walked into the dimly lit auditorium at Nina's church and looked around. The lights were bright down front where Nina and Taylor stood along with a couple of other ladies that she didn’t recognize. Taylor and Nina both turned back toward her when she opened the door and waved. Nina then put her index finger in the air. “Give me one minute, sweetie,” Nina shouted up at her.

  Seducca who was seated in one of the audience seats, turned around in Evan’s direction. “Hey, lady.”

  Evan walked the aisle two rows down where Seducca was seated and gave her a hug. “I didn’t see you sitting here. What are you doing back here?” Evan asked, sitting down beside her.

  Seducca directed her attention toward Nina and Taylor down front. “Watching the prophetess carry out her evil plan of total domination,” Seducca laughed.

  Evan chuckled at Sed’s sarcastic humor. “You’re so mean. Anyway, who are the ladies with them?”

  “They’re from Nina’s church, helping out with the seminar,” Seducca replied. “It looks like it’s coming along pretty well.”

  “Good, it’s becoming a lot bigger than I imagined,” Evan said, placing her beige tote on the seat beside her.

  “I heard you and the prophetess had lunch,” Seducca said.

  “It almost sounds like you don’t believe that she’s a prophetess,” Evan said.

  “And you do?” Seducca asked, rolling her eyes. “I tell you that one is a self-proclaimed prophetess. I haven’t seen her do anything yet that would benefit the body of Christ and if flitting around Nina all day is her idea of prophesy than girl, 'bye.”

  Evan smiled; Sed was Sed and she was straightforward; one had to appreciate it. “We did have lunch, a nice lunch. I’m glad we did because I saw a different side of her. So maybe you should invite her to lunch and cool the tension between you two,” Evan said.

  Seducca laughed and looked over at Evan. “Seriously?” she asked. “Something in that water just isn’t right. None of her stories add up. She appears out of nowhere, with no proof of this splendid husband or prospering ministry, befriends Nina then gives Nina the idea for a seminar and completely takes it over.”

  Evan looked confused. “Taylor came up with the idea for the women’s seminar?”

  “Yes, and although I can’t quite figure out this prophetess, I do know that my momma didn’t raise no fool.”

  “Sed…” Evan said.

  Seducca cut her eyes at Evan then back down toward the front. “She wasn’t exactly nice to you either in case that little lunch fogged your memory. I hope you don’t think that little slip of the tongue was an accident. Everyone knows you’re no longer Mrs. Ladson.”

  Evan shrugged. “I’m moving on from that. Anyway, what brought you here? I thought that you weren’t speaking.”

  Seducca flipped the hair off of her ear. “I told Nina that I will do whatever she wants me to but I’m really here because I’m not going to let that fake prophetess keep me out of the loop while she manipulates my girl. I don’t know her game but I’m going to be all up in this.”

  “I’m sure that Nina appreciates your help.”

  Seducca turned to Evan and smiled. “Are you excited?”

  Evan smiled. “I’m nervous and this auditorium is so big. I just pray that I’m ready.” She looked around the auditorium. Speaking before a large crowd wasn’t the issue, sharing her pain was.

  “She really wanted you to speak at this seminar, you know?” Seducca mentioned.

  “Nina?” Evan nodded. “I know.”

  “No,” Seducca said, “Taylor.”

  Evan’s left eyebrow raised. “Why?”

  “I don’t know. For some reason, Taylor kept asking Nina questions about you but Nina didn’t bite. So, when she didn’t get what she wanted, she insisted that you tell your story even after Nina said that you weren’t ready.”

  Evan shook her head, baffled as to why Taylor would care so much. “Weird, but anyway, I’m here and I’m going to let God use me to help someone else.”

  “I’m proud of you,” Seducca said.

  “Thank you; just pray for me,” Evan answered.

  Nina turned around and began walking up the long aisle toward them. Taylor noticed and began following her.

  “I guess she’s ready for us,” Evan said. Both women both grabbed their purses.

  “Hi, beauties,” Nina said, giving them both a hug. “Thank you for coming.”

  “Hello, Taylor,” Seducca said.

  “Hi, Seducca,” Taylor said, looking as if she were forcing her smile.

  Nina grabbed Evan’s hand, encouraging her to stand up. “Come with me, I want to show you something.”

  “Oh, okay,” Evan said, scooting past Seducca in the tight squeeze of the auditorium seats.

  Taylor looked at Seducca. “You can help me go over the program if you don’t mind.”

  Evan looked back at Seducca, hoping she was going to act right.

  Seducca watched Evan walk off and cut her eyes over at Taylor who was hovering over her. Seducca moved slightly to the right uncomfortable with Taylor’s closeness. Taylor smiled then took the liberty to sit directly in front of Seducca. “I wanted Nina to take Evan so you and I could talk,” Taylor said.

  Seducca crossed her arms. “About what?”

  Taylor smiled, “I’m planning on throwing a party for Evan.”

  Seducca looked curiously up in the air; Evan’s birthday was no time soon. “A party? For what?”

  “
Well, I know that she’s stepping out of her comfort zone with the seminar so I wanted to throw her a little something letting her know how proud the First Ladies are of her.”

  Seducca didn’t know if this girl was sincere or not but Evan was her girl so it wasn’t like she could object. “That sounds nice but I’m not sure that she would want that type of party when sharing her story is already a sore subject for her.”

  “And I understand but she’s stepping out on faith for this seminar and I think we should show her what that means to all of us. Nina thinks it’s a great idea.”

  Not surprising with the way you’ve wrapped her around your finger. “Oh, does she?” Seducca asked.

  “Yes, so I hope that I have your support in spite of what you may think of me,” Taylor said.

  “Of course,” Seducca said. What is this chick up to?

  “Great,” Taylor clapped her hands. “We’re renting the banquet hall at Blufton Place. So, please bring Kenny and anyone else that you’d like to.”

  Seducca raised her brows. “Sounds great.”

  Chapter 56

  Greg walked through the church halls to his office, passing Evan’s mostly unused office on the way. He missed her being at the church every day just a few feet away from him. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed hers. She answered on the second ring which surprised him. “Hey, beautiful,” Greg said, approaching his office.

  “Hi baby, how’s your day so far?” Evan asked.

  Happy to hear her voice, he smiled. “Fine, I’ve been thinking about you all morning.

  “Really?” Evan asked, with a smile in her voice.

  Greg continued to his office and sat on the edge of his desk. “I was thinking that maybe I can bring you some lunch and spend the one hour that JMC allots me with you?”

  “Oh, they only give you an hour, do they?” Evan laughed. “Of course, I’d love that.”

  “Okay, I’ll pick us up some salads and I’ll see you then. I love you,” Greg said, ending the call and putting his cell phone back on his side clip.

  Greg walked out of the 5th Street Diner toward the busy crosswalk with two bagged chef salads and a side of pita chips in his hand. He should have ordered ahead of time knowing the usual downtown lunch rush. But right now, he wouldn’t complain; he just wanted to spend lunch with Evan and laugh, not thinking about Tim, James or JMC. As he stood at the edge of the crowded crosswalk with other eager lunchgoers, Greg’s cell phone rang. Tempted not to answer it, he let it ring again while he debated in his head. To be fair, he needed to know at least who he was choosing not to talk to. He pulled his cell phone from his side and saw that it was Ms. Delilah. Okay. He made a decision to answer, hoping not to regret it.

  “Hello Ms. Delilah, is everything alright?” Greg asked, sticking one finger in his opposite ear, attempting to drown out the nose of moving vehicles and pedestrian conversations around him.

  “Pastor Greg, I know how busy you are and I’m so sorry to bother you but I didn’t know who else to call. Cai’s across town, on her way to a job interview and she’s having car problems. I was wondering if you could go see about her,” Delilah said.

  Not now Ms. Delilah. “Ms. Delilah, I know an excellent tow truck driver who’s a member of our church. I’m going to call him for her,” Greg responded.

  “I tried to tell her that but she insists that it might not be that serious to pay for a tow truck if it’s just her battery. If you can, can you please go check on her?”

  Greg looked at his watch; lunch with Evan was going to be late. “Yes, Ms. Delilah, where is she exactly?”

  “Hold on,” Ms. Delilah said with sounds of shuffling in the background. “Stop it DJ! Sit down somewhere.”

  Delilah’s high-pitched voice vibrated through the phone, causing Greg to pull his cell phone from his ear. “Ms. Delilah,” Greg said, putting the phone back to his ear only to hear more shuffling.

  “Hello? Pastor,” Delilah asked.

  “I’m here, Ms. Delilah,” Greg remarked.

  “Okay, I wrote it down. She’s pulled over to the side of Wilson Boulevard. She says that there’s a burger restaurant across the street from her.”

  “Don’t worry, I know exactly where that is Ms. Delilah. I should be there in about twenty minutes,” Greg said.

  “She’s driving a little blue car. Please hurry and thank you, Pastor,” Delilah said.

  Greg hung up and immediately dialed Evan’s cell phone number, still standing at the traffic light because he had missed his first opportunity to walk cross the street with the crowd. She didn’t answer, causing it to go straight to her voicemail.

  “Hey baby, I’m going to be late for lunch. Ms. Delilah called and she wants me to go check on Cai whose car won’t start. I’m on my way there now and wanted to let you know where I am. I’ll see you in a bit. I love you,” Greg said, hanging up the phone then dialing Doug’s number for the tow truck.

  Cai was looking in the mirror to make sure her face was perfect when she saw Greg’s truck pull up. She swept her hair to the side of her shoulder over the collar of her short jean jacket then turned off her cell phone. She watched Greg through her side view mirror as he got out of his truck and walked toward her car. She opened her car door and stepped out of it.

  “Hi, what’s going on with it?” Greg asked, walking around to the front of the car where the hood was up.

  “Greg, what are you doing here? I can’t believe that Delilah called you,” Cai said, walking behind him to the front of her car. She was wearing her short black skirt that swung with the slightest of movement, accentuating her long legs. She crossed her arms. “I thought Delilah was calling a tow company. I’m so sorry.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” he said, taking a look under the hood. “What seems to be the problem?”

  She flipped her long hair. “I was driving and it started stalling so I pulled over and turned it off and when I tried to turn it back on, it wouldn’t start.” And it isn’t going to start.

  “Hmmm,” Greg said, bending over and looking under the hood.

  Cai watched him bend beneath the hood of her car as he shook the hoses and checked the belts. Delicious. She could understand why the First Lady was protective of him. But she wasn’t intimidated. She liked what she liked. He turned around.

  “Cai, let’s see if the ignition will start,” Greg said. “Don’t turn it until I tell you.”

  Cai got back in the car and waited for Greg’s direction. When he lifted his hand, she turned the key but the engine sputtered. Greg put his hand up. “Okay, that’s good, you can stop.” Cai got out of the car, turning around when she heard a large truck pull up behind her. Greg lowered her hood.

  “Did you call a tow truck?” Cai asked.

  “Yes; good thing because it doesn’t appear to be your battery. Doug is one of my church members, he can get you straight.”

  “Oh,” she forced a smile. “Thank you.”

  Cai watched as Doug got out of his truck. He was a large pale man with a wide mouth and spacey teeth that were obvious as soon as he got out of his truck, smiling. He struggled to pull his thin tan t-shirt over his huge stomach as he walked toward them. He immediately shook hands with Greg then introduced himself to Cai.

  “I can take it to my shop or I can take it wherever you like, ma’am,” Doug said to her.

  Cai looked to Greg. Greg smiled. “Doug is an excellent mechanic. He’ll take really good care of you. I wouldn’t lie to you.”

  Cai rubbed her hands together; things weren’t turning out exactly as she expected. “You can take it to your shop, I guess,” she said.

  “Will do,” the man tipped his cap to them before walking off to prepare his truck.

  Greg looked at his watch. “Okay Cai, I’ve got to meet my wife and I’m late. You’re in good hands with Doug.” He walked back toward his truck.

  Cai took a step behind Greg then looked back at Doug not knowing exactly where her car was going. She turned back to Greg. “Um, Gr
eg,” she called out to him, running on the tip of her toes to catch up with him. Greg stopped, turning around. Cai felt flustered, even desperate. “I know this is an inconvenience and I hate to ask you but I can’t afford to miss this appointment. Do you mind taking me? I’ll catch a cab back.”

  Greg paused, then scratched his head. Cai pleaded, “It’s not that far away. I would really appreciate it.”

  “Um, Okay,” Greg nodded. “If you don’t mind big old trucks.”

  Cai smiled. “Not at all.”

  Chapter 57

  Greg unlocked the door of the truck for Cai and opened it. He walked around to the other side, not bothering to help her in; he thought it was inappropriate given the little black skirt she was wearing.

  “What is a sophisticated guy like you doing with an old beat up truck like this?” Cai asked placing her seatbelt across her body.

  “It has character,” Greg said, starting the truck and pulling out into the traffic. He was uncomfortable having Cai in his truck with only the salads between them. He hoped to the Lord that no one saw them and got the wrong impression. No matter what anyone said, he was representing the Lord and he didn’t even want the appearance of misconduct. He just hoped that they arrived at her destination quickly.

  “Make a right at Pendleton Street, please,” Cai said.

  Greg turned right at the corner, purposely remaining quiet during the ride, not wanting to engage Cai in conversation and hoping to discourage her from starting one. In the absence of conversation, she chose to hum.

  “Do you mind?” Cai asked, noticing Gracie’s picture clipped onto the driver side visor above his head. She reached over and took it down.

  “Uh, no,” Greg said.

  “She’s such a beautiful baby,” Cai said.

  “Thank you, we’re grateful for her,” Greg said, continuing to stare straight ahead and having unintentionally seen how her skirt rose too far up when she sat down.