The Believer

by Kym Davis Boyles

  Greg patted him on the back. “Yeah, go do that, man. Maria will be happy to see you.”

  Rick turned to walk away when he stopped and turned to Greg. “By the way, I asked Mimi out to lunch but she turned me down flat.”

  “Oh yeah?” Greg asked, with his right eyebrow raised. He didn’t know what to say. “Her loss…right?”

  “Right. It was no big deal. She and I are so different,” Rick said. “But anyway, I’ll catch up with you later. He headed to the hospital.

  Chapter 90

  Victoria had her back turned to James as he lay beside her. He basically mastered her sleeping habits so he knew the time she went to bed and how she sounded when she was completely sleep. She had mimicked her sleeping for hours now, fighting to stay awake and determined to see where he had been going at night.

  Victoria felt her husband sit up and pull the covers back. She opened her eyes. He moved carefully as not to arouse her as she listened to him take small soft steps to the chaise on the other side of the room where he had placed a pair of jeans and a shirt earlier. “For the dry cleaners,” he had told her.

  Hearing no further movement, she closed her eyes and began the soft snoring again. She heard shuffling as he moved from the chaise to the bedroom door before walking out of it. Victoria turned over on her back and gave James a few minutes. After that, she heard movement downstairs and the alarm being turned off. She walked to the bedroom door and looked downstairs. It was dark. She tiptoed to the balcony of the staircase and saw him open the front door. She ran back into her bedroom, pulled the gown above her head to reveal her fleece pant set and slipped into her sliders. Her purse was on the vanity where her keys and phone were ready.

  Chapter 91

  Greg’s cell phone rang. Lying on his back with Evan in his arms, he opened his eyes, feeling as if he had just gone to sleep. He looked at the clock. It was a little after midnight. Since Ben had been in the hospital Greg slept lightly at night, not wanting to miss a call. He looked at caller ID to see that the caller was Maria.

  “Baby, it’s Maria,” Greg said sitting up and answering it. “Hello?” he answered slightly groggy but shaking it off for any news.

  “Hi Greg, Ben opened his eyes and he talking,” Maria said. Greg laughed and held the phone to his ear as his eyes welled up, unable to speak. “Greg?” Maria called out.

  “Are you sure?” Greg asked.

  Maria laughed, “Yes, I’m sure.”

  “We’re on our way,” Greg said, hanging up the phone. He closed his eyes. Thank you Father.

  Evan looked over at him and smiled, seeing the joy on Greg’s face.

  “He’s up, baby, let’s go,” Greg said, throwing off the cover.

  Greg and Evan walked into Ben’s hospital room where he sat sipping on a bowl of broth with Maria by his side. Ben looked up at Greg and they both smiled. “Not even a coma could keep you down?” Greg asked, walking over and giving his friend a hug.

  Ben laughed out of a still badly bruised and stitched up mouth. “You can’t keep a good man down.”

  Ben’s face was still badly bruised but he was at least recognizable. Greg stepped to the side as Evan came around and hugged Ben. Greg looked over at Maria who held a tissue up to her damp face and was smiling with great pride.

  Greg touched Maria’s hand. “Is everything alright?” He didn't want to ask directly about the possibility of brain damage but hoped Maria knew what he was asking.

  “Yes, everything is wonderful,” she said with a smile.

  Greg exhaled. “We knew that God was able.”

  Tears flowed out of Maria’s eyes. “Yes, we did.”

  “Baby, can you give us a minute?” Ben asked Maria. Maria nodded as she interlocked her arm with Evan’s and they walked out of the hospital room. Greg sat down in the chair beside Ben.

  “So, when you were out, did you see Jesus?”

  Ben laughed then realized that his mouth hurt. “No, I didn’t; not yet.”

  “I was waiting for a heaven story. Maybe next time,” Greg grinned.

  Ben laid his head back on his pillow. “How long have I been out? Do we have a new president?

  Greg laughed, “No.”

  Ben turned to face him. “Is James in jail yet?”

  Greg sighed. “No.”

  “Did you accomplish anything while I was out?” Ben asked with a smile.

  Greg laughed. He had missed his friend. “Not much.”

  “I’ve got to get out of here, because we have work to do,” Ben said, looking around and pulling at his IV tubes.

  Greg reached out and stopped him. “Whoa!” Greg said, “You can’t leave here looking like you been run over by a train.”

  Ben relaxed, “Yeah but I want James to know that I’m still alive.”

  Chapter 92

  Victoria followed James’ BMW in her silver Jaguar. There weren’t many cars on the road and she was hoping that she was staying far enough back that he wouldn’t notice her. It didn't matter anyway. Jose, her security manager, had placed a GPS on James’ BMW. He could drive as fast as he wanted; she was going to find him. It was the girl that she wanted to see.

  Victoria turned into another entrance when James pulled in to the Hilton Hotel parking lot. Once James parked his car, Victoria turned off her headlights and parked on the outside of the hotel. James remained in his car until a red Mustang pulled beside him. Victoria’s heart began beating fast. James’ door opened and he stepped out of his vehicle and she sat up in her seat. He reached for the handle on the red Mustang and opened the car door. A pair of long dark legs with high heels attached to them was the first image that Victoria saw. James held out his hand to help the lady out of her car. He was gentle with the woman like he used to be with her: protective and loving.

  Tears trickled down Victoria’s face as she saw with her eyes what she already knew in her heart. There was another woman. When Victoria saw how beautiful the woman was, her heart sank. James leaned in and kissed her then closed her door. They embraced. Victoria covered her mouth with her hands trying to control her breathing, trying not to have a panic attack. She watched them walk hand in hand through the automatic doors of the hotel. She closed her eyes and began shaking. She wanted to run after them and let them know that she was there; let them know that they couldn’t do her like this. She couldn’t; she had dignity so she put her car in reverse and drove off.

  Chapter 93

  Leon knelt in front of the chapel altar with his eyes closed and his hands folded together as if praying. His eyes remained closed until he was assured that all of the inmates that attended his weekly bible study had left. He opened his eyes and got off of the floor. Charlotte texted him earlier; she was back at work and needed to see him. They’d meet up after bible study.

  She didn’t mention that she was no longer pregnant, at least not yet but he knew. Taylor made sure that their little problem was eliminated. Officer Smith, the new CO that had taken Frost’s place, stood outside the door. He was new to the job but acted as if he’d been doing it for years, keeping a close eye on Leon throughout the bible study.

  “Let’s go, Ladson,” Smith said.

  “Yes sir, Officer Smith sir, I’m on my way,” Leon said, looking up at the clock as he gathered his bible and notes. He didn’t know what was keeping Charlotte but there was nothing more he could do. He was walking toward the door when Charlotte walked up.

  “I got this, Smith,” Charlotte said, satisfying the guard who walked off without another word. Charlotte closed the chapel door.

  Leon walked up to her. “I’m so glad to see you baby, I missed you so much.”

  “Don’t touch me,” Charlotte said, with an unrelenting stare.

  “What’s wrong?” Leon asked.

  “You sent her to kill my baby,” Charlotte said with eyes like daggers.

  “What are you talking about?” Leon asked, holding his bible in his hands behind his back.

  “Did you send her to kill our baby?” Charl
otte asked. “Did you get what you wanted?”

  Leon frowned. “What are you talking about?”

  “You don’t know?” Charlotte asked, walking past him.

  Leon stared at her. “No, I don’t know,” he said, turning around to look at her.

  Charlotte looked at him suddenly confused as if she had lost confidence. “I’m not pregnant anymore, Leon.”

  Leon’s mouth opened. “You lost the baby?”

  “Did you hire that woman to kill our baby?” Charlotte looked him square in the eye.

  “How can you ask me something like that?” Leon asked hugging his bible.

  She threw her arms up. “Because you didn’t want this baby in the first place.”

  “It took me by surprise, Charlotte, but that doesn’t mean anything. I got over it and I wanted our baby. Nothing would mean more to me.”

  Charlotte put her hands on her head as if trying to decipher it all. “I lost my baby and the woman that you hired took me to the hospital and disappeared.”

  Leon’s mouth hung open as he walked over to one of the hard wooden chairs. “I didn’t know. I wanted you to have the best care. After I realized that a baby would be the best thing that could happen to me, I called an old friend of mine, a doctor. He assured me that he’d find a great midwife. I trusted him.”

  Charlotte covered her mouth with her hand. “I don’t know what’s going on.” She looked confused as her distraught face softened. “So you didn’t know anything about her?”

  “Charlotte, I was assured that she was one of the best. I wouldn’t give you anyone less than that. And she probably had absolutely nothing to do with you losing our baby. She was scared; doctors and hospitals sometimes frown on midwives.”

  “I really wanted my baby,” Charlotte cried.

  Leon stood up and walked over to her and held her. He smoothed her hair with his hands. “It’s going to alright now. We can try again.”

  Chapter 94

  Ben was transferred to a new hospital room on the third floor. It was spacious and bright, giving off the sense of recovery instead of death. Greg walked in to see Ben sitting up and looking healthier with visibly less bruising and swelling. He was more like his old self. Two serious looking men caught Greg’s eye next; one was seated and the other was standing up with a pen and pad in his hand. Greg’s first guess: Feds.

  “My man,” Ben said, sitting up in bed. “Come on in here, we’ve been waiting on you, I have some people I want you to meet.”

  Greg walked over to Ben and gave him a hug. “Good to see you brother.”

  “Greg,” Ben pointed at the tall bald-headed man whose serious affect was almost frightening, “this is Agent Harding. Agent Harding, this is my partner and best friend, Pastor Greg Pharell.”

  Greg and the man shook hands. “Nice to meet you,” Greg said,

  Ben pointed in the dark haired man’s direction. “And this is Agent Soto.”

  Greg shook that agent’s hand, exchanged greetings, and looked over at Ben. “You’re looking good man. Now you look more like a Mack truck hit you instead of a train.”

  All four men laughed in unison.

  “Don’t quit your day job,” Ben said to Greg. “I wanted you to meet these guys who I called in because they’re friends of mine and they’re going to be helping us.”

  Greg felt a sense of relief. Those words were music to his ears. Agent Harding looked in Greg’s direction.

  “If what you all are saying about Chief Mason is indeed true then this is a major case and its reach is far bigger than you know. Ben told me some things and he relayed that there are other things going on at the church as well. That’s where Agent Soto comes in. He’s our specialist when it comes to financial embezzlement and following the money.”

  Greg didn’t know if it shone all over his face but he was overjoyed to see these guys. “Thank you for coming.”

  “Let’s start from the beginning,” Agent Harding said. “Tell me everything you know.”

  Chapter 95

  “Ladson, you have a visitor!” Officer Martinez said, walking into the community break room where Leon had his feet up watching reruns of the television comedy Good Times. Leon pushed the chair back and stood up. Officer Martinez began placing cuffs around Leon’s wrists.

  “I don’t usually get cuffed when I’m walking to the visitor’s area,” Leon said.

  “You do on my watch,” Martinez said, making sure that the cuffs were on tightly.

  Leon winced, feeling the tight grip squeezing his wrist bones, but smiled when Martinez looked to see the cuff’s effect on him. Leon followed Martinez to the visitor’s area where he was uncuffed before walking through the visiting room door. “Thanks Martinez. I hope that made you feel just a little safer.” Martinez rolled his eyes.

  William stood up and smiled when Leon walked toward his table. Leon grinned, giving his old friend a hug and a pat on the back.

  “How are you?” the lanky man asked Leon before sitting back down in his chair.

  “I’m good,” Leon answered, giving the man a once over before he sat down in his chair. “You need to lay off the Jack Daniels.”

  “Hey, it’s the only thing that keeps my heart beating,” William laughed.

  Leon smiled; the same old William. The pale, stiff man looked out of place among the visiting commoners in his tailor made Zegna suit. Leon couldn’t deny the twinge of jealousy that he felt. Oh how I miss my tailor made suits and silk ties.

  “How are things going?” Leon asked, wanting to get right down to business.

  “Things are very well,” William smiled. “Rest assured that your investments are growing daily which are obviously reflected in your accounts.”

  “My accounts aren’t the problem. Don’t let anyone get too comfortable; when you do that then you let your guard down.”

  “No comfort for us,” William smiled.

  Like the slickster that he was, William kept a smile on his face. Leon hated that smile. “I hear that Mason is fitting right in at JMC? I’m happy to hear that.”

  “He fell right into his position. It’s all working out. You don’t need to worry about anything. We’re handling it.”

  Leon looked around the busy visiting area. “I’m worried that he’s careless and makes unnecessary mistakes. The cop should have been eliminated.”

  “I believe that he’s still in a coma so I don’t think that he’ll be a problem.”

  “I hope not,” Leon said, putting his hands together and intertwining his fingers. “But he’s a small fish in a big pond and I want the big fish.”

  William leaned forward, wanting to hear more. “Okay.”

  “As long as Greg Pharell is alive and well, sitting in my pulpit, I won’t rest.”

  William nodded and looked around. “I got guys waiting, I can have that done today; just say the word.”

  Leon shook his head. “No, this one is real personal for me. I want to see the look on his face when he realizes that the smile on my face is the last thing he’ll see before he dies.”

  Chapter 96

  James walked into his house whistling but stopped when he heard voices from the living room. Elena, the Haitian housekeeper who ignored him all the time anyway, was on her knees wiping the marble floor of the foyer and she didn’t even bother to look up at him when he walked in. He walked toward the living room where he saw Victoria and a man sitting across from each other talking. The dark-haired tanned man was smiling at her with big sparkling white teeth like he had just stepped out of a toothpaste ad.

  “What’s going on here?” James asked, standing in the doorway looking at the man and then over at Victoria.

  The man stood and held out his hand. “Hello Chief Mason, I’m attorney Michael Bloom from Bloom Associates.”

  “Oh yeah?” James asked, looking at Victoria who was sitting with a stupid grin on her face. “What are you doing here?”

  Maintaining his smile, Michael looked at Victoria as if for her to answer t
he question. Dazzling in a short pink chiffon dress with her blonde hair pinned in a bun, Victoria looked over at James. “We’re going over some things.”

  James looked at the young attorney and then back at Victoria. “Can I see you a minute?”

  “No, I’m in the middle of a meeting. Can’t it wait?”

  “No, it can’t,” James answered sternly, walking out of the living room.

  Victoria stood up. “Excuse me, Michael,” she said, following James out to the entryway and closing the double doors to the living area behind her.

  James looked back at her as he stomped toward the library. “Get rid of the wonder boy.”

  “I will not,” Victoria said, storming behind him with her high heels clicking against the marble floors.

  “Why is he in my house?” James asked, walking into the library.

  Victoria walked behind him into the library and slammed the door. “My house,” she corrected him.

  James began breathing heavily, turning around in the library filled with books and stupid artifacts and souvenirs. Who does this skinny wench think she is?

  James sat on the corner of the desk and crossed his arms. “Oh, your house?”

  “Yes, my house,” Victoria repeated, crossing her arms in front of her body. “As a matter of fact, Michael is my attorney and I’m filing for divorce from you and I want you out of my house.”

  Victoria’s words hit him like a brick. He could feel his lips begin to tremble as he stared at her. “What did you say?”

  Victoria stood boldly in front of him without so much as blinking her eyes. “I want you out of my house.”

  James nodded then laughed watching her. “Don’t play with me, Victoria.”