Bunny Elder Adventure Series: Four Complete Novels: Hollow, Vain Pursuits, Seadrift, ...and Something Blue

by J. B. Hawker

  “What do you mean?” Walter swung around.

  “Pastor Jim doesn’t understand the meaning of those Bible passages he was teaching. He has twisted them to mean something that was never intended. God didn’t refer to a married couple as “one flesh” to mean whatever one of them did, the other was guilty, too. All the really respected theologians agree God was saying a husband should treat a wife like part of himself and a wife should love her husband as she loves her own life. There is nothing in the Bible about punishing innocent people for things they didn’t do. Nothing,” Bunny rasped, as she strained against the cord around her throat.

  “You’re saying Pastor Jim is a liar?” Walter asked, clenching his fists.

  “No, no. I’m saying he is young and inexperienced and mistaken, that’s all. He hasn’t studied long enough to gain the wisdom he needs to teach God’s Word accurately.”

  Once again, Walter paused to ponder Bunny’s words. Once again, he rejected them.

  “No. You are bad. You hit me with the pipe. Twice. You are bad and you are going to burn in the fire just like your One Flesh!”

  After shouting those words, Walter ran up the stairs.

  As soon as he passed through the kitchen, the basement was plunged into darkness.

  Chapter 28

  Why are you far away, LORD?–Psalm 10:1

  After Walter’s references to fire, Bunny could not avoid the obvious conclusion, when he began to cluster flammables around her feet.

  Walter was planning to burn her at the stake.

  Bunny knew the Romans once used first generation Christian martyrs as human patio torches.

  She would like to feel flattered to be sharing a similar fate, but all she felt was terror. Burning always seemed to Bunny to be a particularly hideous way to die.

  “Walter must be retrieving his starter fluid and matches,” Bunny murmured to herself.

  “Father God, I’m so frightened. Please help me not to panic. Give me the courage and wisdom to get us out of this mess...But, if it is your will for me to die here today, please grant me peace...and don’t let it hurt too much, please.”

  “I am afraid of the pain, Lord, but I trust you to be with me and to carry me to your side. Thank you, Father, for letting me live all these years and thank you for all your many blessings. If Max is still alive behind those boxes, I pray you will spare him, Lord, and give him another chance to come to you. I pray he will one day find the truth, recognize it and accept you as his Lord and Savior. Please bless my sisters and Emily Ann, and comfort them when they grieve for me. I love you, Lord, but if it is within your will, please let me go on living for a few more years. Your will be done. Amen.”

  Tears ran down Bunny’s face as she prayed, but she felt the beginnings of the peace for which she asked.

  The front door slammed and footsteps crossed overhead.

  Bunny fought down a surge of panic when Walter’s flashlight illuminated the wooden stair steps.

  “Thy will be done, thy will be done, thy will be done,” she whispered like a mantra.

  She could think of no way out. This was the end. She would soon see her Lord face to face.

  Hope flared anew, when Walter paused at the sound of approaching sirens.

  “Help is coming! Praise God,” Bunny gasped.

  The sirens passed and faded into the distance. They weren’t coming here, after all.

  “You won’t get loose this time, Mrs. Elder,” Walter sneered.

  “I am on assignment for the Lord and I cannot be stopped. Even if those were police cars coming to rescue you, they couldn’t, because God is protecting me.”

  Walter descended cautiously, the flashlight in his left hand, a red gasoline can and a bundle of rags in the other.

  More sirens were approaching.

  Bunny assumed there must be a big fire somewhere...funny, because there was soon to be a fire here, as well.

  The fire fighters would be too busy to help her, even if someone should see the flames flickering in the basement windows as they consumed her.

  No one would hear her screams out in the deserted street.

  Walter paused to listen at the foot of the stairs.

  Bunny thought the sirens were getting louder than before. They actually seemed to be converging out front.

  Bunny saw reflections of a pulsating red light through the window.

  Walter muttered a curse and began splashing gasoline on the steps and on the rags he dropped onto the floor.

  There were crashing and scuffling noises from above, as a mesmerized Bunny watched Walter frantically trying to light his disposable lighter.

  There was a shout from the upper level as the spark caught.

  Walter dropped the lighter onto the soaked rags and dashed up the stairs to escape.

  He snatched open the door and slammed it behind him.

  There were more shouts and the sounds of running feet overhead.

  In the basement, Bunny cried for help, as she watched the flames consuming the rags and licking hungrily for more fuel.

  The tongues of fire began to feed on the wooden staircase, following the gasoline trail upward before seeking out Bunny’s makeshift pyre below.

  There was a gap between the spot Walter had thrown the rags in his haste and the flammable detritus at her feet.

  Bunny wondered how long it might take the flames to reach across this space and devour her, as easily as they were gobbling up the stairs.

  Smoke was wafting through the air and Bunny coughed.

  She heard an answering cough.

  “Max?” Is that you? Are you awake?” she called.

  “I’ve been awake since I heard the sirens. I didn’t want to make any noise while that lunatic was here...What’s going on, now? Why haven’t the police gotten down here?...I called them hours ago,” Max gasped out, weakly.

  “You called them? But I thought you were unconscious when I gave you the phone...did you tell them we are down here in the basement?”

  “Of course...at least I think I did. Why don’t you come over here so we don’t have to shout at each other. It’s making my throat hurt.”

  “I think it may be smoke irritating your throat, Max. Walter set the stairs on fire when he left,” Bunny stated, matter-of-factly.

  “Fire? Why don’t you put it out for crissakes?”

  “I can’t. Not for Christ’s sake or ours, either. Walter tied me to this column. He did a much better job this time, I’m afraid. I can’t move.”

  “Can you get up, do you think?” Bunny asked.

  “Maybe...unh...ow!...no. My arms and legs don’t work, anymore. Damn.”

  The full import of their situation seemed to have gotten through the haze of pain in Max’s brain. He sounded more alert...and frustrated.

  The noises from upstairs stopped and Bunny could hear only the cracking of the fire. The smoke was getting thicker.

  She wondered if death by smoke inhalation was less painful than burning. She didn’t really want to find out, but she did not see any way around it.

  One of the small windows fell in with a crash, followed by a shout.

  “Anybody down there?”

  “We’re here! Oh, help! Please help!” Bunny screamed.

  “Come over to the window,” the voice replied.

  “We can’t! I’m tied to a pillar and Max is injured! Help!”

  “Help,” Max echoed, weakly.

  Loud pounding preceded an avalanche of rotten bricks and rubble from around the window opening, allowing a brawny EMT to climb down into the darkness.

  His flashlight swept around the hazy interior before glaring into Bunny’s eyes.

  “Sorry, ma’am,” the rescuer said as he moved the beam off Bunny’s face and hurried over to her.

  As he unbound her, Bunny urged him to get Max out of danger.

  “He’s hurt badly I think, and needs a doctor right away.”

  “We’ll get your friend, don’t worry.”

  As he sp
oke, Bunny noticed another light moving down from the opening.

  “Get Max! He’s behind those boxes. Please hurry.”

  “I see him!” a voice cried out.

  With her bindings removed, Bunny’s legs would no longer support her and she collapsed against her rescuer.

  Bunny sat in the back of the ambulance beside Max who was lying on a gurney.

  They wore oxygen masks to help overcome the effects of the smoke they had been breathing, but Bunny was pretty sure she did not need any further treatment. Her trauma was mainly emotional.

  Max, on the other hand, seemed to need a great deal of medical attention. He was drifting in and out of consciousness and pain.

  They couldn’t get to the hospital fast enough, as far as Bunny could see. She hoped their rescuers had not come too late for him.

  

  After getting the once-over from the ER doctor, Bunny sat in the hospital cafeteria sipping her third cup of tea and nibbling at a piece of toast.

  She couldn’t seem to get enough liquid, but in spite of going more than twenty-four hours without food, she didn’t have much appetite.

  Jean came to the hospital as soon as she heard about her sister’s ordeal. Seeing Bunny was all right, she left, but promised to come back to take her home whenever Bunny called.

  Bunny was waiting for the doctors to finish with Max, so she could be assured he was going to recover. She would be ready to go home then, but not before.

  Throughout the past couple of days, since she saw him come crashing down the stairs from Walter’s blow, all the confusion about her relationship with Max had disappeared.

  When Bunny had an opportunity to save herself and go for help, she had been unable to leave Max.

  In spite of realizing the practicality of a swift escape, she had been unable to take a chance Walter would return during her absence and finish what he had started.

  She and Max came through their ordeal together. Whatever the cost, Bunny knew it was how it should always be.

  Somehow, she would reconcile her principles and trust God to forgive her for whatever she had to do to remain at Max’s side.

  She was eager for the doctors to let her see Max, so she could tell him her wonderful news.

  

  Back at the Sheriff’s Department, Sergeant Michelson was working on a report of the day’s activities.

  Lieutenant Fuchs strolled in and perched on the corner of Michelson’s desk.

  “That’s a load off, eh, Michelson? What a relief to get that nut off the street, at last!”

  “Does the DA think we have enough evidence to charge him with all three murders, sir?”

  “All four, you mean. Don’t forget about that preacher’s accidental death. From what Bjorglund says, it was the one setting this whole mess into motion.”

  “So, can we charge him with all four?”

  “We have his confession to Mrs. Elder, but we lack the physical evidence we have on the other three. But, even if we never get to charge him with the first killing, this guy should be off the streets for the rest of his life.”

  “In prison or a mental hospital?” Sergeant Michelson wanted to know.

  “Just so he never gets out, I’m satisfied. Once this news gets around, people can relax and carry on with their lives. We have had enough excitement around here to last for a long while.”

  “I guess we’ve got a lot to be thankful for. Have you got plans for Thanksgiving next week?”

  “Yeah...turkey, football and forget this case!”

  

  Bunny’s sister, Jean, hung up her jacket and plopped down on the sofa next to her husband who was watching the news on the huge flat screen TV in their over-decorated den.

  “Back so soon? How’s your sis?” Nick asked.

  “Not very well, I’m afraid. Oh, she’s okay physically. Just battered, bruised and slightly dehydrated, according to the doctor. But she wouldn’t come home with me until she can see that ex-husband of hers and make sure he is going to be all right.”

  “Why does she even care what happens to that jerk, after the way he treated her?” Nick queried.

  “Who knows? Why does Bunny do anything? I told her to call me when she is ready to come home with me. I hope she agrees to stay with us for a few days, until she has time to get over the trauma. Maybe then she will be able to think more clearly.”

  

  Bunny peered out the window at the mostly leafless trees outside the hospital waiting room. As the sunlight faded, her reflection became clearer than the bare branches beyond the glass.

  She began to look within, examining her possible future life with Max in the Caribbean.

  “What sort of Thanksgiving will we celebrate on a sandy beach?” she wondered.

  Roast turkey and all the trimmings seemed ridiculously out of place among seashells and palm trees.

  “As long as we are together...that’s all that matters,” Bunny, reassured herself.

  She became aware of a change in the window’s reflection and saw a figure approaching her from behind.

  Bunny turned to meet a nurse wearing pajama-like scrubs.

  “Mrs. Elder. You can see Mr. Banks, now. He is still very weak, but stable. Please stay only a few moments. His room is this way.”

  The nurse turned and led Bunny out of the waiting room.

  Stopping before a closed door, she gestured.

  “This is Mr. Banks’s room. Only a few moments, remember.”

  Bunny paused to catch her breath after the nurse walked away.

  Her life was about to take a drastic turn. For just a moment, Bunny panicked and almost ran away. Then she squared her shoulders and pushed the door open.

  Max looked pale and ill lying against the white pillow.

  His eyes were closed, but he appeared to have a bit more color than when Bunny saw him last. His leg was elevated and wrapped in a cast and he was connected to various tubes and lines necessary for his comfort and recovery.

  Maneuvering past them, Bunny leaned over and kissed him gently.

  “Bunny. Hello,” Max opened his eyes and looked at her warily.

  “How are you feeling, Darling? Are you in much pain?” Bunny inquired.

  “I feel like crap, if you really want to know. I hurt like hell.”

  “Oh, dear, shall I call a nurse? What can I do to help?”

  “I’m not sure I could survive any more help from you, just now, thanks all the same,” Max snarled and closed his eyes.

  Bunny felt stung by Max’s anger.

  She expected him to be in some distress, but he seemed to be blaming her. She reminded herself he was ill and in pain and tried not to respond to his insinuation.

  Forcing herself to remain calm, Bunny went on as if Max hadn’t spoken.

  “The nurse says you are going to be fine. You should be out of the hospital in a few days, a week at the most. Isn’t that good news?”

  “Yeah, getting out of here will be good, alright. Getting out of Clark’s Hallow will be even better. I can’t wait to put this God forsaken hole behind me.”

  “Are you still planning to return to the islands?” Bunny asked.

  “I sure am. I never should have left.”

  “Well, then. I think I have some more good news for you.”

  “What’s that? I’m not sure I want to hear anything you consider good news.”

  “Max, I’m sorry you were hurt and I’m even sorrier you seem to think it was all my fault, but I’m sure you will get over that as soon as you are better. I hate to remind you of our recent ordeal, but when we were tied up in the basement...”

  “How could I forget!” Max snapped, interrupting.

  Bunny went on doggedly.

  “We were tied up in the basement, thinking we might both die, and you asked me to go away with you to your island paradise. Remember?”

  “I did, huh, well...so?”

  “I know you have been angry with me for letting my relationship with G
od get between us. When you almost died last night, I decided the most important thing is for us to be together. I have decided to move to your islands with you, on your terms...I will just have to pray for God to forgive me.”

  Bunny held her breath, while Max starred up at her.

  She felt horrible.

  Stating her choice aloud, she heard herself rejecting God. She sensed the foundations of her world crumbling, as the silence threatened to swallow her up.

  To Bunny’s amazement, Max erupted with a loud guffaw, then wincing, went on more quietly, “Bunny, don’t make me laugh, it hurts my head. What a joke! You must think my injuries addled my brains, if you think I want to take you and your crazy “God” with me. Who do you think I’m trying to get away from?”

  “My life was just fine until you and the big spirit guide in the sky started messing with it. And it will be just fine again, thank you very mch, as soon as I’m away from here. So don’t bother about asking forgiveness. Your grand sacrifice will not be required.”

  Bunny could only stand there, staring.

  She could not take in what she was hearing.

  “Well, don’t stand there gawping. Go find someone else to torment and leave me alone.”

  Max closed his eyes and turned his head away.

  Bunny felt frozen. She feared the slightest touch could send her toppling to the floor like a hollow statue.

  Eventually her limbs received the proper signals from her brain. Moving jerkily, she turned and left the room.

  Finding herself in the parking lot outside, she collapsed onto a cement retaining wall and began to sob.

  Not a single coherent thought crossed her mind from the moment she took in Max’s harsh words.

  As her weeping subsided, Bunny heard a car approaching.

  She looked up to see her friend, Emily Ann, pull up.

  Emmy slammed her door and hurried over to where Bunny slumped against the planter.

  “Bunny, I just heard! What a terrible ordeal you have been through! Thank God, you were spared and that pitiful Walter is off the streets, where he can’t hurt anyone else. Poor dear, you look shattered. What were the authorities thinking to leave you alone like this? Come on, Honey. You are coming home with me.”