With his arm touching Sheila’s waist, he led Jacks to where several people were gathered around a woman. She was not much over five feet tall and Jacks found himself looking down into a pleasant friendly face. Her short black hair was simply styled. She was probably a good fifty years old though she wore her age well. He found that he did remember her but had never actually met her.
She extended her hand and he took it, letting it go after a short but firm shake. He wondered if she were there of her own choosing or theirs.
“I am really happy to meet you Jacks. I hear that I owe all this to you,” She said with a wave of her hand. He was not sure but thought he glimpsed a flicker of bitterness in her dark eyes. Interesting and something to find out at another time.
“Malory, something tells me that you are by far the best man or rather woman for the job. Congratulations, I wish you the best of luck.” His intent was not lost on the woman and she nodded in response. Without words, the look they exchanged spoke volumes.
Morgan addressed the man standing next to her. “Phillip, you remember Jacks from the last time he was here at the house.”
The man shook Jacks hand. “I sure do! How are you doing down in Louisiana Jacks?”
“It is Mississippi and things are good.”
The contempt in his voice was lost on all but Morgan and Sheila. Morgan laughed when he felt Sheila stiffen.
“Please excuse us while we mingle a bit.”
They strolled through the room, stopping here and there speaking to the guests and ending up just out of anyone’s hearing before Morgan became the man Jacks knew he was.
“Well Jacks, you are here, does this mean you’re ready to come on board?”
“I am not sure why you thought you had to blackmail me Morgan. After all, we are cut from the same piece of cloth, are we not? I am game for just about anything but I think you know I do not like to be blackmailed.”
Sheila frowned while Morgan just laughed.
“Aye, I don’t like the word blackmail Jacks. Let’s say I thought you needed a bit of prodding. Sheila, my princess, you can say good night now. You know how I hate when you don’t get enough sleep and have those little bags under your eyes.”
Not looking directly at Jacks she said, “Good night then.”
“Good night Sheila.” He spoke casually, as if she were just any one.
He watched as Morgan walked with her to a back stair way, leaning toward her intently whispering something in her ear, and then motioned an employee to accompany her up the stairs.
So she was basically a prisoner in her new home. He knew what he had to do and he was prepared to do it.
The conversation with Morgan was short and direct to the point after Sheila left them. When he laid out what would be expected from him, Jacks surprised him by laughing, “That’s it? Morgan, you had me going there. I was afraid you wanted me to really murder someone. I must say I am relieved. Who is the poor bastard?”
“Tomorrow Jacks, I will have the first name for you tomorrow.”
He was expected to fulfill duties assigned to him and if he did all that was required of him, Sheila and her father would not be harmed.
Jacks knew that once a person was blackmailed there was never an end to it. All he wanted was time, so he let Morgan believe that he had power over him. He also talked in a way that would lead him to believe he was every bit as warped as he.
Jacks’ was a smart man, successful in his line of work because he was good at what he did. Convincing juries, judges and people in general was his expertise. To him Morgan Belk was no different.
Morgan bid his guests good night and Jacks was shown to his room, which he noticed was in a completely different wing from Sheila’s.
NINE
Prayer was being held for the Bowler family after the Bible studies on Thursday nights. Andrew was concerned about the judge who was taking Judge Langley’s place in the court room. She was known to be harsh and unsympathetic in her rulings and her political connections gave her more power than most. It was just a matter of time before the ACAA filed a new motion against the Bowlers. Their friends and family were banding together fiercely, getting ready for spiritual warfare. With all that was going on, the couple was even more devastated because Carol was now losing her sight. The doctors were unable to do anything to stop it. It was a sign that the tumor had nowhere else to go and was pushing harder against the optical nerves.
Honey was at the church the same Thursday night that Jacks was in New York. True to her word, she had not spoken of her conversation with him to anyone. She worried that what he told her may be truth and if it were, she did not want to put Carol in any more danger than she was already.
Having a late appointment, she missed most of the Bible study that night and afterwards Pastor Dwight asked the forty to fifty people who were there, to come up to the front of the church and form a prayer circle.
She placed herself between Jean and another girl Sissy. Honey loved these prayer gatherings. Everyone held hands and the prayer went completely around the circle, each person as sincere as could be in asking God to intervene for the Bowlers.
Basking in the afterglow of communion with the Heavenly Father, Honey gave Jean and Sissy a hug. She really did love all of her new friends!
Eager to see Carol and her parents she made her way to where they were talking with Pastor Dwight near the entrance. Carol was sitting on the very last pew with a pen doodling in a notebook. Honey sat down beside her.
“Hi Carol, how are you feeling?”
“Okay,” Carol kept drawing, not looking up.
“What do you have there, Sweetie, do you mind if I see?”
Carol shook her head making her new glasses slide down her nose. Pushing them back up, she handed Honey the book. What was depicted in the drawings gave Honey a shock.
“What a… nice drawing Carol! Do you think I might have it?”
Carol looked at Honey sideways, carefully shaking her head yes, so Honey tore the page out and handed the book back to Carol.
“My momma told me I mustn’t speak to strangers anymore.”
“That’s right Carol, for now it is better not to.” She had asked Carol’s parents not to let Carol even be around anyone they didn’t know very well.
Carol was swinging her feet and seeming to concentrate on the action.
“Okay Sweetie, good night. I will see you this weekend.”
She was surprised when Carol clutched her arm suddenly and looked up at her with the palest of blue eyes.
“Miss Honey, wait. If I tell you something and you tell the stranger, then is that bad?”
Honey’s stomach lurched but she held a steady voice as she smiled at Carol.
“Aw, it is not that it’s a bad thing darling, you have done nothing bad. Do you hear? For now it is just safer, with all that you and your momma and poppa are going through, that you not be around anyone who does not know you well. You can understand that we just want to keep you safe, can’t you?”
She looked at the little girl who was obviously worried about something.
“I guess. Then could you give the picture to that strange man? I really drew it for him.”
Honey felt a chill go down her spine. “What strange man is that Carol?”
“You know the one that made Momma and Poppa go to jail.” Honey frowned at her words.
“Sweetheart, they weren’t actually in jail…they were just being held at the police station until things were worked out. This man who you are talking about…his name is Jacks…you made this picture for him?”
Carol made a funny look with her mouth and nodded her head.
“Carol, is this him in the picture and you wanted to tell him something?” She pointed to one of the figures Carol had drawn.
Her nod became more pronounced. Honey looked at the picture again.
“Stay here Carol, I will be right back.” She stood up and walked to where Carol’s parents were and spoke with them a minute before
rejoining their daughter.
“Okay Carol, I talked with your parents and we agree that you may tell me what it is that you want this man to know.”
Carol leaned over and whispered, “He didn’t kill that woman, it wasn’t his fault she died, it was the bad people. Tell him that she’s okay now with Jesus and when that man dies it’s because Jesus just wanted him to come live with Him in Heaven too. It’s not his fault either.”
Honey swallowed and carefully wrote her words on the back of the picture exactly as she said them.
“Is that all?”
“Uh-huh. Miss Honey, why did God make bad people?”
“Oh Carol, God did not make bad people, he made good people. You see, we have to choose to be bad and it makes God very sad when some people do.”
Carol thought about Honey’s answer and seemed content with it as she resumed her doodling. Honey kissed the top of her head and left her to her drawing. The picture and the words given to her in hand, she went to join the adults. Most everyone was gone and she waited a few moments until it was just the pastor and Carol’s parents left before sharing with them Carol’s drawing and the words meant for Jacks. It made no sense to them but they were not privy to what she knew and was bound in confidence to keep to herself. To her, there was great meaning in both picture and words and she was sure they would be to Jacks also. They all left the building, going to respective homes.
Honey lay awake past midnight thinking and praying for the man who was called ‘just Jacks’.
TEN
Jacks finally slept, though it was an uneasy sleep, and awakened the next morning later than he usually did. After showering and dressing for the day, he found his way downstairs where he was served coffee and offered breakfast. There was no sign of either Sheila or Morgan, so he ate a light meal and waited in a huge library to which one the servants had led him. He grinned when the same servant posted himself at the entrance; obviously he was not to be left alone.
Two walls in the room were filled with shelves of books so he ambled around looking, picking certain ones out and flipping through the pages. There was a wide variety. He saw many on topics such as Zionism, Socialism and Satanism. He was holding a rather large red copy of Dyer Hudestaat when Morgan appeared behind him.
“Are you an avid reader Jacks? I am a lover of books, all sorts as you can see.”
He spread his hands indicating the many shelves of books.
Jacks closed the one he held in his hand and turned around to face his host.
“Good morning to you too Morgan, I was wondering when you would be down. Where is Sheila, surely not still sleeping, it’s after ten already.”
“I suppose you do know my wife well enough to know she is an early riser.” His words were slow and deliberate and Jacks saw no reason to respond. “I am afraid I’m not though and she likes to keep me company.”
He chuckled in amusement.
“She will be down shortly, as I have arranged to have dresses delivered for her to try on before lunch. The governor’s ball is next week and I want her to look as spectacular as it has become expected. She is a beautiful woman, don’t you think Jacks? But of course you do, after all you meant to one another.”
“Well...”
“Now Jacks, you do not have to pretend with me, Sheila told me all about the two of you and its okay. After all, you were ending things and moving away. I am curious as to why you would leave such a treasure behind.” Again, there was no response so he continued. “But of course, if it makes you uncomfortable to talk about my wife with me, I totally understand.”
Jacks was slow to answer, not sure what the hell Sheila had told him. The two of them an item was news to him. If Morgan was going to be slick then he would just have to be slicker.
“Ah, you know how it is. Some people are destined to be just friends.” He added indifferently, “To be honest she would not give up her religion and the fact she is a Christian turned me off. I just could not get past that, if you get my drift. I cannot see how you could either but, to each his own I suppose. She is a good friend though and I hope you are treating her well.”
Jacks could see the displeasure in Morgan’s eyes and hoped he had said the right thing, showing a little concern but not too much.
“I will admit to you that it would be better between us if she was not still in love with you, but in time, in good time I will erase you and her God from her mind and then she will belong to me completely.”
He laughed. The displeasure in his eyes turning to one of madness and Jacks feared for Sheila’s safety the more. Whatever she had told this freak he needed to know, but how? He had to find a way before he left, to talk to her.
In reply to Morgan he said simply, “You know women Morgan, they always want what they don’t have. I am sure Sheila’s feelings for me are not as strong as you think. We never got so far you know, to the point of getting serious or at least, I did not think so.” He added the last quickly for he had no idea how far Sheila pretended their relationship went. Were they supposedly engaged maybe? Relief filled him when Morgan frowned, “I know you didn’t actually bed her Jacks, but I am sure you had your intimate moments. As for Sheila’s virtue, it was…” He smiled as if the thought brought back memories and Jacks wanted at that moment to strangle him but gave no indication of his feelings as Morgan finished. “Let’s just say it was a big plus to have all that innocence to indulge in.”
Swallowing hard to keep his mouth shut, Jacks managed a grin as if Morgan’s talk was not offensive to him.
“Look Morgan, let’s get something straight right now. What you do or do not do with your wife is no concern of mine. The fact that you are blackmailing me into doing dirty work for you, however is my concern. I do not like you. I do not like what you are trying to do. But I am interested in where you get your orders from because if I am going to take orders, I want to get them from the top, not from some flunky like you.”
Morgan laughed, “Touché! So you do have some temper. I was beginning to wonder if all the stories I have heard were true.”
“Look Morgan, my flight leaves early this afternoon and we still have not completed our discussion from last night. I know what you want me to do, but not who?”
He couldn’t wait to get away from the man, his house or his creepy servants. Having to leave Sheila though was not going to be easy. He understood now why she had been acting so weird.
Morgan motioned for the man standing just inside the door and instructed him to bring coffee before he agreed, “You are right, we have not. Come, let’s go sit.”
Jacks followed him to where a grouping of sofas and chairs covered in red leather were arranged in front of a large fireplace with a circular table in between. Before they could even sit down there was a large tray with a silver coffee pot and pastries put on the table, obviously meant for more than one person. He was sure Morgan was aware that he had already eaten and figured it was to share with Sheila. As if he knew what Jacks was thinking, Morgan confirmed this, “Sheila should be down. She adores the pastries the cook makes for her. See? She is spoiled by all. Here, at least have some coffee.”
The server poured him a cup and he accepted it, silently sipping the hot liquid waiting for Morgan to eat a muffin of some sort. He desperately needed to communicate with Sheila somehow before he left. He was so deep in his thoughts that it surprised him when Morgan spoke.
“The first name you need is Crenshaw. I will have other information delivered verbally by a contact there in Mississippi. There is never a paper trail Jacks, never. Oh, and there will be rewards but first, we have to know you can be trusted. After that, who knows Jacks, we may become great friends you and I.”
Chuckling, he proceeded to eat another of the pastries and Jacks was thinking, not in this life time buddy! The name Crenshaw was surely not the Crenshaw as in Tom Crenshaw the Lt Governor, there in Mississippi? To make sure he said, “Tom Crenshaw?” When Morgan nodded his head yes, he wondered what that poor bastard
had done to them but it was not something to think about just yet.
Before he finished his coffee, Sheila entered the room. Jacks put his cup down and stood. Morgan frowned and said, “Sit back down Jacks….darling come join us, Jacks has been waiting for you and our business is all done so we have a good long while before we have to leave. Baggett will drop me and take Jacks here back to the airport.”
The conversation was casual and Sheila spoke only when Jacks directed a question to her. To her which was superficial and distant. Morgan watched very closely for any sign of Jacks having lied to him about his feelings for Sheila. Not finding any he relaxed. When his phone rang, he stood and walked across the room to answer it. Jacks took the opportunity to hiss through a smile, “Why have you told him that we were in love? It was the worst thing you could have done.” Sheila’s back was to her husband and her voice was a whisper.
“I know that now, I only told him that to get rid of him after the dinner that night. Now, he refuses to believe that we weren’t. Jacks please, you have to be careful.” Louder she said, “You must come back and let Morgan show you his new car collection, it is his latest ‘toy.’ Behaving like the perfect hostess she refilled his empty cup. Morgan finished his call and standing in back of Sheila’s chair, joined in. “Absolutely, but right now I am going to have to leave you two to entertain one other. I’m afraid there is a crisis Abe needs my help with. You don’t mind do you Jacks? No, of course you don’t.” He laughed. “Sheila your gowns will be here soon, pick whatever you like or keep them all and Jacks, I will have my car sent back here to take you to the airport. We will be talking soon.”
Was it some kind of test?
“That’s good Morgan, I am sure we will be talking, soon.”
The man nodded, deliberately planting a kiss on top of Sheila’s head. Leaving them alone he spoke with the employee still hovering at the door.
“Sheila?”
“Wait Jacks, don’t say anything yet.” She whispered softly and stood and Jacks stood also, acting as normal as possible.
Wings of Deception Page 8