Wings of Deception

by Pamela Carron

  She prayed the short distance there for protection. Ragas, unseen by her, was seeing that she was well protected from the evil spirits who sought to do her harm.

  She parked and went inside the casino and found the area Jacks would be at and walked around the tables where people were playing all sorts of card games. Not seeing Jacks, she assumed she got there ahead of him, so she sat at a slot machine where she could easily see all the tables. Not to be conspicuous, she put a bill into it and punched buttons, not having any idea of what she was doing.

  It was only a few minutes before she spotted Jacks walking up to a table but waited until he was playing before getting up meandering around, casually stopping at different tables observing until she reached the one he was at. He looked up seeming surprised to see her there and spoke. She politely smiled and returned his greeting before moving on into the direction he had dictated. Doing exactly as he asked, she waited in the rest room until she was sure he had time to retrieve the letter. She walked out and as she passed the phone booths saw the letter was gone. Hoping that he now had it in his possession, she left the Golden Moon and headed back to the clinic, wondering what the letter contained.

  Jacks slipped the letter into his pocket and went back to the Blackjack table, playing for a while before he moved on to another game. He spent a few hours in the casino playing cards, throwing dice and even playing on different machines, acting as if he were really into gambling, while noticing a nondescript man in his own age bracket managing to appear more often than coincidence would allow and he knew Morgan Belk was having him followed.

  He was right. The man’s name was Danny Cruise and he arrived close behind Jacks when he entered the casino. Having orders to log his activities, he sat at a table opposite the one where Jack’s was sitting.

  Watching him talk to several people who came up to watch the game, he paid no attention to Honey when she paused at the table and moved on. When Jacks got up and headed toward the restrooms he decided not to follow for it might be too obvious. When he came back and started meandering around Danny stayed close enough to keep him in sight. He was convinced that the man was just having some fun, but kept a tail on him until he left the casino and headed home. When Jacks turned off on the small road that led to his house, Danny kept going.

  Jacks had fingered the guy right after he left the office. Now he hoped he had kept him entertained enough. He drove down the secluded road, anxious to get there and read Sheila’s letter. Hopefully it would give him something to use in his plans. It turned out to be vital. She had written.

  Jacks,

  I am writing this mostly in the bath as it is the only place I can truly call private! It was so good to see you, even for such a brief time and I am so sorry I have involved you in this mess I have become tangled up in.

  First of all, Morgan thinks I am in love with you, because he assumed it was you when I told him I had already committed my heart to someone else. I admit I let him think it, hoping it would discourage him. When it didn’t and things went from bad to worse, I tried to tell him it was not you, but God, I was committed to but then he did not believe me. He thought I was only protecting you from his wrath.

  I don’t know a lot, but there have been things I have overheard and there are people I am shocked to learn are close friends with Morgan and Abe Cannon.

  These are some things I have picked up on: There is a council of some sort to which both men belong. It is highly secretive and wider spread than you would think. I have overheard Morgan having phone conversations with leaders you would be shocked to hear the names of. There are ranks; Abe is higher ranked than Morgan, but they are both in the highest ranks here in the USA. They claim many good works and at first tried to convert me from my beliefs. I don’t know what, but there is something really BIG about to happen and the Monday night meetings here have been getting more and more intense. Morgan is horrible after one of them and I won’t even describe what he subjects me to!

  I have to go….later

  Last night Morgan got a phone call after we were upstairs and I am sure I heard him say “Mr. President!” He went into the other room but bits and pieces were loud enough to hear, though I didn’t make sense of it at all.

  I pray all the time and I know God will deliver me. I know you do not believe in Him but at least you are not filled with hate as they are. Morgan curses sweet Jesus all the time. I fear in the love/hate he has for me that the hate will win and he will surely kill me and daddy. Jacks I know you will help us.

  ……………….

  It is Sunday and two men came here to the house. They shut themselves up in the library and Morgan was beside himself with anger when they left. When I asked him what the matter was, he just glared at me and told me I just better be glad I was married to him for protection or I just might die like some of the others would like for me to. Jacks, something terrible is going to happen, I just know it!

  ………………

  Thank God it is Monday! Morgan was up half the night on the phone and is still here. I cannot write more until he is gone.

  ……………..

  Finally, he left and tonight daddy will be here. I will give him this to mail. I used the name on the card and the address. She must be someone you know you can trust.

  I need to tell you that one of Morgan’s calls last night must have been about you. You name was mentioned. He was talking to someone named Crenshaw and he laughed when he said your name. There was something mentioned about a test. I don’t know what it means but Jacks, please be careful and please get me out of here as soon as you can think of a way. I don’t know how much longer I can last here but I do know there is a reason for all that has happened and I trust God completely.

  I will try to send a letter with daddy every time he comes. If I think of anything or hear anything I will tell you everything.

  Sheila

  Jacks could feel the color drain from his face when he read the last part of Sheila’s letter. The man Crenshaw was theirs too! It was a test and he had played the fool!

  “Jacks, you are in trou-ble!” He moaned under his breath.

  . Who was this council trying to squash? Who was at the head of it? He would find out and he would beat Morgan Belk at his own game.

  He shuddered thinking how sincere Crenshaw had come off, all the while probably laughing at him. It was a good thing he shared very little with him.

  He thought about how he could turn things around on Morgan and was coming up with some good ideas when his phone rang and it was the subject of his thoughts on the other end.

  “Hello Jacks, I thought I would see how things are going down in Mississippi. Got anything exciting happening yet?”

  Jacks’ was calm when he answered, “Yeah, your man Crenshaw would like to eliminate you, for one.”

  Morgan said surprised, “What do you mean?”

  “Look Morgan, do not take me for a fool. I know Tom Crenshaw is in your pocketbook and you set me up…again. So I had a little fun with it, hope you don’t mind. I really had him going though.” Jacks laughed heartily as if it was just too funny.

  Morgan was not laughing though and his voice was angry when he asked, “Alright, so how did you know? It was that kid wasn’t it?”

  “Are you kidding me? No one had to tell me anything. Do you think I would trust you any more than you trust me? Well I would never, so let’s stop with the game playing. I want to meet with your superiors Morgan, so set it up. I am through dealing with a patsy like you.”

  “Oh really, so I take it you’re not too concerned about our girl here then?”

  “Morgan she is not our girl and you are full of crap! You are not going to harm her. I know that even if she doesn’t. You have gone mad with obsession, anyone can see that.”

  “And her father, what about him, you do not care about what happens to him either, I suppose? That’s good, because he kicked the bucket yesterday.”

  He waited for Jacks reaction which was slow com
ing.

  “You had him killed? No you wouldn’t, because it would not be in your best interest to do that.”

  “You are wrong; I say good riddance to the praying old fool!”

  His anger evident, Jacks pushed harder.

  “What really irks you is that now you have no leverage over Sheila, with her father gone. She will leave you now for you know her well enough to know that she was not worried about what happened to her, it was always her father she was concerned about.”

  “I will not lose her!”

  The very thought him physically ill.

  Jacks retreated carefully as his practice at being a lawyer had taught him. “But you are right. Aye, the fellow was an old coot, it was time for him. I always say, the only good Christian is a dead one….except for a select few that is. Sheila happens to be my very good friend. I suppose I could put in a good word for you, if I got something in return.”

  “You want to meet the master so bad, that you would encourage Sheila to stay with me? He won’t see you. He sees hardly anyone now days but I will think about it. Oh, and I will give Sheila your…condolences.”

  The phone went dead and Jacks let himself feel all the emotions he refrained from showing to Morgan.

  “Good-bye, you freak of nature you!”

  He got himself a cold beer and relived the conversation in his mind.

  He truly hated hearing about John Herbert. He did not know Sheila’s father well, having only been around the man a few times in the four years Sheila worked for him, but he was a pleasant man and Sheila adored him. Poor Sheila, she must be horrified losing someone she loved so much with Morgan her only source of comfort. Again he felt responsible. If only he had not taken her to that damn dinner none of this would be happening!

  A good thing that he was quick witted enough to turn the tables on Crenshaw. Thank God for Sheila’s letter. It was just in time. Of course now this meant one more enemy added to his fast growing list. What puzzled him was the fact that Tom Crenshaw was supposedly a big Christian himself. It meant they had infiltrated the Christian sect and was most likely how they came to hear about the little girl who was making quite a stir in the religious world.

  Then he remembered the words written on the back of Carol’s drawings. The man she claimed would die. It must have been John Herbert she meant!

  Carol had said tell him it’s not his fault when that man dies. He’s going to live with Jesus in Heaven.

  He shook his head for he was thinking that he hoped the little girl was right and John was in a place called Heaven. There is no Heaven and there is no God, Jacks! But what if…

  THIRTEEN

  “It’s alright Momma, don’t cry. It don’t hurt no more.”

  Brenna squeezed her eyes shut to try and stop the tears, but failed. Joe sat on the other side of the hospital bed holding Carol’s hand.

  They had rushed her to the hospital early that morning, when she came into their bedroom complaining of the pain in her head. Now they watched her helplessly as they waited while the doctors looked at the latest MRI. They were not ready for Carol’s time to be up and dreaded seeing Doctor Walker come through the door. He wore a grim look and suggested they walk outside.

  “I will bring them right back Carol, I promise.”

  Brenna kissed her and promised too. Joe just squeezed her hand and then they followed the doctor out.

  After the door was closed and they were in the hall he said, “Joe, Brenna, we knew the day would come when Carol would not go back home with you and I am afraid that time is here. Her brain has been pushed as far as it can go and is causing severe damage to the optic pathway and affecting the pituitary gland. I am sorry but it won’t be long before she will not see at all, after that…her body will slowly quit functioning. She will need around the clock care.”

  “How long do we have Doctor Walker?”

  Joe uttered the words quietly while squeezing Brenna’s hand. The doctor knew he was not talking about her eyesight which was already failing rapidly.

  “We can only guess at it, Joe. There have been cases that went on for a while…weeks, while others lasted only days.”

  He continued with a compassion that most doctors lacked.

  “She is in God’s hands now. We will make her as comfortable as we can and she will not suffer any pain. Spend as much time with her as you want, we will move her to a room where she can have visitors as well. I’m sorry. You know I am here for you.”

  He patted Joe on the shoulder.

  “Let’s keep her as cheerful as we can, it won’t be easy for you, I know. Shall I come back in with you?”

  “No, it’s okay. We will be fine. Thank you Dr Walker, for all you have done for her…and for us. Like you said, it is in God’s hands now.”

  Joe had his hands on his wife’s shoulders to comfort her, but Brenna was dry eyed now remembering back to the time she conceived Carol. The happy day they brought her home from the hospital on Christmas Eve. She felt so blessed and gave her a name that reflected the carol’s being sung all around the world that day.

  She had wanted other children but it just did not happen, so she and Joe gave their little girl all the love parents could give, thankful for the bright spot in their lives. She always realized how lucky they were to have such a special child.

  She smiled at Joe and the doctor.

  “Yes, thank you Dr Walker, you have been wonderful. Carol has been strong for us these last three years, now it is our turn to be strong for her. Joe, I want to go back in now.”

  Todd Walker nodded before walking off. He had become too attached to the family by now not to feel their hurt. Cancer was a horrible thing but when it was a child even more so. He never felt more helpless than right then but he was a doctor and doctors couldn’t afford to get emotional about their patients or so was taught during training. Still, he felt a misery welling up inside him that defied what was supposed to be.

  Carol’s tumor was declared fatal from the very beginning but he had hoped something would change. Saying a silent prayer for her and her parents, he went about seeing his other patients whose outlook was much better than Carol’s.

  FOURTEEN

  Sheila stood at her father’s grave reluctant to leave, yet knowing she must. She laid the single purple rose on top of the mound of dirt and walked away. Her consolation was that he was at peace with her mother and Jesus Christ and that Morgan Belk had nothing more for which he could blackmail her for. She was sure he could just have her done away with which was more desirable to her than living with him. Either way she was free, it did not really matter if she had to die to achieve it.

  She walked past the long black car waiting for her. Past the man sitting in it who realized she was also walking away from him. He did not move until she was out of his sight and then he told the driver to take him home. He would think of something, he had to for she had become the one thing in life he desired more than anything else.

  Sheila walked until she was tired and then hailed a cab. She had only a few dollars in her purse and hoped it would cover the fare. She was going home at last, taking nothing more than what she was wearing and the small handbag which contained money and the card Jacks had given her.

  She gave the cab driver all of the money. It ended up more than enough but she wanted not even a penny left that came from Morgan.

  “I am free!” She said over and over as she walked through the house touching beloved items, feeling their warmth and welcome. Her mother’s piano, her father’s easy chair, and all the familiar things she remembered. She knew her bedroom would be exactly as the last time she saw it too, but she would save it for later. Right now it was more important to get in touch with Jacks.

  She went to the phone kept on her father’s desk, the same corded phone he had had for thirty years, always refusing to update with times saying that if something wasn’t broken, no need to replace it.

  Refusing to give in to tears she picked it up and dialed the number to the c
linic where her letter gone. It was the only number she had for Jacks.

  It was four-thirty and Honey was getting ready to leave when the phone call came. She asked Betty who it was and Betty shrugged and said, “A Miss Herbert.”

  Honey immediately picked up the phone.

  “Hello, this is Honey Magill?”

  “I am the woman who sent the letter for Jacks. My name is Sheila and I need to talk to him and this is the only number I have.”

  “Yes, yes Sheila. Of course, I do have his number hold on, it’s on my cell.”

  She pulled her cell phone out of her purse.

  “You sound upset. Are you okay?”

  “I will be. Thank you.”

  “Here it is, 601 557 5555. Did you write it down?”

  The voice on the other end sighed deeply, “I did. Thank you.”

  “You are welcome, if you can’t reach him keep trying, sometimes his reception is not so great out where he lives.”

  “I will do that, goodbye.”

  “Bye Sheila.”

  Both women hung up each thinking about the other.

  Honey knew when something was not right and remembering some things from the conversations she and Jacks had. She felt whatever it was, had to be connected to the people in New York too. She hoped she would hear from Jacks.

  Meanwhile, Sheila was curled up in her father’s chair when he answered his cell phone.

  “Jacks, thank goodness you answered your phone!”

  “I always answer my phone. Sheila, is this you? Where are you, are you alright?”

  “I feel great! I feel free! Oh, dear Lord, I feel so free!”

  Sheila bubbled over with details of her father’s funeral and burial, then how she just walked out of the cemetery and went home. She started off calm but when she finished, he could hear hysteria in her voice.