A sinking sensation hit James in the gut. “It’s more invasive and intimidating to think someone wandered around inside your home.”
“Yes, sir. Of course, the note adds a terrorist threat as far as I’m concerned.” Joe peered at Ann with intense eyes. “I know I already told you, but I can’t say it too many times. Replace the lock. I’d add a deadbolt.”
“Okay.” Ann’s voice quivered.
“Well, I have all I need for now.” Joe leaned forward and handed Ann a card as Alice entered the room.
“I have good shots of the window, broken glass, and rock to go with those of the doll.” Alice held up the camera.
“Thanks.” Joe glanced at Alice then directed his gaze to Ann. “Call if you think of anything that will help us find this scumbag. In the meantime, I’m requesting extra patrols here and in front of Beach Lady.”
James hopped up and shook his hand. “Thank you.”
“You bet.”
James walked Joe and Alice to the door and returned to the living room. Ann slouched in her seat, her head lowered. His heart shattered into a million pieces. He clasped her hand. “Let’s go to the beach and breathe some fresh air.” Maybe a change of scenery would lift her spirits.
She stood and moved beside him as though she navigated through fog. “I’m not the person I thought I was.”
“Of course you are. Your circumstances are scary, foreign to you, but they’re the problem, not you.” Should James bring up True Light Guardians now or later? He glanced at her. He’d have more luck trying to nudge one of the seashells to move with the creature inside it asleep.
“I hope you’re right.”
“I am. Here we are.” James slipped off his shoes and left them on the wooden rack at the end of the walkway. “Ahh, we have an invigorating breeze to refresh us.”
Ann removed her flip-flops with big daisies on the toes and set them beside James’s black sandals. She leaned into him as they sank their feet into soft sand, the yellow glow from beachfront condo lights washing across it. Snuggled into his arm, she trod to the firmer surface beside the sea. White-capped waves rolled over her feet as her hair blew across her face. She pushed it back as James bent down and splashed her. She gave him a weak smile.
They plowed through the sea to a nearby sandbar, nothing but the ocean and sky with thousands of twinkling stars as far as James could see. Foaming brine wrapped around their ankles, the roar blocking all other sound. James pulled Ann close, his fingers tracing her cheek. His lips brushed against hers, and he deepened his kiss. Heat raced up his spine as she pressed against him, the two of them riding an undertow, soaking up the peace of the sea as the tide swept them away. Finally, he let go, grabbed her hand, and led her toward their shoes. If only they could stay.
“I’m better now. There’s something about being on the shore that sets my turned-upside-down world aright. When life closed in on me when I was a kid, I used to come here and ride the waves with my mom. We went right before she died.” Ann’s eyes grew misty. “I haven’t done that since.”
James admired so much about Ann, especially her strong faith. She showed so much courage, worked so hard to form the True Light Guardians, but now it was time for her to face the harsh reality. It wasn’t safe to continue. How ironic that the same qualities that first attracted him to her might tear them apart. Trying to be the strong ally Ann needed was ripping out his insides. He could hardly keep up with her roller-coaster emotions, first fear, now sorrow.
* * *
Ann rinsed her feet off and glanced at them. They’d walked many paths, probably the biggest one had been college. She’d graduated and aimed for her career like a missile locked on a target. She’d let little else other than prayers and worship into her life. Had the missile exploded? The shooting at the church and the constant threats to her safety had blown the cement that held her together into tiny fragments. How could she pick up the pieces? Where was James in all of this? She couldn’t believe she’d overburdened him with grief for her mother on top of dragging him into the frightening nightmare her life had become. It was only human to miss her mother even more at a time like this, wasn’t it? The only constant she had left—her faith. The only thing she knew for sure. She must succeed with True Light Guardians.
James put his arm around her, and they strolled to her condo.
She unlocked the door with a trembling hand. Was Joe right? Had the perpetrator opened it without a key?
“Why don’t you check out the place before I leave?” James asked.
“Good idea.” Ann left long enough to flip the switches in every room.
Within five minutes she returned. James’s face reminded her of a sad clown. A sinking sensation hit her in the stomach as she sat beside him on the sofa.
He grasped her hand. “I know you’re upset right now, and I don’t want to add to your distress, but we need to talk about True Light Guardians. There’s no doubt in my mind someone wants to wipe out the organization. They’re willing to eliminate anything stopping them, including you. I care about you so deeply. My concern for your safety keeps me tied in knots.”
“I’d never want to upset someone as kind as you, as good a friend as you are.” He was more than a friend, but Ann didn’t say that. Every time she admitted to herself that she cared about James, an image of her father in an angry rage popped in her head. James was worth whatever effort it took to make the unfortunate reality only a bad memory. She yearned to do that, but it would take time. Not only that, James obviously thought she shouldn’t lead True Light Guardians. “I worked so hard to start the organization. I can’t allow it to fall apart now that it’s catching on. Lloyd, who’s letting us use his post office box for correspondence, has gotten letters from all over the country. It’s growing into a national group of united Christians. It’s a calling I can’t abandon.”
James lowered his head. In moments he gazed up at Ann, his eyes misty. “I can’t do it.”
“Do what?”
“I’m sorry. I’ll remain here tonight to make sure you’re safe.”
He needn’t think he had to do that. “It isn’t necessary. I know the police will patrol, and we have security too. I’ll be fine.”
James pushed himself off the sofa. “You’re probably right. Tomorrow I’d like it if you called a girlfriend to stay with you for a few nights. Also purchase the bolt lock and ask maintenance to install it. And, I noticed you don’t have an alarm system. Find someone to put in one. I’ll pray for you.”
What did he mean, he’d pray for her? He started toward the door and the impact of the conversation hit Ann like a two-by-four. He wasn’t coming back. Her heart ached as though a buzzard clawed it into millions of pieces. Through her sobs she called after him and held her arms open. “For us, James. Pray for us.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
A tingle ran up Ann’s spine at the sight of all the cars jammed along the sides of the road and the parking lot in front of the clubhouse at Dunes by the Sea. She pulled into the only space left on the main street, cut her engine, and hopped out. The warmth in her heart nearly matched that of the sun streaming down on her as she strolled past stucco two-story, cluster homes with forty by twenty-five-foot grassy yards.
Builders crammed homes onto small beachfront lots. Everyone wanted to overlook the ocean, and who could blame them? The beautiful white sand and emerald water called to her too. She opened the beveled glass door and stepped inside.
The sun glistening on the ocean view out the massive glass back wall nearly took away her breath. Only the three hundred people attending inspired her more. They nearly sat on top of each other, some of them in folding chairs. Christianity was alive, well, and apparently cherished by the brave at Dunes by the Sea this afternoon. Ann stepped to the podium. If only James were here. The day he’d slipped out of her life she’d grown dry and hollow inside. She surveyed the room. Apparently, he’d stayed home.
She pounded a gavel someone, presumably Lloyd, had left. “Let�
��s open with prayer.”
The crowd hushed, and Ann bowed her head. “Our Heavenly Father, thank you for each person attending. Please bless this meeting and help us carry on in your name in the face of danger and hatred. We ask that you use True Light Guardians to restore and revitalize our churches, filling them with praise for you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”
Ann raised her head, and the sound of chairs scooting filled the air. She waited to speak until everyone settled down. “I’d like a representative from each group to stand. Please tell us a little about your church and what you want to gain from True Light Guardians.” She motioned toward a tall man in a pair of khaki pants and a green shirt. “Sir.”
“I’m Harold Grossman from the Episcopal church on Beverly Road. We haven’t received threats. I guess they haven’t heard of us, but the shooting frightened us. We want to unite with the rest of you.” Harold shifted from one foot to the other then sat down.
“I understand. United, we will keep growing and overcome this evil.”
Ann continued around the room and found representatives from non-denominational churches, Baptists, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists, Church of God, and others.
“Thank you again for coming. I’m sure we’re all anxious to hear Lloyd’s plan, so let’s give him the floor.”
The audience clapped loudly, and Ann stepped down.
Lloyd pushed his lanky body from his chair and walked to the podium. He gazed at those gathered with intense blue eyes. “What an inspiration you are. We’re going to accomplish much as True Light Guardians. Safety first. That’s what I want to discuss tonight. It may seem difficult to think of entering a church under some of the conditions I’ll recommend, but we must. I’ve studied these measures carefully and interviewed security officers and policemen. But please know I’m eager for your feedback.” He held up several papers. “I have printed copies for you to take home. Read them carefully. At our next meeting we’ll make revisions if necessary.” Lloyd handed Ann the leaflets. “Take one and pass them on.”
“Sure.” Ann did as he asked. Much hard work awaited them, but her heart danced at the promise this meeting brought.
“We’re allowed to have armed members from our congregations protecting our churches as long as they stay on the property.” Intensity filled Lloyd’s voice.
A stocky guy with blond hair in the back of the room shot up his hand.
“Yes, Frank.”
Frank stood. “Are you saying we can do it ourselves? I think we need professionals.” He sat down.
“I hear you. I’m sure we all have police officers, current or ex-military personnel, and others who’re licensed to carry weapons in our congregations. For services I recommend six or more sentries, either paid or volunteer. During the day when personnel and volunteers are working in the building, we’ll have at least two guards with firearms and cell phones. Here again, it sounds so strange to mention church and guns in the same breath, but…that’s what it’s come to.” Lloyd’s voice trailed off in sadness.
The sorrow of it hit Ann, and she squirmed in her seat, but they had to move forward.
Lloyd glanced at his notes. “We’ll install metal detectors.”
Frank stood again. “I think I see where you’re going with this. What about monitors?”
“Yes. We’ll have calls routed to a monitor at the police station. Of course, law enforcement can’t listen to conversations 24/7, so immediately dial 911 for any emergency. Also, at night each church will operate two computers. Each screen will display four pictures from remote cameras filming the interior and exterior of the building and the parking lot. Two guards can man these and alternate patrolling the area on foot.”
Some attending looked like children who’d lost their parents in a crowded mall. The color drained from the cheeks of others. The shock of having someone hate Christians as these terrorists did probably lay too heavy on their hearts for them to process all of the information at once, but their courage in the face of this evil gave Ann strength.
“Members will use security cards to enter the church, but we’ll take precautions with those who haven’t joined. One of the guards will remain at the entrance. Anyone attempting to go inside without identification will need to answer several questions. For starters, who are you? Why are you here? Who do you need to see? How long will you be here? Please give me your name, address, and phone number.” Lloyd took a deep breath.
Ann’s stomach dropped to her toes. How could they bring in new people? All of a sudden the church’s future seemed less hopeful. Of course, that’s what these terrorists wanted.
“After all that’s happened, I believe most guests or delivery services will understand why we’ve taken these precautions. We can place a sign outside that reads something like ‘Worship here. All welcome. Non-members check with security.’ It’s possible we may attract more people because they’ll feel safer.”
Lloyd had a point. With God’s blessing and people like him helping, the churches would find a way to minister to the community in spite of these terrorists.
Lloyd picked up a piece of paper from the podium, and his lips turned down. “I hate to end on a sad note, but I want to read the latest threat we received at First United Church.” He directed his gaze to the message. “Anyone holding services will be shot. Anyone seen going into a church, carrying a Bible, wearing a cross, or displaying a fish will be shot. We are great in number, and we’re always watching.’” Lloyd narrowed his eyes and shook the note. “I have news for them. We are great in number too, and we won’t stop praising the Lord. Does anyone have questions or anything to add to the discussion?”
Lloyd’s conviction stirred Ann’s determination.
The room remained silent until a short, chubby guy in a checked shirt stood. “This is so new to us. I think we need to pray about it, read the material, and come prepared to accept this proposal or make suggestions next time.”
Many who attended nodded.
Ann sprang up and stepped to the podium. “I understand. We have lots to think about. For our next meeting we’ve reserved the county community center, supposedly for a wedding anniversary celebration, at seven. Bring empty boxes wrapped in festive paper. The fake event will provide a good cover for Christians from out of town who may hear about us and want to attend. If there’s nothing else, we’ll dismiss with prayer. Thank you again for coming. We’re off to a great start. Please bow your heads.”
Ann said a prayer, and the crowd dispersed. She gathered paper cups and napkins and threw them in the trash can. Someone tapped her shoulder as she closed a folding chair. She turned around and smiled big. “Hello Freddie, I’m so glad you came.”
“Me too.” He picked up some of the chairs and placed them in a storage closet on the right-hand side of the room. With Ann, Freddie, and Lloyd working, they put the clubhouse in order in twenty minutes. Ann waved at Lloyd. “Thank you for everything.”
Ann shook her head at the cruel reality that led her to form True Light Guardians. The tragedy impacted so many lives. The faithful swam upstream against a raging current, but they swam. What about James? Did he not care about True Light Guardians anymore? Had he attended the meeting? Hollowness echoed inside her. Tears from knowing James refused to take this journey to revitalize churches with her filled her eyes as she left the building and stepped outside.
The stickiness of the day gone, a refreshing warm breeze kissed her cheeks as she scooted into her car. Millions of stars danced in the sky. If only she could spend this evening with James. She started her engine and backed out.
The trip down Highway 98, with bright colored lights from the beach shops and restaurants washing pink, green, and yellow hues over the car lasted only twenty minutes. Ann turned into her complex, parked in her space, and stumbled out rubbing her neck. Was she tired from physical exhaustion and the stress of confronting anti-Christians or was it mental loneliness from missing James? She unlocked the door and trod upstairs. A warm shower relaxed
her and she fell into bed, but tears forced themselves down her cheeks. If only sleep would deaden her pain.
Through the congestion her crying created, she detected a foul odor. She sat up in bed, wiped her eyes, and sniffed. Rotten eggs. She slid out of bed and raised the window. Was the scent coming from outside where the complex kept the trash cans? Maybe the pick-up service hadn’t come this week.
The pungent offender grew stronger. Ann put on her red housecoat and plodded down the steps. The stench emanating from the kitchen nearly knocked her down. She rushed in, turned off the oven, and flung open the window. She charged to the living room, pulled the drapes over the sliding glass door, and opened it, sticking out her head, gasping for air.
Someone clasped a hand over her mouth.
Wiggling, squirming, she attempted to bite him. He rammed her back against his chest. “Stop moving. Don’t make this harder on yourself than it has to be.” Anger boomed from his voice.
Than what has to be? The hair on Ann’s arm stood on end. She raised her foot and kicked at his leg.
He dragged her to the edge of the building. “You been giving me a hard time, but I got you now.”
Her heart raced as she cut her eyes to the right then the left. Where was the security guard? Where was the policeman patrolling? Her heels turned up dirt as the man pulled her through the shadows. He aimed her toward a white van. She wanted to yell, but she could hardly breathe. The ground spun. She couldn’t get in the van.
His hand slipped over her mouth and she bit it.
He jerked it back. She found her voice and screamed as loud as she could. Several front porch lights flicked on as Ann floated into nothingness.
* * *
Ann smelled the earth, her nose on the ground. Then strong arms lifted her, and a hand pressed a cold cloth on her forehead. A paramedic held her tight in his grasp. Derick, who stood next to him, peered at her with sympathetic green eyes.
Breaking Barriers (Love Is Book 8) Page 9