“I...I dozed off a little bit ago and I had a weird dream and it felt so real I guess it just shook me up a little,” Maggie said.
“A dream?” Dan asked.
“Now you know why I feel silly,” she said somewhat embarrassed.
“No need to feel that way. I understand. I’ve had my own weird dream,” he said.
“You don’t think I overreacted texting you?” She asked.
“Not at all. I’m glad you did – really I am. You want to talk about it?” Dan asked.
“Would you mind?” Maggie asked.
“You can always talk to me about anything, anytime,” he said.
“You said you had a weird dream too?” She asked.
“Yeah, but tell me about your dream first,” Dan said.
“And then we’ll talk about yours. Deal?” Maggie asked.
“You’ve got a deal. Now...talk to me baby,” he said.
After Dan listened to Maggie share her dream experience, he related his own. When he finished speaking, the phone was silent for a moment.
“So...what do you think it means?” Maggie asked.
“I don’t know. Probably something as simple as hearing about Matt’s dream combined with the pressure of getting ready for finals. And I’d say something similar for your dream,” Dan said.
She listened thoughtfully.
“You’re probably right. I feel better about it now anyway,” Maggie said.
Though she couldn’t see him, Dan’s expression brightened.
“Good, so do I. That seems be the effect you have on me,” he said.
“I can say the same thing Danny. I can’t wait to see you. I’ll really feel better then,” she said.
***
After Bill walked back into the courthouse, Jett still did not feel like going back to the office. The conversation with Bill left him with a sick feeling that a big problem or two lurked on the horizon. Of course, he had the feeling from the start that proving that Marie Atkins was murdered was not going to be easy. Jett stood and started back toward the office before realizing he wasn’t really in the mood to sit behind his desk just yet.
He looked up the street to the post office. A trip to check the mail always served as a good excuse to spend a few extra minutes away.
As he walked, Jett tried to focus on the facts at hand – or what they appeared to be on the surface. So many years had passed since Marie’s death. How could he and Bud find the proof that could bring justice in the matter once and for all? The more Jett looked at their fledgling investigation, the more he was convinced divine intervention was needed.
That was something he was almost ashamed to ask for given all that had happened with being able to see and talk to Rose again. Thinking of her brought a lump to his throat. With each step he took, his thoughts were of her and the things they would talk about later. Thinking of the sound of her sweet voice and her wonderful laugh brought an unconscious smile to his face as he walked up the steps to the post office.
“Now that’s...what I like...to see – a man with...a smile on his face,” said a familiar voice from a row of mailboxes to his left.
“Preacher Rodgers! How are you?” Jett asked as he extended his hand.
As the clergyman returned his hand the folder fell from Jett’s hand. Both men bent to scoop up the papers. Rodgers handed an errant paper to Jett, who frantically stuffed them back into the folder. Jett noticed an odd look on his face. He saw the name and/or the nature of the document. Both men stood up.
“I’m sorry Jett...I couldn’t help...but see that name,” Rodgers said sheepishly.
Jett smiled. If there was any man he trusted implicitly, it was Paul Rodgers.
“It’s not your fault. I know you weren’t prying. It was my clumsiness,” he said.
“It was just a shock seeing...that name after all these years. So sad...what happened,” Rodgers said.
“Yes it was,” Jett agreed.
“You know...I officiated...the funeral,” Rodgers said.
“Really?” Jett asked in genuine surprise.
“Oh...yes. Very sad...and odd,” Rodgers said.
Jett looked at Rodgers – this time with a smile.
“Preacher, can I buy you a cup of the best coffee in Crystal Springs?” Jett asked.
***
Bud wandered around Riverfront Park after Bill left. He was agitated inside and hoped it didn’t show because he knew Bill was hiding something – exactly what, he wasn’t sure.
Bud had known Bill from his very first days on the police force. They had been close friends literally for decades, sharing so many good times and some bad ones as well. Over the years he watched Bill grow from an ambitious city police officer into a successful, albeit small time politician – a man that recognized and accepted the limits of his ambition.
In the campaigns that followed over the years, Bud learned to read Bill’s eyes. He knew when Bill was being honest – as he was nearly all of the time – and when he fudged the truth or simply outright lied. It was his opinion that Bill had never lied about anything of consequence. After all, he wasn’t the only politician that ever took credit for something he had absolutely nothing to do with or made an impossible promise.
To his knowledge, Bill hadn’t lied about anything of any consequence – until now. Bud noticed the subtle change in his expression when he talked about how beautiful Marie was and how long he had been married. There had been that same subtle change when he talked about his unwillingness to approach Edna about seeing Earl.
That Bill lied to him hurt – that Bill might be helping to cover up a murder devastated him. As he walked the paved trail near the tennis courts in the bright sunshine on a beautiful spring day, Bud was heartsick.
A friendship was about to end; of that he was certain. Bill was hiding something and possibly covering up a murder. How could their friendship survive if that turned out to be the case?
Suddenly, he felt exhausted – not just physically but mentally as well. Bud looked up the hill and saw a tall oak tree and just enough shade underneath it to make it a comfortable place to sit and rest. He made the short trek up the hill and eased himself down to the ground. Leaning back against the base of the tree, Bud exhaled softly. His eyelids were heavy. The chirping sounds of late spring and the occasional boat motor seemed to be the noise in the air. Oddly enough, a nap sounded so appealing and momentarily, it felt the same way. Almost at once, Bud felt relaxed and opened his eyes. He looked from left to right and surveyed the routine spring day in the park.
“Mind if I join you?” A voice from behind asked.
Bud looked around in surprise.
“Rose?”
She kneeled and hugged him.
“It’s good to see you,” she said.
“Same here sweetie,” he said as he squeezed her tightly. “But I take it this isn’t a social visit.”
Rose smiled softly and sat down next to him and leaned back on her palms with her legs outstretched.
“You’re right. It isn’t,” she said.
Bud looked at her. She wore jeans and a short-sleeved gray knit collared pullover with white tennis shoes. She also had small pearl earrings and shoulder length hair and looked to be about thirty.
He couldn’t help but smile.
“You look like you’re on your way to a PTA meeting,” Bud said.
“I liked this age. The boys were in elementary school and our lives weren’t quite so busy,” Rose said as she looked down at herself.
He smiled and nodded.
“Those were some great years,” Bud agreed. “Now, what is the purpose of this second visit – again, not that I’m complaining.”
“I’m here to warn you that things are about to get dangerous – and not just for you and Jett,” she said.
“The boys?” He asked with a distinct trace of alarm.
Rose nodded.
“Among others. Anyone close to either of you. I’m telling you because this the first opportunity
to let either of you know. The few questions you two have asked today have already set plans in motion to stop your search for the truth. Please tell Jett and make understand there are some evil forces at work,” she said.
Bud could see the fear and concern in her eyes.
“Define evil forces,” he said.
“Try the powers of hell itself,” said Marie who appeared on his right seemingly out of nowhere.
***
Jett closed the door to his office as Pastor Rodgers took a seat in front of the desk, carrying a steaming mug of coffee. Settling in his chair behind the desk, Jett sat his own mug down.
“Pastor, I want to ask you a few questions and I’d consider it a personal favor if you would not let anyone – and I mean anyone with the exception of Bud – know we’ve had this conversation,” he said.
The older man nodded somberly.
“You...have my...word,” Rodgers said.
“You said you officiated the funeral of Marie Atkins. Was she a member of the church?” Jett asked.
“Yes...she was saved and baptized...a couple of years...before she...died,” he said.
Jett looked at him in surprise.
“I had no idea. I was under the impression that her family did not attend church,” he said.
Rodgers took a sip of his coffee while waving his left hand dismissively.
“They didn’t. She...came to...know the Lord...during a campus...revival. Marie joined our...fellowship after visiting...for a few...weeks. Her parents...never attended...not even for her...baptism,” he said.
Jett leaned back in his chair.
“Were they aware of her church attendance?” He asked.
“Mayor Atkins was...I used to...see him from...time to time...in town. I would invite...him to bring...his wife. They never visited. But he seemed...happy for her,” Rodgers said.
“Did she ever mention her mom and dad to you?” Jett asked.
Rodgers shook his head.
“Only to ask me...to pray for them,” he said.
As Jett took a sip from his mug and pondered his next question, Rodgers spoke again.
“She did say once...her mother was...especially needful of...Christ because of...some of the things...she believed,” he said.
“What sort of things?” Jett asked.
Rodgers looked deeply troubled.
“She said her mother...practiced witchcraft...but never elaborated...any further. It’s not the first time...I’ve heard that about...someone in town,” he said.
Jett remembered the stories about Edna seeing fortunetellers and the like. As odd as it sounded, Marie’s claim was certainly plausible – wasn’t it? Then again, seeing astrologers was one thing but witchcraft was something else entirely. But the relationship between mother and daughter was stormy to say the least so it was also possible that Marie might have been rebelling against her mother.
“Did you believe her?” Jett asked.
“I had no reason...to doubt her. But as I said...she never elaborated,” Rodgers said.
“How about her dad? Did she ever say anything specifically about him?” Jett asked.
“No...Just that he...needed guidance and...Wisdom,” Rodgers said.
“Was she attending regularly at the time of her death?” Jett asked.
“Marie had become a...regular again a few weeks...before she died. She had not...attended for almost...a year. Of course, I knew...about her pregnancy. I always thought...maybe she was...ashamed. But when she...came back, she...had the child...with her. And she was...welcomed back by...everyone,” Rodgers said.
“Did she ever talk to you about the baby or its father?” Jett asked.
“Only that...she hoped she could...bring it up in church...without causing anyone...problems,” Rodgers said.
“She was afraid of the baby being viewed as the child of scandal by the congregation,” Jett said.
Rodgers took another sip.
“That was how...I took it,” he said.
“How did you find out she was dead?” Jett asked.
“One of our...deacons, Larry Petree...called me. He was a deputy...at the time...and heard about it...immediately,” Rodgers said.
“What was your reaction?” Jett asked.
“Shock. I couldn’t believe...that she would take her...own life, especially...with a baby that...she obviously loved very much,” Rodgers said as he took another sip of the coffee.
“And how was it you came to officiate her funeral?” Jett asked.
“Bud called me. He knew...she was a member...of our church. He said that the family...was too distraught...to make the arrangements,” Rodgers said as he reflected on the memory.
“Did you have contact with anyone concerning the arrangements?” Jett asked.
“Outside of Jay Abbott...at the funeral home...Bill Kantrell. He wanted to...tell me how...to preach her funeral,” Rodgers said.
Jett looked genuinely surprised.
“What, I mean, how did he want you to preach the funeral? What did he say?” He asked.
Rodgers smiled.
“Over the years...I’ve gotten suggestions...from a lot of people...on how to conduct funerals, weddings...and how to run...a church. It’s really nothing...unusual. It didn’t really bother...or surprise me. He said that out of...respect to the family...I shouldn’t mention...her faith or even pray specifically...to God. Bill said that...her family was of...a different faith...and that such a ceremony...might be offensive,” the clergyman said.
Jett shifted in his chair.
“And what did you do?” He asked.
“I preached what...the Lord gave me. And I...prayed the same way,” Rodgers said.
Jett couldn’t hide a smile.
“And what was Bill’s response?” He asked.
“I never asked,” Rodgers said with a chuckle before turning more serious. “But the mayor pulled me aside...and quietly thanked me after...the graveside service. For someone to be of... such a supposedly different faith...he certainly appeared...to be very grateful.”
“Preacher, if I could pry, what did he say that gave you that impression?” Jett asked.
Rodgers shifted in his seat and paused for a second.
“It wasn’t so much...what he said...it was the look...in his eyes. He said he was...glad that Marie was...a Christian and asked me...if I believed she really was. I told him I did. Even in his grief...he seemed to...brighten a little. I’ve never...forgotten that,” he said.
“I would imagine not. And you’re right. That doesn’t sound like somebody that has a radically different religious belief,” Jett said.
“I don’t think...I spoke with the mayor...again after that,” Rodgers said.
“How about Bill?” Jett asked.
“Just when he’s...asked me to vote...for him. And of course...I see Bud from...time-to-time...but never in church,” Rodgers answered with a smile.
Jett leaned back in his chair again.
“No, I guess not,” he said with a smile of his own.
Rodgers sat his mug on Jett’s desk.
“Can I ask you...a question?” He asked.
“Seems only fair,” Jett said.
“You don’t think...Marie committed suicide...do you?” Rodgers asked.
“No, I don’t. I think she was murdered and I’m going to try to prove it,” Jett said.
The preacher sat silently. His face turned even more serious.
“Please be careful...if she was murdered...there’s a reason...it’s been covered up. And that reason...is pure evil,” Rodgers said.
***
Bud looked at Marie and then Rose before turning back to Marie.
“The powers of hell,” he shook his head. “I did ask for a definition.”
“Uncle Bud, please listen. Do not take this lightly,” Rose said.
“She’s right. If you need proof as to how serious this is, I remind you to look no farther than me,” Marie said.
“I do understand and I ho
pe you both know we’re trying to be careful but if we’re dealing with the forces you’ve described, what can we do to protect ourselves? I mean, will a .38 do the trick?” Bud asked.
Marie stepped over next to Rose and gently dropped to her knees.
“You’re dealing with mortals but the power they can call upon is stronger than you can imagine,” she said.
“There are also powers they can call upon in this world. I don’t think I need to point out you’re dealing with at least one person that well connected politically,” Rose said.
“And at least one that has built up political markers and favors all over Kentucky,” Bud said.
“Jett is on the right track but he stands to be in the most danger, although he’s safe right now,” Rose said.
“What do you mean ‘safe right now?’“ Bud asked.
“He is protected by the presence of an old friend,” Marie said.
“J.D.?” Bud asked.
“No, he’s got his hands full watching out for the kids,” Rose added, “By the way, tell Jett to keep the four of them away from this if at all possible.”
“I’ve tried warnings of my own but I’m not sure it will be enough,” Marie said.
Bud listened intently. Their words chilled him inside. His own safety wasn’t a concern. He had lived his life and after his experience in Southeast Asia, there wasn’t much that scared him. The well-being of others was a different story.
“I can tell you this: you’ve already uncovered a huge key to unraveling this mystery and a lot more,” Rose said.
“I know. Bill. I just caught him in some lies,” Bud said, shaking his head in disgust.
“Trust no one – I cannot emphasize that enough,” Marie said.
“That shouldn’t be a problem. I didn’t trust people before this,” he said.
Rose looked at him with a worried expression.
“Warn Jett. Neither of you have as many friends as you think,” she said.
“And you’ve other surprises coming,” Marie said stoically.
“And I imagine none of them will be pleasant,” Bud said.
“That’s about the size of it,” Rose said.
“I know there’s a lot you can’t tell me, but is there any way you can let me know if questioning Frasier Malone is worth the effort.” He asked.
The two women looked at each other intently.
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