“What do you want to talk about today?” Dr. Forrester asked.
“I want to talk about that night. I need to remember,” she said. “But everything’s all jumbled inside my head.”
“The best possible method is hypnosis. Are you finally ready to try it?”
“Yes,” she breathed. She looked toward Pastor Keith.
He recognized her distress and he came over to hold her hand. “I’m here with you.”
As fine as Pastor Keith was, Mindy did not feel feminine attraction. To her, Pastor Keith was being the father she never had. It was like God was speaking to her. She opened her mouth to tell him but changed her mind. She would sound crazy.
She giggled at that thought. “Thank you, Pastor.” Then she addressed the doctor. “I’m ready.”
Keith watched as Dr. Forrester coached Mindy under. Was this of God? He wondered. Unlike the movies, there was no light or swinging stopwatch. Instead, her voice was soothing and calming.
“There’s no need to be afraid. I’m right here and we can stop at any time.” Dr. Forrester told Mindy.
Within minutes, Dr. Forrester nodded at him.
Keith admitted he was a skeptic. A lot of church folks believed hypnotherapy was a form of enchantment. But what if it worked? Could the human mind really be manipulated in this fashion? Nevertheless, he took out his pad and paper to take notes.
“I see Carl.” Mindy’s voice held a childlike quality.
Wait a minute. Carl? Keith eyed the doctor. She held her hand up and pointed to her ears. Keith relaxed. He had prayed. He had to let God lead.
“You want to talk about your brother?”
“He’s dead,” Mindy cried. “I found him hanging in the air and Daddy wants me to pretend I didn’t see it. But, I did. I did. He killed himself. He was my only friend. Now who’s going to play with me?”
Keith jotted down the word: loss.
“I’ll play with you,” Baby said.
She was reliving the trauma, which triggered her multiple personalities. Keith felt goose bumps prick his arms.
“How old is Baby?” the doctor asked.
“She’s five.”
“Is that how old you were when you found Carl?”
“Yes. And there’s Mousie. She’s the brave one. She makes sure no one hurts me,” Mindy explained.
Keith wrote another word: loneliness.
“I was sad when Carl died. I didn’t think I would ever smile again,” Mindy cried. She looked at Dr. Forrester. “My father didn’t let me cry. He told me crying wouldn’t help bring Mommy and Carl back.”
This time he penned the word “depression.”
Loss. Loneliness. Depression. The devil’s tools. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Dr. Forrester said, “Today I’m giving you permission. Mindy, go ahead and cry.”
Mindy’s shoulders shook and she wailed. Keith’s heart constricted. He could not remain silent any longer. “I know you feel alone, but God is here. He can fill that void,” he said.
Mindy grabbed him and sobbed into his chest. “I felt lonely when I met Michael.”
Keith released her and picked up his notepad.
The doctor took over the conversation. “How did you feel meeting Michael?”
“He was nice to me. He spoke to me and treated me like I was a human being,” Mindy offered. “I couldn’t wait to see him.”
“Did he do or say anything you weren’t comfortable with?”
Mindy shook her head. “Michael was my friend. He wouldn’t hurt me.”
Keith’s heart rejoiced at her confident words. He knew Michael was innocent but her words were confirmation. Thank you, Lord!
“Tell me about that night,” the doctor commanded.
“I’d been with Elle G.”
Keith wrote the name down. Mindy had mentioned this person before. He tapped his chin with his pen. Was this a real person, or another personality?
“Who’s Elle G?” Dr. Forrester asked.
“She’s a friend. Well, she’s Mousie’s friend. Mousie met her outside the club at Finn’s,” Mindy whispered conspiratorially. “Mousie was a stripper. I think she did it because if my father ever found out, he’d blow the roof.”
Keith was no expert but this sounded like resentment and rebellion. However, Mindy had taken it to a whole other level. Now he understood why God had placed him on three days of fasting and prayer. She needed deliverance.
He continued to listen to her recap. “Mousie met up with Elle G at the Ritz-Carlton. She’d brought wine. I don’t drink, but Elle G convinced Mousie to try it. Mousie didn’t care for the taste either but she had a friend. She only drank one glass to calm her nerves, but it made all of us woozy. It was worth it though. For the first time, Mousie had a girlfriend. Mousie and Elle G talked and laughed, mostly about Michael.
“Then Elle G suggested Mousie e-mail Michael and invite him over. I told Mousie I was scared, but Elle G told us Michael loved me too. He was simply scared to admit it because he was my father’s friend.”
It sounded like Elle G was manipulating her. Keith noted Mindy had now switched to “I.” It was confusing, but he was keeping up. He glanced over at the doctor who was scribbling on her notepad. One thing he knew, this job required patience.
As a minister, he spent hours counseling and talking with his parishioners. He could relate.
Dr. Forrester gave him a warm smile before coaching Mindy to keep talking.
“My legs were shaking. When Elle G saw how frightened I was, she offered to stay with me. She gave me the skimpiest piece of lingerie I’d ever seen. I went into the bathroom to change. I . . .”
Dr. Forrester asked, “Do you need to stop?”
“No, I’ve got to face this,” Mindy said. “I want to continue.”
“What happened when you went into the bathroom?”
She grabbed Keith’s hand again as if to make sure he was still there. “I cut myself.”
Mindy kept her eyes on him as she said it. Keith schooled his expression. There was no way she would know how affected he was by her words. But being a parent himself, Keith was shaken. If that were Epiphany . . .
Mindy continued talking. “So Mousie took over. She cleaned me up and got me dressed and I left the bathroom. I wobbled. I remember vowing never to drink again. I got on the bed. Elle G promised she’d wait in the bathroom.”
“What did you use to cut yourself?” the doctor asked.
“I have a small blade. I carry it in my bag sometimes. That’s why Elle G didn’t see it either. I lay on the bed and waited for Michael to come. He would pick up the extra card at the front desk. Elle G had worked it all out. I got nervous. I reached for the blade,” Mindy said.
That explains the blood. It had been everywhere.
Mindy continued, “Michael came in. As soon as he saw me, he said, ‘Mindy! Who did this to you? What happened?’ By then, I was barely conscious, but I remembered saying, ‘Why? Why did you do it? You hurt me and all I did was love you.’”
Goose bumps rose on Keith’s flesh for the second time. Mindy had repeated verbatim what Michael had said. He interjected. “Why did you say that to Michael?”
Dr. Forrester intervened. “Pastor Ward, let her—”
Keith continued. He had to know. “Mindy, why did you say those words?”
Mindy’s face was flushed and flooded with tears. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I was confused. It was Baby who said those words. She was talking to my brother. She was talking to Carl.”
Keith excused himself. He rushed outside and stumbled over to his vehicle. Once inside, he released a warrior’s cry. He gripped the wheel. All Mindy had was a mere apology for ruining Michael’s reputation and for throwing him behind bars. Keith knew she was sick. Mindy was tortured, but he was human.
“Oh, God,” he cried. “Her illness put my brother in serious trouble.” He knew he should feel relief the truth was out. Instead, Keith grappled to c
ontrol his anger.
He should be rejoicing but he wanted to . . . he wanted to shake Mindy, to scream and yell some mean words. “Help me, Jesus. Help me see her as you see her ’cause I’m struggling right now.”
Keith leaned his head on the dash of his vehicle and communed with God, meditating on His soothing voice.
He heard a rap on his window. It was Mindy. “Do you hate me?” she asked.
Her question tore at him. He could not provide a suitable response without lying.
Keith narrowed his eyes. He could not say yes. He could not say no. He wanted to say yes, but knew he should say no. And so it went.
So, instead, Keith shared a Biblical truth. “God loves you and He forgives you.”
“I’m going to the police station to talk to the officer,” Mindy said.
Keith wanted to go home and work out the punching bag. However, he was still on God’s job. He thought of several young men who were dying to be ordained ministers. If they only knew.
“I’ll be right beside you every step of the way,” he encouraged her.
Keith watched Mindy trot over to her vehicle. She kept looking back until Keith gave her a reassuring wave. Mindy didn’t have anything to worry about. Keith was not going anywhere.
What choice did he have? God had chosen him for this path. He was the vehicle God would use for her healing. Keith started up the truck and followed her out of the parking lot, but he was not done whining to God.
Lord, was all this necessary? I just wanted my brother back home and saved.
I have three souls, not one.
“Three?” Keith voiced. Michael. Mindy. Who was the third? Several possibilities ran through his mind, but then Keith gave up. He was learning to stop predicting what he thought God would do. God did whatever He pleased. He would just have to wait to find out.
“But what about the condom found on the scene?” Nigel questioned. “Did Mindy mention that when she spoke?” The two men were at the coffee shop across from the district attorney’s office. Keith had called Nigel to assist in the meeting with the district attorney the next morning. He had called the meeting as soon as Mindy had finished her statement at the police station.
Keith shook his head. “No, she didn’t. She’s made it clear she never slept with Michael. How his DNA ended up there will remain an enigma. Michael has no clue and I’ve presented several scenarios but he’s holding firm he has never stayed in that room.”
“I’ll check the hotel records to corroborate his account.”
Keith nodded. “That’s a great idea. With Mindy’s testimony, the DA doesn’t have a case. He’ll have to drop the charges and we can go about clearing Michael’s name.”
“I’m impressed,” Nigel said. “How did you even get Mindy to talk to you? Bill has her under heavy guard.”
Keith shrugged. “Mindy’s actions are a result of prayer in effect. She’s not as protected as you think. Apparently, she’s able to fly the coop anytime she wants.”
Nigel returned to his notes. “I’m going back to the condom mystery for a minute. Remember your theory about Michael being set up? Do you think there was another person involved?”
“I don’t know. The main witness is a mentally ill patient. Mindy mentioned an Elle G several times. But, I don’t know if she is a real or an imaginary person.”
Nigel sighed. “What a mess!”
Keith agreed. “I’ve never prayed so much on a case in my life. I’m going to need some more help from God. I know the charges will be dropped and Michael will be free, but a part of me will never be settled until all the loose ends are tied.”
“Someone had to put it there.”
“I feel the same way. But the $64,000 question is, who? Who put it there?”
“Should I call Frank? Michael has used him in the past and he does get results.”
For a second, Keith was tempted. Frank could find a speck of dust on a shiny surface. That was how skillful he was. But, Frank vetted his information by any means necessary. Keith could not promote evil even if it was for a good result.
“No, don’t call Frank,” Keith replied. “I can’t support him especially since I know he’s a strong arm. The truth will come out. It always does.” He looked at his watch. “Let’s not keep the DA waiting. Hopefully we’ll convince him to drop the charges and we can get before a judge tonight.”
Nigel waved a hand with confidence. “I do have the judge on standby because without Mindy this is all circumstantial. We’d rip them apart in court. I smell victory.” He nudged Keith with his elbow.
Tiredness seeped through Keith’s bones. “We’ll start the celebration in church this Saturday. I hope you’ll accept my invite.”
“I might surprise you and show up,” Nigel promised. “Tell you what; if we close out Michael’s case today, I’m coming and sitting in the front row.”
Keith grinned. “It’s in the bag.”
Chapter Forty-four
Such kissable lips.
That was Michael’s first thought when he opened the door and saw Verona standing there. He was alone as both Keith and Gina were out, so he was glad for the company.
“You’re here,” he said, stating the obvious. “I thought you weren’t coming back until next week.”
Verona bit her bottom lip, driving him crazy. Stop it, Michael. You’re engaged.
“I’m here now,” she said as she entered. “It’s time I stopped running.” She looked around. “Where’s Keith?”
“I think he’s with Mindy at her therapy session.”
Verona stopped short. He almost ran into her back. To steady himself, Michael grabbed her arm. Awareness rocked his being. The thought hit: they were alone and there were six bedrooms in the house.
However, her mind had been captured by his words. “He’s with Mindy? I haven’t been gone that long, have I? What on earth happened?”
Michael led her into the family room and they sat on the largest leather couch.
“Mindy sought Keith out for counseling. He wouldn’t disclose their conversation but he did tell me she wanted to go see Dr. Forrester. She asked him to go with her.”
Verona’s mouth hung open. “How did he get Mindy to agree? Does her father know?”
Michael shook his head. “I don’t know. I think this is all happening because Keith, Gina, and I went into fasting and prayer.”
“You fasted? You’re cranky when you get hungry.”
He decided not to share his pizza binge. “I did it though. Keith said God told him it needed to be done and after the past few days, I’m inclined to believe it.”
“God’s going to solve your case? Do you know how amazing that is?”
Michael did not see it that way. He was afraid to get his hopes up. “Well, maybe God figured He had to step in since my very expensive attorney kept running off and quitting on me.”
“You couldn’t resist the gibe, could you? Do you think we can ever have a normal conversation without hitting below the belt?”
His eyes darkened. “I like getting you all riled. Your nostrils flare and your eyes flash this weird color. It’s exciting. It’s hot.”
Verona threw a pillow at him. “You’re trying to get closer to God. You shouldn’t be talking like that. You need to be avoiding temptation.”
Michael had another reason why he did not need to be flirting with her: Lauren, his fiancée. But, Lauren was not here and she was not Tiger. “Then stop looking so tempting,” he teased.
Verona did a little squirm. Michael gave her a knowing grin. Keith had lectured him that getting to know God meant living a life pleasing to God. At the moment, the warnings were a little fuzzy.
He watched her tongue dart into her mouth. His body reminded him it had been awhile. Verona must have read his thoughts because she was looking at him like the insect in the spider’s web.
She stood and backed away. “I came straight here from the airport. Jetlag’s kicking in. I’m going to get some rest. I’ll be back lat
er.”
Michael followed her, keeping his eyes on her delectable mouth. No way was she leaving until he had gotten a taste. He stalked her until he had her right where he wanted her.
“Michael, I’m getting back into church myself and I—”
By this time Michael had snatched her close to him. Verona was saying something but all he saw were her lips moving. He knew he should be thinking of Lauren, but this tiger needed taming and he was the only one suited for the task.
Michael used his other hand to raise her chin, imprisoning her with his strength. Then he lowered his head to suck on her neck marking his territory.
Verona pummeled his back with her fists but he didn’t loosen his grip until her skin glistened with his love bruise. She stomped over to the mirror and arched her neck. “I can’t believe you! That’s juvenile. Which judge is going to take me seriously with this red blotch on my neck!”
Michael moved in behind Verona until his body cradled hers and they were both looking at each other through the glass. He studied his handiwork before smiling with satisfaction. Their eyes met.
Keeping his eyes on her, Michael lifted her hair to kiss her exposed ear. She liked watching, he noted. He loosened the buttons on her shirt. Her eyes darkened. While they faced the mirror, he moved a hand down her chest. Leaving it there to play, he kissed her cheek and twisted her head to meet his mouth.
“Michael!” a voice boomed.
For a split second, Michael froze. Then Verona sprung into action. He had never seen someone button a shirt so fast.
When had Keith returned? Like two teenagers caught with their pants down, Michael and Verona hurriedly adjusted their clothes. He shielded her body with his own until she was presentable. He saw her failure to hide his love mark and Verona elbowed him in the ribs.
“Didn’t you hear the door open?” he growled into her ear, turning the blame on her.
“I can’t believe you’re pinning this on me!” Verona furiously whispered.
“I cannot have this in my home,” Keith said. “Verona, please leave. I must have a talk with my brother.”
Verona strove to preserve her dignity with professionalism. “I came to get caught up on the case.”
The Fall of the Prodigal Page 21