Broken is the Grave

by Candle Sutton

  Eighteen

  Bethany bit back a groan as the alarm on her phone vibrated. Why did morning always come too soon?

  Beside her, Becca stirred, mumbling something Bethany couldn’t make out, then relaxed back into sleep.

  The fact that Becca was still sleeping was a small miracle in itself. Last night had taken a toll on all of them.

  It had taken hours to settle the kids enough to sleep. Even longer for her to settle.

  Every time she’d drifted off, she’d jerked awake to the sound of screams and gunfire.

  During the long night, she’d wrestled with the decision before her. Did they remain on the boat? Or did they need to leave?

  Not only had they brought danger to Zeke and his family, but they clearly weren’t safe here any longer.

  James’ killer had found them.

  There was only one way onto the boat, but that also meant there was only one way off. It would be easy for James’ killer to trap them.

  But where would she go? She had no money. Her apartment clearly wasn’t any safer.

  Maybe Zander would have an idea. Was witness protection an option?

  Speaking of Zander, he’d be here in less than two hours.

  She shoved back the covers and stepped out of bed. Time to get ready so she could make sure the kids were fed and ready for Elly…

  Elly!

  Memories of Elly’s pale face from the night before flickered in her mind. Was Elly even in any shape to watch the kids?

  Maybe she wouldn’t be going to the prison after all.

  The idea brought a shaft of relief.

  Visiting James’ former cellmate wasn’t really something she wanted to do. Maybe this was an easy out.

  But the man might have answers. If not about who wanted James dead, about the man James had become the last four years.

  She showered quickly, then headed upstairs.

  Voices drifted down the stairwell as she approached the top.

  “Does it hurt?” JJ’s voice held a hint of awe.

  “Not anymore.” Elly’s voice was softer than usual, but things were quiet enough that she could still be heard.

  JJ caught sight of her the second her feet hit the top deck. “Mom! Did you know that Elly healed Zeke?”

  “God.” Elly’s voice drew JJ’s attention back to her. “Only God can heal. He just used my hands to do it this time.”

  Elly’s face still held a hint of death, but she looked much better than she had the night before.

  Stretched out across the sofa with a soft-looking throw draped over her legs, she rested her head against a throw pillow.

  The lack of blood on her clothes evidenced that she’d made it downstairs sometime during the night – or perhaps morning – hours to change. That was a good sign, right?

  “How are you feeling?”

  A faint smile crossed Elly’s face, lacking its usual spark but still containing a warmth that few people in Bethany’s life possessed. “Better. Bouncing back always takes longer than I’d like. Zeke’s going to help watch the kids today.”

  “I can cancel. I never would’ve set this up if I’d known what was going to happen last night.”

  Of course, if she’d known what was going to happen, she wouldn’t have come anywhere near the boat.

  Or maybe would never have left it in the first place.

  “No. This is important.” Elly smiled at JJ. “We’ll be fine without her for a few hours, right?”

  JJ nodded. “Yeah.”

  Bethany focused in on JJ. Color had returned to his cheeks, but his eyes looked sunken and the bags beneath them could probably hold all their meager belongings.

  “Did you sleep okay?”

  With a small shrug, he averted his eyes.

  That meant no. Not that she was surprised.

  Well, it would come. Eventually.

  At least he wasn’t going to school this tired. Although she’d have to get him back in class sooner rather than later. The last thing she wanted was for him to get too far behind.

  Surely the school had security protocols that could be enacted to help protect him until this was over. Make sure he didn’t leave the classroom until she picked him up or something. She already knew the building was pretty secure during the day while classes were in session.

  It didn’t matter that she wasn’t ready to let him go. She needed to.

  His teacher had been accommodating so far, sending assignments home with Zander, who’d stopped by yesterday to collect them, but that wouldn’t last forever.

  Well, tomorrow was Friday. Maybe she’d try to get down to the school tomorrow to talk to the principal about increased security measures, then send him back starting Monday.

  Oh! Maybe she ought to pray about it.

  Why was that never her first response?

  Oh, God. Would you give me wisdom? I can’t lose JJ.

  The words stopped there, but she didn’t think she needed more words. God knew.

  She looked at her son, noticing the dirt smudged on his chin and neck. How had she missed that earlier?

  “Looks like you need a shower.”

  “Mooom.” He rolled his eyes.

  “Go on. I’ll get some breakfast going, then you can start on your homework.”

  His shoulders drooped. “Fine.”

  He trudged toward the stairs as though approaching his own funeral.

  A soft giggle slipped from Elly. “It’s hard to be a kid.”

  Bethany felt a smile working the corners of her mouth. “No fooling.”

  As she shifted positions, a small grimace flashed across Elly’s face.

  “Are you in pain?”

  A shiver rocked Elly and she pulled the blanket up close to her neck. “It’s more discomfort than pain. It’s hard to describe.”

  “I’m sorry. That I brought this trouble here and Zeke got shot and you….”

  “It isn’t your fault. And I’m glad you guys are here. Besides, you’re special to Zeke.”

  So. Others had noticed.

  Heat touched her cheeks. “I… I like him, too.”

  Not just like. She knew she was on her way to loving him.

  But what if he didn’t like what he saw once he got to know her better? She didn’t think she could handle another loss like that.

  “What caused that frown?”

  Bethany blinked at Elly’s question. She’d frowned? Evidently so. “I’m just afraid once he really gets to know me, he’ll leave, too. He wouldn’t be the first.”

  Struggling to a sitting position, Elly speared her with intense eyes. “You don’t need to worry about that. In our land, things work a lot differently than they do here. Once we choose someone, we don’t change our minds. Love is forever for us.”

  Wouldn’t that be nice? But it couldn’t be so simple. “You aren’t in your land. You’re in mine.”

  “It doesn’t matter. It’s hard-wired into our brains.”

  If only James had been hard-wired that way, she wouldn’t be in this mess. “And you think Zeke’s chosen me.”

  “I can’t speak for him. All I know is that Zeke is a very decisive man. He doesn’t waffle in his decisions and once he’s made up his mind, only God can change it.”

  What would happen if Zeke chose her but she didn’t choose him back? The question lingered in Bethany’s mind, but she couldn’t ask it.

  Maybe she didn’t want to know.

  If love was forever for these people, as Elly claimed, then they couldn’t love another.

  This was too deep a topic for first thing in the morning.

  “So where is Zeke anyway?” As much as she tried for a casual tone, Elly’s expression told her she’d failed.

  “He went down to the mission to see Reuben. He wanted to go early so that he can be back before Zander picks you up.”

  Speaking of her kids…

  Bethany pushed up from her chair. “JJ should be about done with his shower and I promised him breakfast. Can I make
you anything?”

  Elly paused. “I guess I am a little hungry.”

  That was a good sign, right? “What would you like?”

  “Whatever you’re having is fine.”

  “I thought I’d make some muffins.” She was pretty sure she’d seen blueberries in the fridge. “If it’s okay for me to use your blueberries.”

  “That sounds great.” Sincerity rang in Elly’s tone. “Please help yourself.”

  “My mom has this great recipe and somehow I’ve managed to retain it up here.” She tapped her temple lightly.

  It was one of several recipes she remembered from her childhood. Her mom had made almost everything from scratch.

  Elly’s eyes drifted closed momentarily but she snapped them back open.

  “You should rest. The muffins will take at least a half hour. Long enough for a power nap.”

  Elly nodded. “I think I will. But wake me when they’re ready, okay? I love to have them hot.”

  As she pulled ingredients from the cupboards, Bethany’s mind drifted to the woman who had taught her how to bake blueberry muffins.

  It’d been almost ten years since she’d spoken with her parents. A little less since she’d spoken with her siblings, both of whom had constantly lectured her about how much she’d disappointed their parents.

  Still, she should’ve done a better job at staying in touch. Or at least keeping tabs on them. What if something had happened to one of them in her absence?

  “You could try calling them.”

  She jumped, the egg flying out of her hand and splatting on the floor.

  Josiah stooped to wipe it up. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

  She stared at him. He’d known her thoughts. Perfectly.

  “H-how did you do that?”

  “Clean up an egg?” The arched eyebrow and small smirk said he knew precisely what she was talking about.

  “My family. How did you know?”

  He tossed the eggshells and dirty paper towel in the trash before turning to face her. “God told me. Not everything, but He said that you haven’t spoken to them in a long time and that you miss them.”

  A humorless laugh burst out as she cracked an egg on the side of the bowl with a little more force than necessary. Yolk slimed her fingers. “Too bad the feeling isn’t mutual.”

  “How do you know it’s not?” Josiah leaned against the counter, his fingers hooked in the pockets on his jeans. “Time has a way of changing people.”

  Somehow that felt very ominous. Did he know something she didn’t? “Change them how?”

  He shrugged. “On the inside. Things that seemed important before might not be as important now.”

  Maybe she should call them. While they knew about JJ, they had no idea Pete or Becca even existed.

  Surely, they’d want to know all their grandkids, right?

  Although they hadn’t wanted anything to do with JJ when she’d told them she was pregnant. Why should that change now?

  She stirred the batter with a vengeance, as though taking her frustrations out on it was going to help.

  “Just think about it.”

  She nodded. “So, tell me what I should know about visiting the prison.”

  “Didn’t Zander give you instructions?”

  “Well, yeah, about what to wear and stuff. But not what to expect.” Prison movies that she’d watched over the years flooded back. In those movies, visitors – often a woman – were paraded between rows of cells amid much whistling and vulgar catcalls. Hands would stretch between the bars to try to touch her, and usually some creep with a long reach would succeed.

  Ugh.

  She couldn’t do this. Was it too late to call the whole thing off?

  “The darkness is strong there.” Josiah’s face turned somber, his tone grave. “Scripture promises that the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it and that’s true. Yet the darkness is more concentrated there, which makes the light shine much more brightly.”

  What was he talking about? Light and darkness? “I’m not following.”

  “There’s a lot of spiritual activity there. Great opposition to the light. Yet in spite of that, the gospel is spreading. Jesus is working.”

  Spiritual activity. Angels and demons. “Are you saying there are demons there?”

  A shiver rocketed down her spine.

  No way. There was no way she was setting foot inside that place now!

  “Bethany. Demons are everywhere in this world. But you are a child of the King and He is your protector. Cling to Him and you have nothing to fear.”

  Yeah, except people who might kill her and leave her children orphans.

  “What happens if I run into one of these demons?”

  Josiah’s purple eyes locked on her, the intensity drilling into her like little laser beams. “You likely won’t know it. But if you run into one and there’s adversity, remember Whose you are. The name of Jesus, spoken by a believer in faith, is a powerful thing.”

  She tried to envision invoking the name of Jesus and ordering a demon around.

  Right. Like that would work.

  Sure, it worked for Josiah, but he was perfect. She was far from it.

  “So, uh, other than the… darkness… what’s it like? For visitors?”

  “Everything is done with order and safety in mind. The guards don’t want an incident any more than you do. Visitors are screened and searched, then escorted into the visitation room. The inmate is brought to the visitation room, which is carefully watched by guards.” He studied her for a second. “Although going in with Zander might make your experience a little different.”

  She hoped so. The idea of being searched was less than appealing.

  A sigh slid from her. She really did not want to do this.

  Yet she needed to do it. Speaking with James’ cellmate might be the only way she could learn anything about who her husband had become.

  She scooped muffin batter into the cups of a nonstick muffin pan that looked like it had hardly been used.

  “Were you volunteering there when James was inside?”

  Josiah nodded. “But I didn’t know him. As a volunteer, my access is very limited. The only inmates I meet are those who opt to come to the Bible study.”

  Which meant James had never gone to the Bible study.

  Given his attitude toward God and religion, that didn’t surprise her, but she’d hoped that maybe going to prison had changed things.

  “Do a lot of guys come to the study?” She slid the full muffin pan into the oven before turning back to Josiah.

  “I have about a dozen regulars in both my classes.” He shook his head slowly. “I think I’d have more, if I could get out and spend time with the guys in the general population.”

  “Why can’t you?”

  “Security reasons. Only guards are allowed out there. Chaplains have a bit more access, but volunteers are limited to the room where we hold our study.”

  Chaplain. She could see him doing that. “Have you ever thought about going on staff? Becoming a chaplain?”

  “Ah, but you have to be authorized to work in this country. I’m here on a tourist visa.”

  That’s right. She’d forgotten that Zeke and his family weren’t citizens. “You can’t work on a tourist visa?”

  “No, but volunteering is different than working. Prison ministry is usually pretty hard to get into, especially for a non-citizen, but I got to know one of the chaplains through a local church and he somehow smoothed things over.”

  She didn’t know how that had worked and she suspected if she asked, Josiah would tell her God had done it.

  Maybe He had. Human laws and tourist visas had no hold over God.

  Wait.

  Tourist visas weren’t good indefinitely.

  Someday, probably soon, they’d have to leave. Zeke would have to leave.

  The thought stole her breath.

  “How long do you have left on y
our visa?” She hated that she cared so much. It’d only been a week since she’d met Zeke! Yet she already felt like he was an integral part of her life.

  “About three months. We’ve all been praying about what God would have us do next. Between us,” he winked and dropped his tone to a conspiratorial whisper, “I think Zander’s going to marry Elly by then, so it’s really just Zeke and me who need to figure this out.”

  Would Elly really marry Zander in such a short amount of time?

  Then again, Elly herself had said that once they loved someone, it was permanent. And it was hard to ignore the fact that Elly and Zander had something special.

  The bigger question was if Zander would marry Elly. Short engagements and quick marriages weren’t a big part of the American culture.

  Although if that was what it took to keep Elly in the country, she suspected Zander might do it.

  Well, that was their problem, not hers. She had enough to worry about.

  And Zeke being forced to leave the country had just been added to the list.

  ₪ ₪ ₪

  “You did what?” Tobias’ hands curled into fists.

  “I missed.” The rookie’s voice trembled as he took a small step back. “I’m sorry, man. I know I screwed up, but it was dark and–”

  “Missing is the one thing you did right!” Tobias pulled in a long breath. “We need her. Alive. She’s got the codes, remember?”

  “She was talking to that cop! The one looking into James’ death. I had to stop her.”

  “She doesn’t know anything.” Horns honked outside the window of the rookie’s small apartment, evidence of the mundane lives of the poor people outside. People he did not want to be like. His stability, his success, all rested on the knowledge in the woman’s head. Didn’t this idiot get that? “She dies and we lose millions. You want that?”

  The rookie clamped his lips together.

  He knew trusting this kid had been a mistake. He was too green for a job so important.

  But he’d had no other options.

  Just as he had no other options now.

  He swung hard, his fist colliding with the rookie’s temple.

  The roundhouse he followed with took the rookie to the ground. Half a dozen other well-placed blows ensured that the rookie wouldn’t be shooting at the woman, or anyone else, ever again.

  Now to wash up.