Prophets and Loss (A Johnny Ravine Mystery)

by Martin Roth

  Chapter Eighteen

  I walked home from the church, once more in brood mode. So I needed to love myself more? At least the pastor didn’t say – as Melissa once had – that I needed to get in touch with my feelings.

  Back at my apartment I brewed some coffee and checked my telephone answering machine. I had received a message. It was from Papa Guzman.

  “Johnny, you have to come round immediately.” There was urgency in his voice. “I’ve talked to some people. Johnny, it’s much worse than you think. There’s something absolutely major happening. I think I know a lot of it. This is dreadful. We’re in action again, you and I. Like the old times. It’s that group you mentioned. The Prophets. And that place where your friend got killed. They’re all right at the heart of it. Come round quickly. I’m counting on you, Johnny. We’re going to stop it.”

  I rewound the tape and played it again. I could clearly discern something else in his voice, besides urgency.

  It was excitement.

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