CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Lieutenant Sarah Brennan stood on the porch of the chapel and prayed silently. Her thoughts were troubled, and she didn’t want to tackle the traffic-laden drive home with troubled thoughts.
Two of her fellow servants of God had been murdered over the past two days.
She had known Daniel Cruz personally. While their beliefs differed in some areas of doctrine, the core of their belief was the same.
Faith in God, salvation through His grace, kindness and goodwill toward others, and upright living.
Sometimes Sarah wished that people would just ignore everything else and focus on the basics.
She rarely shared that opinion with her father, an old-school Southern Baptist who strongly held to the traditions of that sect.
Not that he was wasting time on those differences now. He was as devastated by the loss of Hayes and Cruz as she was, and Hayes was a Catholic.
You’re still focusing on the differences. That’s why you’re troubled. Do you believe that they are both in the arms of God?
“Yes,” she replied without hesitation.
Then that’s what matters. Their deaths aren’t a weapon for the Pharisees and Sadducees to use to argue the finer points of the law. They are tragedies for those on Earth but a celebration in Heaven. God has welcomed two of His children home.
She smiled softly. “Thank you.”
She started toward her car but stopped a moment later when a voice called to her, “Good service, Preacher.”
She turned around and smiled at the figure standing just around the corner, partially hidden by the shadows cast by the deepening twilight. “Thank you.” Her brow furrowed. “I don’t believe we’ve met before.”
“Do you know every member of your congregation?” the figure asked.
“The ones who attend regularly, yes,” she replied. “I’m afraid that number’s rather small.”
“Hmm. You really care about those people, don’t you?”
There was an edge to the figure’s voice that concerned Sarah. Panic flickered across her mind, but she prevented it from controlling her. Be strong and of a good courage. “I do. And my love is nothing compared to God’s.”
The figure laughed, a sick, frenetic sound. Sarah took a step backward before she gained her courage again. “Would you like to pray with me?” she asked the figure.
“Pray. Ho-lee shit. You guys really eat that up, don’t you?”
Sarah’s hands began to tremble, but she had committed to serving God’s children, and she would not let Satan strike her with terror. “I would be happy to pray with you,” she repeated. “Will you come over here so I can see your face?”
“You wouldn’t happen to remember the attack on Killi, would you?”
Sarah’s blood chilled. Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. “I do. were you present at that operation?”
“I was. That was the last time I watched someone die in my arms while a false prophet prayed over them.”
There was no doubt now. This person was going to kill her. Fear as white and powerful as a flood rushed through her mind. She reached blindly for her Savior, and praise be to God, she felt His hand take hers and lead her up out of the raging storm.
“When you’re ready, God will be waiting for you, my child.”
The killer flinched. For a moment, Sarah thought the killer might be reconsidering. Then the killer snarled, “You goddamned bitch,” and rushed forward with blinding speed. She saw a glimmer of light reflect off the wire, then felt it cinch tightly around her neck.
Her air was immediately cut off, but while her body gasped for oxygen, her heart saw the anguish in the killer’s eyes. She said her final prayer. Please, show mercy, Father.
“Hey! Let her go now!”
The killer stiffened. “Oh, shit!”
Then the wire was gone. Sarah gasped and brought a trembling hand to her neck. The killer had disappeared.
An officer ran past her, firing his weapon three times. “Stop, asshole!” He glanced at Sarah. “Beg pardon, ma’am.”
Then he ran after Sarah’s would-be murderer.
Another officer put her arms around Sarah. “Are you all right?”
“Don’t shoot,” Sarah wheezed. “Please. Don’t shoot.”
The officer stared at her in amazement, then whistled. “Damn. You sure take this mercy shit seriously.”
It disturbed and saddened Sarah how close those words were to the words of the killer a moment ago.