Chapter 25
Gideon did a quick headcount. It was a large bunch, but he’d expected more. Some who’d initially said they were definitely coming hadn’t turned up.
“I thought there would be more,” Nikki said, chewing on her thumbnail.
“It’s my own fault. I did tell them that, if they were scared or uncomfortable, they shouldn’t come.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t have.”
“Don’t say that. I rely on you for your consistently positive outlook.”
“Really?”
“I’ve gotten used to it.”
She used her fingers to push her mouth into a smile. “Wow.” She said through closed teeth. “Look at all the people. There are so many.”
He laughed. “Thanks.”
“Feel better?”
“No. But there’s one good thing about the numbers. ”
“What’s that?”
“If we turn up at Fairfax’s door and attempt to get him to cooperate by sheer numbers, this won’t cut it.”
“That’s a good thing?”
“At least we know what not to do.”
“I guess we’re lucky that God doesn’t need us, right?”
“You’re asking me?” Gideon said.
“Rhetorical question. It will take a miracle. So, when God moves, there will be no doubt it’s really Him.”
“You’d think so, but you’d be surprised how easy it is to see a miracle and find a way to dismiss it.”
“Yeah, but if He does something impossible, we can’t put it down to our own strength.”
“You’re saying we should get rid of some more?” His heart skipped a beat, but he shrugged it away.
“Don’t get carried away. Our numbers are low enough as it is. And I know you want positivity, but I’m a little afraid about what Fairfax will do. I trust God completely, and I also don’t. I hope you aren’t relying on my positive attitude too much in this because my faith is not always as strong as I like to pretend it is.”
“No, you’re right.” He shouldn’t be looking to her for strength. He was the one God had shown over and over again that this was real. She should be able to lean on him, and she deserved to know the full reason he was still here.
He scrubbed a hand down his face. “And there’s something I haven’t told you.”
“Is this a bad something or a good something? ”
“It’s the reason I’m here right now. Why I didn’t leave town.”
“Then it’s a good something.”
“You remember after I spoke to Eric, I said you’d probably think I’m crazy?”
“Yeah.”
“Things got crazier.”
“Did Eric come back and speak to you again?”
“No. This was…weirder.”
“I’m listening.”
He told her about the mat and the towel, then let her sit in silence for several minutes. He wasn’t sure what to make of the frown on her face.
“I feel like I should say something,” she finally said. “But I don’t know what.”
“It’s crazy.”
She shook her head. “I’ve never heard anything like it. I shouldn’t believe you.”
“I’d understand if you didn’t.”
“I’m making all of these excuses in my head about how you must have gotten it wrong.”
“Like I said, it’s easy to dismiss a miracle. I did too at the time.”
“I always thought, if God did a real miracle, like what you’ve told me, that I’d be so excited and overwhelmed and amazed, but I’m none of those things. I’m more confused and scared.”
“Scared?”
“What if we believe it’s true, and we get it wrong?”
“We could. ”
She sat quietly for another minute, then said, “All of that aside. I’m still with you in this.”
“Does that mean you don’t believe me?”
“I don’t know what to believe anymore. I’m trying to figure out what God’s doing, but every time I start to get a handle on it, He pivots.”
“That’s a good way to put it.”
“But there’s no point picking it apart. We’re still moving forward, right?”
“I know I am.”
“Then we should get going.”
She headed for the stage to get everyone rounded up, but Gideon followed to stop her. The joked he’d made about lowering the numbers further was now an urge he couldn’t ignore any longer. He’d been waiting for clarity on anything, but when he got it, he didn’t want it anymore.
“Let me,” he said.
“Sure.”
He walked up onto the stage and braced himself. It had been as clear as when he’d known he had to cut down the totem poles, and it made him a little sick.
He glanced at Nikki before addressing the room. “Can I have everyone’s attention?”
Everyone settled, and he shifted from one foot to the other, unsure how to say what he had to say.
“So, uh…I want to make sure everyone is hydrated before we go. If you could all go to the water cooler and get a drink, that would be great.”
Nikki gave him an odd look, and he offered a lopsided smile .
“What if we brought a water bottle?” Ty said.
“Make sure it’s full.”
Ty nodded and got in line with the rest.
“How long do you expect us to be out there tonight?” Nikki whispered. “Did I miss something?”
“Hydration is important.”
“I agree, but I could have told everyone to get a drink.”
“This isn’t about water.”
“It’s not?”
“No. God asked me to do it.”
“God did.”
“Yeah. There are still too many.”
“Too many what?”
“People.”
“Are you kidding me? I thought you were joking before.”
“I was. Not anymore.”
“What does getting a drink have to do with numbers?”
“I know this is hard. It’s strange, and I don’t really get it myself, but I’m trying to be obedient.”
“And you believe God told you there’s still too many of us?”
“Yeah.”
“And then He told you to ask everyone to have a drink?”
“Did you bring a water bottle?”
“Yeah, but I always have one.”
“Because you like to be prepared.”
“I guess. ”
“Good. Then you can stand over there.”
“Why?”
“You’ll see.”
He waited until everyone had gotten through the line. Those who held cups he had stand to one side. His dad was in that group. The ones with water bottles he had stand with Nikki.
“All of you,” he said to those with Nikki, “get yourselves ready to go.” Then he turned to the other group. “I’m going to need the rest of you to remain here.”
They erupted in protest. Joey was the loudest. “What do you think you’re doing? We have as much right to go as you do.”
“Yes. But I need some to remain here in case Fairfax comes this way.” It was the best excuse he could think of. “We can’t be sure he won’t retaliate. He’s already shown he’s not against setting a building on fire. We have to make sure he can’t come here and do more damage. I’ll need those of you who remain to stand guard. And if anything happens to the rest of us, I need to know there’s still another group left to fight another day. If there are any more protests, you can save it for when I get back.”
To silence everyone, he jumped off the stage and marched outside.
Nikki’s arm pressed against Gideon’s as they laid flat on the ground in the same place as the last time they were there .
Gideon was looking through the binoculars, trying to ignore her proximity. He focused on the living room window. The light was on, but he couldn’t see anyone there.
He shifted, moving the lenses back to the driveway where several cars were parked. One was the sheriff’s cruiser.
“I’ll have to get closer,” he whispered. “Something is definitely going on.”
“Maybe I should go,” Nikki said. “You stay here.”
“Why?” He rolled back so he could look at her from a safer distance.
“Because they want you dead. If they catch you sneaking around, you’ll be in much bigger trouble than if they catch me. I’ll just get a slap on the wrist, but you?—”
“They’ll do more than a slap on the wrist if they find you snooping.”
“You know what I mean.”
“Nikki, these guys aren’t messing around. You are risking a lot being here. Everyone is.” He turned and looked back into the darkness where the rest of the group was waiting. He’d expected the trepidation that had clenched tight in his gut all day to loosen once they were on site, but it had only gotten worse.
You’re afraid
It was a gentle whisper from God. Gideon knew his fear wasn’t hidden from heaven, but he hadn’t expected God to mention it. There were so many things to fear. He could make the wrong move. He was afraid of getting any of these people—especially Nikki—into trouble. He was afraid of the shame he’d face if he failed. Everything was riding on his next decision.
Get up! The voice again.
“Gideon, we?—”
“Wait—” He stopped Nikki from speaking. “Give me a second.” Using the binoculars again, he looked at nothing. He needed a second to think and to listen.
Go down to the house. I’ve already given you victory, but if you’re still afraid, go down and listen to what they are saying, and you will be greatly encouraged.
Nikki touched his arm. “I’m sorry. I’m not trying to make this harder on you. Take your time.”
Gideon sucked in a breath of the night air. “You stay here. I need to go myself.”
“No, you?—”
“You’re going to have to trust me.” He shifted on to his knees.
“I’m coming.”
“Please.” He rested a hand on her shoulder. “Please. I need you to wait here. I have to do this on my own.”
“Okay.” She must have heard the urgency in his voice. “I’ll wait here. Promise.”
“Thank you.” He waited a beat before moving away—sensing more than feeling the loss of her body heat close to his—and hurried down the hill.
There was one other window that was lit up, but the blinds were drawn, so he couldn’t see inside. Now that he was crouching beside it, he could see a sliver of the room. It was enough to catch a glimpse of movement. But he couldn’t tell who or how many were in there.
He stood, trying to get a better perspective, when a shadow moved near the window and the drapes were thrown open. He dropped to the ground, his back scraping the side of the house. The thudding in his heart was louder than the crickets chirping nearby.
The window slid open, and he held his breath.
“I’m sorry, but it’s too stuffy in here with that fire lit. I can barely breathe.”
Gideon recognized the voice as Deputy Cole’s.
“You’ve got the most sensitive thermostat of anyone I’ve ever known,” Fairfax said. “How did such a sissy get a job working in law enforcement?”
“You tell me,” Cole retorted. “You’re the one who told Peters to hire me. And it wasn’t for my sensitivity.”
“Boys,” Peters said. “Can we cease with the bickering?”
“What do you need a fire for anyway?” Cole said. “It’s summer.”
“I like the ambiance, and it’s a cool night,” Fairfax said. “Besides, it’s my house, and I can do what I want. You don’t like it, you can go.”
Cole scoffed. “I would if you meant it. But you need me now more than ever.”
“If I recall, I did fine running this place without you.”
“Yeah, but the times are changing, and your threats aren’t good enough anymore. ”
“Oh, no? Then why is the whole town running scared?”
“They’re running back to church.” Another voice. This one Gideon recognized as Phineas.
“That’s on you,” Cole said.
“Oh, I see. It’s my job to do all the heavy lifting around here?” Phineas said. “I can’t do everything.”
“You do alright for yourself. Taking money to tell people made up stuff. They love you for it. If only they knew they were being swindled.”
“I mean every word I say, and they rely on me because I rescued them from the lies of that church.”
“Then why are they going back?”
“Nikki,” Phineas spat. “She’s feeding them the same crap her dad did.”
“And they’re lapping it up because you haven’t done your job properly,” Cole said.
“Gideon took down the totem poles. It takes time to build new ones.”
“It’s taking too long. They’re getting ready to turn on us.”
“They can’t turn on us,” Fairfax said. “I’ve taken the fight out of them.”
“That’s what you think,” Cole said. “But I’m out there on the street every day. You don’t control these people anymore. You're nothing but a washed up?—”
Gideon heard a scuffle, then Peters said, “Knock it off. We don’t need to fight. We’re grown men. Let’s act like it.”
“Tell that to Mayor Fairfax,” Cole said. “He’s the one who’s gone overboard in his rage. ”
“Come off your high horse,” Peters said. “We’ve all seen how you react under pressure. What we need to do is consolidate.”
“That’s what I’ve been doing,” Fairfax said. “Cutting the head off the snake. Gideon’s gone, and now they’re all drowning in their own misery.”
“At the church,” Cole said.
“Don’t worry about that,” Phineas said. “When things keep getting worse, they’ll turn on each other like they did last time.”
“The town is in such a mess,” Fairfax said, “they’ll be looking for someone to blame. And trust me, it won’t be me.”
“It’s not gonna be me,” Cole said.
“It won’t be any of us.”
“Then who?”
“Nikki Morris,” Phineas said.
Gideon flinched.
Cole laughed. “Is that who you’ve been lining up?”
“She’s the easy target,” Fairfax said. “Like her dad. You want to point the finger at anyone, the church is your best bet. Everyone is always ready to blame the church.”
“But Nikki isn’t leading anyone,” Cole said. “From what I heard, she’s their leader only because there’s no one else. She’s a small target.”
“And small targets can be hard to hit,” Peters said.
“They’ve lost everything, and they’re looking to her for answers,” Fairfax said. “When she can’t give them any, they’ll turn on her. It’s as simple as that.”
“You had better hope so.” Cole moved back to the window. “I don’t run away from a fight or complain about getting my hands dirty, but bringing all those people to the brink of despair is just plain stupid. That kind of behavior is what starts a revolution.”
Phineas laughed. “That’s over the top, don’t you think?”
“No, I don’t. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re on their way here right now with pitchforks and torches.”
“Yeah right. A bunch of lazy, whining nobodies,” Fairfax said. “You saw the way they bowed to those wooden monstrosities in the town square.”
“Excuse me?” Phineas said.
“Oh, come off it. You’ve always been in it for the money. Don’t tell me you got sentimental about them.”
“I take my job seriously.”
“You’re too full of yourself to take your job seriously. All you care about is looking good.”
“You don’t think I care about the wellbeing of these people?”
Fairfax scoffed. “I can’t believe I’m listening to this drivel. They served a purpose, and they’re not as devoted to you as you think they are.”
“You saw the way I led them to tear Gideon apart.”
“Yeah, for half a second.”
“Gentleman,” Peters said. “Please.”
“You haven’t offered much besides platitudes, Peters,” Fairfax said. “What do you have to say about it?”
“Yeah,” Cole said. “You’ve been awfully quiet.”
“That’s ’cause you all won’t shut up. ”
“Pick a side, Sheriff.”
“Hey,” Peters said. A creak of leather made it sound like he’d stood up from the couch. “I’ve never made it a secret that there’s only one person I look out for, and that’s me. Fairfax, you’ve been a lucrative relationship, but if this whole thing blows up in your face, don’t expect me to bail you out. I already used up my favor with ICE.”
“I see,” Fairfax said. “You’re a coward? I’m the one who’s got the most skin in the game. And I’m the one who has the most to lose. You’re happy to sing my praises when we’re all on a high, happy to let me do what I like. When I was buying up the real estate in town, you all sat back and let me do all the heavy lifting while you got to watch and reap all the benefits. Well, not anymore. If you’re ready to jump ship, be my guest, but when everything cools down and I’m on top again, don’t come crawling back.”
“All I’m saying,” Peters said, “is that you need to take a step back if you want things to continue how they’ve been going. We need to lie low and hope they don’t get any ideas in their heads.”
Too late , Gideon thought.
“But if you insist on pushing these people,” Peters continued. “I can guarantee you’ll lose them. Maybe you already have.”
“And if I have, you’ll throw your lot in with them?”
“No. I’m washing my hands. I won’t sacrifice any more for you if things go south from here.”
“Me either,” Cole said.
After skirting away from the window, Gideon hurried back to Nikki and took her hand before she had a chance to ask any questions. He pulled her into the darkness where the others were waiting.
“Fairfax is losing them,” Gideon said when he faced the group. “I heard them talking. They’re turning against each other, worried that people will revolt. Peters is ready to jump ship. If he and Cole see that the whole town has turned against them, they’ll give in.”
“That’s great,” Ty said. “Except for one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“We don’t have the whole town. Maybe if we’d brought the others, but even then, it’s clear we’re not backed by the majority.”
“That’s okay. We don’t need the whole town. We’ve got God.”
“I hope you’re not going to suggest we march around the farm seven times,” Gunther said.
“This isn’t Jericho,” Nikki said but then looked at Gideon. “That’s not your idea, right?”
“No. God’s given me a better one. But I do want you all to know that God’s already given us victory, like he did with Jericho. Before the walls came down, He said they’d already won. And that’s what I heard tonight. We’ve already won.”
“I’m ready,” Nikki said.
Gideon looked at each of the twenty people who were with him, and they all confirmed their commitment .
“Good. I’ll need us to gather all the flashlights we have and anything we might have that will make some noise. And we’re going to need to spread out the vehicles.”