A gray rainy mess met Lee as he stepped out the front door of his house. He lived in the suburbs thanks to his former wife’s desire to live the American dream. He hated it with all of the passion he had. That was part of the reason they split up. That and the fact that he shot blanks and couldn’t give her the two children that she felt was her god given right.
He had been trying to sell the place for a year, but so far no luck. A decorator friend helped him eradicate every trace of her and made the whole affair more masculine. It wasn’t the house that he hated so much as it was the area around it. Everyone drove the same cars, sent their brats to the same schools, ate at the same restaurants. Boring didn’t begin to describe it. The squat, gray sedan that he drove thanks to the department stuck out like the proverbial sore thumb. He got into it and pulled smoothly out of the driveway.
The only case he had pressing on him right now was this Owen thing, Apparently someone was giving the chief static about getting it wrapped up even thought the guy had only been dead for two days. That was more than a little suspicious to both men, but Owen had lined his fair share of political pockets. Any enemies he had, or for that matter friends that could be embarrassed by investigations and that could be the source of the heat. No matter what the reason though he had given Lee one week to make some progress.
Lee didn’t bother fighting it. Any other case and he might have gone ten rounds. Quitting wasn’t his style. He decided to hit the newspaper morgue and see if he could find any known associates. Owen was something of a recluse. Either that or the people he hung out with didn’t like the spotlight any more than he did. Halfway there his cell rang. He pulled over before answering. “Winston.”
The voice on the other end was firm and deep. “I understand that you’re the detective that’s investigating the Owen case?”
“I am. How can I help you?” He held the phone with his shoulder and dug out a pen and paper,
“I’m with the person responsible and he wishes to give himself in.”
Lee controlled his emotion. “Well I can meet the two of you at Police headquarters and we’ll take his confession there.
“He would prefer it if you meet us at a different location. At the moment we both fear that his life might be in danger. Mr. Owen has some very influential friends that might wish him harm.”
Lee supposed that could be true. His own native suspicion suggested that this was either a prank or as far fetched as it may sound a trap of some sort. “Fine, I think we can do that.”
“One more thing Detective.”
“Go ahead.”
“We request that you come alone. He won’t resist in any way so there’s no need of backup. Your reputation is impeccable.”
He couldn’t resist a smile. You’ve been talking to the wrong people. He thought to himself. “Okay fine. Where shall we meet?” When given the answer he felt simultaneously better and worse. “Okay. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”
Chris hung up the phone and looked at Matt as he sat in the pew with his head bowed. The pastor was relieved when the young man appeared on the doorstep of his house. They came to the church, talking about how they wanted to handle the surrender. Chris had been the one to recommend that the detective come to the church. It wasn’t strictly speaking for the reason he had given either man, though the reason had been a good one.
“Amen.” Matt raised his head and looked out the windows that ran along on side of the sanctuary. It would have been nice to see stained glass there. That particular art was dying along with so many other parts of church tradition. Now most churches had more in common with coffee houses than the synagogues that they had morphed from. Westridge, as good as its people and pastor were, had fallen into that trap in some ways. His gaze shifted to the man that had been his spiritual leader and mentor for the last three years. “Well I guess I’m ready as I’ll ever be.” Matt looked troubled.
“What’s wrong brother?” He realized how silly that sounded. “Outside of the obvious, I mean.”
“Robin and I had a fight last night.” He stood and came around the long wooden bench. “I take responsibility for being a jerk and not thinking about how what I did would affect her. I think it’s too early to call her, but I want her to know how much I love her and how badly I feel for what I’ve done to us. Can you call her and tell her that for me?”
Chris came down from the stage and hugged Matt. “I’m sure that you’ll have a chance to tell her yourself soon enough, but I’ll call her and tell her that today.”
The two men stood, just listening to the immense silence that filled the space around them. Banner in jewel tones hung from the wall opposite the bank of window. At the head was a stage, from which Chris had given more sermons than he cared to think about. Never in his life did he think that he would ever be here under these circumstances. “I know you’ve been though so much over the last thirty years. And I know that most of it has been good, but what’s been bad has been awful. I don’t want you to forget that God loves you. I want you to remember that what Joseph said applies to you. What Satan and man intend for evil, God intends for good.”
“I know, I know.” For the first time since he was a small boy though, those words held no comfort. His world was quickly falling apart. Matt felt a firm grip on his shoulder.
“No. I don’t mean it in a ‘don’t worry, everything will turn out okay’ sort of way.” Chris shook Matt’s shoulder a bit. “I’m not Dr. Phil here. I mean I really think that as completely shitty as everything is right now…”
Matt started a bit at the word in this space.
“Yes I said shitty. I don’t think that God’s going to strike me dead for that. Like I was saying, I have more than just a feeling that everything is going to be alright. I think that God will use this.” He turned away from Matt and looked up at the peak of the vaulted ceiling. “It’s time for me to be honest with you. I don’t believe that you saw what you said you did. I don’t believe that demons are really in this world in a physical way. I do believe that Satan and his minions are very real and vying for your soul and mine, but my worldview is different form yours.” He turned back to his friend. “I have always had a hard time believing in modern miracles. I don’t see them happening, but that’s starting to change. I think that God is speaking to me through this and what He’s telling me is that something huge is going to happen. Something that will save a lot of lives will come from this. Call it a prophecy if you will. I don’t know if that’s what it is, but it’s more than a hunch.”
It was hard for the ex-soldier to hear some of those words. To have this man believe that he was seeing things was a little disheartening. “So do you think I’m crazy?”
“Look Matt, don’t miss the important thing and don’t assume that because I doubt you in some way that I think your crazy. I don’t think that at all. I have my own struggles with the faith just like any other man. Maybe you saw a demon, maybe you didn’t. Just know that I think you’re on the right path. And don’t forget that even if I’m wrong about what I believe, God has used many inmates to spread the gospel.”
Matt nodded. “I know.” He smiled and Chris saw a tear in his eye. “I’ll be in good company I suppose. I’m just going to miss this place.” He sniffed just a little. “Was killing that man a sin, Chris?”
“You were always good at the hard questions, Bud.” He hooked his thumbs through his belt loops. “I don’t have a pat answer for you. We aren’t to be judges and executioners. The law and its enforcers are there because God put them there…”
A new voice rang out. “Glad you think so Reverend.” Lee Winston stood at the entrance to the sanctuary with his pistol drawn. He’d been closer and made better time than he’d figured. The tale end of the conversation confirmed in his mind that this wasn’t some sort of prank. “Now if you fellas would be so kind as to raise your hands I’ll proceed with taking my prisoner in.”
“You don’t need that gun…” Chris started to speak.
“It’s okay Chris.” Matt had raised his hands immediately. “The more comfortable everyone is the less likely he is to be jumpy. If having the gun makes him feel good then I have no problems.”
“Well it’s just peachy that we see eye to eye. We haven’t been introduced. I’m Detective Winston. I know the good pastor here as we spoke on the phone. You are?”
“Matt York.”
“Well Mr. York, if you would be so kind as to turn around, kneel, and cross your ankles, that would also please me greatly.” He watched as the man followed his directions. “Pastor, you just have a seat right where you are. Matt, you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak to an attorney, and to have an attorney present during any questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided for you at government expense. Do you understand these rights as I told them to you?”
“Yes sir, I do.”
The rasp of cuffs opening echoed off the walls. Lee put them on with one hand, helped by the fact that Matt cooperated. He could tell by the way his prisoner moved that he had been through this routine at least once and that he would probably be able to turn the situation around. Once the cuffs were secure he holstered the gun. A thorough pat down revealed no weapons, only i.d. which he left in place. He hadn’t called backup, which was probably stupid. Thankfully everything seemed on the level. “That’s good. Now you stand up real slow and we’ll go out to the car.”
Chris spoke. “We need to talk.”
“No sir, we do not. I don’t intend to talk about what this young man did or did not do until I get him to the station. You keep your peace and I recommend that you Mr. York do the same. If you did do it and do wish to confess then it can wait for the short trip to the nearest station house. If you didn’t do it and are for some reason yanking my chain, then that too can wait.”
“It’s alright Chris.” He stood easily and gave the detective a wide berth. “I’m ready.”
Lee followed his prisoner into the chilly day. As he helped Matt into the back of his car he noticed a dark colored SUV parked across the way. It hadn’t been there when he came in, but the thought he saw it on the way over. He shrugged to himself and got in the driver’s side.
