by Jason Deas
He waved his hand in the air.
In the short time it took Benny to peek inside and to have his brief conversation with Jessica in the backyard, one of the media personalities had recognized him and the wave of information had passed among all the waiting correspondents.
“Mr. James, Mr. James, Mr. James,” the cries came from the waiting throng. “What did you see inside?” one voice called. “Why did agent Flynn take you in the back?” a second voice called. “I’ve heard that the Reverend Jim has paid you to track down his own son, is this true?” another questioned.
Benny stopped. He had learned from his experience, that the best way to deal with a frantic media, was to stop, look them dead in the eyes and cameras, and answer their questions. If you ran, it made it worse.
“I will make a statement if you will all stop shouting questions and listen,” Benny said. The camera people and reporters stopped. “It is true that I have been hired by the Reverend Jim to find his son. As a part of my contract with him, I agreed to not discuss the case with the media.” The crowd grumbled. Benny put up his hand. “But, I can tell you that Rachael Martin is going to have a secret guest on her show tonight.”
“Is it Reverend Jim?” someone shouted from the back.
“Yes.” Benny then walked calmly past the group and entered his car without incident and drove away.
Benny and Red drove across the Dames Point Bridge, four times, back and forth. Benny even stopped one time in the middle to get an idea of what the other motorists might have seen. His awareness of Brother Jim’s intelligence was raised a few levels in his mind as Benny understood the act would have been difficult to accomplish without being caught.
By the time Benny and Red stopped for a leisurely dinner, it was seven o’clock before they started the nearly five hour drive to West Palm Beach.
Rachael met Reverend Jim just before the live show began. He had been visiting members of his congregation for dinner and had insisted he did not want to script any of his interview. He stated arriving just on time would have to work for the network. Rachael agreed that scripted interviews or having the chance to give guests insight as to what you might ask sometimes put a damper on the interviewing process.
During her years atop the nine o’clock time slot in cable television, Rachael had interviewed hundreds of wealthy, powerful, and influential people. At this point in her career she was never intimidated or ill at ease with any guest, no matter who they were.
Reverend Jim arrived with an aura. His make-up had already been applied. His eyes pierced Rachael’s as he shook her hand. He seemed to be incredibly aware of the presence he created. He seemed to enjoy the waves of energy he emitted. Rachael had never interviewed a prince or a king, but she imagined they would carry themselves in much the same way.
“My dear,” Reverend Jim said, clasping Rachael’s hand. “Thank you for having me.”
“It’s my pleasure, sir. The show is about to go live. I don’t mean to be rude, but please have a seat while I start the show.” Rachael pointed to a seat and Reverend Jim sat down.
Lights appeared, filling a small stage that had been erected earlier in the day, and Rachael walked to the center. The Royal Park Bridge was illuminated in the background. Rachael stood in silence for a moment, peering into the camera before she began her thoughts.
“Florida has been struck with terrible tragedies. Beautiful young women have been ripped from their lives.” She paused. “Tonight, I have the daunting task of speaking to the father of the man authorities think is responsible for these terrible acts. We all know the stories. We all know the heartache. We all know the fear Floridians are living in.” Rachael paused again. “Just imagine what it must be like to be the parent of someone accused of such horrific crimes. I am so thankful to have the Reverend Jim joining me tonight on the show.”
The camera panned over the chairs to Rachael’s left. Reverend Jim sat in one of the chairs with his eyes closed and his head bowed. Rachael sat next to him without speaking. Reverend Jim heard her sit and mouthed “Amen” as he opened his eyes and lifted his head.
“Thank you so much for coming.”
“Thank you for having me.”
“I must confess…” Rachael stopped as she realized what word she had just used.
“Although I’m not Catholic, you have come to the right place,” Reverend Jim joked.
“Can I start over?” Rachael asked, blushing.
“Relax, and please do,” Reverend Jim said, lightly touching the top of her hand.
“As I was trying to say, I’m having a hard time trying to decide where to begin.”
“Let me make this easy for you. My boy Jim lost his way. As soon as he was born, his mother died. I believe the devil took her to destroy our family and my ministry. Satan took my wife and eventually took my son. He was the perfect son until I let him go to public school one year.” Reverend Jim clenched his fists as if he wanted to hit something and lowered them, sitting on his hands. “A year into public school he started yearning for women.”
Rachael broke in. “A year later he would have been in tenth grade. Most boys at that age are very hormonal.”
“Not my son. My family is not here on earth to soak up all the pleasures of the flesh. He was aching for more and I gave it to him. I gave him a position in my church only held for the senior members—Brother.”
“Brother,” Rachael repeated. “What exactly does that mean?”
“Brother is the path to Reverend. It means you have intentions of following the righteous path. It means you have been anointed by a superior member of the congregation. It is a big, big deal within my church.”
“And what happened after that?”
“He was tested by the devil and he failed.”
“How so?” Rachael asked.
“I found cigarettes in his room. I found beer cans he didn’t even try to hide. I found the stacks of girlie magazines. It nearly killed me.”
“Did it worry you that it would make your church look bad?”
“Yes.”
“How much is your church worth?”
“That has nothing to do with this.”
“OK,” Rachael said. “But on a side note, how much is it worth?”
“Rough estimate?”
“Shoot.”
“Twenty-five million.”
“That’s a lot of money,” Rachael said, without showing her shock.
“The money has nothing to do with my son.”
“You have a lot to lose if people are turned away from your church because of your son.”
“That’s true. But, I am not hiding anything. My congregation can see and experience my pain. It can be a lesson to us all that the devil can attack anyone, even someone like me.”
“You’re very brave,” Rachael said.
The rest of the show went by without much more confrontation. Reverend Jim talked about Brother Jim’s childhood and how the past few weeks had been hell for him and his church. He told Rachael that his congregation had rallied around him and kept him sane. He just wanted his son back.
After the show ended, Rachael thanked and thanked Reverend Jim for his participation. She knew the show had been draining on his emotions and it showed on his face.
“I’m sorry for all the tough questions,” Rachael said after the cameras and lights had turned off. “You did great.”
“You think so?”
“Absolutely. Do you have to leave right away?”
“I have a few minutes,” Reverend Jim said.
“I have something in my hotel room I would like to show you.”
“I think I can spare a few extra minutes.”
Rachael drove her and Reverend Jim over to her hotel and parked the car. They walked into the lobby and took the elevator up as they made light conversation. Outside Rachael’s and Benny’s room, Rachael stuck her keycard into the door and walked into the room. She had unintentionally set the braided snake borrowed from Azim on top of th
e television. The door shut automatically behind her and she turned just as Reverend Jim spotted the braided snake. His eyes turned from a person Rachael knew, into a person she did not.
Chapter 31
Benny and Red were about two hours into their trip home when Benny’s cell phone rang. It was Ned.
“I think I have really bad news, Benny,” Ned said.
“What do you mean?”
“Well. I just watched Rachael’s interview with Reverend Jim. After it was over, my contact informed me of the results from the magazine fingerprints you gave me.”
“And?”
“It’s not good, Benny.”
“What do you mean, it’s not good?”
“The only fingerprints on the magazine besides yours are Reverend Jim’s,” Ned said.
“What are you saying?” Benny asked, not yet getting the implications of Ned’s statement.
“Brother Jim never touched that magazine. Reverend Jim is the only one who did.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
“I’m not sure, but I don’t think it’s good.”
“OK. We’ll call Beth and see if we can get this straightened out.”
Benny hung up his cell and turned to Red. “I need you to come through for me buddy.”
“Anything.”
“I need you to call Beth and tell her to meet you. You tell her you have some super secret information about me.”
“What that be?”
“The what doesn’t matter. What matters is getting her to meet you. I’ll take over from there.”
“I see,” Red said. “I get the bad news lady to come and Bendy get answer from her.”
“You got it, buddy.” Benny told Red what to say before he dialed her number. He told Red where to tell her to meet and what time as well.
Red used Benny’s cell phone to dial Beth’s number. Beth answered on the first ring.
“Red need to tell you the bad news,” Red said without any introduction or hello.
“Who is this? Red?”
“That what I say. I need tell you something now.”
“OK. Tell me.”
“I tell your face.”
“I’m in Florida, Red.”
“Red in Florida, too. I tell your face under Juno Beach Pier at midnight.”
“Are you telling me to meet you under the Juno Beach Pier at midnight?”
“That what I say.”
“OK.”
Red handed the cell phone to Benny and Benny hung up.
“You did awesome, buddy.”
“Red know.”
Benny pushed the gas down a little harder. He was already doing eighty, but did not want Beth to get to the pier before they did. Benny wanted time to hide and make sure she didn’t have anybody else with her. If he got pulled over, he planned to pull the “do you know who I am” card. Benny didn’t like to use the lifeline and rarely did.
Benny and Red made excellent time and arrived without any speeding tickets or confrontations with the law. As they sped along, Benny gave Red directions. All Red had to do was lure her down to the pier, make a little small talk while Benny made sure they were alone, and then Benny would take over.
A storm brewed out at sea and the waves destroyed the sand castles on the beach. The usual handful of midnight fisherman had decided to play poker or sleep this one out as the pier was empty. A crescent moon hid behind dark angry clouds and Benny thought the conditions were perfect for his trap.
“She be so mad,” Red tried to whisper to Benny as they got out of the car.
“Who?”
“Lady ocean. You said you happy I call her a she. If she a she, then she a lady.”
“Can we focus here, Red?”
“Go ahead. Red focus.”
“Go and stand near the pier, but be careful of the water. Those waves are stronger than you could imagine.”
“How you know what Red can imagine?”
Benny didn’t usually get annoyed with Red, but knew timing was of the essence. “Just do it, please.”
Red walked toward the pier. Benny slipped off to watch the parking lot from a vantage point where he could see the cars coming from both directions. He would be able to tell if two cars came together, and he would be able to see how many people arrived in the cars.
Red walked around the pier, stood under the pier, and walked around it some more as he waited. He mostly stood in one spot and stared at the water. He marveled at its power. Benny was right, he thought, he had not imagined water could be so strong.
Benny spotted a car he hoped to be Beth’s. The vehicle travelled alone. Benny could not see another car anywhere in the distance. Benny clenched his fists, hoping it was her. As the car neared the entrance to the Juno Beach Pier parking lot it slowed. Benny clenched harder. It turned into the lot and Benny pumped his fist with joy. When a woman emerged from the car, Benny smiled. He knew it must be Beth. He scanned the area and was sure she was alone. Like a predator, he crept toward her, hiding in the shadows.
Beth walked casually across the beach as her hair blew across her face. She pulled off her shoes halfway to the pier and set them down next to a trashcan where she would be able to find them later with ease. Red had seen her approaching and had waved to her without a care in the world. As Benny crept closer out of view, he witnessed this and smiled proudly at Red’s nerve. Benny didn’t know if it really was Red’s ability to perform under stressful conditions, or his inability to understand the gravity of the situation at hand.
“Hi,” Beth said, as she neared Red.
“You like her?” Red asked, ignoring her greeting.
“Who?”
“Lady ocean.”
“Yes, I do,” Beth said, remembering how strange Red could be. “You said on the phone you had something to tell me about Benny.”
“He know you follow him.”
“Oh?”
“He follow you back.”
“What do you mean?”
“Turn around.”
Beth’s face filled with confusion, but she did what Red instructed. Benny was standing behind her. Beth’s first instinct told her to run, but Benny had been in this situation before and moved close to her, putting his hand lightly on her shoulder.
“Don’t even think about running. Red is really fast.” Benny felt Beth’s body relax as she resigned to being caught.
“I didn’t expect to find you here,” Beth said.
“But you have been looking for me.”
“In a way.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve been keeping tabs on you,” Beth said.
“So, tell me, what is the difference between looking for me and keeping tabs on me?”
“I never meant to make contact with you.”
“I don’t really understand.”
“You don’t have to.”
“And that’s where you’re wrong. I do have to understand. That’s what I’m getting paid to do, and even if I weren’t, I would still want to understand whatever it is we have going on here.”
“Well, I’m not talking,” Beth said folding her arms across her chest.
“That’s fine. Red, would you please go to the car and get my phone? I have FBI agent Jessica Flynn’s number in there. We’ll get her to straighten this out.”
“Sure, Bendy.”
“Wait!” Beth said. “Is that really necessary?”
“It’s up to you. Let me tell you a little something about myself. I have the ability to forget all kinds of horrible things if I can get what I’m looking for. Red, do you remember how I forgot about that one man who killed the other man because he gave me what I wanted?”
“Yep.”
“Is the one man who killed the other man in jail?”
“Nope. He tell Bendy what Bendy need to know and nobody ever know he do something bad.”
Benny looked back at Beth. “I’m going to make the same deal with you as I did a murderer. You tell me what I need to
know and you walk away like we never met. We do this the hard way and I have a feeling you’re going to prison for the rest of your life. Tell me I’m wrong.”
Beth looked at Red. “Did he really do that for that guy?”
“Yep. Bendy not say lies.”
“So what’s it gonna be, Beth? Either you start talking, or I start dialing.”
Beth thought for a second or two and said, “I’ll talk. You better not be lying to me. If I spill, you promise me again that I walk away from here and never hear from you or anybody again about this case.”
“I can only promise for myself,” Benny said. “But, I will pretend as if we never met, and if you’re smart, and change your life, nobody is ever going to catch up with you. They’ll be happy to close the case when they get their man.”
“OK,” Beth said as she started to cry. “It started out innocently.” Beth sniffed and wiped away tears as she tried to compose herself enough to tell her story. “I was Reverend Jim’s wife’s assistant. Her name was Nadine. I was very close to her and I’ve always believed in the church and all it stood for and strived to be. If women could be considered disciples, I would have been a disciple.
“When Nadine died, a part of the church died with her. Little Jim was fairly normal at first. As he grew older, he missed having a mother and Reverend Jim tried to compensate in the wrong ways. He gave Jim the title of Brother, which in our church has great spiritual meaning. Brother Jim didn’t deserve it, and he knew it. What’s more—he didn’t want the title.
“He hated his father and didn’t want anything to do with the church. The stricter Reverend Jim became, the more Brother Jim rebelled. Brother Jim hated his father so much that he killed himself by drinking antifreeze and tried to frame his father as his murderer.”
“Wait,” Benny said stopping her. “Brother Jim is dead?”
“He’s been dead for three years. Reverend Jim covered up the suicide and acted as though Brother Jim had gone into some sort of spiritual hiding. He touted it in his sermons as the ultimate sacrifice and little by little he began to take on the attributes which he invented for his dead son.”
“Oh my God,” Benny said.
Beth continued. “After Nadine’s death and his son’s birth, Reverend Jim kept me around as his assistant. Right before his son died, when they were having lots of trouble, he turned to me for comfort.”
