Dwight was cautious in his answer for he did not want to upset the women further.
“Just thank God Honey, that you sensed something was wrong and called Sheila, because I hate to think what might have happened if we had not shown up there tonight. It was a ritual of some sort and you can believe it wasn’t anything good about it.”
Honey remembered Jacks words as he lay in his blood.
“Hmmm, you heard Jacks say he saw Carol’s angels. Do you remember Carol’s drawing I showed you of the men with a knife? Well, there were angels all over the picture and I know Jacks saw those angels on that roof!”
“Then how come he was nearly killed?” Sheila wanted to know.
Dwight answered her. “Jacks’ is not a believer and angels only have so much power over the evil that surrounded him, unlike Honey, or us for that matter. Our belief in Jesus unleashes power you cannot even imagine. I believe everything happens for a reason and I believe Jacks will survive this. I know it does not make much sense but we should be grateful that he did not enter that circle.”
He was thinking back as he watched Garrett fling himself into the ring and beg to be the ‘one.’ He shook his head. He believed they had witnessed a transfer of possession and it almost was Jacks who made the sacrifice.
“You girls get some rest if you can; I am going to go get Honey’s bag. I won’t be long.”
“That would be great Dwight. I appreciate it. Thanks.”
When he returned, she washed up, put on fresh clothes, and felt much better.
Jacks had a rough night and once coded on the staff, close to three in the morning. The news sent his friends to the chapel in despair and no one slept. Dwight kept the women from falling apart by remaining calm throughout the night himself.
Finally at six in the morning, the doctor came out and told them that Jacks was finally stable and resting well.
“He is a strong man to have survived a knife wound such as the one he took on. Surgery repaired most of the damage but he will need a second one later on, to do further repairs. He is lucky to be alive.” He went on to explain in more detail so that they had a better understanding of the seriousness of Jacks dilemma and when he finished, he told them that they could see him as soon as the shift change was over.
With spirits somewhat lifted, Dwight brought up coffee for the three of them and by the time it was seven they were ready to see him. Generally, only two visitors were allowed at a time but the doctor allowed all three of them to go in together.
Jacks was sleeping and a nurse was adjusting his drip when they went in. She smiled a friendly smile before leaving the room. Dwight stood back while Honey and Sheila hovered over him as if examining a newborn baby. He was bandaged from his ribcage down to his lower abdomen and they were alarmed to see that there was still some blood seeping through. While they were engrossed in checking him out, he opened his eyes and said wonderingly, “What are you doing?”
Honey shook her head and told him, “We are making sure these people are doing their job right.” She smiled at him. “Welcome back, we thought we had lost you for a while there.”
Sheila added, “Yeah boss, you scared the daylights out of us!”
“Hold on. Where am I….what happened and….” He was looking around. “This is a hospital, why am I here?” He tried to sit up but the pain gripped him and his eyes reflected the panic he saw in theirs.
“You do not remember what happened last night?”
“No. Yes….I was meeting Asa. Was I mugged or something? And Sheila, why are you and Dwight here? How did you get here? We are in New York aren’t we?”
Sheila moved to where Dwight was still standing to permit Honey to answer him.
“They are here because I called them. Jacks, something went terribly wrong last night and one of Asa’s men almost killed you. You are just confused and you should not be worrying about anything but getting better so do not even think about it right now.”
Jacks squeezed his eyes shut trying to coordinate his thoughts and the images flying around in his head. Black birds, white birds, whirlwinds were all swimming around mixed up and he opened his eyes back open and asked in despair, “You knew it was a farce from the beginning, why couldn’t I?”
Honey knew he was referring to Asa. “It is okay Jacks; we do not need to talk about it right now. You have to rest and get better. We have to go now anyway, our time is up but we will be back for the next visit so you just sleep and we will talk later, okay?”
Jacks just shook his head and made no response, as Honey kissed his cheek and Sheila did the same before leaving. Dwight let them go on out and then he walked over to stand next to the bed and asked Jacks, “When you do remember everything that happened Jacks, remember too that this is not a battle that can be fought in the flesh but must be fought in the spirit dimension. Vengeance belongs to no man save the Lord. We can talk about it later when you feel better; I just do not think Honey or Sheila can handle what you and I know was the real truth of what did happen last night. You get some rest buddy, we are praying for you.”
Jacks almost told him to save his prayers for someone else but something stopped him and he just nodded instead and closed his eyes. Sadness flooded over him as he faced the fact that he had no ‘grandfather’ and anger accompanied it, fueled by the fact he had been used.
Feeling good about Jacks progress, the trio left the hospital and got some breakfast before going back to their hotel. Dwight used Jacks room, while Sheila shared Honey’s and they all slept for the next two hours before they were roused by detectives working the case.
Cranford and Purcell, the same men from the night before, said they needed Honey to show them where the stone house was located. She had mentioned that she was with Jacks when he visited Asa there but there was not any place resembling it anywhere within an hour’s drive from the city.
“I am sorry but it was dark and I told you everything I remember about it last night.”
“Anything you can think of may help us find who did this to your friend. Try, maybe if you go over it again you will remember something.”
Honey reached for coffee that Dwight ordered for them, hoping it would help her wake up better.
“Okay. We were picked up in a black limousine at like seven and I remember Jacks saying we were going north because his watch has this little compass thing on it. We rode for an hour or so because I looked at my watch after we arrived and it was a few minutes after eight. There was a wall of stone with a black iron gate and the driveway was quite long and it was dark. When we came to the house, I could not see well, for the lighting was so dim inside and I was a bit spooked, I guess and didn’t notice much detail. There was this servant that just popped up like out of nowhere. It is a huge place though, with high ceiling and the rooms were large too.” She paused, thinking back to the stairs and how they wound down. “I said something to Jacks about it being almost cave like and I think he said it was a cave down there and that part of the house was underground….yes, I am sure he said that. Asa told him that it was used for smuggling many years ago! Does that help?”
The two men exchanged looks and Cranford replied, “That could be helpful. Is there anything else? Anything at all? Think. Were there other servants that you observed while you were there?”
“Two women, one I mentioned before that met us in the hall. She was probably in her late sixties and had dark hair and was stout in her figure and the other one was my age and you know they could have been related, for they did look a lot alike. But neither talked and you would only see them at a distance. It was such low lighting, that I could be wrong. I am sorry. I really want to help you catch that horrible old man!”
Dwight caught his breath and the detectives both looked at him and he swallowed hard, for they would never believe him if he told them what he was thinking. If he told them that the old man was dead but his evil spirit still existed in Garrett’s body, it would be a joke to them.
“Is there something you w
ant to add Mr.…?” Cranford looked at his notes. “Uh, Reverend Ferny…. maybe you remembered something from the roof?”
Dwight cleared his throat. It would do no good to look for a dead man so he volunteered, “It’s just that I do not believe you will find the man Asa, alive.”
“Why do you think that, from my notes last night none of you saw anyone kill him?”
“No we did not, but I saw him collapse and I think it was because he may have had a heart attack or something. His eyes grew large and he grabbed his left shoulder, as if in pain. I have seen many dead people in my line of work and he certainly looked dead to me.
”But you have no proof of this?”
“No sir.”
A look passed between the detectives and Purcell said with sarcasm.
“So you are telling us that you witnessed one of these men kill another, and you say you think another dropped dead but we found neither body. We also ran a check on Abe Cannon and Garrett Dell. According to family and co-workers they both have been in Europe since Friday and not expected back for a while. Are you sure Miss Herbert, that you could not be mistaken?”
Sheila adamantly shook her head. “No, it was them, I am positive and I am just as positive that I watched Garrett kill Abe with his bare hands! And, if you do not believe us, then why are you even here?”
Purcell sighed, “We never said we did not believe you, Miss Herbert. Obviously, something happened on that roof. Your friend has a major knife wound, but there was no knife found either. We will keep investigating and we will keep looking for this house, but there is no record of any Asa Ruthers that we have been able to locate. Unless you can give us more to work with, it is not looking good.”
The two men got up preparing to leave. Purcell thanked them for their cooperation and said that they would be in touch, then asked how long they would be in New York.
Sheila looked at Honey knowing she would never leave Jacks there alone and she looked at Dwight for she knew he would have to go home to his responsibilities. This was the first time he had ever spent a night away from Gem and she knew he was anxious to get back to her. They had all discussed it at the hospital and reluctantly he planned to leave later in the evening and had already booked a flight, whereas she would stay with Honey and go back with her as soon as Jacks was able to travel. She shared this with the men.
“Dwight has to go back home but Honey and I will stay here until Jacks can travel however long that takes.”
“So, we can reach you on your cell phones if we need to?”
“Sure and we want to know everything you find out, so please keep us updated on those creeps!”
“Yes ma’am and we hope your friend has a speedy recovery. We will be talking with him later on too. Oh and,” Purcell looked specifically at Dwight. “If you should think of something you have not already told us, I am sure you will contact us.”
Without waiting for a reply the two men took their leave. They were sure there was more to the story than they were being told. It was not the first time some of the names had appeared connected with some unsavory happenings around town but there were always airtight alibis.
After they had gone, Sheila voiced her irritation. “Can you believe those idiots? They kept giving each other these looks, like we were from another planet or something!”
Dwight was trying not to smile at her indignation. “Well, they are supposed to act like that I think. It must be frustrating for them not to have any leads at all.”
Honey agreed with Sheila. “Yes, but Sheila is right, they did have that certain look and I bet you that they are not happy to have this case.”
“Maybe you both are right but there is nothing we can do about it. Jacks’ is going to recover and we can get back to Mississippi and our lives there. Speaking of which, are you sure you girls do not want me to stay another day or two? I am sure Gem will be fine with Jean.”
Both Honey and Sheila were adamant that he go on ahead of them, so halfheartedly he got his bag ready for travel. He was going to drive them all to the hospital to visit with Jacks and then go on to the airport from there.
Jacks’ was awake when they got there and was much more alert than he was earlier. He was sitting up, looking at a newspaper, which he put aside when he saw them. It had been a long day for him and his patience at being confined, was wearing thin. He was still having trouble with what had happened with Asa and filled with anger as well as disappointment.
“Come on in, I was waiting for some company.”
Honey and Sheila both gave him a hug and Dwight shook hands with him saying, “You look much better than you did this morning. How are you feeling?”
Jacks grinned, “Better than I did this morning, but I am plenty sore and I am starving for some real food.”
“Hey, there is a place right around the corner from here. I could go bring you back something, want me to?” Sheila volunteered.
“Would you?” Jacks perked up.
“I will go with her and you two fellows can talk about us while we are gone.”
Honey said and turning to Sheila, “Come on girlfriend.”
Dwight was elated to have some time alone with Jacks, for there were a few things they needed to talk about and he would rather do so without Honey or Sheila there. Before he could begin the conversation, Jacks beat him to it.
“You know something about what was happening on that roof don’t you? Something the girls do not know, what is it? What were they….Asa….going to do with me?”
Dwight walked over to the window and stood looking out as he answered. “This is a lot more complicated than you know Jacks.” He turned back toward the bed where Jacks was now in a reclining position. “I am not sure I can explain how something you do not even believe exist, works.”
“Okay, so say I now believe that there may have been….uh….unnatural forces present there that night. Just tell me what you think and leave it to me to decide if I want to believe it or not.”
Dwight pulled up a chair close to the bed and sighed, “Here it is. I think you were intended to be used by a demonic entity….or rather your body would have hosted this….demon, if you had crossed over into that circle. The ritual was set in place and you were the chosen vessel.”
“So you are telling me, that Asa would have controlled my body, if I had gone through with the thing?”
“Yes and I further believe that the man Garrett, took your place at the last minute and what was meant for you went to him.”
“Garrett….the fool, and what happened to Asa, well the old man?”
“I am sure he was dead when he hit the floor, so the demon was released into Garrett’s body immediately.”
Jacks looked suddenly sad and Dwight hastened, “You must realize that the body Asa was in before was stolen too, that this entity has been doing this for many years, ever since creation.”
Jacks’ was sure he was hearing truth but if he agreed with this explanation of demonic forces, would not he have to admit there was also a God? He thought of the angels.
“I saw Carol’s angels.”
“I am not surprised.”
“There were thousands all around.”
“The Word tells us it is so.”
“I have denied God all my life, how do I suddenly believe in Him?”
“I think deep down, you already do.”
“But where was He, when I was a child and needed Him?”
“Never far away, I assure you. May I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
“If your life had been different would you have grown up to help the many children you have helped?”
“Probably not.”
“So, you can understand that sometimes we have to live certain circumstances in order to fulfill our destiny. God always knows what He is doing Jacks, and He knew your destiny before you did.”
“Tell me how Jesus comes into all this.”
Dwight smiled, “It is all about Him. I could quote you many scrip
tures but there is one which sums it up. Colossians 2:9: For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form. You have to feel it in your heart Jacks and when you do, you will not need anyone to tell you He is real, you will know it.
“I understand. Thank you Dwight, you have given me much to think about. The girls, do you think they should not know what you suspect happened?”
“That is just it, what I suspect happened, we cannot know that Garrett is now Asa, unless we see him again and I hope we never do. Just my thinking that we should not alarm those two, anymore than they already are. They are worried enough as it is.”
“I guess you are right, it sure spooks me.” Jacks laughed but Dwight knew what he meant. He was pretty spooked himself but at least he had the assurance that God was always in control. It must be hard not having that when you were faced with adversity.
The women showed up and Dwight said his good-byes to Honey and Jacks. Sheila walked him to the elevator.
“I will call you when I get home. Looks like Jacks’ is doing well and you three may be right behind me.”
“Yeah, but the doctor said he would release him only if he checked in at the hospital back home as soon as he gets there. I had no idea how extensive his surgery was! They had to take out….”
Dwight stopped her. “Hey, I got to run if I am to make this flight. I do not want our last words to be about Jacks. I want you to know that I really do love you Sheila and I am so happy that God has given me another chance to love and be loved. You and Honey be careful and when you get home, we will plan an engagement party. I want everyone to know just how thankful I am that you came into my life.”
“It was a long speech for him and Sheila was touched by his sincerity. She reached up and kissed him lightly on his lips and told him, “I do so love you too! We are going to be the most happy, perfect family ever! Now go on, before you make me cry!”
He stepped into the elevator and when the door shut, Sheila walked back to the room to find Honey and Jacks in earnest conversation. Rather than to disturb them she walked back down the hallway to give them more time alone.
Wings of Deception Page 19
