Leap of Faith

by Arianna Hart

  Jane sat nervously on a leather sofa. “It was very interesting. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced anything like that before.” She forced herself to smile. Her acting skills just weren’t good enough for her to do more.

  “I’m so glad. I hope you’ll come back for another service.”

  His eyes roamed over her frame, as if assessing her. When she crossed her arms over her chest, he raised his eyes and smiled at her benignly.

  “I’d love to come back.” Jane had to grit her teeth to hide her real feelings. She’d rather eat paint than spend another minute with him.

  “We have other activities here besides the services. Many of our flock join us for study and contemplation too.”

  “I didn’t realize you had so many programs here.”

  “Oh yes, our interests are very diversified.”

  Again, his gaze roamed over her like he could see through her clothes. Bile rose in her throat as she searched for a way to leave the room without having to touch him again.

  Just when she was about to claim a desperate need for the bathroom a woman stepped through the door and her stare zeroed in on Jane.

  Instantly, a wave of fear and revulsion swept over her. The urge to run became almost overwhelming. Jane couldn’t explain her feelings rationally, but it set her knees knocking all the same. The only other time she’d felt this violent a reaction to a person was when she was on the witness stand at a murder trial. One of her shelter clients had been killed by her husband and his eyes held the same chilling lack of humanity that this woman’s did.

  “Oh, Susie! Excellent, you’re just in time to meet our new guest. Barbara, meet my wife Susie Beaupree.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Susie’s smile didn’t quite reach her glacial eyes.

  She held out her hand and Jane braced herself to shake it. It was all she could do to hide her reaction. Susie’s hand was warm and dry, but instead of being comforting it reminded Jane of a touching snake.

  “Likewise.” Jane yanked her hand away as quickly as she could.

  It wasn’t that Susie was repulsive. In fact, she was very plain. She was the type of woman who would blend into the background—Which was probably what James Robert saw in her. With her dishwater-blonde hair and drab, buttoned-up dress, she was like a mud wren next to a peacock.

  Jane couldn’t wait to get out of the room. Every time she met Susie’s gaze, it felt like someone walked over her grave.

  “Thank you so much for your inspirational service and the invitation to come back. Unfortunately, I need to get home now.”

  James Robert wrapped an arm around his wife. “You’re welcome. We hope you’ll come see us again soon. One of my lieutenants will walk you to the shuttle. It’s easy to get lost here if you don’t know your way.”

  His laser-like eyes zeroed in on her and Jane felt the last ounce of nerve in her body fade. First, the wife gave her the heebie-jeebies, now the husband sized her up. If the lieutenant didn’t come soon, Jane was bolting. She’d find another way to help Lex.

  But would it be enough to save Margret and all the other women?

  Jane forced herself to chat inanely with Jim Bob while she waited for the lieutenant. Cold sweat dribbled down her back as she forced herself to stay put. If she flew the coop it might make Jim Bob nervous and that would complicate things for Lex.

  She could do this. She would do this. For Aunt Betty and all the other gullible women out there who wanted to be part of something good.

  Finally, there was a polite knock and Susie stepped out of the way. Jane shuffled to the door where the guard waited. Her neck prickled and chills shook her. She fought the urge to hurry.

  The sight of the short, white bus with “Great Hope Ministry” printed on the side was a welcome relief. It didn’t matter that she’d have to squeeze her way inside with a bunch of strangers. She was desperate to get away from this place while she still had her sanity.

  Chapter Twelve

  Lex stared as Jane scrubbed herself with baby wipes. She’d been at it since the minute they returned to camp and hadn’t let up for the last half hour. If she kept it up, she’d scour the skin from her bones.

  He’d given her some space after she’d filled him in on what went on behind the closed doors of the ministry. She had an amazing memory and attention to detail and he was still trying to piece everything together.

  “Tell me again, where were the other women going? The ones who got off the bus first?”

  “They were going to the packaging room, I think. I didn’t actually see them, but from what Margret said, that was where the assembly room was.”

  “I wonder why it was only the young women who went there?”

  “Maybe because they’re stronger? Some of the older women aren’t very steady on their feet. Considering Jim Bob takes their heart medication money, he’s probably afraid if he had them do any strenuous work they’d keel over.”

  Jane scrubbed her hands again. He’d never seen her so agitated before. What the hell had happened in there?

  “Tell me more about the women.”

  “Like what?”

  “What were they like? Did any of them talk to you on the bus?”

  “Oh yes. They were all very friendly. I heard about the miracles James Robert performed and all his charitable work.”

  “Did you find out why he has guards and a barbwire fence?”

  “Yes. He has a drug treatment center on the compound and the fence and guards are to keep addicts from trying to break out.”

  “Yeah, right. The guards patrol with military precision. You don’t need that for junkies.”

  “I guess there’s some drug activity in the area. When I asked about the fence, one of the women told me about a bust in the next town. Apparently, some kids were delivering crystal meth along with their pizzas and sold to an undercover cop. They never found the lab or the dealers, from what I gather.”

  “What do you want to bet that James Robert has a lab somewhere on that compound? Did you smell anything? A strong chemical odor or like something was burning?”

  “No, nothing like that. But I was only in a small area.”

  Jane had finally stopped trying to clean herself and now huddled by the fire. She looked scared and angry at the same time. His heart went out to her. He imagined it wasn’t easy for her dealing with the dregs of humanity, especially for the first time.

  “I guess I wasn’t much help,” she said, staring into the fire.

  “Are you kidding me? You found out where James Robert’s office was, gave me a partial floor plan, got the schedule of services and found a possible reason for why he killed Sarah. You did more in two hours than I’ve done in the last two days.”

  “Really?”

  “Really.”

  “I was thinking I could go back tomorrow and maybe get a better look around if you want.”

  “No. You’ve done enough.”

  “But—”

  “But nothing. If you go back tomorrow they might suspect something. Now if you’re done cleaning, I want you to pack up your stuff while I take down the tent.”

  “We’re moving?”

  “Yup. I don’t want to take any chances someone followed you from the shuttle.”

  “But I thought you covered our trail? That was why you zigzagged all over the forest, wasn’t it?”

  “Yes, but you can never be too careful. Come on, we don’t have much daylight left.”

  Lex turned his back on her and rolled up the sleeping bags. He wanted to move closer to the car in case they had to make a run for it. Something about this whole set up had his gut instincts screaming bloody murder and he wanted Jane as far away from it as possible.

  When did she go from being a pain in his ass to being someone he wanted to protect? Even at the risk of blowing the mission? He hadn’t been completely honest with her. It would be helpful if she returned to the ministry. And the risk was pretty minimal, but he couldn’t chance it.

 
; Waiting for her to emerge from the building today had been one of the hardest things he’d ever done. That could be why he was in such a hurry to break camp—he needed to feel in control again. At least by covering their trail he was doing something instead of watching Jane put herself in danger.

  He refused to think about why her safety meant more to him than finding Sarah’s murderer. He was sure he wouldn’t like the answer.

  ***

  Jane tried to hide her trembling hands in the sleeves of her overlarge sweatshirt as she huddled by the fire at their new campsite. She didn’t want Lex to know how scared she’d been.

  He’d been so proud of her for going into the ministry. She didn’t want to blow that by falling apart like a frightened child. Even though that’s exactly how she felt.

  She’d been relieved when he’d nixed the idea of going back to the compound. Going into that hellhole was the very last thing she wanted to do, but he’d been so full of praise for her she’d had to offer. It felt good to have him compliment her on her bravery. It made her want to do more to impress him.

  And wasn’t that the scariest thought of all?

  “Is there anything else you can think of that didn’t seem right? Any little thing?” Lex asked, handing her a cup of coffee.

  “We’ve gone over this a hundred times. I’ve told you everything I saw.”

  “I know, but something’s funky and I can’t put my finger on it. Don’t confine yourself to the facts, give me your impressions or gut feelings. Even if they’re way off base they might give me something to go on.”

  “Well, there was something—”

  “What?”

  “This is just my opinion, but I think it’s valid. It seemed to me most of the women who went off before the service might be abused.”

  “Explain.” His gaze bored into her but he didn’t discount her observation.

  “I don’t think Jim Bob is the one abusing them, but they had the look of women who’d been victims of domestic violence.”

  “I didn’t pick that up.”

  “Most people don’t. I’ve counseled a lot of abused women and they all have a… I don’t know, a wariness in their eyes. It’s the way they guard their actions as if expecting a blow even when no man is around.”

  “And all the women that went to the packaging room were like that?”

  “Not all of them, but I’d say the majority, yes.”

  Lex grunted and poked at the fire. “Do you think Jim Bob’s wife—what’s her name—Susie? Did she look abused to you?”

  Jane couldn’t hold back the shiver that skated down her spine. “No, she definitely didn’t look abused.”

  “I thought you said she was a mousey looking thing? You act almost afraid of her.”

  “She was mousey. But she had these eyes that looked right through you. James Robert was smarmy, but Susie scared me.”

  “She was probably protecting her meal ticket. Sounds like old Jim Bob has a wandering eye.”

  “That’s for sure. After being in his presence for five minutes I wanted to take a burning hot shower. In bleach.”

  Lex threw his head back and laughed. His rumbling chuckle soothed her jangling nerves and chased some of the chill from her bones.

  “It’s not funny. The guy gave me the absolute creeps.”

  “I believe you. I’m impressed that you managed to get so much information out of him even though you wanted to spit in his eye. You’ve come a long way from the frightened woman who almost drove us into a tree when I popped up in her back seat.”

  “You beast, you scared the living daylights out of me. But you’re right. I’m much stronger now.”

  She hadn’t realized it until she said the words, but it was true. Sure, she still got scared, but she’d stopped running away from the things that frightened her and that was a huge step.

  If only Gerard could see her now. Ha!

  “What’s that smile for? You look like the cat that ate the canary.”

  “I was just thinking that now if I caught my husband having sex with his secretary I’d throw the coffee pot at him instead of quietly backing out of the room.”

  “Sounds like someone was giving a little more than dictation?”

  “Oh yes. My ex-husband Gerard threw away our marriage and our practice so he could boink our secretary. On the couches I picked out, I might add. He said it was my fault because I wasn’t passionate enough.”

  “What a charmer. You’re better off without the loser.”

  “You have no idea.” For the first time, she could smile when she thought about the night she found Gerard grunting and sweating over their secretary. Lex was absolutely right. She was so much better off without Gerard. And maybe, if she played her cards right, she’d be better yet.

  Jane locked eyes with Lex and very slowly peeled off her sweatshirt. Her knees shook with nerves, but she could do this. She wanted to do this.

  “Uh, what are you doing?” Lex asked as she knelt between his knees and reached for the snap on his pants.

  “You’re not very much of a playboy if you have to ask.”

  He sucked in a ragged breath as she freed him from the confines of his jeans.

  “Maybe a better question would be, why are you doing this? If it’s just to prove something, don’t bother. I’m not your guinea pig.” His eyes closed and his head dropped back as she trailed her tongue along his length. “Then again, I’ve always thought guinea pigs were kind of cute.”

  She stopped kissing him and waited for him to meet her gaze. “I’m doing this because you gave me a great deal of pleasure last night and I want to return the favor. I’m doing this because it gives me pleasure to touch you.” She ran her hand along his hardness. “To taste you.” She captured his tip in her mouth. “And because, for the first time in my life, I can.”

  “Works for me,” Lex gasped.

  ***

  Lex stroked Jane’s satiny back as she lay curled on her side against his chest. They’d zipped the two sleeping bags together and snuggled in them. The night might be cool, but Janey was nice and warm against him. After her actions in front of the fire, he didn’t think he’d ever be cold again.

  “When I was sitting in that meeting room, watching all those women throw their money at James Robert, I got so angry I’m amazed I didn’t explode on the spot.”

  “It’s hard to watch people throw their lives away.”

  “I was surprised. I never get angry. It’s unproductive and just masks the emotions going on underneath.”

  “I get mad all the time. It’s not masking anything.”

  “I’m not going to get into a psychological discussion with you. While I was there I thought about how any one of those women could have been my own mother…or aunt.”

  She grew quiet, but Lex didn’t fill the silence. Something was on her mind and he needed to let her work it out.

  “My Aunt Betty was taken in by a con man. Mother and I barely found out in time to save her. She lost everything and the man was never caught. I don’t want that to happen to anyone else.”

  “Don’t worry, babe, we’ll stop Jim Bob.”

  He just wished he knew how he could do that without involving Jane.

  Lex waited until he felt her breathing even out and her body relax in sleep. Jane would be pissed off if she found out what he was up to, but he had to do something. He couldn’t let her take any more risks.

  His breath puffed out in thin clouds of mist as he slipped out of the tent. He wasted no time dragging on his jeans and boots. Had he only just thought he’d never be cold again? Just went to show how sex screwed with a guy’s brain.

  Especially sex with Jane.

  Her ex was a freaking idiot. If Jane was his wife, he’d never so much as look at another woman. Okay, he was Italian, so he’d probably still look, but he definitely wouldn’t sleep with another woman.

  What the hell was he thinking? Had he actually thought the W word without breaking into hives? They needed to fi
nish this case and get back to civilization before he started picking wild flowers and writing sonnets. The thin mountain air must be messing with his mind.

  The trip to the compound was quite a bit longer since they moved campsites, and sweat dripped down his back by the time he reached the fence. The guard on perimeter duty passed by, right on time. Lex had less than five minutes to scale the fence before the next guard turned the corner.

  Thank God, the fence wasn’t electrified. The razor wire was bad enough without chancing electrocution. His leather gloves would protect his hands to a degree, but he could easily slice an arm or a leg fatally if he wasn’t careful.

  He was very careful.

  The second his feet hit the ground, he ducked and rolled to avoid the security camera. His heart thudded rapidly as he crouched in a doorway and waited to see if he’d been spotted.

  No alarms went off and no grunts came running so he assumed he remained undetected. Now he just had to get to Jim Bob’s office and hack into his computer for the evidence that corresponded with what Sarah had sent him. Piece of cake.

  Lex made his way to the row of rooms Jane had told him contained Jim Bob’s waiting room and potentially his office. He’d almost reached the end of the building before he spotted it.

  The large walnut desk with the state-of-the-art computer had to belong to Jim Bob. He checked his watch. Two more minutes before the next guard arrived. He’d have to move damn fast to get into the office without getting spotted.

  Adrenaline made his blood rush as he slid his fingers around the window frame looking for an alarm. Crap, it was wired. The seconds ticked away, increasing his chances of being caught with every heartbeat.

  He’d almost figured out where the trigger point was when the spotlight on the corner of the building lit up the night. Spots danced in his eyes as he dove for the cover of a prickly shrub.

  One of the guards ambled around the edge of the building, smoking a cigarette. He must have come out the back door and set off the motion-sensing lights. If Lex moved from the cover of the shrub before the light went out, his black clothes would stand out like a sore thumb.