“I’m with you,” Preacher said.
“Good,” Marcus said. “There’s just one more point open. And this one might be the deal breaker. They want to tape the show here. They say they wouldn’t be able to get the guests they want if they taped in Churchland. If we have to rent space up here, it could double the production costs on the show. We couldn’t afford it.”
“How do we solve that one?” Preacher asked.
“I don’t know,” Marcus answered. “I tried everything I could but got nowhere. That one’s up to you.”
Preacher thought for a moment. “Have we anything to offer them in place of it?”
Marcus shook his head. “Not really.”
Preacher looked at him. “What are they like?”
“He seems to be a nice-enough guy. You know, easy, relaxed, just like he is on the tube, but she’s something else. A very tough lady. She’s the wheeler-dealer in the family. Apparently she had to be because she took over when he blew his money and his career some years ago being Mr. Nice Guy.” Marcus took a deep breath. “I can’t be sure but I have the feeling that she moved him onto the gospel circuit because she saw the money in it and knew he didn’t stand a chance on commercial television.”
Preacher probed further. “Are you telling me that she’s not for real? That God is more business than conviction for her?”
Marcus shrugged. “It’s possible. But I can’t say for sure.”
Preacher nodded. He was silent for a moment, then he smiled. “We’ll soon find out.”
“How?” Marcus said.
“Maybe I’ll take her into another room and pray with her a little,” Preacher said. He saw the expression on Marcus’ face and laughed. “Don’t be upset. It’s just one of my private jokes. I know that this is not the time for prayer. If she’s the kind of lady you think she is, let’s see how tough she really is. Call her attorney and tell him that in no manner will I agree to have the show produced anywhere but in Churchland. If they won’t agree to that, the deal is off. You can also tell him that I will be at the hotel until two o’clock and if I don’t hear that they will agree to do the show from Churchland by then, there will be no point in my meeting with them and I will leave for the airport.”
Marcus stared at him. “That’s strong. You don’t leave me any room for negotiation.”
“There isn’t any,” Preacher said flatly. “One of the most important reasons for broadcasting from Churchland is that we can attract more people to come there. If we can’t have that, fifty percent of their validity will be lost.”
“We have nowhere to go if they turn us down,” Marcus said.
“They can’t be the only fish in the sea,” Preacher said. He thought for a moment. “What about Pat Boone? He’s very good and a bigger attraction than Jimmy Hickox ever was.”
“The reason I didn’t approach him first is that I heard he’s committed a year in advance.”
Preacher looked at him. “You’re putting the cart before the horse. They haven’t turned us down yet. Make the call first.”
***
They were at the hotel at eleven thirty. Marcus led him to the bungalow. It was just off the street on Crescent Drive. “Are you hungry?” he asked. “Shall I order lunch?”
Preacher shook his head. “No, thanks. But I am tired. I didn’t sleep very well last night. Do you think I have time for a nap?”
“Of course,” Marcus said. “I have a few errands to run. Why don’t you lie down and I’ll come back at one-fifteen to wake you?”
“That would be fine.”
Marcus left and Preacher went into the bedroom, drew the drapes until the room was dark, then took off his clothes and stretched out on the bed in only his shorts. A moment later, he sat up and picked up the telephone.
The operator came on the line immediately. “Yes, Dr. Talbot?”
He placed a call to Jane in Dallas. The telephone rang twice and was answered, “Dawson residence.”
“This is Dr. Talbot,” he said. “Is Mrs. Talbot there?”
“No, Dr. Talbot,” the maid’s voice answered. “She took the children out shopping. May I take a message?”
“Please,” Preacher said. “Would you be kind enough to tell Mrs. Talbot that I had to go to Los Angeles unexpectedly and that I will call later to explain.”
“I’ll do that,” the maid answered.
“Thank you,” Preacher said, putting down the telephone and lying back on the pillows. He stared up into the dark. Nothing seemed to be going exactly right. First, the board of directors, then Jane, and now the Hickoxes. It was strange. Ever since he had turned forty he’d had the feeling that time was running away from him and he could never catch up to it. He was tired. Very tired. He closed his eyes and fell off to sleep.
The faintly sweet odor of grass filtered into his sleep. At first he rejected it. It wasn’t true. He was dreaming. But the odor persisted, growing stronger. Finally, he opened his eyes. In the dark all he could see was the outline of two girls seated at the foot of the bed and their cigarettes glowing.
He sat up, reaching for the lamp next to the bed. One of the girls reached over and stopped his hand. “Go back to sleep, Preacher. We didn’t mean to disturb you.”
He plucked the joint from her fingers and dragged on it. “You weren’t disturbing me, Charlie,” he said. “If I’m going to get stoned, I’d rather be awake to enjoy it.”
“We love you, Preacher,” the other girl said.
“And I love you, Melanie,” he said. He gave the joint back to Charlie. “Now, can I turn on the light?”
“I’ll do it,” she said. The lamp clicked on.
He blinked his eyes and stared at them. They were smiling. “How did you know I was here?”
“Joe found out from Marcus and told us. We’ve been driving since dawn. We wanted to see you,” Melanie said.
“After all, it’s been almost a year,” Charlie said.
He was silent for a moment. “Put out the joints,” he said. “I’ve got an important meeting coming up and I can’t afford to be tripping.”
“Aren’t you glad to see us, Preacher?” Charlie sounded hurt.
“You know I’m always glad to see you,” he answered. He got out of bed. “I’d better take a cold shower and get my head straight.”
“How about a warm fuck first?” Melanie asked. “At least, that’ll relax you and take away all the tensions that are screwing up your head.”
He looked at them, smiling. “You’re both beautiful. You never change. But I haven’t got the time.”
“Then make the time, Preacher,” Charlie said, beginning to step out of her clothes. “Your vibes tell us you need us.”
“Tell her to stop,” he said, turning to Melanie. But Melanie was already naked and crawling across the bed toward him. He began to turn back toward Charlie. She too was naked. “Hey—!”
Laughing, they pulled him down on the bed, and holding him down, they pressed themselves against him, their faces over his. He lay very still, his eyes going from one to the other. He took a deep breath. “It won’t work, children.”
“Nothing works if you won’t let it, Preacher,” Charlie said, her eyes beginning to moisten.
He turned his face to Melanie. There were tears in her eyes also. “Please, Preacher,” she whispered. “Don’t grow old on us.”
He stared without speaking.
She brushed her nose with the back of her hand. “Because if you grow old, then we grow old too.”
He felt his own eyes fill with tears and he pulled their faces down to his shoulders and they lay quietly, their tears mingling, for a long time. Finally, he dropped his hands to his sides and the girls rose from the bed. He lay there silently, watching them dress.
Charlie turned toward him. “I’m sorry,” she said. “We shouldn’t have come.”
“We thought it would be like old times,” Melanie said. “But we were wrong. Everything’s changed. Even you. We know that now.”
�
��We’re not going back to the Community,” Charlie said. “That’s not the same either.”
“Where will you go then?” Preacher asked, sitting up.
Melanie shrugged. “We were thinking of going back to Churchland with you if you would have us. But we know better now.”
“We’ll find a place,” Charlie said. “If you should speak to Joe tell him we’ll let him know where to send our things as soon as we settle down.”
Preacher looked at them, then smiled slowly. “You can call him right now and tell him.”
“What do you mean?” Melanie asked.
“Both of you are going back to Churchland on the plane with me tonight,” he said. He saw the look of surprise on their faces and smiled again. “Now is it all right with you ladies if I take a cold shower?”
“How long is the flight?” Charlie asked.
“Three hours,” he answered.
They both came toward him and kissed his cheeks. “Then don’t make the shower too cold,” Charlie said.
Chapter Eleven
Jimmy Hickox opened the door for them. His youthful appearance belied his age. He looked no more than a man in his middle thirties though Preacher knew he was in his early fifties. “Dr. Talbot,” he said, holding out his hand. “It’s a great pleasure to meet you, sir.”
Jimmy’s handshake was firm and enthusiastic. Preacher smiled. “It’s my pleasure, Mr. Hickox. I’ve been a fan for a long time.”
“That makes me feel good,” Jimmy said. “I’m an admirer of yours also. I’m very impressed with the manner in which you carry out the work of the Lord. This country needs more men like yourself who devote their lives to fighting the sins that threaten to corrupt the very structure of the American family and destroy our way of life.”
Preacher shot a quick glance at Marcus. There was a hidden amusement in his eyes. It was obvious that Jimmy had never seen a program of his or he would know that wasn’t the kind of thing that he did. “Thank you,” he said. “All of us do the best we can, Mr. Hickox.”
“Call me Jimmy,” Jimmy said. “Kim and the others are waiting for us in the living room.”
There were three other men with her, their agent, their business manager, and their attorney. Jimmy introduced them first. Preacher shook their hands and turned to Kim Hickox. He took her hand before Jimmy had a chance to introduce them, and she had to get out of her chair. He held her hand a moment longer than was necessary and looked into her eyes. “I thought he’d never get around to you,” he said. “But now I understand, Mrs. Hickox. He was saving the best for last. It’s a real pleasure.”
She was blushing beneath her makeup as he let go of her hand. “It’s a pleasure for me too, Dr. Talbot. I can’t tell you how honored we feel that you called us to help you in your work for the Lord.”
“I, too, am pleased that all the problems have been worked out. I’m sure that it’s the Lord’s will that we join together in working for Him,” he said. He saw the slight flush rise into her cheeks again and knew that she had picked up the double entendre.
She tore her eyes away from him. “Would anyone care for a cold drink? Some coffee or tea?”
“Not for me, Mrs. Hickox,” he said quickly. “I’m afraid I haven’t the time. I have to be in Dallas tonight.”
“I’m sorry, Dr. Talbot,” she said. “I thought we might have time to chat a little about the program.”
“We will, Mrs. Hickox,” he said. “Perhaps you could find some time and spend a few days with me in Churchland. That way you’ll be able to see for yourself how complete our facilities are and we can get down to some really constructive work.”
She nodded. “I agree, Dr. Talbot. That’s very important. I’d like it to be as soon as possible. Maybe next week?”
“That’s fine with me, Mrs. Hickox,” he answered.
“Just a minute, Kim,” Jimmy said. “Have you forgotten I promised to join the Billy Graham crusade in Canada next week?”
She smiled but her voice had a quiet authority. “That’s all right, dear. I’m sure it will be better for all of us if I spend my time working on the program rather than be sitting around the house doing nothing next week.”
“That’s true,” Jimmy said, nodding. “I hadn’t thought of that.”
“Might I suggest that we go over the papers now?” Marcus said. “The sooner we get them signed, the quicker Dr. Talbot can go to the airport. He really has to be in Dallas tonight.”
The attorney distributed the papers. Preacher handed his copy back to him. “I never read contracts. I leave that to Mr. Lincoln and just sign where he tells me.”
He turned to Kim, who was holding her copy. “I’m sure that you do the same thing, Mrs. Hickox. Leave things like that in the capable hands of your husband and advisors.”
“Of course, Dr. Talbot,” she said. She placed the papers on the coffee table and stood there hesitantly.
“You have a lovely home, Mrs. Hickox.” He smiled. “Is it true, as I’ve heard, that you have one wall in the house covered with all of your husband’s gold records?”
“It’s true,” she said. “In the library. Would you like to see it?”
“I really would, Mrs. Hickox,” he said. “Would you believe I’ve never seen a gold record?”
“Please call me Kim,” she said. She turned to her attorney. “Call us as soon as you’re ready.”
Preacher followed her out of the room to the staircase in the foyer. She started up the steps, then turned and looked down at him. “The library is on the second floor,” she said.
He looked up at her. “I read that in the same article I learned about the gold records.”
She flushed again, then silently turned and led him to the library. She opened the door and entered the room, standing next to the open doorway. “The records are on the far wall behind the desk.”
He went past her into the room, then around behind the desk. He gave the records a perfunctory glance, then turned to look at her. “Close the door,” he said.
She hesitated a moment, then shut the door and stood next to it.
He walked around the desk and stood in front of it. “You’re too far away,” he said.
Slowly, almost zombie-like, her eyes fixed on him, she crossed the room. She stopped in front of him. Her voice was almost frightened. “Why are you hitting on me?”
He put his hands on her shoulders and felt her trembling. “Before I answer that, I think you have something to tell me.”
Her eyes fell. “I’ve never told anyone.”
“Tell me,” he said.
“I wasn’t always like this. I used to laugh and have fun. Like everyone else. Then one day I woke up and found that I was married to a weak empty shell, an alcoholic who’d managed to lose everything we’d worked for, security and career. I had to take over. I tried everything and nothing helped cure him until he was born again in Christ. At the same time I saw the way to restore his career, a way to make use of the name he still had. For Christ.” She looked up at him. “Is that what you wanted to hear?”
“Praise the Lord,” he said in a mocking voice. “That story should go over big with Robertson or Bakker on their shows.”
“You don’t believe me?” she asked.
“I believe you,” he said. “But you told me only what you thought I wanted to hear. Not what I wanted to know.”
“I don’t understand you,” she said.
He looked at her. “Did you know he was gay when you were married?”
She shook her head. “No,” she answered in a low voice.
“Is that why you want to do the show in Los Angeles?” he asked. “Because you were afraid he couldn’t get lost in a small place like Churchland the way he does here?”
Her eyes fell again. “Yes.”
He raised her chin with his hand so that she was forced to look at him. “Maybe it’s too big a risk for all of us to take,” he said thoughtfully. “If it should get out, I have enough enemies to make mincemeat of him in
order to get at me.”
“It won’t get out,” she said fiercely. “I can control him. How do you think we got this far? There’s never been a word about him anywhere.”
“You’re a very tough lady,” he said.
“I had to be but there were times I haven’t been,” she said. “I’m still a woman with a woman’s desires. I haven’t always been what I should be.”
“I’m sure the Lord understands and forgives. His mercy is not for sinners alone.”
“But I am a sinner,” she said.
“We are all sinners,” he said quietly. “That’s why I hit on you.”
She stepped away from him. “But not for the reason I thought?”
He didn’t answer.
“You’re a strange man, Dr. Talbot. Not like any minister I’ve ever met.” She took a deep breath. “I should have known the moment we met not to play games with you.” She started for the door, then turned back. “I’m going to my room. Do you mind telling them that we agreed to disagree? I’m not up to facing any of them right now.”
“Without knowing the truth about either of you, Kim, I could not sign the agreement. But now I can. I know you won’t let me down.”
Her astonishment showed. “You mean—?”
“Yes,” he smiled, walking toward her. “Let’s go downstairs and take care of business.”
By the time he thought of calling Jane, he was already on the plane returning to Churchland and it was too late.
***
The seat-belt sign went out as the plane reached cruising altitude. Preacher unbuckled and looked across the table at Marcus, sitting opposite him. “Thanks for thinking of sending the other plane for Joe. I had completely forgotten about it and if it weren’t for you, he might never have made the meeting.”
“You have enough on your mind,” Marcus said.
“Any refreshment?” the steward asked.
Marcus looked up at him. “If this were a commercial flight I would have a double Scotch but since it isn’t, I’ll take a black coffee.”
Preacher smiled. He looked up at the steward. “I’ll have mine on the rocks.” He turned to Marcus. “Of course it’s off the record, but I keep a private locker on each of the planes for myself.”
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