Ch. 17
Wed. evening
July 11, 2008
Phillip
Phillip opened the door and called out, “Ruth, I’m home.” Ruth came from the kitchen wearing an apron of Hope’s that said, “Indian Oaks”. The house smelled heavenly of fresh oranges, cinnamon and yeast bread.
“I have someone here I would like you to meet. This is Candace Bradshaw. Her daughter Charlie is now with Grace. I want you to take her under your wing.” Candace looked shyly at Ruth, as if she were afraid of being rejected. Ruth, noticing her hesitation, took Candace’s hand between both of her own and patted it.
“Come with me, my dear. I think we are going to be very good friends. We are both missing someone precious to us. I have made some of my famous cinnamon rolls. Would you like some tea?”
Phillip shook his head affectionately and started up the stairs for a shower and a nap. When he came down in the late afternoon he found the guest room made up for Candace and the two ladies setting the table for dinner. A savory smell permeated the kitchen and Phillip grinned.
“Chicken pot pie?” he asked Ruth.
“As soon as you ask the blessing,” she replied, indicating his chair at the head of the table. The three of them got settled at the table and joined hands. For a long moment after they bowed their heads, Phillip tried to compose his emotions.
“Father God, we come to you in faith, in hope, and in love. You know that Grace and Charlie are still away from us, and we want to pray for their safety and well being. Help us to have the strength to forgive Daniel for what he has taken from us.”
Phillip’s voice faltered and Ruth squeezed his hand.
“Thank you for letting us be together tonight. Thank you for this meal and bless the hands that prepared it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Phillip coughed and cleared his throat. During the meal they relaxed together and enjoyed the fellowship. Shortly after they finished their coffee and dessert of cinnamon rolls, the doorbell rang.
“Wonder who that could be?” Phillip asked as he got up from his chair and opened the door. The anxious look on his face betrayed his frayed emotions. Clearly, he was hoping against hope that it would be his family returning to him.
“Lance, come in, come in. How are you doing? Do you need anything?” Phillip’s concern was evident in his face and his voice. Ruth got up silently and went for the coffee pot.
“I just came from opening the safety deposit box and I found something unusual. Officer Ken was with me and he said I should bring this over immediately.”
“What is it?” Philip asked.
“It’s a photo,” he said, handing it over.
Phillip took the photo and stared at an image of a man’s forearm with a large dragon tattoo. He placed it in the center of the table with a card that read, “Watch for the son.”
“Watch for the son?” Candace read.
“Does that mean something? Tong has a tattoo like that.”
The hair stood up on the back of Phillip’s neck and his eyes narrowed suspiciously.
“Who is Tong?” he asked.
“Tong is the Chinese guy who pays for Daniel’s mom’s house. I thought maybe they were
together because they are around the same age but Daniel said no, it wasn’t like that. He is really
creepy. Real intense and serious, you know?” she shook her head.
“I’m still trying to take this all in,” Lance said.
“Well, anything is possible but I think this may be a warning from the mafia,” Ruth said, handing Lance a plate with a dripping cinnamon roll on it and a cup of coffee.
“The postmark was from a Sister Dolores at an orphanage in Laos,” Lance said, filling in one blank and raising six questions at the same time. They continued to discuss the situation and sort through details and questions throughout the evening.
Carolina Key Page 14
