So Help Me God
Page 50
T. J.'s lips narrowed and his face hardened as if he could put the whole episode behind him with a few words. He had more important things to consider. His ministry and regaining his position of power were far more important than any one girl. His voice made that clear when he replied, "I have nothing more to say about Ms. Brady. I answered all the questions about her on the witness stand. She's an adult now. I suggest that you ask her about her future plans. Next question."
While T. J. spoke to the media, Jessie walked Lucy, Joanna and Bo to their car and kissed them goodbye. She invited them to stay at her place until things quieted down. She walked to her Jaguar, opened the passenger door, reached into the glove box and retrieved an object that she placed in her purse. She calmly walked toward the corner where T. J. was being interviewed, nodded to a policeman and crossed to where T. J. rambled on. He had climbed back on his soapbox where he lamented the evils in society with abortion being the worst of all. It appeared he had no memory of the day's events. Or perhaps he was mad.
For Jessie, it didn't matter. She knew what she had to do. This man had lied to her. This man had betrayed her trust. And this man had seduced her niece.
Jessie waited for her chance. A reporter closed his notebook and slid out of the crowd, leaving T. J. exposed. Quietly, very quietly, she removed the pearl handled pistol from her purse, raised it and squeezed the trigger.
As she raised the pistol and took aim, a reporter standing beside T. J. saw the gun an instant before Jessie fired.
"Gun!" he cried as he shoved T. J., but he was too late. The bullet entered T. J.'s head, not between the eyes where Jessie had aimed, but in the side of the head as the reporter tried to shove him out of harm's way.
Law enforcement officers raced toward them from every direction. Jessie didn't move. Instead, she handed the gun, butt first, to the first officer who pushed his way through the crowd. The shot also brought Tod, Jan, Wayne and Dr. Moyo running. Without hesitating, Dr. Moyo dropped to his knees and began CPR. An officer called for Life Flight. Dr. Moyo continued CPR until the helicopter arrived. It was Captain John Peterson who skillfully threaded the chopper down between buildings.
"Tod, I am going with him to the hospital," Dr. Moyo shouted.
"I suppose you should, Doc. You're the only physician around. It's your call."
"It is my call, Tod. And it's my calling."
EPILOGUE
Ignoring requests for comments from the media about the sudden turn of events, and admittedly shaken themselves, Tod, Jan and Wayne headed for the Four Seasons bar. If ever they had needed a drink, now was the time. As their drinks arrived the call came from Dr. Moyo.
"Tod, Zeke here. It's not good. The neurologists have examined him and the surgeons are operating now. He will probably live. The odds are about ninety percent that he'll be back in a vegetative state. He has no sign of anything but the most primitive brain function. One of the nurses called someone at The City of Miracles. If he doesn't improve, they'll send an air ambulance when the doctors say it's okay. They've been through this before and know how to care for him."
"So they do, Zeke. Twelve years of experience," Tod replied.
"Tod, Reverend Luther nearly destroyed me, but I would never have wanted this to happen."
"I know, Zeke." Tod paused and asked, "Do you believe in destiny, Zeke?"
"Well, yes, Tod, I suppose that I do. I don't understand."
"Mark it down to destiny. We never know what fate has in store for us, not even T. J. Or maybe it was God who decided T. J. was dancing with the devil.."