DESTINY (THE CHASER CHRONICLES Book 3) Read online

  She gave me a guilty smile, and hung her head slightly. “You won’t tell him, will you?”

  “I just might! Unless you agree to going for some food right now.”

  She stood. “Okay, I am a little hungry. Can we stop by the ICU window first?”

  I stood and put my arm around her. “Of course.”

  We left the waiting room, turned right, and walked to the end of the hall. Long lines of thick windows covered by heavy curtains lined either side of the hall. We stopped at the ICU door, which had a curtainless window, and Sarah pointed at a bed halfway done the far wall.

  “That’s Buddy there.”

  I couldn’t recognize him. Tubes, wires, and gauze were everywhere. The figure under the blanket was motionless, but dials and gauges moved incessantly, in a stark contrast to my friend’s stillness.

  I stood saying a silent prayer before taking Sarah away from the glass. “Come on. He’s in good hands, and you made a promise.”

  We headed down the hall toward the elevators.

  *******

  There was a line when we arrived at the cafeteria. After nearly fifteen minutes, we each had a plate of scrambled eggs, toast, and a cup of coffee. We found a table in the back corner of the expansive room.

  After eating in silence for a while, without looking at me, Sarah went right to the center of my thoughts. “How’s Amanda?”

  It’s creepy how she and Buddy had this intuition into what other people were thinking. “Actually, I’m not sure.”

  She sipped her coffee. “Do you care to explain?”

  I laid down my fork and stared at her. “Can I ask you something?”

  “You just did.”

  I smiled. “Can I ask you something personal?”

  “Of course.”

  “How did you find out about Buddy’s ministry? He said you knew before you were married.”

  Sarah sat back in her chair and regarded me with all seriousness. “You’ve already told her, haven’t you?”

  You see what I mean! It’s like she already knew we were going to have this conversation.

  “I started to tell her…”

  “And?”

  “I only got halfway through before she said she needed to leave. She said she wanted to think about what I’d said.”

  Sarah rolled her eyes and smiled. “You can hardly blame her!”

  I laughed. “That’s for sure. It sounded nuts to me while I was telling her.”

  The seriousness returned to Sarah’s face. “What is her background?”

  “How do you mean?”

  “Her religious background, how was she raised?”

  I had to think about it. We had discussed our faith many times, but our early church experiences had rarely been brought up.

  “I think she was raised in a traditional Protestant Church. Why is that important?”

  “Perhaps the best way to answer your question is to tell you what happened when I found out.” She sipped her coffee. “One Sunday, Buddy took me on a picnic after church. He said he had something special he wanted to talk about, and he didn’t want us to be disturbed. Of course, I thought he was going to propose.”

  “Apparently, he wasn’t referring to marriage?”

  “Nope. We went to a park in the next town, and sat under a large willow tree, next to a pond. It was right off of a postcard. After eating lunch, and lying on a blanket talking for a while, I finally couldn’t take it anymore. He can be so aggravating when he has a secret!”

  “Tell me about it! You should try and plan a chase with him.”

  “Anyway, I asked him what he wanted to talk to me about. It was then he told me about Chasing.”

  “What did he say?”

  Sarah sat forward, the intensity in her look going up three notches. “This is where the importance of religious upbringing comes into play. He asked me if I believed in the spiritual world and things like miracles, angels, demons. I said, ‘Of course’ and looked at him puzzled. He said he’d been called to a ministry that took place in the spiritual realm.”

  “Okay, but I don’t get the connection with religious background.”

  “Wait for it.”

  I grinned, acknowledging my impatience.

  “My dad was a Pentecostal preacher. He and Momma raised us kids in a miracle-believing church, and by the time I was eighteen, I had seen the Lord move in many powerful ways.”

  “I envy you, Sarah. That must have been wonderful.”

  A warm smile, no doubt created by fond memories, took over her face. “Indeed.”

  I thought I saw where she was headed. “So, when Buddy told you about a ministry in the spiritual realm, you were accepting of it because of your spiritual upbringing, is that it?”

  “Yes, mind you there were many more discussions, and Buddy had to show me the connections between his ministry and some of the things that occurred in our early lives together.”

  “So he proved it to you?”

  “Not exactly. He helped me see it for myself.”

  My head started to hurt.

  I thought only Buddy could spin my brain like this.

  “Then you’re suggesting Mandy can’t believe in the ministry because she was brought up in a more traditional church?”

  Sarah shook her head vigorously. “No, not can’t. But it will be more difficult, and you will need to have greater patience, until she can resolve some of the things she doesn’t instinctively believe.”

  “What did Buddy show you that convinced you it was real?”

  “Has Mandy had any connection with other people and places involved in the ministry?”

  I thought about it. She’d met Steve Mason, been to Journey Chapel, investigated the murder of Brother Timmons. “Yes.”

  “Then, when she’s ready, those are the examples of the truth you use to help her see.”

  I nodded. “Buddy was a lucky man the day he found you, Sarah.”

  She reached across the table, laying her hand on mine. “And you were a lucky man the day you found Amanda. Trust me.”

  *******

  Buddy’s status hadn’t changed any while we were gone, but my heart had undergone a major change. I was now convinced I had to finish telling Mandy everything, and then let the Lord take over.

  Let the Lord take over? That should have been your first thought, dummy!

  While sitting with Sarah in the waiting room, my phone rang.

  “Hello?”

  “Jack, it’s Brother Edwards.”

  I was disappointed it wasn’t Mandy. “Oh, hey Gary.”

  “Jack, Can you come by Journey sometime today?”

  I looked at my watch. “Sure, I guess. What’s up?”

  “There’s someone here from out of town. I want you to meet her.”

  “Her?”

  “Yes, Rachel Tanner is her name, and she’s connected to the ministry.”

  “Okay, Gary. How about an hour from now?”

  “That’ll work.”

  “Hold on Gary.” I covered the phone. “Are you going to be okay, Sarah?”

  “I’ll be fine. Several members of Journey Chapel are supposed to be here later, anyway.”

  I uncovered the phone. “Gary, I’ll see you in an hour.”

  “Good.” Brother Edwards hung up.

  I put away my phone and stood up. “You’re sure you’ll be okay?”

  “I’m fine,” she said, taking my hand for the second time in an hour. “Thank you, Jack.”

  I put my other hand on top of hers, grinning at her. “I don’t want you telling Buddy I abandoned you! He’ll have my butt!”

  She burst out laughing, and it was good to hear her laugh for the first time in a couple days. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell.”

  I kissed her on the forehead. “You better not.”

  chapter 3

  On the way over to Journey Chapel, I tried Mandy’s cell phone. It rang several times, then went to voice mail. I didn’t leave a message. My number would hav
e popped up on her caller ID, so either she was busy, or avoiding me.

  I hoped she was busy.

  The huge edifice known as Journey Chapel should’ve had a more impressive name, like maybe, Journey Holy Spirit Cathedral & Worship Center. The church had gotten its small-sounding name from the original stone chapel that was built over two centuries ago. That original chapel was now Brother Gary Edward’s office.

  The primary mission of Journey was to assist the ministry of Chasing. To provide guidance, comfort, prayer, or anything else a Chaser might need. It also served as a Chaser’s connection to the Council, twelve men who oversee ministry operations worldwide.

  After parking in the back, I knocked on the small door leading to the original chapel. Brother Edwards opened it, greeting me with a hug. “Good to see you, Jack.”

  “Hi, Gary.”

  He closed the door behind us, and then led me down the long hallway, moving a little faster than normal. “Come on. Rachel is in my office and she’s anxious to meet you.”

  “You said she was sent here by the Council?”

  “That’s right, and specifically to see you.”

  “Me? Why me?”

  He laid his hand on the office door handle, but didn’t turn it. “Why don’t I let her tell you?”

  I shrugged. “Okay.”

  He opened the door and we walked in. Sitting in one of the armchairs, near the bank of wall-to-ceiling windows that take up one side of the office, was a red-haired woman. That’s all I could tell initially, because her back was to us.

  Brother Edwards announced our arrival. “Rachel, come meet Jack Carter.”

  Rachel Tanner stood and turned toward us. I was concerned my mouth hung open, exposing my thoughts. Gary herded me closer.

  “Jack Carter, this is Rachel Tanner. Rachel, this is Jack.”

  Rachel Tanner extended a long, slender arm, and took my hand. She was tall and thin, but not skinny. Her long red hair was highlighted by the dark green of her eyes and the matching red freckles on her face. She managed to look harmless and intimidating at the same time.

  “Jack, it’s so nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard a great deal about you.”

  “Some of it good, I hope.”

  Her laugh was genuine, and I immediately liked her. “Absolutely.”

  I returned her handshake, and noticed there was a confident strength in her grip. “Gary tells me you’ve come here from the Council.”

  She waved her hand, dismissing the idea of her importance. “True, but don’t let that bother you. I’m here as an envoy, just fact finding and message delivery.”

  Rachel went back to her seat, and I followed, taking a chair across from her. She wore a black pantsuit with an orange blouse under the jacket. Orange sneakers, not heels, completed the ensemble. Brother Edwards brought a tray. “Coffee, Jack?”

  “”Yes, please.” I took my cup and looked up to see Rachel Tanner studying me. She wore a warm smile, and I returned it, comfortable with her only seconds after meeting her.

  Rachel held out her own cup, and let Brother Edwards refill it, all the while still looking at me. “So, Jack, how do you like Chasing?”

  I thought about it. No one had asked me if I liked the ministry. “I like it a lot. I’ve found it to be very rewarding, as well as challenging.”

  She nodded. “There’s no other ministry like it.”

  “Are you a Chaser?”

  “I was. For the last several years, I’ve served the Council in different ways by taking on tasks requiring a personal emissary from them.”

  “Am I one of those tasks?”

  She regarded me with humor. “I guess you could say that, but I don’t think I’d describe meeting you a task. It sounds too much like work and drudgery, and I don’t consider my purpose here to be any such thing.”

  “So, if I may be so forward, what is your task here?”

  Brother Edwards interrupted. “Her main task is to understand the events surrounding the death of Brother Timmons.”

  Rachel addressed the pastor, but kept her eyes focused on me. “Actually, that was my first task, but not my main task.”

  Brother Edwards looked confused. “What other instructions did you have from the Council?”

  Rachel leaned toward me, her hair falling down over her shoulders. “I’m supposed to spend some time with Jack, and find out how we can put an end to Harbinger.”

  I was flattered, or maybe flustered, I wasn’t sure. “Me? You’ve come to take on Harbinger with me?”

  “No. As I said, I’m no longer a Chaser,” she sat back, crossing her long legs, and clasping her hands in her lap. “But I was one of the best when I did it, and they want me to give you assistance in any way I can, so you can defeat Harbinger.”

  “I don’t need any help. I’ll figure it out.” I was less sure than I sounded.

  “In that case, Jack Carter, consider me just someone who wants to hang around with you for a while.” She winked at me, which I found unsettling. “It could be fun.”

  “Suit yourself, but come October tenth, I’m meeting Harbinger, and he will be crossed over.”

  She laughed. “That’s a party I don’t want to miss!”

  *******

  After Rachel Tanner left to go to her hotel, I was alone in the office with Brother Edwards. I sensed an almost jovial mood in the long-time counselor.

  “Gary, you seem quite pleased by our guest showing up?”

  He was sitting behind his desk, drinking his third cup of coffee since I arrived, and probably his tenth today.

  Maybe his mood is just caffeine induced.

  “I am in a good mood, Jack. Rachel Tanner is a legend.”

  “A legend? You’re kidding me, right?”

  He shook his head. “Nope. She did her chasing in L.A. and crossed over some very big stars.”

  “Movie stars?”

  “Mostly rock stars, ones that could have turned out like Harbinger if she hadn’t crossed them over. They made for very nasty Runners.”

  “So, does that mean she’s here to train me?”

  Gary shrugged. “I don’t know. As you saw by my reaction, I’m not privy to everything, but my guess is Rachel is to serve as your Counselor until Harbinger is taken care of. Besides, I saw you noticed she’s easy on the eyes.”

  “She is that.” I might have blushed, I’m not sure.

  *******

  When I left Journey, I headed back to the hospital. Again, I tried Mandy’s phone while I was driving, and again it went to voice mail.

  “Mandy, it’s Jack. Call me, please. We need to talk about last night, and there’s still more I need to tell you. Don’t shut me out, please.”

  I closed my cell phone, and was about to put it away, when it rang. My heart surged, until I saw it wasn’t Mandy’s number.

  “Hello?”

  “Jack, it’s Sarah.”

  “Hi, Sarah. Is everything okay?”

  “Yes. I wanted you to know they’ve scheduled Buddy for surgery.”

  “When?”

  “Tomorrow at eleven in the morning. They’re going to put on a skull plate.”

  “That’s great! The brain swelling has gone down enough to do that?”

  “That’s what the doctor said.” She hesitated. “I need to ask you a favor.”

  “Anything, Sarah.”

  “Can you be here when he goes into surgery?”

  My heart broke. Sarah was alone, and I might be the closest thing to a son she and Buddy had.

  “I wouldn’t be anywhere else, Sarah.”

  I could hear the relief in her voice. “Thanks, Jack.”

  “No thanks needed, you know that.”

  “Oh, Jack?”

  “Yeah, Sarah?”

  “How’s Mandy?”

  With all Sarah had been going through, she still had time to worry about others. “I still haven’t talked to her.”

  “While I’m praying for Buddy, I’ll add one for Mandy.”

  �
��I appreciate that. See you tomorrow.”

  I was only halfway to the hospital, and since I knew Sarah was okay, I turned around and headed for home.

  *******

  My heart began to pound as I turned down my block. Sitting in the driveway was Mandy’s yellow Volkswagen Beetle. I pulled in behind her, and got out. Mandy has had a key ever since I bought the home.

  When I opened the front door, I was met by Bear, tail swishing side to side. Her tongue licked my outstretched hand as I looked past her. “Hi, girl. Do we have a visitor?”

  I heard a sound in the kitchen, and as I crossed the living room, Mandy came out carrying two cups of coffee.

  I took one. “Thanks. How did you know I would be home?”

  “When I called Sarah Daniels to check on Buddy, she told me you had just spoken with her. I figured you were on your way home.”

  Mandy didn’t smile, and for that matter, she wouldn’t meet my gaze either. There was a definite tension filling the space between us.

  “Mandy…”

  “Don’t say anything, Jack. I don’t want to discuss it right now. I just wanted to see you and Bear. But I don’t want to discuss any of this chasing stuff, so I can remind myself you’re not crazy.”

  “That’s fine. I’m glad you came by, and I’m not crazy. In fact, I’ve never been saner in my life.”

  “I believe you.” She still didn’t smile.

  “You know we have to talk about it sometime.”

  She didn’t say anything.

  Time to change the subject, Jack, before you lose her altogether.

  “Well, I’m glad to see you, but Bear is the one who was going crazy! She mopes around, and I swear she’s looking at your picture on the shelf, trying to figure out when you’ll be back.”

  “She does!” Mandy reached out and scratched both of Bear’s ears. “Well, I missed her, too.”

  A smile finally crossed her face, and I rejoiced inside to see her happy again.

  chapter 4

  Mandy left about two hours later. Chasing never came up again during her visit. After making sure Bear was fed and watered, I cleaned up and crawled into bed.