And After the Fire by Lauren Belfer

Author:Lauren Belfer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2016-03-17T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

Dan took the curve on the gravel road, and the forest opened to reveal a modern Georgian-style mansion surrounded by expansive lawns. He was ten miles outside Princeton, New Jersey. A heavy rain had given way to fog.

As he pulled up to the front door, two men uniformed in gray-and-green striped vests and dark trousers emerged from the house, ready to unload his luggage and park his car in a garage hidden amid the trees.

“Good afternoon, sir,” the older of the two men said. “Mr. Kranich is in the hall.”

“Thank you.”

Surrendering his car and its keys as well as his overnight bag to the—footmen, would that be the proper term?—Dan felt a touch exposed. He wasn’t accustomed to strangers looking after him. He entered the house. The front entryway led into a reception area with a broad staircase. Upstairs he’d find a well-appointed bedroom with bathroom en suite, his overnight bag conveniently placed in the closet. His confirmation letter for the conference had noted that he’d been assigned the same bedroom he’d had last time, here in the main house rather than the nearby guesthouse. This placement was a sign of the approval of their host, Jonathan Kranich.

“Dan, welcome,” Jon greeted him.

Jon wore a conservative suit in the style of his longtime profession, banker. He was in his early seventies and seemed to relish his role in bringing the group together. A glance into the dining room showed that many of Dan’s colleagues had already arrived.

“We’ve got some terrific events planned for the weekend,” Jon said.

Jon had never married, and Dan assumed he was gay, but if he was, it had never been discussed.

“I’m glad to be here.”

Jon said in mock confidentiality, “I wonder if we’ll witness any fisticuffs.”

This biennial gathering, Friday to Sunday, brought together scholars, religious leaders, and church musicians from Europe and America to discuss Lutheran theology as illuminated by the work of Johann Sebastian Bach. The group tended to be argumentative, and passions often ran high.

“A good quarrel always livens things up, and you’re an astute referee,” Dan said.

“Kind of you to notice.” He guided Dan into the dining room. Jon engaged in lavish display, beginning with the buffet table. “Lobster thermidor. A hot lunch for a chilly day. Don’t overlook the dessert table.”

“I can’t recall ever overlooking dessert.”

“Something we have in common.” Jon left him to greet another arriving guest.

Dan had never tried lobster thermidor (indeed had never heard of it until this moment), and he allowed the uniformed server to fill his plate. Yes, he enjoyed being here. Luxury was seductive. No wonder so many conservative clergymen railed against it—while partaking of it fully. For his health’s sake, Dan added salad to the side of his plate.

Chairs were grouped around a half-dozen tables. Dan found a place at a table that included Reverend Mueller from the Church of the Holy Shepherd in New York.

Mueller was saying, “When it comes to dogs, golden retrievers are incomparable.”

If they were discussing dogs, no doubt they’d already attempted a scholarly discussion that had devolved into an ugly argument.

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