Reign of Silence by Tony Martin

Author:Tony Martin [Martin, Tony]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2011-12-13T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen - Plans

“Hey, Preacher,” said Gretchen as Joshua arrived at the church Tuesday morning. “Did you forget something yesterday?”

“Oh, shoot,” said Joshua, feeling his stomach churn. “Carlisle Banks had surgery yesterday.”

“Yessir,” said Gretchen with mock cheer. Joshua could’ve strangled her. “They’ve already called this morning.”

“Gretchen, you’re gonna have to invest a little more time in looking after me,” Joshua said.

“I didn’t want to nag. You want me to kick into mamma mode?”

“If that’s what it takes, yeah. That’s twice in less than a week I’ve forgotten something important. I can’t use up all my good will around here.”

Gretchen, suddenly serious, said, “Brother Josh, I’m going to mind your business for you on something.”

Joshua knew, as he’d known with Bud Michaels, that Gretchen loved her pastor and wanted to do the right thing. “Go ahead – I can take it,” he said.

“Something has really been on your mind the last week or so, and it’s eating away at you,” she said. “Honestly, you look exhausted. And I’m not the only one who’s noticed.”

“Oh, really?” Joshua seldom put much stock in what “they” were saying.

“No, I’m not. Sara has noticed. Louise is in the kitchen most of the time, but she’s noticed, and is worried about you. These aren’t troublemakers – they have real concern.”

Joshua sank into a chair. “Is it that obvious?” he asked wearily.

“It is to me,” said Gretchen. “Now, Sara and Louise and I see more of you than most church folks. But I’ve never seen anyone go through such a change in personality. You’re walking around like there’s a cloud over your head, and it’s all happened so quick.”

“Gretchen,” Joshua said, “I just don’t think I’m at a point that I can tell you what’s going on. Let me just say that it’s all very stressful and confusing these days, but I believe things are about to get better.”

Gretchen considered this. “Isn’t Al’s cousin some kind of detective or something?” she asked. “Does his coming here have anything to do with what’s happening?”

“He’s an investigator, yeah,” said Joshua, thankful that he didn’t have to explain any further. He knew, though, that Gretchen could be quite the investigator herself if she wanted more information. “And he is here to help us. But rest assured there’s nothing illegal or immoral happening. He’s just here to help us, uh, try to figure out a problem.”

“Does this have anything to do with Meredith Duboses’ parents disappearing?”

Joshua felt like sighing aloud – whew. Gretchen thought she was on to something; instead, she was taking the wrong track altogether. “I really can’t say any more about it,” Joshua said, truthfully – and knowing that Gretchen would think his comment was a verification of her belief.

“Fair enough,” said Gretchen, a self-satisfied smile on her face. Joshua knew he’d thrown her off track for a while – and he hoped she would learn nothing else.

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