The Bell Messenger by Robert Cornuke & Alton Gansky

Author:Robert Cornuke & Alton Gansky
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Published: 2008-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

chapter 27

JULY 2, 1980

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

STEVE YUEN LED Gary up Euclid Street. Gary had taken half an hour to tell Steve all he knew about the Bible. Steve agreed to share what he knew, but not in the office-supply store that had once been a mission. “My house will be more comfortable,” he said. “Besides, there’s something I want to show you. I’ll call ahead to let my wife know I’m bringing a guest.”

Steve drove his dated Impala and Gary trailed behind on his Triumph. The drive was short, and minutes later, Gary, with backpack in hand, followed Steve up the steps to his three-story home. Like others in the area, the house was narrow, with the first floor being the garage and the two upper levels living space. It looked well cared for, with fresh white paint on the wood trim and a putty color coat on the exterior walls. Gary guessed it had been remodeled several times over the years.

Steve opened the door and his wife, Lim, met him immediately. Like Steve, she was Asian, with dark almond eyes, smooth olive skin, and a quick smile. She was lovely. After greeting them with a slight bow and exchanging pleasantries, she directed Gary to a large book with a worn red-cloth cover resting on an ornate, hand-carved teak book stand. “It is the family register, a diary of sorts. On the phone, my husband told me this book would be of interest to you.”

“Looks interesting,” Gary said.

Lim continued, “It is written by hand, with over a hundred pages penned in Chinese symbols. It has been in his family for generations.” She looked at Steve, who smiled. Gary could see the affection he felt for Lim.

“Can you read this?” Gary asked Steve.

“No. I never learned Chinese, but Lim can if you like. She came over from China as a child. Me? My parents didn’t speak Chinese in the home.”

Lim stepped forward. “I would be pleased to read the words, but it is long and most of the writings will be of little interest to you.”

“I would like to know if there is anything about a man named Tate or a woman named Mary Connor.”

“Yes, there is. I know these names. They are in the register. Please sit. I will find the passages for you.”

Gary took a seat on a narrow, jade green sofa. Steve plopped down in his leather easy chair. Lim moved to a side chair and set the large book on her lap. She opened it and scanned the yellowed pages. From his place on the sofa, Gary could see that the edges of the paper bore the stains of countless hands.

“I remember a man named Tate in the book.” She turned pages until she found the passage she sought. She smiled shyly. “I have read this book many times. My husband’s family is of great interest to me. Tate is known as ‘the one who gives life.’ It is recorded that he died in prison, convicted of murder, and was sentenced to be hanged.

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