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Chapter Sixteen
…Behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find youout.
–-Numbers 32:23
Frustration ateat Anis Tera like a fanged beast, feeding in the night. He paced his motel room in a fit of temper, fists clenched. Praying hadn’t lessened his sense of failure. Or hisanger.
Alexa had betrayed him. And that made him feel like afool.
Yes, it’d been a mistake to stray from the plan he’d been carefully developing. But he’d been transfixed by her message at the latest press conference. No mere mortal could comprehend his holy crusade, but she understood that itwasholy. That he was Christ’s soldier. She’d said asmuch.
Like a weary soldier returning from battle, he can put down his sword.And if that wasn’t enough of a code, she’d included parts from one of his favorite Bible quotes:For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good orevil.
She’d signaled her awareness of the divine purpose that drove him. His fist clenched at his side as he crossed the room. Back again. Yes, he’d been exultant when he’d heard the words, shared specifically with him. It was like listening to music only the two of them could hear. Had anyone ever understood him before in his life? Certainly not the man who called himself his father. And not even later, when he’d been removed from that home and lived with the pastor and his wife for a time. While the minister had done his best to show Anis the way of the Lord, he’d never once tried to comprehend what was in Anis’sheart.
He’d been certain she’d be at the vigil. The RCMP sergeant had said as much. She was part of the task force, was she not? What possible reason would there be to keep heraway?
Anis knew the answer to that question. He’d been outwitted, and the thought was infuriating. Lured like an ant to a picnic, he’d responded as the police had figured hewould.
But they hadn’t trapped him, had they? His fingers uncurled, and a hint of the tension that had been riding him dissipated. Of course not. Because God’s cloak of protection shielded him from the machinations of the police. He allowed himself a tiny smile. Was the sergeant as frustrated as Anis right now? Oh, more so. He’d have to be very angry that Anis had evaded him onceagain.
Calmer, Anis sat on the edge of the bed. Had Alexa known of the attempt to catch him? Had she perhaps suggested it? It wasn’t undue pride that had him doubting it. She wanted to meet as much as he did. She thought it would be on herterms.
But she was very wrong about that. The Lord would choose the time and date and filter His wishes throughAnis.
And he, Christ’s soldier, would either redeem Alexa…or destroyher.
His cell rang. He only received calls from one person. And never when there was good news. Anis snatched up the phone. “Is everything all right with thedragonflies?”
The boy’s voice on the other end was timid. Weak. “Yes, everything’s fine. But I’m out of sandwiches and fruit. I ran out yesterday. When are you comingback?”
A measure of tension escaped him. His beauties were safe. That was all that mattered. His voice cold, he said, “I told you to ration the food carefully. You disobeyed, and going hungry is the price forthat.”
“I’m out of water, too.” The boy’s voice was piteous. “I’ve been drinking out of the hose we keep the pond filled with, but I need to eat. Will you be backsoon?”
His mind racing, Anis said, “No.” He’d left the boy extra food, but he’d never been gone this long before. Hadn’t planned on it this time, but the assigned had changed. Alexa Hayden had revisedeverything.
There was an ample supply of water with the hose, but how long could the boy go without food? No more than a few days, probably. And if he were no longer able to take care of the insects, Anis’s collection would be destroyed by the time he returned. He couldn’t riskthat.
There was only one option. “The door that I use to enter the shed leads to a garage where I keep afreezer.”
“But it’slocked.”
“Of course the door’s locked, fool,” Anis said impatiently. “Turn on the light in the enclosure and go to the door. The code to the keypad is eight-six-four-zero. Can you rememberthat?”
“Eight-six-four-zero.” There was newfound life in the kid’s voice. He probably thought he’d find a way out from the garage. He’d soon learn that it was every bit as secure as the shedwas.
He had the kid repeat the code a few more times. “Don’t touch anything else in the garage. I’ll know if you do. You’ll be severely punished if you disobeyagain.”
“Iwon’t.”
Anis hung up, his earlier frustration returning. This was the plight of fathers everywhere, he supposed. To be saddled with ungrateful children who couldn’t think for themselves. He’d warned the boy to ration the food. Now he’d have to eat whatever he could unthaw from the freezer, and eat it raw. Nearly starving would provide a well-learnedlesson.
* * *
Logan creptto the door that he hadn’t dared touch in over a year. The man had once entered through it when he was lurking on the other side, trying to figure out how to get out. The door had slammed into his head, knocking him to the ground. That had earned him a goose egg on his forehead and a vicious beating. After that, he’d remained on the other side of the shed as ordered, tending to theenclosure.
But he’d never stopped looking for a wayout.