Anchored (22 page)

Closing his eyes Robert gasped.

Jonathan watched the battle going on in Robert’s face. He saw the tightly closed eyes and furrowed brow. He knew Robert would leave. After all, that was why he’d mentioned Margaret, to get him to leave. Robert had always been respectful to him in the past, even though they’d never become good friends, and that was more his fault than Robert’s.

As Robert opened his eyes they locked with his. “Maggie is with the Lord now.” He got up and walked over to Jonathan.

Jonathan tensed and waited for the strike. He would not retaliate.

Robert placed his hand on Jonathan’s arm. “Maggie wants you to forgive yourself. I have forgiven you!” He hauled Jonathan to his feet and into an embrace, hugging him tight, not letting go.

Jonathan was so shocked he went limp. The reality of what was happening hit him and he tried to free himself, but Robert’s arms didn’t budge.

“I forgive you, Maggie forgives you, Mia forgives you—God loves you and forgives you! All you have to do is forgive yourself and accept our love.”

“I—I can’t do this. Can’t you see? I’m scum. I have to be punished! Let—me—go, Robert!” His arms were pinned down either side of his body and he felt trapped and exposed.

“God will never leave you or forsake you. Give in, man!” Robert declared, “Jesus, break down the walls around Jonathan’s heart and show him you have taken his punishment on the cross and that it’s finished. You know him and all he’s done, yet you still love him. If he confesses his sin—you are faithful and just and will forgive him, and not only that Lord, you will purify him from all unrighteousness!”

Jonathan tried to stop shaking. A deep anguished sob escaped his mouth, loosening the tight restraint he had over his emotions. He wept brokenly.

Robert released him and stepped back. “It’s okay to cry man, I cry all the time!” He waved his handkerchief in front of Jonathan.

Jonathan sniffed and dabbed at his eyes. “Thanks,” he muttered.

“You have to get to the end of yourself. Jesus died for you and me, on that cross. He took the punishment for every word, every thought and every action you ever did. Jesus said, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”

“I believe this. I do. I have seen the truth of it in you, Mia and Margaret.”

“So what’s it going to be? I can pray with you now.” 

“No. I want to be alone right now. I need time to think.”

Robert interrupted him. “It’s time to seek the Lord now!”

“I hear what you’re saying, I do! But I want to be alone right now.” Jonathan moved towards the door. Flinging it open he waited.

Robert’s shoulders slumped. Rubbing a hand over his eyes he followed Jonathan to the door. “I will be back. You are too important.” His hand clasped Jonathan’s shoulder and squeezed.

“Thank you.” Jonathan avoided Robert’s eyes. He hung his head and waited for him to leave.

Once Robert had gone Jonathan sat down and leaned his elbows on his knees. He cupped his face in his hands and cried. All the pain and guilt came crushing down upon him.

Who was he that God would care so much to die for him? He was not worthy of such a sacrifice. Finally he knew; he understood what was being offered to him. It was pride that had been holding him back. Dare he ask his creator to forgive him? If he didn’t, what would that mean? He would die and then what?

Part of him wanted to punish himself with separation from God, separation from every one he loved and had hurt. The human part of his brain told him he deserved it, deserved to die alone and spend eternity separated from all that was love.

For the first time in his life Jonathan felt a yearning for God, to be accepted and forgiven.

“God, forgive me. I’ve messed up. Hurt so many people. Been stubborn, angry and cruel. I don’t deserve your love, but I believe you when you say I’m forgiven. I’m so empty—I’ve spent my life not caring about anyone, and now God—Jesus I see—” His head dropped and tears flowed unchecked.

I chose you before the creation of the world. I have adopted you as my son. You are forgiven.

Nodding, Jonathan couldn’t say anything. Bowing his head he fell to his knees and it wasn’t until the room became dark that he realized it was evening.

Getting up, he went to the bookcase to look for the Bible Margaret had given him as a birthday gift. He had ridiculed her and she had sweetly smiled and told him he would need it one day.

Now he was smiling as he took it and held it to his chest. Lifting his head to the heavens he again sent thanks to God.

“How a sinner like me could come to you and be renewed and forgiven is indescribable!”

Jonathan had forgotten he hadn’t eaten all day—it was spiritual hunger he fed until late into the night. He longed to know Jesus more and with a hungry heart he sought.

Chapter 3
2

“Please come in, Detective Redding.” Mia stepped back, allowing the two detectives to precede her into the house. David and Patrick stood as they entered and shook hands.

“Alex, this is my brother Patrick, I think you met Terri the other day.”

“Yes I did.” Alex indicated with his hand, “Ian King—my partner.” Alex turned back to Mia.

“Please everyone, sit down.” Mia sat on the edge of a chair and twisted her fingers. A nervous smile curved her mouth. “Alex, did you bring the letter with you?”

“Would you like me to read it so that you can all hear it at the same time?”

Mia nodded. Her mouth felt dry and she moistened her lips with her tongue.

Alex took the envelope out of his jacket pocket and looked down at it. “Before I read it, I’d like to warn you it’s not good.”

Alex’s eyes locked with Mia’s and she held her breath. He opened the sheet of paper and briefly turned it over so that everyone could see that each letter had been cut out of a magazine, like the envelope.

Alex read each word slowly. “You think I don’t know what you’re trying to do! You won’t stop me from getting what I want! I killed your mother when she got in my way! Now it’s your turn.”

Heavy silence filled the room. Mia thought they must surely be able to hear the pounding of her heart. She felt faint.

“This person is claiming—they are saying they killed Mum! Do you believe them Alex?” she whispered.

“I’ve been back over the records of your mother’s death. As you know the car was eventually found, but we found no evidence of who was driving. That alone is suspicious.”

David moved to stand behind Mia’s chair. He placed his hand on her shoulder and his fingers gently kneaded. “So we have some nut case out there claiming to have killed Mia’s mother and now he’s saying he’s going to kill Mia!”

“Yes. We believe that could be the case,” Ian stated.

Patrick’s eyes narrowed. “I think the first thing we need to do is establish what Mia and her mother have in common, and then we may be able to narrow down the possible suspects.”

Alex looked across at Patrick and nodded. “Yes, that’s where we need to start. Are you okay to answer some questions, Mia?”

Mia’s mind screamed no, she wasn’t okay. How could this be happening to her? The inner turmoil turned her stomach and she gripped the edge of the seat, hurting her hands. Mia blinked back the burning in her eyes.
Lord, give me your peace—guard my heart, my mind—please.
Mia straightened her shoulders and nodded.

Alex took out a dictaphone and asked if they were okay with his taping the conversation. Everyone nodded and Alex switched it on.

“Did your mother have any similar incidents occur with her car? Letters left on the windscreen or in the letterbox? Vandalism that you can remember?”

“Someone egged mum’s car once, does that count?” Her eyes widened at the thought of the connection.

“Yes. Can you remember when this happened?” Ian asked.

“Not really. Not long before she died. My parents argued about it.” Mia frowned.

“What was the argument about—do you remember what was said?” Ian scribbled in his notebook and his eyebrows ran together as he frowned.

“I suppose it must have been about what happened. Mum wanted to call the police but Dad played it down. Then he went outside and cleaned the car.”

Ian tapped his pencil for a moment, then looked across at Alex and indicated with his hand for him to continue.

Alex nodded. “Have you noticed any unfamiliar cars around the area, either parked or driving by?”

“No, I don’t think so. Have you Terri?” Mia asked her friend.

“No.” Terri answered.

“Gentlemen, what about you?” David shrugged his shoulders and turned to his brother.  “Patrick?”

“No, can’t say I—hang on a minute, I do remember a car. Remember the time Terri and Mia came for dinner? You guys left me to tidy up the mess and I watched you leave from outside. Just as you turned the corner a car across the road turned on its lights and followed you. I didn’t take too much notice of it at the time.” Patrick rubbed his hand over his eyes.

“Can you remember anything about the car—model, color?” Alex asked.

“Give me a minute. I should be able to pull it out of my memory bank.”

David mentioned how Patrick would be sitting at a café storing details of what was around him. He’d later pull these details up for descriptive scenes in his books.

“White Nissan Pulsar.” Opening his eyes, Patrick’s mouth lifted at the corners.

“Are you sure?” Alex asked.

“Yes, definitely, white Nissan Pulsar,” Patrick stated confidently.

“Do you remember if the driver was in the car when Mia and the others left or did you see the person get into the car?” Alex’s eyes narrowed as he asked the question.

“I would have noticed if he’d opened the car door and got in. He must have been sitting in the dark!”

“Mia, have you noticed a white Nissan Pulsar anywhere you’ve been?”

Shaking her head, Mia nibbled on her lower lip. “I don’t pay attention to what model car people drive.” Smiling, she titled her head. “I can tell you what color they are though.”

Alex swiveled in his chair and smiled back. “I need you to write me a list of anyone you know with a white car.”

“Okay.”

Ian reached over and flicked off the Dictaphone. “Mia, is it possible for you to lay low for a few weeks? Take some time off and move in with your uncle?” he asked.

Mia frowned, frustrated that her life was not her own. Her jaw ached and she flexed her chin. “If you think it’s necessary—yes.”

Ian gave Mia a smile. “Two weeks would give us a small window of time to check some of the leads without having to put surveillance on you.”

Mia’s lips tightened and her gaze swept them all. “All right. But if the person is serious about killing me—they could find me no matter where I go.”

Chapter 3
3

Jonathan placed the plate in the dishwasher. He’d been making an effort to clean up and felt better for it. Robert was coming over. Jonathan struggled to understand how Robert could forgive him, let alone care about him. He hadn’t told anyone he’d made the decision and met with Jesus. Somehow he wanted to keep it to himself for a while. It wasn’t that he didn’t want them to know, but it was all so new to him.

Hearing the car arrive, Jonathan opened the door and for the first time noticed the trouble Robert had with his leg. He frowned as he watched him shuffle awkwardly up the path.

“Hey, Jon.” Robert came up to him and grabbed him in a bear hug.

Laughing to hide his embarrassment at the show of affection, Jonathan shoved Robert away.

“Have you spoken to Mia?” Robert asked.

“No.” Jonathan felt the old jealousy rare up. “But obviously you have,” he sneered.

“Let’s get this out in the open. I never understood what caused the gap between you and Mia. I tried to get her to talk to you when she was younger, but you and I both know why she didn’t.”

Jonathan’s head slumped and he gave a heavy sigh. Robert was right, Mia couldn’t trust him.

Running a shaky hand through his hair, Jonathan met Robert’s stare and blurted out. “This isn’t easy—I find the truth attacks me, shames me—I want to crawl into a hole and hide.”

“Hiding doesn’t work. The truth is with you wherever you go.” Robert’s eyes bore into his and Jonathan tried to hold his gaze, finally shifting in his seat and nodding.

“You’ve been hiding your whole life, man—come clean, get free.”

“Easier said than done. Things I did as a child to cover up how hurt I was—like being angry, have become normal for me. Its no excuse, I know, but it’s like I automatically think this way.”

“Mmm, hiding in anger.” Robert scratched his chin. “You can change. It’s a choice you have to make.” Robert clapped his hands. “Well, the key in my opinion is to stop being so self-absorbed. It’s not all about you, mate. Time you started thinking about others, me for instance. I could use a hand on the weekend with some yard work. How about it?”

Jonathan’s mouth fell open. Robert had never asked him for help.

“Close that mouth before you swallow a fly. What’s it going to be—you going to give me a hand or not?”

“Sure, I’d like to.” Jonathan’s lips curled and his eyes lightened. Robert nodded.

“Jon, Mia had her car tires slashed and it looks like someone’s been following her around.”

“Are you serious? Is she all right?” Jonathan felt the lightness he’d been beginning to feel disappear. His skin tightened over his forehead and he rubbed at the pulse throbbing in his temple.

“Yeah, I think she’s okay. She seems to be taking it in her stride. She also got a threatening letter, which the police think is linked to the tires. They’ll probably come around and see you. I’m expecting a call from them too.”

A flush covered Jonathan’s face and he swore softly. His hand messed up his hair and his eyes snapped back to Robert.

Robert’s eyes narrowed. “Do you know something?”

“Margaret got some stuff done to her car and was also threatened. I talked it down. Told her it was just some prankster. We had an argument about it and then neither of us brought it up again. It wasn’t long after that, that she died.”