Driven (32 page)

“Yes, Detective. The prayer of faith is our greatest weapon. We need to fight spirits with spirits.”

“Spirits with spirits? Can’t we just find a safer home for it? Get the zoo to put it behind reinforced concrete and bars…
like Dengler?”

“Precautions can sometimes be beneficial, but true wisdom will lead a man to prayer.”

Gavin paused. “But what if something were to happen to you? Are there others praying with you?”

“Detective, who would have more reason to pray for the tortoise than you and Amy?”

“Us? Are you kidding?”

“What is he saying?” Amy said, tugging again.

Gavin looked in the direction of the administration building. “Here,” he said, handing Amy the phone. “He wants to talk to
you. I’ll be right back.” Amy took the phone and held it to her ear with both hands.

“Buck?” Gavin heard her say as she followed behind him. Then silence as she listened. “Yes… Uh-huh. I will… Yes, of course.
Don’t worry, we’ll be there… Thanks, I’ll tell him. ’Bye!” She handed the phone back to Gavin.

Gavin took it, staring at her. “We’ll be where?” he said suspiciously.

“Buck wants to see us.”

“When?”

“As soon as we’re done here. He said he would have a cold glass of your favorite iced tea waiting.”

“Amy, he wants us to be like him.”

“What do you think—that God won’t listen to us?”

Gavin thought about that.

“Everyone’s at the top of God’s list, Gavin. We need to start taking our own stand—get with the program.”

“Did Buck just tell you that?”

“Yes. He said we needed to get filled with truth.”

“Truth. Do we know for sure it’s the truth?”

“Gavin, an empty bag will fall.”

“What?”

“You know—a bag with something in it is heavier and can stand firm. An empty bag will just blow away or fall. I don’t want
us to be empty bags,” Amy explained.

Gavin smiled thinly. “Buck’s beginning to sound like your Japanese grandmother.”

Amy took his arm and leaned into him as they walked. “That
was
from my grandmother. And she can’t wait to meet you.”

Gavin rolled his eyes. He had no idea what he was getting himself into by dating Amy. She was definitely a handful. Strangely,
though, he was not at all worried.

They were going to be just fine.