Jezebel (22 page)

M
onday morning, Serena marched into Traynor's office shortly after his arrival.

“Good morning, Serena,” he greeted brightly. “I didn't see you in church yesterday.”

Without a word, she handed him a piece of paper.

Curious, he asked, “What is this?”

Serena took a deep breath and said, “Pastor Deveraux, I'm…that's my letter of resignation. I'm leaving town.”

Confused, Traynor asked, “When did you decide this?”

“It came about pretty sudden,” Serena admitted. “But I prayed about it, and I know it's the right thing for me to do.”

“Have I done something?”

Serena shook her head. “Oh no…Pastor, I've really enjoyed working for you. I really have—it's just that I've been offered a position with more money and it's in my career field.” A lone tear fell from her right eye.

She hastily wiped it away.

“Really?” Traynor asked. “Is this the only reason that you're leaving, Serena? You can be honest with me.”

She nodded. “I just came in to clear out my stuff. I appreciate you giving me a job when I really needed one, Pastor. You've been so kind to me, and I thank you for the opportunity. I pray that God will bless you and that…” Her voice died. “I'd better get back to my packing. I'm so sorry for leaving you in a lurch like this.”

“I understand. Don't worry about it, Serena. I'm sure I'll be able to find someone to fill your position. I thank you for your time and your dedication.”

She paused in the doorway. “I just want you to know that you're a good man, Pastor Deveraux.” Serena looked like she wanted to say more, but changed her mind.

Traynor wasn't completely convinced that Serena was telling him everything, but he couldn't force it out of her. But something wasn't ringing quite true to him.

I need to stop reading so much into everything
.

Traynor raised his eyes heavenward and whispered, “Lord, I guess this is Your way of working it out.”

“Serena quit today,” Traynor announced during dinner. “She said she received a job offer in her career field and she's moving away. I'm not sure I believe her. I could tell that she was afraid of something. But I can't figure out what's going on with her.”

“I'm surprised,” Jessie Belle murmured before taking a sip of her iced tea. “I didn't know she was planning to leave town.”

Deep down, she was rejoicing that her scare tactic worked. She'd paid off two thugs to break in and vandalize Serena's apartment. Jessie Belle then called to let Serena know that that was just the beginning. Things would only get worse if she kept working for Traynor.

His words cut into her thoughts.

“Something happened,” Traynor was saying. “She wouldn't tell me what, but I know that something happened to make her up and leave like that.”

“Honey, don't fret over it. I'm sure we'll be able to find you another secretary. Perhaps Sister Blanche Stevens. I heard she's been looking for something part-time. She's pretty decent on the typewriter and she loves to talk, so I'm sure she'll be great on the phones.”

“She's also about sixty years old.”

“Is that a problem?” Jessie Belle wanted to know. “Are you more interested in young secretaries?”

Traynor chuckled. “Sweetheart, that's not it at all.”

Folding her arms across her chest, she stated, “You should hire someone who will do the best job—not base it on age.”

“Jessie Belle, you know me better than that. At least you should.”

“I thought I did,” she countered. “Until you made that stupid remark.”

Traynor's eyes traveled to her face. “What's wrong, Jessie Belle? Are you jealous?”

She laughed. “Goodness, no.
Why in the world would I be jealous
?”

“There are women out there who might find me attractive.”

“Honey, I know that, but they also know that you're mine. No one is gonna take my man away from me.” Jessie Belle added, “Not and live to tell about it.”

“But you're not jealous.”

She shook her head. “No, I'm not.”

Laughing, Traynor embraced her. “You are jealous, but I love it.”

Jessie Belle met his gaze. “Really?”

He nodded.

She threw her arms around his neck. “I've missed you so much, Traynor. Things have been a little crazy between us, but I feel like we're finally getting back in line.”

“We are,” Traynor confirmed. “I really believe that we're finally on the same page. I want our marriage to work.”

“Have you forgiven me, then, for buying the radio station without consulting you first?”

“Yes. In fact, I think it was a good decision. You were right yet again—the station is a wise investment.”

Jessie Belle kissed him. “Thank you for saying that. I'm so glad you feel this way.”

After putting Holt to bed, they spent the rest of the evening in their bedroom.

“Traynor, what are you going to do about a secretary?” Jessie Belle questioned as she undressed.

He gave a slight shrug. “I don't know. All I can do is post the opening in the bulletin.”

“I can fill in until you find a replacement,” Jessie Belle offered, climbing into bed. “Holt can go to the church with me or we can have the sitter watch him.”

Removing his shirt, Traynor surveyed her face. “You sure you want to do that?”

Jessie Belle settled back against a stack of pillows and pulled the sheets up to cover her naked body. “It's only temporary, right? I can help you out.”

“If you don't mind,” Traynor responded, “it's fine with me.”

“I think it's unfair the way Serena just up and left like that. She could've given a two-week notice or something.”

“I guess they must have needed her to start work immediately.”

“I still think it's pretty selfish.”

Traynor reached for her. “Sweetheart, I don't want to talk about Serena or the church anymore tonight. I just want to concentrate on us.”

Snuggling against her husband, Jessie Belle murmured, “I love the way you think, Traynor.”

Sara's cancer was getting progressively worse, so Rutherford decided against running for president of the Eastern Christian Convention.

As she walked past Traynor's office, Jessie Belle could hear her husband and Paul Chambers, one of the deacons, discussing who should run in his place. She paused outside the door to listen.

“You should throw your hat in the ring for president,” the man was saying.

She remained outside the door, listening.

“What about John Winters?” Traynor questioned. “I'd heard that he was thinking about running.”

“You're the better man for the job, Pastor. You and Rutherford have some of the same thinking. He was the one who told me to ask you about running.”

“I have to be honest, Paul. I don't believe in collecting campaign donations and flying across the country soliciting votes. I don't go for all that.”

“Rutherford was critical of some of the methods candidates used, too. He always said that if you want the kind of leadership you have in the convention, then you need to change the method by which they are selected. That's what led to Sam McCall's downfall, you know. He got greedy.”

Jessie Belle decided to make her presence known.

“Honey…oh, am I interrupting something?” she asked.

“I was just in here trying to convince your husband to run for president of the ECC,” Paul responded.

“Honey, I think you should,” Jessie Belle stated. “Papa is a past president, but that was a long time ago and before it became what it is now. Sam McCall and everything he did. Terrible scandal.” She smiled. “I'd like to see it get back to the way it used to be, but with a few changes.”

“Like what?” Paul inquired.

“Well, I'd like to see the convention promote women's rights within the church and the creation of an official Baptist doctrine for member churches.”

“If I decide to run—and I'm not saying I am,” Traynor stated. “But if I do, my reason for doing so is to restore God and accountability to the convention, contending that the potential of the convention to serve God has been overlooked by presidents hoping to make money off the membership rolls. I personally believe that any candidate should remember that power is best used when shared. If the convention elects a king wannabe and not a team player as its president, it will continue to lose members and credibility.”

Paul broke into a grin. “Pastor Deveraux, I'm convinced. You should be running for president. I hope you'll seriously consider it.”

“I'll get back to you in a few days with my answer,” Traynor promised.

Traynor and Jessie Belle went into the conference room to have lunch. She pulled out paper plates, napkins, cold chicken, potato salad and rolls.

“There are some forks over in that drawer,” Traynor stated.

He said the blessing over their meal.

Jessie Belle loaded Traynor's plate with chicken, potato salad and two rolls. “I really think you should do this, honey.”

Traynor glanced over at his wife. “You do?”

She nodded. “They need someone like you after Sam.”

“To be honest, Jessie Belle, I really think the convention is just on the wrong road. I'd prefer that the election be postponed until a mission plan is developed.”

“You know they're not going to do that. They're not going to leave ECC without a president.”

“I know. I think the organization needs to heal and turn our attention back to God.”

“Put that in your campaign speech,” Jessie Belle said with a smile. “The members will love it.”

“I'm serious, Jessie Belle.”

“I know that,” she responded. “So am I.”

Traynor met with Rutherford Hamilton the next day.

Jessie Belle tried to get him to open up about their meeting. “Well, what did you two talk about?”

“I think you already have an idea,” he replied.

“Are you planning to run for ECC president or not?”

“Jessie Belle as soon as I know—I'll tell you. Sweetheart, relax. You'll be the first to know.”

Two days later, Traynor rendered his decision.

“I'm going to run,” he told her on the way to church. “I prayed about it and the Lord placed it on my spirit that ECC needs a leadership that is willing to submit to the authority of God. I'm not going to use this office to sell the Eastern Christian Convention to corporations, politicians or outside groups for personal enrichment or money or power.”

“You're doing the right thing, Traynor.”

“So you're really okay with this? With me running?”

Jessie Belle reached over and took Traynor's hand in hers. “Honey, I'm positive. I have this wonderful feeling that you're going to win.”

He chuckled. “Here you go again…being my cheerleader.”

“I have faith in you, Traynor. Don't you know that by now?”

T
he next day, Jessie Belle called her private detective, the same one she'd used in her dealings with Elton Newman.

They met at their usual place, Brown's Restaurant on Six Forks Road. She'd arrived ten minutes early only to find that he was already seated and waiting for her.

“I need information on the people listed here,” she told him.

Jessie Belle wanted to find any dirt that she could use against the other candidates to increase Traynor's chances to win. “And make sure the trail doesn't lead back to me.”

“The last person I investigated ended up dead,” he uttered.

“I didn't have anything to do with that,” Jessie Belle responded. “His death was drug related. It was unfortunate.”

He eyed her a moment before uttering, “I'll let you know when I have something.”

He left Jessie Belle to eat breakfast alone.

Afterward, she headed to the church to play secretary for Traynor. Jessie Belle was tired of the job but so far had found fault with everyone who'd applied for the position.

She didn't want another young girl working for her husband. They were nothing but trouble as far as she was concerned. Traynor was on the telephone when Jessie Belle arrived.

She waved at him and then strolled over to the receptionist desk and took a seat.

Traynor came out a few minutes later.

“How did your doctor's appointment go?” he inquired.

“Fine. It was just a routine visit, honey.”

The telephone rang, interrupting their conversation.

Jessie Belle answered on the third ring. “New Salem Baptist Church…how can I help you?”

Traynor waited around to see if the call was for him. When it wasn't, he went back to his office, but not without blowing Jessie Belle a kiss.

When the clock struck one p.m., Traynor and Jessie Belle sat down to have lunch together.

“Have you received any more inquiries about the position?” he asked her.

Jessie Belle took a sip of her soda. “Tired of me already?” she teased.

Traynor broke into a smile. “No. I enjoy having you nearby.”

She bit into her ham and cheese sub. “A couple of résumés came in the mail. One seems pretty interesting—I think you should set up an interview.”

He blinked in surprise. “Really?”

Jessie Belle nodded. “If you like her, I think she'd make a great secretary for you, Traynor.”

After lunch, she said, “I'm going to leave a couple of hours early today so that I can go by the hospital to check on Sara.”

“Okay. Please give her and Rutherford my best.”

“I will. I'll be home in time to make dinner.”

When Jessie Belle arrived at the hospital shortly after three, she was told that Sara was too weak to have visitors.

She offered a few words of comfort to Rutherford and the children, then drove to Mary Ellen's apartment. “I just left the hospital. Sara's not doing too well. They're not sure she's going to last through the night.”

“Oh nooo.”

“Rutherford is so beside himself with grief. The poor man.”

“Traynor's still going to run?” Mary Ellen inquired. “Everyone at church was saying that he's projected to be the winner now that Rutherford dropped out.”

“He says he is,” Jessie Belle murmured. “Hey, did you hear about the financial trouble that Pastor Danforth is in? Nobody is going to vote in a president with money troubles. It'll be Sam McCall all over again.”

“I certainly wouldn't vote for him,” Mary Ellen stated.

They sat down on the sofa.

“How are things between you and Richard?” she inquired. Jessie Belle worried that one day Richard was going to open his big mouth and tell Mary Ellen everything—especially her part in it.

“I don't know, Jessie Belle. Something's not right between us. I can feel it.”

“Do you think he's cheating on you?” Jessie Belle asked.

She gave a slight nod. “I think it's Amelia.” Mary Ellen's eyes grew bright with unshed tears. “I saw her last weekend when I was home. She was pregnant. She looked ready to drop any moment.”

“Did you say anything to Richard?”

Mary Ellen shook her head no. “I'm not sure I really wanted to know. He never wanted kids. That's what he's always told me and then with not having a relationship with his son…I believed him.”

“He doesn't deserve you. Mary Ellen, you're too good for him.”

“Enough about me and my problems,” Mary Ellen stated with a tiny smile. “Are you and Traynor set for the leadership conference? It's next week, you know.”

Jessie Belle nodded. “Mary Ellen, I really appreciate you taking care of Holt while we're away.”

“It's my pleasure. He's my godson. I love spending time with him.”

The day before the Regional Leadership Conference arrived.

Jessie Belle hadn't attended the conference in years and was looking forward to going this year as Traynor's wife. She'd bought all new clothes because she wanted to outshine all the other first ladies in attendance. Especially John Winters's wife. Lorraine wasn't a beautiful woman, but she always managed to look like a million bucks.

She didn't care much for Lorraine because Jessie Belle envied her standing in the community and the fact that John Winters was rumored to be building the largest church in Raleigh.

That just meant that she and Traynor would have to build an even bigger church. She would never allow the mealymouthed Lorraine Winters to outdo her. At least they didn't own a radio station.

Jessie Belle spent most of the evening trying on clothes to see exactly what she wanted to take with her to the conference. For the past three months, she'd been on a diet and exercise program to ensure that her clothes complimented her figure.

Early the next morning, Jessie Belle and Traynor sat side by side on the airplane headed to sunny Miami, Florida.

She glanced over at the three women sitting across from her.

Sabrina met her gaze and smiled.

Jessie Belle dropped her head and pretended to be engrossed in the magazine on her lap.

Traynor had no idea that they worked for Jessie Belle and she intended to keep it that way. Sabrina had enlisted the aid of two more girls needing money. One of the girls, Chrissy, didn't sit right with her. Jessie Belle couldn't put her finger on anything in particular, but she just didn't trust the girl.

Jessie Belle had given the new girls money for clothing and makeup. It was time to stop looking like streetwalkers. She wanted them to look like ladies.

The girls had their instructions, but once they got to the hotel, Jessie Belle planned a meeting with them to reiterate the purpose of being at the conference. She wanted to remind them that business came before pleasure.

Her mother had once told Jessie Belle about the women who showed up at conferences peddling their bodies to the holier-than-thou group of men in attendance. Jessie Belle recognized that there was a lot of money to be made during events like the leadership conference and she intended to get her share.

Hopefully, she would get some damaging information on some of the candidates as well. Sabrina already had photographs of the candidates so that the girls would know whom to go after. Jessie Belle had hoped to have more to go on, but her private detective hadn't found anything super incriminating, so it was time to see just how faithful they were to their wives.

They went from the airport straight to the hotel on Key Biscayne. While Traynor was in the bathroom freshening up, Jessie Belle went two floors down to check on her girls.

“I trust the suite is to your liking,” she stated when she entered the hotel room.

Sabrina and Karla nodded, but Chrissy just stared her up and down.

Ignoring her, Jessie Belle got down to business. “Remember what I told you? Carry yourself like ladies and don't forget that you're here to work for me.”

Jessie Belle made sure they were dressed fashionably but more conservatively than they normally would have so that they blended in with the conference attendees. She didn't want them sticking out like sore thumbs.

“What's wrong with us making a little money of our own?” Chrissy asked.

“You're on my dime, so it's my time.” Jessie Belle silently studied the full-busted girl with the long jet-black hair. “We're not gonna have a problem, are we?”

“Naw…I was just askin'. That's all.”

“I hope I've made myself clear. You four are here to work for me. When you see me—don't acknowledge me in any way. I can't be associated with y'all.”

“I guess you think you're too good for us, huh?”

Jessie Belle eyed Chrissy long and hard before saying, “I need to get back to my husband. And do nothing to bring attention to yourselves.”

Sabrina walked her to the door. “You don't have to worry about us, Mrs. Deveraux. Everything is under control.”

“See that it stays that way, Sabrina. The last thing we need is trouble.”

Sabrina was standing at the door to Jessie Belle's hotel suite.

She glanced outside the room before pulling the girl inside. “I told you not to come to my room. We're not supposed to know one another, Sabrina.”

“Chrissy just got arrested.”

Jessie Belle felt a sense of dread wash over her. “What happened?”

“She wanted to make some extra money on her own, so she decided to pick up a couple of tricks in the hotel bar across the street. One was an undercover police officer. Mrs. Deveraux, I told her the rules. I never thought she'd do something like this.”

“No better for her—trying to cheat me.” Shrugging in nonchalance, Jessie Belle said, “Well, I certainly hope she made enough to bail herself out.”

Sabrina's eyebrows raised in surprise. “You're not gonna help her?”

Jessie Belle shook her head no. “Chrissy's getting picked up for being a hooker has nothing to do with me. She was on her own time. This is her problem, the way I see it.”

“Mrs. Deveraux…”

“Sabrina, I have nothing to do with her getting arrested. She was on her own time.” Jessie Belle steered her toward the door. “Now get out of here before my husband comes back.”

“Chrissy said that if you didn't help her—she'd call Pastor Deveraux and tell him what you've been up to.”

“You tell her for me that if she wants to keep breathing, she'll forget she ever knew us. I have friends
everywhere
.”

“Mrs. Deveraux, I didn't have nothing to do with this. I just want you to know that.”

“I believe you. Now leave.”

She was furious.
How dare that little snippet of a girl try to cheat me? That's the last time I'll take a recommendation from Sabrina. Her credibility is zero as far as I'm concerned
.

Traynor entered the bedroom.

“Hey,” he greeted.

“How did the meeting go?”

“Great,” Traynor answered. “So what have you been doing since I've been gone?”

“Just watching television.”

Jessie Belle eyed her husband. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I'm remembering the first time I saw you. I thought you were an angel.”

“And now?”

“I believe you're even lovelier. You are truly a vision to behold, Jessie Belle.” Traynor sat down beside her. “I want to get to know you, sweetheart. Really get to know you. You've held back so much from me and I don't quite know why, but it has to stop.”

“I don't know what you're talking about, Traynor. You should know me by now. We've been married for seven years.”

“I feel so blessed to have you in my life.”

“Despite all that I put you through?” Jessie Belle inquired.

“If that was your worst then I can handle it.”

Jessie Belle wrapped her arms around him. “Traynor, I feel the same way about you. I'm extremely fortunate to have you in my life. I knew when I met you that we were destined to spend the rest of our lives together. We're a team.”

Later that evening, Jessie Belle ran into Chrissy down in the lobby. “I thought you were locked up.”

One corner of the girl's mouth twisted upward. “Obviously, you not the only one with friends. Sabrina told me that you looked out for your girls. That sho' ain't true from where I'm standing.”

“Keep your voice down.”

“Why? You don't want people knowing that you ain't all you supposed to be?”

Jessie Belle tried to walk past her, but Chrissy blocked her path.