Wings of Deception (35 page)

Jacks
’
was thoughtful for a minute and as if talking to himself he
said, “It is the truth. There is no way he could make these things up. The letter could be fabricated but the marks we share cannot be.”

“But you told me that he received the letter after your mother died. If she didn’t want him part of your life while she was alive, I do not understand why she would want him to after she was gone. Maybe he is your grandfather, but that doesn’t mean he is a good person and I do not think he is. As a matter of fact, I think he is
repulsive
.”

Jacks laughed at her. “Damn woman, he only wants to give me everything he owns because in case you did not notice, he is not in the best condition. The man is dying, how
can I
not do this
special
thing for him if it will make him feel better before he goes.”

“Wait a
minute;
what
special
thing
does he want
you to do?
”

Jacks flushed slightly, “
It is just a
ceremony that has been in his family for generations
that
he wants me to take part in tonight. It sort of passes the inheritance to me.”

“Does money and power mean so much to you, Jacks I thought you did not care about all that. Was I so wrong?”

“No,” He took her hand and held it, looking at it instead of her. “No, you were right, I don’t care about all that for me but I am thinking about the positive things I can do if I step into
Asa’s
shoes so to speak. He has worldwide recognition and he has the wealth to do a tremendous amount of good on a world level. Don’t you see Honey, we….you and I….could wipe out a lot of misery with this. Look at the good Sheila did with Morgan
’
s money and
Asa’s
wealth is far greater
,
I assure you.”

“What time is this thing and where do we have to go?” She relented
reluctantly,
for she could see he had his mind made up.

“Uh….not we, it is a…a private affair and I will go alone.
Asa
said around nine and it should not take very long.

”You are going back to his place then?”

“No, there is a church building on Oak and
Third Street
, it will take place there. Like I said, I will indulge the old fellow’s request even though it does sound bazaar, huh?” He grinned and stood up stretching.
“You get dressed and we can do some sightseeing if you like.”

“I like.” She got up to
o
and as he left she shut the door and headed for the bath. On the way she picked up her phone. She needed to talk this out with someone who knew Jacks
,
so she dialed Sheila’s number.

“I was just going to call you!” Sheila said when she answered her phone
.
“Really?”
Honey said surprised.

“Yes, really.
I have some exciting news….
Dwight
and I
are
engaged!
” Sheila was bursting with excitement. “
Last night he asked
me to marry him
and of course I said yes! I was going to call and tell you before we
ma
d
e it public. Isn’t this the most amazing news?”

“Yes, of course
it is and
I am happy for you…and for
Dwight
. I think it is great.”

Sheila calmed down, “You don’t sound so happy. What is going on with you and Jacks, I got so carried away with my news that I wasn’t thinking that you must have a reason for calling. Is something wrong?”

“I am not sure
,
but I do need to talk to you about what is going on with Jacks. I am worried Sheila and you are the only person I can talk to about this right now.”

“Okay, I am listening
. W
hat is going on up there?”

Honey started with the story Jacks had told her about
Asa
.
Sheila was mortified.

“This has got to be a hoax Honey. He is lying and Jacks wants to be part of a family so
bad that
he is vulnerable
,
you know it is a lie!”

“I do not know that it is and that is the problem. It looks like he may be telling the truth
,
but Sheila I do not trust his motives. I am not sure what is going to happen tonight but something is wrong.
Asa
wants Jacks to meet him at this place her
e
in the city and participate in a ceremony or ritual
that will make Jacks heir to all
he
owns
,
which from my
understanding
is vast beyond imagination. The thing is
,
Jacks says I am not allowed to be there and I fear for his safety. What can I do? I need help!”

“Do you know where this secret ceremony is taking place?” Sheila was thinking fast.

“He told me….corner of…. Oak and Third
Street, that
is
it
.
I am sure.”

“Now, you listen carefully because if everything you have told me is even half way the truth, Jacks is up against something he is no match for. He is not a believer
,
so he has no power to overcome
,
but you do.
Remember all the conversations we have had about the legions of ang
el
s that are at the believer’s disposal in times of danger. Honey
this is evil you are fighting and you have to use spiritual weapons. I wish I were there with you! Wait, what time did you say this was going to happen?”
She began throwing things into a bag as she spoke.

“Jacks said after nine
, he mentioned the planet Saturn crossing with the moon?”

“I am coming there, you need help girl and I already have a backpack packed and on my way out the door
,
so don’t try and talk me out of it.”

“You are what? Sheila, you do not have to do that.”

“I want to, and I’m
gonna
, but do not tell Jacks! We will be at that ceremony tonight regardless of what that
old man wants. I will call you when I am in New York, it should be way before nine, but I will get a room and stay there until Jacks has left and then we will follow him. Jacks’ was there for me when I needed him and now it is my turn to be there for him. On my way to the airport
girlfriend
! Talk soon…bye.”

“Wait, but Sheila….okay
….
bye.” Honey was talking to a dead phone
and almost dialed Sheila back but thought
j
ust m
aybe it was not a bad idea to have her com
e
.
So instead
,
s
he got in and out of the bath and when Jacks knocked
on her door
she was ready to go exploring with him.

There was so much of the city she had never seen and Jacks knew it all. He pointed out places and things she would never have noticed on her own and before she knew it
she ceased thinking about everything except
the wonderful time
they were having
together.

Sheila called
Dwight
the second she hung up from Honey and after she explained what she was doing
,
he insisted she pick him up so that he could go with her. When she got
to his place
,
he had his bag ready and
Jean was there to take care of Gem while he was away. He asked many questions which Sheila answered in detail on the way to the airport.

The first flight leaving was full and the second only had one seat available. After much discussion it was decided that
Dwight
be the one to take it for Sheila was sure he would be the most helpful. She kissed him
good bye and waited for the next flight out which would push her arrival to eight-thirty. She prayed there would be no delays and her prayers were answered for at eight-thirty the plane had landed
even
a few minutes early and
Dwight was there waiting.

By the time they made it to the hotel
,
Jacks
was
already
gone
and
Sheila had called Honey and told her that they would stop and pick her up as Dwight had hired a car while he waited for Sheila’s plane to land.

Honey was antsy and worried that she could be wrong about everything, but there was something inside her that knew Jacks was truly in danger. He never mentioned the ceremony all day and later in the evening when she started asking questions, his demeanor changed and it was like he was not himself just as the day before after his visit with
Asa
.

A car picked him up a few minutes till nine and Honey waited for Sheila and Dwight. She was surprised to learn Dwight was coming also but not unhappy about having him there.

When
they
pulled up in front of the hotel
,
Honey was standing out front
,
so that she just hopped into the back seat.

“I was getting worried you
were
not going to make it
in time
after all.”

“I know us too
. T
he traffic was horrendous tonight!
Plus I had to make this man let me drive or we probably would not have. I checked the map on the plane and I know exactly where Oak and Third is
,
so what time did you say, exactly?”

“Nine-twenty, exactly.”
Honey looked at her watch
. “It is nine now, will we make it?”

Sheila laughed nervously. “With me driving, we will!” She drove like a maniac, weaving around the traffic headed for their destination. Honey closed her eyes for she was sure there would be an accident before they could get there.

                                                                       TWENTY-EIGHT

Jacks got out of the taxi and looking around thought he had come to the wrong place. The building was as
Asa
described but it looked abandoned with no evidence of people anywhere. He approached the door and finding it unlocked,
pushed it
open and entered what
obviously was a deserted old church. The furnishings had long since been removed and the room he was empty and dark. He was just about to turn around and leave when a light
came
on and he recognized Abe Cannon
,
dressed in a loose black garment
. He l
ooked non
e
too happy to see him.
He gave Jacks a nod and
asked wryly.

“So you did
decide to
come
.
I had my doubts.”

“Where is
Asa
, shouldn’t he be here already
?”
Jacks
’
thought
how ridiculous
Abe
looked
,
but it was
a g
enerations old
ceremony
from what
Asa
had told him. He was hoping he would not be asked to wear one for it might just be a deal breaker.

“Follow me
.
H
e
is
up there.”
Abe pointed at the ceiling. An uneasy feeling came over
Jacks but
he shook it off and
followed Abe
through a
door
and up a
flight of stairs. At the top
they went through
another
door
which Abe locked after them
. It was a broad open space on the backside of the building that
you could not see from the front.
C
andles g
ave
off a soft light
allowing
Jacks
to see
six
others
dressed in robes similar to
the one
Abe was wearing. And there was
Asa
, in his chair with a
cloak
concealing whether he was also dressed the same or not. He smiled broadly at Jacks and took his hand
.
Jacks leaned down and kissed his cheek.