Malcolm sat in his office, smiling and sipping on a cup of decaf. Everything was okay in his world. His love for Hallison was stronger than ever. His commitment to God was sweet and calming, not as confined as he had first believed it would be. Malcolm had just hung up from telling her good morning... again. Grinning, he opened the St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper.
Lisa had been charged with arson in the fire that engulfed five buildings and caused millions of dollars in damages. The state fire marshal's investigation had uncovered hundreds of lit candles and highly flammable items in one area of her store. At least three firefighters were injured, one critically. Lisa's bond was set at five-hundred thousand dollars.
Malcolm shook his head in disbelief. Why would she destroy something that had been handed down in her family? Briefly, Malcolm wondered if Lisa was performing some type of ceremony. He didn't want to know. Malcolm shrugged. He was glad he'd come to Jesus when he did. Prior to his salvation, Malcolm had believed that witchcraft in sitcoms and the sorcery in children's books were harmless and sensationalized. At first, he hadn't noticed anything out the ordinary or sensed any flashing warning lights with Lisa, but every time he thought about his relationship with Lisa, maybe the signs were there, but his spiritual eyes weren't open to see them.
He had shared Lisa's admission with Parke; however, they agreed that knowledge was the key to arm themselves against that form of wickedness. Malcolm stopped daydreaming when he heard voices outside his door.
Folding the paper he wasn't reading, he saw Trey in his uniform, clearing Lilly's office area and heading straight toward him. Malcolm groaned. He hadn't been saved a month and his first confrontation with his nemesis was moments away.
"Can I help you?" Lilly blocked Trey's path. "Is this a raid? Do you have a search warrant? I don't know anything about my son's criminal activity. I can be granted impunity—"
"Immunity," Trey corrected. "Actually, I'm here to see him," he said, tilting his head toward Malcolm.
Lilly sighed, but didn't move. "He's in a meeting. You can have a seat."
Malcolm was going to have to talk to Lilly about lying, especially in association with him.
"He doesn't look like he's in a meeting to me." Trey squinted around Lilly, making eye contact with Malcolm.
Fastening a hand on her hip, Lilly tapped her shoe on the carpet. "Well, I'm about to meet with him, so you can have a seat."
Malcolm stood to intervene, waving his assistant off. "It's okay, Lilly. I can take care of this. Trey, I'm telling you right now, my fist is in retirement. I don't want any trouble."
Stepping around Lilly, Trey proceeded to Malcolm's office and took a seat without an invitation or permission. He crossed his ankle over his knee, making himself comfortable. "I'm here for a peaceful resolution."
"Umm-hmm." Malcolm didn't believe him. Hallison was permanently off the market to Trey or any other man. Malcolm perched on the corner of his desk, folded his arms, and nodded for Trey to explain.
"Listen, man. This is going to sound unbelievable. I still can't believe God played me, but He never intended for Hallison to marry me." He grunted and shook his head. "It would've helped to have known that before I fell in love with Hali and asked her to marry me." Trey paused and took a deep breath. "My sole purpose in my relationship with Hali, I guess, was to be some sort of middle man to protect her physically and encourage her spiritually until you got your act together and repented."
Malcolm stood abruptly. He wasn't about to allow Trey to point fingers at him.
"Watch yourself, man." Trey cautioned. "You're at a disadvantage because I carry a gun. Anyway, you have Hali, leaving me empty-handed. To be honest, if I want to see Jesus, I had no choice but to obey God, even though the whole thing didn't make sense to me." He grunted. "It still doesn't. I began to pray for you because God wanted you to see the difference in an ungodly woman and a woman after God's own heart. "Personally," he said, shrugging, "I thought you were too slow to see it. I did."
Malcolm laughed. "Are you kidding? Lisa was crazy. If I had known up front what I know now, I could've saved God the trouble."
"Believe it. Our ways are definitely not His."
Malcolm grinned as their fists met in agreement. "No hard feelings, man." Malcolm retook his seat behind his desk. He should've, but he didn't feel one ounce of guilt for Trey forfeiting Hallison. "What do you get out the deal? The least I can do is set you up."
"That's okay." Trey shook his head then shrugged. "Who knows God's mind or His plan for me? Somehow, I believe she ain't meek and humble. God hinted she's already been selected, but she's still in the oven. If I didn't have so much confidence in God, I would run the other way from His matchmaking scheme. Hopefully, I can put in a request for what I would like." Trey chuckled as his mind seemed to wander.
Saved or unsaved, Malcolm wasn't giving Trey any pity. "Better you, man, than me."
"Don't think I won't specify a tall, shapely woman, honey-tone skin, shoulder-length hair, almond-shaped eyes—"
"Watch it, Trey. That sounds too much like Hali, and she doesn't have any sisters."
Trey dropped his foot to the floor and leaned closer to Malcolm. "Hali is one beautiful woman. Don't mess up again, Jamieson. God doesn't always give second chances."
"I know."