Monday, March 23, 1992; 8:30 P.M.
“WILL YOU PLEASE TELL me what’s going on?” It was a command, not a request.
Adam eased the car into traffic and accelerated. The VW Rabbit’s small engine responded quickly.
“After you told me that the Langford and Hailey homes had been broken into, it occurred to me that it might not be a coincidence. So, I called the Loraynes’. There was no answer. Then I called Larry Lorayne—they were preparing a party for them—he told me they never showed. They’ve been trying to reach me all day.” Adam felt guilty about ignoring his answering machine. “The police want to talk to me.”
“So where are we going?”
“Larry Lorayne’s house. He’s going to notify the police that we are on the way.”
“Curiouser and curiouser,” Rachel said.
“Excuse me?”
“It’s a quote from Alice in Wonderland. My father used to read it to me. The more I know about this problem, the less I understand.”
Larry Lorayne was looking out the living room window when Adam and Rachel arrived. He reached the car before they had unbuckled their seat belts.
“Where have you been, Pastor?” Larry asked. “I’ve been trying to reach you for hours.”
“I’m here now, Larry,” Adam said soothingly. “Do you know Dr. Tremaine?”
“No.” Larry was still agitated.
“That’s right, you weren’t at the hospital when David was released.”
“No, I was here fixing barbecue for the family. We were going to celebrate.”
“Dr. Tremaine performed the surgery on David,” Adam said, choosing not to mention her role as investigator for the hospital.
“Pleased to meet you,” he said absently.
“Is your wife in the house?” Adam wanted to move the conversation inside.
“Yeah. Come on in.”
Eva was sitting on the couch. Adam could see her eyes were red from crying. “Hello, Pastor,” she said weakly. “Can I get you some coffee or a soda?”
“No, thank you.” Adam sat on a love seat and motioned for Rachel to join him. “This is Dr. Tremaine,” Adam said to Eva. “She performed the surgery on David.”
“Hello,” Eva said. “Would you like something to drink?”
“No, thank you.”
Larry began to pace.
“Larry, why don’t you sit down and tell me what happened?” Adam said.
“Well, it’s like this,” Larry said, sitting in a chair opposite Adam. “They were going to come over after they left the hospital. David said he wanted some real food and there was no longer any reason why he couldn’t have some. Well, I had been watering the grass out front while I was waiting for the coals to get hot, and I went out to check the sprinkler when I saw them coming down the street. Living on a cul-de-sac like we do, there’s only one direction for them to come from. Anyway, I looked down the street and saw their car. I turned to shout to Eva that they were here when I heard tires squealing. A car had come out of the driveway about ten houses down. I didn’t hear a crash like an accident or anything, so I figured it was a near miss. Then I saw this tall guy get out of the car and walk to David’s car. A couple of minutes later the car that came out of the driveway headed out, and then David’s car pulled a U-turn and followed it. I yelled at ’em to come back, but they were too far away. And that’s it, no call, nothing. Then the police called.”
“The police?” Adam felt his stomach tighten.
“Yeah, they called about two hours later saying that they found David’s car abandoned about three miles from here.”
“How did the police know to call you?” Adam asked.
“Because I gave them my number when I called them.”
“Where did they find it?”
“There’s a small elementary school nearby that’s not used anymore. They found the car in the parking lot.” Blood drained from Larry’s face. “That’s not all—they found blood on the car.”
The news shocked Adam. “Were you able to give a description of the other car to the police?” Adam asked softly.
“Just that it was a blue sedan. I couldn’t see the license number.”
“I just don’t understand, Pastor,” Eva said quietly. “How can this happen? After such a good thing like David being healed, how could such an evil thing happen?”
“I don’t know,” Adam said. “There’s little we can do but wait and pray. I know that’s not what you want to hear, but unfortunately that’s the way it is. You know I’m here if you need me.”
Adam asked that they join hands so that they might pray. Eva eagerly reached from her place on the couch and took Adam’s hand. Larry moved from the chair to the couch and sat next to his wife and took her hand. Without thinking, Adam reached for Rachel’s hand and then led them in prayer. For Rachel, it was the first time she had bowed her head in prayer since she was a child. Had it not been such an emotionally charged moment, she would have objected.
Adam’s prayer didn’t contain flowery phrases or insincere platitudes, but just the simple words of a man concerned about a friend.
The prayer touched Rachel. Adam was sincere and open, expressing fear, anxiety, and hope. She did not need her medical degree to know that the prayer had a relaxing effect on Larry and Eva.
The doorbell rang as Adam finished. A man who identified himself as a police detective was asked in.
“Hello, Detective McGinnes,” Larry said, motioning him in. “This is Pastor Adam Bridger and Dr. . . .”
“Tremaine,” Rachel said.
“I’m glad we found you, Pastor,” McGinnes stated. “I’ve got some questions for you.”
McGinnes was a pale-complexioned, thin man with dark eyes and a hairline that receded at the part. His slight build seemed incongruous with his profession.
“I’ll be happy to be of any help I can,” Adam replied.
“Of course,” McGinnes said.
“Would anyone like coffee?” Eva interrupted.
“Yes, thank you,” McGinnes replied and watched as Eva left the room. “Pastor, I understand you were one of the last ones to see David Lorayne and his family. Is that correct?”
“I was with them shortly before they left the hospital, as was Dr. Tremaine.”
“So you both were with them when left the hospital?”
“Correct.” Adam replied.
“Dr. Tremaine, just what is your involvement with the Loraynes? Are you the family doctor?”
“No,” Rachel replied. “I’m a surgeon at Kingston Memorial and I performed his surgery. I’m also doing some research for the hospital.”
“What kind of research?”
“I’m not sure you’d understand.”
McGinnes looked at Adam who shrugged. “Try me.”
Rachel seemed reluctant to answer, but then stated matter-of-factly, “I’m investigating the recent events that have occurred at the hospital.”
“Events?” McGinnes asked.
“The healings,” offered Adam.
McGinnes nodded knowingly. “Yes, there’s quite a ruckus over there—people jammed into the lobby like they are. I almost didn’t make it through.”
Eva brought a serving tray and set it on the coffee table.
“Did either of you walk out of the hospital with the family?”
“No.” Both Rachel and Adam answered simultaneously.
“What did you do after they left?”
“I had some questions for Reverend Bridger,” Rachel replied, “so we went to the doctors’ lounge and talked.”
“How long did the meeting last?”
“Less than twenty minutes,” Rachel said.
McGinnes sighed. “I had hoped that you might have seen or heard something useful.” He took his coffee and drank it in almost one swallow. Setting his cup down, he continued, “I’d like to have your home number, Dr. Tremaine, in case I have more questions. I already have the Pastor’s here—he was listed in the phone book.” Rachel hesitated, then recited her number.
“Are you aware of the burglaries?” Adam asked.
“What burglaries?”
“There have been two burglaries that may be related to this case,” Adam replied. “At the homes of the Langfords and the Haileys. Both had members of their families in Kingston Memorial when they were healed.”
“How did you find out about that?” McGinnes asked. “Actually, Dr. Tremaine discovered it.”
McGinnes turned his attention to Rachel and said, “Well?”
“As I said,” Rachel began, “I’ve been assigned to research the special events that have happened at the hospital. I attempted to interview the Langfords and the Haileys at home. They were never there. I had heard about the shooting at the Langfords’ on the news, a neighbor of the Haileys told me about the break-in at their house.”
“I hadn’t made the connection,” McGinnes said. “I’ll look into it.”
“I hear you’ve found the car,” Adam said.
“That’s correct. We found it in the parking lot of a nearby school,” McGinnes said.
“Did you find anything else?” Adam asked.
“These folks have probably told you about the blood.”
“Only that you found some.”
“Not much—just a little around the driver’s door and on the hood of the car. It looks like someone, probably the driver, resisted the abductors.”
“That would be Michael,” Larry said. “He was a scrapper as a kid.”
“We’re pretty sure it was Michael too,” McGinnes said. “The nurse who walked them to the car said that David and his wife got in the backseat. Besides, David would be in no shape to struggle anyway— with his stitches and all.”
No one bothered to tell McGinnes that David no longer had stitches.
“But there wasn’t enough blood to indicate . . .” Adam paused and searched for the right words.
“Murder? Oh, no. The blood we found could be accounted for by a good-sized scrape or cut.”
“That’s a relief,” Larry said.
“They’re not out of danger yet,” McGinnes said. “Has anyone called about them? Asked for ransom or anything like that?”
“No,” Larry said, shaking his head, “but then neither David nor I have much money. I live off my Navy retirement and David’s retired from General Dynamics. We have enough to get us by, but not much more.”
“If anyone calls, then let me know. We’ll set up a phone tap and trace the calls.”
“I have a question,” Rachel said. “Larry tells us that a car pulled in front of the Loraynes and stopped them, and then the Loraynes followed the car. Why would they do that?”
“Who knows?” McGinnes replied. “They either tricked them or threatened them. Whatever the case, the Loraynes felt compelled to go along.”
Adam had another question. “You say you talked to one of the nurses. Why didn’t you talk to Dr. Tremaine while you were at the hospital?”
“We tried, but she wasn’t there.”
Adam looked at Rachel for a moment. She had told him that she wasn’t free until 8 that night and he assumed that she would be working at the hospital.
“I was doing research on spontaneous healing at the UCSD library,” Rachel said. “Not that there was much to find.”
“Well,” McGinnes said, standing and placing the notebook he had been using into the side pocket of his suit coat, “I should be going.” Larry stood and show him to the door.
As McGinnes was leaving, he handed Adam and Rachel business cards and said, “I would appreciate any help I can get on this.”
After McGinnes left, Adam did his best to encourage Larry and Eva. He wanted to tell them that everything would be fine, and that their loved ones would soon be home safe and sound. But he couldn’t. They understood they might never see David, Ann, and Michael alive again.
“I know this is hard on you,” Adam said. “The unknown is always frightening. What’s important now is that we remain at our best and not jump to conclusions.”
“And that we keep praying,” Eva said, as a tear ran down her cheek. “And keep praying,” Adam agreed. “It’s also important for you two to draw strength from one another. You can weather this together. God will help you, I will help you, and the church will help you.”
“I appreciate that,” Larry said, “but we’re not part of your church. Truth is, we don’t go to church much. We can’t expect any help.”
Adam smiled. “I know, but that doesn’t matter. I’m adopting you. If you need anything, then don’t hesitate to call.” Then, remembering the flashing red light on his answering machine, Adam’s smile was replaced with chagrin. “I’ll even pick up my messages more frequently.”
“Look,” Larry said. “I’m sorry if I came on a little strong about that. It’s just that I was concerned, and I tend to be a little quick on the trigger.”
“No need to apologize,” Adam said. “Considering all that’s going on, you have a right to be on edge.”
Larry looked at Eva and then took her hand. “Thanks for coming over, Pastor. David said you were the best, and now I know what he means. You’ve been a big help.”
“I wish there was more that I could do,” Adam said quietly. “I really do.”
“We know, Pastor,” Eva said. “But we do appreciate what you’ve done.”
Adam stood and hugged Eva and then Larry.
“Please, keep me posted,” Adam said as he stood on the front stoop. “I’ll check with you tomorrow.”
Adam and Rachel drove in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Rachel was mystified. Why hadn’t she made the connection about the break-ins like Adam did? Perhaps she didn’t care enough to ask the right questions. One thing was certain—she didn’t possess the caring attitude that Adam did. She had watched him closely tonight. His love and concern, coupled with his self-possession, intrigued her. There was more to this man than she had first realized.
Pulling into the hospital parking lot, Adam drove behind to an area secured with a card-operated gate. They sat in silence for a moment, then Adam spoke. “I appreciate the time you’ve given me tonight.”
“I’ll admit,” she replied, “that I’ve never had an evening like it.” Before she closed her door, she paused thoughtfully, and then asked, “We can assume that the Langfords and the Haileys have met the same fate as the Loraynes. Do you agree?”
Adam reluctantly nodded his head and said, “Yes, I do.”
“Why would anyone want to abduct recently healed people?”
“I don’t know,” Adam admitted. “There’s a lot I don’t know about this, but I intend to find out.”
“This could be dangerous, you know.”
“Yes, I know. And not just for us, but for the next person healed.” Rachel thought about that for a second. “What makes you think there’ll be another healing?”
“I’m not certain, but I think this is just the beginning.”
“The beginning of what?”
“I wish I knew. At least, I think I wish I knew.”
Rachel nodded her agreement and then shut the car door, turned, and walked across the parking lot.