Nina Marie sat on her couch with her feet up reading a new book that Stacey had recommended. Mainly Nina Marie wanted to make sure that Stacey wasn’t clouding her brain with misinformation or fads.
When her doorbell rang, she set the book down and got up off the couch. She wasn’t expecting any company tonight. As she looked through the peephole, she let out a groan. The very last person she wanted to see was standing there. Abe—or whatever his name really was.
She opened the door. “You really have some nerve showing back up here at my home.”
“May I come in?” Abe asked.
She wanted to slam the door in his face, but as she looked up into his eyes, she realized she couldn’t say no to this man. As angry as she was at him, there was still something so strong pulling her toward him. “You have five minutes.”
He smiled and walked by her and into the living room.
“So, what do you want, Abe? Or should I call you something else?”
“My first name is Abe.”
“And your last name?”
“Perez.”
“Ah, much more fitting than Smith.” She fiddled with her sleeves, realizing that this man put her on edge. She needed to regain control. “What do you want?”
“I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you.”
She laughed. “Are you kidding me? You played me for a fool. You were using me for whatever it is Olivia hired you to do. So spare me your lines.”
“I’m a private investigator. I was just doing my job. What’s happening between us is a totally different thing.”
“Let’s get this straight, Abe. There is no us.”
“I see it differently.”
“Of course you do. I still don’t know why you’re here in my living room right now.”
“Because somewhere along the way, I developed feelings for you, and I don’t want you to keep going down such a destructive path.”
“What, you think you can just waltz in here and all of a sudden I’m going to fall at your feet, confess my sins, and ride off with you into the sunset?”
He took a step toward her and instinctively she took one back. He reached toward her and she flinched.
“Whoa, I’m not going to hurt you,” he said. “You have nothing to fear from me.” He lifted his hands in the air.
Looking at Abe now, though, she realized she did have something to fear—but it wasn’t physical violence. It was her heart being broken. “I don’t know what you want from me.”
“I want to be able to spend more time with you.”
“First, how could I ever trust you after you came to me under false pretenses? And second, you and I have major differences of opinion. We’re not compatible. I’d never date a Christian.” Not ever again.
“Well, first, you’re right. I did come to you as a PI, but now I’m coming to you as a man who wants to know more about you. And as far as me being a Christian and you being … whatever it is you identify with, I believe we can work through that.”
She had to give it to him. He was persistent. “There are some things you just can’t work through. I made a decision years ago to take a different path. There’s no turning back from that.” It was just like she told Stacey, and that’s another reason she wanted Stacey to be sure about her decisions.
“That’s the thing, Nina Marie. It doesn’t have to be that way. There’s always another option as long as you have breath in your body, and I’m here offering to walk that journey with you if you’ll let me.”
“Did Olivia put you up to this?”
He shook his head. “Not at all. This was my idea. I did have to ask her if it was all right if I approached you in my personal capacity.”
“Did she tell you I was a lost cause?”
“Just the opposite. She believes you can change, too.”
Her anger started to come to the surface. “Why does everyone believe I want to change? Do I seem unhappy to you? I have everything I could want. Just look around this place.”
He gently took her hand in his, sending a shockwave through her.
“You don’t really believe that. Being fulfilled in life isn’t about having material things. You want more out of life than that. We all do.”
“Once again, why should I believe a word that comes out of your mouth after all the lies you told me?”
“The only lies I told you were my name and profession.”
“What about all the talk about you negative feelings toward Christianity? The hypocrisy. The whole nine yards?” Did he really think she was that stupid?
“At the time I made those comments, I meant them.” He ran his hand through his hair. “Can I have a seat and try to explain?”
Well, she’d come this far, might as well hear how he was going to try to get himself out of the hole he’d dug. “Yes.” She motioned toward the couch. She sat down beside him but left enough space to make her comfortable.
“Someone I loved hurt me badly. She was a churchgoer, as was a close friend who she was cheating on me with.”
She sucked in a breath. This was hitting far too close to home for her. She needed to deflect a bit. “A lot of people are cheated on.”
“But after that happened, I couldn’t go back to that church anymore. I was humiliated, angry, and hurt. Instead of trying to seek out another church, I just walked away and left it all behind. I figured that God didn’t really care about me all that much and wouldn’t miss me.”
“Let me guess. After a little time passed, you found your faith again and lived happily ever after.”
“Far from it. Like I said, I’ve harbored a lot of pain and resentment the past few years. So when you asked me about my feelings when we first met, yes, I needed to play a role, but I was telling you how I really felt.”
“Then what changed between then and now? It hasn’t exactly been a long time.”
He took her hand again and as much as she wanted to pull away, she didn’t.
“Ever since the first time we met, something has started to change in me. I’ve felt a longing to reconnect with God, and at the same time, a fierce longing to connect with you.”
She took another deep breath. “Are you trying to say that I’m the reason you’ve gone back to your faith?”
“I know it seems crazy, but God can use people and circumstances to work His will. And if I can come back to the Lord, I think you can, too.”
A single tear slid down her cheek. What was wrong with her? She never cried, but for some reason an immense sadness washed over her. “You just don’t understand, Abe. I’ve crossed a line. Even if I wanted to come back from that, which I don’t, it wouldn’t be possible. There are some things you can’t just turn around.”
“I think you’ve told yourself that as a defense mechanism. You’ve been hurt, too. I know you aren’t going to change your beliefs in the blink of an eye. All I’m asking is that you give me a chance. Give us a chance.”
How could she have even let this conversation get this far? She served the evil one. She practiced witchcraft and all sorts of dark arts. And now this man sitting next to her was asking her to turn away from all of that and take another path. A path with him! Why wasn’t she just saying no and throwing him out? “I don’t know how to respond to all of this.”
“I know you’ve been hurt just like I was hurt. By someone who claimed to be a believer but didn’t act like one.”
She shook her head. “You don’t understand. In my case it was much more than being cheated on.”
“Your reaction earlier. This man was abusive toward you?”
She nodded. “Yes.” She’d told Stacey about the physical violence, but it went even deeper than that.
“I would never hurt you like that, Nina Marie. You have to know that. I’ve never raised a hand to a woman.”
Could she really trust this man? “I think I need some time alone. You’ve laid a lot on me.”
“I totally understand, but please don’t think that you’re too far gone. God can always bring you back, no matter what you have done. Even if you’ve aligned yourself with evil, it’s not too late to change.” He stood up from the couch. “I’ll let you think about what I said, but I hope to see you again soon.”
She walked with him toward the door. He leaned in and kissed her gently on the cheek before leaving her house. She reached up and touched her cheek. What in the world had just happened?
**
Micah and Ben looked down on Nina Marie. It had been a risk to even come into her house, but they decided to go into the danger zone because Abe had taken such a huge step of faith. Olivia and Abe’s prayers were having a huge impact.
“I have to admit, I never thought we’d be in this position with Nina Marie,” Ben said.
“After Olivia saved her life, Olivia said that she wasn’t going to give up on her, and it looks like all the effort and prayer is making a difference,” Micah said. “Sometimes even we have to remind ourselves just how powerful prayer is and how those prayers can change people’s lives.”
“This just shows that Nina Marie does have the desire to change, even if she’s not fully ready to admit it to herself.”
“Not so fast,” a booming voice said.
Micah turned and saw Othan and his sidekick Kobal.
“What do you think you’re doing here?” Othan asked. “She is one of ours. She has come to us freely. This is our house, not yours.”
“People can change,” Ben replied.
Othan laughed. “Are you kidding me? Nina Marie is one of the evil one’s favorites. There is no way he would ever let her go without a huge fight. She’s not strong enough to defy him. It won’t ever happen, no matter who you send here.”
Micah watched as Kobal made his way to the couch to get near Nina Marie. Ben instantly swept down and inserted himself between Kobal and Nina Marie.
“Since when did God’s angels protect one of the devil’s own?” Othan asked.
“She has shown a willingness to change, and we’re going to do everything in our power to help her. She doesn’t even want you here now. You’re the unwelcome ones,” Ben said.
“We’ll see about that,” Othan said. “She’ll stay loyal to us. You just watch.”
“If you’re so certain, then you should have no problem leaving and going about your other business.”
“Fine. I am certain. Kobal, let’s go to some place where we’re actually needed.”
Othan and Kobal vanished as quickly as they had arrived.
“Nicely played,” Ben said to Micah.
“I didn’t know they’d go for that, but their egos are so large, I thought it may work. We don’t need them hanging around here and putting negative thoughts and doubts in her mind. We need to do as much as we can to help her. If there’s any chance to save her soul, we can’t give up. Especially with the strength of prayers that are being lifted up for her.”
“Abe is praying now. He hasn’t prayed like this in years,” Ben said.
“Praise the Lord.”
**
Olivia sat behind her desk across from Associate Pastor Chris Tanner. He’d agreed to come by her office and talk to her as part of trial preparation.
“I received the subpoena to testify from the State,” Chris said. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that they’d want to call me as a witness, but I still don’t like it.”
“All you have to do is tell the truth. Your testimony will hold a lot of weight with the jury.”
He raised an eyebrow. “And you want to make sure that I’m not going to throw Dan under the bus.”
“That’s one way to put it. I’d like to think you’d be happy if I could prove that Dan was innocent.”
“Of course I would, but I’ve also told you all along that my first and primary duty is to the church body, not to Dan.”
“Are you sure there’s not something else? Something else you aren’t telling me?”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know, but I feel like you’re keeping something from me, and I’d hate to hear about any surprises for the first time when you’re on the witness stand.”
“I’ve looked at the documents, Olivia. I don’t see how there is any other explanation for what happened.”
“What if I told you that I could prove that Dan was set up?” She couldn’t prove that as of today, but she wanted to see his reaction.
His eyes widened. “That’s not possible. How? Who?”
“Why is it not possible?”
“Because the only people with access to the accounts were me, Beverly, and Dan. I know I’m not guilty, and Beverly certainly didn’t do this. So I don’t see how it could be a setup. The electronic transfers into his account are crystal clear.”
For the first time, a nagging feeling deep in the pit of her stomach made her question Chris’s innocence. She’d been so focused on Beverly. What if it was Chris all along? “I’ve seen falsified records which show that no money was taken out. Someone had to create those records. And we still don’t know who controlled the offshore account. The bank is fighting the subpoena, and I don’t expect the bank will comply given the loopholes in international law.”
“But the first level shifting of funds is clear.”
“So give me your theory then. Why would Dan do this?”
“I mentioned it before that ever since his wife got sick, he’d been so stressed and worried. I honestly think it got to be too much for him. The medical bills piled up, and even with insurance, I’m guessing that he was drowning. He never said anything, but it’s a pretty reasonable thing to assume. So he set up a scheme to take money from the church account and put it into one of his. All the while keeping a totally different set of paper records that didn’t show anything being removed. I personally think he planned to only do it a couple of times. But after his wife’s death, he spiraled into darkness and kept on going with his plan. It wasn’t until Beverly started digging around into the online system that she found all the discrepancies.”
“And I’m assuming when you’re put on the stand, this is going to be your testimony?”
He nodded. “Yes. I’m sorry, Olivia, but I’m going to tell the truth as I know it.”
“I wouldn’t want you to do anything but that. I’m just trying to figure out why you believe all of that to be the truth. It seems a whole lot more like speculation to me.”
“Do you have a better explanation?”
“Well, I actually do have evidence showing Dan might have been struggling, but nothing to justify him taking such radical action as stealing. He was still able to cover all of his bills on his salary and the savings that he and his wife had accumulated over the years.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“Now you do, and I will be introducing that evidence at trial. I believe Dan was framed.” She leaned forward. “And I’m going to be able to show it with or without your help.” She hoped her message was loud and clear. If Chris was somehow involved in this mess, she’d have no problem taking him down.
“Olivia, I get that you’re in a tough spot. I appreciate the fact that Dan has someone like you in his corner. You’re a fierce and loyal advocate.”
“But?”
“We both have to do what we have to do. I can’t compromise my position just like you can’t yours. I’m relieved to hear you have some evidence to support Dan’s story. I just hope it will be enough. There are still a lot of questions in my mind.”
“Thanks for taking the time to talk with me. This will all be over soon.”
Grant walked into her office. “Hey, Chris. Sorry, am I interrupting?”
“No,” she said. “We’re finished up.”
Chris stood and shook Grant’s hand. “Hope to see you two in church on Sunday.”
“Of course,” Olivia said.
Chris walked out of her office, leaving her alone with Grant.
“How did that go?” he asked.
“Do you think there’s any way that he could be involved in this?”
“I don’t think so, but at this point, I’m not sure what or who to believe.”
“His testimony is going to be highly damaging to us.” She rubbed her temples as a headache started to come on.
He walked around to where she sat and pulled her up out of her chair and into a tight hug. “Don’t start doubting your case now, Olivia. God will come through. Just keep looking for the answers.”
“Oh, believe me, I’m not giving up. I just want to plan the strategy and be able to put that reasonable doubt into the jury’s mind. Between the physical evidence and the testimony of Beverly and Chris, though, it’s going to be an uphill battle. I presented the information to him about Dan’s financials, and while he said he was glad I found it, I’m not so certain. It’s like he doesn’t want to believe that Dan is innocent.”
“You’ll figure out a strategy. I know it.”
“Thanks for having faith in me. I need to meet with Nina Marie. I feel like she’s at a crossroads right now. She might know something.”
“Why would she help prove Dan’s innocence though?”
“I’m at the point where I have to try everything.”
**
Nina Marie felt like she might be losing it. Her whole world seemed to be turned on its head. For the life of her, she couldn’t figure out why she had felt compelled to listen to Abe—and even more, to consider what he was saying to her. To actually contemplate that she could live her life differently? There was no rational explanation for any of it.
Her choices to follow the New Age ways and occult practices had been her own. She enjoyed the life she had created for herself. She was happy—wasn’t she? Yeah, sometimes she got lonely, but she was independent by her own choosing. Everything was about what she decided for herself.
Abe’s words kept replaying in her ears because deep down she knew he was at least partially right. All of her material things were nice, but ultimately she was lonely and felt lacking.
But when she practiced the dark arts and wielded her powers, she became strong. Why would she give that up and risk the ire of the evil one?
Because there’s a different way, a tiny voice whispered in her head.
Looking around she saw no one. “I really am losing it,” she said out loud.
I am the way, the truth, and the life, the voice said.
“Who’s there?” she asked. Then it occurred to her. Could there be angels in her house? Would they dare to come into her home?
She couldn’t recall a time in her life where she was more conflicted. The fact that she was even having these thoughts made her think that something was wrong with her.
To make matters worse, she was waiting on another visitor she didn’t want to deal with. Olivia had called and asked to meet her at her place. She said it was important, so she decided to take the meeting even though she knew that might not be the best decision given her current state of weakness.
A light knock at the door let her know Olivia had arrived. She welcomed Olivia into her home and invited her into the kitchen.
“Would you like some coffee or tea?”
“Coffee would be great,” Olivia said.
So, the acceptance of a drink meant that she planned to stay a bit. She was interested to know what Olivia had up her sleeve. She put the coffee on and sat down at the table across from Olivia.
“You said it was important. What do you want to talk about?”
“I need your help.”
“With what?”
“This trial. I know you have information that could help me defend Dan.”
Nina Marie rolled her eyes. “You’ve seriously lost your mind if you think I’m going to help out the pastor. Have you forgotten who I am?”
“No, it’s because I know who you are that I’m asking you. Because deep down I think there is good in you, Nina Marie. No, I know there is good in you, and that even though your judgment has been clouded by darkness for years, that you wouldn’t want to see an innocent man go to prison for a crime he didn’t commit.” She paused. “And I also know that you can’t stand Layton, and this would give you an opportunity to foil his plot. Assuming you were truthful to me at the beginning in saying that this was all Layton and not you.”
She admired Olivia’s tenacity, coming at her from all angles. Olivia knew her well—well enough to know that playing the Layton card was smart and strategic. Before she could say anything, Olivia kept talking.
“You won’t get anything out of this. If Dan goes to prison, Layton will claim victory. He’ll toss you to the side and consolidate power around his big win. You don’t want that to happen, do you?”
Olivia raised an interesting point, and one she foolishly hadn’t even been thinking about. There had been too many others things on her mind. She stood up and poured them each a cup of coffee. Placing Olivia’s in front of her, she had to confront the situation directly. “What are you doing to me, Olivia?”
Olivia picked up her purple coffee mug. “What do you mean?”
“Something very strange is happening to me. I’m not myself, and I have the sinking suspicion that you’re the cause of it.”
“I haven’t done anything to you, Nina Marie, but I have been praying for you. Very hard and consistently.”
“I told you not to even try that with me.”
“I know what you said, but I also believe prayer is more powerful than you can imagine. The Holy Spirit can intercede and change your heart.”
“You have no right to do that to me. I make my own decisions.” She had the mind to try to hurt Olivia right then and there. She had the power to do it—or at least she thought she did.
Undaunted, Olivia reached over and grabbed onto her hand. “You do have the right. You have free will and choice. It’s completely up to you whether you heed the call of the Lord and reject the devil and his dark ways.”
“If this is completely my decision, then why am I affected by your prayers?”
“I believe deep down you do want to go another way, and that is enough to allow your heart to open. Whether you want to believe it or not, you and I are connected. I saved your life for a reason, and I don’t want that risk to have been taken in vein.”
“And what about Abe?”
“I did hire him as a PI, but whatever he is pursuing with you right now is all him. I had nothing to do with that. I believe God is working in his life right now, too, and in yours, whether you want to embrace it or not. Abe’s a good man.”
She huffed. “Are there really any good men?”
“I know that someone you loved hurt you. You’ve never told me any details, but I’ve read between the lines enough to know that it was a huge betrayal of trust. I get that, but not every man or every Christian is corrupt just because some people made mistakes.”
“I’d say being beaten and raped by someone who you thought you could trust is a lot more than a mistake.”
Olivia’s eyes widened as she squeezed her hand. “Nina Marie, I had no idea.”
“It’s not something I ever speak about. At least not … the physical violence is about all anyone ever gets out of me. I’m telling you the other to let you know just how far gone I am. How damaged I am, and my reasons for not trusting anyone. The path that I’m on may not bring me complete fulfillment, but it brings me safety and the power of my own life. My own body.”
Olivia closed her eyes for a moment and then looked back at her. “You may not know this about me, but one of my passions is assisting victims of domestic violence. I did a lot of work at clinics in law school and have volunteered my time on a pro bono basis while at the firm. I can’t pretend to know exactly the pain you’ve gone through, but I can say that keeping it all bottled up inside is not the way to heal.”
She couldn’t say that Olivia’s revelation surprised her. It was just the type of thing that Olivia would do because that was the type of person she was. A good person with a moral compass unlike anything she’d ever known. “There’s no such thing as healing, Olivia. I died a long time ago. I’m just doing the best I can.” As the words came out of her mouth, she couldn’t believe she’d shared this most private aspect, the darkest secret of her life, with her enemy.
But could it be that Olivia was no longer an enemy? Maybe she hadn’t been for quite awhile.
“With God, there is hope, but with the powers of darkness, there is only pain. No matter how strong you may think you feel, it’s just temporary. What God offers is something different. Yes, there are trials and tribulations in this world, but then there is eternal peace with Jesus.”
Nina Marie couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “How did this go from a conversation about giving you information to trying to convert me?”
“It’s all tied together, isn’t it?”
“I need to think this all through. If I cross Layton on this, he will try to destroy me.”
“Do I need to remind you that he’s already tried to kill you once? He’d have no hesitation doing it again, regardless of whether you choose to help me.”
“I hear you, but I still need time to think.”
“And while you’re thinking about helping me, why don’t you think about all of this other stuff, too.”
She blew out a breath. “Given how much you and Abe are hassling me, I don’t really have much of a choice.”
Olivia smiled warmly.
She saw everything in Olivia that she wasn’t. “I’ll never be like you, Olivia.”
“You don’t have to be like me. You just have to be you, and I’m just hoping it’s a better version of you that sees the light and turns away from the evil one.”
A piercing pain shot through her head, forcing her to shut her eyes.
“Nina Marie, are you okay?”
“I don’t know. My head.” A wave of nausea rushed through her as the pain only amplified. A throbbing sensation at her temples. She was gripped by pain and couldn’t move.
“You’re under attack,” Olivia said.
Nina Marie tried to speak but no words could be formed.
Then Olivia started praying out loud, telling the demons to leave the house. Calling out the name of Jesus.
After a few minutes the pain left her as quickly as it had hit her. She opened her eyes looked up at Olivia.
“They know,” Olivia said. “And they’re not going to lose you without a fight.”
Nina Marie feared that, one way or another, she wasn’t going to make it out of all of this alive.