“Beth, can you and Connie come in around five this afternoon and I’ll give you the lowdown? No, wait until you get here, but drive carefully.”
She next dialed the church office. “Marcie, Hi. It’s Hannah. Is Pastor Bill in? I need to talk to him. Well, catch him quickly before he gets out of the building. Thank you, Marcie. It’s very important.”
After a few seconds the phone was picked up at the church. “Hi, Pastor Bill. I’m sorry to cause you to return. But this is very important. I need for you to tell the prayer group that will meet tonight and also announce it to whomever it concerns. My agency needs a cover of serious prayer. Yes, the lives of some innocent babies are involved. I can’t tell about the case, but this is one time we need a lot of prayer. I will be out of town for a few days and Herb will be undercover. We truly need a lot of prayer. Yes, I would love for you to pray with me now.”
Hannah hung up confident that a lot of prayers would be following them and she bet the Sturgills had asked their church for prayer.
She read over some notes on cases and wrote a report. She then pushed a button on the phone to talk to Victoria.
“Victoria, why don’t you take your lunch break? I ate a late breakfast and will go out after you return. No, don’t hurry. I’ll be here all afternoon. Oh, by the way, Beth Correli and Connie Ackerman will be coming in around five. When they get here, signal me and send them on back. Thanks.”
Herb had gone to Brian’s house with him to tell Mrs. Morton about Brian’s concerns. She was worried about all of them and anxious to do whatever she could. She hurried to make sure of clean clothes for the children and gathered toys, books and items they would need.
Hannah’s phone buzzed. “Yes, Victoria?”
“Ms. Correli and Ms. Ackerman are here.”
“Please send then back. Thank you.”’
Hannah stood up and walked to open her door. Looking out she found the two young women nearby. “Come in, please. Have a seat.”
Beth breathed a loud sigh. “I’m so relieved to see you smiling. I was afraid you were calling us down here to give us bad news.”
“No, my dear, just the opposite. During my investigation I found that your - uh - friend was keeping company with some bad guys; in fact the mob. He had borrowed money for gambling and couldn’t pay it back. They forced him to collect from others to earn his way. Somewhere along the line he had kept money for himself. They were teaching him a lesson as an example to others. You had a guardian angel with you to not be with him when they found him.”
“Then the police still don’t know about Beth?” Connie asked nervously.
“Only the three of us know what you observed. I wanted to tell you in person how serious this is though. Some day, Beth, you may tell your grandchildren about it, but in the meantime, keep it among us three. The mob could still come after you for fear you could identify them.”
Beth was so relieved that tears were rolling down her cheeks. Connie reached over and took her hand. “This is a great example of how prayer protects and works.”
“You’re right, Connie. I can’t tell you about any of my other cases, but I would appreciate it if you both kept me and my clients in your prayers. Their situation is even more serious than yours.”
“How can I pray for you then?” Beth looked baffled.
“Just pray that God will guard me and the work I’m doing.”
Connie jumped up. “I was about to forget those bloody clothes. What will we do with them?”
“I can give them back to you or I can dispose of them. It might be better if I dispose of them and then there is no way they can be connected to you. I also advise you not to talk to each other about this. You never know who might be listening. Try to forget it and act as if it never happened.”
“Oh, please,” Beth hiccupped. “Excuse me. Take them. I don’t want to look at them again. How much do I owe you?”
“Call it a love gift. It makes me angry to see or hear of cruelty in any form or to anyone -- or an animal.”
Connie got out a checkbook. “No, please. You put in time and effort. We want to pay you.”
“Donate what you wish to shelters for abused women and children. I don’t want or need your money. Let me know if I can be any further service. Go with God and watch -- your -- tongue.”
Hannah had talked to Mrs. Morton and made plans. Mrs. Morton would have everything ready and be prepared to leave by seven thirty the next morning. Hannah knew she had to get there to place the car seats for both babies in her car. She had leased a large van because her sedan would not have carried all that was necessary for the children.
Herb had packed his items and drove the van to Brian’s house. They backed it into Brian’s garage so no one could see what they were loading. The windows were tinted. Hannah would drive his car over the next morning and leave it for him.
Hannah got up at five thirty and decided to make a quick short run to limber up. She was jogging along enjoying the cool morning when she saw eighty-six year old Martha DeWitt being walked by her three year old black Rottweiller. Hannah smiled at the determined expression on Martha’s face as the dog set the pace and pulled her along. The dog was muscular and adored Martha, however, he was quick to let others know that he had a purpose in life -- to guard Martha.
They were a few feet from Hannah and Martha was smiling at her ready to speak. The dog suddenly stopped with the hair rising on the back of his neck and his teeth showing. He was snarling with a deep throat sound.
Martha suddenly looked frightened and squeaked, “Hannah.”
Hannah started to pick up her pace to get to Martha when the dog lunged toward the street and almost pulled Martha over. Hannah was close enough to grab his leash. She looked to see what was causing the dog to be so angry. Just in time she threw herself down on her face and yelled at Martha to get down.
A black car had pulled beside them, the passenger window was cracked open and a pistol was showing. A bullet whizzed over Hannah’s head as the car sped away. The dog tried his best to go after the car and even drug Hannah off the curb and into the street before she could stop him.
“Contagious,” Martha yelled. “Come back here.”
When Hannah heard the dog’s name she was laughing so hard she paid no attention to her cuts and bruises. “Contagious? Where did you get his name?”
Martha grabbed the leash and began to scold the dog. He slunk back to her with his head hanging low.
“Oh, don’t scold him. He saved our lives. Good boy. You are such a good, brave boy,” Hannah patted him and praised him. He perked up and looked to Martha to get praise. She slowly patted him and thanked him for protecting them.
“Did you know those bad men, Hannah? Why did they want to kill you?”
“No, I don’t know them, nor did I recognize the car. I don’t know what they had in mind. In my business you make enemies without knowing it sometimes.”
“Why?”
“People who are bad don’t want anyone checking up on them and finding out about them. Where did the name, Contagious, come from?”
“My son. He brought me this rascal when he was weaned and helped me train him. I do love him. My son said to own a dog is contagious and all my friends would want one, also. He was teasing, but I liked the name.”
“Well, you can rest assured no one else will have the same name. Ouch!”
“My dear, you’re hurt. Your knees are bleeding, and your chin.”
“Just surface skin knocked off. I’ll be okay. It’s better than having a bullet in me. I think I’ll go back home and clean up. It’s nice to see you, Martha. Bye, Contagious and thank you,” she laughed patting him on the head.
Limping back to her house, she took a shower and placed bandages on her cut knees. She left her chin uncovered because it had stopped bleeding. She dressed in green linen slacks and a lime green fuzzy sweater for the trip.
I’m going north in winter weather so I’d better wear boots and socks. I’ll pack a couple of pant suits. No need of a dress because I won’t be socializing. I’ll just leave Mrs. Morton and the babies, check into a motel for the night and get an early start back.
She took gloves and a knit cap out of a dresser drawer and a heavy coat from the closet that she had not worn in years. Packing the pant suits she added underclothes and extra socks. After some thought she put a book in that she had wanted to read. I may want something to read in the motel. I sure would love to know what the intention of the shooter was and who he’s connected with and why.
Checking the kitchen clock she saw it was six forty and needed to leave. She debated with herself about calling Herb and Brian and telling them what had happened and then decided to just go over there. She carefully looked up and down the street as she got in Herb’s car. On the way to Brian’s house she constantly looked in the rear view mirror and the side mirrors to see if she was being followed. She picked up her cell phone and called Chief Wingate at home to tell him what had happened to her.
“Hannah, are you nuts or just having a death wish? Why are you out driving around when you might be followed and shot?”
“Chief, calm down. I’m fine except for some painful cuts and bruises. I’m working on a case and will be out of town for three or four days. Please have someone check my house to make sure there are no break-ins. Herb is occupied in an undercover case which leaves Victoria alone in the office. I would appreciate it if you’d have officers go by the office every now and then in case Victoria needs help.”
“I’ll do all of that and even visit with Victoria myself. I wish you’d tell me what’s going on.”
“Sorry, friend. You know I can’t discuss cases with anyone other than my staff. I’ll see you as soon as I get back. I did try to talk my client into giving you the information but no sale. Bye now.”
At Brian’s she pulled Herb’s car behind the house with Brian’s car. The back door was opened for her as she got out of the car. She ran into the house and thankfully accepted a cup of coffee and a cinnamon roll. She hadn’t taken time to eat and was hungry.
While Mrs. Morton was bringing last minute articles down, Hannah told Herb and Brian about the morning. Herb was angry and Brian was frightened.
“Are you sure it’s going to be safe for you to take my family to Richmond? Suppose you’re followed?”
“The van is in your garage isn’t it?”
“Yes, of course.”
“You put everything that we’re taking including car seats didn’t you?”
Herb placed a comforting hand on Brian’s shoulder. “Yes, everything is in the van and it’s well hidden. All we have to do is place food in that Mrs. Morton prepared and the cooler with ice in it is already in the van. We’ll only have to put the babies’ food items and medicines in and get your things out of my car and put them in the van. Brian we’re sending them off with a lot of prayers. Hannah is an excellent driver. I don’t anticipate any trouble for them.”
“Hannah, I personally checked the tires, oil, gas and all features that you’ll depend on while you drive. Call my cell phone as soon as you get to Richmond. Give my cell number to the Sturgills and tell them not to call here at the house. We don’t know who might be listening in.”