Free Marja McGraw - Bogey Man 02 - Bogey's Ace in the Hole by Marja McGraw Page B

hugged each other while other people came up to thank Lila for her contribution.  It was, well, heavenly.  Lila was having a moment .
    Pastor Findlay and his wife joined us.  “You’re not going to believe this,” he said, “but a woman who was walking down the street heard Lila singing and came in to see what was going on.  She said she was so touched that she’ll be back next Sunday.  She’s new in town and she’s been looking for a church to attend.”
    “Well, hallelujah,” Jasmine said.
    “Amen to that,” May added.
    “Because of my singing?” Lila asked in wonder.
    “I wish we’d recorded it,” Chris commented.  “You really need to hear yourself.”
    “We did,” Pastor Findlay said.  “We always record the whole service.  Would you like a copy?”
    “You bet,” Mikey said.  “Now I gotta go find my friends.”  He left us on the run.
    Chris and the pastor chatted for a moment, and Chris visibly relaxed.  Our pastor was a man of God, but he was also a man who could talk about anything.  He never pushed a soul to attend church, but gently prodded when the opportunity presented itself.
    “Pastor Findlay, if you don’t mind me asking, why did you preach about the Good Samaritan this morning?  Any special reason?”  I glanced at the Church Ladies who looked everywhere except at me.
    “Jasmine happened to mention a friend of hers who’s been trying to help someone that she doesn’t even know.  It inspired me because we should all do more for our fellow man.”
    “Did Jasmine happen to mention what her friend has been doing to help this person?” I asked.
    “No, just that it was a selfless act.  Is there something I should know?”
    He waited patiently for an answer, which wasn’t forthcoming.
    “Well, Pastor, we’ve got things to do.  We’d better go.”  Jasmine grabbed Lila’s hand and began pulling her away from the group.  May followed.
    “What did I say?” Pastor Findlay asked.
    “Nothing.  They’ll tell you what they’ve been up to when they’re ready, I’m sure.”  I didn’t want to be the one to blab about Addie’s great adventure.  Besides, I didn’t think he even knew Addie.
    Chris and I excused ourselves and took out after the women.  Silly of me, but I didn’t trust them.  I had a feeling that even though their friend was back and safe, and it was time to let go of the situation, they weren’t going to stop trying to help Vic.
    Jasmine looked over her shoulder and saw us following, and stopped abruptly, causing Lila to trip.
    “So what’s today’s plan?” Jasmine asked.  “Are you going to follow up on finding Victor?”
    “What would you suggest we do?” Chris asked.
    “Why, look for him.  He needs to be warned,” May said.
    “He’s in danger,” Lila added.
    “And didn’t you say you ha ve an address for him?” Jasmine asked.
    “We have what could be his address,” I said.
    “So you’re going to drive over there and talk to him.  Right?”  Jasmine was pushing.
    I had a feeling that I knew what was coming next.
    “And you’re going to take us with you, right?”
    Did I know my Church Ladies or what?
    “No!” Chris said.  “We’re going alone.”
    I almost laughed because I could tell by the look of chagrin on his face that he hadn’t meant to confirm our agenda for the day.
    “Well, no you’re not,” Jasmine said.  “We’re going with you.  We started this whole thing, and we want to be in on it when it’s finished.  I guess Addie actually started it, but she’s exhausted.  She won’t be going with us, but I know she’ll want us to go.”
    “What about Mikey?  We can’t take him with us.   Who knows what we’ll be walking into?  We simply can’t go today.”  I figured that would put things into perspective.  We actually couldn’t go until Monday when Mikey would be in school.  Problem solved.
    All heads turned to me.  Chris appeared to be relieved.  The ladies had other ideas, and