Free AG01 - Washed Away by Jack Parker Page A

winner, even if the results are not what I think they should be."
    Amazed at Fred's faith in the sight of possible prison time, Alexa quoted an old song, "'Friend don't worry about this heavy load I carry. Don't be concerned if it sends me to my knees. For I know a place where all my load is lightened. I'll be alright as soon as I touch Calvary.'"
    Fred grinned, "It's been ages since I have heard that song. Every time I get down, I'll try to remember those words and realize that just because I am in jail doesn't mean I can't run to my Savior."
    "Let's go, Mr. Silva," the guard said from behind Fred. When Fred turned around, he saw a look of wonderment on the guard's face. He had tried to witness to the man, but had always been rebuffed.
Maybe God will bring a blessing out of this cursed situation after all.
    Alexa was determined to stop worrying about Fred's situation, so she picked up her books from the kitchen counter and headed out the door. She had finally decided to just let God handle things His own way.
    She called up Tara to let her know where to find her, in case something happened. Alexa's call went to voicemail, "Hey baby girl! I'll be at the library for a few hours. I think they're closing early because Thanksgiving is tomorrow, so I won't be late. Talk to you later sweetie."
    Alexa snapped her phone shut and pulled into a parking space at the Neosho library. Before she got out of her car, she turned off the ringer on her phone,
Can't have this thing going off in the middle of the library, now can I?
    Several hours later, Alexa was searching through the shelves trying to find the book she wanted to reference for the paper she was writing for class, when a title popped out at her, "Wow! I haven't read this book in years." Alexa was talking to herself again – although quietly, in deference to her surroundings. She pulled the book off the shelf and began leafing through it.
    As she did so, the plot came back to her with a rush. The whole story washed over her as she stood there looking through the book. She suddenly stopped what she was doing and gasped as realization seeped into her consciousness.
    She looked at the book and then began thinking over the facts of Fred's case.
It can't be that easy. There has to be a mistake!
But everything fit perfectly. The crime, the evidence, the criminal framing someone else…
    Fred's case was the plot of the book she held in her hand.
That is why this whole thing seemed so familiar – the reason why I kept having a feeling of déjà vu.
    The next thought that filled her mind also filled her with dread. She remembered a conversation she had had with Bob Dempsey the Librarian about the sailing techniques class he was taking. Her mind flew forward to this afternoon when she had glimpsed Bob's backpack on the floor behind the reference desk. On top of his bag had been a book about sailing techniques and on the cover was a picture of rope tied in knots – knots very similar in nature to the ones that had held Garret to the axle of Fred's boat.
    "Bob is the killer!" Alexa whispered to herself. Her blood ran cold.
    As Alexa ran to retrieve her things, the lights flickered, signaling that the library would be closing in five minutes. While gathering her books and papers, Alexa looked around the room. She was alone. Everyone else had gone home by now.
Am I alone here with Bob? Did he hear me when I said he is the killer?
Panic washed over her.
    She ran toward the front door and found it locked.
He knows! I need a place to hide! God help me!!
    Alexa dashed into the bathroom and into a stall. While she dialed CC's cell phone, she stood on the commode so that Bob would think the bathroom was empty if he looked inside.
Voicemail!!
Alexa left CC a message saying that she was trapped at the library and that she was certain Bob was the killer.
    What am I going to do??
she thought as she quietly stepped off the commode and out of the stall. She peeked out of the bathroom and figured that she