“Mad, you’ve got to go. I’ll be fine. Dawn’s staying over, and we’ll call you if anything happens. It will be fine. You’ve got to do this.”
“You really think so?” he honestly said. In the back of his mind, he wanted to call Dr. Cross again, this time to cancel, but this was the moment he had dreamed of. “Do you really think the baby will wait? Will you be okay?”
“Honey. Go. Do a good job. Make me proud.”
He parked in the long-term lot and was in the air along with his mixed emotions by 10:30 a.m. He was scheduled to arrive three hours before the first session, meet briefly with Dr. Cross over a light dinner and take the stage at about 7:45 pm.
Chapter 78
Dawn arrived at the Enrights after work and picked up a call on her cell phone from her boss as she started getting dinner ready for Jill and Billy. “Hi, Paula.”
“Hi, Dawn, long time no see.”
“Funny... Did I forget to do something?”
“No. I just didn’t get a chance to talk to you today. Thought we might meet for a while.”
“Mmm. I’m kind of taking care of Jill and Billy while Pastor’s away. You want to come over here later? After I get them settled?”
“Uh,” Paula hesitated, she didn’t really want to discuss things in front of Jill. “I guess it can wait till tomorrow.” She really didn’t want to have the discussion in the work environment though - too intimidating, formal. She reconsidered, “Well, what time do you think we could talk?”
“Maybe 8:30... 9:00 p.m.?”
“Let’s make it about 9:30 p.m. then.”
Chapter 79
Dawn came down the stairs at about 9:15 p.m., having made certain that Jill had everything she needed and Billy was asleep. Jill heard from Madison at 7:30 pm pacific, about twenty minutes after the keynote session ended. He said it had gone great and that there were fifteen hundred people there with more expected as they got closer to the big session on Saturday morning. He was headed to a meeting which would take him late into the night, so he said goodnight so Jill wouldn’t wait up for another call. He sounded good, and she was happy that she had encouraged him to go. She lay in bed praying, hoping that he did great and came home with a new sense of purpose in ministry and love for his family. She missed the old Madison. Downstairs Paula arrived and Dawn began pouring tea, which Jill could smell through the vents. She wished she could join them, but it might be a private discussion, so she let them have their space.
“So what’s up, Paula? I hope I’m not in trouble, I’ve been there, a time or two,” she smiled as they sat down at the kitchen table.
“No, you’re not in trouble. You’re fantastic. But listen, I need to talk plainly, and... this is difficult - but I need you to know, up front, that I trust you and I believe in you.”
“Wow. This might require cookies,” Dawn smiled nervously.
“Cookies would be good,” Paula admitted, breaking the serious mood she had mistakenly introduced. She continued after Dawn had retrieved a package of Oreos that she had brought over for Billy. “I think you know my friend, Steve Franz?”
“Mmm, sounds familiar.”
“He did an interview with Pastor Enright a couple of months ago?”
“Oh, yeah, sure. He talked to me, too. Nice guy.”
“Well, as part of his research, he’s been, mmm, studying Pastor Enright’s habits. And he noticed that he seems to spend time at your apartment.” Paula didn’t really know how to breach the subject, but, when she said that, Dawn’s face turned white.
“Paula. What are you saying?”
“Has Madison been to your apartment? I’m just asking.”
“Just once. When Jill was over for tea... He didn’t come in. We, uh, they talked outside... but.”
“I know this is awkward, and it’s really awkward to be talking about it here. But Steve said that he has seen Pastors car at your apartment... a lot,” Paula said, quietly.
“I knew it.”
“What?”
“I told Jill the same thing - that a car like Pastor’s had been parked in my lot quite a bit. But I figured it was just one like his. But after he came over, when Jill was there, I just had this feeling that it had really been his. And I saw it other places around there and at my work.” There was a long silence as both women tried to figure out what to do or say next.
Paula leaned in and said quietly, but frankly, “So, you and Madison are not...”
“Paula,” Dawn said, shaking her head, tears welling up in her frightened eyes, “I would never... I love this family, Jill is my best friend.”
The women joined hands, Dawn with head bowed, sobbing quietly and Paula with eyes wide open, her mind moving at lightning speed.
“We’ll figure it out, Dawn. It’s okay. It’s enough for me to know you are honestly not involved in any way. That would just rip my heart out - Jill’s too - probably the whole church. Beyond that, it may just be something Pastor and Jill, or the church council, need to deal with.” Dawn raised her head and retrieved a napkin from the coffee table with which to dab her tears.
“It could mean you can’t work at the church any more, but let’s not go there yet. Actually, if it comes to that, I’ll have to re-examine my own role,” Paula said.
“But, like you said, we don’t go there yet.”
“Right,” Paula said, finishing her tea and standing to leave. Dawn walked her to the door.
Paula called Steve Franz’s cell phone as soon as her car pulled out of the Enright’s driveway.
“Hey, hey, Paula,” came the typical answer.
“Hey, yourself. What’s up?”
“You called me.”
“Oh yeah. I just wanted to let you know I had a heart-to-heart with Dawn Neilson. She’s staying with Jill Enright while Pastor’s in Dallas.”
“How’d it go?”
“She’s totally wiped out by the whole thing. Says she was pretty sure he was coming around, but she never really saw him except one time when Jill was at her place, and they met him outside.”
“Yeah. I was across the street on that one.”
“She says that was the only time she actually saw him, but that she saw the car all the time. And, she wanted to tell someone, but felt like, who’s going to listen to her word over his, you know.”
“My Nikon is on her side.”
“You have pictures?”
“It’s what I do... So, how are you holding up in all this?”
“You really want to know?”
“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t. I think I care for you now more than ever. You’re a class act, Stone.”
“Well, after talking to Dawn, I’m really upset, to tell you the truth. She seems like an innocent victim in all of this, and I have a feeling that she will be the one hurt the most at the end of the day.”
“Was Mrs. Enright with you?”
“No. Just Dawn and me. Jill’s got to stay in bed, trying to coax the child to term. Dawn doesn’t think she’ll make it. Hey, you want to get some decaf or something? My head’s spinning.”
“Mmm. Love to. But I can’t. On assignment.”
“Stake-out? Cool. Can I come?”
“Uh, I’m out of the area, otherwise I’d love the company, trust me.”
“Okay. By the way, what do you think I should do next, if anything.”
“Well, probably nothing for now. I don’t know, I’ll call you if I get any ideas. Otherwise, just follow your heart. Thanks for calling, Paula, I’ve got to run.”
“Bye, Franz.” Paula Stone clicked the phone shut and drove through Starbucks for a gooey drink to take her mind off things. It worked pretty well.
Chapter 80
The red light on the phone by the bed was flashing when Madison walked into the room at 11:45 p.m. He called the front desk to get the message, wondering if it was something from Jill. The receptionist said it was just a message to call room 613.
“Anything else?” he asked.
“No sir, just, Mr. Enright, please call room 613.”
“Okay, thanks.”
Madison kicked off his shoes and laid back on the bed. It was too late to call anyone, and it was probably just someone from the conference wanting a quote or something else that could wait till morning. He was bushed. He pulled off his clothes and got into a pair of sweats and a t-shirt. He clicked on Sports Center and mentally replayed the evening’s events. It was so similar to the way he envisioned it - it was eerie. He stood in the wings while Dr. Leon Cross introduced him. The applause was deafening as he took the stage and walked to the lectern. Even with fewer people than at one of his Easter services in the community theater, it seemed like he was preaching to the Los Angeles Coliseum. At 12:05 a.m. the bedside phone rang. Madison assumed it was Jill, “Hi honey.”
“Oooh, hi, honey, I like that. How did you know it was me?” It was the voice of Judy Turnbull.
“Oh, uh, Judy? How’d you find me, I mean how did you get this number?”
“Well, that’s not a very nice way to start a conversation.”
“No. I mean, where are you, how did you...”
“I’m in room 613. Don’t you return your calls?”
“Look, I’m here on business. If I thought we would have had any time together, I would have arranged to meet.”
“Don’t worry about it, it all works out, right? By the way you answered the phone, and how you’re talking now, I assume she didn’t make the trip?”
“No, she’s home.”
“Everything okay with the baby?”
“Yes. Everything is fine. She’s just anemic. They’re worried the baby won’t make it to term, might have to have a caesarian.”
“Mmm. I don’t have any experience in that area, but it doesn’t sound good. Personally, I wouldn’t want the scar, but that’s just me. So, why aren’t you there?”
“Uh, we both think she’ll be fine. She wanted me to come,” he said, half honestly. In truth, he knew Jill really wanted him to stay home and that it was he that wanted to come, despite the risk. In his heart, he agreed with Jill that he would have probably never let her live it down if he hadn’t come. And, there was the outside chance of a conversation like this, which he had dreaded, yet hoped for.
“You should be home.”
“Yeah, maybe. I’ll see how it goes tomorrow.”
“You were awesome tonight,” she said.
“You were there?”
“Mhmm. Loved it. Listen, I know it might be bad form to have breakfast around here, so why don’t you just come up to the room for a while. I’ve got something I want to show you.”
“I don’t know.”
“Hey, you came all this way. I came all this way. The least we can do is have a few laughs. We’re both alone, right? Who’s going to know? Bring your cell, and, if Jill calls, you won’t miss the call.”
“I’ve got to get some sleep.”
“You aren’t on till tomorrow evening - I checked the program. All you’ve got tomorrow is a rubber chicken lunch panel, which is a no-brainer. Besides, you’re on West Coast time. It’s still early for you. Look, tonight my place, tomorrow night your place. What do you say?”
“What room again?”
“613. Bring some ice.”
“Maybe.” Madison knew that, if he walked out his door, he was asking for trouble. The great thing about the Hyatt was that conventioneers were spread out all over the 400 room complex, so the chance of actually seeing someone you knew was next to impossible. He decided to call home and let talking to Jill change his mind.
“Hello, Enright residence.”
“Hello? Dawn?”
“Oh, Pastor Enright,” she said coldly.
“Uh, hi, Dawn. Wow, I didn’t expect to hear your voice. How are you?” He recovered in time to picture Dawn Neilson answering his telephone. He liked the image. “So how’s it going this evening? Jill okay? Did you get Leroy to eat something for dinner?”
“Jill’s fine, she’s sleeping.” She was brief. Madison was the last person in the world she wanted to converse with right now.
Her voice sounded seductive and strangely as if she wanted him. It was unmistakable, yet a complete fabrication by Madison’s imagination.
“Oh, uh, well... Dawn, I’m really glad you are there for her. Call me if there are any problems, okay? Bye for now.” He hung up the phone and closed his eyes. He took a deep breath and pictured her in his home. He suddenly stood and grabbed the ice bucket and his room key. Before he could talk himself out of it, he was knocking on the door of room 613.
Judy Turnbull opened the door in the same red gown that he’d seen first at the Marriott in Almond Grove. He liked it then; he loved it now. She stepped back and aside, holding the door open for her tall blond guest. She peeked out into the hall to confirm that it was empty. In fact, the only person who had seen them together was the man across the hall in 614 who had captured a series of six images through the peephole with his Nikon, courtesy of a special lens adapter that Terry Fields had rigged up for him. The quality was terrible, since the finished lens product was plastic, and it was shooting through the existing peephole. But the identities of the two people in the photos were unmistakable. Unfortunately, now Steve had to watch and wait until the door across the hall opened again. After about ten minutes, his conscience started to bother him. “If this guy is cheating on his wife, and basically pulling a fast one on the whole religious world, that’s one thing. But, if I have the opportunity to stop him, or at least run some interference, and don’t, then I’m no better than him.” After another minute of deliberation, he picked up his cell phone.
Chapter 81
“So. Here we are. Alone at last.” Judy came over to where Madison was standing, near the open window overlooking Dallas’s West End. The lights of the city were glistening in full force as she put her hands on his shoulders and started to massage them. “Mmm. Tight. You’re tense, big guy. Relax.”
“Sorry. I’m very uncomfortable. I’ve... I’ve never done anything like this before.”
“Well I’m not exactly an old pro either. But we’re attracted to each other, isn’t that what matters? And what happens here stays here. As far as I’m concerned.” She pulled up his t-shirt and let her hands run up his back, lightly rubbing his muscular frame with her soft hands. He turned in her arms and put his arms around her, his right hand caressing her hair as her face tilted upwards, her eyes falling shut and her mouth opening. He ran two fingers across her long fair neck and, at the same time, bent down and began to kiss her. She kissed him back, her hands now gripping his back and his hands wrapped around her so completely that they were locked in the embrace. They kissed with passion built up over seven months of flirting and leading each other on. Judy rolled her shoulders back, and the gown fell to the floor. His hands explored the curve of her back, her right leg raised and wrapped around his left leg, He held it there with his hand, caressing her bare thigh. She pulled him back, onto the bed, and rolled on top of him. She rose up for a second and looked deeply into his eyes, then fell again onto his mouth and neck with kisses that sent him into another world.
Madison’s mind was torn between going all the way, making love all night long, and running for his life. Bad Madison was winning the battle as their body heat escalated. Suddenly, Madison’s cell phone rang.
“Don’t answer it,” she said, breaking her mouth away from his with a gasp.
“It might be Jill.” He rolled her off of his stomach and Judy fell on her back on the bed with a sigh. She pulled a cover over her waist and extended a bare leg out and over Madison’s side as he lay facing away from her, fumbling shakily with his phone.
“I don’t recognize the number. But it’s in my home area code. Could be the hospital,” he said, half to himself. Composing his voice, he sat up on the side of the bed. “Madison Enright.”
“Hi, Pastor. Steve Franz, San Francisco Chronicle.”
“Steve? Kind of late for a call is
n’t it? How did you get this number?”
“Mutual friend. Listen, we need to talk.”
Madison cleared his throat, “Well, I’ll be back in the office on Tuesday, if you call...”
“Mmm,” Franz interrupted, “Can’t wait till then. Got any time tomorrow?”
“Steve, I’m in Dallas at a conference. It’s nearly 1:00 am here, by the way. It’s going to have to wait till Tuesday.”
“How about breakfast?”
“Tuesday?”
“Tomorrow. Hyatt lobby cafe - 7:00 am.”
“Uh.”
“See you in the morning then, don’t stay out too late,” Steve said.
The phone clicked off, and Steve returned to his post at the door. A few seconds later the door across the hall opened and a flustered Madison Enright emerged, looking both ways down the empty hall, then going back into the room. Steve snapped two shots of Madison and noticed the exasperated look, the disheveled hair, the lipstick-smeared shirt and cheeks. “Poor guy is in way over his head on this one,” Franz said to the empty room.
Chapter 82
“Who was that? Madison? What’s wrong?” Judy was concerned, but she was also growing frustrated and angry. Madison spoke on the phone for a few seconds and turned cold in an instant. He checked the hallway, came back in and pulled his shoes on, tucked in his t-shirt, looking like he’d seen a ghost.
“I’ve got to go.”
“Who was that?”
“A guy that did a few articles on me last year.”
“Probably the one I read.”
“Probably. Anyway, I think he’s here. He wants to talk.”
“What’s the worry. The article sounded like he was your biggest fan. Next to me, of course,” she said.
“I don’t know, he didn’t sound right. Something’s not right. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, I guess. You staying tomorrow night?”
“Yeah. Tomorrow night at your place, remember?”
“No. That won’t work, I’m on the floor with all the speaker’s families. I’ll come here.”
“Call me?”
“Yeah. After I figure out what’s going on,” Madison said.
She started up to kiss him, but he turned to leave. Steve Franz was waiting at the peephole when Madison re-emerged, semi-put together, with some of the redness gone from his cheeks. “I may be a bottom dwelling reporter,” he told the door he was pressed up against, “but at least I have a heart.”