Chapter Twenty-Seven
Andrew clenched his hands as he paced in his small prison cell. It wasn’t a real jail with bars. In fact, the small room with white walls, ceiling, and floor reminded him more of holding place for mentally ill patients. The cot was the only piece of furniture. He didn’t even have a barred window. Locked inside alone for hours with his thoughts to dwell on, Andrew felt like a captive. He needed out to check on his wife.
After he’d woken up earlier, he’d banged on the door. A male guard had arrived over an hour later with food. When Andrew had demanded to speak to the council right away, the guard had told him the same thing the female guard had said before she’d stunned him with her stick. Andrew had considered fighting the man to escape until he moved his hand on his stun stick.
Andrew paused and lifted his shirts to look at his tender ribs. A round red dot the size of a nickel marked where he’d been stunned. Red curvy streaks branched out from the circle. He had no idea how much energy the sticks held, but they gave enough voltage to knock him out for several hours. So much for everyone being kind and gentle in heaven.
He lowered his shirts and lifted his gaze to the food on the tray sitting in the corner. He hadn’t touched any of the pancakes, sausage, toast, or yogurt. He’d sipped some of the water. Staring at the yogurt, he thought about Emily. She’d eaten some before he’d left her in the Jeep. He suspected she wouldn’t have eaten much after the explosion. If she hadn’t eaten during the day, the baby could be harmed.
He closed his eyes and fought the blues trying to grip him. Her last kiss had been so passionate. Her eyes had looked so sad, so telling. It was as if she knew something would happen. He’d touched her baby bump and had told her he loved her before he walked away. At least she had a piece of him to remember him by. He had nothing but memories of her.
Beeps outside his door collected his attention. Seconds later, the tall guard with short brown hair stepped inside his room. Dressed in white and built like a football player, she looked exactly the same as the first time he’d seen her.
“Come with me, please,” she said with an Australian accent.
“Am I going to see the council?”
“Yes.”
Andrew nodded. “Good.”
He followed her out and down the white hall. He had a sense of déjà vu by the time they reached the elevators. The guard faced him and stared.
“Do you like your job?” he asked, trying to make small talk.
“Yes,” she said and then sealed her lips.
Her frown didn’t invite conversation. So much for chitchat.
The short elevator ride delivered them to another level with the same color scheme. With each step, his anxiety increased. He needed to return to Emily, but he feared they might not let him. He’d killed Steven. He’d delayed destroying the last demon. Would they see him as a failure? Could he persuade them to let Emily in heaven one day? He’d screwed up during his time on Earth, but he had sent six demons to hell and saved many lives. Shouldn’t his actions account for something?
The tall doors opened to the council’s meeting room as they approached. Andrew inhaled a deep breath as he entered behind the guard. Dressed in their usual white gowns, all twelve members sat in their cushioned chairs behind the ten-foot high bench. David, the leader, had claimed the center seat at the top. Voices hushed and gazes shifted to him as he reached the midpoint of the bench.
“Thank you, Sara, you may go,” David said.
The guard walked away without a word.
Andrew held his breath as he waited for them to chastise him. All the members were at least sixty years of age. How could any of them understand what he’d gone through and what he would do for his wife and child? He was doomed. But he’d find a way to get her to heaven. He’d appeal to the highest power. Chin up, he faced the group.
“We’ve had a chance to review your report of your time on Earth.” David removed his thin glasses and set them on the counter before him. “I think we’re all in agreement you performed above expectations.”
“With the exception of killing one of our own,” Karen interjected from the far right.
Andrew clenched his jaw and avoided gazing at the woman with salt and pepper hair cropped too low for her head.
David nodded. “Returning Steven to heaven did concern us for a while.”
Andrew moved his hands behind his back. “I regret my actions. I merely was trying to protect my wife and unborn baby.”
“You delayed destroying the next demon,” Karen said. “Do you have any idea the amount of lives that could’ve been lost?”
He lowered his head. “I’m sorry. I truly am. My love for my wife and my child took priority. I know it was selfish of me, but I didn’t want Steven to hurt them. I regret my actions and I know Emily feels guilty, too.” He lifted his gaze. “She talked me into going after Jacob in San Antonio. If it weren’t for her insistence, I wouldn’t have pursued destroying the demon. She’s a good woman with a righteous heart.”
“So you fell in love with Emily?” Esmeralda asked as she leaned forward on the bench. Thick glasses enlarged her eyes. Her curly, yellow-tinted hair looked as if it had enough hairspray to last eternity. It probably did.
“Yes ma’am. We didn’t see eye-to-eye at first, but I knew from the beginning she was special.”
Esmeralda smiled. “Special enough for you to stay another year and impregnate her?”
“She didn’t believe she was worthy of love or motherhood. But I saw with my own eyes how caring, generous, and compassionate she was. She treated children as if they were her own. While I helped her see her value and the kind of person she really was, she did the same for me. I realize my days of fooling around with women had been foolish. Although every woman I had been with had consented to having sex with me, I had taken them for granted. I learned love is something to be cherished and celebrated. Women aren’t a means for gratification, but should be respected. Emily changed me. As for the pregnancy, it was a surprise to both of us. A miracle, if you ask me, and I couldn’t be happier about the life growing inside her.”
Esmeralda shifted her attention to the others on the bench.
“Are you to have us believe this woman with a tainted soul has reformed you?” Karen asked.
Andrew swallowed hard and gripped his wrist. He resisted lashing out at Karen, but he desire burned within him to put her in her place.
“She helped me realize the error of my ways,” Andrew said. “As for a tainted soul, she nearly died to help save the lives of four women. She helped me save many other lives at risk because of the demons on Earth. I think she’s more than redeemed herself. And while we’re on the topic of her soul, I respectfully request you grant her entrance to heaven upon her passing on Earth.”
David picked up his glasses and slid them back on his face. He lifted a piece of paper in front of him.
“We’re not here to discuss the future of the woman you impregnated,” Karen said.
“He has a valid argument,” Tom said, sitting on the left next to Esmeralda. He still hadn’t trimmed his large white brows. “This Emily gal helped him out of the good nature of her heart and strived to save lives. Moreover, she molded him into a responsible man.”
Andrew pressed his lips together. While he believed Tom had complimented him, Andrew believed he’d been a responsible man already. He’d maintained a job in his previous life. He’d treated others with kindness. He fulfilled his obligations. How was he not responsible? He wanted to ask, but he needed to sway the group to let her in, not question their comments.
“I agree,” Kim said, sitting next to Karen. Her long white hair flowed over her shoulders. “This woman didn’t have to help him. She took risks and suffered the consequences of her actions. Unless she changes, I vote she is granted entrance.”
“I second the motion,” Sheila said on the other side of Kim.
Others in the room began to talk. Hope began to fill Andrew. For once, the council seemed to be listening to him.
David lifted his hand and they silenced. “We weren’t scheduled to vote on this woman’s future, but since there has been a motion and a supporting call, we must move forward with the vote. Is there anyone who disagrees?”
Several gazes turned to the right side of the room.
Karen crossed her arms. “As long as she doesn’t do anything illegal or against the rules laid out in the Holy Bible from this day forward, I agree.”
Andrew brought his hands together in front of his mouth. Relief swamped him. The heavy weight had been lifted from his heart. He’d won her for eternity. He couldn’t wait to share the news with her.
David wrote on his paper. “So noted. Now, as for the terms of Andrew’s sentence. Do we all agree he’s fulfilled his obligation?”
Alarm snapped within him. “Excuse me?”
“He destroyed six,” William slurred. “He didn’t have much time left and he admitted to his concern over his wife to avoid destroy others. It’s a waste of time to send him back.”
The overweight old man had a double chin. Andrew suspected he’d died of a stroke or heart attack. Andrew might have one too if he didn’t get back to his wife.
“He’s right, it’s too much effort. He served his regular sentence and admitted guilt to killing Steven,” Kim said.
The others commented with their agreement. Fear led to panic as he scanned their faces.
“Please,” he said loudly. They hushed their voices. “Please, I have to go back. She could be hurt from the explosion. The baby could be hurt. I have to be there for her. The baby is due in April. She needs me. Please, you have to send me back.”
David’s eyes widened. He glanced at several members. “Son, you fulfilled your obligation.”
“No.” He stepped closer to the bench. “No, I didn’t. I have until October. That was the date on my arm.” He tapped his wrist.
“You only want to go back because of your wife and unborn child. If we sent you back, you wouldn’t go after any demons. Admit it,” Karen said.
He swallowed hard as he looked around the room. They were all staring at him and waiting to hear his words.
“Yes, I admit it,” he said. “Please, let me go back to be with her. I know she’s scared to be alone and to raise our child. Can’t I just be with her to see the birth and to hold it? Please!”
Karen shook her head. “Sorry, the motion to stay stands.”
“Are we all in agreement he has completed the terms of his sentence and should remain in heaven?” David asked.
Andrew couldn’t believe what was happening as everyone consented to the motion. He’d gained Emily entrance into heaven, but he couldn’t go back to be with her any longer or see the birth of his baby. How was this possible? Did they not have any compassion?
David wrote on his paper. “Motion carried. He is to return to his home in Chicago for the time being.”
Andrew’s knees gave way and he fell to the floor. “Please, I beg you. Let me see my baby be born. Let me have one chance to hold it.”
David set his pen down. He shifted to the door and beckoned for someone. “Son, I realize this is hard for you, but time will heal. You served your obligation. It’s time for you to stay.”
“What about Steven? I killed him. Shouldn’t I be punished for that? Shouldn’t you send me back as because I killed him?”
“This is your punishment,” Karen said.
He glared at her. “What?”
Her lips quirked on one side. He hated her and wished bad things would happen to her.
“What Karen meant to say was we had discussed your situation prior to your arrival. Taking another life is a serious offense. However, we believe you wouldn’t have taken the enforcer’s life had he not been there and posed a threat to your wife,” David said.
“I would never take life unless they intended to harm Emily or my child,” Andrew said strongly.
“But your action cannot go without consequence,” David said. “It played a big role in our decision to keep you here.”
The tall ox of a guard appeared at Andrew’s side. She gripped his arm and pulled.
He rose to his feet. “Please, I know I what I did was wrong. But isn’t there another way to punish me for what I did? I will do anything to return to Earth. Name it. Just let me be there for the birth.”
David threaded his fingers together. “The vote has been carried. Do you have any questions before you leave?”
Andrew squeezed his eyes shut. All he could think about was Emily and the baby he’d never get to see. He’d known he would receive some kind of punishment for killing the enforcer, but hadn’t thought his action would keep him from his wife and child.
“Now is the time to ask,” Esmeralda said.
Andrew opened his eyes and tried to focus. The whirlwind of events devastated his heart and filled him misery. He didn’t understand it. Any of it. How could they send him back to such a wonderful person and then not allow him one last moment of happiness with her?
He lifted his head to David. “Did you intend for me to meet Emily?”
David pressed his lips together. He leaned back in his chair. “Yes.”
“Did you know we’d fall in love?” Andrew asked and looked at each of their faces. Talk about a sick group of elders if they had planned everything.
“There was no way for any of us to know,” Sheila said. “We have the ability to create events to bring people together, but that’s it. From there, it’s up to each person.”
“We cannot control free will,” Karen said.
Andrew took in deep breaths as he tried to calm himself. So they had intended for Emily to find him. But falling in love hadn’t been in their power.
“Do you have any other questions?” David asked.
He quickly tried to think of anything he’d been meaning to ask. Over the last several months, he’d thought of plenty, but he’d shelved them in the back of his mind. Life seemed crazier than normal after Steven had shown up. Steven.
“How did the enforcer know where to find me?” he asked. “I was using an alias when I made reservations, yet he tracked me to rental homes. How?”
“We don’t have to divulge anything to you.” Karen smirked.
“Since he asked, we can tell him.” David leaned forward. “Prayer has always been a way for us to gather information.”
“Prayer?” Andrew asked.
Kim lifted the papers in front of her. “You have a friend named Matt, do you not?”
“Yes,” Andrew said.
Kim smiled. “When you first met him, what name did you give him?”
Andrew grimaced. “Spencer Reynolds.”
“He prays daily. I bet you didn’t know that,” Kim said.
“So you’re telling me there are people monitoring prayers and that’s how you managed to find me? Thousands, no millions, of people must pray on a daily basis.”
“We have an extensive network of staff,” Karen said.
The news left Andrew speechless. Yet, it made sense. If Matt had prayed about Spencer while Andrew had been at the demon’s property in California, then heaven would’ve known Spencer was his alias. When he’d gone on vacation after he’d killed the fifth demon, he’d used the pseudo name to book a rental in the Smokey Mountains. Steven had tracked him there, but missed him since he’d left with Emily a day early. Andrew had rented the house on the beach under his alias too. No wonder the enforcer had managed to locate him.
Andrew presumed they didn’t know Emily’s alias. The last time Steven had caught up to him was around Christmas time. The enforcer had admitted heaven could trace through bankcard transactions. Until now, Andrew never realized how sneaky the people in charge were.
“Is there anything else you wish to ask?” David said.
Andrew lowered his head. “No.”
“Good luck, Mr. Webster,” David said.
The guard tugged on his arm. Andrew began walking toward the open doors. While he’d gained one victory, he’d lost a major battle. Both were equally important. But he couldn’t give up hope of seeing his baby. He would appeal to the big man and for a chance to visit his child.