Mountain Top(14)
“That’s it?” Mike asked.
“Yep.”
“How do you know it was my church?”
“I don’t get over that way much, but I’ve been by it on the road. Little white building beside a stream that dries up to a trickle in the summer.”
“Yeah, but we have a bigger sanctuary now.” Mike furrowed his brow. “Who was the lawyer?”
“Jim Somers.”
“He’s been dead for years!”
“Yep.”
“And his wife is close to eighty.”
“Yep. That let me know it had been a long wait for you and your wife, like Abraham and Sarah. When the lawyer from the church fixed my truck, it told me that you were the one who was going to help me get out of here and down the road of life.”
Mike tapped the letter on the table with his right index finger but didn’t look at it.
“But why was Jim Somers in your dream? Neither he nor his wife ever attended Little Creek Church.”
“Because I knew him. I used to cut his grass. It’s a way Papa uses to speak to me. He shows me a person I know to tell me about someone I don’t. You’ll learn.”
Mike thought for a moment. The unusual man’s logic was filled with holes.
“But we have other lawyers in our church,” Mike said. “Maybe one of them is supposed to represent you. Do you know Jack Smith? He’s a fine lawyer.”
“No. You’re the one.”
Mike shook his head. “Mr. Miller, that is an interesting story, and I can’t deny that my wife is pregnant, but your interpretation—”
“Is often the hardest part, I admit,” Sam said. “And I’ve made mistakes. Papa is never wrong, but when things get in my old brain, they can get tangled up and confused.”
“Maybe that’s what’s happened this time, or you were working through a psychological problem you have with lawyers.”
“I don’t have anything against lawyers. We’re all sinners in the hand of the Enemy until the Master sets us free. Papa doesn’t pay attention to labels.”
Mike digested the unorthodox terminology used by the old man.
“Okay, but you didn’t see me in your dream, did you?”
“No, but before I was arrested I knew you were coming in three months, and when I put the two dreams together it all seemed to fit. Where we go from here is around the bend and out of sight, but the first step is for us to get together so you can help me get out of this mess, and I can teach you what I know.”
“You had another dream?” Mike asked in dismay.
“Yep. I’ve had thousands of them. Some are dreams, others are visions.”
Mike placed his pen on the letter. He’d heard enough for one day.
“Sign this letter. I know you want to spend time with me, but I don’t need to be your attorney for that to happen. Maybe we can talk about your dreams and visions after you make bond and get out of here.”
“What’s your wife’s name?” Sam asked.
Mike was irritated. “You don’t know?” he responded with a hint of sarcasm. “Nope.”
“Margaret, but I call her Peg.”
“Muriel wants to meet your wife, but I told her to call and check with you first.”
“Does your wife have dreams, too?”
“Not like I do.”
Mike hesitated. He didn’t want to drag Peg into interaction with the Miller family.
“I’ll see.”
Sam stood. “Thanks for coming.”
“What about the letter?” Mike asked, remaining in his chair.
“You and Peg pray about it and let me know.”
“And you’re going to stay in jail until I get back to you?”
“Yep. I don’t want to, but you’re not giving me much of a choice.”
Mike stiffened and his eyes narrowed. Miller’s attempt to manipulate him through guilt was not going to be successful.
“Mr. Miller, I have one piece of advice for you. Hire a lawyer.”
Mike left the room without shaking the old man’s hand.
Five
MIKE KNEW WHAT TO DO. THERE WAS NO LEGAL REQUIREMENT that he obtain Sam Miller’s signature on a piece of paper, and based on their second meeting, it would be easier to ignore the situation than try to address it directly.
When he arrived at the church, Mike saw Peg’s SUV parked in front of the administration wing. Beside it was the same red pickup he’d seen the previous day. His irritation returned. He walked quickly through the administration wing. No one was sitting in the waiting area. Delores tilted her head toward his office.
“They’re in there,” she whispered.
“Peg and the Miller woman?” Mike barked.