The topic of forgiveness wasn’t in Mike’s notes, but he mentioned it a few times with Peg in his line of sight. The radiant look on her face caused him to smile. The power of forgiveness he expressed to the congregation welled up in his own heart.
After the service, the last two people in the narthex were Sam and Muriel.
“Peg showed me the letter you sent her,” Mike said as he shook Sam’s hand. “Thanks.”
Sam smiled. “Papa holds the whole world in His hands, doesn’t He?”
“And I’m going to stick by you,” Mike replied. “Don’t worry any more about it.”
“Yep. I knew you would help.” Sam patted Muriel’s hand. “She wasn’t so sure until Peg came by the house. Then all the pieces of the puzzle fell into place.”
Mike followed Sam and Muriel out the front door of the church. Peg and Bobby Lambert were talking in the parking lot near Bobby’s car.
Mike went over to them.
“Do you have a minute?” Bobby asked.
“Sure.”
“It’s about the Miller case,” Bobby added then stopped.
“Is that my cue to find something appropriate for the minister’s wife to do?” Peg asked. “I’ll look for someone who needs a tuna casserole this week and set up a time to deliver it.”
“Go easy on me, Peg,” Bobby said. “Why don’t you catch up with Elizabeth? She’s getting the kids from the nursery. I think she brought you a card congratulating you on your pregnancy.”
Peg departed with a smile. Bobby shook his head and turned to Mike.
“How do you handle her tongue? It’s sharper than a razor.”
“She reserves her soft side for me. What did you want to tell me?”
“Have you found anyone to take the Miller case?”
“No one has come forward.”
“Your client saw Greg Freeman in court the other day. For a young lawyer, he handled himself well. Miller should be glad Freeman is interested in taking him on.”
“That’s not going to happen,” Mike said bluntly. “Sam has made up his mind that I’m going to be his lawyer, and I’m on board. I’ve begun my investigation.”
“But Mr. Forrest—”
“Is a man I greatly respect, but he isn’t my boss. According to him, I shouldn’t even talk about the case with you.”
“What?” Bobby replied with a surprised look on his face.
Mike told him about the letter. Bobby swore softly then immediately apologized.
“He’s been bugging me about your involvement in the deal all week,” Bobby said, “but I had no idea he’d ordered you to stay off the premises.”
“Or talk to anyone from the firm.”
“He can’t do that.”
Mike shrugged. “It removed any question I might have about how strongly he disagrees with what I’m doing, and any hope of cooperation from the bank went out the window, too.”
“What have you found out on your own?”
Mike placed his hand on the top of Bobby’s new car. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think I should discuss details of the case with you. We’re not law partners anymore.”
Bobby looked away for a second before responding. “From now on, my interest will be as an elder of this church, not a lawyer.”
“That’s right.”
Bobby looked Mike directly in the eyes. “And as an elder, I urge you to find someone else to help Mr. Miller. I went to bat for you before the session, but our approval was contingent on you taking steps to disengage from representation as soon as possible. If you don’t get out soon, we’ll have to bring it up for discussion.”
“I understand. All I ask is notice. Ecclesiastical due process, you know.”
“Mike, this isn’t a joke. Consider this conversation your notice.”
Mike set his jaw. “Okay, but I think I can explain to the satisfaction of a majority of the session why I believe I should remain involved.”
TUESDAY AFTERNOON, MIKE ARRIVED A FEW MINUTES EARLY TO Judge Coberg’s chambers. The judge’s secretary, a middle-aged woman Mike didn’t recognize, phoned the DA’s office.
“Tell Mr. West and Ms. Hall that Mr. Andrews is here,” she said. “The judge wants to get started as soon as possible.”
Mike waited for the prosecutors to arrive. When Ken West walked in, he shook Mike’s hand as vigorously as he had at election time. They went into the judge’s office. Melissa Hall followed her boss but didn’t come out from his shadow. Mike stepped to the side and greeted her.
Judge Coberg’s chambers contained personal items collected during his long career. Along with the usual pictures of politicians and other judges, a corner was devoted to baseball memorabilia. The judge only collected items from before the 1960s. It had been several years since Mike had seen the baseball collection, and he noticed a number 9 Boston Red Sox jersey hanging behind a glass frame.