By My Hands (20 page)

“So where are we going?”

“Larry Lorayne’s house. He’s going to notify the
police that we are on the way.”

“Curiouser and curiouser,” Rachel said.

“Excuse me?”

“It’s a quote from
Alice in Wonderland.
My
father used to read it to me. The more I know about this problem,
the less I understand.”

Larry Lorayne was looking out the living room window
when Adam and Rachel arrived. He reached the car before they had
unbuckled their seat belts.

“Where have you been, Pastor?” Larry asked. “I’ve
been trying to reach you for hours.”

“I’m here now, Larry,” Adam said soothingly. “Do you
know Dr. Tremaine?”

“No.” Larry was still agitated.

“That’s right, you weren’t at the hospital when
David was released.”

“No, I was here fixing barbecue for the family. We
were going to celebrate.”

“Dr. Tremaine performed the surgery on David,” Adam
said, choosing not to mention her role as investigator for the
hospital.

“Pleased to meet you,” he said absently.

“Is your wife in the house?” Adam wanted to move the
conversation inside.

“Yeah. Come on in.”

Eva was sitting on the couch. Adam could see her
eyes were red from crying. “Hello, Pastor,” she said weakly. “Can I
get you some coffee or a soda?”

“No, thank you.” Adam sat on a love seat and
motioned for Rachel to join him. “This is Dr. Tremaine,” Adam said
to Eva. “She performed the surgery on David.”

“Hello,” Eva said. “Would you like something to
drink?”

“No, thank you.”

Larry began to pace.

“Larry, why don’t you sit down and tell me what
happened?” Adam said.

“Well, it’s like this,” Larry said, sitting in a
chair opposite Adam. “They were going to come over after they left
the hospital. David said he wanted some real food and there was no
longer any reason why he couldn’t have some. Well, I had been
watering the grass out front while I was waiting for the coals to
get hot, and I went out to check the sprinkler when I saw them
coming down the street. Living on a cul-de-sac like we do, there’s
only one direction for them to come from. Anyway, I looked down the
street and saw their car. I turned to shout to Eva that they were
here when I heard tires squealing. A car had come out of the
driveway about ten houses down. I didn’t hear a crash like an
accident or anything, so I figured it was a near miss. Then I saw
this tall guy get out of the car and walk to David’s car. A couple
of minutes later the car that came out of the driveway headed out,
and then David’s car pulled a U-turn and followed it. I yelled at
’em to come back, but they were too far away. And that’s it, no
call, nothing. Then the police called.”

“The police?” Adam felt his stomach tighten.

“Yeah, they called about two hours later saying that
they found David’s car abandoned about three miles from here.”

“How did the police know to call you?” Adam
asked.

“Because I gave them my number when I called
them.”

“Where did they find it?”

“There’s a small elementary school nearby that’s not
used anymore. They found the car in the parking lot.” Blood drained
from Larry’s face. “That’s not all—they found blood on the
car.”

The news shocked Adam. “Were you able to give a
description of the other car to the police?” Adam asked softly.

“Just that it was a blue sedan. I couldn’t see the
license number.”

“I just don’t understand, Pastor,” Eva said quietly.
“How can this happen? After such a good thing like David being
healed, how could such an evil thing happen?”

“I don’t know,” Adam said. “There’s little we can do
but wait and pray. I know that’s not what you want to hear, but
unfortunately that’s the way it is. You know I’m here if you need
me.”

Adam asked that they join hands so that they might
pray. Eva eagerly reached from her place on the couch and took
Adam’s hand. Larry moved from the chair to the couch and sat next
to his wife and took her hand. Without thinking, Adam reached for
Rachel’s hand and then led them in prayer. For Rachel, it was the
first time she had bowed her head in prayer since she was a child.
Had it not been such an emotionally charged moment, she would have
objected.

Adam’s prayer didn’t contain flowery phrases or
insincere platitudes, but just the simple words of a man concerned
about a friend.

The prayer touched Rachel. Adam was sincere and
open, expressing fear, anxiety, and hope. She did not need her
medical degree to know that the prayer had a relaxing effect on
Larry and Eva.

The doorbell rang as Adam finished. A man who
identified himself as a police detective was asked in.

“Hello, Detective McGinnes,” Larry said, motioning
him in. “This is Pastor Adam Bridger and Dr. . . .”

“Tremaine,” Rachel said.

“I’m glad we found you, Pastor,” McGinnes stated.
“I’ve got some questions for you.”

McGinnes was a pale-complexioned, thin man with dark
eyes and a hairline that receded at the part. His slight build
seemed incongruous with his profession.

“I’ll be happy to be of any help I can,” Adam
replied.

“Of course,” McGinnes said.

“Would anyone like coffee?” Eva interrupted.

“Yes, thank you,” McGinnes replied and watched as
Eva left the room. “Pastor, I understand you were one of the last
ones to see David Lorayne and his family. Is that correct?”

“I was with them shortly before they left the
hospital, as was Dr. Tremaine.”

“So you both were with them when left the
hospital?”

“Correct.” Adam replied.

“Dr. Tremaine, just what is your involvement with
the Loraynes? Are you the family doctor?”

“No,” Rachel replied. “I’m a surgeon at Kingston
Memorial and I performed his surgery. I’m also doing some research
for the hospital.”

“What kind of research?”

“I’m not sure you’d understand.”

McGinnes looked at Adam who shrugged. “Try me.”

Rachel seemed reluctant to answer, but then stated
matter-of-factly, “I’m investigating the recent events that have
occurred at the hospital.”

“Events?” McGinnes asked.

“The healings,” offered Adam.

McGinnes nodded knowingly. “Yes, there’s quite a
ruckus over there—people jammed into the lobby like they are. I
almost didn’t make it through.”

Eva brought a serving tray and set it on the coffee
table.

“Did either of you walk out of the hospital with the
family?”

“No.” Both Rachel and Adam answered
simultaneously.

“What did you do after they left?”

“I had some questions for Reverend Bridger,” Rachel
replied, “so we went to the doctors’ lounge and talked.”

“How long did the meeting last?”

“Less than twenty minutes,” Rachel said.

McGinnes sighed. “I had hoped that you might have
seen or heard something useful.” He took his coffee and drank it in
almost one swallow. Setting his cup down, he continued, “I’d like
to have your home number, Dr. Tremaine, in case I have more
questions. I already have the Pastor’s here—he was listed in the
phone book.” Rachel hesitated, then recited her number.

“Are you aware of the burglaries?” Adam asked.

“What burglaries?”

“There have been two burglaries that may be related
to this case,” Adam replied. “At the homes of the Langfords and the
Haileys. Both had members of their families in Kingston Memorial
when they were healed.”

“How did you find out about that?” McGinnes asked.
“Actually, Dr. Tremaine discovered it.”

McGinnes turned his attention to Rachel and said,
“Well?”

“As I said,” Rachel began, “I’ve been assigned to
research the special events that have happened at the hospital. I
attempted to interview the Langfords and the Haileys at home. They
were never there. I had heard about the shooting at the Langfords’
on the news, a neighbor of the Haileys told me about the break-in
at their house.”

“I hadn’t made the connection,” McGinnes said. “I’ll
look into it.”

“I hear you’ve found the car,” Adam said.

“That’s correct. We found it in the parking lot of a
nearby school,” McGinnes said.

“Did you find anything else?” Adam asked.

“These folks have probably told you about the
blood.”

“Only that you found some.”

“Not much—just a little around the driver’s door and
on the hood of the car. It looks like someone, probably the driver,
resisted the abductors.”

“That would be Michael,” Larry said. “He was a
scrapper as a kid.”

“We’re pretty sure it was Michael too,” McGinnes
said. “The nurse who walked them to the car said that David and his
wife got in the backseat. Besides, David would be in no shape to
struggle anyway— with his stitches and all.”

No one bothered to tell McGinnes that David no
longer had stitches.

“But there wasn’t enough blood to indicate . . .”
Adam paused and searched for the right words.

“Murder? Oh, no. The blood we found could be
accounted for by a good-sized scrape or cut.”

“That’s a relief,” Larry said.

“They’re not out of danger yet,” McGinnes said. “Has
anyone called about them? Asked for ransom or anything like
that?”

“No,” Larry said, shaking his head, “but then
neither David nor I have much money. I live off my Navy retirement
and David’s retired from General Dynamics. We have enough to get us
by, but not much more.”

“If anyone calls, then let me know. We’ll set up a
phone tap and trace the calls.”

“I have a question,” Rachel said. “Larry tells us
that a car pulled in front of the Loraynes and stopped them, and
then the Loraynes followed the car. Why would they do that?”

“Who knows?” McGinnes replied. “They either tricked
them or threatened them. Whatever the case, the Loraynes felt
compelled to go along.”

Adam had another question. “You say you talked to
one of the nurses. Why didn’t you talk to Dr. Tremaine while you
were at the hospital?”

“We tried, but she wasn’t there.”

Adam looked at Rachel for a moment. She had told him
that she wasn’t free until 8 that night and he assumed that she
would be working at the hospital.

“I was doing research on spontaneous healing at the
UCSD library,” Rachel said. “Not that there was much to find.”

“Well,” McGinnes said, standing and placing the
notebook he had been using into the side pocket of his suit coat,
“I should be going.” Larry stood and show him to the door.

As McGinnes was leaving, he handed Adam and Rachel
business cards and said, “I would appreciate any help I can get on
this.”

After McGinnes left, Adam did his best to encourage
Larry and Eva. He wanted to tell them that everything would be
fine, and that their loved ones would soon be home safe and sound.
But he couldn’t. They understood they might never see David, Ann,
and Michael alive again.

“I know this is hard on you,” Adam said. “The
unknown is always frightening. What’s important now is that we
remain at our best and not jump to conclusions.”

“And that we keep praying,” Eva said, as a tear ran
down her cheek. “And keep praying,” Adam agreed. “It’s also
important for you two to draw strength from one another. You can
weather this together. God will help you, I will help you, and the
church will help you.”

“I appreciate that,” Larry said, “but we’re not part
of your church. Truth is, we don’t go to church much. We can’t
expect any help.”

Adam smiled. “I know, but that doesn’t matter. I’m
adopting you. If you need anything, then don’t hesitate to call.”
Then, remembering the flashing red light on his answering machine,
Adam’s smile was replaced with chagrin. “I’ll even pick up my
messages more frequently.”

“Look,” Larry said. “I’m sorry if I came on a little
strong about that. It’s just that I was concerned, and I tend to be
a little quick on the trigger.”

“No need to apologize,” Adam said. “Considering all
that’s going on, you have a right to be on edge.”

Larry looked at Eva and then took her hand. “Thanks
for coming over, Pastor. David said you were the best, and now I
know what he means. You’ve been a big help.”

“I wish there was more that I could do,” Adam said
quietly. “I really do.”

“We know, Pastor,” Eva said. “But we do appreciate
what you’ve done.”

Adam stood and hugged Eva and then Larry.

“Please, keep me posted,” Adam said as he stood on
the front stoop. “I’ll check with you tomorrow.”

Adam and Rachel drove in silence, each lost in their
own thoughts. Rachel was mystified. Why hadn’t she made the
connection about the break-ins like Adam did? Perhaps she didn’t
care enough to ask the right questions. One thing was certain—she
didn’t possess the caring attitude that Adam did. She had watched
him closely tonight. His love and concern, coupled with his
self-possession, intrigued her. There was more to this man than she
had first realized.

Pulling into the hospital parking lot, Adam drove
behind to an area secured with a card-operated gate. They sat in
silence for a moment, then Adam spoke. “I appreciate the time
you’ve given me tonight.”

“I’ll admit,” she replied, “that I’ve never had an
evening like it.” Before she closed her door, she paused
thoughtfully, and then asked, “We can assume that the Langfords and
the Haileys have met the same fate as the Loraynes. Do you
agree?”

Adam reluctantly nodded his head and said, “Yes, I
do.”

“Why would anyone want to abduct recently healed
people?”

“I don’t know,” Adam admitted. “There’s a lot I
don’t know about this, but I intend to find out.”

“This could be dangerous, you know.”

“Yes, I know. And not just for us, but for the next
person healed.” Rachel thought about that for a second. “What makes
you think there’ll be another healing?”