For His Name's Sake (Psalm 23 Mysteries) (18 page)

“You guys are just the best,” Geanie said when they were seated in the formal living room.”

“Oh sure, you say that now, but let’s see what you’re saying when the night’s over,” Traci said with a laugh.

“I’m sure I’ll love you all even more!”

“Ooh, she’s a brave one,” Veronica said.

“You know what they say, marriage is not for the faint of heart,” Traci deadpanned.

The evening went beautifully. The games were fun and there was tons of screaming and teasing. It turned out everyone had bought Geanie lingerie. Quite by coincidence she actually opened the presents in order from least raciest to most. Traci’s gift was last and was tiny and completely see-through.

“I couldn’t possibly wear this?” Geanie said, blushing.

“Give it two weeks,” Traci said with a laugh.

Mark was nearing the end of the line. He was beyond exhausted and running out of ideas. He had to do a lot of last minute rearranging and with difficulty he managed to beg off the bachelor party. He planned to spend the time working out more details for the next two days but instead he fell asleep.

When he woke in the morning he at least felt a bit better. He was the only one who didn’t yawn all the way through breakfast.

“Given that I know there was no liquor at either party, I must say you people know how to party like madmen,” he finally commented.

“Arrive first, leave last,” Geanie said.

“What did I miss?” he teased.

“Pool championship,” Jeremiah said.

“Epic pillow fight,” Cindy answered.

“Okay, the girls definitely had the better party,” he said with a grin.

Evening had rolled around and they were all dressed nicely for the rehearsal and the dinner. Everyone was standing in the entryway while Mark presided in front of the doors like a general.

“So, here’s the plan. We have the limo we’ll be using tomorrow. It’s going to stay with us, and tonight we’ll use it as well. The driver is one of our officers,” Mark said.

“They really aren’t taking any chances,” Jeremiah whispered to Cindy.

They all walked outside and piled into the car. Cindy found herself squished up next to Jeremiah and she felt herself flush.

“It’s going to be a bit tight in here. We had originally planned for two cars and no police escort,” Joseph said apologetically.

“We can all squeeze,” Geanie said. “It will be good practice for tomorrow when my dress will need lots of room.”

Everyone laughed and squished together more. Jeremiah put his arm on the back of the seat behind Cindy to give her more room and the feel of his arm against her shoulders just made her blush harder.

The ceremony was going to be happening at First Shepherd. The reception was at a huge banquet hall ten minutes away. They were supposed to have spent the morning decorating the banquet hall with all the favors and everything else. Officers had been sweeping the hall all day, though, looking for anything suspicious. They weren’t going to be able to get in there until the morning when it was going to be all hands on deck to get everything done on time.

The ride to the church was over too quickly for Cindy. They all piled into the church and were met by the minister who was officiating.

For a miracle the rehearsal went smoothly. When it was over they were driven to Rue de Main where Joseph had proposed to Geanie. The French restaurant was beautiful, and it had been booked out just for them.

Cindy sat next to Geanie while Jeremiah sat on the other side of Joseph at a round table that could seat six. Geanie’s parents took the other two places.

The food was amazing and the atmosphere completely romantic. The restaurant had Phantom of the Opera music playing softly in the background.

Despite the elegance of the setting Cindy struggled with an almost overwhelming desire to throw a bit of her bread at Jeremiah. She didn’t know why, maybe just to get his
attention, maybe just to do something to cut the tension that was still building.

She looked around the room and she could tell everyone else was feeling it. Behind the laughter and the smiles there were eyes with dark circles under them and strained looks whenever the laughter ceased for even a moment. Another twenty-four hours and it would all be over, one way or another. She just prayed that everyone would be safe and nothing would ruin the wedding.

Dinner progressed, and she felt herself slowly starting to relax. It was good to be away from the mansion. It was lovely, but a week stuck inside with all the pressure they were under was beginning to cause its own issues.

Cindy glanced up from her meal and froze. There, staring in through the restaurant window was the same man who had been staring into the bridal shop window hours before it blew up.

“That’s him!” Cindy shrieked, lunging out of her chair and pointing out the window. “I saw him outside the bridal shop watching us the day it blew up!”

Jeremiah leaped to his feet, catching a glimpse of the man’s face before it disappeared. He raced toward the entrance and a moment later he was out on the street, twisting his head right and left and searching for the man. He finally spotted him ducking down a side street.

Jeremiah chased after him, aware that there was someone following him as well. He hoped it was Mark, but he didn’t have time to stop and look. He turned the corner just in time to see the man turn another corner.

Jeremiah put on a fresh burst of speed. He neared the corner, heard the sound of a car engine, rounded the corner and then jumped back as a black car thundered by. It nearly ran him over and he turned, fuming when he saw that the license plates had been removed from the car.

He turned and came face-to-face with Mark. “Did you get the plate number?” Mark asked.

Jeremiah shook his head. “He had removed the plates.”

For a moment he thought Mark was going to punch the brick wall next to them. Finally he pulled himself together. “Let’s go get the others and get out of here before the restaurant blows up or something.”

“They’re boxing up our desserts to go,” Cindy announced when the two men walked back in.

“You must be some kind of mind reader,” Mark grumbled.

“No, that would be me, actually,” Traci said with a strained smile.

“Cindy, you’re sure it was the same man you saw outside the bridal shop?” Mark asked.

“Yes, I hadn’t even remembered him until I saw him peeking in here, just the same way. I couldn’t get a good look at him either time because he had his hand up to his eyes, but I’d swear it was the same guy.”

“I didn’t get a good enough look at him to identify him either,” Jeremiah said.

Mark just shook his head, muttering something under his breath.

Five minutes later they were in the limo heading back to the house. Once there Milt and Dorothy called it a night and the others took their desserts and adjourned to the living room.

Mark was anxious and he could tell the others were feeling it, too. “Okay, we need to talk about tomorrow and about the logistics.”

“One of your officers will be driving the limo tomorrow to the church. We’re leaving here at two which will give everyone plenty of time to get ready at the church,” Joseph said.

“I had officers sweep it earlier today looking for anything unusual. A couple will be posted there all night to make sure that nothing is tampered with,” Mark said. “And tomorrow, all of Pine Springs PD will be there and then some.”

“Wow, that sounds like overkill,” Joseph said.

“More like ‘avoid a kill’,” Mark noted grimly. “Tomorrow the watchword is security, security, security. No one goes anywhere alone, not even the bathroom, is that understood?”

All around him heads bobbed up and down.

“Now, we’re going to be securing the banquet hall as well, but my gut tells me they’re going to strike at the wedding, before the minister pronounces Joseph and Geanie husband and wife.”

“That would seem in keeping with Amanda’s goals,” Cindy said.

“We need to get in that banquet hall for decorating it in the morning,” Geanie reminded.

“Eight a.m. someone will take you there and then bring you back at noon. Remember, if you see anyone or anything suspicious, you report in.”

“Any chance the security will scare them off?” Dave asked.

“I don’t think so,” Mark said, shaking his head. “Besides, at Geanie and Joseph’s request, most of the officers will be dressed as wedding guests.”

Geanie grimaced. “It’s bad enough we all have to be stressed out, I didn’t want to have to explain to the whole world what was going on. If all goes well they’ll catch these people and only we’ll be the wiser and everyone can go about the business of enjoying the day.”

“I know this would be awful, but has anyone considered postponing the wedding?” Lyle asked.

“It might calm things down, for now, but even if it did, I have a feeling we’d just be right back here in three months or whatever it was,” Mark said.

“And frankly, Geanie and I won’t wait any longer,” Joseph said. “We’ll elope if we have to,” he said, threading his fingers through hers. “It’s not our first choice, but we have been talking about if it would be better, safer for everyone. For all of you. I mean, we appreciate everything you guys have done, everything you’ve risked, but we want to protect you.”

“But, that’s not how it’s supposed to be,” Veronica said.

“Excuse me?” Mark asked.

“You guys aren’t supposed to be protecting us, we’re supposed to be protecting you.”

“Actually that’s the job of the police,” Mark said.

“No, you don’t understand what I mean,” Veronica said.

“Okay, then what exactly do you mean?” he asked.

“You know what the original reason, the original purpose for having bridesmaids and groomsmen was?” Veronica asked.

“No, What was it?” Mark asked, surprised that she was speaking up and a little irritated because he didn’t see how something like that could be relevant to the discussion at hand.

“The attendants dressed in festive clothes similar to the bride and groom to confuse evil spirits and keep them from attacking the couple.”

Before he could say anything Traci reached out and grabbed Veronica’s hand, “That’s brilliant,” she said.

“Do you think it will work?” Charlotte asked.

“It has to, and given one of Geanie’s surprises for the wedding, I think it just might,” Cindy said, her voice shaking with excitement.

“It’s too dangerous, I won’t stand for it,” Geanie said, face pale.

Mark blinked at them. “Would one of you ladies care to tell me what’s going on in that group mind you’re apparently sharing?”

They all turned and stared at him as if he was a complete moron.

“Amanda and her hired killer may be flesh and blood instead of spirit, but they’re still evil,” Veronica said.

“And if we play this right, they should be just as easy to confuse,” Cindy said.

“I still have no idea what you’re talking about,” Mark said.

“I think I’m catching on to the idea, but I’m baffled as to how you ladies think you can execute it,” Jeremiah said.

“Because us ladies know something you gentlemen don’t,” Charlotte said.

“I think it’s time we showed them,” Cindy said, standing up. “Geanie?”

Geanie took a deep breath and then nodded. “Yes, yes, it’s time they knew what we’ve been planning.”

“I’m going to hate this, aren’t I?” Mark asked.

Joseph stood hesitantly and grabbed Geanie’s hand, his eyes troubled. “You worked so long and hard to keep this a surprise. Are you sure you want to reveal it now?”

Geanie stared intently into Joseph’s eyes. “Dear, husband-to-be, I love you more than anything. And I think God was leading both of us to this moment, to these decisions that just might help save our lives even as we are pledging them to each other. You know I don’t believe in accidents, coincidences. I think I was meant to do what I did. I think I’m also meant to reveal it now. Trust me.”

And then she smiled at him with such love that it even moved Mark who cleared his throat and looked away. He
found Traci’s eyes and she stared at him with the same love only magnified by all they had seen and experienced together. He smiled and reached out for her hand.

“Come and see,” she said softly. “All will be made clear.”

Together they all headed to the study that the women had declared off limits days ago. With great ceremony Geanie opened the door and led the way inside. At the far end of the room were tables with dozens of boxes. Geanie led the way over to one of them and opened the top.

She pulled out a carnival mask, like one might see in Venice. She turned and smiled. “These are for the reception. They are the favors that each guest can take home.” She turned it over and there, printed on the inside of the mask, were her and Joseph’s names and the date.

“The reception will be a sort of impromptu masquerade, in honor of Joseph’s proposing to me with songs from Phantom of the Opera, beginning with “Masquerade”.

She replaced it in the box and then moved to the end of the table to a much smaller box. She opened the lid slowly, reverently, then drew two objects out. In her one hand she held a mask clearly inspired by the Phantom of the Opera one. In the other she held a beautiful white silk mask covered with feathers and pearls. “These are for Joseph and I. There are gold ones for the rest of the bridal party. It was my intention that we enter the reception wearing them, but what the ladies are suggesting is that we all don our masks a little sooner, at the wedding. I confess, I had been strongly considering that already. The difference, here, is that they are also suggesting that Joseph and I disguise ourselves as attendants and that two of them take our places until the assassin can be discovered.”

Mark gaped slowly, looking around the room at all the sincere faces staring back at him. “You’re insane, all of you,” he said at last.

“In order for this to work,” Traci said, “no one but the eleven of us must know of the charade.”

“Agreed,” the others echoed.

“You’re out of your minds!” Mark said. “How could you even consider this? Whoever stands up there as bride and groom are risking their lives, regardless of who they are. You can’t think this is a good idea.”

“It’s the only way,” Dave said softly.

“Even if I thought you were right, who would assume such an enormous risk?”

“I will stand in for Geanie,” Cindy said.

“And I will stand in for Joseph,” Jeremiah said.

The two of them looked at each other and a silent understanding seemed to pass between them.

Mark stared at them. “Now, yes, now is the time.”

“The time for what?” Cindy asked.

“I think now would be a good time to pray,” he whispered.

It was a crazy idea. So crazy, it just might work, Jeremiah reflected as he watched the sanctuary filling up with people the next afternoon. He and Joseph were waiting in the wings, masks already firmly in place. Mark was waiting with them.

“This is insanity,” Mark hissed.

“But inspired insanity, you have to admit,” Joseph said.

Mark sighed.

Jeremiah just kept a watchful eye out, wondering when one of their uninvited guests was finally going to show. He’d barely slept at all the night before, thinking about what this day was going to entail. Trying not to think about what Cindy was going to look like wearing that wedding dress and walking down the aisle toward him. Every time the thought crossed his mind he lost all ability to concentrate on anything else.

If he was feeling this way he could only imagine how Joseph was feeling.

“Five minutes ‘til,” Mark told them. “Those ladies had better start this show on time. I can’t stand the suspense much longer.”

“Imagine how we’re feeling,” Joseph said, nudging Jeremiah in the ribs. Jeremiah forced himself to smile even though the implication that he should be as nervous as Joseph struck a nerve. The truth was he figured he was more nervous than Joseph. And not for the reasons Mark would guess.

They had been able to decorate the banquet hall that morning, all of them working together. It was going to look amazing. If anyone made it that far.

“You look beautiful,” Geanie said to Cindy.

Cindy turned, her hands shaking as she smoothed down the white dress that her friend should have been wearing instead of her. “Thank you. And you look amazing.”

It was true. Wearing Cindy’s fuchsia maid of honor gown Geanie had never looked so radiant. She looked around at the rest of the room. Veronica, Charlotte, and
Traci were wearing their forest green gowns and also looked beautiful. All of them were wearing their hair up in matching hairstyles. Each of them had a gold mask in one hand and a bouquet of roses in the other.