“Now, that doesn’t make any sense to me,” said Frank. “This man says this woman is Reverend Billy Taylor’s wife, but the woman says she’s not married to Reverend Billy Taylor. And the man says this is Reverend Billy Taylor’s son. Now, how can that be?” Each time Franks said the name Reverend Billy Taylor he said it louder. It was almost said at a scream. The man kept looking at the crowd and watching their faces. They had become very quiet.
Frank looked toward the man. “Sir, what you are saying would mean that this boy, who you say is the son of Reverend Billy Taylor of Billy Taylor Ministries that’s on television several times a week is a…” Frank covered his mouth an feigned embarrassment. “Sir, I would find that extremely hard to believe.
By now, people were taking pictures with their cell phones. One man had a video camera and was recording every word.
“Officer, it must be a mistake,” said the man as he tried to sneak away from the crowd. Excuse me.” The two men slipped between the cars.
Frank walked over to Father Bill. “What the hell do you think you’re doing? You could have gotten those people killed, not to mention yourself.”
“Christ, Frank. I promised to get them out.”
“Okay, you got them out. Now, what do you plan to do?”
“I figured I would take them to the rectory. They will be comfortable…”
“Oh yes,” said Frank, “they would be comfortable there. They would be real comfortable, but for how long? Bill, I probably shouldn’t say anything, but there’s a federal investigation about to come down on that whole holy roller crowd. Lynn Powell knows things. Now, they know she’s not exactly loyal. You think they’re just going to let her hang around and possibly wander into a congressional hearing? They’re not going to let it happen, Bill. No way. That woman is in trouble and the first place they’re going to look is at the rectory.”
“I didn’t know,” said Bill.
“I know you didn’t, but that doesn’t matter now. We’ve got to find a place for the woman and the kid.”
“There’s a convent about sixty miles from here. I may be able to…”
Frank handed him his cell phone. “You know the number?” he asked.
Bill nodded.
“Do what you need to do. As soon as that investigation begins, that woman and that kid are in danger.”
Bill nodded and began dialing. He knew that what Frank was saying was true. People will do bad things for small amounts of money. No telling what they would do for millions.
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