Winch-Hunt: Part 13

“I’m not grasping for straws, but I am looking for answers. We know that this group is fueled by satan. Maybe that was the demon who rules over them. Maybe it’s the one they sacrifice to. Do you know anything about that?”

“Let’s go home and give ourselves some time to digest all of this. I’ll see what I can find out on the internet tomorrow. Besides I’m tired. I just don’t have the energy to stay up these late nights anymore.”

The wind was blowing fiercely, but Tom wanted a better look at the area that was disturbed by the unexplainable figure rising out of the sand. Nothing was found. Any footprints had been removed by the swirling sand. Any discolorations that may have appeared were removed as well; no sound equipment to augment the clicking sound. Nothing.

Tom and Mel headed back.

Sleep was not coming easy for either, but eventually they drifted off; Tom first, then Mel. It didn’t last long. 3:00 a.m. and Tom was wide awake. His neck was tingling with pain.

“Mel, Mel, Wake up! Wake up!”

“What is it now, Tom? I just got to sleep.”

“I can’t move my neck. I think I’m paralyzed.”

“Oh Tom, don’t be ridiculous.”

“No really, I can’t move my neck.”

Tom’s hands, feet, fingers, toes, and mouth moved fine.

“It’s more of those three scratches. I know it. Call Doctor Warren, Mel. He needs to see me right away.”

Mel asked, “What kind of pain are you feeling?”

“Like my neck is locked . . . something’s out of joint . . . something wants to pop. Mel, call the doc.”

“Tom, try to get some sleep. See how it feels in the morning, and if it’s still bothering you, I’ll call him first thing in the morning. You know that’s what he’d tell you anyway.”

The night passed, and the morning sent out a new message of hope as the sun began to rise. Tom’s neck was miraculously feeling fine. Tom knew he had to get back to the beach and investigate the scene from the night before. After a quick breakfast, he headed over to the lighthouse.

There was nothing to find. The beach was quiet and deserted; the perfect time to snoop. But all evidence from the night before, if there was any, had long disappeared. The coolness of a New England fall was making itself known. Tom knew that winter was on the way. The New England fall would soon be the New England winter that he dreaded. His investigation could, and almost certainly would be hampered by the winter storms.

Tom’s cell phone was ringing. He looked at the caller ID and noticed the name, Hunt. He found himself strangely accepting the call. “Pastor Tom Winch here – how may I help you?” He didn’t want to appear to be too friendly.

“Tom look, it’s Jeff. I need to talk to you. Thanks for accepting my call.”

“So talk!” Tom snapped back.

“No Tom. I mean I have to talk to you face to face.”

“That will never happen!”

“Okay, you win. Tom, there’s something going on over at Shady Rest. I need your help. I have to get inside. Please Tom, get me in!”

“What do you mean something’s going on over at Shady Rest?”

“Tom, please. Can’t we get together and discuss this like reasonable adults? Someone may be listening to this phone conversation right now. Tom, it’s important. I’ve said too much already.”

“So where do you want to meet?”

“How about over at The Pit Stop?”

“Jeff, I really wasn’t born yesterday. If you’re so concerned about someone listening, you just told them where we’d be meeting. I know you’re trying to set me up. It’s not going to happen. You forget that I’m always one step ahead of you.”

“Tom, I know you feel you have to protect yourself, but I do detect a bit of bitterness toward me. What have I done? What will it take to convince you? Tom, can God really work in your life if you harbor ill feelings toward me – or anybody else? Isn’t that what you preach on Sunday mornings? What changes for you between Sunday and Monday? I’m sorry for bothering you. I was wrong for wanting to enlist the help of a hypocrite.”And with that the phone went dead.

Jeff decided it was time to test out his new found faith. Although he never mentioned it to anybody for whatever reasons he saw fit, Jeff accepted Christ. He made a serious commitment to follow Him. He hung on Tom’s every word, outlined every message, and took the Biblical lessons to heart. He only wished Tom did the same.

Jeff’s car pulled into the Shady Rest parking lot and found a comfortable place under one of the large shade trees. Jeff stepped out dressed in his new navy blue suit. He hastily drew his necktie close around his neck and grabbed his Bible, allowing it to proudly swing in his right hand. He did forget one thing – the ninth commandment.

Going through the automatic doors, his first stop was at the reception desk. Mrs. Taylor was speaking on the phone with someone. As she was giving driving directions to the party on the other end, Jeff noticed an opened appointment book. It happened to be turned to the “B” page. He quickly scanned the page looking for Barry, Ronald; no such name. He did happen to see the name, Bledsoe, Michael – room 203.

Taking his cue from Mrs. Taylor’s nametag, he said, “Hello, Mrs. Taylor. It’s good to see you again. I’m here for my 1:30 appointment with Michael Bledsoe. He’s still in room 203?”

“And may I ask who are you?”

“Well, I’m Pastor Arnold Meyers.” The words rolled naturally off of Jeff’s lips.

“Who did you say you were here to see?”

“Michael Bledsoe.”

“I don’t have you down for anything. Who did you say you are?”

The questioning surfaced in Jeff as tension. Still he tried to remain in control of the conversation. “Well, it was quite a trip over here. You know I have a 40 minute drive one way, but if I need to reschedule, I guess I can do that.”

“Yes, we’ll need to do that. Um . . . Pastor Meyers, is it? You don’t seem to be on Michael’s visitation list. Wait here. I’ll have to have Michael verify that he knows you.”

Mrs. Taylor excused herself as she ushered Jeff to a waiting room. Not sure what to do, Jeff decided to wait it out. In a few minutes Mrs. Taylor returned.

“Pastor Meyers, Michael says he never heard of you.”

“Well, this is embarrassing. Doris Camp wanted me to pay him a visit. She must not have followed through with scheduling the appointment.”

“Oh, Mrs. Camp sent you! Let me give her a call. As long as I get the okay from her, there should be no problem! Have a seat again, Pastor, and I’ll give her a quick call.”

“You give her a call Mrs. Taylor. I’ll be right back. I left something in the car.” And with that Jeff made his way to the car, and back to the motel.

Using Mrs. Camp’s name seemed like a good idea. She had gotten Tom into Shady Rest many times. It was obvious that Jeff would have to take another avenue into Shady Rest. Was it even necessary? His brother’s name appeared nowhere in the appointment book. He was told that Ronald Barry was not a resident. Mel’s words came back to him. “If you’re really not setting Tom up, maybe someone’s trying to set you up.”