Full Tilt (Rock Star Chronicles) (23 page)

Everett shuddered. Had unclean spirits haunted him at times and made him question his own salvation? His past—the women and drugs, the violence and vulgarity—seemed too despicable to be swept under God’s rug of forgiveness.

But Christ lives in me. I am forgiven. Why do I doubt?

In many ways, Everett was still at war—with temptations and feelings of inadequacy, like he wasn’t pure enough to wear the name Christian. But he was too embarrassed to share such things with Jacob.

Karen topped off their coffees. “I want to know how Tony Badino knows Scripture like that. He mentioned Job and dogs returning to their vomit. He knew God was called I Am; it’s just plain creepy.”

Sarah came over with a dish towel draped over her shoulder. She looked radiant, her blond hair short and shiny. She stood behind Jacob and rested a delicate hand on his big shoulder as they deferred to Everett.

“Don’t look at me.” He straightened his posture and held up both hands. “I have no clue. The guy sounds like some kind of antichrist to me.”

“He said his girlfriend was baptized before she died.” Jacob sipped his coffee. “Maybe that’s what got Tony interested in the Bible. Maybe he sought God afterward, or before, leading up to her conversion.”

Karen wiped the counter. “All I know is, nobody just knows Scriptures like the ones he mentioned unless they’ve spent time in the Word.”

“Well,” Sarah said, “I can’t imagine Dominic ‘Brain Picker’ Badino leading family devotions in front of the fireplace.”

The laughter cleared Everett’s head, and he was suddenly whole again. Indeed, most of the time he was sound and walked in the Spirit. It was the other times, those brief sieges, when he would momentarily be overcome by the lies of the flesh. He hated himself for those times and silently cursed Satan for ravaging him with feelings of guilt and inadequacy.

Being with Jacob and Sarah took him back to their comfortable home in Topeka and to his rental house in Bal Harbour, Florida, where he lived during the Endora Crystal murder trial. Wherever these people were was a bastion of love. They were the family he’d never known as a child, growing up in a dysfunctional home in the shadows of Cleveland’s refineries.

The soft shadow of headlights crept from one wall to the next, but Everett ignored it this time. Karen and Sarah wrapped Christmas presents on the floor by the fireplace in the family room, with Rosey nestled up next to them.

Everett showed Jacob the new recording studio in the basement. The cushy spread contained all the latest electronic equipment, with walls and ceiling made of state-of-the-art soundproofing materials.

“Karen seemed a little out of it when she picked us up today,” Jacob said as they stood over the massive soundboard.

“Out of it?”

“Kind of distraught. We thought it might be because of the doctor’s appointment and all that’s been going on around here lately.”

“We’ve been under the gun, no doubt. It’s been a stressful couple weeks.”

“I’m sorry Karen can’t conceive, Ev.” Jacob’s eyes met his. “You know it’s my fault.”

Everett looked up several inches into his father-in-law’s beaten eyes and shook his head. “It’s nobody’s fault, Jacob. It’s just God’s plan, I guess.”

“She’s always loved children. Well, you know that…” Jacob panned the studio, perhaps to avoid eye contact or to stop a tear from falling. “She used to help in the nursery when she was young, just loved those babies.” He peered through the polished glass into the recording studio at the various microphones and guitars, smoothing his thick brown mustache.

“Who knows? We may adopt,” Everett said. “But I’m not going to stop praying for our own.”

Jacob turned back to him. “We’re not either.”

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure.” Jacob crossed his thick arms and leaned back on the desk.

“Karen’s infertility.” Everett sat in the swivel chair, rolling it back several feet. “Millie. The stuff going on with my brother and Wesley. I just want to know, does God pay us back for our sins? The bad things we did before we were saved? I mean, you mentioned Karen’s infertility being your fault, but you’re the godliest dude I know.”

“What I meant was, I’m the one who drove her to get the abortion, to protect my image.” Jacob folded his arms and stroked his cheeks with a large hand. “I was a legalistic hypocrite. The abortion never should have happened.”

“But there’s no payback?”

“Ev, when Christ came, He did something that had never been done before. He forgave sin completely. You need to remember that.”

“What about when I sin now?”

A heavy crash thundered from above. Then barking.

“Evvv!” Karen’s shriek sent the men in motion.

Everett dashed to the stairs, took three at a time, and bound through the kitchen with Jacob right behind him to the family room. They found wrapping paper, ribbon, tissue, and packages, but not Karen or Sarah.

“Karen!”

“Here, Ev. Living room!”

Everett led the way but stopped cold at the beige carpet leading inside. The floor was covered with shards of sparkling glass as a frigid wind blew the white curtain sheers into the room.

Karen and Sarah ran to the men from their position in the foyer. “There’s a brick.” Karen pointed, out of breath. “It came through the window. We were wrapping—”

“Are you okay?” Jacob squeezed Sarah’s shoulder.

“We’re fine.” Karen was shaking, talking fast. “We let Rosey out, to keep her away from the glass. There’s something written on the brick.”

Everett released Karen and stepped through the broken glass, picked up the brick—which was lying on its side—and examined it.

“A cross.” He faced the large, white painted cross toward the other three, then looked on the back of the brick.
“Abaddon.”
He turned it again to show them how the word had been finger-painted, savagely, in white across the length of the brick.

Sarah looked at Jacob. “What’s it mean?”

“Destruction.” Jacob took the brick from Everett. “That’s Abaddon in Hebrew.
Ruin.
”

Everett pumped a fist. “When’s this gonna end?” He stomped to the window. “Why us? What the heck’s goin’ on?”

“Keep your cool, son.” Jacob eyed the brick. “Were you ladies able to see anything?”

“By the time we figured out where it had come from or what it was,” Sarah held up her hands, “there was no one out there.”

Everett stalked into the foyer, turned on an outside light, threw open the front door, and disappeared into the night. The wind was bitter cold. The ground was so frozen, he couldn’t see any footprints. Rosey was sniffing up a storm, but whoever had done the deed was gone.

“This looks like an inverted cross.” Jacob tossed the brick lightly in his hand as Everett came back in and bolted the door.

“What’s that mean?” Karen put her arms around Everett’s waist.

“It’s a symbol,” Jacob said, “ridiculing Christianity.”

“Tony Badino did this.” Everett pulled away from Karen and seethed through clenched teeth. “I’m gonna find that little whatever he is and deal with this!”

“Just calm down, Ev,” Jacob said. “You can’t go off half-cocked. We need to call the police, then get something to cover this window.”

I should have called them a long time ago.
Everett took off for the garage. Two minutes later he rejoined the group in a huff, with his arms full.

“Here.” He stuffed a large piece of wadded blue plastic in a chair in the foyer. Then he set down a hammer and a cardboard box of nails. “This is to cover the window. There’s a ladder in the garage.” He took off toward the master bedroom.

“Babe, don’t do this. Please!”

“You’re not going to solve anything tonight,” Jacob’s voice followed him. “Let’s just file a report and think this thing through, buddy. We’ll come up with a plan…”

When Everett emerged from the walk-in closet, Jacob stood there, staring at the black gun in his hands. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“I’m leaving this for you, in case Badino comes back.”

“I didn’t think you’d ever own another gun—”

“It’s for protection. You don’t know how many threats we’ve had.” Everett held up the semiautomatic and its magazine in separate hands. “If you need it, it’ll be in the cupboard, up high, in the kitchen.”

Everett huffed past him, but Jacob followed. Once in the kitchen, Everett put the artillery up high in the cupboard without the girls knowing it.

“What do you think you’re going to accomplish? Where are you going?”

“Badino’s house.”

“Are you, crazy? After all that’s happened with Eddie? This is the Mafia we’re talking about.”

“I don’t care anymore.” Everett marched to the hall closet and got his coat. “I’ve let it go long enough. Millie’s dead. My wife’s scared to death. I’m goin’ after this guy.”

“No you’re not!” Karen rushed in, with Sarah five feet behind her. “Stop this, Everett! Don’t be like this. Vengeance isn’t yours to repay, it’s God’s. We’ll be okay. It’s a broken window…”

“And what will it be next?” Everett roared. “You—dead? I’m sorry, but I’m not gonna wait around for that.” He grabbed the keys from a wall hook near the door to the garage. “Call the police. File a report. Tell ’em who we think is responsible. But don’t mention where I am.”

As he hit the garage door button and strode to the car, Everett heard Karen wailing.

“This is not God’s way, son,” Jacob’s bold voice came toward him in the cold garage. “I know what you’re feeling, but striking out in anger isn’t going to accomplish anything good. You could get yourself thrown in jail, or worse.”

Everett’s flesh took over. He knew right from wrong. Knew what Jacob said was true. But it all blew away. He was not like Jacob. Would never be the perfect Christian. He was Everett Lester. The confused kid from the wrong side of the tracks. The kid who knew how to fight.

“I’m sorry, Jacob.” Everett gave him one last glance. “I’m not wired to sit around and watch people harass me and haunt my wife.” He bent into the Audi, revved it to life, flew backward, and spit stones as he took one last look at Rosey in the headlights.

Now I’m the stalker—and I’m comin’ for you, Badino.

23

AS KAREN AND HER
mother swept up the glass, and her father balanced the ladder outside the living room window, Karen’s heart leaped when she heard Rosey barking and a car rolling over the gravel driveway. She dropped everything and dashed to the front door.

But she could tell from afar that it wasn’t Everett’s car.

“Who is it?” Mom said, as Dad came into the house through the front door.

“Not sure.” He headed for the kitchen. “Keep an eye on it.”

“It looks like a Volkswagen.” Karen stood on her tiptoes, peering through the glass in the top of the door. “Convertible. I don’t know anyone who drives one.”

“Let me go out.” Her father rebuttoned his coat and went out the front door and down the sidewalk toward the garage. Meanwhile, Karen led her mom through the kitchen and into the garage, so they could peek out.

“My gosh, that’s Madison.” Karen unlocked the side door and headed into the brisk night.

“I’m sorry, Karen.” Madison sniffled, appearing tiny next to Karen’s six-foot-four father. “I didn’t know you had company.”

“Stay down now, Rosey.” Karen shivered. “You remember my dad, Jacob, from the wedding? And my mom, Sarah?”

“Yes.” Madison followed Karen and Rosey into the garage. “I’m sorry to barge in.”

Once everyone was standing within the golden glow of the kitchen, Madison’s eyes appeared bloodshot. Her face was pale, and her mascara was smudged beneath her right eye.

“I won’t stay long.” She kept her head down.

Karen was about to give her parents some kind of signal to ask them to leave Madison and her alone, but it wasn’t necessary.

“Jacob and I have got some things we have to get done.” Her mother forced a chuckle and led the way out of the kitchen. “If you’ll excuse us…”

Madison shot them a half smile, and they were gone. As soon as Karen put an arm around her, she unraveled.

“I’m pitiful,” she cried, “to come here like this.”

“I’m glad you came.” Karen held her tight. “I need some company now, too. Let’s go in the den. You can tell me all about it in there. Do you want some hot tea or cocoa?”

Madison shook her head and took Karen’s hand.

In the den Karen laid Madison’s suede coat over an ottoman and noticed how beautiful her niece looked—shiny black slacks and boots, a pink and white sweater, and perfume that smelled like lilacs. Rosey sniffed the coat.

“You look like you’ve been out on the town.” Karen patted the seat next to her on the couch.

“I was on a date.” She sank next to Karen, shivering, with her arms folded. “I haven’t been on one for so long. This guy seemed different…”

Red flags started flying.

“We had dinner. It was fine.” Madison began to break up. “Then he wanted me to go to his house. His parents were away. I said no. But he said he just wanted to play some music and talk.”

Karen’s soul cried,
No!

Madison’s head dropped, and her shoulders began to shudder. “I trusted him, Aunt Karen.”

“Oh, Madi.” Karen held her softly. “Are you okay?”

“Who can I trust?” she wailed. “I have no one. I hate this world! There’s no light, no joy—not like you have.”

“Madison,” Karen gripped her niece’s firm arms, “did he hurt you in any way?”

“I got out.” She shook, probably with the same resolve it took to get away from the monster. “I’m okay. I just…I’m so tired.”

Karen held her for what seemed like minutes. “I’m so sorry, honey. It’s going to be okay. I’m here for you.”

“You’re all I have. My parents are just—sickening. My brother… It’s so depressing. I don’t wanna get out of bed in the morning. But I have to. I’m responsible for everybody! I don’t know how much longer I can do it.”

As Madison let her sorrow spill, Karen heard her dad’s hammer pounding in the distance, as if someone were banging on her chest. She closed her eyes, rested her head on top of Madison’s, and cried out to God in silence.
Oh, Lord, help! Give me the words. Help me lead her to You. I’m so confused. Please, protect Everett…