The Betrayal by Jerry B. Jenkins Page A

absent.”
    â€œWell, it will be a little awkward because significant others are invited. Margaret will be there, and so will Fletch and Pete’s wives.”
    â€œI suppose Haeley’s replacement will be there. I’ll be the odd one out.”
    â€œIt’s not going to be a big deal. Cake and stuff and a few words. Fletch just wants to clear out.”
    The last thing Boone wanted was a CPD tail when he went to meet Mrs. Lamonica and take Haeley to Zappolo’s office. Though freshly mellow from his meds, he stood by his upstairs window for ninety minutes to get a read on when and how often a squad cruised the block to keep an eye on the place. Seeing them come around only twice in an hour and a half told him when he could slip out late in the afternoon.
    He called Haeley. She sounded miserable.
    â€œI thought you’d be perkier today, considering.”
    â€œI’m scared to death this is temporary, Boone. You know the US Attorney wants to make this a federal case. I might wish I’d stayed at County rather than get sent to a federal facility.”
    â€œZappolo will never let that happen.”
    â€œIs that a guarantee?”
    Boone hesitated. The Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) at Clark and Van Buren was newer and had to be better than County, but he didn’t want to see her sent there any more than she did. It had been a stupid thing to say. “I mean, Fritz’ll do everything possible to keep you and Max together.”
    Haeley did not sound reassured. She told him her mother had left South Carolina at about three that morning, and she expected her at about three in the afternoon. “Come around four so you can get acquainted before we go.”
    At about three Boone returned to the upstairs window to watch for the patrolling squad. As soon as it had left the neighborhood, he slipped out the back to his car in the alley. Again the frigid air pierced his damaged lung and slowed him.
    Several minutes later, when he pulled to within a few blocks of Haeley’s apartment, he parked on a side street in a long line of cars. Someone would have to be specifically checking every license plate to find him.
    Boone covered his mouth for the walk to Haeley’s, longing for the day when breathing would be second nature again. Seeing Mrs. Lamonica’s car with its South Carolina license plate gave him an idea. That was the car they should take downtown.
    Haeley’s mother was pleasant looking with short dark hair and medium build, plain compared to her striking daughter. She greeted him politely and seemed shy, but that soon proved a mistaken impression. As soon as Haeley excused herself to get ready, Mrs. Lamonica said, “Max will be up from his nap soon, but we have time to talk.”
    â€œGood,” Boone said, but her tone had been such that he wasn’t so sure.
    â€œHaeley tells me you’re a Christian man.”
    â€œI am.”
    â€œThat’s good. And what does that mean?”
    â€œMean, ma’am? I thought she told me you and your husband were believers too.”
    â€œThat’s true.”
    â€œSo you just want to be sure I know what it really means to be a Christian?”
    â€œTell you the truth, Mr. Drake, I want to know it means you’re not sleeping with my daughter.”
    â€œWow.”
    â€œIs that an answer?”
    â€œNo, sorry—you deserve an answer. I appreciate someone who gets to the point. You know Haeley and I have just begun to get serious.”
    She sat gazing at him with raised eyebrows, as if to say she still hadn’t heard an answer.
    â€œRest assured I respect her too much to be sleeping with her. I believe that’s wrong for a Christian outside of marriage.”
    â€œI wish she’d always felt that way,” Haeley’s mother said, “though I do love what came of that sin.”
    Boone flinched.
    â€œThat’s what it was, you know.”
    He nodded. “She