The Whole Truth by James Scott Bell Page A

me?”
    â€œBy showing the deliverance of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the freedom we have in him.”
    â€œWhy don’t we start with me just being your lawyer?” Steve said.
    â€œLet’s talk about why you don’t believe in God — ”
    â€œJohnny, I believe in the law and in getting things done. And I believe everybody is free to believe the way they want. If religion brings you peace, great.”
    â€œWhat about the truth?”
    â€œI’m all for that too.”
    â€œJesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”
    Steve took a bite of his sandwich to buy time. He didn’t want this to turn into a high-pressure religious sales job. He washed the bite down with Coke and said, “What’s the nature of the work you want me to do for you?”
    â€œSet us up as a church under the laws of the State of California,” Johnny said. “I want to do it up right. I’ve decided to go into the ministry.”
    â€œHe’s got the anointing,” Neal said.
    â€œWhat’s that?” Steve said.
    â€œGod has set me apart,” Johnny said. “That’s the way he used to do it. Anointing with oil. Making people holy. Now it’s done by the Holy Ghost. I didn’t ask for it, Steve. It just happened.”
    â€œIn prison?”
    â€œThat’s right. Best thing that ever happened to me. Do you know the story of Joseph in the Bible?”
    â€œJesus’ dad?”
    â€œNo, way back. Joseph, son of Jacob. Jacob favored him and Joseph’s brothers got bent about that, faked his death, sold him into slavery.”
    â€œOkay.”
    â€œJoseph ends up in prison, but God is with him, right? God eventually makes it so Joseph is head dude in Egypt, right behind Pharaoh. There’s a famine, Joseph got Egypt to save up food, then Joseph’s brothers come down there looking for food, and that’s how God gets Jacob’s family down to Egypt and saves them. See, Joseph says it was all God’s plan.”
    â€œPrison was God’s plan? I should use that with my clients.”
    Neal laughed.
    â€œSo what do you say, Steve? You can be part of God’s plan too.”
    Steve wasn’t sure about that. “Setting up a church shouldn’t be too hard to do. The law is pretty liberal when it comes to legitimate religious organizations.”
    â€œThat’s your job, then. Make us legit. Neal’s got another five thousand for you. And there will be more, Steve. I can see you being like an in-house counsel. What would you say to that?”
    â€œYou making an offer?”
    â€œSuppose I did? Suppose it meant a steady income?”
    Steve cleared his throat and looked at Ezekiel the dog. He was staring at Steve like he wanted to get to know him. Or his ankle.
    â€œFirst,” Steve said, “I have a question. Last night a couple of feds came to see me at my apartment. They knew we were talking at Wendy’s. Maybe they had me or you under surveillance. I’m guessing you, because you’re the one who would be easy to watch on parole.”
    Johnny shot a look at Neal, who shrugged. “Isn’t that what I’ve been saying?”
    â€œWhat exactly is it about? You said they’re after you for something. What is it?”
    â€œThey just don’t leave you alone! They don’t think a guy can change. A guy does his time, and they’re waiting when he gets out! Can you do anything about this, Steve?”
    â€œI have to know what it’s about first.”
    â€œIt’s nothing but a fishing expedition. They’ve been in our face for years. I just want to serve the Lord, and this is what they give me. Steve, can you do anything to stop the harassment?”
    â€œWell, your parole status is High Ser vices. That’s a break.” In California, a parolee with a record like Johnny’s would usually be classified as High Control . That designation had the most