Like Sheep Gone Astray by Lesile J. Sherrod Page A

the list was Terri. He dialed her number slowly and was surprised to hear her answer on the first ring.
    “Hello, baby!”
    “Terri?”
    “I saw that it was your number on the caller ID and I couldn't wait to talk to you!” Terri sounded ecstatic.
    “That's great, honey, because we do need to talk.” Anthony perked up his voice to match Terri's rare jubilant mood toward him. She was obviously having a good day and he was not ready to ruin it quite yet.
Wait until she finds out all that we're about to lose,
he thought, and shuddered.
    “Maybe we can go out for dinner this evening,” he continued. “I've got a lot to discuss with you. There's some things you need to know. I just came out of a meeting that…I don't want to get into it right now, but Terri, there's so much I need to tell you. Our lives, our future might—is—going to change.”
    “Our lives, our future…our finances?” She sounded like she was holding her breath.
    “Uh, well, yes. Now Terri, I know how important—”
    “Oh, baby, I can't wait to talk! Dinner would be perfect. Let's try Romano's. You know they were recently named the finest restaurant in town.”
    “Uh—” Anthony paused. “Okay.” His enthusiasm and courage were waning. “You do deserve at least one good meal at Romano's. Maybe we can pick up where we left off last evening. We still need to finish celebrating your new partnership.”
    “Oh, we have a lot more to celebrate than just that! I'll call now to make reservations!” Terri's elation must be contagious, Anthony thought as he heard Cherisse giggling in the background. As miserable as he felt, he brightened at the thought that maybe Terri had some good news to share with him.
    Next on the list was Kent Cassell. Anthony located the business card and opted to dial the office number rather than the cell-phone number listed. He was surprised when a young woman's voice answered. She informed him that the detective was not in the office, but if it was urgent, he could speak with Sheriff Malloy. Anthony passed, uncertain of what to say, and decided to leave a message for the detective to call him at home.
    Anthony stared at the last name on his list. Guilt flooded him afresh as he remembered the signature on the check. Anthony, familiar with the name, could tell the signature had been forged.
What have I done to make someone want to get his name involved and why?
    Anthony reached for the phone once again. It was a number he'd called many times over the years, a number he knew by heart. Halfway through dialing, he slammed down the receiver.
    “I can't tell him about all this over the phone. This calls for a face-to-face visit.” Anthony headed for the door, dread slowing every step. He knew that there would be no words to ease the blow of his deceptive actions to his mentor, fellow church member, and friend, Councilman Walter Banks. But someone wanted to get him involved in the mix, and Anthony felt responsible for letting the councilman know. Anthony's secrets of the last six months were about to be uncovered, one victim at a time.

Chapter 4
    E ric Johnson rose slowly from his knees and sat back down on the brown couch. He ran his lanky fingers over the tattered material of the sofa as he made a mental checklist of what other furniture and equipment the small office needed.
    “Lord, I can't stop thanking You for what You've already provided.” He raised his arms in gracious surrender. “I can't wait to see what else You're going to do.” Eric surveyed the room, admiring the work completed by a team of volunteers. The walls had a fresh coat of eggshell paint and the plumbing had been refurbished. The volunteers had also carried all the furniture up the four flights of stairs to place in the office.
    Everything in the office had been donated, including the antique secretary's desk, the three couches, several folding chairs, and an old dinette that would serve temporarily as a conference table. Even the new