White Heat by Brenda Novak Page A

brothers and sisters. Be strong. Fret not about Courtney’s sudden withdrawal. As with Martha, God will punish her and justify us in the end.”
    â€œWe will pray for her soul!” the woman standing next to Sister Titherington yelled.
    â€œAs will I,” Ethan said. “Pray also that the Lord will provide us with others who seek the truth. Others who are more sincere in heart and more capable of taking on His covenants and promises. That way, we will have many hands to build up His Kingdom and plenty of friends with whom to rejoice in the enlightenment we have received.”
    â€œAmen!” they called.
    â€œGuard even your thoughts,” he cautioned, “lest ye be ensnared by the devil and dragged down to hell.”
    â€œAmen!”
    Warming to his role, Ethan stepped forward, once again feeling invincible in their worship. “And although it greatly pains me, I must broach another part of this issue. When we decided to accept Courtney, we decided to protect her from discovery and removal.”
    â€œI remember,” Roger Lamkin shouted from the back.
    â€œWe sheltered her from the parents who’d been so unkind to her.” Ethan shook his head. “And now she will betray us, put us at risk. I have no idea what details of our lifestyle she might twist, but she could cause problems for us. I have made this a matter of much thought and prayer and it has been revealed to me that we are to stick with what we told her parents initially. Courtney was never here. The Lord would rather have us maintain that as the truth than to admit a lie that would cause the innocent among us to suffer.”
    â€œThe Lord will protect us.”
    â€œHe has shown us how to protect ourselves,” Ethan added, wanting to drive that point home.
    â€œWe only lied to make her free!” someone else called out. “We only lied to protect her. For the greater good of truth and freedom.”
    â€œAnd in that we are justified.” He rubbed his hands together. “As we are justified, according to His word, in this—if outsiders come to call, you will say nothing of Courtney. You will come directly to me, and I will handle all inquiries. Do you understand?”
    â€œYes, Holy One,” they cried.
    Cupping a hand around his ear, he spoke louder. “What did you say?”
    â€œYes, Holy One!”
    The unified response satisfied him. “Good. Now, go on about your work and don’t worry. All is well.”
    â€œAll is well,” they echoed. “Praise be to God.”
    Bartholomew came up behind him as the crowd dispersed. “You have led them in the right way,” he murmured.
    Ethan turned to study his friend’s haggard face. He had bags under his eyes and a gray tinge to his skin that made Ethan suspect he wasn’t entirely well. But Bartholomew wouldn’t go back to bed even if ordered to do so. He was on guard, waiting for this latest problem to blow up or blow over. “It’s the only way.”
    â€œWe’ll be fine so long as we’re consistent. She came to a meeting here. That is all we admit. We never saw her after that. We cannot undermine our credibility by changing our story. The Lord will protect us if we hold our tongue on all else.”
    The belligerence on Courtney’s face during their argument flitted through Ethan’s mind. He was shocked that she’d tried to blackmail him. Or had he been hallucinating about that, too? That was what really frightened him. Maybe she’d posed no threat and he’d killed her, anyway…. “Another scandal so soon after what happened with Martha is regrettable.”
    â€œAll will be well,” Bartholomew said. “Leave it to me.”
    â€œI’ve left Martha to you, and it’s been weeks,” he complained to deflect attention from his own mistake.
    â€œI’m working on it. I know she’s in Willcox.”
    â€œIf you know she’s in