Jack wiped the sweat from his brow as he slid the final box into the back of the rental van, the heavy cardboard scraping against the metal floor. The distant murmur of traffic permeated the air, a constant reminder of the bustling world outside the confines of the church. It was a world that never paused, always pressing forward. As Father Joncy approached, his footsteps echoed softly against the pavement as he shuffled, his outstretched arm bearing an envelope. It was reminiscent of the one he had given Percy before her departure, containing the same essentials - cash, prepaid cards, and a brief note from Father Timothy. Nestled within the envelope was also an EMF bag, and a prepaid cell phone, a lifeline to connect Jack to the outside world beyond the church's sanctuary.
Jack furrowed his brow, confusion evident in his expression as he glanced at the cell phone in Father Joncy's hand. "Why do I need another cell phone, Father?" he asked, his tone laced with concern. Father Joncy met Jack's gaze with a somber expression. "You will need to turn your phone off and place it into the EMF bag so that it cannot be tracked until these boxes are hidden and you are far from them," he explained, his voice carrying a hint of regret. A frown tugged at the corners of Jack's lips as he processed the Father's words. "Father, can I ask you a question and get an honest answer?" Jack's voice held a note of seriousness as he sought clarification.
“Yes, Jack what is your question?”
Jack's voice trembled slightly as he voiced his concern. “Am I in danger, I mean is my life in jeopardy?” He asked feeling as if he should not know that answer.
Father Joncy's gaze softened with empathy, his response measured “I feel you may be in danger Jack, how serious it is I cannot say with any accuracy. However, I would presume these people will do anything they can to get these boxes back so I would consider death a possibility.” He looked at Jack with sorrow in his heart, knowing he may never see him alive again.
“Ok, thank you for being straightforward with your answer.” He said with a lonely smile on his face,
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Just then Jack's phone rang in his back pocket, he turned pale as he saw the caller ID, “Father Murray!” he exclaimed and looked at Father Joncy. “Father Murray, is something wrong?”
“Well maybe Jack, I spoke to Clara, and she said you stayed behind instead of going to the auction house due to illness?”
“Yes Father that is correct, I had taken ill, and they went to verify the location of the buyer and will send for me when they have an address.”
Father Murray's tone grew stern. “Very well, Jack, I don't like the idea of you splitting up, this is very important, and I will not accept any errors.”
“Well you know I am volunteering my time if I so choose I can quit at any time!” he retorted, a hint of defiance in his voice.
“Yes that is true,” Father Murray's voice crackled through the phone, his words dripping with authority. “However, those boxes are more important than your life so stay the course, and do not disappoint me. I will be in contact in a day or so, goodbye Jack” The phone abruptly disconnects, Jack is now furious who the hell does this guy think he is, he thought to himself,
“He is not my boss, and I don't owe him a damn thing!” He shouted.
“Jack, this proves your earlier question.” Father Joncy's voice quivered with concern. “I would absolutely say you are in danger, you must leave quickly.” Father Joncy's urgency spurred Jack into action, but a wave of apprehension washed over him.
“Father what happens when Clara comes back and I am not here, she will report that to Father Murray and there may be trouble for you here,” Jack said impatiently.
A flicker of amusement crossed Father Joncy's face as he considered the predicament. “I will tell her you rented a car and went home, that a phone call with Father Murray went wrong and you were angered and left.” The priest said with a wry grin.
Jack nodded, grateful for Father Joncy's quick thinking. “That might work for a brief time, but it is the best and only idea that I can think of at the moment.” He said.
“Thank you Father Joncy, for all you have told me and your honesty.” With genuine warmth, Jack extended his arms, pulling Father Joncy into a tight embrace.
“Go with God my son.” Jack then turned, climbed into the van, and drove off down the road not knowing where he was going or how this would work out. He quickly grabbed his phone turned it off and put it in the bag, switched on the burner phone that Father Joncy gave him, and thought how his future may have just been cut very short.
