Bone Dance Read Online Free PDF

directly out over the watching eyes and held her hands out in a pleading gesture. “Thus saith the Lord. You have sinned by holding back that which belongs to me,” she said softly, her voice breaking slightly on the last words. “You have kept back that which I require of you. I have opened the windows of heaven and poured down gifts upon you, and you have used them to satisfy the needs of your flesh rather than the needs of your souls. For what profiteth it a man if he should gain the world, but lose his soul?”
    Lex could see that quite a few people were nodding in agreement with her scriptural references. That’s what madeLoretta so good . . . she knew her Bible inside and out. Not surprising, since she was the only child of a tight fundamentalist preacher in a small town on the Prairies. She’d told Lex of the endless hours spent memorizing bible verses, the punishment for any small infraction of her father’s rigid rules. No wonder she’d left home as soon as she turned eighteen. If Lex hadn’t found her in that truck-stop restaurant, she’d still be pouring coffee for ten-cent tips. Now, she was the Voice of Prophecy in the Salvation Revival, and she was damn good at it, too. Lex permitted himself a small smile. Bet her old man would have an apoplectic fit if he knew what his little girl was up to.
    â€œThus saith the Lord: bring me your harvest. Hold not back a penny, but be as the widow with her mite, and I, the Lord God Almighty, will pour down blessings until your cup runneth over with them!”
    â€œBring me your harvest!” Loretta’s voice was tearful and full of sorrow. “Bring me your harvest . . .” she whispered, then fell to her knees and began to pray.
    Lex doubted there was even one hard heart that wouldn’t be moved at the sight of her beauty and obvious piety. He gave an imperceptible nod to Joe, who began handing the baskets to the ushers. Gloria pulled out the Basso Profundo stop and stomped hard on the swell pedal. “Beneath the Cross of Jesus . . .” poured forth in a mighty wall of sound. A spotlight began to glow over the suspended cross behind Lex and Loretta.
    â€œGod has spoken directly to you. Do what He has commanded of you. Bring Him your harvest,” Lex said, his voice intense and commanding. “Empty your pockets, pull out your bankbooks, and give to the Lord of the Harvest what is rightfully His. Leave those nickels and dimes for the beggar on the street, but give to the Lord a silent harvest of your bills and cheques.”
    To Lex’s annoyance, Charlene broke from the scriptcompletely and went to kneel down beside Loretta. Now what? he thought. Although, he had to admit, it looked good, the purity of Loretta next to the obviously shop-worn Charlene. Maybe he’d leave that bit in. The Saint praying with the Sinner. Yeah, he liked it. Gave everybody a good feeling, he could see that. Those in the crowd who were watching the little tableau were nodding and crying happily.
    And it seemed to make them all feel generous, too. Lex noted with satisfaction that the offering baskets coming back to the platform were full to overflowing. He’d never seen it this good.
    It was time for Gloria to open up all the stops. The auditorium reverberated with the militant strains of “Onward Christian Soldiers”, Lex raised his hands in a final blessing, and it was over. Wearily, he made his way to the back of the platform behind the backdrop and slumped into a chair. From his inside pocket, he dug out the mini flask and took a long pull.
    It had been a rough night.
    He could hear Joe working the floor in front of the platform, helping people back up, giving them a small bible and a handful of tracts and encouraging them before he sent them on their way.
    â€œUh, Boss, we have a little problem here.” Joe’s voice at his elbow roused him.
    Lex looked up distractedly.