Gideon - 03 - Religious Conviction Read Online Free PDF Page B

days of every week. Christian Life is like a separate city within Blackwell County, but that’s the point. A way of life, she says. It’s difficult to avoid the conclusion that Christian Life is a cult, but Rainey flatly maintains there is nothing unusual about its doctrine or its leadership. Because of its size, she says, they break themselves down into “families” which nurture people like herself.
    My daughter, who has never been shy before around Rainey until tonight, clears her throat and asks, “And you believe the Bible now word for word?”
    Rainey smiles.
    “About ninety percent of the time I do. To help new members, they use the familiar metaphor of a trip. Joining Christian Life is like taking an unexpected journey. When you first begin it, you don’t have the right clothes; you’re anxious about what you’re leaving; you’re nervous about your destination.
    After you’ve been on it long enough, you learn how to be comfortable. That’s where I am right now—I’m learning how to be comfortable.”
    I take my spoon and press it hard against the table, trying to contain my frustration. I’ve felt Rainey slipping away from me for months. Christian Life sounds like a day-care center for adults. All you have to do is check your brains at the door. Yet she has told me that a number of Blackwell County’s movers and shakers are members now, including a number of attorneys who are partners in the biggest firms in the state. “Tell me about Shane Norman,” I mutter.
    “What makes him so great?”
    Rainey’s eyes light up at the mention of Christian Life’s principal minister.
    “I’ve actually met him only once,” she says, giving me a rueful smile that is becoming familiar, “but as a preacher the man radiates peace.
    Even the Sunday after Leigh was charged, you couldn’t tell the turmoil he must have been feeling.”
    I lean back in my chair so exasperated with her I can’t eat anymore. I would be glowing a bit myself if five thousand people were showing up every week to hear me beat my gums.
    “Maybe he was at peace because his church raised half a million dollars for her bail by the next day.”
    Rainey gives me an indulgent smile.
    “Think how you would feel if Sarah were charged with murdering her husband. You’d be bananas.”
    I am capable of murder, but Sarah is not. She feels guilty if she accidentally steps on an ant. I start to make some asinine crack, but catch myself. Rainey will clam up if I’m not careful.
    “You’re right,” I say.
    “So have you heard any stories about Leigh’s marriage while you’ve been there?”
    “Don’t ask her to snoop on her own church!” Sarah yelps at me.
    “It’s not right!” She glares at me as if I had demanded that Rainey stake out the women’s bathroom at Christian Life.
    “It’s okay, Sarah,” Rainey says.
    “He’s just trying to find out the truth about what happened.”
    I nod, ridiculously pleased that Rainey is defending me.
    “All I’m trying to do,” I tell my daughter, “is get some information.” At seventeen, Sarah is an idealist. I don’t begrudge her this unrealistic phase in her life. I must have gone through one myself to run off and join the Peace Corps after college. Still, people like my daughter can be a pain in the butt, especially if they are charged with a crime. In my last big case I defended one who almost drove me crazy.
    Sarah shakes her head.
    “You just want to hear some thing,” she says, “that will make Christian Life look bad. You’re mad Rainey’s never home anymore when you call her.”
    A child shall lead us.
    “I have to confess,” I say, glancing at Sarah before I turn to my girlfriend, “I’m a little suspicious of anyone who’s made to sound quite so wonderful. He never turns out to be the superstar everybody says he is.”
    Sarah’s voice takes on a high-pitched tone that signals she is mad enough to cry.
    “You’re just like the media,” she says to me.
    “Always