Condemned by Christopher Renna (iphone ebook reader txt) 📕

Adam shrugged. "Eh. I don't know."

"The three of us can make a list of questions. But if you think of something while meeting with him, just ask him. You don't always have to let me or Trevor take the lead."

"I don't."

"Not all the time. If it involves girls"—he grinned at Adam—or fighting. But other things . . . you take the back seat to us."

"Really?"

"Yeah, but it doesn't have to be that way. None of us are more important the other. Okay?"

"You guys are better at the serious stuff."

Trevor appeared on the porch and headed their way.

"But," Conner said, "this involves all three of us equally."

Once Trevor was in the back seat, he tapped his buddies on their heads. "Good to see you guys. It was so effing crazy at school, dudes. I was worried."

Adam smiled. "Don't you mean fing-cray?"

Trevor reclined more comfortably. "Nah. Today was straight-up crazy. No fing-cray about it."

During the drive, they narrowed their questions for Lou down to two main topics. The trip to Lake Bantam and the incident at school that day. By asking about the two events, they hoped to have a better understanding of what happened to Jared at the lake and what was currently taking place in Newman. By doing so, perhaps they'd be prepared for what might happen in the near future. Because, in the end, the three feared that something sinister was seeking them out.

The moment they walked into the gym, it was as if the three had waded through a shallow pool of animosity. Several friends and acquaintances regarded them with contempt and scrutiny, as if the three might carry a dangerous contagion. Eyes followed their path from the entrance to the collection table. Your friend Jared brought this evil to Newman. You guys toyed with the devil by going to the Smiths' house. Then the same eyes followed their walk out of the gym.

"This is so stupid," Adam complained on their way to the car. "Everyone's acting like this is our fault."

"People can think what they want," Trevor said.

Conner sent a text to Hailey. Then he searched for Lou's number in the recent calls. "You guys ready to meet Lou?"

"Yeah," Trevor and Adam replied in unison.

"Maybe Lou can tell Jared's story so everyone can understand this crap was bigger than any of us. We didn't invite the devil to town."

"Well," Trevor said. "We didn't do a very good job of changing everyone's mind when the rumors started. The reporters and the crap at school today didn't help."

Conner selected Lou's number. "All right. Here we go."

Lou had given them the address to a different hotel than before. They didn't think much of it until they stood in the lobby, waiting for Lou to stroll out of the elevator. When he finally made an appearance, a pretty blonde woman walked alongside him. Conner recognized her as the woman who had approached them outside Jared's funeral service.

"What the hell," he muttered. "That's the woman from the church."

Adam glanced toward the elevator. "Why is she with him?"

"Hey, fellas," Lou greeted with a wide smile. "Glad you guys could make it. I know it must have been a very stressful day."

"Uh, yeah." Conner gestured to the woman. "You tried talking to us at Jared's funeral."

"Yes, that was me." She offered her hand. "Stella Wilcox. It's nice to meet the three of you."

Lou folded his arms across his chest. "She and her partner are working with us on Jared's story."

Conner felt a glint of betrayal as he released her hand. "Why didn't you tell us that before? We thought it was just you and Dave."

"Stella's an investigator like me. She does good work and she's knowledgeable. She's also the one who got the priest to agree to an interview."

Trevor reacted with interest. "What did he say?"

"We'll find out tomorrow," she said. "We got some details during a preliminary interview. But the big sit-down is tomorrow morning."

Lou clasped his hands with a clap. "So . . . we'd like to hear about what happened at school today. And you said you had some questions for me, well . . . for us. Shall we go up to the suite now?"

The heat in the lobby coupled with the warmth of Conner's jacket had produced an embarrassing sheen of sweat on his forehead. His growing nervousness didn't help either.

Lou stepped toward the elevator as if he'd extended an invitation to follow. "Then let's go figure it out."

Conner exchanged quick glances with Trevor and Adam. Then the three followed Stella and Lou like polite young men.

*   *   *

Hailey had situated her desk chair at the window in her bedroom. She looked out to the passing clouds, contemplating God and all the good in the world. But she also reflected on the evil that exists in the darkness of lost souls. How she wished a glimmer of light shone in those shadows to give people hope when in despair.

She clutched a rosary to her chest. It had been a gift from her grandmother after Hailey's baptism. The silver chain was adorned with a silver crucifix, glass pearls, and pink Swarovski beads. She didn't pray with it often, saving it for occasions requiring serious prayer. Other times, she prayed with the rosary as a means of feeling the connection with her departed grandmother.

On this night—especially after visiting Father O'Leary—Hailey believed the rosary would strengthen the power of her prayer.

"Dear Lord, I pray to you to praise your glory. Please, I ask of you, watch over me. Please lay your hand upon me and bless me with the gift of good health and a strong spirit. I pray the same for my family and friends. Please lay your hand upon them and protect them. Watch over us and protect us from the evil that has touched our lives.

"And I pray for Jared Smith, a child of God who suffered the torment of a demon under the devil's power. I know you blessed him with your presence. Thank you for blessing him