The Bone Field by Debra Bokur (top e book reader txt) 📕

So that’s how you’re going to play it, she thought to herself. She was more than familiar with suspects who sought to dominate an interview in exactly this way—by speaking first and giving the impression that they were in control of the conversation. She ignored him, sitting down in one of the two chairs that faced him. Walter sat down beside her. He reached toward the voice recording device on the table, his finger poised on the switch that would activate it.

“We’ll be recording our conversation today,” said Kali. She signaled Walter, who turned on the recorder. Kali stated the date, time, and the full names and titles of all who were present. She read Abraham his rights again. Her voice was flat, without emotion. When she’d finished, she focused her gaze on him.

“We’ve heard a lot about your program at Eden’s River, Abraham,” she said, deliberately choosing not to address him as Mr. Waters. “I’m particularly interested in the relationships you developed with the women members of your cult.”

He seemed to understand that her choice to use only his first name was meant to demonstrate a lack of respect. He looked up, head tilted slightly to one side, eyes unblinking.

“Cult? My goodness, such a dark word. Eden’s River is a church, inhabited by God-fearing, God-loving individuals who seek to develop respectful, healthy lifestyles that lead to happiness and harmony.” He shook his head gently, as though she were a child who had somehow disappointed him. “Shame on you, Detective.” He turned his gaze to Walter. “You suggested we would be having a conversation—yet this feels more like an interrogation than it does an interview.”

The musical cadence of his voice made the words seem almost like a song.

“Does it?” Kali said. “Let’s talk about what’s led you here. I understand that you are the surgeon who ruined the career of a young soccer player, destroying any chances for his future with a professional team.”

“Stories always have more than one side,” he said. “If God has meant for someone to excel at a sport, they will do so, led by Him.”

Kali narrowed her gaze. “So you feel comfortable using your God as a scapegoat?”

His smile was enigmatic. “I realized when you came to my home and questioned me that you are a person without any faith.”

“We aren’t talking about me, Abraham. We’re talking about you. Just you. You were quite active in your church in Chicago, and some of the wealthier members of your congregation apparently felt you were a good investment. A lot of money was funneled your way to set up and open your retreat on Lna‘i, and to keep you going for quite a few years. Your members turned over property and financial savings to you. What is it that they received in return—other than personal ruin and the destruction of their marriages and families? Is your God proud of you for all of your hard work building a pedestal for yourself?”

There was a flicker across his brow. “All that I do, all that I have done, all that I shall undertake in the future, is for the glory of God.”

“The glory of you, you mean. Accumulation of wealth and real estate, control over other people, adoration from your followers that feeds your distorted sense of self-worth. That’s not about any God. That’s about Abraham.”

“Every worldly possession and every donation received by Eden’s River has been used to further our ministry.”

“Well, I’ll admit to being impressed that you didn’t use it to build yourself a mega-church complex, or to buy a fleet of private planes, or a castle, as so many successful evangelists have done before you. At least you’ve kept it simple in the material goods department. But what about the lives you’ve taken control of and destroyed? Perhaps you could attach a rough estimate to what they’ve been worth?”

He looked at her, appearing genuinely sorrowful. “You are blind. Everything you’ve mentioned has been freely given. Gifts directed by God.”

“Have I hurt your feelings, Abraham? I didn’t take you for the sensitive type. Tell me about the punishments you meted out, the spankings and humiliation. Did you sleep with all of the female residents of Eden’s River, or did you have some kind of age restriction?”

Abraham shrugged, still outwardly composed. “Isn’t it considered rude to ask a woman her age?”

Walter shifted in his chair. Kali could feel the heat from his body, as though his temperature were rising in response to Abraham’s closeness. She knew that Walter was most likely thinking of his own three daughters.

“Are you saying you are unable to make the distinction between a woman and a child?” she continued, keeping her voice calm. “Or are you saying you are simply unwilling to make that distinction?”

Abraham leaned forward. “I have done nothing wrong. Are you arresting me? If so, please explain the charges. You asked me to come here to tell you about our community, and I have done so.”

Kali ignored him. “Clearly, based on numerous witness reports, you were unconcerned with whether or not these women were of age, or whether they were married or in relationships with others.”

There was a scrape of metal on the cement floor of the interview room as Abraham sat back in his chair. He regarded her solemnly. “When I was a young medical student, I had a revelation. A vision, you might say. I saw myself saving lives and healing people. I was able to do that through my work as a surgeon, but it wasn’t enough. I knew my calling was higher, that my reach needed to be wider. The idea of the Eden’s River community was born of the desire to serve my God. I do not expect you to understand that, or to respect it. Nevertheless, it is the truth. I believe that those lost souls who come to me are led by a divine spirit. I do not question their relationship