Godless Read Free

you,” the man said mindlessly. “But I still don’t understand.”
    â€œUnderstand what, sir?”
    â€œIf my father was planning to transition, why wasn’t I told? I thought transitions required family co-approval.”
    â€œUsed to,” the officer explained. “That part of the law changed a few months back. I’m sure you remember the hubbub. It was all over the news for about ten days in March. Or was it April? I can’t remember. Created a lot of noise at the time.”
    â€œI don’t watch much news.”
    â€œGood for you. Depressing stuff.”
    â€œSo my father could have scheduled himself for a transition without informing anyone?”
    â€œTechnically, no. The law requires that someone agree to assist and to ensure health-code compliance. But there’s not much we can do to enforce that stipulation. Heck, we can’t even hit the violators with a fine.”
    The officer chuckled, then quickly shifted to the more important issue at hand. He pointed to the girl, who was still clinging tightly to her mother’s torso. “How is she?”
    â€œPretty shaken up,” said the father.
    â€œI bet.”
    They took a few steps toward mother and child. The officer put his hand gently on the little girl’s head. His eyes met the mother’s. “I suppose it’s fortunate you showed up when you did. Take it from me, it would have been much worse after a few more days of decomposition.”
    Veronica’s mom offered a slight nod of acknowledgment. It was true. Grandfather had looked mostly himself, albeit stiff, cold, and lifeless.
    â€œIt was Grandma’s favorite,” Veronica said between weepy sniffles.
    â€œWhat’s that, sweetheart?” asked her mom.
    â€œGrandma said Grandpa looked very handsome in his black suit. It was her favorite.”
    â€œIs that so?” asked the officer. “I bet he wanted to look his best for her.”
    Veronica cheered slightly at the suggestion. She looked toward her parents. “You mean Grandpa went to see Grandma?”
    Her parents appeared momentarily flustered. Neither answered.
    â€œI’m sure of it,” said the officer. “They’re probably talking about you this very moment.”
    The hint of a smile appeared on Veronica’s face. She looked at the policeman. “Really?”
    â€œReally. And what’s more…”
    The officer halted when he noticed Veronica’s father motioning him away from the scene. They stepped away, leaving Veronica and her mother alone on the grass.
    The girl lowered her gaze, then settled back into her mommy’s comforting embrace. “Mommy,” she said softly. “Why did Grandpa go?”
    â€œI don’t know, baby girl,” her mother whispered while wiping moisture from the girl’s tear-stained cheek. “I don’t know.”
    A stretch of silence passed between them.
    â€œMommy.”
    â€œYes, sweetheart?”
    â€œDo you think Grandpa is with Grandma?”
    Danielle thought for a moment before responding. “I’d like to think so, Veronica. But I can’t be sure.”
    Another moment of quiet grief.
    â€œI m-m-miss them,” Veronica quivered.
    â€œI know you do, baby girl. I know you do.”

Chapter One
    Alex Ware held the doorknob to take one last deep breath before rejoining the meeting. His “quick break” had run long enough, even though he hadn’t yet fully regained his composure. Not that anyone would have noticed, since he’d managed to excuse himself from the room before actually saying anything retaliatory. Good thing. Board members like their pastors calm and placid. His job was to model the Jesus who hugged innocent children, not the Jesus who chased money changers out of the temple.
    He tried whispering a petition for the wisdom of Solomon and the patience of Job. But prayer felt out of reach. So he turned the handle,