Missing Witness Read Free

“Are you kidding? The doctor said you had a problem pregnancy—I take that very seriously. My number one job is to babysit you and make sure you relax, do as little work as possible—and protect yourself and our baby. Especially now that the trial against the government of the Sudan is over—I can really focus on my beautiful blushing bride and our ever-expanding family!”
    Fiona took her sunglasses off and kissed Will passionately, then drew her face back slightly to study him.
    â€œIt’s going to be wonderful.”
    Then Fiona thought about something that Will said.
    â€œThat case against the Sudan—were you surprised that they settled with you after the first day of trial?”
    â€œNot really,” Will said. “After jury selection and opening statements I think they saw the handwriting on the wall. They knew the evidence we had tying the government to the murder of those missionaries. And it did my heart good to know that the huge damages that we collected are going right back into the Missionary Alliance work to spread the gospel down there in the Sudan.”
    â€œSay,” Fiona asked, “what did you think of your Uncle Bull when we saw him up in the convalescent home?”
    â€œYeah, that was sad,” Will remarked. “I always saw him as this sturdy, almost indestructible force. After the stroke he just hasn’t been the same. Anyway, I’m glad that Aunt Georgia is letting us stay in the beach cabin next to her house. I think it will be good to give her some company whenever she’s not with him at the hospital.”
    Fiona remembered something else about Aunt Georgia and a remark she had made to Will and Fiona on the first day of their arrival down at the Outer Banks.
    â€œWhat was it that Georgia said to you when we were bringing our bags in—something about a legal issue with a pastor down here?”
    â€œI’m not sure. Some legal question she wanted me to answer for somebody she knows…Reverend Joppa, I think his name was.”
    â€œWhat was it about?”
    â€œI think it was a question about an inheritance. Or a lawsuit about an estate issue. Real estate, I think. Something about a small private island. Actually, I wasn’t really clear about it.”
    â€œWell, she said she would be home by dinner time, and I thought the three of us could eat together over at her place. Maybe you could get the details then.”
    Will nodded. But he was in no mood to talk about the law. He decided to change the subject.
    â€œIsn’t it great that our cabin has a piano in it? You said you were going to do some composing—now that you finally have the time to work on some new gospel songs for your next recording session. I’m looking forward to hearing them.”
    Fiona smiled and nodded, but her mind was still on Aunt Georgia and the legal case.
    â€œSo, are you going to talk to her tonight?”
    Will laughed loudly and shook his head in partial disbelief.
    â€œYou’re incredible! I want to talk about anything except the law, and you keep bringing me back to Aunt Georgia’s legal issue!”
    Laughing, they turned to watch a few of the seagulls hanging in the air in perfect formation, drifting stiffly in the wind just a few feet away from them. Then Fiona looked back at Will.
    â€œSo, my darling husband, you will talk to Aunt Georgia about that legal issue, and help her friend out—this Reverend Joppa?”
    Will convulsed with laughter and nodded his head vigorously.
    â€œYes—I will—anything—I’ll sign the papers—I confess—I’ll do it!”
    The two of them snuggled next to each other at the railing.
    â€œBesides,” Will added nonchalantly, “whatever this legal issue is, I’m sure it will be fairly simple.”

3
    A FTER TAKING THE FERRY AROUND THE ISLANDS , Will and Fiona had done some grocery shopping. Now they were putting the finishing