I know we need to talk about what happens next, but I just don’t have it in me.
I don’t have anything left to give.
***
DAVID
After I ordered Brian to find Elder Berry and take him into custody, I followed along behind the Vater, headed to our horses and wagon. The whole walk I was on high alert, head on a swivel, considering it was very clear not only were we being watched, but at least one man was following us. Not that it mattered. They wouldn’t make a move, and if they did we had enough men to defend ourselves.
As we round the corner, our horses in a line next to the wagon coming in to view, I try to work out how to handle this. Elder Berry is one thing. I don’t really know where he stands on all this. Maybe I’m wrong about him. Maybe he came separately from us, and so he left separately from us. Perhaps we’ll get back to the compound and he’ll be there, and maybe he has no plans to share what he heard today, but I can’t leave it to chance. I need to know for sure.
Now, the Vater on the other hand, not only did he say the theft wouldn’t be tolerated, I saw the look on his face when Anna told him about Ash Booker. He was disgusted, and he believed her. He believed every word she said, and he planned to do something about it. That something would be casting me and Tara out, and that would mean we’d be out here alone, leaving no doubt in my mind the little bitch would sic her bodyguard and everyone else on us. The Vater had to be dealt with, but how?
Do I deal with him permanently, or do I frame him for something, leaking it to everyone in the church, leaving him no choice but to stepdown?
The only thing I know for certain, the Vater’s reign is about to end.
That’s the only conclusion I manage to come to by the time our group begins mounting the horses with the Vater and Elder Thompson climbing into the wagon. I’d ridden to town on my own horse, but something stops me from mounting her. No, I think I’ll ride back in the wagon. That’ll give me a chance to talk to the Vater, and possibly follow through with whatever I decide.
Giving the reigns to one of my men already mounted on his salt and pepper horse closest to me, I turn and make my way to the wagon. Terry, another in my inner circle, sits on the front bench seat, reigns in hand, ready to direct the horse drawn wagon back to the compound. Behind him on a second bench seat is Elder Thompson closest to me, and Vater Henry on the far side. There’s only enough room for two people to ride comfortably on each bench, so I nod my head to Elder Thompson, directing him to move up next to Terry. He doesn’t question me, instead he rises and makes the move.
Pulling myself up, I take my place on the wooden slat next to the Vater, eyes forward. I can see the Vater eyeing me out of the corner of my eye so I decide to reassure him, for now at least.
“My horse was favoring her left side on the way here. I don’t want her to have my extra weight on the way home. Hopefully it’s nothing, but just in case I’ll ride with you. That is, if it’s okay?” Turning my head in his direction, he nods, although he does look a bit suspicious.
He should be. This ride back could end very badly for him.
“So, Vater,” I begin, “what happens now? The theft I mean. Who do you think is involved?” I decide to play it cool at first. The wagon hasn’t even started moving yet, so I have plenty of time.
The Vater lets out a deep sigh, still facing forward, and then in a low voice he says, “I think that’s the least of our worries. Don’t you?”
And with that, he makes the decision for me.
Terry gets the horses hitched to the front of the wagon moving before directing them to turn around heading back to the compound. Discreetly, I pull the knife from my belt on the side furthest away from the Vater. Once the horses are moving in the right direction, I casually scoot over another two inches and wait for the right moment.
This could go very badly. I only brought men with me that I knew I could trust. Brian and I were very careful about that, but until you find yourself in a situation like this, you don’t know if you can truly trust them. All it would take is for just one of these men to return to the compound and run their mouth. I have nothing to worry about in that regard as far as Elder Thompson is concerned. Of course, part of that is because the man assumes he will take control should Vater Henry die, but little does he know I have no intention of letting that happen.
Turning and looking over my shoulder, I see the buildings of Bonham getting smaller and smaller. This is it, this is where I make my play.
Lifting the knife from its hiding place beside my thigh, I don’t think, I just lunge. Looking down, the knife is embedded in between two of Vater Henry’s ribs. Not exactly where I wanted it, I needed it slightly higher, but it doesn’t really matter. This will do the trick. The old man will still die, he’ll just suffer a little beforehand.
A gurgling sound comes from his throat as I look up into his eyes. I feel zero remorse for my actions. This had to be done.
The Vater raises his hand, grabbing
