Sin leaned forward, her elbows resting on her knees. Questions buzzed her brain like a drone flying low over Kabul. “Who is Jeremiah Heap and when did a new church come to Tumbleboat? What do you mean, he owns the island? And . . .”
“Slow down, child,” Carmelita interjected. “One question at a time. I am old and get confused easily.”
Sin knew Carmelita was still as sharp as ever. She used the expression whenever she wanted her to calm down. Sin sipped her coffee and nodded.
Carmelita explained how Reverend Heap had come to the island four years ago with a small group of followers and ingratiated himself to the locals. He preached messages of love and told of a time when prosperity would come to Tumbleboat Key.
“At first, the people were skeptical but soon after he preached, money started to pour into the island. Someone bought out the ownership of the fishing company and began paying triple the market value for the fishermen’s catch. Heap preached that God had given him a vision and unless the people followed him, the company would leave. Your father stood against him and told the people that this man was speaking falsehoods. The men of the island respected your father and believed him. Soon after, the company closed its doors, and no one bought their fish.”
“How is that possible?” Sin asked. “All of the local restaurants and those on the big Key make a living off of Tumbleboat’s fishermen.”
Carmelita shrugged. “All I know is what I know. Soon after, the men and their families began to attend services at the home of Reverend Heap. It wasn’t long after that the company returned and prosperity came back to the island.”
Sin sat back and pondered what Carmelita had said.
“The elders of your father’s congregation took a vote and decided that Jeremiah Heap should lead them. Your father stood tough and told them if that was their decision, they would have to gather elsewhere. He told them that the church he built would not be desecrated with false teachings. The next Sunday, your father’s church was empty. Everyone left to follow Prophet Heap.”
Sin knew her father must have been crushed. The church and what it stood for meant everything to him.
“You called Heap, Prophet, why?”
Carmelita’s eyes grew sad as she spoke. “That was the title he gave himself, stating that God spoke through him. He said that he was a prophet of God and that was what he was to be called.”
“And my father?”
Carmelita shook her head. “He does not believe this man is a prophet. He told the people that he was a false prophet, the worse kind of man, but the people did not believe him. They were caught up in the money they were receiving from the Tumbleboat Fishing Company.”
Sin stood and paced the small room. “You said Heap owned the island, how is that possible?”
“I don’t know. I just know that one Sunday, he stood on the pulpit and showed everyone a charter: a charter that said that the island was now property of the Church of the New Son and the Tumbleboat Fishing Company.”
Sin lit a cigarette. She noticed Maria flinch at the sight of it and gaze from Sin to the back porch.
The two women walked outside and stood on the porch, staring out at the vast waters. Sin brought the cigarette to lips and drew in deep. Exhaling, the smoke swirled with the pervasive winds.
“Tell me about Maria and the orphanage.”
“Prophet Heap. . .”
“Don’t call him that.” Sin looked at Carmelita. “You don’t believe he is a prophet, do you?”
“Of course not. It is just habit. If we don’t refer to him as Prophet Heap, we are scolded and punished.”
“Punished?” Anger filled Sin’s words.
“Not physically, we are just shunned by the community and treated like an outcast. When I first refused to call him by that name, my electricity was turned off. I paid my bills, yet I had no electricity.”
Sin nodded. “The bastard owns the island.”
“Si. Once I referred to him by that name, my electricity was miraculously turned back on.”
“And my father? Did he too call him prophet?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Carmelita smiled. “Your father went to Key Largo and bought the biggest generator he could find. This home is run by generator and propane, not electricity.”
Sin smiled.
“I told your father that I would do the same, but he told me not to. He said that he believed Heap to be an evil man and that it was better for me to just play along, so I acquiesced.” Carmelita’s expression darkened. “It feels like acid burning the back of my throat every time I have to call him by that name, but I do so out of respect for your father.”
Sin stared out at the moonless sky.
Carmelita took her hand. “Your father is a good man. He has his faults like all of us, but in here,” she placed a finger over her chest, “in his heart, he is a good man. He has spoken many times of how he regretted the way he treated you. Of how he didn’t believe you when those boys called you those awful names.”
Sin blushed with feelings of sadness.
“When he became sick, you were all he could think about. He no longer cared about Heap and what he had done to this community, he only cared about you and prayed for your forgiveness.”
A tear slid down Sin’s cheek. She could taste the salty sting as it passed over her lips. “Does he know I am back?” she whispered.
“No.”
Sin knew what she had to do. Before the mission could go further, she needed to see her father.
The two women walked back into the house and found Maria curled up and sleeping on the couch.
“You and Maria will spend the night here,” Sin said. “And tomorrow, you will tell me about the orphanage.”
“Si, mi hija.”
7
Sin pulled her Harley up to the guard gate at the Navy base on Key West.
