Full Tilt (Rock Star Chronicles) (28 page)

Karen had been to church earlier, where a dozen teenagers from the youth group helped her set up for that night’s Christmas Eve services. Now she and her mom attempted to relax with tea in the family room, playing double solitaire and awaiting any news from the police about what they prayed would be Tony Badino’s arrest.

Although the basement music studio was about as soundproof as one could expect, Karen could feel the slight vibration beneath her feet of Everett’s vocals and guitar, as he practiced for the upcoming tour. She’d come to love his new music, which she secretly believed had the potential to impact millions of people worldwide.

“I hope Madison comes tonight.” Karen played an ace of clubs.

Sarah smiled and examined her cards. “She reminds me of you. Always wanting everyone to be happy. The peacemaker.”

“I want her to find Christ.”

“I know.” Mom nodded and locked eyes with Karen. “Be patient. Pray. Love her unconditionally, just like you did Everett.”

The music stopped below, and Karen heard footsteps in the stairwell.

“Hey, ladies.” Everett drifted into the room, kissing Karen on top of the head. “I can’t wait any longer. I’m gonna call the cops and find out what’s going on. Is Madison coming tonight?”

“Haven’t heard from her,” Karen said. “We should call and check on Wesley, too.”

“I’ll do that later,” Everett said on his way to the kitchen.

Karen got up, walked to the bay window, and nestled next to Everett. They faced each other, and he took her hand, brought her close, and slow-danced her around the kitchen. She laughed, knowing her mom was watching from the adjoining room, yet didn’t take her eyes off his.

When they stopped, he gave her a long kiss and gazed into her eyes. “You mean the world to me, babe.”

His words filled her up. “I love you,” she whispered.

“We’re gonna make it, aren’t we?”

She nodded. “Yeah. We’re gonna make it.”

He hugged her, then squeezed her waist and headed toward the hallway.

“You’re in a good mood,” she said.

He stopped at the doorway and looked back at her. “That’s ’cause they’re gonna nail Tony Badino today.” Then he left, and Karen rejoined her mom.

“If you play the eight of spades,” Mom said, “I’ll be able to turn over my last card.”

“Hey,” Everett called out from the other room, “Madison’s here.”

Karen and her mom met her at the Beetle and walked her to the front door, pointing out the new glass in the living room window.

Madison was quiet, chewing gum and listening to the mother-and-daughter tandem rave about what they were going to order for dinner that evening at Beau’s Tavern.

Madison set her coat over the back of a chair. Karen had failed to notice before how lean her niece was in her formal brown slacks and a furry, off-white sweater. She used quite a bit of makeup and glossy brown lipstick, but it was tasteful; she was radiant. Karen hoped she planned on going to church with them after their big dinner out.

Mom went to the kitchen to pour Madison a cup of green tea while Karen put an arm around her niece and guided her into the family room. “So, what happened when you got home last night, anything? Were your folks there?”

“Dad was asleep; Mom wasn’t home yet.” She didn’t make eye contact. “I couldn’t sleep. I was up reading when she got home at like one-thirty.”

One-thirty? Grow up, Sheila.

“She saw my light on and came in,” Madison said. “She’d been drinking, of course. Made some snide remark about the Bible you gave me—that’s what I was reading. I just couldn’t face her. She never remembers anything the next day.”

Madison shook her head, as if shedding the memory. “What’s new in the Badino saga?”

“Madison,” Karen frowned, “haven’t you got enough on your mind without worrying about that?”

“I want to know, Aunt Karen.” Madison leaned close. “I have a right to know. He’s hanging with
my
brother. What goes on with him affects me, my mom, and my dad.”

Madison was mature beyond her years, and Karen relished their growing friendship. A true bond was forming. She told her about the call Everett had received from Margaret Badino that morning.

The back porch door rattled, and Dad came in with a burst of fresh air. “Hello, ladies.” He bent over on the rug and began taking his boots off.

“Where have you been?” Mom asked.

“Walking. Look at it out there. Gotta take advantage of the sun when it shines in these parts in late December, don’t we?”

Everett entered the kitchen, holding a piece of paper in his hand, but Karen couldn’t read the blank look on his face. She gave him a “what’s up?” expression, and he looked questioningly toward Madison. Karen nodded, assuring him it was okay to talk.

“Folks, I’ve got an update on what’s going on with the police,” Everett said.

Karen took several steps toward Everett.
Lord Jesus, let it be good news.

“The upshot is the police and a scuba team have been hunting for the body and the duffel bag since mid- to late-morning. So far they haven’t found anything,
but
this detective assures me if anything’s down there, they’ll find it. So, that’s good news.”

“Hurray.” Mom held up her cup of tea. “Let’s keep praying.”

“They even have people from the city water department working with them,” Everett said.

“It sounds as if they’re going at it with all they’ve got.” Dad nodded. “This could be really big.”

“Yeah, and that’s not all.” Everett breathed deeply and paused. “Detectives are interrogating Tony Badino as we speak.” His head dropped to his chest.

Perhaps for the first time, Karen more fully grasped the pressure he’d been under. She leaned into him, and her parents closed in as well. Karen reached out and took Madison’s hand, drawing her into the circle.

Her father extended his big hand toward Madison’s and held Mom’s, too. Everyone was linked as Dad closed his eyes and leaned his head back. “Oh, God.” He sighed. “This is exciting. We see You working. Please, intervene in what the police are doing
right now
. Lead them to the body and the evidence. Let justice be done with Tony Badino and his father. Let the truth come out…”

Karen rested her head against Everett’s arm. The house was silent, except for Rosey’s toenails clicking on the tile floor, then the sound of her lapping up water from her bowl.

“Lord.” Mom cleared her throat. “We lift up Madison’s mom and dad to You.”

Madison squeezed Karen’s hand, and the grip stayed firm.

“We ask that You’ll restore their marriage. But even more important are their individual hearts and souls. Same with Wesley. We want to see him free from drugs and living well, but You have even bigger hopes in mind; dreams of heaven for him…”

Madison’s hand went limp in Karen’s. “What about me?” Her high-pitched squeal forced Karen’s eyes open. “You guys are praying like I’m one of you.” Everyone was looking at her now as she sniffled, breathed in chops, and spoke in spurts. “I’m not…I don’t think I’m a Christian even. I’ve only been to church at weddings…”

Dad lifted Madison’s delicate hand in his, and a huge smile broke out beneath his thick mustache. “Do you believe in God, Madison?”

“I know there is a God,” she stammered and turned to Karen. “I’ve been reading the Bible, devouring it.” She showed a tentative smile. “I do believe in Jesus.
I do
.”

Everyone melted down right there. And there was laughter.

Karen’s father was a rock—a glowing, beaming rock. “Can we say a prayer with you, to invite God into your heart?”

“Yes.” Her lower lip quivered, and she wiped her nose with a tissue Mom handed her. “Please.”

Just before Karen closed her eyes, she took in each wet face, smiling gloriously, rejoicing with the angels.

Later that afternoon, they meandered back toward the house after placing the tombstone on Millie’s grave. Karen felt spent, yet oddly refreshed.

It didn’t feel like Christmas Eve; there had been so much disruption. But Madison certainly was enjoying the stroll, listening intently and laughing often. That filled Karen with joy and a sense of satisfaction, accomplishment even.

What bothered her was Everett’s demeanor: carefree one minute, withdrawn the next. He had suggested they get back to the house quickly, and Karen knew it was because he was concerned about some sort of retaliation from the Badinos. His anxiety wasn’t making her feel the least bit secure.

She stuck her hands in the pockets of her denim jacket as they walked, fingering a piece of paper. Something was wrapped inside it. Something hard. Coins maybe?

“Ever since Everett told me about Beau’s famous blackened grouper, my mouth’s been watering for it,” her mother said. “I mean it; I can’t wait.”

Karen pulled the folded clump out of her pocket. The white notebook paper struck her as foreign. When she unfolded the paper, everything came to a halt. The ground spun far away, as if she’d put on someone’s strong prescription glasses.

“What’s the matter, sweetheart?” Her dad held her up with a strong arm. “What is that?”

She dropped the note into his hands and fell to the ground. The wet, cold earth seeped into her corduroys.

“Karen!” Her mother yelled. “What is it, honey? What’s wrong?”

Everett was hovering over her within seconds, urging her to breathe deeply.

Her father was on the ground next with the crumpled paper in his fist. “You’re gonna be okay. Everything’s going to be fine. Just tell me, where did you get this?”

“What is it?” She heard Everett grab the paper. “Millie’s ID tag…”

She just had to rest. Didn’t have the energy to explain that this was the coat she’d worn to the airport to pick up her mom and dad, or that she hadn’t worn it since.

Things were beginning to fade as Everett read the note: “’How does it feel to lose something you love? Your so-called God allowed this.’” And then he must have seen the inverted cross, as she had. “’To hell with your God, and with you, his followers.’”

It was the guy in the gray ski cap. A buzzing sound drowned out Everett’s voice. The one following her at the airport.

Her head filled with pressure, and the ground spun. She couldn’t hold on any longer; her eyes closed.

It was Tony Badino…

And then—nothingness.

28

BY THE TIME THEY
got Karen back to the house, she was coming around. Everett laid her on their king-size bed and stroked her forehead while Sarah rummaged around in the large master closet for some dry clothes.

“You fainted, babe,” he whispered.

She blinked and licked her lips. “The note…it freaked me out.”

“We’re gonna get you changed into something warm.”

“Okay.”

He stroked her soft hair. “Are you all right?”

She closed her eyes, nestled her head against his hand, and smiled. “I’m fine.”

“You should sleep awhile.” He stood, still gazing down at her. “I’ll check back on you in a little bit.”

“Ev.” She touched his arm lightly. “There was a guy following me at the airport.”

“What?” He bent back down and leaned close to her pale face. “Honey, you’re still out of it. Let’s just—”

“Listen to me. I want to tell you this now. It had to have been Tony Badino.”

Everett cringed at the mention of Badino’s name. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

“I thought I was being paranoid.”

“What’d he look like?”

“Midtwenties. Mean little face. Gray ski cap and a long black trench coat.”

“That’s him.” The gears in Everett’s mind spun out of control. “Did you wear the denim coat you had on today to the airport?”

“Yeah. Today’s the first time since then. He was watching me from a bookstore. Then when I was waiting for Mom and Dad at the top of the escalator, he was there.”

Watching my wife!
“Did he say anything?”

“No. I remember bumping into some people when I saw my folks. I was kind of in a hurry. He may have dropped the dog tags in my pocket then.”

Jacob’s deep voice came quietly from behind. “He hates God.” He padded into the room in his baggy gray socks. “I saw it so many times when I was in ministry. People get mad at the church, at the pastor, or at Christianity altogether—and they end up hating God.”

Sarah appeared in the bathroom doorway with a sweatsuit for Karen.

“This guy’s girlfriend finds Christ. He sees a change in her. May have piqued his interest even. But then she dies and he’s ticked at God. All of a sudden, everyone who believes becomes the enemy, especially prominent pastors—and born-again rock stars.” He glanced at Sarah. “We had our share of nutcases in and out of the church.”

“Tell me about it.” Sarah rested her palm on Karen’s forehead. “Whenever you’re bearing good fruit, there are trials. Look at what you guys are about to embark on—a missionary tour that’s gonna blow the lid off of Satan’s plans for many, many lives.”

Jacob shook his head. “There’s gonna be heavy-duty persecution.”

Sarah stood. “Okay, enough of this for now.” She shooed Jacob and Everett toward the door, walking with them. “Let’s let this girl get out of these wet clothes.”

“I’ll be out in a few minutes.” Karen raised her head. “I wouldn’t miss tonight for anything.”

“Don’t worry about tonight, babe. Just take it easy.” Everett closed the door and followed Jacob and Sarah to the kitchen.

“How is she?” Madison asked from a chair at the kitchen table.

“Feisty as ever.” Everett sauntered up behind Madison and leaned over her shoulder.

With a pencil held loosely in her right hand and a gray eraser in her left, she sketched a picture of the view outside the kitchen window.

“That’s incredible, Madi. Karen said you were talented, but I had no idea…”

Sarah and Jacob wandered over, too. “That is beautiful,” Sarah said. “Is this something you’re pursuing as a career?”

“I’m not sure.” She kept working with her head down. “I’d like to, but it all depends.”

“That’s a real gift, to be able to draw like that,” Jacob said.

“I’m tellin’ ya,” Everett said, “this girl’s got it goin’ on!”