The Pastor's Wife (9 page)

Breanna Eloise Winkler was born on March 9, 2005, but something appeared to be wrong with her. Doctors held her in the hospital for an evaluation for a suspected liver malfunction. That proved to be a false alarm, but during the stay, respiratory problems became evident. They felt she would outgrow the problem, but made the parents aware of their need to monitor the situation.

Finally, Mary and the baby were home. In no time, Mary jumped into the fray of a busy life as a mother of three and wife of a preacher. The newborn was a happy baby who seemed to love the world and everyone in it. She never fussed as her mother happily passed her around before services to be admired by the congregation while Matthew joyfully welcomed members to what he called “the best place to be on the best day of the week.”

Mary barely had time to adjust to being the mother of three when trouble crossed their doorstep again. Patricia, playing with a golf club, accidentally swung it into Allie's head. The resulting injury required surgery. After the unexpectedly high medical bill for Breanna's hospital stay, the financial burden—not to mention the emotional burden—of this new medical crisis was crippling.

 

Pam Killingsworth got to know the Winkler family on multiple levels. In church, she discovered, Matthew was a dynamic speaker with a forceful style. He put his whole
self into giving his lesson. His charisma in the pulpit held everyone's attention.

Outside of church services, he met his ministerial obligations without fail—counseling with members, making hospital visits and always remaining on hand for youth group activities. During his brief tenure, he increased church membership from 140 to 200 souls.

It warmed Pam's heart when she spotted Matthew sitting in the congregation during the announcements and
a capella
singing of old-fashioned hymns, because he always held the baby. And he often spoke in and out of the pulpit about his love for Mary and the girls.

At school, Pam often saw Matthew at the girls' basketball games. But for many other activities, his responsibilities at church kept him away. Pam encountered Mary far more often. She drove Patricia and Allie to and from school every day with Lady, the Great Dane, riding shotgun. One day she arrived in a Toyota Sienna mini-van. When Pam asked about her new wheels, Mary said, “Yes, Matthew is going to take care of me and the girls.” Pam thought that was an odd thing to say, but read nothing into it.

More often than not, Mary showed up for school events in a pair of overalls, a shirt and a turned-up baseball cap, pushing a stroller. She was active in the PTO, attended the school festivals—both the Spring Fling and the Fall Carnival—and often dropped in for lunch with the girls. She was there after school for the girls' music lessons with a private instructor—Patricia studied piano, Allie, voice.

Patricia was the family tomboy. She wore dresses to church, but was far happier in a pair of jeans or pants. She read a lot and was a good student, but always had to have something to do. She loved playing video games and competed hard with Pam's 19-year-old son, the youngest of her three boys. They all loved playing with baby Breanna when the Winkler kids were at the house. The young men were at a loss sometimes with Allie. She was a little prissy and loved to play with dolls and girly games. But she was a social butterfly who wrapped them all in her spell.

Pam got a real kick out of the times when Patricia and Allie came to school saying that they spent the night with friends because Mommy and Daddy went out on a date. Trained in children's behavioral problems, and an old hand at noticing the children who were experiencing turmoil in their home life, Pam never noticed any red flags with the two Winkler girls. After Allie's initial trouble adjusting to a new school, both girls seemed happy and well-adjusted. Pam was certain that the Winkler couple had a great relationship. They walked together in the park, as a couple or with their children, often accompanied by a dog or two. They were often seen holding hands, smiling at one another and laughing together. The couple planned a five day trip on April 20 to celebrate their ten-year wedding anniversary. Their happiness seemed undeniable. The enjoyment they got from their children and from each other was obvious enough to generate positive comment and smiles from observers.

Fourth Street Church of Christ secretary Betty Wilkerson shared Pam's assessment of Matthew and Mary's married relationship. She never saw anything amiss. She never heard yelling or demeaning comments like the ones remembered by the church secretary at Matt's last position. Mary came in often to share lunch with Matthew. They interacted with each other over the meal like a wholesome, “all-American” married couple.

Though they'd since moved to McMinnville and then Selmer, Matthew and Mary maintained friendship with Glenn and Brandy Jones in Pegram. They traveled with the three girls up north to visit over the Memorial Day weekend and had a relaxing, fun-filled time. The Joneses noticed no signs of discord in the Winkler family.

The two couples got together again for the Joneses anniversary celebration in August. Glenn wanted to purchase a gun for home protection. Brandy was hesitant to have a weapon in the house. They discussed this conflict with Matthew and Mary.

Mary said, “Brandy, you'd probably be more comfortable if you went to a firing range and learned how to use the gun. Matthew took me and taught me how to use ours, and I wasn't bothered by it any longer.”

 

On December 1, Mary made a large deposit into the joint account she shared with Matthew at Regions Bank through the ATM. The $6,455 check was drawn on T.C.C. Co operate Limited, and it was fraudulent. At that time, it was unlikely that Mary knew the check would bounce. It was probable that she believed she'd won one of the many sweepstakes entries she submitted.

 

Just before Christmas, Selmer Elementary School celebrated an annual tradition, Breakfast with Santa. Mary and
Matthew beamed with pride as Patricia and Allie sang a duet during the program.

In McMinnville, Evon Dennis, the Winklers' former neighbor, opened a Christmas card postmarked in Selmer. The photo greeting inside filled her with delight. It was a picture of her old Christmas tree surrounded by Matthew, Mary and the two little girls she adored, and the new baby she had never seen.

Meanwhile in Huntingdon, Matthew's father Dan didn't want his mother spending Christmas all alone. On October 23 that year—after fifty-six years of marriage—she lost her 74-year-old husband Wendell to cancer. Dan brought her up to his home for the holidays and invited the rest of the family. The new widow spent the day surrounded by children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Matthew, Mary and their brood then drove to Knoxville for a two-hour visit with the Freeman clan.

 

On New Year's Eve, Pam Killingsworth planned a surprise fiftieth wedding anniversary celebration for her parents. Matthew came in early to help her set up the projector and get ready for the event. He was very quiet that night, not his typical talkative self. She wondered what was bothering him. When Mary arrived with the children, Matthew took Breanna and carried her around all night.

That month, Mary enrolled for nine credit hours at Freed-Hardeman University School of Education. She wanted to complete her degree and find a teaching position working with special needs children.

 

By early February 2006, Mary knew her December 1 deposit did not clear. On February 11, she visited Regions Bank and changed the mailing address on the account from her street address on Mollie Drive to a post office box rented in her name only.

On February 15, a day she had classes at Freed-Hardeman in Henderson, she walked into First State Bank in that town with $100 cash. She opened an account there
in her name only, providing her cell phone number and her post office box address as contact information.

Six days later, Mary wrote a check for $7,000 from that account and deposited it in the joint account at Regions Bank to cover the overdraft caused by the bad check from December.

She went to the post office and filled out a change of address form to divert all of the mail addressed to the Mollie Street location to her post office box.

 

Brandy Jones and Mary finally got together again in person. They had dinner at the Olive Garden and then browsed through a book store. Mary talked about her marriage and her new community. “I am happier than I have ever been. We would never even think of leaving West Tennessee.”

Mary also spoke about problems she had with her family in Knoxville. She complained that her father and her adopted siblings had let her down. They didn't come to events, or offer her any emotional support. She said she had, for all intents and purposes, separated from them.

 

In early March, Matthew went to Freed-Hardeman with Mary. While she went to class, Matt registered for the master's program in Bible. He would start his graduate studies in the fall.

Matt's father Dan, now teaching classes at the University, ran into the couple in the parking lot. Matt told him about his enrollment.

“Is Mary going to continue her schooling, too?” Dan asked.

“Yes,” Matt said. “She'll finish up in December.” He explained that they'd cleared up their credit card debt when they received a settlement from an accident in Nashville, where an intoxicated woman ran into Matthew's car. “We were very thankful we were able to do that,” he added, with a smile to Mary.

“When she finishes up in December, we'll take all of the monies she makes with her new job and first, we'll pay
off the mini-van, and then we're gonna pay off the school loans. Then, we'll be debt-free.” Matt's pride was obvious, and Dan congratulated the couple on their improved financial situation. Mary did not mention the ongoing mess at the bank, nor did she mention the correspondence and check she just received.

 

Mary's letter from Saatchi and Saatchi in Canada read:

 

We are pleased to advice [sic] you that you are one of the winners in the second category of Lottery Draw held on
SEPTEMBER 19
^th
, 2005
.

Your ticket with serial number
38745014AL
drew the lucky winning numbers
22-87-76-44-24
.

You are therefore entitled to the sum of
US $250,000.00
payable to you by bank draft, money order of certified check.

Enclosed is a check of
US $4900
which was deducted from your winnings.

The purpose of this check is for the payment of the
Non Resident Government Service Tax (GST) Payable in Canada
.

The tax amount is
$2,950.00
to be paid either by
WESTERN UNION OR MONEYGRAM.

You are advised to contact your claims agent

 

LINDA SMITH Tel 1-778-862-7083,

Monday——Saturday, 7:30 am…. To 6:30 pm…(Pacific Standard Time)

For further instructions on claiming your big winning.

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Yours Truly,

 

John Tyler

(Promotions Manager)

 

Mary deposited the enclosed check into her First State Bank account in Henderson on March 13. She did not re
mit the $2,950 as instructed. Three days later, she wrote a check for $4,000 on her personal account and deposited it in the joint account at Regions Bank in Selmer.

On Monday, March 20, Mary deposited a $4,880 check from Trust Financial Services into First State. That same day, she submitted two checks from First State to Regions Bank in the amounts of $2,000 and $4,000. After banking hours, she slipped another check for $1,500 along with $300 in cash into the night drop box.

Both the $4,900 and $4,880 checks she deposited in First State were worthless. Because of that, there were insufficient funds for the checks she wrote to Regions Bank.

Mary was in a state of panic. The next day, it only got worse.

Selmer Elementary School hired Mary as a substitute teacher. Tuesday, March 21, was her first day on duty.

Regions Bank drive-in teller Amy Hollingsworth called Mary's cell phone and said, “Ms. Winkler, I cannot deposit the fifteen-hundred-dollar check you left yesterday, because there are insufficient funds in the First State account. I did deposit the three hundred dollars in cash into your account.”

“I appreciate you calling me about this,” Mary replied. “I'll check with First State Bank. I'm in a classroom right now and can't talk.”

When Mary didn't call back to continue the conversation, Amy phoned her again.

“I can talk now, the children are resting,” Mary said.

Amy told her, “There are no funds for the three checks you wrote on First State. It is illegal to make those deposits in our bank. You need to come in and talk to the bank manager.”

“Thank you for calling,” Mary said.

“Come in and talk to the bank manager about the overdrawn account and it can be handled,” Amy insisted.

Mary did not respond.

After a pause, the banker continued. “If you are not able to come in, it will be turned over to the security department.”

“Thank you for calling,” Mary said again.

The next Regions Bank employee to call was Jana Hawkins. “Ms. Winkler, your account is overdrawn by nearly five thousand dollars.”

“I'm aware of that,” Mary said. “What are my options? Can I take my husband's name off of that account?”

“No. You can't remove a name from an overdrawn account. But if you come in tomorrow morning at eight-thirty, we can arrange for a five-thousand-dollar loan to take care of the problem with the overdraft.”

“I know I've made a bad situation worse, but I can't fit five thousand dollars into my budget. I want to meet with y'all tomorrow, but I'm in class right now. I'll have to call you back later.”

The school day ended at 3
P.M
. Patricia stayed after school for an extracurricular activity. Mary drove off with Allie to pick up Breanna from the sitter. As she drove past the park, she saw Matthew walking Lady, the Great Dane.

She went home and called Regions Bank at 4:15. Paulette Guest answered the phone and explained to Mary, “We've been calling you because of the check you wanted to deposit. We can't do it.”

“Why not?” Mary asked.

“Because there's no money behind those checks. We talked to First State, and they've already returned the first check, so we know there's no need to deposit the latest one. Your bank account here has been frozen. You need to come down and see about this.”

“Frozen?” Mary asked.

“Yes. No money can be deposited or withdrawn until you come in and work this out.”

“Why is it frozen?”

“Because, Ms. Winkler, you have been kiting checks, and that is a criminal offense.”

“I don't understand.”

“If the bank doesn't get this worked out—and I'm sure if you come in, we can—but if you don't come in and see about this, there could be criminal charges for doing something like that. We need to see you tomorrow morning.”

“Okay.”

“And you need to come to the bank with your husband. Both of you have to be here.”

Mary made no response to that demand.

 

After Matthew returned home, Mary headed out again. First, she drove to Selmer Elementary for Patricia. They rented a couple of videos and then picked up dinner at Pizza Hut before returning home.

The family ate pizza, gathering around the television to watch one of the rented movies,
Chicken Little
, together. Between 8 and 9, Matthew and Mary got the girls cleaned up and tucked into bed.

When the girls were asleep, Matt's griping began. Mary had at least two stories about this discussion. One was that he was ranting about his hurt feelings concerning some action taken by the church administration. She said that she listened to him vent until he got it out of his system. The other version was that he was angry about the banking situation and her inability to handle the finances correctly. She said that she told him he had to go to the bank with her in the morning and he refused, saying that she had to keep him out of that mess.

Whatever topic generated Matthew's distress, he eventually calmed down, and he and Mary sat down to watch a movie. In the middle of it, Mary fell asleep. When it was over, Matt woke her up and they went to bed.

Mary didn't understand why, but she knew she felt very uneasy that night. Her sleep was fitful. She awoke over and over, and it was difficult getting back to sleep each time. When the alarm shrilled the next morning, she was exhausted.