The Never Ending Quest For Sanity

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 15

It was a sunny August afternoon as the pastor of the most successful church in the state concluded his day with prayer.  Raising his head after the final Amen, he straightened his pen set that had been a gift from his loving wife the previous month for his birthday.  It was a cherished possession that he was quite proud of, any gift from his spouse quite the treasure.  

As he flipped the panel to set the alarm, he felt the pressure of a cold, steel barrel into the back of his head.  He didn’t register at first what was happening but remained calm.  

“Stay calm and this won’t turn ugly.  After all, we hate to shed blood more than you think.”  Pastor Stonefield nodded slightly and was physically forced to turn around.  4 uniformed police officers greeted his sight and the other 3 entered the church office upon the command of the commanding officer who had detained Stonefield.

“What’s going on?  Why are you in my office and where is your warrant?”

“Our warrant is in my right hand.  A judge has signed, sealed, and delivered within 24 hours.  It’s funny how quickly they move when you present evidence of a crime so incredibly heinous that even the most sinister of murderers are shocked to the core, seeing blood when it comes to your arrival.  Even the atheist prays that you are a cellmate, doing what they wish to you around the clock.”

“I don’t know what you expect to find--”

“We have 5 thumb drives, sir.”  The commanding officer smiled and nodded.  “What do you want to do?  Do you want to view it now, or wait?”  The commanding officer gripped the left arm of Stonefield harder, a sadistic smile creeping across his face as he envisioned hanging this man that had led so many yet harbored a dirty secret.

“Let’s see what we have.”  The officer struck Stonefield with his elbow in the center of his back and soon, the 5 of them were seated in the office, the computer would soon reveal the secrets Stonefield had hoped to keep hidden.

A few moments of exploration into the first drive revealed illegal pornography that seemed to sicken even the most hardened of veteran, the damning evidence an open book.  Numerous, sickening images prompted one of the officers to vomit.  After a few more moments they terminated the viewing session, fueled by pure rage.  He had nothing to say and glanced at the apprehending officer, who, without saying a word, commanded him to rise and come with them, the lifestyle of pure debauchery ceasing with no further victims to be had.  Those who had already fallen victim to the abominable acts he had committed were already tainted with trauma.  They were sure there would be more surface in time but for now, there were plenty who were corrupted by this evil man who masqueraded as a pure hearted person with good intentions.

As the news spread the following Sunday, no one had seen such a fate coming for this beloved Pastor who had served as a beacon for all that was righteous, his pure heart a deceptive mask to cover his true nature that lay buried like a corpse in a grave.  Now that it had been exhumed and on display for the public eye to behold, their opinion changed toward this once-beloved figure of the community from that of a divine friend to a most despised fiend.

Over the next few months, there were a lot of secrets that came to light that should have remained interred in the deepest depths of darkness.  The details were a quick deterrent to support of this man who had consumed their time with lies of godly living in exchange for profiting from the desperation of the ones yearning for guidance that would result in dwelling with God in an eternal Paradise.  

The mask had been removed, the worm-eaten visage all that remained now.  They had removed the blinders from their eyes and could see clearer than before.  Of course, the church would be abandoned and many would stay away indefinitely, not certain who to trust, the memory of deception their constant companion in a new life they now lived.

As the guilty verdict was rendered, there was no doubt that this would be the final blow to the character of a man who was now released into a prison of demonic, detestable human beings, prey for the worst treatment that one could ever imagine as well as fear.  It was very possible that this would be the death of the man who had deceived so many, which was fitting punishment in the majority of those who were strongly opposed to anyone who was accused of such a deplorable act and then sentenced, proof that the accusations had been founded enough to change the destiny of a man.  Freedom for imprisonment in a new world where a new justice abounds.

The recollection of this story had been disturbing, not to mention traumatizing.  The detective had experienced so much in his life and at such a young age.  This was going to be a journey that no one, not even Sergey, was prepared to embark upon.