Chapter Thirteen
The Ring
Eventually Rick returned, this time without the Reverend’s slinky redheaded wife. “Well, the hen party,” he said wryly, without any preamble, as he approached, “has begun! Once Melinda and Lisa get together, the c**k of the walk can’t get a cluck in edgewise, and it’s ol’ Rick’s time to take a powder.”
“Indeed!” chuckled the dark-skinned cleric, shaking his head fondly. “Ah, those ladies…”
“Actually, John,” began McEvers with disarming casualness, “I wondered if I might steal the last one away from you.” He shot Rachel a quick sideways look, then turned his easy smile back to the cleric. “There was something I wanted show Ms. Aschelman…”
The African sighed. “Oh, think nothing of it, my friend,” he replied, blinking forlornly. “If your conscience, Dr. McEvers
