6:12 p.m. Passion Ministry

Phil hesitated, just outside the main boardroom. Startled by the sound of voices. Phil edged closer, peering into the door’s window. John sat at the table. Andrew paced in and out of sight.
“Sorry, Andy,” John’s voice floated out. “But you know that’s impossible.”

“Look, John, all I’m asking—”

The Apostle shook his head. “Know what you’re asking,” he replied. “Sometimes our questions are never answered.” His face lit up. “You’re a good man, Andy. Not just brilliant but good. You believe in this. In me. In what we’ve done. I’ll be forever grateful to you. We’re on our own road, you and I. Our own journey to Calvary. Nothing’s changed.”

“Y’know damn well it has!”

Phil reared back. Half-expected Andrew to storm through the door and braced himself. Instead, silence. Then Andrew replied softly, “Sorry. Sorry, but we only bought Scott’s silence for ten years.”

Footsteps. Someone was coming down the circular stairs at the end of the hall. Phil gripped the door handle.

“I’m okay with keeping it a secret,” Andrew continued. “Heaven knows I’ve got my own reasons, but...Scott’s different. He’s just a hired gun. A cellular biologist given lab access his contemporaries can only dream of. So far, he’s been satisfied. But time’s nearly up. He’s going to be champing at the bit to publish, unless...”

He stopped. Looked up.

“Oh, beg your pardon!” said Phil. “Didn’t know anyone was here.” He paused, wary of the thunder coloring Andrew’s face. “I...I was hoping to speak to you,” he said to John.

“No problem,” John replied. “Andy and I were just discussing the journey of life.”