The Edge of Fear

By Lora Mae Miller

The dictionary says that fear is an emotion excited by threatening evil or impending pain accompanied by a desire to avoid or escape it, apprehension or dread. The pastor and his family in this story lived in a state of fear for many months as wicked and evil circumstances plagued them almost daily. Lies, intrigue, and murder all found their way into this deliberate attempt to ruin a minister and his ministry.

Demons are very real and often play a role in leading people astray. Make sure you are on the Lord's side and not helping the enemy of our souls like some of those in this narrative!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 25, 2022
• ISBN: 9798885400206

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The Edge of Fear

Lora Mae Miller

ISBN 979-8-88540-019-0 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88540-020-6 (digital)

Copyright © 2022 by Lora Mae Miller

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Cast of Characters

Introduction

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

About the Author

Cast of Characters

Bob and April Carlton: the main pastor and his wife

JD and Audrey Keller: the problem couple

Judas and Elizabeth Hey: problematic church members (Elizabeth, an enemy agent)

Cynthia: Keller's oldest daughter

Melodie Lynn: youngest daughter of the Carltons

Cliff: Melodie's husband

Sharon: Carlton's oldest daughter

Frank: Sharon's husband

Mom Stone: Elizabeth Hey's aged mother

Ted Stanford: college professor, deacon, undercover agent for the enemy

Don Courtney: teacher, deacon, choir member, spy for the enemy

Bertha Heinrich: church secretary

Janet: one of Pastor Carlton's daughters

Art Hubbard: mailman, church treasurer, enemy agent

Ward Austin: new associate pastor under Bob Carlton

Ruth Austin: ward's wife

Dr. Roland Hedgepeth: Bob Carlton's spiritual adviser, denominational leader

Katherine and Tom: Melodie's friends

George Marshall: elderly friend of Mom Stone

Marion Nelson: church friend of Audrey

Aunt Rose: friend of Pastor and Mrs. Carlton

Betty Sue Hancock: close friend of Melodie Lynn

Rev. Leonard Vraie: denominational leader, friend of the Carltons

Introduction

In a dimly lit corner of a spacious room at the Heritage, the woman sat writing rapidly, her mousy gray-brown hair oddly illuminated by the glow from the dying embers in the fireplace,

I no longer need to be prompted to show some action. All our years of planning are about to pay off, and in a bigger and better way than we imagined. After Reverend Morgan's departure, we abandoned our original plan. Upon the arrival of Agent Keller, I realized how magnificently his talents could be put to use.

Don't worry about my husband. His campaign is going well, and the egotistical fool will fall right into my scheme perfectly. He'll even think it's his idea. I remind you again that without my efforts and talents, this feat would be impossible to carry out. Upon its successful completion, I hope you will find it within your power to suggest to the secretary that I am in line for a promotion. I will keep you posted as to events here, but have no fear, the seeds of discontent have been sewn beautifully these past several years. And we, along with the committee, will reap the benefits.

Yours for world domination,

Special Agent Hey.

The woman arose, hastily scanned the room, and then went into the hall. She looked in on her soundly sleeping husband, crossed the hall, and secured the lock on her mother's room. She swiftly, but quietly, went downstairs, made a muted phone call, and went out into the night.

Leaning over the parapet of the mansion were two demonic beings, grinning broadly and rubbing their hands together in glee.

* * * * *

Across town, in a parsonage, the minister and his wife sat talking. It's late, Bob, you must get some rest. You know how these counseling sessions with the Kellers literally sap you of your strength. He's such a fiend and treats her so cruelly. This is one time even I think divorce is the only answer.

Perhaps you're right, April, but I think I'm making a little progress. The problem, at present, is Audrey. She's getting too attached to me. Of course, this is perfectly normal in situations like this, but we'll have to help her get over this hump and focus on Jesus before we can tackle their next problem. In all my forty years of ministry, I've never had such a difficult case to handle. If it weren't for their eight children, I think I'd chuck the whole mess. He's definitely a psychotic personality and she's on the verge of a breakdown. Those poor children. They're sweet kids too.

Please, Bob, we'll talk about it tomorrow. You have a wedding rehearsal, luncheon engagement, and a sermon to prepare. So you need some sleep.

The couple, partners for thirty years, knelt, side by side and hand in hand as they had their evening prayers. Little did they know that at that moment, not too many miles away, some of the very people for whom they were praying were plotting to ruin, not only their wonderful relationship but their whole future as well.

Chapter 1

Audrey Keller was beautiful; there was no denying that. Her husband ran an appraising eye up and down her graceful five feet seven inches as she undressed for bed. Yes, the peroxide job definitely made an improvement. She certainly looked like a natural blonde; and her thirty-six inches, twenty-three inches, thirty-four inches didn't even hint that she'd born eight children. He was proud of that. In fact, everything that James D. Keller did, owned, or thought, he was proud of. He glanced at his reflection in the mirror and smiled.

No wonder women can't resist me, he mused. Rev. Robert Carlton had told him he wasn't irresistible to all women and that part of his problem was his superior, domineering attitude, but JD knew he was wrong. Hadn't he gotten Audrey twisted around his little finger? He looked at her again. Overcome with desire, he said, Come here, baby.

No, JD, not tonight. I'm tired.

He grabbed her wrist and forced her toward the bed.

Just then, the front door slammed; and their eldest daughter, Cynthia, bounded up the stairs. JD roared, Cynthia, come in here immediately. A somewhat hesitant and awkward fifteen-year-old entered the room.

What is it, Daddy?

Where have you been?

Why, to church, Daddy. You said I could go to the young peoples' meeting way last week.

Maybe I did, but I didn't say you could stay out till all hours of the night with some boy.

Audrey cut in, It's only ten fifteen, JD. Leave her alone.

Shut up, Audrey. I'll deal with the kids. You don't have sense enough to keep them out of trouble.

He took Cynthia by the elbow and pushed her out of the room. Audrey stuck out her tongue at his back and went to bed, silently listening to Cynthia's screams and then muffled sobbing as JD dealt with her.

If only JD were more like Reverend Carlton, Audrey sighed. Bob's so understanding and patient. With that thought, she drifted into a somewhat troubled sleep.

She awakened to noise and clatter in the kitchen. The children were up, the three older girls fixing breakfast for the rest of the brood. She had it all planned. After JD went to work, she'd phone April Carlton and insist on seeing her at home. JD always stressed the importance of being observant wherever she went, especially where professional men were involved.

He thinks I'm too dumb to know what he's doing, but I'll have a little fun of my own and show him I'm smart too. Besides, Rev. Robert Carlton is much more appealing to me than Reverend Morgan ever was. I'm glad he's gone. I didn't like that setup at all. In fact, Bob Carlton is even more appealing to me than that stupid psychiatrist in the city ever was, and we netted close to $65,000 after court costs on that case. She stepped over to her closet and viewed the contents—all the very best in their line.

Clothes! How I love them! Her thoughts ambled back to her plan. Being Saturday, the older children could take care of themselves, she thought; but she'd take the three youngest with her, in case Mrs. Carlton had any suspicions.

Downstairs, Audrey kissed JD warmly as he left for work. She borrowed her neighbor's car and drove out to the Carltons' house. She knew Reverend Carlton would be at a wedding rehearsal at the church. The church bulletin always gave out any information regarding the pastor's whereabouts. She hadn't phoned in advance; a surprise visit would be much better. She instructed her three youngest children to play outside while she talked to the pastor's wife. She drove up the curved driveway and parked the car. Audrey rang the doorbell and waited.

Why, Audrey, come in, won't you?

Oh, Mrs. Carlton, I've just got to talk to you. JD threatened to (whispering). Could we go into your bedroom to talk where the children won't hear?

By this time, Audrey was sobbing, and April Carlton led her gently to the bedroom. Now, dear, what is it?

Mrs. Carlton, JD almost killed Cynthia last night just because she was a little late coming home from young peoples' meeting. And this morning, he said he'd kill the children if I don't take better care of them. She went on and on, telling Mrs. Carlton how cruel JD was. April Carlton, a very caring person by nature, was deeply touched and greatly disturbed.

Just then, the phone by the bed interrupted Audrey's discourse. Carlton's residence, April speaking. Yes. Oh, I'm so sorry. Pastor isn't here right now, but I'll be glad to relay the message. Is there anything I can do? She paused. Let me go to the other phone.

Would you excuse me a moment, Audrey, and hang up the receiver here when I get to the other phone? When Mrs. Carlton left the room, Audrey made a hasty run down of the room. The bed was unmade. Her unexpected visit had paid off. The sheets were floral print. She carefully slid open one of the panels in the headboard and noted all the contents, then rapidly closed it, as she heard Mrs. Carlton returning. She smiled to herself as she buried her face in the reverend's handkerchief she'd picked up from the bedside table. Forty-five minutes later, she thanked Mrs. Carlton over and over again for listening to her so compassionately. She called to the children to climb into the car and drove home.

* * * * *

As time passed, the Kellers were consuming more and more of their pastor's time. Rev. Bob Carlton hadn't been feeling well for some time. He was greatly overworked at the church and was also very active in community affairs. He was a denominational leader as well and in demand almost everywhere. Besides all those responsibilities, he'd been interviewing secretaries to replace the former church secretary who had resigned to get married. April Carlton, as always, added the jobs usually done by the church secretary to her list of other jobs. As April sat at the desk at the church, she worried about Bob. She'd worked beside him, with him, and for him all their married life. She had even taken over the church work and part of the preaching when Bob felt it was his Christian duty to minister to the fellows in the armed forces as a chaplain during the Gulf War. She recalled how the congregation they were serving at the time had licensed her to preach. The congregation lovingly helped her care for her four children and the parsonage 'til Pastor could return.

This is a wonderful congregation too, she thought. But they seem to take Bob for granted too much. These past fifteen years of sacrificing to build our beautiful church building has taken its toll on him and on his health.

Even in her thoughts, it was always Bob first, with little or no thought for her own health and welfare. But I'm the rugged one, always have been, she mused. She continued typing and thinking. At present, she was not only Bob's secretary but also director of Christian education, ad infinitum. Her thoughts returned to her husband. Being a denominational leader took him on many trips to different parts of the country, and they rarely ever got a chance to take a real vacation. It always had to be worked in and around some convention, meeting, or what have you. She wasn't complaining, just realizing, once again, and proudly, how much in demand he was—but how gray and tired he looked.

The phone rang. April answered, Hello, oh hello, dear. (Her youngest daughter, Melodie, was on the other end of the line.) You say you've invited the Kellers over for dinner? Melodie, I…well, I just wish you wouldn't get involved with the Kellers. You know Daddy and I have been counseling them. And, well, they have lots of problems and…of course they look lonely. Perhaps you're right. It was kind of you to think of them. No, thank you, dear, but Daddy hasn't been feeling well. And frankly, the Kellers have taken up so much of our time. I'd rather not spend another evening with them if I don't have to. Thanks just the same.

As April hung up, she cast a worried glance toward Bob's door. Now why should it bother me to have Melodie associate with the Kellers. Heaven knows, Audrey needs friends, but that JD. He makes me see red.

* * * * *

At Melodie Lynn's home, plans were under way for the evening. Her husband, Cliff, came in from work and sniffed the air. Umm, what's for dinner besides one scrumptious blonde and her husband?

Oh, Cliff, mess out, honey. Please quit eating the olives. I want everything to be just right. So you think Audrey's scrumptious, huh?

Not as scrumptious as you, Cliff replied as he continued peeking into the pans on the stove, sampling things. He playfully kissed Melodie on the ear. You know, Mel, I'm anxious to talk with JD. He's been teaching a Sunday school class at church, and I hear he has some way-out ideas.

"Cliff, when I called Mother today to see if she and Daddy could join us for dinner because the Kellers were coming, she seemed awfully…oh, I don't know.