Between two Worlds

Chapter 9

The following morning, I called Willie, and Zack to let them know I wouldn't make it for breakfast. Zack was more understanding than Willie, considering the nature of what was going to happen.

I didn't know how long I had with Agent Cornwallis. But wasn't going to take chances on anything. I needed to be prepared to help as best I could, which meant spending my time with clear thoughts on God, and Jesus.

After eating and showering, the doorbell rang. It's too early for Agent Cornwallis. I make my way to the door and look through the hole expecting it to be some member of the press.

The Hazel eyes and tanned face of Agent Cornwallis can be seen. He's early. Was it to try to catch me off guard?

It was. They suspected me of being someone I wasn't without coming right out and telling me. No background check in the world could convince anyone who firmly believes I was lying. I couldn't blame them for their suspicions. It went with their job.

I opened the door with a real smile and stepped back to give him room. "Come on in, Agent Cornwallis."

He hesitated without walking inside. "I know I'm early, Mr. Collins. I can come back."

Was he trying to gain my confidence, or something along those lines? Whatever it was didn't matter. I had nothing to hide.

I smiled at him. "No need to come back, Agent Cornwallis. It's never too early to talk about God, and Jesus."

He nodded and stepped inside with no sense of authority. Being there as my guest put me in control, or at least the appearance of control. Considering his job, I couldn't blame him for any suspicions he had about me. All I could do was try to reach him as best I could.

I led him to the same place agents had sat the previous day. My Bible was already turned to the page about treating others the way we want to be treated. A bookmark had been left to make it easier to point it out.

He sat while I briefly prayed in silence for guidance I hoped would come.

There was something I needed to know from the agent before beginning. How knowledgeable was he about the Bible? If he never even read so much as a single verse, it was going to get very difficult.

"Before we get to treating others as we wish to be treated, do you believe in God, Agent Cornwallis? I need an honest answer. There's no judgement on my part, regardless of what you say."

I watched his face throughout to try to gauge something about the agent. It was difficult due to not knowing him. All I could do was guess at something that was impossible to do.

He shook his head at the last part with a bit of confusion in his eyes. "I thought Christians are supposed to judge, Mr. Collins."

"It depends on the situation. Not having familiarity with the God isn't one of them, Agent Cornwallis. We're all in the dark about some things, with some more than others."