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to get my attention, but God got it. Boy, he dialed me direct.”
    Steve said nothing.
    â€œIt was right here, in the infirmary, where I saw an angel of the Lord. I don’t know if I was out when it happened or wide awake. All I know is there was an angel in the room with me and he looked like, I don’t know, he looked big and perfect. Scared the living — I was scared, boy, but then he spoke to me. He said, ‘Don’t be afraid.’ Did you know angels say that right out of the box?”
    â€œNever talked to one myself.”
    â€œYeah, they say, ‘Don’t be afraid,’ because man, you will be. But his voice calmed me down and he called me Johnny.”
    â€œHad your file, did he?”
    LaSalle narrowed his eyes. “This is not something to mock, my man. I’m telling you about a visit from a heavenly being, coming to me to tell me my life had been given back to me, but I had to follow the living Christ from now on. I was given a choice, don’t you see? And I knew even if I stayed in prison the rest of my life, I was going to follow Jesus. Right there in that bed I confessed the name of Jesus to the angel.”
    â€œIs that all you confessed?”
    â€œDon’t you believe me?”
    â€œSure.” The word didn’t sound the least bit convincing, not even to Steve.
    â€œThen spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
    Steve placed his palms on the desk for emphasis. “Mr. LaSalle, let me give you one more shot at this. Why did you call me up here?”
    â€œTo save you.”
    â€œTo save me ?”
    Johnny LaSalle nodded.
    â€œI don’t need saving,” Steve said.
    â€œYou know you do.” LaSalle’s eyes burned with an inner fire, like a prophet or madman or murderer. Maybe he was all three.
    Steve put his legal pad back in his briefcase, snapped it shut.
    â€œYou do need to be saved,” LaSalle said. “I know it.”
    Steve turned to the desk guard. “I’m through here.”
    â€œAnd now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season.”
    The guard picked up the phone and said something.
    Steve started to get up.
    â€œDon’t go!” LaSalle said.
    â€œGood luck.”
    The interior door opened and the same deputy returned, looking like he’d just been disturbed from a nap.
    Steve was on his feet when LaSalle said, “You won’t stay and talk to your own brother?”
    The deputy approached LaSalle.
    â€œWait a second,” Steve said. “What is that supposed to mean?”
    â€œYour brother. He was lost. And now is found.”
    Steve’s chest tightened. The fact that this man would say that, that he knew Steve had a brother at all, needed explanation.
    â€œI’m here for the prisoner,” the deputy said.
    â€œI’m not through,” Steve said.
    â€œYou called it,” the desk deputy said. “That’s it.” He started unlocking Johnny LaSalle’s desk cuffs.
    LaSalle said nothing, but his face was almost glowing.
    â€œYou’re one sick puppy,” Steve said.
    â€œYou just finding that out?” the escort deputy said with a laugh. He pulled LaSalle to his feet. The shackles jangled like loose change.
    â€œDon’t believe them, Steve,” LaSalle said. “I bless the entire world. I need you.” Just before he turned his back he added, “My true name is Robert Conroy. I am your brother !”

SIX
    The next few moments passed like a slow-motion death scene. The deputy got LaSalle out the door, closed it, and all the while Steve stood mute. Like a statue named Stupid.
    What had just happened? A prisoner calls him for an interview and knows about his dead brother? Not just that, invokes the name for himself?
    That meant this guy had done research,