The Dark One laughed. “The same reward for different effort—only a fool would follow such an unjust God. Where is the fairness?”

“It is not surprising that you miss the point, Chaos, but I suspect Rodrigo is beginning to see it, aren’t you, brother? In my paradigm, it is the latecomers who missed out in this story. The promise of salvation is not only about eternity—it is about being in relationship with God here, now, on earth. It is about the comfort and the overwhelming joy of being in His presence. It is about the joy of doing His work. So in the parable, there is a cost to those who miss the joy of working for the Lord, being called according to His purpose, even if the gift of eternal salvation is the same. I wish I had been one of the workers who found God first thing in the morning,” José said with a wistful smile. “In my case, I found my way to Him—after all of His years of calling—at noon, but I have known His love ever since. It’s five o’clock for you, Rodrigo, but not too late to join us. God’s offer of salvation is still open to you, and I and the others welcome you into our brotherhood with open arms and without resentment. For all of us it is only through God’s grace that we are welcome. It is true for you today, if you want it.”

The handcuffed man said nothing for a long moment.

“Jesus, forgive me my sins,” he sobbed.

Then suddenly he began to convulse.

“No!” a voice screamed, terrified, using Rodrigo’s mouth one last time. Jed watched the double visage appear again, a ghostly, grotesque, and snarling face atop the human one, as a battle for control raged inside Rodrigo.

Rodrigo tilted his head back and screamed in anguish. “I am sorry, Father God, for my weakness . . . for everything. Please forgive me. Forgive me, Lord. Let me serve You . . .”

Jed saw the demon separate from the man’s body, shoot across the room, and vanish, leaving a faint amber glowing imprint on the wall. The man in the chair slumped, forehead bowed, chin limp on his chest.

“Whoa,” Jed said under his breath.

“Did you see it leave his body?” Bex said, her black-and-blue–framed eyes as wide as dinner plates.

He nodded.

“Man, I wish I could see that. Just once,” she said.

No one else said anything, but their collective gaze locked on the monitor with the liberated soul who sat slumped in his chair.

“Rodrigo?” José asked. “Can you hear me?”

The man groaned and his head lolled for a moment before he slowly began to raise his chin. He looked ten years older to Jed than he had only moments ago. He smiled wanly at José and then began to sob uncontrollably, in torso-shaking lurches.