Like Sheep Gone Astray by Lesile J. Sherrod

Anthony turned toward the entrance of the office suite. Councilman Walter Banks stood in the doorway carrying a bag of Chinese food and a stack of napkins. He was a small man, the color of warm bronze, with thinning hair and gold-rimmed glasses that made him look more like a professor or scholar than a politician.
    “Anthony, it's so good to see you! I hope you haven't been waiting here long. I got caught up with the president of one of the neighborhood associations. She invited me to a celebration of a new rec center I made sure the city funded. Gloria, can you cancel all my appointments on October ninth so I can make that event?”
    The councilman was laying the food on a table and taking off his overcoat as he spoke. “I'm pulling another late night, hence the food. I have enough here if either of you would like some. Anthony”—he patted an upholstered chair at the conference table—”please, come sit with me. What brings you by today?”
    Anthony nearly stumbled to the seat offered to him by the councilman, the magazine still tucked in his hand. Walter Banks noted Anthony's troubled gait and the glossy pages he gripped in his right hand. He took the magazine and studied the page Anthony had been staring at as Gloria gathered her things and left for the day.
    “Another man rewarded for all your hard work. You did a lot for Shaw Enterprises, but someone else claims the credit.” Walter shook his head, but then flashed an encouraging smile. “Don't be down. God has an even greater reward for you than any man can offer. You are following His calling. God's directions do not always make sense to us, but they all lead to perfection. Stay encouraged, son.”
    Anthony could see the pride shining in Walter's face and hear the warmth in his words. He instantly thought of all the encouragement the councilman had poured on him since the death of his mother and stepfather. The guidance, the advice, the back-pats he'd needed to successfully continue with life, graduating valedictorian from high school, then magna cum laude from college. The councilman had been there for him at each major turn, even standing in the aisle reserved for parents on his wedding day, standing right next to his Great-Aunt Rosa. He had been there for his quick rise to business and financial success.
    And now he would be here for his fall. Anthony's words came slowly.
    “I came to talk to you today…because…Well, first thank you for all you've done to help me.”
    Councilman Banks smiled as he gulped down some shrimp fried rice. “I have been blessed watching you mature into the man you are today. It was an honor seeing you work your way up the ranks at Shaw, but it's been an even greater pleasure observing your pursuit after God's will.”
    “About Shaw, actually that's why I need to talk to you. See, I did some things while I was working there that, well, I know God did not want me to do. A lot of trouble has brewed since then, and now, I think the hole I dug myself into is getting deeper. And someone wants to take you down into my mistakes as well.”
    Confusion crawled over Walter's face. He laid down his fork as furrows lined his forehead. The furrows deepened when Anthony began telling him of the deceit and bribes of the earlier months. When he learned of Anthony's role in the dismantling of CASH, he first looked expressionless and then heartbroken, sighing heavily several times as Anthony detailed his conversation with Mr. Haberstick earlier that day. It was only when Anthony told him about the forged check that Walter snapped abruptly to attention.
    “Two million dollars
?”
    “Whoever signed that check would have to know how close I am to you, and that I would know immediately that was not your signature. It was a sign—confirmation—that this Stonymill deal surpasses what I know.”
    “In the field of politics, it's easy to make enemies. Especially when you are dedicated to doing the right thing at all costs.” Walter rubbed his