“We’re here to settle the governance of Oakridge Community Church before tomorrow’s annual financial meeting.”

Elder Vance cleared his throat and straightened his wire-rimmed spectacles.

“Arthur brought an administrative emergency to our attention an hour ago, Pastor.”

“Arthur brought his own panic to this table,” I said.

Arthur rapped his fountain pen on his legal pad with three sharp clicks.

“On Saturday morning the pastor carried out a sudden hospital wedding with a terminally ill parishioner,” Arthur told the gathered board, pointing his pen at me.

“He did it knowing that Margaret’s late husband held substantial corporate property claims tied to church land.”