The Testament

Neva Collier, Rachel’s supervisor at World Tribes, receives Nate’s letter. She is astonished that someone else knows Rachel’s true identity. Since she communicates with Rachel by mail on March 1 and August 1 each year, she sets Nate’s letter aside to send with her usual March package. Nate continues to work with Father Phil on the basement renovation. They have a heart-to-heart about hearing God’s call. Later, Neva phones Nate to ask him about Rachel. He will not disclose any information about the legal matters but offers to pay for any supplies that Rachel may need. They promise to keep in touch.

The depositions begin in mid-February. The lawyers throw all their time into the case, and the stakes are high. Nate begins with Troy Jr. Josh’s office provided questions, but Nate knows this phase and does it well, pounding Troy with personal questions designed to show him that “the skeletons could be summoned from the closet” (442). Nate hates doing it, but he is also offended by the Phelan children’s arrogance and entitlement. He looks forward to leaving his law career behind. The questioning goes on for two days, touching on Troy’s personal life, drug use, and professional failures, as well as the first psychiatrist’s declaration of Phelan’s sanity.