Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 99132 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99132 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
“Come this way,” Pastor John said, already turning toward his office. In his midthirties, the pastor had deep brown skin, curly brown hair, and light brown eyes, and he was about Huck’s height.
Huck followed, Aeneas trotting beside him with his nose twitching at every new scent. The dog’s claws clicked against the tile floor, announcing their arrival.
The office looked different. Huck noted the changes immediately. A framed Seahawks poster hung on one wall, bold and bright, dominating the space. Photographs lined the credenza with shots of Pastor John with congregation members, smiling and shaking hands, mixed with fishing trips where he held up silver-scaled catches, beaming at the camera.
“You’ve redecorated.” Huck’s gaze lingered on the sports memorabilia before drifting to the photographs.
“Yeah. I packed up all of Pastor Zeke’s belongings.” Pastor John’s voice held a note of finality. His gaze lingered on the shelves before shifting back to Huck. “I don’t suppose Agent Snow would want any of them.”
“Absolutely not.” Huck shook his head.
Pastor John sank into his chair, eyes narrowing. “I’ve called Abigail a couple of times. Haven’t heard back. Can’t believe someone shot her right on the courthouse steps. It’s insane.” His brows drew down, deep lines creasing his forehead. “Unbelievable violence.”
“That’s what I wanted to ask you about.” Huck remained standing, arms folded, his stance steady. Aeneas sat beside him, head tilted slightly, listening as if he understood every word. “You did date Abigail, and she did dump you. Correct?”
Pastor John leaned back, a slow smile spreading across his face. “I believe the breakup was more mutual. But yes, we did date.” He paused, gaze steady. “I certainly don’t want her dead.”
Huck watched the man’s expression, the way his shoulders remained relaxed despite the pointed question. “Do you own an AK-47?”
“I do not.” Pastor John shook his head, his smile fading. “Nor would I know how to shoot anyone from a distance.”
The response sounded plausible enough. Still, Huck planned to run a deeper dive on the pastor’s history, just to be sure. “I heard that you served in the military.”
“As a chaplain. Briefly. That was it.”
“Is there anybody in the congregation who might want Abigail dead?” Huck shifted his weight, glancing briefly at Aeneas who had settled beside the desk.
Pastor John shrugged. “Not really. A lot of people are upset she killed Zeke Caine. That doesn’t just go away.” He paused, the lines around his eyes deepening. “And there are people who never liked her because she’s not the warmest of women. Abigail’s brilliant, but she’s blunt and rubs people the wrong way. But I can’t imagine anyone shooting her like that.”
“Are you aware of anybody with the skill to pull off that kind of shot?” Huck pressed, his gaze never leaving the pastor’s face.
“No.” Pastor John spread his hands, palms up. “This isn’t exactly a congregation full of sharpshooters. Although, weren’t you a sniper?”
Huck’s brow lifted. “I was,” he said, wondering how the man had uncovered that detail. “But I was on the courthouse steps when Abigail was shot. So it couldn’t have been me.”
“I didn’t think it was.” Pastor John adjusted some papers on his desk. “You might not know this, but Tim Kohnex served in the military after his basketball years.”
The revelation landed with weight. “He did?” Huck’s mind churned through everything he’d uncovered about Kohnex during the last investigation. That piece of information had never surfaced.
“Yes.” Pastor John leaned back in his chair. “I don’t know what he did exactly, but you might want to ask him.”
“Is there anybody else worth questioning?”
The pastor’s gaze drifted to the window, his shoulders rising and falling with a slow breath. “Zeke’s girlfriend is especially distraught. I’ve tried to counsel her, but she’s in pain. They seemed to be casually dating, but apparently she was in deeper than she realized. As you requested, she’s here waiting to see you.”
“Thanks.”
Pastor John rose from his desk and handed over a pink flyer. “We’re having our annual Spring Worship Day next Thursday to kick off the better weather and outside activities. I’d love it if you and Agent Snow would come.”
Huck took the flyer, folded it, and stuck it in his pocket. “I’ll ask Laurel, but I don’t see her wanting to spend time in her father’s old church. No offense.”
“None taken.” Pastor John smiled. “Just think about it. For now, I’ll go get Uma for you. Unless you have any other questions for me?”
Huck did have one. “Has anyone confessed anything to you about Abigail’s shooting?”
Pastor John’s eyebrows rose. “If someone had, you certainly know I couldn’t tell you.”
“Could you give me a hint?”
“Absolutely not.”
Huck let out a slow breath. “I understand.”
Pastor John left the office and returned a few minutes later with a young woman who looked like she’d spent the last several nights wideawake.
“This is Uma.” Pastor John gestured her inside. “She was dating Zeke.”