She clicked on the Events tab.
The page filled with a calendar.Bake sale on the third Saturday.Choir practice Wednesdays at seven.Youth group every other Friday.
And then she saw it.
Her pulse became a hammer in her throat.
Psychoeducational Phobia Therapy.
Ella highlighted the text with her cursor, just to make sure it was real.
Phobia therapy.Group sessions.Where people sat in circles and confessed their deepest fears out loud, where those fears were documented and discussed and dissected by everyone in the room.
A killer's shopping list.
‘Ripley!’Ella yanked open the door and shouted down the hall.‘Ripley, get in here.Now.’
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Ella and Ripley stood, shoulder to shoulder, peering intently at the computer screen.The revelation about the phobia therapy sessions had cast a new light on the investigation, and revealed a pathway where before there was only a wall.Ripley regarded the screen like the words might disappear if she looked away.
‘Group therapy sessions?For phobias?’Ripley asked.
Ella tapped the screen.‘It’s right there in black and white.Remember, both Julia and Thomas had secret outings.Julia’s roommate said she was usually gone for a few hours at least once a week.Could they both have attended these sessions?’
‘So this could be where our killer learns his victims’ fears.Could be another group member, or could be someone who works for the church?’
‘It has to be a regular there, not some newbie.It’s not like our killer could have learned about Julia and Thomas’s phobias and made them realities the same nights.Sourcing rats, digging holes in the ground.It takes time.Whoever our guy is, he’s been at these sessions more than once.’
‘That works in our favor,’ Ripley said.
‘Yeah, more chances of someone recognizing someone sketchy.’
Ripley said, ‘When are the sessions?Weekly?’
Ella checked the calendar on St.Augustine's website.She could see the days of sessions that had passed, and there didn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to the schedule.Some weeks had hosted three meetings.'They have them all the time.'
‘It’s a church.They’ll meet for any reason, whenever they can.Probably whenever the counsellor is available.’
‘Yeah.’She checked again.There was a session tonight.‘Mia, there’s a meeting in a few hours.’
‘Well, what are we waiting for?Let’s hit this place up.’
Ella reached out and grabbed her partner’s wrist.‘Not so fast.I’ve got a better idea.’
Ripley raised an eyebrow, then looked back at the screen. ‘Dark, don’t say it.’
‘What?’
‘Don’t say you’re going undercover.’
Ella grinned.‘Why not?Anyone can go along, so why not me?It's the perfect way to get a lay of the land, see who's who.We need to understand the dynamics of these sessions.’
Ripley sighed and put one hand on Ella’s shoulder.‘Dark, you’ve gotcopwritten on your forehead.Going undercover is a risk that rarely pays off.’
‘Do you want to do it instead?’
‘I don’t think either of us should do it.We’re talking about a church.Call me traditional, but priests aren’t known for their senses of humor.If they bust you, they might not exactly laugh it off.’
