Reid wrote down the image name.
Another person filled the screen. It was her pastor. Two more photos scrolled by, containing people she’d seen in the diner. “Her.” She pointed at a brunette woman.
Reid wrote that image name down. Altogether, she pointed out eleven people she didn’t recognize. “It doesn’t mean they were in on the robberies,” Reid said. “It could just be a coincidence. But if they were in on it and they killed Joe, perhaps they’ll show up at his funeral tomorrow. It isn’t beyond the realm of possibilities that the killer will come back and admire their handiwork.”
A new bank with new faces started scrolling, and she didn’t recognize anyone else. It was safe to assume Joe had moved on to a new town. “Why don’t we take a break?” Her eyes were burning from staring at the screen for too long.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
JJ lay up against her onthe couch. Quinn and Reid had looked at the information on the thumb drive until their eyes burned. She’d come into the front room and sat down with JJ. He’d wanted her to read to him, and then, they settled in for a movie. He fell asleep about thirty minutes in. He wasn’t usually one to take a nap, but the last couple of days had been the opposite of normal. She swiped her hand over his forehead. He felt slightly warm. She hoped he wasn’t coming down with something. They were four hours from home and his pediatrician.
Reid had gone back to the kitchen to keep looking through what they’d found. She gently stood up and laid JJ on the couch. There was still a slideshow running across the computer screen. She recognized the face that came into view. “Stop.”
Reid jumped at her voice.
“Sorry.” She stepped behind him and put her arm on his chairback. Leaning in, she pointed to the face. “Isn’t that Victoria’s brother?” The hair color was different, but the facial features were the same.
Reid didn’t say anything for a moment, just stared at the photo. Finally, he looked up at her. “I think you’re right.”
“Do you think he was in on the robberies?” That could explain why nothing ever came of this huge case Joe was working. If it was his brother-in-law, he couldn’t turn him in. That wouldn’t be good for his marriage.
“I hope not.” He restarted the slideshow. “I’d hate to think he had anything to do with Joe’s death.”
“Wait. That’s one of the guys that kidnapped us. Andrew and this guy must have worked together years ago. Now, he’s back and after me. Andrew has to be connected.” She wanted to be relieved that they might have found the thing that could end this, but her heart broke knowing someone close to Joe could be responsible for his death. It had just got more complicated.
“Looks like it.”
“Why don’t you like guns?” She wasn’t sure where that question had come from or why she’d decided to ask it right now.
Reid closed the laptop, stopping the photos. “It’s a long story.”
“In case you hadn’t noticed, I’ve got plenty of time.”
“You don’t want to know about my sordid past.”
She placed a hand on his shoulder. “Yes, I do. But only if you want to tell me.”
“Why? Why would you want to know?”
“So I can understand you better.” If she knew him better, perhaps she could help him see that he wasn’t too far gone for God’s love.
“You won’t look at me the same once I tell you.” He stood and walked out of the kitchen.
He’d endured something terrible. That was for sure. She followed him and gently grabbed his arm. “You know it doesn’t matter what I think of you. God loves you. He loves you so much He sent His Son to die for you.”
His shoulder sank under her hand, and he let out a long breath before turning around. The pain that filled his eyes broke her heart.
“You don’t know me. You don’t know what I’ve done.”
“You’re right. I don’t know your past. But I know you now. I know that you’ve done everything you can to help protect me and my son. You’ve put your life on the line a couple of times. You are a good man. You’re not the man from your past. Everyone has a past. The past is who you were, it’s helped define the person you’ve become, but it’s not the person you are now.”
He cocked his head and studied her. Was she going to be able to break through that tough exterior? It didn’t matter if she broke through. Her job was to plant the seed. God would reap the harvest in His time.
“I’m too far gone. No one can save me.”
“You think you’re the only person who has done bad things? The Bible is full of people who have sordid pasts. Saul went around murdering Christians until he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. Then, God used him to further His kingdom, and He can use you, too.” She placed her hand on his cheek, praying for peace for his soul.Lord, please be with Reid. Let him see who You are and that he is loved by You. No matter what he thinks.
He placed his hand over hers, held it to his face, and closed his eyes, taking in her words. He opened them and stared at her before removing her hand from his face. “I don’t believe it.”
