Page 93 of Veil of Silence

Before Austin could ask anything else, someone called Nora’s name.

Zack Grant crossed the parking lot toward them, a Bible tucked beneath one arm. “I finished most of Christian’s assessment notes. I’ll call you tomorrow so we can talk about the options.”

“Thank you.”

His expression sobered. “I keep thinking about Preston.”

Austin’s attention sharpened. “You know him?”

“I tutored him in reading last spring. Twice a week through the school district. Most of the sessions were at school, but sometimes we met here if Shelby was already coming for prayer meeting.”

“Was he struggling?” Nora asked.

“Mostly with comprehension. He was making progress.” Zack glanced toward the sanctuary. “I saw him at church on Wednesday night, and he seemed like his usual self. He showed me one of his cars and talked my ear off for five minutes.”

“Did he say anything about his father?” Austin asked.

Zack hesitated. “Not that night. But he’d mentioned him before.”

“What did he say?”

“Only that he’d been seeing his dad more often and his mom wasn’t happy about it.” Zack looked toward the church as the bell began to ring. “I wish I knew something that could help.”

“So do we,” Nora said.

Zack excused himself and headed inside.

Austin watched him go. “He had regular access to Preston.”

“He works with children. Access is part of his job.”

“And he assessed Christian.”

Nora looked at him. “You think that means something?”

“I think it means he knew both boys. Right now, that’s worth remembering.”

But Austin’s thoughts returned to the glance Nora had given Christian.

She might have lost her balance.

But there was something she wasn’t telling him.

Chapter

Thirty-Six

The church bell rang. Nora glanced at her family waiting by the sanctuary doors, then back at Austin. She would have liked to walk in with him, but today she needed to be with them. He seemed to understand and gave her a nod.

Christian walked between their parents. At the doorway, he stopped. A few conversations faded as people turned to look.

Marlowe moved to one side of him and Nora to the other. Dad rested a hand against Christian’s back, and together they made their way to the pew four rows from the front—the one where their family had sat every Sunday before he disappeared.

Mom slid in first and left a place beside her for Christian. He hesitated, then sat. Dad took the seat on his other side. Everyone else—including Wren and Nash—filled in behind them.

Whispers reached Nora despite her efforts not to listen.

Christian. Ten years. Looks just like him.