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CHAPTER 8
CHRIS
It is Thursday and the office feels a little empty as it is Sam's off day. Most of the work in the office is done, I just came to the office for some quiet. I pick up my bible and flip through the pages. It’s been a whirlwind of months.
I might have to present a short sermon tomorrow and I have nothing prepared. All that comes to mind at this point is using Jesus's parable on God-given talents.
The first passage the bible lands open on is 1 Thessalonians 4:3 This is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality.
"Argh, God. Writing on the wall?" I ask and shut the book.
I was slipping out of the boundaries of what is sensible. Not only am I Sam's boss, but I’m also her father's friend and, most of all, a Pastor. Why was I so hell-bent on landing myself in a scandal?
It wouldn't be a scandal if you did the right thing now, would it?
Even if I proposed a relationship, would we work? Would she even want me?
The intercom rings, disrupting my thoughts.
"Hello."
"Good afternoon, pastor. The police are here to see you." The new security guard informs me.
"Let them in."
The police officer comes into my office. After pleasantries, I offer him something to drink, but he opts for water.
"As we suspected, you have someone who we’re yet to identify on your tail. They operate from the Dark Web and will soon be uncovered. We assure you that. Sheila was on this person's payroll and tried getting dirt on you.”
"Dirt on me? We had a close working relationship. I don't think I've ever given her any reason to believe I’d do something shady. Why would she believe I have any dirt?" I ask, shocked. The detective chuckles slightly and says under his breath.
"Even the cleanest of angels have dirt on them."
"As I was saying," he continued, "this person approached her via email and told her they needed to carry out some investigation as you've been part of some sort of fraud. They most likely posed as private investigators. They offered her an irresistible pay. I think it's six times her salary. She did provide them with some files. I think your bank records, but that didn't seem to be enough as correspondence showed that they kept asking for more.
"She started to catch on that it was some form of a witch hunt when they tried making her get you in a precarious position where you could probably be photographed or filmed. I also think that's where she drew the line.
"Also, she discovered they still had access to the computer even after she tried clearing all traces. We believe she came back that night, trying to find out how to block their access. I think the person posed as a church member. From the footage, it looks like they drove in, fired at her, and zoomed off."
"Goodness, all this was happening right under my nose?"
"Indeed. Have you thought long and hard about it?"
"About what?"
"A rival who might try coming for you, probably someone who felt cheated in a deal, someone who wants you out of business?"
"Honestly, I can't think of any. I don't do much of the people side of the business… My partner does that, and from your investigation, it doesn't seem he’s been under such attacks.”
"Oh, we saw traces of that too. It’s possible that they tried to hack into the company systems as well, but your company's server security is quite robust," He replies.
"That's true. We only just got an upgrade recently too."
"Explains it. We'll likely have to see your partner after this. He’ll be in his office today, right?"
"Most likely so. If not, you might have to schedule an appointment. I'd place a call to him about this." He nods and stands to leave.
"Good. By the way, you might have to keep a close eye on your other secretaries and associates for their safety. From all indications, these people are dangerous."
