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“Yeah,” I agree, but in the end, the confession isn’t going to help her sleep better tonight. “Make sure you give her the information for Holly, and let her know that if she needs anything, she’ll be able to help.”
Holly is a woman who works for Clay’s non-profit organization that helps women in the process of leaving their abusers or pimps, and also those who have been trafficked. They set them up with housing and help them find jobs or offer assistance in instances like this one, where a family is left to pick up the pieces.
“You don’t have to tell me how to do my job,” he snaps. I don’t take offense; he’s just as tired as I am, not just from being up all night, but also from having to deal with the mental exhaustion of another woman being murdered by the man who claimed to love her.
You always hear there’s a thin line between love and hate, and that is never more apparent than when you witness firsthand the true cruelty of a relationship between an abuser and their victim.
It takes me another hour to file what paperwork I have to complete to pass the case on to the district attorney, and just as I’m about to close down my computer for the evening, I open up my inbox. When I see an email from the tip line for Kristen’s case, I click on it and scan over the message.
An anonymous source sent a text to it, which includes the text number for the tip line and the date and time the message was sent.
You need to talk to Pastor Jonathan Green from the World Church. He knows something about Kristen’s death.
When I look over at Miles, he turns his head my way. “An anonymous tip came in through the tip line for Kristen. It says we need to speak to a Pastor Green from World Church.”
“That mega church outside of town?” He raises a brow. “Is that the one Kristen went to when she was friends with Isabel and Livy?”
“Not sure. I’ll confirm with Barbara.” I glance at the clock on the wall across the room. It’s already after five, but I still call Barbara, and she confirms it was the church Kristen attended. So, I dig up the number for the church and put my phone to my ear after dialing it. As it rings, Miles keeps his eyes locked on me.
“World Church, this is Rebecca speaking. How can I help you?” an older woman answers.
“Hi, Rebecca. This is Detective Beckett with Nashville PD. I need to get ahold of Pastor Green.”
“Oh,” she whispers. “Well, he’s out for the day, but I can leave a message for him to call you back.”
“I’d really like to speak with him in person. Is he going to be around tomorrow?”
“Well…” She pauses for a moment, then says quietly, “I can put you through to his secretary, and she should be able to get you on his calendar.”
“Do that please,” I reply, and the phone goes quiet for a few minutes.
“Lauren speaking,” a younger-sounding woman answers.
“Hi, Lauren. This is Detective Beckett with Nashville PD. I need to set up a meeting with Pastor Green.”
“In regard to?” she asks, and my jaw gets tight.
“The murder of a girl who was a part of your congregation,” I say, and the phone goes quiet for a long moment.
“Umm…” I hear the click of a keyboard as she types. “Pastor Green is scheduled for a massage tomorrow, but he should be back in his office by one.”
“One works.”
“Okay, I’ve got you down. When you get here, please park in the back of the building, and come in through the door that’s marked for staff.”
“You’ve got it. Thank you, Lauren.”
“You’re welcome. Have a blessed day.” She hangs up, and I draw in a breath.
“Meeting with the pastor is tomorrow at one, after Pastor Green gets done with his massage.”
“Massage?” Miles shakes his head. “I knew I should have chosen a different fucking career path.”
“You and me both.” I roll back my chair, and Miles does the same with his. “Are you heading home?”
“Yeah, I need to give Karen a break,” he says, and I nod. Karen is Winter’s nanny, a woman in her late fifties who comes to stay on nights like last night, when Miles gets called out. She’s also been picking Winter up from school while Clay and Willow are still out of town. “Are you going home?”
“Just to shower and change. I’m having dinner with Miranda and Kingston.” I pick up my cell I haven’t looked at all day and check the screen, finding a couple of texts from Miranda waiting for me. The first is asking how much time someone might get for premeditated murder. The next lets me know that Emma will be joining us for dinner, then explains why.
