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Andi turned to Duke. “I know this probably sounds crazy. But I really want to see the church they all attended. I want to know more about what life was like for those in the village, and the church seems like the ideal place to see that.”
“Why?” Duke stared at her.
“I don’t know if this has anything to do with the Blancos’ religion or upbringing or anything else. But I can’t help but think that something happening in that village led to her death. The church was a central part of their lives. My impression is that it’s been abandoned for several years now.”
Andi didn’t bother to tell him that she was a tactile learner. Whenever she’d investigated something, she always liked to visit the scene. If she was a theater gal, people would call her a method actor.
“I’m down for a ride.” Mariella nodded enthusiastically.
Duke cocked an eyebrow. “You want to come too?”
“I’m ready to get out of here for a change of scenery. I mean, if it makes you feel better, I can pay you for your time.”
“I’m not worried about money.” Duke frowned. He hadn’t even been thinking about his job—only justice. “I’m worried about safety.”
“You’ll be with us, so of course we’ll be fine.” Mariella shrugged as if her statement was a given.
People tended to put their confidence in Duke, didn’t they? Andi mused. She could see why. He was dependable, the kind of guy who took charge and knew how to handle himself. What wasn’t there to admire about that?
Her first impression of the man had certainly been wrong.
Mariella held her camera phone up high and smiled at it. “And I think these new Kalahari leggings will be perfect while out in the arctic cold.”
More product placement. Nice . . .
Ranger suddenly appeared in their semi-circle. “I’ll go too.”
Duke glanced at everyone gathered around the office. “So you’reallgoing?”
No one bothered to say otherwise.
Simmy, of course, would stay here, but Trooper Gibson would be close in case trouble came up again. If he got any calls, he’d have to leave. But hopefully that wouldn’t happen.
Duke finally let out a long sigh. “Fine. I guess there’s no reason to stay here. We can all take this little field trip.”
Andi felt the spark of excitement light inside her.
After saying goodbye, the gang piled into Duke’s SUV.
Andi hoped this excursion would be fruitful.
It would be, she decided. It was a great idea, and no one was going to tell her otherwise.
* * *
Duke knew this was a terrible idea.
He wasn’t sure what exactly they all hoped to prove by going to see the church.
But sometimes a change of scenery could help. Maybe that would be the case right now. Because he was fairly certain they weren’t going to find any clues in the abandoned old building.
Everyone around him chatted as they drove. Duke mused about the change in atmosphere.
Really, everyone in his vehicle had all been strangers up until a few days ago. Now this mystery had pulled them together. Even Andi seemed to be lit with excitement as she talked about what might have happened to Henrietta.
Could Obadiah be guilty? Or had Henry hired someone to kill his wife? Or what if a perfect stranger had been responsible?
As it stood right now, any of those things could be possible.
