Abandoned Hearts: A Rags to Romance Book by Mallory Monroe

Author:Mallory Monroe [Monroe, Mallory]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Austin Brook Publishing
Published: 2022-09-29T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

When they got inside, and made their way to the pastor’s office, Arvi was stunned to see that there was no police tape still surrounding the crime scene. And no police officer in sight to protect the integrity of the scene. “They removed the tape already?” he asked the deacons.

“That’s just how the Police are in this town,” said Snyder. “They don’t care. Especially considering her profession.”

Arvi looked at Snyder. “What was her profession?”

“Stripper,” said Bell. “She worked over at DuClay’s, that den of iniquity. The Police didn’t say it in so many words, but they’re behaving as if they figure she got what was coming to her.”

Arvi’s hard jaw tightened. The nerve of people to judge others so recklessly. “Do they have a theory as to how she ended up in Pastor Wright’s office?”

“We don’t know and they don’t know,” said Snyder. “And like Carter said, they don’t care.”

“What did Pastor Wright have to say about it? And where is he anyway? He knew I was coming.”

Bell glanced at Snyder. Snyder exhaled. “That’s another thing, sir.”

More bad news? Arvi steeled himself. “What is it now?”

“We can’t find the Pastor.”

Arvi stared at Snyder. “What do you mean you can’t find him?”

“We called him as soon as we were called to the church, but he hasn’t responded.”

“Did anybody go to his home?”

“Yes, sir. I went,” said Deacon Bell. “But he wasn’t there.”

“What about his wife? His children?”

“His wife died several years ago, and they had no children, sir.”

“Is it like him to not answer phone calls?”

Bell shook his head. “Never. He always answers our calls.”

“So what you’re telling me is that he’s missing, and a dead body was found in his office?”

Snyder and Bell knew it sounded horrible. “Yes, sir,” said Snyder.

“Did you at least notify the Police of this odd coincidence?”

“Right away, sir. They say they’re investigating that too.”

Well at least that, Arvi thought. “What about security cameras around this church? What did they capture?”

“Nothing, sir. We only have them at the entrance of the sanctuary. That’s it.”

Arvi shook his head. Every one of their small-town affiliated churches always took too many liberties with their security in this day and time! “Who was the young lady?” he asked. “Was she a member here too?”

“She used to come a few months back. Then she just stopped. I guess the gossip got to her.”

“What gossip?”

“The fact that she was a stripper, sir.”

Arvi had to control his anger. “Are you telling me that strippers aren’t welcomed in this church?”

“Of course they are, sir. But you know how some members can be. They judge. A lot.”

“And did Pastor Wright correct those members?”

“No, sir.”

“Did you?”

Snyder had heard that Bishop Marsden could be a bastard about doting every I and crossing every T when it came to the ethical running of the church, but he was also his boss. “No, sir,” he said.

Arvi exhaled. “She worked at DuClay’s you said?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Did anybody bother to find out if any of her coworkers knew anything about her relationship with Pastor Wright, or perhaps his disappearance?”

“Why no sir.

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