For Santa's Sake, Harlow! by Gwen Gardner

Author:Gwen Gardner [Gwen Gardner]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BookJaunts Books
Published: 2023-11-29T00:00:00+00:00

Harlow pulled into the Grace and Fellowship Church parking lot and cut the engine. The debate about whether the pastor walked blindly into Sarah Lovegood’s love trap, or if his eyes were wide open, lasted the entire drive over.

“But I just don’t get how the pastor didn’t know she was married,” Gabe repeated for the fourth or fifth time.

“I agree, it seems unlikely, but we’re about to find out. Keep in mind, Gabe, that we’re not here to judge. We’re merely gathering facts. Besides that, he doesn’t have to speak to us.” Harlow locked the car door, remembering the horror of the last time she and Gabe had visited. Hopefully, there wouldn’t be a dead body this time.

They approached the double doors and found one unlocked. Harlow hadn’t attended church since her mother had died ten years before, and she was reluctant to step inside now. She and God weren’t on speaking terms, and especially not at Christmas. But this was business.

Lined with tables of books, leaflets, and religious flyers on one wall, and a corkboard with activity notices on another, the lobby was nothing special. They bypassed the closed door on the left and entered through the double doors straight ahead.

Stopping just over the threshold, they stared in unison at the far wall. Light poured through a life-sized stained-glass window mural of Jesus—as if the second coming of Christ had indeed arrived. Harlow felt the need to cross herself, and she wasn’t even Catholic.

“Impressive, isn’t it?” Crystal whispered, as if the situation called for muted conversation. Because who other than Harlow could hear her?

Footsteps approached them from the pulpit, echoing the vastness of the vaulted ceiling. The pastor wore his long brown hair in a man bun. His faded holey jeans and a Led Zeppelin t-shirt marked him as a classic rock fan.

“Welcome, I’m Pastor Derek. How can I help you?” Derek Jacobs was a handsome man with amber-brown eyes, sure to attract female members to his congregation.

Harlow showed him her identity card. “I’m Harlow Grayson, and this is my assistant, Gabe Matthews. As representatives of the Local Rag, we’d appreciate the opportunity to ask a few questions, if we may?”

“You’re here about the murders.” A statement, not a question. He had been expecting them. “Come on back.” He led them into a small, inner room next to the pulpit. A mixture of posters hung on the wall. ‘Jesus is the reason for the season’, next to a ‘Santa Rocks the Suit’ depiction of a punk band. “I was making myself some hot cocoa. Would you care for some? I also have instant coffee, or tea, if you’d prefer.”

“Tea, please. No sugar.” Her clothing already fit too snugly.

Gabe chose hot chocolate.

The pastor set about boiling water and taking mugs down from the cupboard. “I can’t believe what’s happened to those poor girls, God rest their souls. Devout women, both of them. Here every Sunday, and often at the weekly prayer meetings.”

Crystal nodded. “Oh, he gives excellent sermons, if you ever get the chance to attend.

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