The Pinch Runner by Robin Merrill

Author:Robin Merrill
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: christian cozy mystery, cozy mystery, funny cozy mystery, amateur sleuth, women sleuth, female sleuth
Publisher: New Creation Publishing
Published: 2019-09-18T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 23

Sandra left Sunday school early to snag a good seat in the sanctuary for the main service. And while she knew it was for a good cause, she was still worried about upsetting the apple cart. She knew she couldn’t just change seats. Changing seats meant stealing someone else’s seat. In some cases, it meant stealing a seat from someone who’d sat in that spot for forty years. People were mostly tolerant of this behavior from guests, but she wasn’t a guest. She took the very front seat on the far left side of the room, miles away from where she and her family usually sat. She knew people would notice. She hoped Brendan Barney wouldn’t. And she didn’t think he would. She thought he’d have more pressing issues on his mind.

She didn’t know whose spot this normally was, and hoped that maybe it was unclaimed, though it wasn’t likely. It truly was a terrible seat, which was why she’d chosen it. If one sat in this spot, and faced front, all they could see was the door to the plastic flowers closet and the corner of the altar. Hence, anyone normal sitting here would have to sit sideways in order to see the pastor. She tried this sideways position now, and was thrilled at how well it worked. She could see the entire sanctuary, but she didn’t even need to. Unless Brendan Barney also got creative with his choice of seats, she’d easily be able to discreetly stare at him for the entire service.

A thought flickered through her mind, sending her heart into a panic. What if he didn’t come to church? His father was in jail! Maybe he’d want the day off. Or maybe he’d be too ashamed to come. But the Barneys were all about keeping up appearances. They were practically Stepfords. So they’d come, right? Unless they decided that it would look better if they didn’t come. Maybe they’d stay home to give the appearance of grieving, or of solidarity with their patriarch. She shook her head. She was giving herself a headache. She texted her husband, “I’ve changed seats for today. We’re up front. Please don’t make a big deal. I’ll explain later.” She hoped he’d forget to ask for this promised explanation, because he wasn’t going to like it.

Sunday school hadn’t been dismissed yet, but those churchgoers who didn’t attend Sunday school started trickling in. And they sure were a lively, talkative bunch. Sandra hadn’t realized this, as she was always still in class. She stared down at her phone, scrolling through her Facebook feed without actually seeing anything, trying to be small and unnoticeable.

Her efforts failed. The sanctuary was half-full when a small, tan boy with a mass of curly blond hair that nearly doubled his height appeared in front of her with wide eyes. “Hey! That’s our seat!” Sandra could feel the room full of eyeballs burning into the back of her head. She wasn’t sure how to respond to the child, so she just stared at him, wishing the moment would be over.

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