Stolen Secrets by Sherri Shackelford

Author:Sherri Shackelford
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2019-12-02T18:51:20+00:00

ELEVEN

Two weeks after starting his undercover job with Lucy, Jordan found himself outside the base chapel on a Saturday afternoon. Lucy was with the police going through yet another set of mug shots while Jordan had returned to finish up some loose ends on the project that had brought him to Omaha in the first place.

His team had completed the tasks in record time, and he’d gone for a run. For reasons he couldn’t explain, his path had led him to the chapel. He glanced down and caught sight of his running shoes. Even if he had an explanation for how he’d wound up here in the first place, he wasn’t exactly dressed for church. As he turned away, someone opened the door.

Jordan tottered backward to avoid a collision and met the man’s startled gaze.

“Sorry about that,” the man apologized. “Didn’t see you there.” He held the door with one hand. “Going inside?”

“No, no.” Jordan swiped at the perspiration on his forehead. “I was just out for a run. I’m not exactly dressed to go inside.”

“I’m the chaplain, Pastor Byrne. Most folks just call me Chaplain.” He stuck out his hand. “Pleasure to meet you.”

Jordan shook the proffered hand and introduced himself.

Pastor Byrne was tall and tan with a large forehead and steel-gray hair that matched his eyes. His black suit and jacket hung loosely off his lanky frame, and his black leather shoes reflected the afternoon sunlight.

He rocked back on his heels. “If you have need of the chapel, I have it on good authority there’s no dress code.”

Shaking his head, Jordan said, “It’s all right. I don’t need anything.”

“You’ve lost someone, haven’t you?”

“Yes.” The question caught him off guard, and Jordan’s throat constricted. “How did you know?”

“You do this job long enough, you get an instinct about things.” The chaplain clasped his hands behind his back. “I was going for a walk. Care to join me?”

“No. I can’t. I should be getting back.”

Despite his protests, Jordan hesitated. He felt as though a great pressure was building inside him, and if he didn’t talk to someone, he’d explode.

“Things happen in this world we don’t always have the answers for.” The chaplain spoke quietly. “I see a lot of grief in this job. A lot of loss. Senseless loss. We look to God in those times, and sometimes He answers by sending us the people we need to guide us.”

Something had led Jordan here this morning. His meeting had wrapped up earlier than he’d expected. His run had taken him on a different route than normal. The chaplain had been leaving just when he got here. A half-dozen small steps had led him to this place.

Instead of fighting, he’d choose to see the wisdom in the chaplain’s words.

He hesitated another moment, then said, “Sure. I have time for a walk.” He checked his phone before stowing it in his pocket once more. No messages. “I’m not stationed here. I’m a contractor.”

“I thought your hair was a little too long for regulation.

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