Read Online Dead Ringer by Sarah Fox - Free Book Online Page B

good thing, as the next time he spoke he lowered his voice significantly.
    â€œBy check.”
    I thought I recognized the voice as Reverend McAllister’s. It wasn’t surprising that he was present since we were in his church, but I was more than a little curious about his telephone conversation. I stood still and breathed as quietly as possible, listening for more.
    â€œI didn’t have any cash on me at the time and I didn’t think . . . yes, yes, I know. But I’m sure no one will find out . . . I don’t think she’ll be a problem . . . yes, but . . .”
    I shifted my weight and a floorboard creaked. I held my breath.
    â€œI have to go,” the reverend said. “We’ll talk later.”
    I knew he was aware of my presence now, so I stepped forward into the open doorway, doing my best to keep my face neutral.
    â€œOh, hi, Reverend,” I said. “I was hoping to find you here.”
    McAllister’s face was flushed, and he cleared his throat as he stood up behind his cherrywood desk. “You’re the young lady who discovered the, ah, unfortunate scene the other day.”
    â€œYes. That’s why I’m here, actually.” I waited for a lightning bolt to strike me down for telling a lie in a church, but nothing happened.
    â€œPlease, come in.” The reverend gestured to one of two chairs placed in front of his desk.
    I left the doorway and settled into the offered chair. It was lumpy and I detected what I thought was a broken spring digging into my backside, but I wasn’t about to complain. I had more important things on my mind. “It’s just . . . I’ve never seen anything like . . . well, like what I saw on the stairs and . . .” I sniffled and blinked my eyes, hoping the reverend wouldn’t notice that they were completely dry.
    â€œOf course, of course,” McAllister said in a soothing voice as he sat back down. “It was a terrible shock.”
    â€œIt was,” I agreed. “And it was all the worse because I knew him.”
    â€œAh, yes. You’re in the orchestra.”
    I nodded and added in some more rapid blinking. When I first stepped into Reverend McAllister’s view, I’d simply tried to come up with a way to explain my presence. Now, however, I recognized an opportunity to find out more about the discussion Hans had observed between Jeremy and the reverend. McAllister’s phone conversation had also made me curious about the man. What was it that he didn’t want anyone to find out about? Maybe it had nothing whatsoever to do with Jeremy, but then again, what if it did?
    McAllister sat back in his chair and steepled his fingers beneath his chin. “Naturally, it’s unsettling to see the results of such a violent act, to lose someone you knew in such a sudden and shocking manner. Have you prayed about it?”
    â€œEr,” I said eloquently. I didn’t think it would be right to tell him that praying wasn’t really my thing.
    â€œGive it a try,” the reverend suggested. “I think you’ll find it a comfort to share your burden with the Lord.”
    â€œUm. Okay.” I shifted in my seat in an attempt to escape the stabbing of the broken spring. It didn’t work. “You knew Jeremy too, didn’t you?” I asked, hoping to steer the conversation in a more illuminating direction.
    McAllister was taken aback by my question. “No, no. I didn’t know him,” he said, his cheeks flushing again.
    â€œOh.” I didn’t have to feign my confusion, but I tried to make my next words sound innocent rather than accusatory. “But I thought you talked to him the day he died. At least, that’s what I heard.”
    The reverend cleared his throat. “Oh. Yes. That.” He fiddled with a stapler on his desk. “I wouldn’t say that I knew him. He came to me for spiritual guidance,