John took the stairs two at a time and flew out the door from his apartment into the sheriff’s office in socks, pajama pants, and a T-shirt.
Mei’s eyes widened, and she motioned to his pants. “SpongeBob?”
“They were a gift from Pat. And that’s not what we’re talking about.” It was for real. Mei had locked Dan and Gemma in the jail cell. Gemma was still cuffed.
Mei motioned to her to turn her back and lift her hands, then un-cuffed the librarian.
“Seriously?”
“Antonia is dead, and these two assaulted me.” Mei turned her face so he could see the color, high on her cheek.
“That was an accident,” Gemma called across the room.
“I don’t doubt that.” John scratched his head and turned to Mei. “Where is Antonia’s body?”
“On the ground at the lake.”
He didn’t want to call Elliot back the night of his wedding, but John might not have a choice. “We need Dr. Noel to act as medical examiner and bring her to the medical center. He can do the autopsy there.”
“She was shot.”
“And there will be evidence on her body that needs collecting.” John blew out a breath. “I know you haven’t been a cop long, but you’re not supposed to leave a body. Evidence could be tampered with. Anything that points to who her killer was is basically worth nothing at this point, given it could have been planted there or something could have been removed.”
Mei pulled something from her pocket. Her fingertips were bloody. “Bullet.”
John opened his hand as a reflex. She dropped the round into his palm. Had she dug it from Antonia’s body? “It’s a really good thing we don’t actually have a court system in this town—”
“I might actually get to kill someone.” Mei wiped off her hands and then poured herself a cup of coffee while John just stared.
“—because you’ve single-handedly destroyed any case we might have.” There was nothing else he could do. “You’re probably going to be fired after this.”
“Probably?” Gemma’s eyes were wide. “I’ve never been a cop, but I have read a lot of detective novels. I think she might be some kind of…” She blanched. “Andra doesn’t, like, recognize her or anything, does she?”
“She isn’t an assassin. I wouldn’t hire an assassin to be my deputy.”
Mei lowered her cup from her mouth. “But you did choose one to be your wife.”
“Andra doesn’t kill people anymore.” Why did he keep having to tell everyone that?
Mei shook her head. “That’s just something civilized people say to try and convince themselves they wouldn’t make an exception if they seriously hated someone.”
John stared at her for a moment. “Mei, let them both out. I have to go to the scene and see to Antonia. I don’t want Gemma and Dan in my cell when I get back.” He wandered to the door that led to his upstairs apartment. “I cannot believe you arrested Dan Walden.”
After a second of quiet, Gemma said, “But you can believe she arrested me?”
Like he was going to get in the middle of that. “You either, Gemma.”
Mei folded her arms. “This man confessed to the murder of Antonia Hernandez.”
“He didn’t kill her,” Gemma yelled. “He officiated a wedding, and then he was with me!”
Mei huffed out a breath and wandered over to him. Her gaze on his was serious. “You’re too close to them, that’s your problem.”
“My problem is there’s a dead woman at the lake who was left alone instead of being taken care of with the respect she deserves as somebody’s daughter, somebody’s sister. We might not have a lot in this town, but I thought we had that.”
Not to mention it was likely John’s fault for drawing Antonia into this “mayor” thing. If Collins had killed her, John was going to have a hard time conducting a fair investigation. Collins would bring up what Ben had done to him, and no one would ever be satisfied the right thing had been done.
Olympia deserved justice for her daughter.
John ran a hand down his face. He was going to have to tell Olympia that her daughter was dead and Matthias, Maria and Sofia, that their sister had been killed. They deserved to know the truth, but things were so sticky he might not be able to do that for them. Mei likely wasn’t going to be all that much help, either. Especially if he needed someone impartial. Any other day, he’d have chosen Dan to be with him for this task.
Mei said, “I have evidence. My investigation is almost complete, and the pastor is smack in the middle of all of it.”
“Investigation?” John shook his head. “What investigation, Mei? You’re supposed to be getting to know these people. Making sure the tunnels aren’t an active security breach.” He motioned to the cell. “As for the pastor, his name is Dan.”
Mei waved away his words. “I don’t like to use their names.”
“You used Antonia’s.”
“She’s dead. What does it matter what I call her?” Gemma gasped, but Mei continued, “Once you start, you start to build something that’ll turn into a relationship.” She said it like it was a dirty word. “And then you end up actually caring about them. It’s a slippery slope.”
John couldn’t speak. Finally, he got out the word, “What?”
“What?”
“You’re supposed to be a deputy sheriff. I explained this, Mei. There are procedures.”
“You think that’s why I’m here?” She cocked her head to the side. “Procedures?”
John shut his eyes. “I’m going to get dressed, and then I’m going to Antonia. Then I’ll be informing her family that she was killed.” Lord, this is going to hurt them. Help me do this right. “When I get back, Dan and Gemma need to be out of that cell, and you and I are going to have a talk. About procedure.”
**
The sheriff went back upstairs, and Gemma turned to Mei. She caught the deputy’s gaze between the bars of the jail cell and said, “I told you that you weren’t supposed to leave Antonia’s body.”
Sure, it hadn’t made Mei super happy to hear that she shouldn’t just shove them both to the sheriff’s Jeep and drive them into town, but that wasn’t Gemma’s problem. Mei should have read the deputy sheriff’s manual better.
“I don’t need any help from you.” Mei actually looked a little chagrined. Gemma wouldn’t have thought that was possible. “Not when you’re so obviously going to cover for him no matter what.” She motioned toward Dan.
“Because he would never murder someone!”
Dan flinched. Gemma strode to where he sat on the cot, his gaze on the far wall like he wasn’t seeing anything. She crouched in front of him. “Dan?”
He hadn’t spoken to her in the car. He’d only sat there. It was she who had grabbed his hand.
John came back in, shrugging on his jacket. “I’m taking the car.”
“If you’re getting ahold of Elliot to see to Antonia,” Gemma called out, “maybe you could have him come and see Dan as well.”
John stopped, one hand on the front door handle, about to go outside. “Why does Dan need a doctor?”
Gemma wanted to get mad, but none of them knew. Dan had never told them even the first thing about his issues. Even people who’d lived in town their whole lives, or most of Dan and Gemma’s lives, knew only some. Not all of it.
Gemma touched his cheeks as softly as she could. “Dan.” She kept her voice soft. It was the only thing that worked. “Dan, can you hear me?”
He didn’t move.
“Dan, its Gemma. Everything is fine now.”
“I killed her.”
She flinched, even though he spoke in a whisper. “No, you didn’t. It wasn’t your fault, Dan. It never was.”
“He’s confessing to the crime.” Mei’s voice was low but excited. “He’s the one who killed Antonia.”
Gemma glanced at her and hissed, “That’s not even what he’s talking about.”
John shook his head. “We’re going to have to do this later. I have to get to Antonia.”
Mei stepped closer to the cell. “Oh, so he’s talking about his mom, then?”
Gemma froze. Dan actually blinked. “Dan, you have to come out of this. Come back to me.”
“Barn.”
“I’ll get you home.”
Mei said, “He must be talking about where he hid the body.” She gripped the bars. “Did you bury your mom in the barn, Dan? Is that what happened? All that blood on the living room floor. Was it a gunshot? Did you kill Antonia just the same way you killed your mom?”
Dan shifted both hands out, his arms flailing with them. Gemma was shoved with the force of his momentum. She fell back on her skirt again. “Dan!”
His face almost pressed through the bars. He yelled right in Mei’s face. “You don’t know what you’re talking about!”
“But you did kill someone. Right? You said it. You killed her.”
Gemma scrambled to her feet. “Mei, you need to back off.” She set her hand on Dan’s arm. “Dan?” He shrugged her off, and her arm whipped out at an awkward angle. Gemma hissed and held it with the other hand. “Seriously, Mei. Back off.”
The deputy folded her arms. “I don’t think so—”
John set his hand on her shoulder. “Mei, I think you should back off. Something is happening to Dan, and you’re not helping.”
“It’s called a confession. That’s part of police work, isn’t it?” Mei said. “I’m not letting him go if he’s telling us he murdered a woman.”
“How about I go to the murder scene and get us some evidence? Then we’ll actually know who killed Antonia.”
Dan stepped back from the bars. He glanced around, saw Gemma holding her arm, and frowned. “Are you okay?”
She nodded.
“You shoved her,” Mei said. “A couple of times by my count.”
Gemma said, “Yeah, but when I elbowed you in the face it was way more fun.”
“Gem.”
She looked at Dan. “It’s fine. We’re both okay. Antonia’s the one who isn’t.”
“I’ll be back,” John said. “If you’re not going to let them go, then don’t talk to them, either. Make them coffee, but don’t ask them any questions and don’t engage.”
“Fine.” Mei moved away from him and sat at one of the desks.
“You okay, Dan?”
“Yeah, Sheriff.”
“Gemma?”
She didn’t glance away from Dan. “Yes.”
“I’ll be back.” John shot the deputy a pointed look. He’d seen Dan have what he called an “episode.” Did that mean he was going to do something about it?
Gemma had tried for years to figure out what would help. All she’d been able to work out was that she simply accept Dan, give him friendship, and let him be the man he wanted to be.
John shut the door behind him. Gemma looked once at Mei to make sure she wasn’t listening—she totally was—and then spoke low. “I’m sorry I kicked you out the other day. I shouldn’t have done that. Whether the info would help or not, I should have let you stay and let it be whatever it was going to be. So I’m sorry. That’s all.”
Dan touched the back of her neck with his hand, leaned in, and kissed her forehead. “Thank you, Gemma.” He gave her a small smile before it disappeared. “Did I hurt you?”
She opened her mouth to deny it.
“Yes, you did.”
“Mei.” Gemma shot her a look. “This is none of your business. Stay out of it.” She turned her body, so her back was to the deputy. “I’m fine.”
“Don’t lie. I hurt you.” She could see on his face that he hated the fact he’d left a mark on her, even if it was just a little bruise. That wasn’t the care he wanted to take with her—the kind she took with him. Both of them knew that, but she was going to convince him it was all good.
“It’s not important.”
“It’s important to me.”
“Well then call it even,” she suggested. “I hurt your feelings, you…” She turned her arm so he could see the red mark.
Dan hissed out a breath between his teeth. “I don’t like it. Not at all.”
“It is what it is. Don’t worry about that.”
“Antonia is dead.” He ran a hand down his face. “Olympia will be devastated. Maria is going to need help, and Sofia will have to find someone to assist her at the nursery. All of their lives will be irrevocably altered, and there’s nothing we can do to soften the blow. I don’t even think we’re supposed to be able to.”
“Aren’t there people at the church who will rally around them when something like this happens?” That was what church people did. She’d seen the pies being delivered.
Dan nodded. “Yes, but Olympia is usually the one doing it for others.”
“Then I’m sure there are plenty of people who will want to repay that favor.”
A smile curled his lips. “Thank you, Gemma. You’re right. Most likely they will want to help out.”
She’d helped him. That felt good. Dan never liked when he disappeared into his own head, and she hated seeing it. Blank-faced Dan was scary, especially considering what he’d done the last time. It was mercy that he didn’t remember.
Gemma folded her arms to trace the scar on her bicep with a finger and walked to the other end of the tiny cell. Something needed to change, otherwise Dan was going to disappear into himself at the wrong moment. Someone could get seriously hurt, and not just her.
Or he could do it during a sermon and wind up saying something that made him sound crazy. She didn’t want him to lose his position. Being a pastor meant so much to him. He hadn’t asked for it; he’d just filled a need when it was evident that there was one.
Gemma glanced back at him. Hands on the bars, he hung his head. What was he asking God for? Dan’s “Papa” helped him. She’d seen the evidence enough to know that when he was done he’d be more peaceful. Happier, even. Gemma would still be jittery.
Did she want that peace?
**
Dan lifted his head. Mei didn’t bother to hide the fact she was watching him. Gemma moved behind him, and the bed creaked. But he didn’t turn.
“You have to admit, finding you both standing over a dead body was pretty suspicious.”
Dan figured that might be the closest thing to an apology Mei Ling would ever give anyone. At least without killing them afterwards. Maybe he was on the wrong track, but occasionally there was that look in her eyes, and he wondered who was underneath.
Mei said, “Your mom disappeared, didn’t she?”
Dan nodded. That was the public story, while the truth of what had gone on was far different.
She motioned to her computer screen with one finger. “The sheriff’s report from back then says he asked around, but no one had seen her leave. She was never seen again. Clothes gone. A suitcase she’d brought with her.”
Gemma said, “I never heard about the suitcase. I was nine at the time, and my mom used to work at the farm back then. Dan’s mom went missing one night, and everyone was really freaked out. I wasn’t allowed to play over there after that day.”
“No one looked for her, and after a couple of months the sheriff closed the case.” Mei paused. “Which makes me wonder where her body is. No point in searching for a dead woman.”
Dan flinched. “I actually don’t know the answer to that.”
“But you do know what happened.”
Gemma slammed the bars beside him. “John told you not to ask him anything! Can’t you see it’s been enough? He was eleven years old. Do you know many eleven-year-olds that have buried bodies?”
“Gemma.” Dan took her hand and led her away from the bars.
“I don’t like that woman. I don’t want her insinuating anything about you.”
“I’m good, Gemma.” So long as he didn’t let go of her, he figured he could keep his head.
“Are you sure?”
He nodded. Part of him wanted to tell her he was strong, or that he didn’t need her to defend him, but that would be a lie.
He wanted to be strong. He wanted to be a man who didn’t need anyone to defend him. But God had given him so much to take on that it forced Dan to admit he needed help. And why would that ever be bad? God was the one who held him up, who held him together. Had he not endured life with his father, Dan would never have known what it was like to be nothing… and to be given everything. He’d never have known the extent of God’s sufficiency in his life.
“I just want you to be good.”
“I know.” Dan touched her cheek. They were past the point where he needed to hide how he felt with her. Mei was watching, but Dan figured it would be out sooner or later that they’d been together tonight. Nothing was set between them, but they had time.
“So,” Mei said. “You guys are sleeping together.”
Gemma whirled around. “I told you we weren’t. That hasn’t changed, not that it’s any business of yours.”
When she turned back, Dan mouthed, Sleeping together? Gemma’s eyes widened, and he laughed. “Not that it wouldn’t be pleasant, I’m sure.”
Gemma chuckled. “Yeah, I’m not that type of girl. But thanks for offering.”
“I know you aren’t that type of girl.” He grinned. “Good thing I’m not that kind of pastor.”
“Yeah,” she grinned. “Good thing.” Then mouthed, Awkward. Dan smiled, and she couldn’t help but chuckle.
Mei said, “I’m confused. What are you two talking about?”
Dan said, “How about that coffee John mentioned?”
The door flung open. Olympia rushed in, and the bell above the door swung so hard it clanged and got stuck. “Is it true?” Her face was red, flushed. Sweat beaded down from her temples. She breathed hard, as though she’d run all the way from B Street. “Is it true my Antonia is dead?”
Gemma stepped away from him like he had a bad cold. All the amusement of the moment before evaporated like smoke. “Olympia.” Dan didn’t know what to say. A woman was dead. “I’m so sorry, but she’s gone.”
“The caller said it was you, but I didn’t believe them. Not Pastor Dan. He would never have killed my child.”
Gemma said, “We found her; that’s what happened.” She paused. “I’m sorry, too, Olympia. She was a beautiful girl who had so much to give the world.” She looked guilty almost, as though ashamed they’d shared that humor a moment ago.
The matron blinked. “Thank you, Gemma.”
Mei rounded her desk and waved toward the waiting area. “Let’s sit.” She looked as though she didn’t know what to say, either.
“Let me out.” Dan wanted to sit with Olympia. To pray with her.
Mei shot him a suspicious look.
“Just do it, Mei. He’s not going anywhere.” Gemma did the stand-off thing again, and it worked. Mei strode over and unlocked the cell door.
She pointed at Gemma. “You stay with him so I can watch both of you. No funny business.”
Gemma held up both hands. “Got it.”
Dan passed both of them and sat beside Olympia. “What about the others, do they know?”
She nodded, a tissue balled up in her hand. “I called them. They’re on their way.”
“That’s good.”
The door opened, and more people poured in. Six. Seven. Eight. Asking for the sheriff, and demanding to know what had happened. The room filled fast. Mei got on a chair and yelled for quiet, but no one listened.
Maria pushed through the crowd. “Mama, Antonia is dead?”
Dan nodded so Olympia wouldn’t have to answer.
“What happened?” She glanced between them as people crowded around to hear the answer. “How did she die?”
Dan swallowed. “It was by the lake. We” —he shook his head— “Gemma and I found her by the lake, but it was too late. She was already gone.”
“Gone?” Olympia’s eyes darkened.
“She’d been shot.”
Maria gasped. “She was murdered?”
Matthias and Frannie pushed through the crowd. People moved so close they touched his knees. Dan had to stand. It was getting hard to breathe. He needed air so he could reassure them, answer questions, and try to point them to the peace of God. That passes understanding, thank You, Papa. I need that right now. He tried to breathe and managed to get some air in.
“Dan.” Olympia tugged on his sleeve.
“I’m sorry.” He looked around for Gemma. Where was she?
“People—” Mei’s yelling was drowned out by the talking. Shouting. Questions. Those who thought they knew what had happened, or who had done it.
Dan stood on his chair. Better air, and a vantage point. But he didn’t see her anywhere. “Gemma?”
Mei glanced around. “Where is she?”
He shook his head. “I don’t see her.”
Maria yelled across the crowd. “Maybe she’s been murdered, too!”