Page 15 of Fatal Strike
Jon and Leah followed the priest to the sidewalk and around the church. Jon looked for debris, anything leading back to the killers. The priest gestured them through richly carved wooden doors.
“First, let me show you our sanctuary,” he said.
Jon hadn’t been in a Catholic church, only a nondenominational one with his old friend Hanson. Eerily quiet. Not a single sound met his ears. Reverent. Hanson would have taken a front pew and studied the altar.
A statue of Jesus on the cross and another of the Virgin Mary in lifelike form caught his attention. Both left no doubt in his mind of the holiness penetrating and swirling throughout the massive area, and Jon wasn’t a man who focused on beauty and art—only facts. He expected the organ to break into an ancient hymn. “Beautiful, Father Gabriel.” In different circumstances, he’d opt for sitting awhile in the sanctuary.
“God’s presence, even in the midst of tragedy. I encourage both of you to return for prayer and worship.” He led them down a wood-paneled hallway to a well-lit office. Huge corner windows allowed natural light to spill in.
Jon and Leah sat in dark-brown leather chairs facing his desk. A wide-screen monitor sat on the left side of the oak desk, and a Bible lay open with a pen and a highlighter in the fold. To the right of the Bible was a photo of a smiling young man, the only item indicative of the priest’s personal life. A crucifix was centered on the wall behind his desk, and below it was a bookshelf filled with volumes of books. Uncluttered. Largely impersonal.
“May we record our conversation?” Jon said.
“I’m sorry. It’s not in my best interest or those within my church who seek me for confession.”
10
SEATED IN FATHER GABRIEL’S OFFICE,Leah observed Jon’s face tighten with the priest’s refusal to record their interview. She wasn’t pleased either, but he had a right to say no—unless an interview took place at the FBI office. And that had her vote. A twinge of misgivings about the priest swirled through her mind. She understood confidentiality of information. Did the priest harbor information and claim his religious convictions to cover it?
Father Gabriel folded his hands on the desk, giving him an authoritative demeanor. Leah didn’t fault him. This church and office were his domain. The priest continued. “Normally my duties here take precedence over everything else, but not in the matter of a murder. I want to help.”
Jon moved toward the purpose of the interview. “What happened this morning?”
Father Gabriel rubbed his palms together. “I received a call on the church’s landline shortly before 8a.m. from a man who claimed to be a Veneno. I’m here most mornings before five for prayer, and today was no exception. The man told me to check outside the church’s rear doors. He said I’d find a Veneno enemy, and the people of Texas needed to pay attention to the future of their state. He also said the gang was watching me. His final word wasreconquista. When I looked, I found Judge Mendez. His eyes were open, and he had no pulse. I contacted 911 on my cell phone.”
“Your details will help law enforcement put together the case. What language did the caller use?”
“English.”
“Why would they be watching you?”
“I don’t know, unless they think I know who’s responsible.”
“Do you?”
“No, sir.”
“What did you do while you waited for an ambulance?”
“I prayed for Judge Mendez and his family.”
“Rachel Mendez told us she received a call from you. Did you contact his wife?”
He nodded. “I told her the judge was with me. I didn’t tell her he’d already passed or the police were on their way. She wanted to drive to the church, but I suggested she meet me at John Sealy Hospital. The ambulance and the police arrived before we ended the conversation. I told the police I planned to meet Mrs. Mendez at the hospital. They allowed me to drive and interviewed me there and here again.”
“Did anyone at the hospital look suspicious?”
“My attention was on Mrs. Mendez.”
“When did you return to church?” Jon said.
“Shortly after Mrs. Mendez’s mother arrived and took her and the children to the Mendez home. I’ll meet with Mrs. Mendez later to discuss the services.” He paused. “Silvia Ortega contacted me. She expressed concern about a warrant issued for Dylan’s arrest and your disbelief in his innocence in the murder of Judge Mendez.”
“As we told Ms. Ortega, her son is wanted for questioning as a person of interest. We have a BOLO out, but there’s no warrant for his arrest. We just need to talk to him.” Jon’s words settled before he spoke again. “If she knows where her son is, then she needs to inform us or persuade him to contact law enforcement.”
“The news reported Dylan was seen outside the church’s rear doors early this morning,” Father Gabriel said.
“Correct.”
