Page 17 of Fatal Strike
“Stopped. Rehabilitated. Shown God’s love and forgiveness,” Father Gabriel added. “Agent Riesel, I’m not sure Dylan is guilty.”
“Why?” Leah said.
“If he was here early this morning in a possible criminal capacity, he may have been compelled by the killers.”
11
JON WAITED FOR LEAH’S RESPONSEto Father Gabriel.
“What makes you think the gang might have forced him?” Leah maintained an impassive look on her face.
“Rumors. And I have no verification either way.”
“Where did you hear about the coercion?”
Father Gabriel hesitated. “My responsibilities take me to many areas,” he said. “God’s work doesn’t keep one away from dangerous places. I’ve heard the gang forces young men to join by threatening family and loved ones. Unfortunately, most gangs require the initiation of blood in, and the member’s blood to get out. I want to avoid any more deaths. And to the best of my knowledge, I don’t know any Venenos.”
“Unless the information was revealed in confession,” Leah said, her tone beginning to show her frustration.
He held up his hand. “Then I’d encourage the person to turn himself in.”
That made Jon feel slightly better.
“Why do you think the gang singled you and your church out in the death of Judge Mendez?” Leah said.
“I wish I had an answer. I understand churches and priests in other cities are also faced with Veneno crimes.”
“Were you acquainted with the other two victims—Ian Greer and Marcia Trevelle?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Tell us about your relationship with Judge Mendez,” she said.
“We played golf once a week.” Father Gabriel sighed. “I lost a good friend today.”
“I’m sorry.”
Jon wondered if her sympathy would cause the priest to reveal more than he was willing to share or if he would see it as an insincere gesture.
“I can only forgive the killer, not only for the judge but the other two who died as well,” Father Gabriel continued. “I neither condone murder nor excuse breaking the law, but the church stands for mercy and embraces the sinner.”
“Murder is not a slap-your-hand offense.”
“The church is in the business of saving souls by bringing all men into communion with God through Jesus Christ.”
Jon stepped in before the steadily rising tension between Father Gabriel and Leah could boil over.
“Regarding the Veneno presence in the other cities,” Jon said, “what have the priests of these churches involved relayed to you? The—”
“Before you go any further, I haven’t talked to those priests,”Father Gabriel said. “I recognize their names, but I haven’t been to those churches. We don’t belong to a club.”
Jon was getting frustrated himself. “The church helps people draw the line between right and wrong,” he said. “‘You shall not murder’ is one of the Ten Commandments as well as ‘You shall not bear false witness.’”
Father Gabriel’s face reddened. “Agent Colbert, you’re speaking to a man who has the commandments memorized. I live them, breathe them, pray them, and teach them.”
Jon reached for civility and spoke calmness into his words. “My apologies. When was the last time you saw or spoke to Dylan?”
“About a month ago from a distance. No words were exchanged.” Father Gabriel sat back in his chair. “Other than reviewing questions for the Galveston Police Department and avoiding media, my day’s been a juggle of one crisis after another. Rachel Mendez is grieving the loss of her husband and the father to their children. Silvia Ortega is heartbroken because of one person’s accusation. A prayer service and a funeral need to be planned.”
