Page 61 of Fatal Strike
“What was Everson’s urgency?” Jon said.
“He found out Marcia Trevelle had seen me earlier in the day. She was worried about him, asked for prayer.”
“Let’s talk in your office and see if we can figure out why Dixon came for confession and how it could be tied to today.”
“All right.”
Jon jogged with Leah to Father Gabriel’s office but was unprepared for what they found inside. Desk drawers were thrown open and papers scattered on the floor. Books tossed into every conceivable place. Stacked boxes in a closet had been dumped upside down.
The priest remained in the doorway. He gasped. “What happened?”
“Were the shooters a diversion?” Jon directed his questions to Leah. “Why didn’t Dixon and his bud walk into the church and forcibly take what they wanted? Or break in at night?”
“And did they find what they were looking for?” Leah stepped around the debris. “Father Gabriel, what do you have that they could possibly want?”
Father Gabriel shook his head. “I’ll check to see what’s missing, but I keep nothing of value here.”
“You were nearly killed today,” Jon said. “Do you see why you need a police officer to protect you? This could have been prevented.”
“I kept thinking Chief Everson needs every uniformed officer until this is over.” He drew in a deep breath. “They might not miss the next time. You’re right. I need protection.”
Leah pulled her phone from her pant pocket. “I’ll contact Everson for an assigned officer, then Houston FBI. We need a team to sweep the area.”
Jon glanced at Leah. “Have any gloves on you? I’d like to check the computer.”
“We’ve used what I normally carry.”
Father Gabriel spoke up. “I’ll get a box from the nursery. Are you allergic to latex?” When Jon shook his head, Father Gabriel gave a rueful grin. “Still doubtful any would fit you.”
“I can do it, and I’m fine with latex.” Leah moved to the desk, but she kept her fingers away from the computer and keyboard until Father Gabriel returned with gloves. She wriggled them on.
“Thank goodness for babies’ behinds.” Jon chuckled.
She rolled her eyes at him. “Is the device locked?”
“Yes,” Father Gabriel said. “The code’s SaintPeter.”
“When this is over, we’re discussing password protection,” she said.
Jon watched Leah quickly move over the keyboard.
“You’ll find only church business. Emails to and from members and the diocese. Files of baptisms, marriages, and funerals. Earlier, I shut it down to cut a few roses from the front bushes before Judge Mendez’s services. Then the shots were fired.”
Jon wanted to ask more questions, but instead he focused on Leah. “What was accessed?”
“Nothing.” She looked at the mess strewn over the floor. “Had to be a tangible item.”
Yet someone seemed to believe Father Gabriel had something vital to the investigation. Jon formed his words to convey his thoughts without frustrating the man and causing him to shut down. “Who in your church has family who may not respect the law?”
The priest touched his white beard. “Family struggles bring many to the church regardless of the situation. I suppose you want the list.”
“Yesterday.”
“The prayer service will be in a couple of hours, and I need to prepare. Afterward, I’ll go through the membership for the type of people you’re looking for. This has to stop.”
41
PRIOR TO JUDGE MENDEZ’S PRAYER SERVICE,Leah sat in the women’s bridal area at St. Peter’s and munched on a burger before showering and changing clothes. She’d been smart to add deodorant and makeup to her bag. The search through the Falstaff building had left her dripping in sweat. She sipped her Diet Coke and thought about the regrettable situation with Silvia Ortega.
