Page 63 of Fatal Strike
Other mourners trickled in—Silvia Ortega and Warren Livingston. The woman avoided Leah and Jon. Had Silvia told Warren about the drugs? Everson arrived in full regalia, all four of Judge Mendez’s staff, and a man and woman whom FatherGabriel greeted as Mr. and Mrs. Serrano. Good, he hoped to speak with Lucinda, the priest’s secretary, when the service ended.
Jon glanced at Leah. Rachel Mendez had nothing on her. He believed he had the most gorgeous partner on the planet.
Whoa, back up.
Leah wore the typical navy-blue slacks, white silk blouse, gold earrings, and a simple necklace. Wavy dark hair touched her shoulders. She’d showered there at the church, and the damp curls were ...
Stop it. Get back to business.
People moved to the middle of the pews to make room for others. Richard and Olivia James entered and seated themselves in a back pew. Olivia’s eyes were red and swollen, and Richard sat ramrod straight. The couple gave anguish a new rung on the ladder of despair. If rebellion kept Elena separated from her parents, she wasn’t the young woman other people described. Her school records showed a student who consistently made the dean’s list and was active in community and church affairs. Jon wanted to find her alive.
When the people finished filing past the casket and speaking to Mrs. Mendez, Father Gabriel led the service of prayer and remembrances of Judge Nicolás Mendez. The priest recalled many of the judge’s excellent contributions to the church and Galveston. He invited others to tell stories and reminisce about their experiences with him. A few comments met with laughter, and Jon learned the judge had a sense of humor.
Father Gabriel shared a few golf stories, as well as times the judge had met him at the church to pray for loved ones and upcoming trials. Others spoke about their experiences with Judge Mendez. Silvia spoke of how he visited the nursery beforechurch and prayed over the babies and toddlers. Mrs. Mendez talked about his love for her and their family.
Jon scrutinized the two women to see if there was any spark of recognition between them. Nothing.
The silver-haired attorney, Ross Kempler, appeared to be spokesman for the judge’s staff. Respect poured into his accountings of working alongside the judge for years. Jon studied each face, searching for malice or deceit. Although many were strangers, he observed prominent people in the community. If any of the mourners were glad the judge had been killed, none showed it.
Everson wore the stress of unsolved murders like a noose. Rightly so, as the victims were his friends and fiancée.
After a lengthy final prayer, Father Gabriel dismissed the people. Several chose to pay their respects one more time.
As the sanctuary slowly cleared, Jon approached Lucinda Serrano, a pale-blonde woman. “I’m FBI Special Agent Colbert. Can we talk for a few minutes?”
“You spoke with her on the phone.” Mr. Serrano grasped his wife’s waist. “She has nothing more to say.”
Jon sensed Leah at his side, and he introduced her. “This won’t take long.” Jon pointed to a pew near the back of the sanctuary.
Mrs. Serrano turned to her husband. “Dear, these people are investigating the murders of three fine people.”
He snorted his response, and the four were seated.
Jon recognized concern in the man’s eyes while Mrs. Serrano grieved. “Father Gabriel told us you knew all the members of St. Peter’s by name, young and old. And you never forgot a face.”
She exchanged a look with her husband. “I want to help, and when the killers are found, I want to return to St. Peter’s.”
Mr. Serrano rubbed his face. “Lucinda, I know you want to return to work, and I realize you’re fulfilled there. And while I don’t want to live in fear for you, you have to decide if talking to the FBI is what’s best.”
Love wore many hats.
She patted her husband’s hand. “Agent Colbert, you’re after the wrong young man.”
“I don’t understand. We have a witness who puts Dylan Ortega at the church.”
“Dylan called me the night before the judge’s death. He was scared because the Venenos were after him. They’d tried to recruit him, and he’d said no. He thought he might need to hide and asked for advice.” She drew in a breath. “I suggested getting as far away from Galveston as possible and to take his mother.”
“Did you give him a specific place?”
“No. But what baffles me is he and Elena are both missing. Where are they, and why didn’t they take Silvia?” She bit her lower lip. “I’m afraid the Venenos found them, and now they’re dead.” She covered her mouth.
“You and Dylan were close?”
She nodded. “I was his contact at church for his community service, and my son had gone to school with him. So we already had a connection. I became a mother figure who listened when his world took a confusing turn. Dylan talked to me about life, his dreams, and about a special young woman.”
“Elena?” Leah said.
“Yes, ma’am. Not many were aware they were together. He was trying very hard to put the past behind him. Elena hadn’t told her parents about them.”
