Robert’s upper lip lifted in a surprised-looking grin. “Even me?”
Jasmine fidgeted in her chair. “Yeah, even you. I’m sorry.” She looked at Laurel. “Lisa was dating Pastor John. They’d been seeing each other for at least six months.”
Robert’s chin dropped to his chest. “Seriously? Pastor John and Lisa? Just dating or . . .”
Jasmine blushed even more. “More than dating. They were intimate.” She sighed. “Lisa loved him, and I think he loved her. I don’t know why they didn’t make it official. She was hoping that he was going to propose at Christmas.” More tears gathered in Jasmine’s eyes. “Now that will never happen. I guess I’m glad she found happiness and love before she died.”
Robert’s mouth opened and then closed. “Wow. I had no idea.”
Jasmine grimaced. “They were good at keeping secrets, but Lisa had to confide in somebody. I so hoped they would get married.” She looked at the window, at the sparkling lights outside.
Laurel kept her voice calm. “Is there something else, Jasmine?”
Jasmine squirmed and her face lost the blush. “I shouldn’t say anything, I know, but . . .”
“What is it?” Huck asked, his tone firm.
She jolted. “Lisa was late,” she whispered. “I mean, with her monthly . . .”
“Lisa was pregnant?” Huck guessed.
“I don’t know. But she was late, and I know she was going to take a test if she didn’t get her period by the weekend,” Jasmine whispered.
Laurel shared a look with Huck. “Did she tell Pastor John that she might be pregnant?” Laurel asked.
“I don’t think so,” Jasmine said, her voice catching.
The autopsy on Lisa’s body was more important than ever. What if she’d been killed by somebody other than the serial killer? What if somebody, somebody like the pastor, had committed a copycat murder? She looked at Huck.
“On it,” he said, reaching for his phone and sending off a quick text. “We don’t have the final report yet—I’ll have Dr. Ortega take a closer look.” He slipped his phone back in place and looked at Robert. “Did you know Lisa very well?”
“Just through my wife,” Robert said. “She seemed like a happy young woman. Always smiling and cheerful.” He shrugged. “I’ve met her family at the church, and they’re nice people, always willing to jump in and move chairs or bring coffee or whatever. They were involved with Pastor John’s outreach into nearby cities. It’s a good family.”
Huck turned his head. “Outreach?”
Robert picked at a string on his jeans. “Yeah. The church has always given as much as possible to the area around Genesis Valley, and Pastor John has tried to offer help and the gospel to the nearest cities. We have a couple groups who take food to the homeless and try to share the word of God.”
“Does he administer to prostitutes?” Laurel asked.
“Oh, he administers to everybody who needs it,” Jasmine said, her eyes wide. “I like that the church is getting bigger and involving more people. I feel the church, with God on our side, should do as much as possible, you know?”
Huck’s gaze narrowed with pure suspicion, and Laurel couldn’t blame him.
Pastor John had spent time in Seattle and Tacoma. Was there a way to connect him to one of the prostitutes? One of the missing women? Laurel focused on Robert. “Is there anything else either of you can tell us about Lisa?”
They both shook their heads.
Laurel cleared her throat. “Do you mind if we discuss your father?”
Robert’s eyes darkened and he leaned toward her. “Not at all. Please tell me somebody is finally going to take his disappearance seriously. I’ve called the locals, the state police, the feds, and even the news media. My father would never have stayed away from the church for this long. He loves our church.”
“What do you think happened to him?” Laurel asked.
“I don’t know.” Robert shifted his weight on the damask-covered chair.
She read his expression and body language: he appeared open and eager to discuss the matter. “I have to ask you some difficult questions, and I’d like you to understand that my goal is to find your father. All right?”
“Sure,” Robert said. “What kind of difficult questions?”
