The pastor frowned. “We really do need to get you involved with the church’s basketball team, Tim. It’s not good for you to be out in your cabin with your dog at all times.”
“How close is your cabin to Pastor John’s?” Laurel asked.
Kohnex shrugged. “I don’t know, maybe a mile. We can’t see each other, you know? We’re in the middle of the woods, but he’s the next home to the east of me, I believe.”
Laurel glanced down at her phone. “Officers report that Pastor John is not present at his cabin. Where is he, Pastor Caine?”
Zeke held out both hands in a helpless gesture. “Heck if I know.”
Huck kept his focus on Kohnex. “Do you like blondes?”
A small smile played over Kohnex’s face. “Yes, I like really athletic blondes, you know? Ones who golf and are tall. I wouldn’t want to waste this frame on a short girl.”
“Do you have a girlfriend?” Huck asked.
Kohnex scratched a mark on his neck. “No. I’ve been talking to this really hot chick from Arizona named Jeanie, but we’ve only talked and Zoomed. She’s not looking for anything serious, and neither am I.”
Huck needed to do a deep dive on this guy. “I need her number.”
“Absolutely,” Kohnex said. “She knows you’re calling.”
“How would she know?” Huck asked. This guy lived in his own universe.
Kohnex shrugged. “She knows things, too.”
“Great. We’ll be in touch with both of you,” Huck said.
Laurel pushed back her chair and stood. “Pastor Caine, where have you been the last several years? It’s my understanding that you took off five years ago, showed up a year ago for a short time, and then left again. Where did you go?”
“I was on walkabout,” Zeke said. “I believe I told you that before.”
“Yes, and I would like to hear more details now.” Laurel faced her father squarely.
Huck took a step back so he wouldn’t obscure her line of sight.
Zeke’s superior smile might get him punched. “I really can’t go into details. I went on a personal spiritual journey, and where I was doesn’t matter to you.”
“You didn’t take a phone with you?” Laurel asked.
“No, I did not.” He winked. “Sometimes a man just doesn’t want to be found, Laurel.”
Chapter 11
Laurel finished a very late and uninspiring lunch of a Cobb salad from the deli down the street as she sat in her office and thought through the two deaths. Sheriff York had delivered a preliminary notification to Teri Bearing’s family since he had a relationship with them. The mayor had provided a positive identification from a picture. Even so, due to the victim’s facial trauma, they awaited final confirmation from the coroner, and they’d all agreed to refrain from making public announcements until then.
Laurel had called to set up a time to interview the Bearings, reaching a voice mail. Saul and his two sons had disappeared, saying they needed time to grieve—and the damn sheriff had let them go.
That didn’t work since Laurel needed to interview them, so Huck had issued a BOLO for them to no avail as of yet.
Also, so far, nobody had found Pastor John Govern, so she issued a BOLO for him as well. These witnesses needed to be tracked down. Now. Her desk phone rang. “Hey, Kate.”
“Hi. Dr. Caine is here to see you,” Kate said, her voice almost robotic.
“Thank you. You can send her back.” Laurel preferred to deal with Abigail with a desk between them, instead of in the conference room. She angled her head but couldn’t see down the hallway.
“Hello, dear sister.” Abigail strode inside. She had grown her auburn hair out to her shoulders, and today had the thick strands flipped back in a sassy style. Her heterochromatic eyes sparkled. “How kind of you to invite me to an early supper.”
“We’re not going to supper. Please take a seat.” Laurel gestured to one of the two leather guest chairs.
