I didn’t argue. I’d enjoyed the kiss, and I was tired of fighting my attraction for him.
Let the cards fall where they may.
Ten minutes later, we arrived at the old church.
When we left the car, I brought out my pocketbook, holding the unit’s camera and notepad just in case there was valuable information to record.
Luckily one patrol car was already in the area. Two local police met us there. One black. The other white. They stood outside of their cars. Both had worried expressions on their faces. Most likely both were fathers. I couldn’t have imagined being a parent and working on a case like this.
The black one held a battering ram. “Hello, I’m Officer Grey.”
The other nodded his head. “I’m Officer Vidal.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Agent King. This is Agent Barron.” Taking out his gloves and putting them on, Alexander led the way.
I kept his pace.
They followed.
“Let’s go inside the church.” Alexander took out his flashlight and turned it on. “Keep your hands covered.”
The officers rushed to put on gloves.
“Check everything.” I put on my own set of plastic gloves. “This could be a possible crime scene, full of evidence. Stay on guard and be prepared for anything.”
We hurried to the front door.
There’d been no chain or do not disturb sign.
My heart hammered in my chest.
The black cop—Officer Grey—breached the door with the battering ram.
The heavy oak doors broke open, echoing around the empty church.
A flock of birds flapped, showing that a lot of the roof was gone.
We all stood there, staring into the darkness.
Chapter 29
A Small Victory
Haven
It was dark inside. This church was smaller than Fullbrooke Baptist’s property. Where the new church’s entrance had a small lobby separating the space of worship, this old one led right to where the congregation would sit and participate in devotion.
We stepped in.
The wood creaked under our feet.
Alexander stopped us and shined his flashlight on the dusted floor. Several footsteps littered the area in one long trail to the back. “These are fresh.”
Keeping a good distance, I lowered and took a picture. “This looks like two different sets of feet. Two people.”
“I was thinking the same thing. One pair of small feet and one big set.” Alexander walked on the outer side of the prints.
I took more pictures and continued forward.
A cold shiver ran up me.
This is the place.
The small prints suggested that one of the people walking were young.
Please, God. We need to find Brie. Is this the way? I’m putting all my faith and hope in you.
We went deeper into the old church. A minute later, we all stood and took in the space as if not sure of where to begin.
What was left of the church stood despite itself, defying gravity and becoming a sanctuary for animals and plants. Half of the roof no longer existed. Gnarled trees hung low in the missing area. Leaves piled over rotted pews. If there weren’t leaves, then it was thick cobwebs hanging on every surface. Hills of mud gathered in corners and in some aisles. A chilly wind howled through cracked stained-glass windows, casting an eerie glow onto the dusty alter.
Sunlight shone through branches. They were shadowy arms stretching across the places where the choir must’ve sung.
Alexander followed the footsteps. “They walked further into the back.”
Officer Vidal spoke, “Should we call backup?”
“Yes.” Alexander continued forward. “These footsteps were new, but I can’t tell when. If anything, it could be two kids that play in here all the time or. . .”
“It could be our Unsub and Brie Johnson.” I kept his pace.
Sweat dripped down Officer Vidal’s face. He’d looked the most disturbed. Officer Vidal hurried away. “I’ll. . .make the call for backup.”
Alexander asked Officer Grey, “Is he okay?”
Officer Grey nodded. “His youngest played with our new victim, Brie. They were in class together. She even spent the night at his house. He’s on edge.”
Heaviness filled my chest.
“Then, it’s good he left. Too much emotion could cause him to slip up.” Alexander stepped over branches as we approached the alter. He flashed the light by it. “A fresh bible is here.”
Making sure I didn’t mess with any of the footprints, I went over and took a picture.
Alexander was correct. A new bible lay on the rotted podium.
I swallowed down my fear. “This isn’t two kids playing.”
“It isn’t.”
Officer Grey took out his gun. “Let me know what you want me to do.”
Alexander eyed the gun. “Don’t shoot us.”
Grey’s bottom lip quivered. “I won’t.”
We headed past the alter and walked into the back of the church. The part where many of the congregation would not venture. The backstage of worship. There was no door, just a rusty wooded opening.
An odd noise sounded. Very low, but definitely out of place in the old church.
“Wait.” Alexander paused in the doorway. “Do you hear that?”
“Yes.” I leaned forward as it sounded again. “I think it’s soft laughter maybe.”
“Or. . .” Officer Grey blinked. “The. . .the laugh track to a television show.”
“That’s it.” Alexander put the flashlight in his left hand and took out his gun with his right. “Be ready, Barron.”
“Okay.” I put the camera away and pulled out my gun too.
We entered a dark hallway. All three of us stayed on the edge, near the wall in order to preserve them.
With each step, the sound’s volume rose.
Neither of us spoke.
I focused on keeping my gun ahead of me.
A desperate energy vibrated through my body.
There was a door on the left.
Please be alive. Please, God. I don’t want to see anymore dead girls this year.
Alexander flashed the light on it while he kept the gun aimed. I remained in the back ready to shoot anyone coming out.
Please, God.
Officer Grey kicked the door open.
No one lay inside. The dark room was like a place out of time—antique furniture and old paintings. Poster boards from the Civil Rights movement and decorative plates of Martin Luther King Jr. hung on the wall.
“This looks like the old pastor’s office.” I scanned the area. “I don’t think anyone has been in here recently.”
Still, the sound came further down the hallway.
We didn’t further enter the dusty room.
Instead, we headed toward the noise.
Alexander flashed the light before us. “There’s a room at the end.”
We headed that way. The closer we got, the louder the laugh track rose in the air.
Someone was looking at television.
Holy shit. Is this him?
My fingers shook, but I forced them to calm down.
This is where the noise is coming from that I know for sure.
We started again. Alexander flashed the light on that door while he kept the gun aimed. I remained in the back ready to shoot. Officer Grey kicked it open.