Page 69 of Fatal Witness

“I don’t know ... you just seemed suspicious of Rick.”

She thought through her answer. “It just seems odd that he happened to be in the area about the time Keith was murdered.”

“Coincidences are rare, but they do happen.”

“I know that. And there’s no reason for me to even go there—Rick seems so nice, it’s hard to believe he would be involved.” Dani shook her head, trying to clear it. “I know, it’s ridiculous. I’m seeing conspiracies everywhere. Just forget I said anything.”

“Will do.”

They caught up with Rick during their layover in Dallas. This time they found more substantial food, and while they ate, Rick kept them entertained with humorous stories of his congregation without naming names. Most of the people Mark seemed to figure out, and the stories created images of some of the people she’d heard Alex and the Stones talk about.

After the plane touched down in Chattanooga, they caught up with Rick again at the baggage area while they waited for their suitcases to be unloaded and sent to the carousel.

“I, for one,” Dani said, “will be glad to get to Pearl Springs.”

“Well, y’all be careful on that drive,” Rick said. “Some of those curves can be bad.”

“You’re not following us?” Mark asked.

“No. My wife and her sister are flying home late tomorrow night, and I’d just have to turn around and come back to pick them up. I’m staying over with my sister, Roxanne. Gives us a chance to visit.”

The first bags appeared on the carousel. “There’s mine,” Danisaid. Before she could get it, Mark had it and handed it off to her while he grabbed his. “Thank you, sir.”

They waited until Rick had his bag and then they walked out of the airport together to the parking area with Gem trotting beside them.

“Glad you’re driving to Pearl Springs,” she said as they walked to Mark’s SUV.

“I’m glad I’m not hitting that long road tonight,” Rick said with a chuckle.

“Lucky you.” Mark whistled when they reached the pastor’s vehicle. “Nice wheels,” he said, admiring the black pickup.

“Thanks. It was a gift from the church on my thirtieth anniversary.”

Mark shook his head. “I didn’t realize you’d been there that long. Don’t imagine it’s easy shepherding a small-town church.”

He didn’t answer right away, then he shrugged. “Somebody has to do it.”

“Does your sister live in this area?” Dani asked.

“She does. I just texted her I was on my way.” He put his luggage in the bed. “It was good talking to you guys in between flights.”

“Yes,” Mark said. “And as soon as my schedule changes, I’ll be back to church.”

“I’ll probably see you there too,” Dani said.

Mark’s SUV was parked another row over, and they soon had their luggage loaded. Dani settled in the passenger seat as Mark pulled out of the Chattanooga airport parking lot.

Traffic was light as they drove to Pearl Springs, and she leaned her head back against the rest. “It was nice meeting Rick,” she said.

“Yeah, for someone who never wanted to become a pastor, he’s a pretty good one.”

“He didn’t want to be a pastor?”

“I don’t think so. I’ve heard Carson and Judith, Mae too, talkabout how his daddy pushed him into it. They said Adkins Sr. was one of those fire-and-brimstone preachers. Hard to say no to.”

Now she felt sorry for Rick and hated that she was suspicious. “He must like it now or he’d just leave.”

“Sometimes that’s easier said than done,” Mark said.

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