Page 98 of I'm Watching You

Ricker checked her notes. ‘Pam Rogers has a brother and a half brother. She and the accountant shared both parents. She and the minister share only a mother. The accountant checked out, so now let’s have a chat with the minister.’

They got out of the car and crossed the graveled lot toward the modern church. ‘The church was built last year,’ Ricker said. ‘It already boasts three hundred families on its Web site.’

Vega shrugged. ‘Business is booming.’

They entered the side door and followed the signs to the office. At this early hour, the place was quiet. It feltdeserted and kind of creepy as far as Vega was concerned. And the new-carpet smell didn’t sit well with him either.

There was no one sitting at the reception area, so Ricker pushed past it to the door to an inner office. She knocked on the door.

‘Yes?’ The voice was male, cultured, and sounded a little annoyed.

Ricker pushed open the door. ‘Pastor Richards?’

The young minister looked up from his computer. He sat behind a large modern desk. Behind him were rows of shelves filled with books. A large wooden cross hung on the wall across from him. ‘Yes?’

‘We’re detectives with Henrico police. We have a few questions.’

The minister was dressed in a golf shirt and light-colored pants. He rose. ‘What is this about?’

‘Lindsay O’Neil,’ Vega said.

Recognition flashed in the minister’s eyes. ‘Come in and have a seat.’

They each took one of the seats in front of the desk.

Vega didn’t feel like beating around the bush. ‘You know Ms O’Neil?’

‘I do. Our church has kind of adopted her shelter in the last couple of months.’

Vega didn’t like the guy. He was too polished. ‘Does she know that your sister was a resident at Sanctuary?’

The minister’s brows knitted. ‘No. I never told her that Pam was my sister.’

‘Why not?’

He steepled his fingers. ‘I’ve wanted to. In fact, I almostdid the other night. She was here speaking to a group of parishioners about domestic violence and she used Pam’s story as a case study. It nearly broke my heart.’

‘Why didn’t you tell her?’

‘I like her. I know Pam’s death hurt her. I didn’t want to cause Lindsay any more pain. The woman is practically a saint.’

‘How did you two hook up?’ Ricker said.

‘A couple of months ago, I was looking for an outreach project for the church and I saw the article about her inInside Richmond. It felt like a sign from God, so I called Lindsay.’

Ricker’s eyes narrowed. ‘Lindsay.You’ve called her Lindsay twice.’

‘That a problem?’ Richards asked.

‘It’s the way you say her name. You really like Ms O’Neil, don’t you?’

He swallowed. ‘There’s a lot to admire about her.’

Vega picked up Ricker’s vibe. ‘Feels like a little more than admiration.’

Richards stiffened as if he’d been caught doing something illicit. ‘Does this have to do with the murder at the shelter? Because if it does, I can tell you I had nothing to do with it.’

Rickard leaned forward. ‘Where were you early Monday morning and early this morning?’

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