Page 253 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

She didn’t know if the maintenance man had a personal relationship with Jesus. He might need to hear the salvation message. This could’ve been his first time attending a service at a Bible church, and she’d been unwelcoming. She would attempt to rectify her error by taking some time to talk to Jerry after the service.

Her knee bounced as the pastor wound up the message. She wanted to talk to Jerry before he left. As soon as Pastor Clarke dismissed them, she made her way back to the pew where Jerry was seated and found him surrounded by church members taking their time to welcome him. Her guilt grew tenfold. Her church family were strangers to him, but they were morewelcoming than she’d been. She waited silently as Bessie gave Jerry a hug. She gave a little wave. “Hi, Jerry.”

“Emily, how are you? I didn’t know you attended church here.”

“I’m glad you could join us this morning,” Emily said.

“I’d better get going. Lots to do at home.”

She invited Jerry to join them at the upcoming church dinner and watched as he made his way out of the church, loosening his tie as he went.

“He seems like a nice young man,” Bessie said.

“I work with him, but I don’t know him well.”

“I see.” Bessie patted her hand where it lay on the side of the pew. “I need to get going, but I’ll see you next week.”

“Sure thing.” Emily expelled a long breath and headed for her car. On the drive back to her house she prayed and asked God for wisdom. Unlike God, she couldn’t see the hearts of the people around her, but with God’s help, she could make better choices and stop thinking the worst of people. Of course, that would be easier to do if a serial killer hadn’t left her a threatening note.

Bob was on his front porch when she pulled up to the curb. He hurried over as she climbed out of her car. She smiled with practiced patience despite her desire to get inside the house and out of her high-heeled sandals.

“Emily, I’m so glad I caught you.” As if it wasn’t obvious he’d been waiting. If he’d been out to enjoy the fresh air, he would’ve been on his back deck overlooking Sunrise Lake.

“Why is that, Bob? Did you need me for something?”

“I wasn’t sure if you’d seen the latest news report.”

“I fast from the news on Sundays, Bob.”

“Oh! Well, they mentioned you by name as the one to find that body. I didn’t want you bombarded by press when you got to work tomorrow.”

“I’m sure the press will move on to the next big thing, so I doubt they’ll bother me.”

The man shook his head solemnly before turning away from her and trudging back to his own house. He called out to her when he reached his front door. “Have you considered letting me take you out?”

“I don’t think it’s such a good idea.” She gave him a little wave and headed inside. Bob wasn’t her type and he creeped her out, so she’d rather stay home and study the ceiling tiles then spend time out with him.

CHAPTER SIX

Early Wednesday morning, Wade pored over the report the forensic anthropologist sent, trying to make sense of the medical terminology. In his inbox when he checked his email at six o’clock, either the good doc was an early riser, or she’d stayed up through the night working. Something told him it was the latter. He checked the timestamp on the email. Three o’clock. Few people rose that early. The forensic anthropologist definitely pulled an all-nighter. His cell rang.

“Brunner speaking.” He strolled to the sliding glass door and watched the deer meandering along the edge of the lake. It was a peaceful sight.

“I was wondering if you’d had a chance to review the report I sent.”

“Most people wouldn’t have since it’s 6:00 a.m.”

“Did I wake you?”

“No. I did review the report. I’m surprised you’re up already since you just sent that report a few hours ago.”

“I haven’t gone to sleep yet. I had to be sure you’d received the report first.”

“Am I missing something? Was there a significant detail or time sensitive item in the report I should’ve noticed?”

“I consider every Jane Doe case time sensitive.”

“Yes. Of course,” Wade said.

---