The Harvest Club (11 page)

Secretly, Jessie hoped he would forget the dinner altogether, but on the other hand, it might be a good way to get some information. She wondered who these friends of his were. How could she find out? Maybe the airline would have the information she needed. It looked like more research was in order, and coffee with Andria might also provide some useful information.

****

On Saturday morning, Jessie found Andria already at Java Joe’s when she arrived. Molly wasn’t working so she got her coffee and sat down at the table with Andria.

“I’m so glad you’re doing a story about Gina. I don’t want people to forget her.” Andria leaned forward, her expression fixed. “She was a good friend. Usually she would come to my house, and we spent hours talking and laughing. I miss her so much it hurts. She was the sister I never had.” She paused when a big man walked by their table. He sat down at table in the corner his back to Jessie.

“When was the last time you saw Gina?”

“I saw her a few days before the murder. She wasn’t her normal self, and I kept asking her what was wrong.” Andria looked around to see if anyone might be listening. “She told me she was afraid for her life. I asked if Brad was hurting her, and she told me she was more afraid of his friends and the people he was doing business with.”

“So Brad wasn’t hurting her?”

“He had grabbed her roughly, there were some bruises above her wrist, but believe it or not, he was in love with Gina. He had told her to let him take care of the business and begged her not to get involved because he couldn’t control some of his associates. He kept telling her they, whoever they were, wouldn’t let anyone out of the organization once in because they knew too much and everyone involved was getting rich. Brad also told her he was in too deep and couldn’t get out. If he tried, his life was worth nothing.”

“I wanted to blame Brad for her death, so it could be solved right here and now.”

Jessie sipped her coffee. “Did she believe Brad?”

“I think she did. She said the only way to protect her life and her kids was to get away. She was saving money and had accepted a position in a church on the West Coast. She was going to move in a few weeks.”

“Did Brad know she was trying to leave him?”

“I don’t think so. She hadn’t told anyone but Pastor John who actually helped to arrange it.”

Jessie’s mind took off at that point. If Gina had told John, and he’d mentioned it to his son, well, then, Brad would have known. No doubt about it. But if he didn’t kill her, then who did and why? Who was calling the shots, and was Pastor Rick’s life in jeopardy?

“You’ve given me a lot to think about, Andria. Do you know the name of the organization?”

“All Brad told Gina was that it was a civic group. She found the initials HC on some of his notes. I hope this will help catch her murderer. You are free to tell the police. I was never questioned because they didn’t realize I was her friend. I was nervous even thinking about talking to them, but I trust you. If they want to question me now, I would like you to be with me.” She paused, reached into her handbag and took out a sealed envelope. “Gina gave this to me the last time I saw her. She said to keep it safe; there was someone who should have it, and I would know when it was right to give it to them. The minute I saw you, today, I knew you were the one. Gina wants you to have this.” She stood up, pushed in her chair, and turned to leave. “I need to go. We’ll talk again soon.”

Jessie’s eyes followed Andria all the way out to her car. She didn’t know what to think, but she wasn’t about to read the letter here. Whatever was in it could have been the very thing that got Gina murdered. She stood up to leave and said goodbye to the young man behind the counter, leaving a tip at the table. She noticed the man in the corner had changed seats and was looking over the top of his paper at her. Something about him bothered her.

How did Andria know to give the note to her? This case was getting stranger by the minute. She was in the center of a murder, a cover-up, or what exactly? Armed with the pastor’s airline and flight numbers, she would check the passenger list for familiar names.

****

She walked through the door, kicked off her shoes, and carefully read the contents of the envelope. Her heart was racing before she had even finished it. Matt needed to read this.

She put in a call to him hoping he would pick up. She got his answering machine.

“Hi Matt, this is Jessie. Could you call me back as soon as possible. I really need to talk to you. It’s an emergency.” Jessie paced back and forth across the room, waiting impatiently for a call back. Maybe she could find out where he lived and run by there.

She grabbed her purse, put her shoes on, and was headed for the door when the call came.

“Sorry, I was talking to someone. What’s up?”

“I was given something today that you need to see. We have to meet. Is there someplace secret we can go?”

“I’m on duty today. Why don’t you just swing by the office? Never mind, that’s not a good idea. Too many people will have too many questions. Do you remember passing Ted’s place about fifteen miles outside of Blue Cove on your way here?”

“I’ll meet you there in fifteen minutes.” She snapped her phone off and was out the door before he had even replied.

It seemed to take forever to get there. Matt must have raced there with his lights flashing because he was sitting in the parking lot in his car. As soon as she got out of the car, he rolled down his window. “Get in.”

She couldn’t tell if he was upset and proceeded cautiously. “I know you didn’t want us to be seen together, and I wouldn’t have bothered you if I didn’t think this was really important.” She peered over at him warily.

“Jess, you can contact me anytime you need to. I’m only concerned because you sounded afraid on the phone. I’m trying to keep you safe, which is why I hesitated to get you in the middle of this to begin with. So let’s have it.” He rubbed his temple. Shifting the car into gear, he started driving toward a scenic overlook and picnic area about twenty miles out of town.

Quickly, Jessie filled him in on her conversation with Andria.

“Why didn’t she come forward when we were conducting interviews at the church?”

“She’s shy, but she told me she would come in and talk if I would go with her. Anyway, I asked her if Brad was hurting Gina.”

“What did she say?”

“She said Brad loved Gina. He said there was too much money involved and even he was in too deep to get out now. His life wouldn’t be worth anything.” When Matt pulled into the picnic area and parked, she took her seatbelt off and turned in the seat so she could face him.

“I wonder what he got himself into and how the pastor is involved?” His brows furrowed. “You mentioned you had something for me to read.”

She pulled the envelope out of her purse and proceeded to explain what Andria had told her about Gina telling her to keep it safe and she would know the person she was supposed to give it to when the time came. “Don’t you think that’s strange?”

“It’s odd, but a lot of things about this case are strange.” He started to read.

To Whom It May Concern:

If you are reading this, then I am probably gone or dead. I’m hoping it’s because I’m gone, but I fear it’s because I’m dead. Lately I’ve noticed someone following me. I’d say it was my imagination, but I’ve noticed this guy too often for it to be coincidence.

My husband is involved in something, and I don’t believe it can be legal. I found some information about several offshore accounts that he has in the Caymans. Huge deposits of money were made consistently, and he refuses to tell me where he’s getting it. He’s also traveling a lot but will not tell me where or with whom. He mentioned a civic organization. I found the letters HC in some of his notes which might be the letters in the group’s name, but I’m not sure. Enclosed is a copy of a bank record I printed out from his computer.

He became angry when I confronted him and told me to keep my nose out of what was not my business or someone else might cut it off. I believe he was more afraid for me than I was. He told me there was no way he could get out of what he was into, or he would have to be erased because he knew too much about the operations. He said his associates would never let anyone interfere, and they could make people disappear without a trace.

Pastor John has worked with me to get a new job on the West Coast—hopefully I’ll be here until next week when I fly with my children to the new life that awaits us. I told John I was leaving Brad because he was abusive and there was no hope for our marriage. Really I’m leaving to save our lives.

You have this letter because I can trust you to someday set the record straight for me. Please, if I’m dead let my kids know how much I loved them and was trying to do everything I could to get them somewhere safe, a place where just the three of us could have been a family without some crazy man to mess it up. I don’t know how I seem to attract all these bad boys. I’m sure it’s a weakness in me.

Brad was good to us for a couple of years, and I’m afraid for his life. He’ll either die or be in prison. Tell Matt Parker to keep an eye on Brad’s coming and goings.

Please think kindly of me and say nice things about me after I’m gone. I should be more positive, but I don’t believe there is any way to prevent the inevitable.

Pastor Gina Martin

“Damn, this is what I’ve been concerned about all along. This is something big and not just a simple domestic issue.” He folded the letter, put it back in the envelope, and looked at her. “How am I going to keep you safe?”

“You don’t need to worry about that. I’ll be careful.” She reached over and touched his hand.

He turned his palm up, linking their fingers. “The hell I don’t. I invited you into this mess.”

“I was in it from the first day I saw and heard about Gina. This letter confirms it was meant to be.”

“Aren’t you being a little too cavalier about all of this?”

She shook her head. “I think you’re overreacting and a tad too concerned.”

“The hell I am.” He frowned.

“Look, Matt, I’m in it whether I want to be or not. I work with Pastor Rick, who might be involved. Gina has come to me in the church and in my dreams. I’m in it.” Her voice softened trying to put him at ease.

“That’s another thing bothering me, that so called pastor you work with looks at you the wrong way. You shouldn’t have to put up with that crap. Why don’t you go back to New York?”

“Are you wanting me gone, for me or for you? What are we talking about?” Her back straightened as her chin inched up.

“Before you get mad, how am I supposed to keep you safe? I have one unsolved murder. I don’t want you to be another one.”

“I’ll keep myself safe and call you only if I need you.” She yanked her hand from his and turned to look out the window.

“Like hell you will.” He reached across the seat and pulled her hand back. “I’m going to be your shadow. I want to know where you’re going and who you’ll be with. You got that? If you feel threatened or notice someone following you, I want to hear about it, the very first time.”

“I will.” She lost her train of thought when he looked at her that way. “I’ll make you a daily schedule, if it involves something other than working in the office.” She tried to free her hand. He held tight. “While I’m thinking of it, Pastor Rick is leaving for India on Sunday, after church. I have his flight numbers and airlines. I’m going to check the passenger list to see who is going with him.”

“Look into it and let me know what you find.” He studied her. “I’m sorry I acted that way; I’m just not sure how far reaching this is, who is involved in it, and what’s involved. Trust no one, Jess. Be careful what you say and who you ask questions.”

“Pastor Rick mentioned he was going to India with some other pastors and civic leaders. It makes me wonder if they’re smuggling some kind of contraband. The question is what?”

“I’m working on a theory that could involve a lot of money.” His thumb stroked her hand.

She felt weak in the knees. “I have Jeremy looking into something for me right now. I’ll let you know when I hear from him.” She doubted Matt was even aware of what he was doing to her. But, boy oh boy, she was. “Rick asked me to go to dinner when he gets back into town.”

“You don’t have to go out with him at all, ever.” He was frowning.

“I know, but it might be a good chance to get information.”

“I don’t want you alone with that man until we know what his involvement in all this is.”

“You’re not thinking like a cop.” She arched an eyebrow. “I work alone with him almost every day. I can’t avoid him. Besides one dinner doesn’t constitute a date. I never date co-workers or my boss. It’s my policy.”

“Are you serious?” He grinned. “That seals our fate because I’m your boss and co-worker. You never dated the men you worked with in New York?” He let go of her hand.

“That would be correct.” She nodded

“I never thought I’d see the day—a respected journalist and one with principles.” He chuckled, started the car, and headed back to her car at Ted’s Place.

“I’m glad you can find something to laugh about in all of this. I find it all a strange welcome to a new town.” She gave a rueful chuckle. “I was hoping to come here and live at a slower pace, build a circle of friends, and enjoy the ocean. I was not counting on meeting a ghost, or working for a pastor that may not be a pastor at all. It adds up to a few strange weeks. I’m happy to give you something to laugh at.” She mocked his grin and laugh.

“Nothing personal, sweetheart, in this job you have to find your laughs where you can.”

Once back at Ted’s Place she opened the door to get out of the car. “Why didn’t you tell me before I walked out on you the other night everyone would be asking me about it for the next several days?” She closed the door before he could answer.

He rolled down the window. “Welcome to the nice quiet lifestyle of Blue Cove.” He smirked. “By the way, I think I’ll be doing a little undercover work at the airport tomorrow. Email me the airline and times. I’ll let you know what I find.”