Free Sintown Chronicles II: Through Bedroom Windows by Sr. David O. Dyer

suicide. Occasionally they would require that thieves make restitution, but as in the case of the woman with the wandering eye, the discipline normally was exclusion from fellowship. I still haven't figured out exactly what all that entailed, but apparently it was a mark of disgrace. Eventually the sinners would go before the church, ask for forgiveness and restoration of fellowship. It was always granted."
    “Nobody was put in stocks or publicly flogged?"
    “Nope."
    “Shucks."
    Leora laughed. “Nobody was burned at the stake either."
    “Did the church have any black members back then?"
    “Nothing is said about it in the minutes, but the membership roles have ‘Negro’ written beside numerous names, so I assume blacks were participants in the early days."
    “Still are,” Borders said. “That's at least one thing the church does right."
    “Borders, you were gone a long time yesterday afternoon. Where were you?"
    “I thought you'd be pleased with my absence."
    “I was, but I'm curious too."
    “I was in Charlotte talking junk with the guys. I still have it in my blood, you know."
    “Did anything come up I would be interested in?"
    “I don't think so. For the most part we talked about the shooting."
    “Have they made any progress?"
    “Not really. They found the spot in the woods where they think the shooter fired, but there were no clues—no footprints or shell casings. Both bullets went clean thorough Bobby's body. One they can't find and the other flattened out against the brick foundation of his house and is of no use for a ballistics test. The only suspect is Eddie Crow, the new guy working for George Bennett. A deputy questioned Crow on the day of the shooting and found he had a recently fired high powered rifle in his truck, but Crow had an excuse and there's no evidence linking either Crow or the rifle to the shooting."
    “Maybe it's time you become actively involved in the investigation. I don't like the idea of someone lurking in the woods taking potshots at us."
    Borders chuckled. “My buddies made a point of reminding me that I am retired and should stay out of it."
    “Oh,” Leora said as they came in sight of the Dot Baptist Church. “Look at all the gorgeous flowers in the cemetery."
    “Yeah,” he grumbled, “and look at all the cars in the parking lot. It's going to be a long day. You can count on it."
* * * *
    “You look real nice this morning Mom,” Billy Frank said as he helped Dottie into the cab of his wrecker."
    “That's a beautiful hat, Dottie,” Billy's wife, Tracy, commented as she squeezed over to make room for Billy to get in the driver's seat.
    “Nobody wears hats anymore. I wish I hadn't let the two of you talk me into going this morning,” Dottie groused.
    “Mom,” Billy admonished. “It's Easter."
    “Why do you insist on driving the wrecker to church?” Dottie asked irritably. “It's embarrassing."
    Billy laughed. “Because it's good advertising. Everybody in Dot will be at church today and they can't miss seeing the wrecker."
    “Stop,” Dottie said. “Turn around."
    “What?"
    “I've changed my mind. I'm not going."
    Billy ignored her. “Mom, you know you want to go to church on Easter. All your friends will be there."
    “We'll see how many friends I have tomorrow. Can you believe that bastard is offering a free meal to everybody?"
    “Mom—such language,” Billy joked. “It's going to cost Mr. Bennett a fortune, but you must admit, it's a sure way to get people to try his food."
    “That damn sanctimonious fool will be sitting in the fourth pew on the left, bowing his shaggy mane during the prayers, drowning out everybody else singing the hymns, and nodding his twofaced head in agreement with everything Mack says during the sermon."
    Billy reached behind his wife and squeezed his mother's shoulder affectionately. “Yes,” he agreed, “but he'll be sitting alone while you are with people who love you."
* * * *
    Stretching the shoulder strap to its