Free Bad Samaritan by Aimée Thurlo Page A

you’re Tom Green’s friend, too. How can you possibly believe Tom’s guilty of murder?”
    â€œI have information you don’t, and unfortunately it doesn’t look so good for Tom, Sister,” he said in a voice so quiet it was almost a whisper. “I know you want to poke around, but by doing that you’re making some serious enemies.”
    â€œIt won’t be the first time,” she answered. “Good thing I have a powerful ally.” She pointed upward to heaven.

6
    M ARQUEZ PAID FOR THE SANDWICH HE’D SELECTED , then left in the black-and-white state police unit. A second later, Smitty joined her at the door.
    â€œYou don’t look happy,” he commented.
    â€œI’m afraid for Tom,” she admitted. “The Garcia family wants someone to hang for this, and Tom’s the obvious target.”
    â€œYou didn’t tell Marquez about Scout, did you?”
    Sister Agatha looked at him and blinked. “No, we never got around to that. At this point, I’m not even sure Scout saw anything. If I find out differently, of course I’ll pass it on.”
    Smitty nodded, but before he could answer, a tall, stylishly dressed brunette wearing an overload of fine Zuni-style turquoise and silver jewelry approached them.
    â€œYou’re Sister Agatha, right?” she asked, glaring though yellow-tinted designer glasses.
    Sister Agatha nodded. “Yes, can I help you?”
    â€œI’m Elena Mora, a friend of Victoria Garcia’s, and I just wanted to say shame on you, Sister! People trust you because of the habit you wear and what you represent. By helping the guilty, you’re not only undermining law enforcement in our community, you’re siding with the devil.”
    â€œYou’re badly misinformed, ma’am. I’m searching for the truth and taking care not to condemn anyone on circumstantial evidence alone.
Nobody
but Our Lord knows what really happened last night—not me, and certainly not you.”
    â€œPutting a different spin on the facts isn’t going to excuse the sheriff for what he did, Sister.”
    â€œAre you really so sure that he’s guilty? Unless you were an eyewitness, you should wait for the facts before you judge—and condemn.”
    â€œYou’re the one who refuses to see what’s right there in front of your face,” she said. “Also, Sister, there’s something you might want to keep in mind before you muddy the waters. Your monastery depends on donations to get by, and the people in this town want to see justice—not watch a killer set free.”
    â€œThen we’re in agreement. I want to find a killer, too, and that can’t be done with a closed mind.”
    â€œSheriff Green
is
the killer. Wake up, Sister.”
    As the woman walked away, Smitty gave Sister Agatha a worried frown. “You’re going to have to be careful, Sister. A lot of people are indebted to the Garcias in one way or another. That includes me, too, by the way.”
    â€œYou?”
    â€œYeah, I got into a financial bind a few years ago, and thanks to JD’s character reference I was able to get a loan.”
    â€œI’m glad he helped you—but the mayor’s not my enemy, Smitty. If anyone deserves to learn the truth about how Robert died, it’s his family.” She paused and took a breath. “Believe me,I’m going to find the answers even if I have to pursue this case twenty-four hours a day.”
    Smitty’s eyes narrowed. “That hurry you’re in . . . it’s not just the murder, is it? I’ve had the feeling that there’s something you’re not telling me. You and Sister Bernarda haven’t been your usual cheerful selves lately, and your shopping habits have changed, too. What’s going on? If I can help, all you have to do is ask.”
    â€œWe’re trying to work out some problems at home, that’s all,”