Free Bad Samaritan by Aimée Thurlo Page B

she said vaguely. “As soon as I can, I’ll tell you all about it.”
    Eager to avoid more questions, Sister Agatha went to meet Sister Bernarda, who’d already gone outside and was standing on the sidewalk.
    â€œCome on. Let’s go,” Sister Agatha said, walking quickly back to the car.
    â€œWhat’s your hurry?” Sister Bernarda asked.
    Sister Agatha filled her in as soon as they got under way.
    Sister Bernarda exhaled loudly. “It’s hard to hide what’s never far from our minds.”
    Sister Agatha nodded. “Speaking of our move, why don’t we stop at the Ship and Mail Store on the way home? The manager offered us some sturdy boxes when I mentioned that we were in the middle of packing away some office supplies.”
    â€œWe can use whatever she has to spare,” Sister Bernarda said with a nod.
    â€œOur computers will need to be double boxed in order to make the move to Agnus Dei safely,” Sister Agatha said. “That statue of the Blessed Mother in Reverend Mother’s office, too, will need special handling.”
    â€œI think most of our statues will probably end up in St. Augustine’s chapel here in town. It looks like Father Mahoney is going to get the funds for the renovation he wanted.”
    â€œWhere did you hear that?” Sister Agatha said.
    â€œAt the mayor’s house. His wife said that the Garcias intend to make a big donation so the chapel can become a permanent memorial to Robert—bronze plaque and everything.”
    â€œThat family’s reach extends far and wide, doesn’t it?” Sister Agatha asked, not expecting an answer.
    Bernalillo was a small town, so it took less than five minutes for them to reach the Ship and Mail right across from city hall. The second they walked inside, Sister Agatha felt the change in the air. Conversations stopped abruptly, people stared for a moment, then voices began again, hushed, like people talking in the back row of church.
    Sister Agatha spotted Kris Anderson, the owner, behind the register. The redhead’s usual friendly smile was missing today.
    â€œGood afternoon, Kris!” Sister Agatha said brightly. “We came to pick up those boxes you set aside for us.”
    â€œSister Agatha, I’m sorry, but we had to recycle every last one of them. We can’t help you,” she said in a monotone.
    Kris glanced quickly at a man standing at the counter several feet away. Sister Agatha followed her gaze and saw Monty Allen, Robert Garcia’s business partner, attaching a label to a carton.
    A moment later, Allen brought the box over and set it in front of Kris. “It’s ready to go,” he said. Giving Sisters Agatha and Bernarda an excessively polite nod, he headed out the door.
    The second Allen left, the atmosphere in the room changed. Almost as if a collective sigh of relief had gone around, voices suddenly rose, and Kris flashed Sister Agatha a smile.
    â€œI’m really sorry about being so abrupt, Sister. With Monty here, I couldn’t afford to look
too
friendly.”
    â€œIt’s okay,” Sister Agatha assured her. “I understand. Any friend of Sheriff Green’s is the enemy right now.”
    â€œUnfortunately, yes—and the last person I want to cross right now is the man the Garcias are thinking of supporting in the race for sheriff. He’ll be a write-in candidate, of course.”
    â€œWhen was all that decided?” Sister Agatha asked, surprised.
    â€œMy sister works at the mayor’s office. She overheard Al Russo reminding JD that if Sheriff Green managed to avoid being charged with a crime, he was now unopposed and guaranteed four more years in office. JD went ballistic and called Monty Allen. The man has the qualifications, apparently. He served with the Albuquerque Police Department for twenty years, the last ten as a detective.”
    â€œDo you think there are many people out there who