Free Kee Patterbee - Hannah Starvling 03 - The Priest Who Ate a Poison Petit Fore by Kee Patterbee

clergyman.
    “You didn’t kill her.”
    “I did her no physical harm,” Whipson corrected, “but I am responsible for her death.”
    “What would that have to do with this?” Hym inquired as he peered over to Hannah.
    Hannah shrugged. “I would imagine nothing, but then again, the old saying is true. Revenge is a dish best served cold.”
    “Are you kidding me? You think someone waited sixty years to take revenge for an accidental crime that was never investigated?” Magdalen interceded. “That’’s crazy.”
    Hym gave a disbelieving chuckle. “No offense, Sherlock, but I have to agree. That’s kind of out there.”
    “I didn’t say that. I just asked a question, which leads to another. That’s how this all works,” Hannah responded in an irritated tone. “Who all have you told about this over the years?”
    “Up until today, the only two were Adam and Jackie.”
    Hym stiffened and crossed his arms as Magdalen pushed back in her seat. They glowered at the minister. Hym gestured toward the door. “Wait, the custodian? That guy? He was one of your partners?”
    Whipson confirmed.
    “This Adam, he was your other partner?”
    “Adam Cook. He died several years ago.” Whipson twisted in his seat. “I regret to say, he left with bad blood between us.”” The clergyman sighed. “I may serve the Lord, but I sin all the same,” he added.
    “Could you explain?”
    “When we got caught, Adam flipped on us. He got out after twelve months, but Jackie stuck with me, never turned. He even took the brunt of the investigation into the thefts, even though I was top dog. I got out after six years. Jackie…” he shook his head before continuing, ““he always found trouble. On the inside that comes at a price. Between fights and escape attempts, his sentence expanded from ten, like mine started off as, to most of his adulthood. Over the years, he’s spent more time in than out. For a while, I thought civilian life almost seemed foreign to him, but I owe the man. I always kept in touch. He got out the last time twelve years ago. That’s when I found him a job and watched after him. When I came here, he followed, doing the one thing he was always good at. Cleaning up after others.” He paused and scanned all three. ““But if you think he had anything to do with this, you’re mistaken. He was a thief, not a murderer. Jackie had his problems over the years, but he was never violent. All the fights he ever got into in Draper was to protect me, himself, or someone else. He never started them.”
    Hannah took in Whipson’s words and considered each one. Loyal. Protective. Sees Rhoades as a little brother.
    “Would he be willing to talk to us?”
    Whipson nodded. “If I asked him too. When?”
    “We’ll let you know. We’re headed to Zebulon for now.”
    “Hannah,” Whipson said as he coughed once more, “have you seen any rhyme or reason to all this? Is anyone else in danger?”” He reached out for the sleuth to take his hand. She indulged him.
    Taking the Reverend’s hand, Hannah gave him a serious look. “I can’t say. I wish I could, but I can’t, not with any certainty. We are talking serial killer at this point. Some are unpredictable, but most have a pattern. Sometimes even a schedule. I’m checking into the medical records of each patient. Magdalen, here, has agreed to read them for me. Maybe then, we can establish a pattern. If so, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.” She smiled and gestured with her head toward Hym. “Then I’m going to sic Hym on them.””
    “And I’m now armed with a cane,” Hym added.
    Whipson patted the back of Hannah’s hand. “Then you do that, dear. You do just that.”
    *****
    Leaving Happiness behind, Hannah, Hym and Magdalen made their way toward Zebulon. As the car travelled down a long narrow backstretch, Hannah stared out at the passing farmland. She liked how it interspersed with small patches of wooded areas. She found herself considering