Gone Before Goodbye (Love &Mystery in the--6-oh-3 Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

priest’s unwanted attentions. Noah was an adult before he had understood the impact of the abuse on his father.
    “People turn to their church when they’re in crisis, Cassidy. Lisa works part-time in the church’s office, and I expect you to keep your personal feelings to yourself.”
    He knew that name, Father Hastings. “Isn’t he the priest who was rejected for a job as a bishop because of an affair?” Seemed like the guy had his own crisis to keep him busy.
    When the chief scowled at him, Noah added, “I overheard a few community members mention the fact.” Everyone he met. The fling had been the talk of Hawick Falls during the long, boring winter. Townspeople rotated the names of different women for the scarlet-letter role. A rumor flew that the police had arrested a bagboy at Muffy’s for running a betting ring on the woman’s identity.
    “We don’t investigate sins,” the chief growled. “Otherwise, we’d have to double the force. So, bring those girls home, restore faith in our department and prove your worth.”
    “Glad you don’t expect much.”
    “Save the jokes. Get going.”
    Noah’s adrenaline revved up. He savored challenges. He stuck the folder under his arm and crossed the wooden floor to the exit. What was the quickest way? Hawick Falls was nestled between the White Mountains with their breathtaking peaks and the sparkling, clear waters of the Lakes Region. Noah loved the place, but not the crowds of tourists the landscape and outlets at the north end of the city attracted. The visitors flocked to stores at the noon hour.
    He’d take the Falls Back Road. Being a townie, he always drove the shortcuts or less traveled routes. The road ran parallel to the winding river and ended near the cascade in the village. Sister Mountains to the northwest overlooked the valley.
    “Cassidy, I have one more thing.”
    The edge in the chief’s tone warned him his boss had saved the slap on the wrist for last.
    “Buy a new shirt. We’re not the Rag Squad.”
    You look handsome in your gray shirt , June whispered from the past. The hitch of pride in her voice swirled in his memory until pain bit into him. He rubbed a hand over his face. “Yes, sir.”
    Noah shoved the scene out of his thoughts. He headed out of the office, keeping his thoughts focused on the case. Now what items would a teenage girl grab when she left her house? She’d grab her phone. If only the rest of the case came together as easily.
    He exited into the sunlight. The warning echoed in his mind. Restore faith and prove your worth. Noah’s family had been destroyed in the boating accident, but he was determined not to let life break him and end up like his father.
     

 

Chapter 4
     
    Teagan raced across the tiled entryway when the bell chimed. All she wanted was to show the police the threat she received this afternoon. Maybe it was an important clue that would lead to Lisa, and to the arrest of the person who’d sent the holy card.
    Caution slowed Teagan at the last moment, and she cracked open the door. “Chief Banks, I—”
    She’d met the Chief of Police and this wasn’t him. At five feet tall, she was often the smallest individual in the room, but this male must stand about six four and could make an average sized adult feel short. He’d rolled up the sleeves of his gray-button-down shirt, which seemed to emphasize the mass of his arms. In his hand, he held a manila folder.
    He raised a brow and removed the sunglasses over his light blue eyes. “Miss Raynes? Chief had an emergency.”
    She tilted her head and looked closer.
    “I’m—”
    “—Noah Cassidy.” The name hurtled past her worries and fears. She opened the door wider. “You worked as a counselor at Camp Mighty Joe.” She’d had a wicked crush on him. Whenever she heard an oldie love song from that summer, she thought of him.
    A forgotten memory popped into her consciousness. They were camped on the mountaintop. A canopy of twinkling stars