Chapter 3
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8:07 am
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We arrived at the church and spoke with father Abdullah.
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Abdullah: Thank you for coming officers.
Joe: Please tell us what you know father.
Abdullah: I was taking confessions earlier. When I left to use the men's room, I came back and realized that the baby Jesus from our nativity scene was gone.
Joe: And you're certain it was there when you began taking confessions?
Abdullah: Yes, it was.
Bill: Can you think of anyone who would want to steal this?
Abdullah: I have my suspicions, but I don't want to falsely accusse anyone.
Joe: Just tell us what you know, and we'll look for evidence.
Abdullah: Fair enough. Henry Roark, he was an alter boy when he was a child. Last year, he began hanging with those who claim to be libertarians. They're athiests, and opposed to all the charity work we try to do. Henry was even arrested for burglary, but he's been released. These last few weeks, I've seen him outside the church, just staring at it. I tried approaching him a few times, but he always walks away. I'm not certain he's done anything wrong since his release.
Bill: We'll talk to him. Is there anyone else you can think of?
Abdullah: Noone specific. Perhaps a tobacco addict desperate for quick cash. There's a store near here which sells religious artifacts. 10 years ago it was a pawn shop, perhaps an addict thought they could sell it there.
Joe: It's possible, we'll check on both leads.
Abdullah: I hope you can get it back before midnight, we have midnight mass on Christmas. This doll has been with our community for over 30 years, the first children to see it now bring their own children to see it.
Bill: We'll do all we can father, that's all we can promise.
Abdullah: That's all any of us can promise my friends.
