Chapter 5

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9:30 am

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The search of Henry Roark's home turned up nothing. Bill and I went to the store that father Abdullah told us about. Ten years ago this was a man shop, but as poverty greatly decreased very few people were desperate enough to pawn their items for quick cash. Carter took over this store from his father, and he turned it into a store that sold religious artifacts. It was possible that some tobacco addict was desperate enough to sell the doll here. It wasn't much to go on, but it was all we had.

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Carter: Can I help you officers?

Joe: Maybe, you know the church on 36th street?

Carter: Yes, I've been there a few times.

Bill: You know their nativity scene?

Carter: Ofcourse, beautiful scene. My friend Al, he helps repair the dolls every year. Any figure depreciates over time. I've told father Abdullah it would be cheaper to buy new figures from me, but he says they have sentimental value for his parishoners.

Joe: Someone stole the baby Jesus from that scene.

Carter: My god, who would do that?

Bill: We were hoping you could help us with that. Has anyone tried to sell you a baby Jesus?

Carter: No, and believe me I'd remember that one.

Bill: Any tobacco addicts try to sell you something?

Carter: Not recently. Quitting tobacco is hard, I speak from experience. I supposse someone could be that desperate for a fix. If it happens I'll be happy to buy it and return it to the church.

Joe: And maybe get a little reward?

Carter: Not for that. My father, he provided for his family with a pawn shop, but he lost a lot of sleep over taking advantage of desperate people. I sleep a lot better than he ever did. I couldn't charge a church for the return of baby Jesus.

Joe: Thanks, and we do appreciate if you keep your eyes out.

Carter: I will. Before you go, I sell movies. One you two would appreciate, as cops.

Bill: What is it?

Carter: It's called "Crime of the century." It's about a police detective trying to discover who tried to steal a book.

Joe: Is it the Guttenberg Bible or other very valuable book?

Carter: No, just a book about how to become a christian.

Joe: I don't get it.

Carter: It's sort of a utopian story. Wouldn't you prefer a society with so little crime, that you spend two days just trying to figure out who tried to steal a book?

Joe: Actually yeah, I just don't think it will happen before I retire.

Carter: Maybe not, but we can hope.

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Before we left the store, a woman named Angela came in, frantic.

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Angela: You two are cops?

Joe: Yes maam.

Angela: My sister, she just called to say goodbye. I think she's going to kill herself.

Joe: Where's your sister?

Angela: I don't know. Please, we have to find her before it's too late.

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It would seem we would have to take a detour from finding the baby Jesus. But given what the church said about suicide, we felt that father Abdullah would understand.