Chapter 13: Bible Blues
"Can you believe this? We're finally together," said Jen as she held Wes' hand.
Wes squeezed her hand and grinned in return. It was a late Sunday afternoon so they time to spend alone together for once.
They had just finished a late lunch so they were walking down one of the queiter Vegas streets. But as usual, they had a job to do. Wes planned to find out what those words and numbers in Mc Cormick's letter meant.
They soon arrived at the church Wes mentioned to Jen. When they entered, Jen gasped.
It was a very beautiful building. Full of history that is really rare to find in Las Vegas, the church had clearly been standing for some time.
The church was empty except for a fairly old man standing in front near the altar, lighting candles. He ws dressed in a very beutiful robe.
The old man turned when he heard footsteps. He looked at Wes for a moment, as if trying to remember him from somewhere. Then his face split into a kindly smile, "Wesley! Wesley Collins. My, my, it's been a while, hasn't it? Last time I saw you, you were just a little tyke of ten years!"
Jen smiled at that comment, trying to imagine Wes as a ten-year-old. Wes blushed a little,"Pastor Henricks, how have you been? I can't believe you still remember me though,""
"I've been great, Wesley, just great. How can I not recognize that messy dirty- blond hair of yours? Always the same!"
Jen giggled softly, highly amused.
Wes sighed,"Pastor Henricks, I'll like you to meet Jen, my fiancee,"
Pastor Henricks smiled kindly at her,"Why, hello there! I am very happy for you! I hope you can control Wesley here. Why, running all over the place during Sunday school!"
"Hey!" said Wes in protest.
Jen replied, with a grin,"I'll manage!"
Pastor Henricks asked,"I suppose that's why you are here? We hold good wedding services,"
Wes nodded,"That, also we want to know whether you know anything about this letter," pulling out Mc Cormick's letter which was put inside the crime lab's evidence bag. The old man took it and read.
"Hmm, they are all phrases from the bible, of course. But I don't know what it all means altogether. Why, you're working with the police now? I knew you'll go places!" said Pastor Henricks.
Wes smiled a little and said,"Crime Scene Investigator sir, and thanks. You've been a lot of help,"
The pastor nodded and said, "Now, about the wedding, why, I suggest..." he started explaining about suitable dates to the couple. But something else caught Wes's attention.
There was a bible placed on the alclove. It was opened and Wes noticed that there was a small red ink mark circling the word 'be'.
Jen was listening intently to Pastor Henricks so Wes walked over to the bible and flicked through the pages. One more red ink mark, hardly visible underlining the letter 'i' was on another page.
Then, Wes heard Jen say,"Thanks a lot sir. Wes and I will let you know about a suitable date,"
The pastor smiled good-naturedly and said,"Well, I must go. I have some teachings to do at the state jail,"
Wes looked up and asked,"State jail?"
"Why, yes. I go there to give religous teachings to the patrons there a few times a week,"
Jen looked at Wes, wondering what he was talking about. Wes asked,"Do you take this bible?" holding up a bible.
The pastor nodded,"I sometimes lend it to the patrons for a while and take it back here,"
Wes asked,"What about these marks?" indicating to the tiny red ink marks.
The pastor and Jen squinted at the small mark underlining the letter 'i' and Pastor Henricks frowned thoughtfully,"Well, one of the patrons must have done that for who knows what reason..."
"And when the bible is here, anyone can read it?" asked Wes.
"Why, yes," the old man replied.
It suddenly dawned onto Jen what Wes is talking about. Brian Mc Cormick manged to keep relaying messages to his accomplice, by some other code through the bible.
Wes asked,"Would it be ok if I borrow this for a few days?"
The pastor frowned but nodded,"I suppose so... but whatever for?"
Jen said, "It will help us a lot in out investigation, sir. We really need to borrow tis,"
Pastor Henricks nodded,"Of course, go ahead... I can always use another one,"
Wes and Jen thanked Pastor Henricks and went out of the church. Jen said,"Well, this is going well,"
Wes nodded,"yeah, our killer finally left an important lead! If we can only figure it out..." he added.
TBC
Ok, sorry for the non- CSI reference for this chapter, fellow fans. Plenty of them in the upcoming chapters! As always, leave a review and let me know what you think!