The Harvest Club by Iona Morrison

screen. “I know you don’t make that kind of money from your church. I wonder what you and Brad have been up too. You’ve been naughty boys indeed.” Jessie stood up excited, she reached for her phone. She punched in Matt’s number and was surprised when he actually picked up.
    “Hi, this is Jessie.”
    “I know, what’s up?”
    “I found my first connection between Rick and Brad. They both have big offshore accounts. I called in a favor from a friend to get this information. If Gina had found out there was an offshore account, she would have wanted to know where Brad was getting the money.” She took a breath. “Their regular checking accounts are nice and cushy, but nothing to tip anybody off. But the offshore accounts have huge deposits up to a hundred thousand dollars. Obviously, Rick doesn’t get this kind of money from pastoring a church. I’ll send the links to the site, to your email. It won’t be easy but I’m going to try to establish a money trail.”
    “What made you think of an offshore bank?” Matt asked.
    “I was running and having a little talk in my head with Gina. I tried to think like a wife. What would tip me off and cause me enough concern to think my husband was doing something illegal. The first thing I thought was if he was spending lots of money, money I knew wasn’t in our account and that we shouldn’t spend. Maybe he would say he was paid in cash. You get the picture I’m sure.”
    “I can see now that’s been one of my problems—I don’t know how to think like a wife.” He laughed. “You’ve made a great find. Follow the trail, but Jess, be extra careful.”
    “I will and check your email. I just sent you the information.”
    Jessie stretched and went to the window. The first stars were appearing in the early evening sky. Where did they get the money? Who paid them and why? Most people put money in offshore banks to hide it. She wondered what these two were up to and how many others were involved. It was bad—it had to be or Gina would still be alive. Her mind was filled with so many questions, she needed to take a break and let it go for a few minutes.
    She started to close the curtains, but the fluttering leaves on the trees changed her mind. She watched as the wind sent waves of motion coursing through the flowers and bushes. What was that? She saw something move, caught in the light for a second, before the moon was veiled by the clouds. Was Gina out there walking in the night? Her eyes tried to focus hoping to see it again. Was it her? If you are there Gina, I’m asking for your help. I want to find your killer, but I have so little to go on. She shivered, rubbed her eyes, but whatever she had seen was gone.

Chapter Nine
    The next couple of days at work were slow. The phone hardly rang, and no one stopped by to chat. Pastor Rick came to work but went right into his office, muttering something on his way. He only came out when he was leaving for the day. He didn’t say much to her, which she didn’t mind. He was totally preoccupied.
    By Wednesday, she was bored. She was ready to climb the walls. Pastor Rick had just whisked by her for the umpteenth time mumbling that he would be back as he raced out the door. She was doodling on her note pad, and daydreaming when the ringing phone jolted her back to the present.
    “First Community Church, may I help you?”
    “Jessie, this is Neil. Say, the outline you sent me about Gina looks real promising. Even if you don’t go any farther with it, it’s a great human interest story. What are you thinking?”
    “This story is a lot broader than I imagined.” She kept her voice down. “And if it goes where I think it is heading, you’ll have a big scoop. I’m following some trails and speculating now. There are some things that can’t be shared because the case is still under investigation.”
    “Okay, keep me in the loop, and we’ll talk later.”
    “I will.”
    Jessie was just getting over the surprise of