The Harvest Club by Iona Morrison Page B

she did. She said the only way to protect her life and her kids was to get away. She was saving money and had accepted a position in a church on the West Coast. She was going to move in a few weeks.”
    “Did Brad know she was trying to leave him?”
    “I don’t think so. She hadn’t told anyone but Pastor John who actually helped to arrange it.”
    Jessie’s mind took off at that point. If Gina had told John, and he’d mentioned it to his son, well, then, Brad would have known. No doubt about it. But if he didn’t kill her, then who did and why? Who was calling the shots, and was Pastor Rick’s life in jeopardy?
    “You’ve given me a lot to think about, Andria. Do you know the name of the organization?”
    “All Brad told Gina was that it was a civic group. She found the initials HC on some of his notes. I hope this will help catch her murderer. You are free to tell the police. I was never questioned because they didn’t realize I was her friend. I was nervous even thinking about talking to them, but I trust you. If they want to question me now, I would like you to be with me.” She paused, reached into her handbag and took out a sealed envelope. “Gina gave this to me the last time I saw her. She said to keep it safe; there was someone who should have it, and I would know when it was right to give it to them. The minute I saw you, today, I knew you were the one. Gina wants you to have this.” She stood up, pushed in her chair, and turned to leave. “I need to go. We’ll talk again soon.”
    Jessie’s eyes followed Andria all the way out to her car. She didn’t know what to think, but she wasn’t about to read the letter here. Whatever was in it could have been the very thing that got Gina murdered. She stood up to leave and said goodbye to the young man behind the counter, leaving a tip at the table. She noticed the man in the corner had changed seats and was looking over the top of his paper at her. Something about him bothered her.
    How did Andria know to give the note to her? This case was getting stranger by the minute. She was in the center of a murder, a cover-up, or what exactly? Armed with the pastor’s airline and flight numbers, she would check the passenger list for familiar names.
    ****
    She walked through the door, kicked off her shoes, and carefully read the contents of the envelope. Her heart was racing before she had even finished it. Matt needed to read this.
    She put in a call to him hoping he would pick up. She got his answering machine.
    “Hi Matt, this is Jessie. Could you call me back as soon as possible. I really need to talk to you. It’s an emergency.” Jessie paced back and forth across the room, waiting impatiently for a call back. Maybe she could find out where he lived and run by there.
    She grabbed her purse, put her shoes on, and was headed for the door when the call came.
    “Sorry, I was talking to someone. What’s up?”
    “I was given something today that you need to see. We have to meet. Is there someplace secret we can go?”
    “I’m on duty today. Why don’t you just swing by the office? Never mind, that’s not a good idea. Too many people will have too many questions. Do you remember passing Ted’s place about fifteen miles outside of Blue Cove on your way here?”
    “I’ll meet you there in fifteen minutes.” She snapped her phone off and was out the door before he had even replied.
    It seemed to take forever to get there. Matt must have raced there with his lights flashing because he was sitting in the parking lot in his car. As soon as she got out of the car, he rolled down his window. “Get in.”
    She couldn’t tell if he was upset and proceeded cautiously. “I know you didn’t want us to be seen together, and I wouldn’t have bothered you if I didn’t think this was really important.” She peered over at him warily.
    “Jess, you can contact me anytime you need to. I’m only concerned because you sounded afraid on the phone. I’m trying