Splashdown: A Christian Contemporary Romance with Suspense (Dangerous Series Book 3) by Linda K. Rodante Page B

crazy hours, and I’ve arrested too many church people.”
    “Not all that go to church are believers or are following Him.”
    “That’s the problem. People say one thing; do another.”
    “You know that personally?”
    His gaze slid from the road again. He said nothing for a moment. “A year ago, your church was in the middle of an investigation.”
    Lynn felt her hackles rise. “I know, but that person only pretended to be a Christian.”
    “And the other characters there?”
    She shrugged then threw him a smile. “We have our quota, I guess. But we have good people, too, like Sharee and John, Pastor Alan and Daneen, and others.” When he nodded, she said, “But trusting what Jesus did to remove our sins doesn’t make us perfect. No one’s perfect. Not even you.”
    His mouth quirked. “You’re feeling better.”
    “What? Oh, I…yes.”
    “So why go to church?”
    “Because it’s a place where you can be encouraged, you can hear about God, hear his Word. And it’s family. Sometimes, it’s more family than your own.”
    “Speaking from experience?”
    She wrinkled her nose. He hadn’t answered her question but asked her almost the same one. 
    “Yes.” Lynn stared out the window, watching the strip shops pass by as they headed north. “Yes, especially true when you’re the only believer in your family.”
    “That’s tough.” The words held feeling. “So, when did you become a Christian?”
    “At sixteen. I went to youth group with some friends that invited me.”
    He nodded. “Youth groups get a lot of kids and get their lives turned around. Wish the kids stuck with it through college. Many don’t. It would keep them out of trouble—for the most part.”
    Lynn didn’t reply for a minute. She cleared her throat. “I led Victoria to the Lord.”
    His head turned. “You did?”
    “A week before she died.”
    Quiet filled the car. She felt his hand on hers, a featherlike touch. “I’m sorry.” He paused for a moment. “It makes sense now. She was more than a friend.”
    “Yes.” Lynn settled her head back against the headrest.
    Led her to you, Lord, and you took her. No. No, that didn’t feel quite right. But you allowed it. Why? She drew a long breath, moved her head and stared out the window. If it’s all the same to you, Father, I’d like to have something to do with bringing her murderer to justice.
    A moment later, she straightened and threw a look in Rich’s direction. “How far is this place you’re taking me to?”
    “Another ten minutes. Can you last that long?”
    She ran her fingers through her hair, feeling stronger with each mile. She straightened, having a sudden desire for a comb and a mirror. “Yes, but we’ve passed a dozen places already.”
    “Hmmm...” He didn’t speak for a moment. “I’m taking you to a place where we most likely won’t be recognized.”
    “What? Why?”
    “You’re part of the investigation, and it might not look right if we were out together.”
    Her brows rose as she turned to look at him. “Then what are you doing?”
    “You haven’t had dinner. Neither have I.” He looked her way. “I don’t want you fainting on me again.”
    “Again? I didn’t faint. I just, uh…” She stopped, glanced out the window, then turned back to see him grinning. “Okay. Have it your way. Are you going to order for me again?”
    He chuckled. “Not unless I have to.”

Chapter 8
    Sharee glanced up at Lynn, then back down into the bag. Next, she moved her candy jar to the side and upended the bag onto the antique trunk she and John used as a coffee table.
    Lynn’s phone rang. She pulled it from her Louis Vuitton handbag, looked at the screen and frowned. “Dr. Richmond. I’m not answering it, but I did give him your number. He might be calling you.”
    “Why? Who is he?”
    “I met him at some community awareness meeting Representative McCloud sent me to. We started talking afterward. He volunteers his time with the foster care