“Can’t say that I’m surprised,” Beale mused. “So what do we do?”

“Well, it goes without saying, the most wonderful thing we could do would be to discover who the killer really is.”

“Any chance of that actually happenin’?” Loving asked.

“Not without a lot of legwork. Which is where you come into the picture. And Jones.” He glanced at his office manager, who was still fuming. “And Paula, too, if she’s got time.”

“She has time,” Jones said. “And needs extra work. Since her husband will soon be declaring bankruptcy!”

“Where do we start?” Loving asked.

“I hope you’ll forgive me for saying this, Father,” Ben answered, “but I think we begin at the church. Both victims have been church members-members of the vestry, in fact. All indications, therefore, are that the killer has some connection to the church. We have to start our investigation there.”

“Got it,” Loving said. “Any idea who the likely suspects are?”

“Not really. But I’ve made a list of the most prominent names-the other members of the vestry, the leaders of the various departments and committees. It’s a starting place, anyway. You’re going to have to talk with everyone, see what they think, see what you can uncover. That goes for both murders. The DA has only charged Father Beale on the second murder, because that’s where they have their evidence. But common sense suggests that they’re connected. So if we can learn something about the first one, we may also learn something about the second. Problem is-I know these people. I’m not objective, and they probably wouldn’t talk to me openly, anyway. So I’m going to have to pass the buck to you.”

“I’ll get right on it,” Loving said.

“And I’ll help,” Christina added.

“That’s fine.” It was more than fine; Christina was a good interrogator and had an instinctive understanding of most people she met. “But I’m going to need your lawyering skills, too. There will be countless motions and oral arguments and discovery hassles before this case is completed.”

“No problem. I specialize in multitasking.”

“Marvelous.” He turned his attention to the other end of the table. “Jones, I’d like you and Paula to do some deep background checks, both on the church itself and the parishioners. Start with the two victims and the names on my list.”

“What am I looking for?”

“How should I know? Anything suspicious. Any dark secrets. And especially anything that might give someone a motive for murder.”

“We’ll do our best. And after that?”

“Well… don’t get too excited. But I think this may be another case where you actually need to get out into the field and do some legwork.”

Jones’s eyes widened. “Me? Really?”

“Absolutely.” With Paula at your side, he thought, to keep you from getting yourself killed. “There are too many tangled webs in this case. Loving can’t possibly unravel them all.”

“I agree that we may need some outside help on this one, Skipper,” Loving said. “Do we have a budget for additional investigators?”

“Well…” Ben tried not to look at Jones. “Do whatever you need to do.”

“I could use an intern on some of this legal briefing,” Christina said. “Especially if I’m going out in the field during the critical pretrial period.”

“Get whoever you need.”

“That’s just great,” Jones said. “And since our budget is unlimited, maybe we could fly in a team from the Mayo Clinic to take DNA samples from the communion cup!”

Ben’s neck stiffened. “Look, we will do anything we can to win this case.”

Father Beale edged forward. “You sound as if you may have some idea what really happened.”

“I wish I did,” Ben replied. “But I don’t. Suspicions, yes. But facts, no. That’s what we have to remedy. The fact is, we have more than just two murders taking place in a church here. We have two murders committed in such a way that it was inevitable that you would become Suspect Number One. I know I’ve asked you before, Father, but-do you have any idea why anyone would want to frame you?”

Beale shook his head. “Granted, I know there are many people who want me out of the church. But to resort to this-”

“It’s politics.”

The two words, though spoken barely louder than a whisper, riveted the attention of everyone in the room. It came from Father Beale’s heretofore silent wife, Andrea.

“Excuse me?” Christina said.

“It’s all politics. Religious politics, true. But it’s still politics. These people have been trying to get Daniel out for months. They’re willing to do anything-anything at all. So when ordinary means didn’t work-they turned to extraordinary means.”

“You’re sayin’ they killed two people just to get a new man behind the pulpit?” Loving scowled. “Sorry, but I have a hard time buyin’ that.”

“You wouldn’t, if you’d been married to a priest as long as I have. People have been murdered for much stupider reasons.”

Ben found himself shocked to hear such strong words-about churchgoers-coming from the previously subdued woman. “But these people, let’s remember, think they’re doing the work of God. They consider themselves crusaders, fighting evil for a holy cause. The God of the Old Testament never hesitated to spill a little blood to get what he wanted. Why should they?”

“Still,” Ben said, “that seems an extreme reaction to doctrinal disputes.”

“Does it really? Think about it. Daniel has been active in every major social issue since the sixties-and that has seriously ticked off a lot of people. Daniel marched with Dr. King in Selma -did you know that? He was at the forefront of the Oklahoma ERA movement. Now he’s gotten himself involved in the gay rights movement-and how many Oklahoma rednecks have committed acts of violence against gays? How many murders have been committed by pro-life crazies? Face it-many people take these issues to heart-and are willing to commit murder in support of their beliefs.”

“Do you have anyone in particular in mind?” Ben asked.

“Where to begin? I think at least half the vestry would be capable of it. Especially that superzealot, Susan Marino. She’d do anything to get rid of Daniel. She’d kill her own mother if she thought it would help.”

Father Beale frowned. “Andrea. I don’t think-”

She ignored him. “And what about that witch, Ernestine Rupert? She thinks she owns the church and everyone in it. Probably figures she has the right to murder anyone she wants.”

Again Beale interrupted. “Ernestine is in her late sixties.”

“Then she would hire someone to do it.”

“Really-”

“Oh, stop it, Daniel. She’s a horrible person, and you know it as well as I do. The only restraint on her willingness to swing her money around like a club is that nephew of hers, and he can’t do much, scurrying around like her indentured servant. I know you like to think the best of everyone-or act like you do, anyway-but this is serious. You’re on trial for your life.”

Ben moved quickly to cover the awkward moment. “Anyone else you think is a possible suspect?”

“As I said, the list is too long to mention. Don’t forget that egomaniac music minister. He’s been at odds with Daniel since we came to St. Benedict’s. Probably still nursing a grudge because Daniel wouldn’t let him sing ‘Amazing Grace’ at the Christmas service or something. And what about the rest of the vestry? These are magnificently petty people, all shouting Peace be with you while they plot to get rid of their priest!”

Beale took her hand and squeezed it. “Andrea. Please.”

She yanked her hand away. “I’m not going to let them do this to you without a fight, Daniel. And I’m certainly not going to let them throw you in jail-or worse-without giving your lawyers the information they need to fight them.”

“I appreciate your candor,” Ben said. “Any time you have information you think might even conceivably be of use to us, please don’t hesitate to let us know.”