Fancy Gap (31 page)

“Sounds like a plan to me, Quinn. We can swing by my house and pick up my overnight kit. I sense this will be an interesting trip,” Leroy replied.

Quinn smiled at that suggestion as he went to pack a few things. He threw everything into the back seat of Leroy’s car. They drove across Hillsville into the countryside. Leroy’s farm was about five miles from town. They turned on to a dirt road that led up a small hill to where a picture-perfect farmhouse stood among a grove of tall pine trees.

“Darn it, Leroy, this looks like a Norman Rockwell picture—the beautiful farmhouse with the pond below. Very nice!”

“What it is, Quinn is a whole lot of work, but it’s truly a labor of love. That’s why we stay here. We could live anywhere we want, but what more would it get us? Nothing, really. This is our family homestead, and we love it.”

“Hell, I can see why, Leroy. It’s very special.”

As they parked, Quinn saw a woman come out the front door toward them. She smiled as she approached the car and extended her hand to Quinn.

“You must be the mighty Quinn my husband raves about. Good to finally meet you. My name is Laneisha,” she said.

“Laneisha, it’s my pleasure to meet you. Leroy has told me about you, but he failed to mention how pretty you are. He emphasized how smart you are, but now I see that he truly is a lucky man.”

“Laneisha, do not listen to this man. He can charm the bark off a tree. This silver-haired devil will dazzle you with his brilliance and truly befuddle you with his baloney.”

“Now, Leroy, stop all of that talk. I can tell that Quinn is a gentleman of the highest order. I do believe you’re a little jealous, my dearest husband. This good-lookin’ man pays me a few compliments—well deserved, if I do say so—and you go on being all worked up about it.”

The three of them bent over in laughter. Laneisha led them into the house, where they talked while Leroy filled his overnight bag.

“Are you sure I can’t feed you two before you head out?” she asked.

“Laneisha, I wish we could, but we really have to go. It’s been a pleasure finally meeting you. You two really do need to visit Louisa and me at my house. And, lest I forget, I really do need to see you about my taxes. Leroy tells me you’re the very best at legally minimizing a person’s tax liability.”

“Quinn, it’s been a pleasure. Just let me know when we can visit again! You two have a safe trip to Richmond!”

Quinn’s cell rang. He looked and saw that Louisa was calling.

“Quinn, are you near a computer? You need to see something right away.”

“Leroy, can we fire up your computer before we go?”

Leroy went to his study and booted up his system.

“OK, Louisa, what address do you want us to look at?” he asked. Louisa gave them the information and waited while they watched the video.

“My God!” exclaimed Laneisha as she watched what was unfolding on the screen before her. She turned away as Quinn and Leroy watched it again.

“What do you think, Louisa? He’s really asserting his perceived superiority over all of us, isn’t he?” Quinn asked.

“Quinn, I think this is a clear indication that regardless of the fact that he screwed up by taking her for a shopping trip to Winston-Salem, this reinforces in his own mind that he hasn’t lost all control of the situation.”

“Louisa, you’re right. This is a critical time for us. I imagine his playtime with little Katie might be over soon. Leroy and I are heading out for Richmond in a few minutes. We’re going to the diocese office in the morning, and hopefully we’ll get the information we need. Keep me posted on any progress on this end.”

“I will, and let me know if you run into any brick walls in Richmond. I have a few good contacts there. But I still think you’re barking up the wrong tree, big man. Bye,” she said as she hung up.

Quinn and Leroy began the drive to Richmond. Quinn enjoyed the three-hour trip, as Leroy liked to talk. They discussed their lives, families, and careers. Leroy was adamant in his belief that something was wrong with Father Tony. In his Christian soul, he hoped he was wrong, but his gut told him the priest was the prime suspect.

They arose early the next morning and checked out of the Sheraton near the diocese offices on Carousel Lane. As they ate breakfast at the local IHOP, Quinn told Leroy that there were approximately 220,000 Catholics in Virginia who were served by some 200 priests in slightly more than 150 parishes.

“So our Father Tony has one of the smaller parishes, doesn’t he?” said Leroy. “But you probably don’t know that before he came to Carroll County, the priest who was there also covered the parish in Floyd. They recruited a young, Spanish-speaking priest to take over that parish. How do you know so much about the Catholic population in Virginia? What’s up with that?” he asked.

“Brother Leroy, I pride myself on doing as much research as I can on any item I may have under review. My good friend Mister Google has been very helpful in providing me with great insight into a potpourri of subjects that I might not have known anything about. Let’s head over and meet with Tami LePage and see exactly what kind of kind of human resources director she is. By the way, did you know that Fancy Gap is the western vicariate of the diocese?” Quinn offered as they finished breakfast. Leroy laughed as they left the restaurant and headed to their appointment.

Tami LePage was surprised that the man who called from Fancy Gap had indeed made an appointment to see her. She knew about the abduction in Fancy Gap and the killing of the little boy. She just couldn’t imagine what he needed to know about Father Tony. She had met him on several occasions and found him to be a delightful person. She knew Father Tony was well liked by the bishop and his staff. She never asked why she was never given his personal history file.

She met with Quinn and Leroy in the small conference room near her office. She soon realized the man who called was a sergeant with the Carroll County Sheriff ’s Department. After all the pleasantries of introductions were finished, she asked politely, “Gentlemen, how can I help you?”

Ms. LePage, as you probably know, we’re working on a horrific abduction and kidnapping in Fancy Gap. One poor boy has been killed, and his sister is still missing. Sergeant Jefferson and I are part of a team following up on all possible leads in the case. We need your help because we need to find out as much as we can about Father Antonio Cruz Martinez.

Now, Ms. LePage, I know what you must be thinking. Father Tony is not a major suspect in the case, but he is a person of interest. We haven’t been able to find out much information about him from public and police resources. Quite frankly, that bothers us. As you know, there’s usually a treasure trove of information about all of us on the Internet. We’re frustrated about what we don’t know about Father Tony. And that’s why we’re here today.”

She looked at them for a moment before she replied, “Mister McSpain, I appreciate the effort you’re putting into your investigation. My prayers are with the family for the safe return of their little girl. We in the diocese are always willing to cooperate with law enforcement efforts. But we must also respect the individual privacy of those who work for us. From the bishop to the janitor, it really doesn’t matter. All personnel records are confidential and must remain that way. However, I will give you a consent form that, if filled out and signed by Father Tony, will allow us to provide the requested information. Minus that, gentleman, you will need to obtain a court order for us to release the information. I’m sorry, but it does have to be that way.”

Quinn looked at Leroy and back at Ms. LePage. “Is there anyone else we can talk to while we’re here to present our request?”

“I’m sorry, gentlemen, the buck stops here on this sort of thing. I know from experience that you’ll get the same reply from anyone you might talk to above me.”

With that, she stood up, indicating the meeting was over.

“Listen, I feel bad for the family, and I will pray for them. I can tell you since Father Tony has been with us, no one has ever complained about him to any of us.”

Quinn shook her hand and thanked her for her time. Once he and Leroy were outside, he glanced at his wristwatch and saw that it was close to ten. He saw a park bench across the street and motioned for Leroy to follow him. After they sat down, he dialed Louisa’s number.

“Hey, how are you two doing in Richmond?” she asked.

“Well, the sun is out, and the birds are chirping in the park. What wasn’t chirping at all was one Tami LePage, the esteemed director of human resources. She was as sweet as sweet tea, but that was it. We get nothing from her without a court order. She did say that one has ever complained about Father Tony since he’s been with the parish. Any suggestions on what to do?” he asked.

“OK, sit tight in Richmond for a bit. I’m going to make a call or two to see what we can shake out of the bushes. It should take an hour or two at most. You’ll hear from me or someone else as soon as I get something going. Just go out and have some fun with Leroy.”

He smiled as he hung up. “Well, Leroy, we have an hour or two on our hands while Louisa works a little magic. In the meantime, what do you know about The Pit and the Pendulum?”

Leroy thought for a moment. “Well, other than it was written by Edgar Allen Poe, not much.”

“Hey, that’s good. Did you know Mister Poe called Richmond home?

Let’s get in a little sightseeing before Louisa gets back to us,” Quinn suggested.

Quinn set his Garmin to find the Edgar Allen Poe Museum. The address on East Main Street soon popped up on the screen. The female voice with the English accent soon directed them to the museum. Quinn was tickled. He had always wanted to visit the museum, as Poe was one of his favorite writers.

They spent the next four hours there. Leroy seemed to be enjoying the museum as he took in all the offerings. While he knew of Poe and had read some of his works, he had no idea of the breadth and depth of Poe’s body of work.

Quinn had set his phone to vibrate so it wouldn’t make a lot of noise in the museum when it rang. He immediately felt the phone almost wiggle out of his pants as he and Leroy finished their tour. He glanced at the screen but didn’t recognize the number.

He stepped into a quiet corner and answered. The voice on the other end said, “Mister McSpain, I presume?”

Quinn smiled and answered, “You presume right. With whom do I have the pleasure?”

“Quinn, this is Father Jonathan Esposito. I am Bishop Taft’s chief of staff. I understand you are a connoisseur of fine wines. Is that the case?” he asked.

“Why, Father, I’ve been known to enjoy the fruit of the vine from time to time. Some see that as a weakness of the flesh. I see it as an enhancer of the fragile spirit.”

“Excellent! May I suggest that we meet at Old Bookbinders at, say, six o’clock to sample some fairly decent juice? I understand that you’re not travelling alone. Please do come together, but my conversation must be with you only. Will that be a problem?”

“It most certainly will not, Father. I have purchased a limited edition Poe novel for my friend. I’m sure he’ll dive into it while we meet.”

“Perfect. See you at six,” he said as he hung up.

Leroy had separated from the crowd and was standing next to Quinn.

“Jackpot, my friend. That was the bishop’s chief of staff, and he wants to meet us at six o’clock. I wonder what strings my dearest Louisa pulled to make this happen. She is just so darned good. Just don’t tell her I said that.”

They left the museum and drove the short distance to the restaurant. Old Bookbinders was a classic in downtown Richmond. The city’s elite dined there, and many a business transaction was made over an expensive dinner. It was rumored that many Philip Morris tobacco executives preferred to do business there than in their offices.

Since they were early, they parked and watched the entrance to see if they could determine who Father Esposito was. The clock ticked away as they watched the front door. While there was a steady stream of business customers arriving, they didn’t see anyone who vaguely resembled what they thought Father Esposito would look like.

They finally looked at each other and decided it was time to go in. Leroy locked the car. Quinn was happy that he was wearing his cashmere Armani sport coat and his alligator Allen Edmonds loafers. Leroy had already asked him if he was too cheap to wear socks or if it was simply a fashion statement. He assured Leroy that he would wear socks, but Louisa just hated to wash them and then have to match them up out of the dryer. Quinn knew that Leroy hadn’t bought that explanation and that Leroy thought he was somewhat of a closet sixty-year-old yuppie. Leroy was dressed very well for a warm, late summer night in Richmond. He assumed that Leroy packed his bag, anticipating that he would be profiling in downtown Richmond, which required a certain degree of sartorial splendor far removed from Hillsville.

They entered Old Bookbinders and approached the reception desk. A tall, slender gentleman wearing half-rimmed spectacles glanced at them.

“Mister McSpain, I presume,” he said drily.

Quinn was taken aback by the recognition.

“Good to have you with us tonight. Sergeant Jefferson, please let Leslie escort you to your table.”

Leroy smiled as a beautiful, young hostess with the fairest ebony skin smiled at Leroy and showed him to his table. Leroy smiled right back at her and winked at Quinn.

“Please follow me,” the maître d’ said.

Quinn’s eyes took in the business crowd around him as they snaked their way through the press of humanity to a secluded, private table where a man sat, watching Quinn approach his table. Quinn focused on the man. The maître d’ looked at Quinn and said, “May I introduce Father Jonathan Esposito to you.”

Father Esposito stood up and extended his hand. “Quinn, what a pleasure to meet you.”

“Father, the pleasure is all mine,” Quinn responded with a quick smile.

Father Esposito sat down and smiled at Quinn. “I was told you are quite the imposing man about town who understands the appropriate level of stylish attire. I guess I should have known that a man with your years of worldly travel and experiences would be dressed appropriately for our humble Southern village.”