Read Deadly Affair: SCVC Taskforce World Novella (SCVC Taskforce Romantic Suspense Series Book 5) for Free Online Page B

Verdoni,” answered Lopez. He paused, eyes darting to Father Bailey as if seeking his approval to continue. When Bailey nodded. Lopez continued. “Her family lived in the neighboring town of Paso Vallejo. Miss Verdoni disappeared twenty years ago. Some say she ran away to escape her difficult father, though nothing was ever confirmed.”
    The pained look on Father Bailey’s face was too raw for Celina to ignore. Ana Verdoni had meant something to him, and he obviously felt her absence still. “You knew her, then?”
    Bailey’s nod was nothing more than a dip of his head. “She was a good soul.”
    “Does her family still live there?” Cooper asked.
    “Yes.” Father Bailey paused to clear his throat. “I can give you the address.”
    Celina squeezed the Father’s arm. “That would be helpful, thank you.”

    Cooper watched Celina give the monk’s arm a squeeze, the compassion shining in her eyes unmistakable. Though it was only a slim possibility that the bones buried in the mud were actually the remains of Ana Verdoni, at least they had a starting point while they were waiting for the ME’s preliminary report.
    “Of course, anything we can do to help.” Bailey’s Adam’s apple worked as he swallowed hard. “Do you think there is a chance it is Ana?”
    Relying on his training, Cooper studied Bailey and Lopez intently, watching for any telltale signs of deceit. The body wasn’t on the monastery’s property, but it was in a good spot to conceal a murder. Maybe he was as jaded as Celina had accused, jumping to conclusions, but after all of his years in the underbelly of the criminal world, his gut was rarely wrong.
    “How well did you know the girl?” Cooper asked Bailey.
    The priest stared off into the valley, the creases in his face standing out in the glare of the lights. He seemed immune to the look Lopez was shooting at him.
    Interesting.
    “We, uh,” Bailey started to answer, and Lopez stepped forward and placed a hand on the senior Father’s elbow.
    “We knew the family to some extent,” Lopez explained. “Not well, but Ana did help out during harvest season a couple of times, and her father insisted she seek counsel from us about potentially serving God as her calling in life. She wasn’t interested, I might add.”
    “Did you believe the stories about her running away? Was her father abusive?”
    Neither man answered.
    “If there’s anything you can tell us about her,” Celina said, “it might be helpful.”
    Lopez gave her a sad smile. “There’s nothing to tell, I’m afraid. As Father Bailey noted, we can share her father’s address, but I’m afraid that’s it.” He gave Bailey’s elbow a tug. “We really should get back and handle our upset guests.”
    “Yes,” Bailey agreed, turning his face down. “But please keep us posted.”
    “Of course.” Cooper said. This wasn’t their case and he couldn’t guarantee anything, but he liked Bailey. He knew from experience that a little peace of mind was a priceless commodity. “I’ll make sure the police keep us and you in the loop.”
    “We would appreciate that,” Lopez said, leading Bailey away. “Thank you.”
    Celina was quiet as they watched them head for the main portion of the monastery, though Cooper felt her scrutiny. “You really are going soft on me.”
    Her words made him snort. “Why?”
    “This isn’t their property and the crime probably has nothing to do with them or the Abbey. But they were upset, so you promised to keep them in the loop, even though you shouldn’t have.”
    “Big deal. I don’t want them to stress out about this. Bailey will have a stroke and then where we will get that fabulous food?”
    She smiled, curling a hand around his bicep and giving it a squeeze. “This has nothing to do with your gullet. Underneath all that tough guy exterior, you really care about people. It’s a good look for The Beast, but don’t worry,”—she laughed, eyes sparkling with mischief—“I