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I’d checked the Bakerstown Funeral Home’s website and saw that they had a funeral scheduled at ten this morning. I figured there were things that Doc needed to do afterward, so I decided to visit the college library first and see if I could find anything on the Matthews brothers or New Hope church. Now that I knew they were from Oregon, the search might be narrow enough to allow me to find relevant news articles on the church.

As I scanned the options that came back, I saw an article about a church burning. It happened over twenty years ago, but the Matthews name was attached so I clicked the link. It gave me a microfilm summary of a church fire that had been suspected to be arson. Joshua and Mary Matthews had died in the fire. Joshua had been the pastor of the church. I glanced at the name of the newspaper. Newport Free Press . Opening my photos from the New Hope file, the driver’s licenses showed that the Oregon addresses were in Beaverton. I looked up both on a map of Oregon. I thought Newport was on the coast, and that was right. But Beaverton?

I found it, and as I studied the map more, I realized it was near Portland. It might be a coincidence. I lived in California and I didn’t know people who lived in Sacramento. We were separated by miles and several thousand people. And yet, it felt like it was important.

I put in a request for a copy of the article, paid the fee, and set it to go to my email account. I could have used Evie’s school account and saved a few dollars, but it all went to support the library, so I didn’t have a problem with paying a few bucks for a wi ld goose chase.

By the time I was done at the library, I had a few more pieces of information. Like where all three principals, Kane, Roger, and Maryanne, went to school. It was a small Christian college. Roger and Maryanne had been married in the school’s chapel the week after graduation. Maryanne’s family was listed in the article from the small town where the school was located, but the only family listed for Roger was his brother, who was als o his best man.

Roger had graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and Kane had a bachelor’s in philosophy with a minor in religious studies. His discussion of the context in the interpretation of books including the Bible when I saw him at the open house made sense now.

Maryanne had a b usiness degree.

Between the three of them, they had what they needed to start a church. But why had Kane been their front man? He oozed charisma. Had it been as simple as that?

I printed off what I could and tucked the sheets into the folder I’d packed in my tote. Before I left, I sent the photos of the New Hope business application to the printer as well. Being an alumnus at the school had some privileges. Lik e cheap copies.

I headed back to my Jeep and hurried over to Bakerstown Funeral Home. As I’d expected, the parking lot that had been full when I drove by on my way to the college was now empty, except for Doc’s old blue truck and the newer minivan hearse he used for his business. As well as for any off icial business.

Carrie’s little green MG wasn’t in the parking lot. I assumed it was parked in front of Diamond Lille’s, where she worked. I didn’t know how long her shift would be, but my time to chat alone with Doc Ames was narrowing fast.

I went in the unlocked front doors, turned left, and headed to Doc’s office. I’d rather find him here than downstairs doing the nonpaperwork part of his job. Fingers crossed, I knocked on his partial ly closed door.

“Come in, Jill. What did you bring to bribe me to chat?” He smiled as I pushed the door open. He was sitti ng at his desk.

“How did you know it was me?” I handed him the box of cooki es I’d brought.

After taking the box, he used it to point at his computer. “I put in a security system. I’ve had a few break-ins recently. Can you believe it? I’d like to think it was just kids daring each other, but some things have gone missing. This way, at least I know who’s robbing me. And the cops are alerted if it goes off when I have t he system set.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” I sat down and put my purse on the other chair. Now I was glad I’d locked my Jeep. Greg had trained me to lock up, no matter where I was and how safe I felt. It made him feel better. Even though no one had tried anything for years. Since I’d moved to South Cove. At lea st with my car.

“I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I’m sure it was just random kids. But now with Carrie living here, better safe than sorry.” Doc Ames leaned closer. “Do you want some coffee ? Or a cookie?”

“I think I’m coffeed out.” I smiled as he opened the box, holding it out for me to grab a treat. “And don’t tempt me with a cookie. I’m hoping my dress fits tomorrow. Wedding planning is stressful, and we all know I ea t my emotions.”

He took a snowflake cookie and put the box away. “Carrie will love these. What can I help you with? I’m assuming you’re here because of the Matthews b oy downstairs.”

“I am. What can you tell me about how he was murdered?” I opened my notebook and uncapped a pen.

“Offici ally, nothing.”

When I didn’t react, he leaned back and sighed. “You’re going to get me disinvited to your wedding and Carrie already bough t a new dress.”

“Not going to happen. Now, how did Kane die?” I was hoping he would say something like he was killed with someone’s bare hands. That would eliminate Molly. Maybe not this new parent that Greg found or even Pastor Bill, but Molly would be off the suspect list. “When Greg’s main suspect found him, he looked like he was praying. Then he just fell over. At least according to her story.”

“He was posed. From what I could see, he was killed there, on-site, but maybe not in that exact place or position. There was evidence that he was lying on his back when he died. He was strangled with a thin wire, maybe the cord from his headphones. Although why someone would choke him, I don’t know. His attacker was either very angry or very strong. And the only reason I’m telling you this is to see what you remember of the scene. I’d like you to walk me through it. Maybe this will make mo re sense then.”

“What’s bothering you?”

Doc shook his head. “First tell me about what happened. Tell me what you saw.”

I went through why I’d been there and what I saw after leaving the chapel with my mother-in-law’s purse. “Soon-to-be mother-in-law,” I corrected af ter I was done.

He shook his head. “So all you saw was the body on the ground? I was hoping you’d seen something that would explain the posing. It’s like they were making fun of his position as head of the church.”

“Yeah, I kind of got that too. Which makes Molly a good suspect.” I sank back in the chair. Maybe I should just sit this one out. If Molly had killed Kane, maybe I was just looking for clues that explained away h er being there.

“What does this Molly look like? Her physical shape? Is she tall? Fit?” Doc grabbed a second cookie.

“She’s probably in her fifties. Maybe five foot two, if that. She’s tiny. I bet she wears a size two or something stupid like that.” I hadn’t been a size two since high school. And I didn’t remember that.

“I don’t think she could have posed the victim if she’s that small. It’s hard to move dead weight. That’s why they call it that.” He wrote down a note. “I need to get Greg an estimate of what body type the killer would need to have to pose him after death. And if she attacked the guy, he would have had to be sitting down unless he walked past her standing on a stool, waiting for him. I need to check that angle as well. You’ve given me some things t o think about.”

“And maybe help to exclude Molly Cordon? I hope so.” I glanced at my watch. “I need to go. Greg’s brother, Jim, and his girlfriend are comi ng for dinner.”

“The brother who swore he’d never remarry after his wife died. That’s an interesting twist I didn’t see coming.” He stood to walk me out.

“Me neither. I briefly met Beth a few months ago, but I’m looking forward to learning more about her and how she won over the confirmed widower.” I gave Doc a quick hug. “Thanks for cha tting with me.”

“If anyone asks, we were just sharing some cookies and getting caught up before your big day.” He leaned closer. “Your fiancé gets a little miffed if he thinks I’m feeding your sl euthing habit.”

As I drove to the grocery store, I thought about what Doc had said. If he was right, Molly could be removed from Greg’s suspect list. Of course, Pastor Bill couldn’t be removed, but he wasn’t the only man in town who could have killed Kane. Kane’s own brother probably met the same criteria. And he was the new head guy for New Hope. That seemed like more motivation than a disagreement about translation s of the Bible.

At le ast in my book.

When I got home, Greg’s truck and what looked like a second rental car sat in my driveway. I was busted. I grabbed the cookies, hoping they would give me an excuse. As long as Judith didn’t mention what time I left the store. And I had the grocery ba gs in the back.

I could hear voices, but no one was in the living room. I went to put the cookies in the kitchen and realized everyone was sitting outside on the deck. Greg peeked inside the back door. “Lock the front door, grab a beer, and come out to sit with us. If you’re done investigating.”

I almost denied it, but it wouldn’t do any good. Greg knew me. And probably too many people had seen me. “Give me a second. I need to put the g roceries away.”

Emma greeted me as I came out on the porch. Then Greg waved me over to the love seat and I leaned down into a kiss. “The re’s my bride.”

“I thought I’d be home before you guys got into town.” I sat next to Greg and smiled a t Jim and Beth.

“Blame this one. I swear, every time we leave for vacation, he sets his alarm for some ungodly hour and we’re on the road with the chickens. So our flight was at the crack of dawn. At least flying, I have a bathroom available. He doesn’t like to stop when we’re driving.”

“You need to stop too many times, ” Jim grumbled.

“I’m a girl. Deal with it.” Beth poked him in the side. In response, he put his arm around her and pulled her closer to him.

“I’m just glad we’re out of the car. I can’t believe how small a normal car is these days.” He sipped his beer. “I take it Bill Doyle is doin g the service?”

The quick change of subject surprised me. “Yes. Bill and his girlfriend, Sadie, are friends. Well, I was friends with Sadie first. She supplies the treats for my shop. I brought home some snowflake cookie s for dessert.”

“I made a chocolate cake while you were gone today. But I’m sure the cookies will disappear fast around these boys. They were always big on sweets growing up.” Amanda rubbed Emma’s head. She had a glass of iced tea instead of a beer. And, I notice d, so did Beth.

I pushed away the comparison. And the guilt for serving store-bought cookies rather than making my own. But Sadie was a cookie wizard. There was no comparison.

“So, Jill, what were you doing today?” Greg leaned back in his chair, wa tching my face.

“I stopped by to see Amy, then spent some time at the shop. Judith was there alone, so I wanted to make sure she was doing okay. She’s going to keep the store open on Saturday with Tilly.” I glanced over at our guests. “Amy’s my best friend. And I told my staff they were all welcome to come to the wedding, but Tilly’s going through a bit of a rough patch. Anyway, I picked up the cookies then. And since I had a little bit of time, I ran to Bakerstown to drop cookies off with Doc Ames. I haven’t seen him in forever and I wanted to make sure he and Carrie, who works at our local diner, were coming to the wedding. Then I grabbed a few groceries on the way home.”

I saw Greg processing the stops. The only one I had left off was my trip to the college library, but I wasn’t sure I could lie well enough to make that about the up coming wedding.

Greg leaned forward. “Why don’t you tell my family what Doc Ames does?”

Greg was onto me. I could feel the gloat coming. But I had talked to him about the wedding. “Doc runs our local funeral home. He used to be single and kind of lonely, but then he and Carrie started dating. He’s muc h happier now.”

Greg blinked first. “Doc Ames is also our county coroner. And if I know my Jill, she was probably there talking about Kane Mat thews’s death.”

“I’m glad I don’t have to give a report on where I went each time I left the house.” Beth smiled at me then changed the subject. “Kane Matthews and his groupies. That’s such a strange story. Did you all know that New Hope was a cult? How in the world did they get approval to set up here? They were forced out of Oregon a few years ago.”

Jim put a hand on Beth’s arm. “Beth’s kind of an expert in modern-day cults. She did her thesis on it when she got her master’s in relig ion last year.”

“Which gives me almost enough credibility to be a church secretary.” Beth laughed and leaned into Jim’s arm. “I’m working on turning my thesis into a book about cults in today’s world. People are drawn into these groups by the feeling of family and being special. There’s a real need for that kind of closeness in today’s world. Loneliness is the cult’s number one weapon in gaining new followers. By the time the individual realizes what’s going on, they’re too deep into the situation.”

“It’s too bad you weren’t here last week. Amanda and I went to the open house held at New Hope. It was disturbing.” I met Greg’s gaze and he shrugged. I guessed the conversation wasn’t treading on the investigation. “The women in the church are treated like they’re in the Middle Ages. None of the women spoke except to offer us food or drink. Kane was telling me they were turning their bakery into a commercial venture. He wanted Coffee, Books, and More’s business, but I explained we were happy with Sadie. He inferred that maybe she wouldn’t want to continue her bakery after she married Bill. Well, that’s how I took it. Huh, I’d forgotten about that part. Anyway, they have a huge library with all k inds of books.”

“Of course, that’s what you’d notice,” Greg teased. “Any books on devil worship or killing off your spiritual leader with a signed plan from the killer inside?”

“Not a one. But Kane had books from all types of religious practices, positive thinking, and the law of attraction stuff. It was eclectic. He gave me a copy of The Four Agree ments to read.”

Amanda broke in. “That’s what the video felt like. I’ve gone to several seminars on the law of attraction. Don’t frown, Jim. I’m a grown woman who can decide what my belief system contains. Anyway, when we were in their great room or chapel and the movie was running, it felt like the third day of one of those seminars. Where you think you ca n do anything.”

“I’m not even touching the fact that you’re attending these feel-good growth experiences.” Greg grinned at his mom. “But the comparison with that type of organization isn’t far off.”

“That’s how they pull people into the church.” Beth elbowed Jim as she talked. “Stop looking like that every time I call it a church. It’s just a word. Anyway, they’re filling a need that more traditional churches aren’t anymore. And with the state of the family so disjointed, well, you’ve got a lot of people out there looking for something to believe in.”

“Which is why Carlie dropped out of school to become a disciple?” I took a sip of my beer. “That has to be some strong mojo to get into someone’s mind that quickly.”

“She was probably introduced to the organization by a guy who she thought was interested in her,” Beth corrected me. “They like to hit college campuses because the kids there are all trying to figure out who they are as an adult. And the cult feels like a safe place to land.”

“Who was the other woman Bakerstown found in the fabric store? Do you know?” I met Greg’s gaze, wondering if he would talk about her and her family. “Oh, and did Carlie go ho me with Molly?”

“Sometimes it takes a while for people to leave.” Beth leaned forward. “It’s like that statistic on abused women. It takes them seven times to l eave for good.”

“If they live that long,” Greg added. “Carlie’s safe right now. And I don’t have more information on the second woman.”

“Well, aren’t we a cheery group.” Amanda stood and headed to the kitchen. “Let’s get dinner started before we attempt to solve the rest of the world’s problems. Seriously, please, let’s talk about something else for a while. I’m feeling very depressed. And we have a wedding in three days. Let’s ta lk about that.”

As I followed Amanda and the others into the kitchen, I wished we hadn’t changed the subject quite so fast. I thought that Beth might just have some insight into the workings of New Hope and maybe even why its spiritual leader was killed. I’d have to get her alo ne to find out.