Armed and Dangerous by Jo Davis Page A

my wife.”
    â€œA sex party,” Shane corrected. “How steamy did things get last night after Daisy and I left? Did you and the pretty wife finally let your hair down?”
    â€œListen,” he sputtered. “You have to right to come here and pry—”
    â€œActually, we do.” Shane loved this part. Digging out his wallet, he flipped it open to reveal his shield. “Detective Shane Ford and Officer Daisy Callahan.”
    â€œOh.” The reverend’s voice was suddenly very small. He appeared about two seconds from passing out cold.
    Shane noted the smudges under the man’s eyes. He seemed dazed, and yet they held a trace of desperation. Their rabbit was scared. No, terrified of what he and Daisy might learn. Cocking his head, Shane played another hunch and didn’t bother to mask the insinuation in his tone.
    â€œJust how well did you know Nikki Thompson, reverend? In the biblical sense?”
    â€œThat’s it,” the man said in a choked whisper. “I don’t have to listen to this slanderous, nasty talk, and I’m not answering more questions without my lawyer. Not that I have anything to hide, because I don’t. Now you can leave the same way you came in.”
    â€œIs your wife here, Will? We’d like to ask her a few questions, as well.”
    â€œNo. She’s out for the day and I don’t know when she’ll return. Good day, officers.” The man turned and hurried away, disappearing down a hallway at the back of the church.
    â€œThat went well,” Daisy quipped. Then she paused. “Actually, it went very well.”
    â€œYep.” Shane bounced on his feet, excitement building. “The reverend has something to hide, for sure.”
    â€œI think there’s a good chance he was playing hide-the-candlestick with the late, unfortunate Nikki.”
    â€œI think you’re right. I don’t think his wife is
out for the day
, either.”
    They walked out, returning to his truck. Daisy slid into the seat next to him. “Stakeout?”
    â€œYou know it.” He tapped the steering wheel. “Let’s drive around the block, hit a drive-through and get a bite to eat. Then we’ll come back, find a place down the street to park and watch. I’d like to take a look around when it gets dark and we can’t be easily seen.”
    â€œLet’s do it.”
    After they picked up burgers, Shane found a good spot down the street from the church, under the trees. As they dug in, he called Taylor and filled him in.
    â€œDaisy and I both think that Nikki and the reverend were disappearing into the confessional an awful lot, if you get my meaning,” he told his partner. “The guy was dying to get rid of us.” A thrill zinged through him. They were going to nail Wakefield to his own cross.
    â€œSo maybe he killed Nikki to keep his wife and the congregation from discovering his sins?” Taylor mused.
    â€œWouldn’t be the first time in history.”
    â€œWhy would Wakefield and his wife join the club group? Once Nikki was dealt with, why start kidnapping and killing the members?”
    â€œMaybe the affair with Nikki, then murdering her, started him down his path,” Shane speculated. “He got a taste and wants more.”
    â€œWhat’s your plan?”
    â€œDaisy and I will hang out and watch the church, see if there’s any weird activity. After it gets dark, we’re going to take a look around.”
    â€œWhen you do, call me. Chris and I will meet you there.”
    â€œNot necessary, but thanks. I’ll give you a heads-up when we leave the truck, but stay on stand-by. If you don’t get the all-clear from one of us within half an hour, send the cavalry.”
    â€œStubborn ass,” his friend grumbled. “Be careful.”
    â€œWe will. Talk to you soon.”
    Ending the call, he glanced at Daisy. “This is going to be a long