Bad Samaritan by Aimée Thurlo Page A

the scriptorium and, in silence, followed Sister Bernarda to the chapel. The moment she stepped inside, she saw all the remaining sisters there, kneeling in silent prayer. Brides of Christ, they instinctively reached out to Him in times of trouble, placing their cares in their lover’s gentle hands.
    Early the next morning, after Morning Prayers and Terce, Pax and Sister Agatha set out to town. Feeling strengthened by the power of prayer, she was ready to tackle the day’s challenges.
    Twenty minutes later Sister Agatha arrived at the station. As they went inside, Pax headed directly to the bullpen. Seconds afterward, he graciously accepted his first doughnut piece of the day.
    Seeing he was in good hands, Sister Agatha smiled and continued down the hall. As she turned the corner, she saw Tom standing there, shaking hands with one of the lieutenants.
    Sister Agatha smiled broadly. “You’ve been released!”
    He gave her a weary nod. “Yes, but there’s a lot of work to be done before I can put all this behind me and get back to being sheriff again.”
    Millie, who’d come out of her own office, gestured for them to come inside, then closed the door behind them. Glancing at Sister Agatha, she said, “The approval for the tests came through, and the lab confirmed that the sheriff had been drugged with benzodiazepine, what they call a date-rape type of drug. It’s pretty fast acting, and that explains why he passed out and why he can’t remember things too clearly. It also supports the sheriff’s claim that Robert never attacked him—that the blow to his head came
after
he was out cold.”
    â€œLike we figured, I was struck on the head to explain away my unconsciousness. It was supposed to mislead the detectives long enough to reduce the chances of my being tested and having the drug detected,” Tom said.
    â€œHow was the drug administered, do they know?” Sister Agatha asked, looking at both of them.
    â€œIt was in the hot dog relish,” Millie said. “We tested the residue from a napkin the sheriff had wadded up and stuck in his pocket.”
    â€œSo it’s now downhill from here?” Sister Agatha asked, looking at Tom. “You’ll be in charge of the case again soon?”
    â€œNo,” Tom answered. “Some people, including the DA, are suggesting that I purposely ingested the drug
after
the crime so I’d have an alibi.”
    â€œWhat about the blow to your head? That would have servedas an alibi, too,” Sister Agatha said, “and it would have made taking the drug unnecessary. How do they explain that?”
    â€œThey don’t even try. My attorney plans on making an appeal, but until that happens, I’m on paid suspension. I’m also forbidden to contact anyone who might be connected to the case, including my fellow officers.” He glanced at Millie. “Thanks for everything, but I better get out of here before Captain Chavez shows up and wonders what we’ve been talking about.”
    â€œTom, didn’t you say earlier that Robert had handed you the hot dog?” Sister Agatha asked as they reached the door. Seeing him nod, she glanced at Millie. “So, was Robert drugged, too?”
    â€œThey did a tox screen on him, but the victim usually has a whole battery of tests, and some of those take days to complete. Only the sheriff’s results are back from the lab,” Millie answered. “Initial results on Robert’s lab work may be in by the end of today.”
    â€œThankfully, the judge saw all the inconsistencies in the case against me. That’s why I’m out now,” Tom said.
    â€œWhat we have to do next is find out who added the contaminated relish to your hot dog,” Sister Agatha said, glancing at Tom. She then turned to Millie. “Have you heard if anyone else was drugged that evening? I imagine you would have known by now if anyone else at the park