In the Presence of Mine Enemies Read online

  “It can’t be true,” Cindy said, horror washing over her.

  Joseph nodded. He had just gotten off the phone with Sylvia, the church’s business manager. “It is. Pastor Ben was killed last night.”

  “That’s terrible,” Geanie said, tears glistening in her eyes. “I didn’t like him very much, but I never would have wished that on anyone.”

  Joseph put his arms around her. “I know,” he said, the emotion strong in his voice.

  Cindy felt like she was walking through a nightmare. She turned and looked at her father who had a grim look on his face.

  “She’s calling an emergency meeting with the board and the staff in an hour at the church,” Joseph said.

  “This can’t be happening,” Cindy muttered.

  She didn’t have time for an emergency church meeting no matter what was going on. She needed to figure out a way to get Jeremiah out of trouble. She’d promised Mark she would sit tight for a few minutes until he could figure out what was going on. Well, she’d been sitting tight for quite a few minutes and there still had been no word from him.

  “I need to go to the police station,” she said out loud.

  “I’ll drive you,” her father offered. “The rest of you can deal with the church thing.”

  “Thank you,” she said softly.

  Her father nodded.

  Geanie put a hand on her arm. “They’re going to need you. We’re going to need you.”

  “I know, but Jeremiah needs me, too.”

  “Come as soon as you can,” Joseph said.

  Cindy nodded as she was suddenly afraid to speak lest she start crying.

  ~

  Jeremiah felt like a trapped animal. He didn’t like the feeling, and he was trying to keep himself calm so he didn’t show everyone in the precinct just how savage he could be. He had been in much worse situations before but never as a civilian. He had a very limited number of options if he wanted to keep Jeremiah Silverman as a viable persona and life for himself.

  He felt so bad for Cindy, especially that this had happened in front of her parents and brother. It wasn’t fair. She deserved things to go smoothly for her, especially given everything she’d been through recently.

  He’d been sitting by himself in an interrogation room now for about an hour. He didn’t think it was a fear tactic the police were trying to use. Rather he suspected that Mark was raising hell and that was what was taking the police so long to send a man in to question him.

  He began to breathe deeply and evenly, ensuring that more oxygen got to his brain so that he could think faster, more clearly. There could be no mistakes now. The next twenty-four hours would be the worst and he needed to be ready for anything that they could throw at him.

  He glanced up at the camera in the corner of the room. He could be observed easily through it and he kept that in mind as he did his best to appear calm and collected.

  Detective Keenan had not told him the name of the person he was being accused of murdering. That seemed odd to him. It could be that this whole thing was one big fishing expedition. The fact that they hadn’t booked him could lend itself to that theory. The other possibility was that they were waiting for a particular moment to spring the name on him, hoping to elicit a specific reaction.

  Whoever they named he was prepared to remain stoic. There was a long list of people he’d killed in the last few years, but with most of those he’d covered his tracks thoroughly. The best-case scenario was that this was someone he hadn’t killed that they thought they could tie him to.

  The door finally opened, and Mark walked in. He looked like he’d seen a ghost. He was pale, and he was sweating. A lump was forming over his right eye and the knuckles on both hands were scuffed up.

  “Were you in a fight?” Jeremiah asked.

  “As a matter of fact, yes.”

  “Did you win?”

  “Fight was called on account of interference by fellow officers,” Mark said.

  Mark glared at the camera and then sat down stiffly at the table, his back to it. “I asked to be allowed to tell you what’s going on before Keenan comes in here and interrogates you,” he said.

  “Okay,” Jeremiah said, focusing on keeping his expression neutral.

  “Keenan suspects you of killing three people and claims to have evidence that you killed a fourth.”

  “You and I both know that’s ludicrous,” Jeremiah said.

  “Of course we know that, but he’s got a bee in his bonnet. He thinks you killed that homeless guy you found on your lawn and a guy at Joseph and Geanie’s wedding.”

  “Of course I didn’t,” Jeremiah lied. While he had not killed the first one he most certainly had killed the second one.

  “I know, but I just have to tell you what he thinks. The other two are going to be a bit more of a shock,” Mark warned.

  Jeremiah took notice. Mark was trying to prepare him so that his reactions wouldn’t give anything away. He wasn’t sure what could be more upsetting, but clearly Mark thought it was going to be.

  Mark took a deep breath. “Last night the pastor at Cindy’s church was murdered.”

  “What?” Jeremiah asked, not having to fake the surprised reaction. “When? How?”

  “Detective Keenan will be discussing that with you in a few minutes,” Mark said grimly.

  Jeremiah shook his head. “That’s terrible, and I don’t know why on earth he’d think I had something to do with it. Besides, I was at Joseph’s house all last night along with everyone else.”

  “Detective Keenan will discuss his theory with you,” Mark reiterated.

  Jeremiah had several conflicting feelings. While he had deeply disliked the man and been angry with him for hurting Cindy. he’d had no intention of harming him. He couldn’t believe what Cindy and the rest of the church staff were going to have to go through as they dealt not only with their own shock and grief but also with the shock and grief of the entire congregation.

  “If there is anything the synagogue can do to help out, we’ll be glad to,” he said, meaning every word. “They’re going to need to call in grief counselors right away to take care of the staff and the parishioners. Then-”

  Mark held up a hand to stop him. “Other people are going to have to figure that out and deal with it. Right now, you have much more urgent concerns.”

  “The mental and spiritual well-being of my congregation and my fiancée’s congregation are my most urgent concern,” Jeremiah said, allowing his anger and frustration to show. “I need to help them.”

  “I respect that. You know I do. But first you have to help yourself,” Mark said.

  Jeremiah took a deep breath. “Whatever I have to do so I can get back to my job.”

  “Okay. Now, the detective believes he has evidence proving you killed one other person.”

  “Who?” Jeremiah asked.

  Mark locked eyes with him and in his eyes Jeremiah saw fear and anger and something else, something furtive. Doubt. He thinks it could be true, Jeremiah realized.

  “Paul Dryer.”

  Jeremiah stared at him. “Is this a joke?” he asked.

  “I wish it was,” Mark said.

  “I didn’t kill him.”

  “Keenan says he can prove you did.”

  Jeremiah leaned forward. “Mark, tell me you know I didn’t do this.”

  Mark dropped his eyes. “I know you didn’t do this.”

  Jeremiah grabbed his shoulder. “Mark, look me in the eyes and tell me that.”

  Mark looked up and there was so much guilt on his face that Jeremiah felt like a knife was twisting in his gut. Mark started to turn toward the camera.

  “No! Look at me, not the camera. Tell me,” Jeremiah said.

  If Mark believed that Jeremiah had killed Paul then they had a problem too big for the two of them to be able to fix together.

  Mark cleared his throat. “I know you didn’t do this, but I’m not the on
e you have to convince.”

  Mark was lying, but there was nothing Jeremiah could do about it at that point. Pushing farther would just serve to underscore Mark’s doubts about him which was ammunition he did not need to give to Keenan.

  “Keenan already thinks I’m guilty. I doubt I’ll be able to convince him of anything.”

  “That’s true. That’s why the captain has appointed someone to oversee this whole debacle and to decide whether or not there’s enough evidence to send this to trial.”

  “Who?”

  “Liam,’ Mark said grimly.

  Mark’s partner and a friend. That should have made things easier but from Mark’s expression Jeremiah could tell that it didn’t.

  “Don’t worry, Mark. It’s all going to work out just fine,” Jeremiah said reassuringly.

  “How do you know?” Mark whispered.

  “Simple. I’m innocent.” Jeremiah said firmly.

  Mark nodded and then got up. “I have to let him come in here now and ask you questions. I’m sorry.”

  Jeremiah shook his head. “Don’t be sorry. The sooner he asks the sooner I can get home.”

  It’s what an innocent rabbi with nothing to hide would have said. Jeremiah even managed to give Mark a slight smile as he tried to sell it.

  The door opened, and Mark left as Detective Keenan came in. The detective sat down across from Jeremiah. He had a stack of folders in his hands. He was also sporting a nasty cut on his cheek and some bruising around his throat. It was pretty clear he had been the one Mark got into a fight with.

  “I don’t understand what’s happening here,” Jeremiah said, putting enough worry into his voice to sound like a bewildered, innocent man.

  “Sure you do,” Keenan said bluntly. “You’re being charged with murder and I know Mark already filled you in on the who.”

  “It makes no sense. I had nothing to do with any of those,” Jeremiah said, running his hands anxiously through his hair.

  “Cut the crap. We both know better,” Keenan said.

  “No, we don’t. I don’t understand how any of this is happening. I’m a rabbi. I help people. I don’t hurt them. And right now, you’re keeping me from doing my job and helping my fiancée to do hers. A lot of people in the faith community are going to be grieving and scared. A serial killer targeted them a couple of years ago and a lot of people are just now getting over that.”

  Keenan leaned forward, his eyes boring into Jeremiah’s as though trying to pierce his soul.

  Jeremiah stared back, revealing nothing while trying to see exactly what was going on in Keenan’s mind. The man believed what he was saying, that much he could tell. He thought he was justified in his actions.

  “I know everything,” Keenan said.

  “Then please enlighten me,” Jeremiah said, trying not to be combative in his tone.

  “Paul Dryer was investigating you before he died. When he died his open cases came to me. The more I read his notes on you the more I knew he was right about something.”

  “What?” Jeremiah asked.

  “Your name isn’t Jeremiah Silverman and you’re no rabbi.”

  3

  “How are you holding up?” Cindy’s father asked her once they were in the car.

  “Not well,” she admitted.

  “I’m sure it’s all just a misunderstanding,” he said.

  She looked over at him. “What if it’s not? I mean, what if we can’t clear him?”

  “Then you have some decisions to make, and I suggest you make them together,” he said.

  “I can’t lose him.”

  “You haven’t yet, so stop acting like it. Let’s assume the best and work to make it happen. After all, I just found a partner for cards and I’m not ready to give that up without a fight.”

  She didn’t know whether to smile or cry at that. She was touched that her dad was being so supportive.

  “Jeremiah’s a fighter,” he said.

  “That’s very true,” she muttered.

  “And if I had to guess I’d say he’s been in worse spots than this and without the love and support he has now.”

  “Thanks for trying to make me feel better.”

  “I’m simply pointing out the facts,” he said. “How’s your arm?”

  “Throbbing,” she admitted.

  “How long has it been since you took pain medication?”

  “I don’t remember.”

  “We’ll get something in you as soon as we can.”

  She nodded. She wished the pain in her broken arm would distract her from the terrible fear building within her, but it didn’t. The fear was consuming everything. Cindy was grateful that her dad was driving. It was all she could do to give him directions. Had she been driving she was sure she would have run every red light if only because she was too distracted to notice.

  When they parked at the police station she took a moment to gather her wits and strength. Her dad reached out and grabbed her hand, giving it a squeeze.

  “I’m right here with you,” he said.

  She nodded.

  They got out of the car and headed inside. They had only gone about a dozen steps into the building when Mark spotted them and quickly headed over. He looked banged up and agitated.

  “What happened to you?” Cindy asked.

  “Fight with another officer,” he said as though it were no big deal. “I’m not sure you should be here.”

  “Jeremiah’s here so this is exactly where I should be,” Cindy said, straightening her shoulders.

  She noticed that there was some fresh blood seeping through Mark’s shirt. “I think you might have opened your wound up,” she said.

  He looked down and swore. “I’ll deal with it in a minute.” Mark stepped close and dropped his voice. “We need to all be especially careful what we say and do. Keenan is loaded for bear and the captain has put Liam in charge of deciding whether he has enough evidence against Jeremiah.”

  “Liam’s a friend,” Cindy said, feeling a ray of hope.

  “He is, but first and foremost he’s a cop and he tends to walk the straight and narrow. That’s why the captain picked him for this.”

  “I want to see Jeremiah,” Cindy said.

  Mark winced. “He’s being interrogated now. You won’t be able to see him for a while and maybe not then. You should just go home, pray, do what you do.”

  Cindy glared at Mark. “The pastor of my church was murdered last night. Sylvia just called an emergency meeting of staff and board members. I’m not there. I’m here, and I’m not leaving until I see Jeremiah.”

  “Look, I’m really sorry about Ben.” Mark took a deep breath then lowered his voice even more. “And frankly, if you want to help Jeremiah the best thing you can do right now is prove that he had nothing to do with Ben’s murder.”

  Cindy felt her heart skip a beat. “Ben? That’s who they think he killed?”

  “Among others,” Mark muttered.

  Fear raced through her. “How many others?”

  Mark glanced around and then shook his head. “Not here.”

  “It’s absurd. Jeremiah was at Joseph’s last night. We all were.”

  “Can you swear he was there all night and never left?”

  She blinked. “Well, no, but he would never kill Ben.”

  “The man who hurt you and tried to thwart your marriage?”

  Cindy shook her head. “Never. And they don’t have to believe me. Joseph has a million security cameras. I’m sure that they’ll show that no one left the mansion last night.”

  “Except they don’t.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’m just now getting caught up to speed, but apparently last night the security cameras were off for two hours.”

  “What?” Cindy asked, shock rippling through her.

  “I don’t know what’s going on, but I need your help. Jeremiah needs it.”

  Cindy n
odded slowly. “I’ll go and see what I can find out. Where was he killed?”

  “At his home. The scene’s been cleared but Keenan won’t take it kindly if he finds out you were trespassing.”

  And suddenly Cindy was smiling. “It’s a good thing I know the man who owns the house.”

  ~

  Jeremiah stared at Detective Keenan. “I have no idea what you’re implying. I am Rabbi Silverman. I’ve been a rabbi for years. I don’t know who else you think I’d be.”

  “As it turns out Paul Dryer knew quite a lot about pretending to be someone he wasn’t. And he was on to you early on. He knew there was more to you than met the eye and he documented every encounter, looking for clues, chinks in your armor.”

  “I know that he didn’t like it that Cindy and I were involved in investigations, but we had no control over that,” Jeremiah said. “He never expressed any other concern.”

  “Of course he didn’t, not to you, although I would be surprised if he never mentioned it to Mark.”

  “A man with a guilty conscience and secrets like Paul had, often becomes paranoid and thinks everyone is hiding something. I’ve seen that before in counseling people,” Jeremiah said. “I feel sorry for him, knowing now the burden he was carrying.”

  “You feared him. That’s why you seized your opportunity and killed him at Green Pastures.”

  Jeremiah shook his head. “He came up, trying to help us, and was murdered by the assassins that were hunting those of us trapped there by the flooding.” He paused and glanced down. When he looked back up he was blinking back tears and there was a tremor in his voice. “I saw him get killed and I’ll never forget how terrible it was.”

  “You buried him.”

  “It was all I could do for him. It was a gesture of respect and friendship. He came up there trying to save the lives of those kids and to save me. His sacrifice was overwhelming. We Jews believe that a body needs to be buried as soon as possible. I didn’t know if I was going to make it out alive to tell anyone where he was or what happened to him. I buried him as I would have wanted someone to do for me. And, as soon as the kids and I were rescued, I told the authorities exactly where he was so they could move the body and reinter it somewhere more appropriate.”