Murder at the Courthouse by A. H. Gabhart Read Free Book Online

the Lord would move the mountain of darkness that trapped Michael. She listened to the doctors but refused to believe them when they warned there was no hope. With the Lord, there was always hope. What medicine and doctors couldn’t do, the Lord could. And the Lord had.
    After weeks of no response, Michael had suddenly grasped Malinda’s hand and held on as she led him slowly back through the tunnel of oblivion into life. It was longer still before he was back on his feet learning to walk again while she hovered behind him. In a sense, that’s where she’d been ever since.
    Not noticeably where he wouldn’t be able to grow. Wherehe couldn’t use his wings. But she’d been there putting prayers under his wings. Pushing the truth that the Lord had brought him back for a purpose. Second chances at life came with responsibilities, and in time, the Lord would show Michael the true purpose of his life.
    Michael hadn’t found that yet. There was nothing wrong with being a police officer. It was a respectable occupation. But Malinda was sure there was more in store for him. Their Keane ancestors had founded Hidden Springs. The Lord had led Michael back to their town. There was a reason for that. A purpose.
    Malinda didn’t know what that was. Michael didn’t know what that was. But the Lord did.
    Malinda went by the principal’s office on the way to her classroom. Michael was right. No students pushed against her. Instead, an oasis of quiet followed her. That was all right with Malinda. She demanded respect. She didn’t want to be her students’ buddy. She was their teacher.
    The secretary in the office confirmed what Michael had said. Anthony Blake was absent from school.
    â€œDid you call his aunt?” Malinda asked.
    â€œWhy?” Angela Perry looked up at Malinda. “He’s not in any of your classes, is he?”
    â€œNo, but he should be. He should have never been allowed to slide around taking algebra. He has a good mind. He should have been forced to use it.”
    â€œRight. And I did call. Anthony’s name on the absentee list is always a red flag.” Angela ruffled through some papers on her desk. “I took a message for Mr. Whitson. It’s here somewhere.”
    Angela had been one of Malinda’s students. Not one ofher better students, but it didn’t take a lot of mathematical ability to answer phones and take messages. She was cute, with a dimpled smile and curly brown hair. Cute made up for a lot when a person was sitting behind a desk greeting people.
    The girl was capable, but it wasn’t uncommon for Malinda’s former students to become all thumbs when she was around. She waited a few seconds for Angela to find the note, but Malinda didn’t have all day. “Don’t you remember what the woman said?”
    â€œWho?” Angela asked.
    â€œVera Arnold. Anthony’s aunt.” Malinda tried to keep the irritation out of her voice, but she didn’t completely succeed. But who else would they be talking about?
    â€œOh, well, yes. But you have to remember that I’ve talked to dozens of people today and I thought maybe you wanted to know exactly what she said. It’s been a crazy day in here with everybody asking questions about somebody getting killed at the courthouse this morning. Did that really happen?” Angela stopped shuffling through her papers and looked at Malinda again.
    â€œSo it seems.” Angela’s eyes widened, and Malinda could almost see the questions bubbling up to her head. She jumped in front of them. “But what about Anthony? What did Vera say?”
    â€œYou know she doesn’t care where Anthony is as long as he’s not bothering her. She said he left this morning the same as usual. She thought he went to school, but maybe he got sick and went to a friend’s house or something. She promised to find out why he wasn’t here when he came home. If he