Ties That Bind by Natalie R. Collins Read Free Book Online

probably only find a few thousand and there would be few matches on those prints. If any did come up, they’d most likely be sealed juvenile records.
    She’d already walked the grid with D-Ray, taking notes. There was a frustrating—unnerving—dearth of evidence. The place was spotless. And considering that it was generally filled with immature humans who stuck gum on the bottom of desks and didn’t seem to know what a trash can was for …
    “We have people come in and clean nightly,” Paul Carson said.
    “A paid service?”
    “No, we have families who take turns. Mormon families.”
    Sam stopped writing and lowered her notebook, looking Paul in the eye and matching his gaze for the first time. “Mormon families who clean? For no money?”
    “Yes,” he said. He didn’t squirm, just stared back into her eyes.
    “And they do this why ?”
    “It’s part of being a good Mormon. They clean the churches, too.”
    “I don’t remember this,” Sam said.
    “Guess you haven’t been active for a while,” Paul said with a quick grin. “It’s a cost-saving method used by the Church. They started it up a few years back. And it gives everyone a chance to give service.”
    “And saves them a whole hell of a lot of money,” Sam said.
    “Well, yes, but the money is better used in other places.”
    Sam wanted to spout out something rude and derisive but chose to contain herself. She was a professional, this was a crime scene, and it didn’t matter who this man standing before her used to be. Right now, he was a source.
    “So, was this building cleaned this evening?”
    “Oh no. It was cleaned Friday after school. No one’s been in here since … Well, at least as far as I know, no one has come in. Until … this.” He waved his arm at the computer that was currently being dismantled by the techs. Paul had willingly agreed to allow it to be taken to the crime lab for extensive testing.
    “Did you leave before the cleaning staff … uh, cleaners did?”
    “No, I always stay while they clean. Sometimes I help. A lot of hands make it go quicker.”
    “So you locked up?”
    “Yes.”
    “Do the people who clean have keys?”
    “No. It’s another reason I stay.”
    “Who does?”
    “Me, my staff, and CES headquarters, of course.”
    “CES headquarters?”
    “Church Educational System. HQ is in Salt Lake.”
    “How many staff members do you have? I’ll need their names and contact information as well.”
    For the first time, Paul’s face darkened. “Nobody on my staff did this, Sam.”
    “You don’t know that, Paul,” Sam said, trying to keep her voice gentle.
    “I know my people. And I know—”
    “Look, Paul, I’m just doing my job. I need to talk to these people, even if just to rule them out.”
    “So my word wouldn’t be enough?”
    “What kind of cop would I be if I took everyone’s word?” Sam asked, fighting back frustration at his attempt to re-create a trust between them that hadn’t existed for years.
    “The kind who believed me.”
    Sam felt a presence and turned to see D-Ray watching the exchange with interest. She tightened her lips. “Names and contact information please,” she told Paul tersely.
    He moved his eyes to D-Ray, then back to her. After a moment, he sighed and walked over to his desk, where he picked up a Rolodex.
    Sam turned to D-Ray, who was still watching her closely.
    “What?” she snapped.
    “Nuthin’” he said, rolling his eyes, and then walked over to Paul. “So, Paul, watcha been up to besides teaching kids the words of wisdom?”
    Sam just shook her head as she waited for the names of the seminary teachers. She hated the push and pull of small-town crime scenes, and this one was hitting way too close to home.
    The three dead teenagers might as well be sitting in her childhood living room.
    Suddenly needing to move, she turned impatiently to look at a bulletin board. And found herself staring into the cold, blue eyes of Gage Flint.
    For a moment,