Health, Wealth, and Murder Read Online Free PDF Page A

wide and bloodshot. Droplets of sweat had sprung out on his forehead. The scene was cut just as he started to turn away. She would have sworn, if anyone had asked her, that he was terrified.
    So, why put this video online? It was already two months old, and yet, according to the website, he had had seven other events since that one.
    Had his visions just gotten worse since the insects? She went back a few scenes and watched it again.
    He was terrified of the golden insects, there was no denying it. But if his acid-induced visions weren’t living up to his expectations, why did he keep that part in his script?
    She didn’t get it, but then, she didn’t create false spiritual experiences for the sake of bilking needy people of their money, either.
    She hadn’t learned anything particular about Francine, except that she was in several shots of the video, and that she was listed as a contact person in one ad.
    Overall she was immensely sorry for Josiah—to die in the middle of conning people at a revival did not bode well for his eternity.

Chapter Five
     
    Jane sat on the floor in her missional community leader’s apartment, her head leaning against the arm of the overstuffed chair. Her mind was on Francine. Why had Francine never left the Malachi Ministries, since she so clearly did not believe in it any longer? It could be that Malachi knew something about her that he threatened to reveal if she left. But that would imply he had a really big need for her. But then, maybe blackmail was a bit too old fashioned. People didn’t have big secrets they were ashamed of anymore.
    What if she had stayed for some more worthwhile reason, like, she had been secretly reaching out to Malachi’s followers, trying to give them the real gospel and real help? Maybe Francine had left some kind of money trail that Jane could follow—returned donations or something like that.
    “And Jane, what about you? Anything new to report?” Sean flipped his long brown bangs out of his eyes. He also sat on the rug-covered floor, and knocked Jane’s foot with his Converse-clad foot.
    Jane shrugged at her small-group leader. “I’m all over town between work and school, so it’s been hard to make time to connect with my neighbors. However…” She caught Jake’s eye from across the room and smiled. “I did meet my upstairs neighbor last week, and I plan on inviting her to an outreach dinner next time I see her.”
    “Cool.” Sean nodded. “Everyone can only do what they can do, but I’m glad to hear you are making progress.”
    Jane tuned out again as the rest of her small group reported their successes and frustrations with neighborhood outreach.
    Another obvious, but disgusting, reason that Francine could be a realistic suspect would be a love affair. She hated the idea, but it made sense. The media loved it when a religious leader broke his marriage vows. If Josiah had had an affair with Francine, but wasn’t willing to leave his wife for her, Francine could have planned his death out of jealousy.
    But if she loved him, would she really want him dead? And was she a good enough actress to act like she disdained Josiah, when in reality she was a cold-hearted, jealous killer?
    Jane closed her eyes and pictured Francine. Perfect hair. Perfect makeup. Modest but perfectly tailored clothes. She could see cold hearted . Maybe even killer .
    But, she didn’t want Francine to be the killer. She really didn’t. Her job was a lot harder if the inside contact was the killer.
    Jane bowed her head; the group had started praying. Sean started them out, so they’d be a while. She tried to focus on the community needs, but did take a few minutes to commit her investigation to God. She wanted to honor him, and, if at all possible, help people who had been misled by Josiah Malachi.
    Gemma elbowed Jane during the prayer.
    Jane looked up. Jake stared her down, mouthing “Your turn.”
    She cleared her throat apologetically.
    After praying first for her