“It truly is. This was the first church ever organized in Jacobs County, too,” Jake Blair said. “I need to get a fund going to restore it.”

“Not a bad idea.”

Colter walked up toward the altar. His foot met no resistance on one of the boards. He exchanged a long look with Jake. He knelt and started pulling up boards.

Clancey was sitting with Tad in the dining room, playing checkers on a board Brenda had found for them. Brenda was on her cell phone, texting a friend.

Clancey had something on her mind. It was her grandfather, and the gun belt and the old Colt .45 that he wore in the holster. Her grandfather had a favorite spot where he liked to visit when he had time off. He’d taken Clancey and Tad with him a time or two. It was an old, deserted church, near the Banks ranch.

Her hand stilled on the checker she was about to move. “Tad, do you remember the church Granddaddy took us to? The one where Grandma was buried. He used to go see her there.”

“I remember. We went with him sometimes,” Tad replied.

She frowned, her mind not really on the checker pieces. “It was an old church, falling apart. It’s not far from here, either.” Her heart skipped. “It would be like Morris to pick a spot like that if he was going to kill somebody...”

Tad’s face tautened. “You mean, he might have killed Granddaddy there.”

“He might have.” She stopped and picked up her phone to call Colter.

But he’d cut his phone off when he and Jake reached the church, in case Morris or any of his friends were nearby and heard it ringing at an inopportune time. She phoned Cal, but he wasn’t in his office. In desperation, she called the Martins.

Mr. Martin himself answered. “Clancey,” he said when she spoke. “Are you and Tad all right?”

“We’re fine, Mr. Martin. How are you and Mrs. Martin?” she asked.

“We’re a little shaken, but we’re okay. Mr. Banks found an agent to stay with us, in case Morris turns up.”

“Oh thank goodness,” she exclaimed. “I’ve been so worried about you. I’m sorry you got dragged into this mess.”

“It will be worth it if Mr. Banks can find evidence of your grandfather’s murder. I told him about the church where your grandfather said he used to go see your grandmother, in the cemetery. He was going out there on his way home. He’s just been gone a few minutes. We all told him to take backup, so don’t worry,” he added.

“Thanks so much. Was it that old church on the Victoria Road, here in Jacobs County?” she asked.

“Yes, in fact it was...”

“I’ll talk to you both soon. Thanks!”