Page 19 of Silent Night

"Is there anyone in the church who might have wanted to harm Jennifer?" Natalie pressed gently.

"Jennifer was well-liked by everyone," David replied, his brow furrowing. "She volunteered for many of our outreach programs and was always eager to help others. I can't imagine anyone wanting to hurt her."

"According to Mrs. Bainbridge," Natalie continued, "there was a man named Simon West who recently went on a date with Jennifer. Do you know anything about him?"

David's expression shifted from grief to thoughtfulness as he considered the question. "Simon... Yes, I know him. He's been attending our services for a few months now. He's quiet and mostly keeps to himself. Why? What does he have to do with this?"

"Maybe nothing," Natalie said. "But according to Mrs. Bainbridge, Jennifer caught West trying to steal hair from her hair brush. I think you'll agree it's a rather strange thing to do."

David leaned back, looking puzzled. "That doesn't sound like Simon. Maybe before, but now…" He stared off into space for a few seconds, then shook his head as if to clear it.

"Before?" Sheila asked. "What do you mean?"

David hesitated, clearly torn between his loyalty to his church members and his desire to help with the investigation. "I have a responsibility to protect the privacy of my flock," he said cautiously. "I abide by the same patient-client confidentiality understanding as any therapist."

"Then you're also responsible to report a crime or a stated intention to harm someone."

"Neither of which applies here." David's expression remained guarded, and Sheila could sense her sister's frustration growing.

Sheila decided to step in, hoping that her perspective might sway the pastor. "Pastor Walden, I understand your reluctance," she began, catching his attention. "I know you want to protect Simon's privacy, and that's noble—it really is." She paused, then went on. "But what about Jennifer? You can't protect her now – none of us can – but you can do the next best thing: You can help us figure out who killed her."

David hesitated, clearly torn.

"We're not looking to pry into his life any more than necessary," she continued. "The sooner we can dismiss him as a suspect, the sooner he can go on with his life without our interference. I'm sure you don't want Salvation Springs to become the center of a media story—not for these reasons."

David considered her words for a moment longer, his green eyes studying her intently. Finally, he sighed and relented. "Alright, Miss Stone. You make some good points. It's important that we do everything we can to help Jennifer's family find peace. I'll tell you what I know."

"Thank you, Pastor," Sheila said, grateful for his cooperation. She pulled out her phone and opened a note-taking app, ready to record any pertinent details.

"As I said before, Simon has been attending our services for a few months now," David began, his voice measured and deliberate. "He tends to keep to himself, but he has volunteered for some of our community outreach programs. From what I've observed, he seems sincere in his efforts to change his life and grow spiritually."

"Have you ever noticed any aggressive or inappropriate behavior from him?" Natalie asked, leaning forward in her wheelchair.

"Nothing like that at all," David said. "But I have noticed that he seems to struggle with forming connections with others. He's often the last to arrive for service and the first to leave, avoiding small talk and fellowship whenever possible—not that such behavior is particularly unusual."

"Interesting," Sheila mused, typing the information into her phone. She wondered if West's aloofness was simply a personality quirk or if it hid something more sinister.

Natalie's eyes narrowed, not completely satisfied with the information David had provided. "Is there anything else you can tell us about him, Pastor Walden? Anything at all that might help our investigation?"

David shifted uncomfortably in his chair, his fingers drumming on the wooden desk. He looked away for a moment, clearly torn, before finally relenting with a sigh. "There is something, actually," he admitted hesitantly. "Simon is...an ex-convict."

"An ex-con?" Natalie asked, puzzled. She exchanged a glance with Sheila, and Sheila immediately knew what her sister was thinking. If Simon really was an ex-con, why hadn't they learned about that when they ran a background check?

"How did you come to know this?" Natalie asked.

"Simon himself shared his story during one of our church gatherings. He told us how he had made mistakes in his past, but that he was committed to turning over a new leaf and leaving his old life behind."

"And you're sure Simon West is his real name?"

"I have no reason to believe otherwise."

"Do you believe he has truly changed, pastor?" Sheila asked.

David's eyes met her with a resolute expression. "I believe in the power of redemption, and I have faith in the ability of people to change. But it's true that only God knows what lies within a person's heart." He paused, then added softly, "I pray that Simon has indeed found the strength to change."

Sheila felt a chill run down her spine as she considered the implications of what they were learning. Having a criminal background didn't mean West was guilty, but it sure did make him a more interesting suspect—especially if he was using a false name.

"Pastor Walden," she asked, "what crimes was Simon convicted of?"

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