Page 38 of Silent Night

Sheila surveyed the area, her eyes landing on a small alcove near the door. She recalled a similar hidden key placement at her grandmother's house when she was a child. With a hunch, she crouched down and reached into the dark recess, her fingers brushing against something cold and metallic—a key.

"Try this," she said, handing it to Finn. His eyebrows rose in surprise as he took it from her.

"Nice find," he said, clearly impressed. Sheila couldn't help but feel a little proud of herself as Finn inserted the key into the lock and turned it with a satisfying click.

The door creaked open, revealing a dimly lit hallway that stretched before them like the maw of some ancient beast. They stepped into the darkness, the stale air enveloping them as they moved cautiously down the carpeted corridor. The once vibrant colors of the stained-glass windows were muted by the lack of sunlight, casting an eerie glow over the pews that lined the cavernous sanctuary.

Sheila felt a shiver run down her spine, not only from the chill in the air but also from the sense of uncertainty that hung heavily around them. She couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, their every movement scrutinized by unseen eyes.

"Stay close," Finn whispered, his voice barely audible as they continued deeper into the church.

As they ventured farther into the dark church, Sheila's keen ears detected a soft, distant sound that seemed out of place. She strained to hear it, her heartbeat thundering in her ears. It was a woman's voice, speaking in a conversational tone but with an unmistakable edge of distress.

"Wait," she whispered, placing her hand on Finn's arm to get his attention. "Do you hear that?"

Finn cocked his head, his brow furrowing as he focused on the elusive sound. He nodded slowly, his grip tightening on his weapon. "Seems like someone's talking."

Sheila led the way, her senses heightened and every nerve on edge. The carpeted hallway muffled their footsteps, allowing them to move stealthily toward the source of the sound. They passed rows of wooden pews, their shadows thrown across the walls by the flickering light from the stained glass windows. The air was thick with the scent of old hymnals and lingering incense, adding to the atmosphere of foreboding.

The soft murmur of conversation grew louder as they neared a closed door—Pastor Walden's office, Sheila remembered from her earlier visit. She and Finn exchanged a glance, silently communicating their shared concern for the woman inside.

Sheila's heart raced as she prepared for whatever confrontation awaited them. She couldn't make out the exact words being spoken, but the woman's pleading tone left no doubt that something was wrong. Her instincts screamed at her to act, yet she knew they had to tread carefully—one false move could put the woman's life at risk.

"Ready?" Finn asked, his voice barely audible.

Sheila nodded, her resolve steeling her against the fear that threatened to take hold. She knew they couldn't afford to hesitate any longer—it was time to face whatever lay behind that door.

"Let's go," she whispered.

Weapon in hand, Finn threw the door open and strode into the room. The office was dimly lit by a single desk lamp, casting long shadows across the walls lined with bookshelves. A young woman stood near the far wall, her cell phone pressed to her ear, tears streaming down her cheeks. The sudden intrusion startled her, and she let out a scream.

"Police!" Finn said. "Are you alone, ma'am?"

The woman just stared back, apparently too shocked to answer.

Sheila scanned the room, feeling a knot of confusion forming in her chest as she realized there was no one else present. Her muscles tensed, ready for action, but there was nothing—just the terrified woman staring back at them.

So where was Pastor Walden?

"Are you okay?" she asked the woman, concern lacing her voice.

The woman swallowed hard, her eyes darting between the two officers. "I'm fine," she insisted, clutching her phone tightly. "I was just talking to my husband. What are you doing here? Why did you just barge in like that?"

Before Finn could answer, a voice from behind Sheila and Finn made them spin around. Pastor Walden stood in the doorway, his brow furrowed in puzzlement.

"Is everything alright?" he asked, glancing between the officers and the distraught woman. His eyes lingered on Finn's drawn gun, concern etched on his face.

Sheila's mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation. Had they misread the danger? Was this just an innocent conversation that had sounded more sinister than it actually was? She couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was still off.

"Pastor Walden," Sheila began, her voice steady despite the adrenaline still coursing through her veins. "What exactly is going on here? Why was the front door locked?"

The pastor's concern shifted from the terrified young woman to the officers invading his church. He frowned, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "I didn't intend for it to be locked," he admitted. "It must have been an accident."

Sheila scrutinized him, trying to gauge the sincerity in his words. She couldn't help but feel that there was more to the story than a simple oversight. Turning her attention back to the tearful woman, she decided to pursue a different line of questioning.

"Who is she?" she asked, nodding toward the young woman who still clutched her phone, her body pressed against the wall as if seeking safety.

"Her name is Tess," Pastor Walden replied, his voice growing softer, almost protective. "She's my secretary. She's been having some...marital problems lately. It's been quite distressing for her."

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