Page 78 of Forever Dark
Croft gave a modest laugh.“When you spend most of your life on the road, comfort becomes practical.I have to be rested to best promote God’s message.”
The smell changed when Selena climbed the steps.Outside there had been damp dirt, diesel, and trampled grass.Inside the bus the air carried leather, polished wood, and some faint incense note meant to suggest reflection rather than money.
A narrow corridor ran down the center.Framed photographs lined one wall.Croft at pulpits in other states.Croft with elderly women holding Bibles to their chests.Croft beside men in suits and county officials with practiced smiles.Lamps set into brass fixtures cast a warm glow over dark paneling.Thick carpet softened every footstep.
Connor let out a low breath.“Impressive.”
Croft turned back with a small smile.“People are generous when they believe in the work.”
He led them past a compact kitchen and a seating nook, then opened a door at the rear.The room beyond looked more like a study than anything meant for travel.Bookcases had been built into the walls.A heavy desk sat beneath a shaded lamp.Two upholstered chairs faced it.A Bible lay open beside a silver-framed photograph of Croft with a woman Selena assumed had once been his wife.Another shelf held commentaries, devotional texts, and leather-bound volumes too pristine to have seen much use on the road.
Connor and Selena sat.
Croft remained standing.“Can I get either of you something?Water, coffee, a little food?”
“We’re fine,” Selena said.
Connor shook his head.“Nothing for me.”
Croft took his own seat behind the desk and folded his hands.“Then tell me what this is all about.”
Selena let the quiet sit a second before answering.“Two women are dead in Harlan County.”
The warmth in Croft’s expression thinned.
“Both were found posed on religious grounds,” Connor said.“Both murders were staged.Both women had attended your revival.”
Something shifted across Croft’s face then.Not alarm exactly.A quick fall of the features, sorrow arranged with such ease that Selena could not decide whether it was real or rehearsed.
“Dear heavens,” he said softly.“Who?”
“Brenda Colter,” Selena said.“Lauren Gimble.”
Croft lowered his eyes.One hand moved to the Bible on the desk, fingertips resting there.“I don’t know those names.”
“That doesn’t mean you didn’t meet them,” Connor said.“We know for a fact that Lauren was here, and that Brenda showed interest so probably attended, too.”
“I suppose,” Croft agreed.“I could have met them, but I meet so many people here, as you saw yourself.”
Silence filled the room.Somewhere farther up the bus a cabinet door clicked shut.Outside, the music from the tent came muffled through the walls.
Croft looked up again.“You’re telling me these women came to one of our services and were later murdered?”
“Yes,” Selena said.“It looks that way.”
A slow breath left him.“That’s a terrible thing.”
“So, think again.Did you know either of them?”Connor asked, taking out two photos of the victims from social media.
Elias looked at them.“No, sorry, I don’t recall them.”
Selena leaned forward slightly.“Walk me through a typical night.You preach, you greet people, you pray with some of them.Do women talk to you after services?”
“Men, too.”
“You counsel them?”Selena asked.
“When they ask.”
