“What are you thinking, Judy? Her hair is gray. If you’re trying to identify that patient in the hospital you ought to ask Irene about her. They must know each other if she was asking for her. Maybe she’s an actress. Irene knows a lot of theatrical people. Authors are my specialty,” Pauline finished with a laugh.
“Ad men are mine. They would change the minister’s text around to make it read, ‘Sell ye therefore the stranger,’ but that’s today’s world,” Flo said with a sigh. “Nobody cares much about the kind of love they tell you about in church.”
“I care about it,” Judy said.
Flo gave her an odd look. “You sound like Clarissa. She said she cared about the truth, but what happens? She disappears—with our money. I guess you just don’t know what anybody is these days.”
Pauline agreed. “The people in our church certainly don’t know who Clarence Lawson is. Why was Peter trailing him, Judy? Is he wanted by the FBI?”
“Yes, he is. It’s about some money for a church building fund. He was supposed to turn it over to the treasurer of the church, but he didn’t.”
“Didn’t he? Oh dear!” Pauline exclaimed. “We didn’t give much, because we weren’t very enthusiastic about the new building, but a lot of people did. It’s supposed to be a real community center when it’s finished. Mr. Lawson knew an architect who drew up the plans and made an estimate. There was talk of bringing in professional fund raisers before Mr. Lawson took over. He said there was no need to pay people to raise money among us if we’d give it freely without pledges. Then he passed a plate around, and people threw in big bills and checks made out to him as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. He talked people into giving just the way Clarissa did. He was like her in a way. Even his name is a little like hers—Clarence, Clarissa—”
“That’s probably just a coincidence.” In spite of the evidence against her, Judy found herself defending Clarissa. “It’s the way I feel about her. I have no other reason,” she admitted. “You girls are probably right.”
