by Ginger Voight

Created on: September 27, 2010   Last Updated: February 06, 2012

Dirty Little Secrets - Chapter 22

Lauren spent her afternoon reading through a file on a new potential client. Young. Too young.

Younger than even Lauren typically handled. But after working with Amanda and Grace, this new victim's connection to Calvary Saints Church could not be ignored. Two victims were a coincidence. Three victims meant a pattern.

The assailant was never named, but it was clear that the man who abused this young girl was in a position of leadership – someone the six year old girl refused to name, much like Amanda. Even Grace had never admitted outright that she had been abused by someone in the church, she'd merely made references here and there where one could draw that conclusion.

But as Lauren read on, she grew more and more angry. The abuser had used the child's faith to control her and keep her compliant. He had promised that her allowing his transgression against her was how she could show the Lord how obedient she was, how willing to use her body for the highest form of worship.

It sickened Lauren and she was furious by the time she finally threw the folder down on the desk. If Zeke McKinney were in front of her right then she'd surely give him a piece of her mind and then some. How could he take advantage of someone as precious as a child? It explained why Grace was so messed up, so afraid to love... unable to trust.

She was primed for Mike the minute he slithered into her life. And all the bad things that happened to her and through her came right back to rest at the feet of one man. Her father.

She grabbed her purse and decided to go confront him once and for all, but she wasn't even out the door when she found herself face to face with Zeke McKinney.

Even expecting to see her didn't offset the shock of her remarkable resemblance to her mother. It was like looking Iris in the face, as if the last twenty two years had never happened. It caused his heart to tumble down to his stomach, especially when he could definitely see how the shape of her eyes resembled his own. She was taller than her mother, tall like he was.

She was his child.

Seeing Zeke standing in front of her set Lauren off as well. She had been charging to find him, to demand he answer for the horrible things he had done; but here he was staring at her like he'd seen a ghost. “Reverend,” she finally greeted icily.

“Miss... Olsen,” he finally sputtered, as if he literally choked on her name.

“Funny, I was just coming to see you. We

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