Summary
A novel set in Pittston, Pennsylvania. Reverend Richard Price is in love with a woman who doesn’t know he exists. His infatuation leads him to purchase a church to impress her. Not having the money or ability to get financing in a traditional sense, he borrows the money from a less than traditional business man. The money is due and out of desperation, he chooses to make money to pay back the loan shark and uses innocent women from the church to help him. When Mia Morello, the woman he craves won’t give in to his advances, he decides to frame her for making counterfeit money. Two retired amateur sleuths from the neighborhood of the church stumble upon the money-making operation and make the police aware, but they aren’t taken seriously. It’s up to them to clear Mia’s name and take down Reverend Price. Their eccentric and comical personalities are thought to be their downfall, but are they?
At What Price
by Francesca M.E. Sipper
Chapter One
Mia Morello quivered as she locked eyes with a stranger staring in her direction while shelving books at Between the Pages bookstore. The bookstore had its regulars who frequented the quirky store, with its mismatched furnishings that gave it a boho vibe. But the man looking at her seemed out of place.
Mia’s peripheral vision caught sight of him as he moved toward her. She dared not look at the lurker and froze when he approached her.
“Don’t you just love the smell of books?” Reverend Richard Price said to Mia and gave a phony smile. Though he had been at the bookstore many times, watching Mia from a distance, he had never made a move until now. When he got dressed that morning, he mused at his reflection in the mirror, wearing his slim-fit black suit and a white button-down dress shirt, which he thought made him look a little like George Clooney.
“What? No. I guess I must be immune to them.” Mia flinched and bumped into the steel book cart. She took a step back to avoid the path of the wafting stench emanating from him, which smelled like he had applied several different cheap colognes.
“Oh, I was just making chit-chat,” Richard chuckled, oblivious that his choice of cologne bothered her. He continued, “Don’t take life so seriously!”
Mia forced a smile, nodded, and moved along the aisle, pushing the book cart, but he followed.
“Is there something you need help with?” she asked.
He flashed an inviting smile, “Perhaps. I’m Richard Price. Reverend Richard Price. Are you Mia?” He was aware it was her, but was playing a game. He liked to toy with people.
Mia gripped the cart tighter and moved it, trying to get away from him and avoid inhaling his pungent odor. She spoke softly without turning around. “Yes.”
Richard wasted no time fumbling with a pseudo reason for why he was asking for her. Instead, he blurted out, “Oh, wow! It’s been so long! We used to be classmates.”
“Huh, I don’t remember you, sorry, and I have a lot of work to finish.”
“Oh, okay. How about having a coffee or something later to catch up?”
The offer caught Mia off guard. She responded in a business-like manner, “Sorry, I can’t, but we have a nice selection of coffees back there.” She pointed towards the café.
She pushed the heavy cart down the aisle, trying to ignore the man while mentally chastising the ceiling fans for their slow rotation. She wished they produced more air current to diffuse his awful stench.
Richard walked alongside her, unfazed by her brush-off, and continued his approach. The flushed color on her cheeks indicated that she was either flustered or afraid, and he took pleasure in having power over her.
“Ah, come on, it’s just coffee. We have to catch up.”
Not interested in his advances, Mia responded in an uneven voice, “If I can’t help you with something in the store, then I have to get back to work.”
He gently grasped her arm as she turned to walk away from him, flashing his charming smile. However, Mia wriggled away, her eyes filled with contempt.
Richard’s demeanor became more subdued as he released his grasp. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” I’m harmless. When I saw you, I recognized you from school. Gosh, you haven’t changed a bit. I had such a crush on you in high school. I missed seeing you at our 20th reunion last month. Why didn’t you go?” His hand touched her hair lightly.
Irritated by his inappropriate behavior and foul smell, Mia moved away from him quickly without replying. Confrontations were not her strong suit. She walked towards the front of the store, where other customers and her coworker were present, hoping one would offer help, but no one seemed to be paying attention to her. Richard followed.
Having more courage with witnesses around, she spoke loudly without looking directly at him, “If you don’t need help in the store, you’re going to have to leave.”
“Okay, no problem, but you don’t have to make a big deal out of it.” I only wanted to catch up with an old classmate. I can’t believe you don’t remember me.”
“Sorry, but I don’t.”
“How about Felix Palfavovicz? That was me before I changed my name to something snazzier.”
Who? No, I don’t remember that person either, and I need to get back to work,” Mia said snarkily, walking away.
“Gosh, you don’t have to get nasty. I was trying to be friendly and catch up.”
Mia stiffened, “I don’t remember you, and if you don’t have other business here, please leave!” Amazed at her assertiveness and ability to control her trembling nerves, Mia straightened her back and hurried towards the stockroom.