Rest in Peace: The Regina Grant Mysteries, #3

By Ngozi T. Robinson

Baptist minister and amateur sleuth Regina Grant fights injustice by solving crimes with boldness, grit, and faith, all while being a pastor and looking for a man.

Spirited Baptist minister Regina Grant is back at a remote mountain retreat overseen by Augustinian monks. Amidst the serene tranquility—a body under a pile of rocks—ushers in a bone-chilling mystery. Take a journey into the heart of intrigue, where faith, love, and secrets collide.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ngozi T. Robinson
• Release date: Mar 12, 2024
• ISBN: 9781943382262

Ngozi T. Robinson

Ngozi Temitope Robinson is an ordained Baptist minister, conflict resolution specialist, and impassioned writer. She has devoted her life to pastoral care, living zestfully, and the written word. Ngozi enjoys watching vintage Hollywood movies, visiting friends around the world, and following obscure sports—including bull riding, sumo wrestling, and curling. She has published numerous books by others under her imprint, I AM Publications.

Book preview

Nosy

Hi-YAH! Regina Grant screams as she cleaves the wooden board in two with her hand.

She gets back into standing stance and tugs on the red belt of her karate uniform before bowing as the kids around her clap and shout. The video screen at the front of the room shows a tall dark man with a face scarred from burns dressed in a karate uniform with a black belt.

Very good, Pastor, though I don’t know that you have to scream quite so loud to get the job done. Charles’ voice sounds from the speakers as his image speaks on screen.

Regina shrugs her shoulders. Hey, confidence is everything, she says with a huge grin on her face. You taught me how to break a board in two. You’re darn right I’m gonna shout.

Alright, fair enough. Students, we’re going to start our usual drills, right after Nevin shows off his skills. Nevin? Charles calls.

A young boy in his awkward phase of growth hurries to the front of the class.

Yes, Sensei, he bows.

Go through the forms the class will practice today.

Yes, Sensei.

Nevin puts a determined look on his face and turns to the class. He executes a series of moves that gracefully flow into one another. The other boys and girls watch studiously, with some trying to mimic his moves on the spot. When he finishes, he turns back to Charles on the screen and bows.

Very good, Nevin. Everybody, pair up and we’ll go through our warm-ups before I show you how to do what Nevin did. Begin!

Yes, Sensei, a dozen voices shout as youths of different heights, shapes, and sizes bow.

The sound of shuffling feet, conversation, and laughter fill the room as the class gets into position. Regina bows towards the screen and waves goodbye. Charles cocks his head to her and smiles before putting his attention back on the children.

As Regina leaves the auditorium and makes her way to her study, she is feeling pretty pleased with herself. She had not only gotten her online member, who was embarrassed about his facial burns, to come on camera for church activities, but also to start a youth karate class for church and community members he teaches remotely.

His martial arts had certainly come in handy when he had saved her from danger. And, as the pastor of the church, she considered herself a member of all ministries and promptly signed up with the children for his class. Now she feels she can defend herself, at least from stationary boards that have it coming.

She had also convinced Charles to take on Nevin as his assistant. That little boy had gone from the kid who had gotten cut from the youth choir to a star karate pupil with a real gift for martial arts. It is easier on his mom, too, since choir rehearsal and karate lessons are at the same time. She can drop both of her boys off and pick them up together.

When it all comes together like this, Regina feels pretty blessed to be a pastor. She loves helping people, and the LORD helped her create opportunities in the face of challenges in this instance. She is grateful. Maybe she is finally getting this whole pastor thing down.

She presses her code into the keypad at her study door and turns the knob. Inside, she turns on the lights and walks over to the shelf by her tea maker. What is she in the mood for this evening? Perusing the loose tea selections, she decides on a delicate white mango variety.

Grabbing her tea kettle, she turns to go to the kitchen to fill it with cold water and jumps in surprise.

Jeez! Don’t creep up on me like that, she says as she tries to catch her breath.

Her church clerk, Ms. Pring, and administrative assistant, Ms. Grimes, stand there quiet as church mice.

We need to talk, Ms. Pring says grimly.

She sits down in one of the chairs facing the desk while Ms. Grimes closes the study’s door. Regina looks back at her tea shelf. Maybe she needs something a little stronger. She sets the tea kettle down and takes her position behind the desk.

She bows her head and says a silent prayer. ‘LORD, give me strength and keep watch over my emotions and my tongue.’

Raising her head, she smiles at the two women seated before her. Let’s hear it, she says, dispensing with any pleasantries.

I’m just gonna come out and say it, Ms. Pring says, are you a lesbian? Her face is serious as a heart attack.

Regina can’t help it. She lets