A Good Excuse To Be Bad (16 page)

I shook my head. “No, and you didn't have to do that.”

“We want to. You're grieving a heavy loss, and you're family. Remember?”

“Family . . .” I nodded. “Thanks for reminding me. I need to get back to mine. Salvador's probably there.”

“I'll pray for your visit with the detectives, and I'll come over soon as I can. Is there anything else I can do for you?”

“Yes. No, I'm waiting for Willis or Big Tiger to call. Ava has to come home today or I'll lose it.”

“Big Tiger as in the guy who left you alone to fight that criminal Cade?”

“Justus, it's just as much my fault for not waiting and believing I could take him out alone. Besides Tiger can walk Ava out of the jail faster than anyone.”

“Will he bring Ava to you?”

“If I'm bailing her out, he'd better.”

His eyebrow lifted. “The church isn't paying her bail?”

“To save face, I'm sure they will.” In my mind I wondered what the Board of Trustees was doing right now? Were they preparing for a press conference? Were they pondering over an appropriate interim pastor? Were they blaming me, hiding things I needed to clear Ava's name? I sighed. “I don't know.”

“What about Elvis? Have you spoken to him?” Justus's questions interrupted me.

I jumped. My head throbbed. “Not yet. I wanted to meet him today, see what he can tell me about Devon and Ava's daily routine, maybe feel him out, see what he knows, but I can't. This Salvador thing has thrown me for a loop. Now there are so many things to do, not do, and not say.”

“Why don't I have Mrs. Lewis call them for you? Reschedule with Elvis for later this afternoon so I can take you.”

Mrs. Lewis had been Sugar Hill's office manager for over twenty years. She could handle church folk in her sleep.

“That would be great. Oh, the reason why I came. I need some items couriered to the Dekalb County Homicide Division Office.” I pointed at the box that sat on the table. “I would've done it from my home, but there are some reporters lurking around. I don't want them digging around, paying off the courier.”

“Mind if I know what those items are?”

I shook my head. “I've talked about enough skeletons in my closet for one day.”

“Maybe later, then?”

I shrugged. “Maybe. I won't lie in church.”

He placed his hand on my right shoulder and looked deep down into me. “There is nothing in that box God or I would hate you for.”

“So why do I hate myself?” My lips trembled. I didn't want his empathy. I wanted to erase what was in the box. I wanted Devon alive. “I can't fix this. It's too late.”

“Don't cry.” He hugged me. “I believe that God didn't bring you this far to leave you. If this case wasn't personal, would you be able to solve it?”

“Definitely not.” I wiped my eyes. “Okay. Maybe I can do this.”

“Yes, you can.” He smiled. “Glad I could at least help you realize that.”

“No, you've done more than you think. The kids thought your pancakes were a hit.” I winced. I wasn't supposed to mention those.

“Well, that's something.” He chuckled. “Why don't I bring my nephews over, too, tonight? They can play with the kids.”

“Sounds good. We're trying to keep them distracted, but it's hard. Kids aren't stupid. They know something's up, and if Ava isn't released today, the kids are going to lose it. They're missing their mom and dad. And I have to find Devon's killer like now. But I can't because my house is a madhouse. Not only is my mom there now, but her new husband is on his way. My suggestion, of course.”

Justus scratched his head. “Sounds like we're two peas in a pod.”

We both looked at each other in a way that made the hairs on the back of my head stand up.

I looked away from him. “By the way, thank your friends for clearing the press out of the yard this morning.”

“Oh, no problem. They said they would patrol your block today and tonight.”

“That's some good news for today.” I thought about Whitney's request.

“Maybe I should cancel my meeting. You don't look so good.”

“No, take care of church business. I need sleep and you do, too.”

He came from behind his desk again. “Well, then I'm yours for the next forty-eight hours.”

I gasped. If he only knew how those words sizzled in me.

We hugged again, and this time I didn't have any impure thoughts, more like fear. I was scared. What did my case have to do with Devon's death?

 

B
efore I walked back into the house, I forgot Elvis offered to bring food over tonight. I'd forgotten much since Bella was born. I wondered why pregnancy books never told you that you would lose brain juice after childbirth. Lord knows, I needed mine back in order to find Devon's killer, to keep my niece and nephew in good spirits until Ava returned, and to deal with Mom.

Having a catered dinner tonight would appease Mom for sure. I dialed Elvis's number. There was no answer. I got his voice mail. I left him a message accepting his offer to feed us.

Once inside, I found Salvador and a woman I assumed was his partner in my living room. They sat on the sofa while Mom pinched juleps into a pitcher of peachy tea in the kitchen. Had I not heard the police officers stomping around upstairs, I would have thought we were having brunch. I tiptoed through my foyer, hoping Salvador didn't see me.

“Ms. Crawford?” Salvador asked.

I waved my hand. “Hi, are y'all comfortable?”

“Yes, we are.” He nodded.

The woman looked at me, but said nothing. She was a rude, little something-something.

I wanted to say something smart to her. Instead, I said, “Give me a sec and I'll be with you.”

Salvador nodded; the woman stared. It took all the angels in heaven to keep my neck and eyes from rolling. I scampered toward the kitchen, peeked inside, and inhaled my once frozen key lime pie that was now sliced and set on saucers. I frowned.

“Mom, what are you doing?” I hissed.

“Being a gracious host.”

“And what does that do outside of upsetting me, of course?” I took a seat on one of the island stools.

“It convinced Detectives Salvador and Dixon that the kids were too young and too asleep to know what was going in their house last night. So they don't feel the need to question them anymore.”

I exhaled. “Thank goodness.”

“And this nice evening tea that includes your pie also helped me stall for more time, so that you could get here and handle these people.” She leaned toward me. “How are the kids?”

I bent backward to see the detectives chatting with each other. Dixon smiled, totally catching me off guard. “They're having fun, but have asked me twice about their parents.”

She pursed her lips, reached for a handkerchief that she had to have taken from my curio, and wiped the corners of her eye. “Have you heard from Ava?” she asked.

“No, Ma. Have you?”

She grabbed my wrist so tightly it burned. “How could I? You turned all the ringers on the phones off in here. Why?”

“Because the phone had been ringing off the hook.” I removed her hold on me. “Mom, everyone wants a story. Besides, where is your phone?”

“Including you?”

I looked at her. “I'd been waiting for when you would blame this whole thing on me.”

“I wasn't, but you girls get yourselves in these situations with men that boggle my mind. This is a real doozy, baby, a real one.”

“Speaking of doozies . . . Where's my new daddy?”

“He's stuck in traffic. Where's your man?”

“I don't have a man.”

She lifted her left eyebrow. “Honey child, please. Do I need to go down to that little church to meet him?”

“Ma, he's just my pastor.”

She looked me down and pursed her lips even tighter. “Uh-huh.”

I shook my head and didn't say a word.

“Let's get back on task before our children come home.” She picked up the tea tray. “I have a fresh batch of tea cakes warming in the oven. Get them out and come visit your friends.”

“You've got to be kidding me,” I said.

Mom had already walked away. By now, I had rolled my eyes so much that my head began to ache again. Great.

Mom continued her hostess diva routine in my living room, while I pretended to appear calm. I hadn't heard a word from Willis or Big Tiger. Something was up, but I wouldn't learn what it was until after the pinstriped detectives left my house.

Francine Dixon, Salvador's partner, wore a fierce black and lavender pinstriped skirt suit that made me envious for not taking a few laps around the pool today myself. She stuck her nose in the air when she looked at me. I scoffed. She didn't have to bother with the theatrics. I knew she didn't like me, but why I had no clue.

“Have you found what you're looking for?” I asked Salvador.

His mouth was full of tea cakes. “We're working on it.”

I sat down in the love seat across from them. “Would you mind telling me what you're looking for exactly?”

“We're not at liberty to say,” Francine snapped.

She looked me up and down. Girlfriend looked like she was ready to fight. I didn't have a clue what her problem was, but I had a feeling she had a gripe about me.

“Detective Dixon, do you have a problem with me?” I asked.

Mom stood beside Francine. She held the tray over her head, but wouldn't say a word. The way she leaned into her hip in that mother defense stance told me what she was really saying was that Dixon better not have a problem or the food may fall on her head.

Francine didn't pay Mom any attention. “I don't have a problem with you. I just don't understand why my partner”—she turned to Salvador—“is giving you certain privileges.”

Mom asked, “Did my daughter have to allow you inside her home?”

Salvador looked up. His eyes widened. “Ma'am?”

Mom didn't move. “You heard me. You were over here this morning. You drove off when I pulled up. You and my daughter sat right on that porch. I saw you. You could have gotten what you wanted then, but you come back with your salty friend here, who should have checked herself before she walked through the door. Privileges? Try rights.”

Dixon turned to Salvador. “You were here this morning?”

Salvador coughed. Tea cake spewed all over my dirty carpet. I wanted to crawl into Francine's weave and melt.

“That was a courtesy call,” Salvador said.

“And me stuffing your face with cookies I only bake for my children—one of whom is sitting in that stank tank down at the jail—doesn't seem like a courtesy. Does it to you?”

“No, ma'am.” Salvador eyed me. “Detective Dixon is new to Atlanta. She isn't familiar with Ms. Crawford's past relationship with the police force.”

“Well, you'd better get her up to speed.” Mom pursed her lips. “But before you do, my daughter asked you a question.” She referred to Francine. “Did you find what you were looking for in her house?”

My mouth dropped. I had no words.

“My apologies, Mrs . . . ?” Salvador waited for Mom to share her name. I wished he hadn't.

“Mrs. Crawford Curtis Carter, widow of Bishop B.T. Crawford of Calvary United Church of Atlanta, Georgia, widow of Reverend Dr. Augustus Curtis of Piney Grove Community Church of Lithonia, Georgia, and now wife of retired Fulton County Chief of Police, Carrolton Taylor Carter.”

Francine's eyes widened and so did mine. Carrolton Taylor Carter, what kind of name was that?

“My apologies, ma'am. I came by earlier when the children were here and we—your daughter and I—agreed that the situation was inappropriate for them to see.”

“It's appropriate for me, so bring me up to speed. What are you accusing my daughter Avalyn of? And what are you looking for in Evangeline's home?”

I relaxed. Maybe this new marriage had turned Mom into the woman we had needed a few years back.

“We're looking for items your daughter may have brought with her when she came over last night. We're bagging them now as potential evidence.”

“Now, that's more like it.” Mom smiled and walked back toward the kitchen.

I turned to Salvador. “Thank you for relaxing on the kids.”

“We're not relaxing, Ms. Crawford. We don't think we need them to prove our case,” Francine said.

I wished Mom brought that tea tray back in here, so I could smack this lady one good time. Girlfriend hadn't eaten any of Mom's cookies or my pie. Her sourpuss attitude needed some sweetness. I wanted to kick her out of my house.
God, help me be better
.

I looked her in the eye and smiled at her like any Georgia Peach would. “Whatever the reason, I'm very thankful, Detective.”

The police officers came down the stairs and met us in the living room. One handed Salvador two clear plastic bags labeled E
VIDENCE.
I rolled my eyes. The bags had the clothes the children wore yesterday. Unbelievable.

Mom stepped into the room. “What the . . . Oh, so when my grandkids come home and wonder where their clothes are, what appropriate answer should I give them?”

“Today would be a good time to take them on a Grandma shopping spree,” Dixon said.

“What did you say?” Mom walked toward Detective Dixon.

I stood up and jumped in front of her. “I hate to say this, but y'all have outworn your welcome. Let me show you to the door.”

My phone rang twice, which meant a text message was coming in. I peeked at it, then swallowed a squeal. Big Tiger calling.

“Mom, I need to take this call in my office,” I said. “Please escort our guests to the door and be nice.”

“You don't have to ask me twice. I'll show them what real nice is.” Mom sashayed past me toward Salvador and Francine.

“Goodbye, Evangeline,” Salvador said.

I waved one hand in the air, then closed my office door and dialed Big Tiger back.

Big Tiger grew up with Ava and me when we lived in East Lake. We lived near St. Phillip AME Church, a quieter area than his. He lived in the East Lake Meadows projects and got himself caught up in the dope game until the late, great Hosea Williams helped him find Jesus. Rumor around town was that he had found the devil, too. Now he was one of the biggest and shadiest bail bondsmen in Dekalb County, and he paid me well. I didn't trust him any farther than I could throw him. But I knew he could get Ava out. Plus, he once had a crush on me. From the giggle in his voice, he still kept that crush flaming.

“How much is the bail?”

“Don't know,” he said.

“Why don't you know?”

“She didn't get into the rotation to see the judge this morning for her prelim.”

I felt defeated and began to cry. “So tomorrow. She'll be ready?”

“Check with your boy, Roger Willis. I had to track that joker down. Angel Soft, I was ready to pop Avalyn out of there when he finally called me back. He didn't sound good. So I don't know about Ava getting out anytime soon.”

“What? Why don't you think so?”

“You know full well why, girl. This is a capital murder case. Ava and Devon weren't just any couple. They money. Holy money with an angel jet on top. She could fly right out of here. Heaven bound, honey. Give me one good reason why any judge would grant her bail?”

“She didn't do it.”

“Did she tell you that?”

I gulped. “She didn't have to.”

“After the way you two fell out, I'm surprised she left her kids with you.”

“Thanks, Big Tiger. I don't know what I would do without your honesty.”

“I'm just keeping it real. Your sister disowned you. And we all know Greater Atlanta Faith's got some secrets. That was a dumb move she did with you.”

“Well, that is the past.”

“You think, because I heard something else.”

My old case. My heart raced. “Like what?”

“You know I don't talk particulars over the cell, mademoiselle, my Belle.”

I huffed. Big Tiger was talking to me in one of his ridiculous codes. Didn't make sense to live on the straight and narrow when you act like you're an old gangster. I was too old and out of touch to know the latest phrases.

“My bad, Big Tiger. I forgot.” I paused. “So what do I need to do to get her on the docket for tomorrow?”

“Pray.”

“I'm prayed out. Can we come up with something else?”

“Like your grandma always said, where two are together.” He chuckled. “We'll meet before you visit Ava.”

“So I can visit her?”

“Yep, she has an orange suit now. Baby girl has a visitor's list, a cell, and a roommate now. Want 'em?”

“Gladly.” My heart fell. “One more thing.”

“Yep?”

“I need you to send a D-boy to my house. Tonight.”

“Are you having a cash-flow problem, because I can help you out with the bail.”

“No, are you crazy?” I rolled my eyes. Big Tiger was leaning too far on the other side of the fence if he thought I would ever cross that line. “I just need you to send me a normal, clean kid to pick up some files to deliver to my storage place.”

“House crowded?”

“Too crowded?”

“I have a proposition for you.”

I smirked. “I bet you do, but I have some more calls to make.”

“Look, Angel. I need to tell you something, but don't tell Ava you heard it from me.”

“And what is that?”

“I heard that Devon had a mistress.”

“Yeah, and so does every male minister in the world. That rumor is as old as Christ and Mary Magdalene.”

“This girl was one of Ava's armor bearers.”

“Come again?” This was the second time I had heard that phrase.

“One of her assistants. I thought you did op-ed on church investigations. You know what I'm talking about.”