Soul Mate (The Mating Series) (27 page)

I
grew tired of Jimmy’s self-absorbed whining. I was in the same boat as him. I had bills too. My rent was due. I could survive about two weeks on my meager savings, not two months. He worried about his business and reputation being hurt by this debacle, but I poured my heart and soul into Mary House. The board intended to cut me loose merely on my associations. I didn’t know how quickly I would bounce back from unemployment. I didn’t make six figures and run in circles with Indy’s elite. My losses didn’t seem to matter to Jimmy.

I squared off
to him. “Let me pass,” I snarled. “I’m in no mood to argue with you.”  We faced each other in a silent stand off for several minutes. Cho watched as an amused spectator. Jimmy gave in. He lowered his gaze, and stepped aside. I brushed past.

I
collected my purse, keys and cell phone. I heard Cho and Jimmy arguing in the hallway. I didn’t care. 

Cho
grabbed my arm. “Don’t forget to call and check in.”

“I’
ll be fine.”

“Do it for me
,” Cho said. “I’ll be just as worried.”
Now, Cho thinks he’s my parent.
Jimmy’s brother irritated me.

Jimmy interrupted. “Here.
” He tossed a set of keys at me. “At least take my car.”

“Is there any way you could get out of going to Mary House today?” Cho asked.

“I can’t blow
off the board.” I said, putting my hand on Cho’s shoulder. Cho wasn’t as tall at Jimmy. We stood almost eye to eye. “I’m pretty sure, I’ll be terminated, but if I don’t even show up…”

“I know…you can’t burn bridges
,” Cho said, patting my hand. “I tried to explain that to Jimmy.”

“I understand
,” Jimmy said with resolve. He pulled me into an embrace. He held me so tight I couldn’t breathe. Jimmy lingered for a moment gazing at me. “Just be careful.”

“…and check in.” Cho added. I felt like a teenager taking the car out for the first time, with Cho and Jimmy acting like the worried parents.

I completed all of my errands two hours before the funeral service. The sun shined without a cloud in the sky. Not ready to go back, I decided to drive around the city. Jimmy’s car drove a great deal nicer than my old Camry. I opened the sun roof, turned the stereo up, and drove. “Season of the Witch” played on the radio.
What an appropriate song
. I loved to drive and sing in my car.

Jimmy
meditated to center himself. I couldn’t meditate. I couldn’t clear my mind long enough. I preferred an open road and a great rock album.  Jimmy considered my love of driving when he allowed me to take his precious BMW. He never offered his car, even when he had too much to drink. He would pay for a cab over allowing me drive the car. My anger at Jimmy dissipated to annoyance. I regarded it as Jimmy’s half-baked attempt to apologize. It worked.

I
checked the dashboard clock. I decided to check in. I pressed Jimmy’s number.

“Hello
,” Cho answered.

“Checking in.”

“What are you doing?” Cho asked.

“Right now,
I’m on the interstate going about seventy in Jimmy’s car.” I laughed. It felt good to be a little rebellious. 

“Why?”

“No reason,” I said “…just blowing off steam.”

“Have you been to your apartment?”

“Yes, it’s fine.”

“No bloody
love notes on the door?”

“None.” I heard a disturbance in the back ground. “What’s going on?” I asked.

“Nothing,” Cho said, exasperated. “Jimmy wants to talk to you. He’s trying to take the phone from me. Your boyfriend is one annoying bastard.”

“Tell me about it,” I said
. “Put him on.”

The phone was dead air for a long time. “Hey
,” Jimmy finally said.

“Hey
.”

“Are we good?” Jimmy asked.

I rolled my eyes at the phone. “I guess,” I said. “…but Jimmy, you…”

“
I’m an ass and I’ll work on it,” he said.

“I want my best friend back. We used to be able to talk and debate with each other, without blow ups and animosity. What happened?”

“We used to talk about hypothetical stuff, this is real. It’s different now. I don’t want to lose you.”

“I’
m suddenly walking on egg shells around you. I’ve always been able to speak my mind with you, and now I feel like I can’t.”

“I have so much shit on my mind right now.”

“And I don’t?” I asked.

“You do too, and that’s why I don’t know what to say to you. I
’m afraid I’m going to screw up and say the wrong thing.”

“I’
m a big girl, Jimmy,” I said. “I’m not going to end it because I don’t like what you say. I thought you knew me better than that.”

“I promise to work on it
,” Jimmy said. “Just get home as soon as you can,”

“I will.”

“Do you like driving my car?”

“Love it.”

“Don’t wreck it,” Jimmy said. “I love you and I’m sorry I’m a dick.”

“
You are, but I love you too,” I said and hung up.

CHAPTER 12

I arrived at Lincoln and Brother’s Mortuary at one o’clock. Janice Henley, a member of the board, already arrived. She stood by the casket examining the flowers. She dressed impeccably in a tailored grey wool dress suit. Janice had money and let everyone know by her appearance.

“Cassandra
, I’m glad you came,” she said. I hated Janice. She always spoke condescending. Her words had double meanings. She said she was glad I came, but her tone said, “I can’t believe you have the nerve to show your face.”

“Mary was a dear friend
,” I said.

“You must be crushed, with your boyfriend being involved and all.”

I wouldn’t to split hairs with Janice Henley at the funeral. It wasn’t the place to defend Jimmy. I would have my say at the board meeting later. “I’d like to say my good byes in private.” I lowered my head. “If you don’t mind.”

“Of course not
,” Janice said. “Take your time.”

I approached the casket.
Mary’s appearance startled me. Her face looked drawn and had a gray tint. I’d been to several funerals in my life and never saw a dead person look so unnatural. My mother looked serene in her casket, Mary didn’t. An awful blue shaded her eye lids and scarlet red lipstick stained her mouth. They teased her hair in a 1950’s type hair do. A bright blue dress covered in lace and frills draped her body.

Mary
preferred jeans and flannel shirts. Even at fundraisers and lectures, Mary wore simple black suits. She had curly hair that she wore short and never wore makeup or lipstick.

“She looks just like she’s sleeping
,” Janice said from behind.

“Not really
,” I said.
She looks like a cartoon character.
“Her hair and makeup isn’t right, it doesn’t look like Mary.”

“They did the best they could
,” Janice whispered. “You know, for the shape she was in.”

“I don’t understand
,” I said. “What shape?”

“Cassandra, her head was completely bashed in.” Janice said in a shaky voice.
She’s so freaking dramatic
. “I had to identify the body. It was awful. I hope they make that man pay for what
h
e did.” She sniffed and blew her nose in a dramatic way. In “
he”
she meant Jimmy. I glared at her. “I’m sorry, I know you probably cared for that Asian, and had no idea what he did behind your back. You must be devastated.” I considered punching Janice Henley.
One quick jab to her newly re-sculpted nose would make me feel better.

Janice sat
on the board for no other reason than to claim she did volunteer work. Almost all the board members were wealthy house wives looking for something to make them feel superior. It disgusted Mary, but she needed the financial support. It meant food, lodging, and programs for the women we helped. We accepted their financial backing. I understood Cho’s remark catching flies. I kissed my fair share of asses to get what we needed for Mary House. It was the same. It was about how to play the game. I realized I needed to keep playing the game even if the venue changed. “I’m truly devastated,” I said. “I can hardly live with myself right now.” I feigned a confounded expression.

Mary’s death did devastate me
, but Jimmy had nothing to do with it. Jimmy probably scared the killer off, thus saving Nessie’s life, and possibly all of the women at Mary House. Jimmy was a hero in my eyes, but I wouldn’t tell Janice, or the board.

I found my way to a seat in the back as people
arrived. Many of them stared and whispered in my direction. I didn’t care. I came for Mary and no one else. Jimmy didn’t kill to her. I wondered if Mom could find Mary in the green room. When I went to my apartment earlier, I didn’t see Mom. I’d stop by again on the way back to the condo. I couldn’t summon Mom at will. She came and went as she wanted. I stayed at the condo. Mom had no need to visit, but she promised to keep an eye on things while I stayed away. If I saw her, I’d ask if she could find Mary in the green room. Mom could relay a message to her.

Ben and Skinner arrive
d. I wanted to speak to Ben, but not Skinner. Skinner stepped away from Ben to talk to the Minister who oversaw Mary’s service. Ben slid in the chair next to me. “Cassandra,” he said, curtly. “Where’s your attorney?”

“He’s not here.”

“I assume you’re staying with Jimmy Kim,” Ben said. “I hoped you’d attend the service.”

“Yes,
I’m staying with Jimmy.”

“We got the DNA back on the blood
,” Ben said. “I’d like to talk to you about it.”

“Now?” I asked.

“After the service.” Ben remained cold towards me. I hurt his feelings. I wouldn’t lie about my feelings. I didn’t trust Ben.

“I can’t. I have to meet with the board after this.”

“After your meeting?” he asked. I didn’t want to stay out longer, but if I got more information it was worth it.

“Will I be meeting with you and your partner?” I asked.

“Do you want to meet with both of us?”

I shifted in my seat.
“No,” I said. “Skinner makes me uncomfortable.”

“Do you want to have Cho Kim present?’ Ben asked.

“No,” I said. “Do I need an attorney present?”

“No
,” Ben said. “We’re on the same side. You know that right?” Ben’s face softened.

“I didn’t know there were sides.”

“You want justice, you want to feel safe, and you want your boyfriend cleared.”

“Yes
,” I said.

“That’s what I want too.”

“If you don’t think Jimmy did this, then why is he on house arrest?” I asked.

“That has nothing to do with me, and until I can provide another suspect, Jimmy Kim will continue to be on house arrest.”

“Do you have any other suspects? Are you even looking for anyone else?”

“Cassandra
, help me to help you.”

“What can I do to help?” I asked.

Music began to play. Ben remained beside me, but Skinner took a seat off to the side of the parlor. The minister walked to the podium. He was a long lanky man with thinning hair that looked a little greasy.

“Welcome ladies and gentlemen. We are gathered here to remember Mary Jane Lazarus, a woman devoted to helping her community
,” the minister said. “I didn’t have the grace to meet Mary, but one of my parishioners, Janice Henley, was a very close friend…” I almost scoffed out loud. “Janice asked me to give a eulogy on the behalf of Mary.” The minister stopped to breathe. “Before we talk about what a pillar of the community Mary was, I’d like to say a few words about Jesus. John 3:16 says ‘
for he loved the world so much that he gave his beloved son. He who believeth in him shall not parish, but has ever lasting life.’
Doesn’t everlasting life sound promising?” He glanced around the crowd. “Unfortunately, our friend Mary didn’t believe, and won’t be in a place of great beauty. Mary was hardened by the community she tried to save. She was lost….”
What the hell?
The minister words were harsh.

He raised his hands.
“
Mary wanted to save the outcast and in the process she lost her way. She no longer believed in his grace. She had no part of Jesus in her life. She communed with the damned, and for that she suffered a brutal fate.”