The Graves of the Guilty (Hope Street Church Mysteries Book 3) (18 page)

“I think your two o’clock is a no-show,” Angela said while ogling Edward. “But this gentleman insisted on seeing you and he came bearing gifts.” Angela smiled at Edward and left the room.

Edward laid a bouquet of stargazer lilies on the conference table. “I tried to come off as the FTD guy, but that woman sized me up in two seconds and gave me the full
Law & Order
interrogation. Damn. I told her my name, how I know you, and where I worked.” He shook his head. “The CIA should recruit her.”

Cooper laughed. “Angela’s a woman of many talents, but you might have gotten past her had you not been dressed in your RoomStore delivery uniform.”

He looked down at his embroidered shirt. “I tried to cover the letters up with the flowers. Should have bought a bigger bouquet.”

The conference room seemed to have grown smaller in size now that Edward was there. Cooper did her best to appear relaxed and in control. “So, other than pretending to work for FTD, what are you doing here?” She gestured at one of the vacant seats. “Did you find out who’s dealing China White?”

Edward nodded. “Yeah, I got the name of the big fish. Guy named Albion. I’ve heard of him before, but since he works in a different part of the city than I used to operate in, we never butted horns.” He stared at Cooper. “But I know where he spends his time. That’s why I’m here. Mark your calendar, because we’re going to Club Satin to pay him a visit Saturday night.”

Cooper blanched. “Club Satin? That’s a
strip
club!”

“Sure is.” Edward seemed to revel in Cooper’s discomfort. “They’re having a pool tourney this weekend, so there’ll be other girls there besides the ones with bills hanging out of their panties. Can you shoot pool at all?”

“Actually, I’m pretty good,” Cooper said tersely, irritated by Edward’s derogatory remark about the dancers. “However, I’ve never played in front of drug dealers and half-naked women before, so I might be a bit off my game.”

“Or you’ll focus so hard we’ll beat the tar out of the other players and go home with a wad of cash,” Edward countered and then stood up. “The competition is our cover. You’ll have to approach Albion. Word is he likes good-looking blondes. I’m afraid that rules me out.”

Cooper shook her head. “He’ll know something’s up if I talk to him. I can’t fool him into thinking I’m a heroin user!” Her heartbeat accelerated as she pictured the scene. “This is totally crazy, Edward. If this man
is
responsible for Miguel’s murder, we could get killed too. It’s time to bring in the police.”

“No cops!” Edward was at her side in seconds. “They’d blow our cover and then things
will
turn bloody. If we can get close enough to Albion to be sure he’s the one dealing China White, then we know where the kill order on Miguel came from. Albion can be the cops’ problem after that.” He reached out and touched the tip of her chin. “Trust me, Cooper. No one will harm one hair on your head. I’ll pick you up at nine. Wear the same ensemble you had on the last time we went out. Albion’s sure to like that teeny tiny skirt. I know I did.” With an impish grin, he left the room.

Cooper stared at his empty chair for a moment and then hastened to the locker room, where she dug Mr. Johnson’s card from her purse. “Sorry, Edward,” she murmured as she took out her cell phone and began to dial. “I guess I don’t trust you quite that much.”

Afterward, she crossed Frankie Kepple off her list of potential candidates and awaited her last interview of the day. Josh Whitaker arrived out of breath, rumpled, and full of apologies.

“It’s okay. You’re not late,” she assured him.

He smiled in relief. “That’s good, because this old lady’s radiator was smoking and I just couldn’t pass her by. I know I look a right mess, but I just had to stop.”

Despite the oil stain on his tie and the strong smell of cigarette smoke seeping from his wrinkled sports coat, Josh was also a strong candidate for the job. He was able to present a glowing recommendation from his current employer—a mom-and-pop copier repair company that would be closing its doors by the end of the month—and colored with embarrassment when Cooper read select passages aloud.

“I’m really going to miss Mr. and Mrs. Peterman. They’ve been working for thirty years, but they’re ready to retire,” he explained.

“Well, even though this is your first job since graduating high school, you’ve picked up a bunch of skills working for the Petermans. They’ve written an amazing letter about you.” She smiled. “In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if they were waiting outside right now.”

Josh’s young face flushed. “They fuss over me like I’m one of their kids. Man, will I miss Mrs. P.’s home-cooked lunches. I don’t even know how to scramble eggs.”

Cooper laughed. “You’re much healthier than the rest of us. We eat Subway and Burger King and Mexican takeout. And my mama’s a gourmet cookie baker, so I eat cookies every single day.”

“They’re not Magnolia’s Marvels, are they?” Josh asked.

When Cooper informed him that Magnolia was indeed her mother, Josh fairly leapt from his chair.

“Mr. P. was sick last year and he lost so much weight you could practically see through the man. For a whole week the only thing he’d touch were Magnolia’s Marvels oatmeal raisin and butterscotch clusters. Tell your mama she saved Mr. P.’s life!”

Cooper promised she would deliver the message and then wrapped up her interview with the enthusiastic young man. The last thing she did before packing her kittens into their carrier was to call and confirm appointments with the three remaining candidates. If those men turned out to be as talented and friendly as Bobby and Josh, Cooper knew she’d be faced with a difficult decision. Still, she left the office with a newfound confidence that made her feel ten feet tall.

“I am cut out for management,” she told her mewling kittens as she eased the carrier onto the passenger seat. “I hope you two like the Beatles,” she said, popping in a CD.

She’d barely released the kittens from the carrier and changed into jeans and a periwinkle sweater when she heard a car pull into the driveway. Seeing that it was Nathan’s car, she quickly brushed her hair and applied a touch of lipstick. By the time he knocked and entered the apartment, she was in the kitchen, filling a bowl with water for the kittens.

“Oh! More flowers!” she said when he presented her with a potted orchid.

“More?” Nathan looked confused. “I haven’t given you any for ages.”

Flustered, Cooper pictured Edward’s grinning face above the bunch of stargazer lilies. Pushing thoughts of Edward’s visit away, she touched Nathan on the arm. “I’m glad you’re here. I need to talk to you.”

She opened two bottles of Miller Lite and bade Nathan to take a seat at the kitchen table. “Nathan, I know what I’m about to say may alter our relationship, but I can’t keep this from you another second.” She met his concerned eyes and felt terrible. “I don’t want to hurt you, but Nathan, I’ve been feeling pulled away from you lately. I didn’t plan it, but it happened.” She gulped. “I feel tempted.”

“By Edward?” he asked softly.

Cooper nodded and was about to explain that she and Edward didn’t even know one another and that the attraction was of a baser kind, but decided that such a qualifier wasn’t helpful and might only wound Nathan’s pride.

He reached across the table and took her hand. “Don’t be angry with me, Cooper, but I’m going through the same thing. I came over Sunday night with the intention of telling you everything I’ve been feeling, but Ashley and Edward were here and then we ended up talking about Miguel . . .” He trailed off and took a swallow of beer.

“You wanted to tell me about the weekend painting party?” Cooper guessed as jealousy began to stir in her heart.

Nathan’s gaze never left her face. “Yes. I ran into an ex-girlfriend from college while I was up there. Her name’s Melissa. She just, um, has some hold over me. Always has. In college she only paid attention to me when it suited her, but now she seems to be much more interested.” He squeezed Cooper’s hand as tears began to pool in her eyes.

“But that’s all it is, Coop,” he hastened to add  “A temptation. A pulling toward something shallow, impermanent. My heart belongs to you and it took this temporary moment of insanity for me realize it.”

Cooper brushed away a tear. Nathan’s words had penetrated through every ounce of confusion she’d been feeling as of late. “You’re right. This stuff with Edward . . . it’s not real. It’s as insubstantial as fog. I mean, he’s an ex-con, but he’s also someone trying to lift himself above his past. I think I just wanted to witness his transformation.” She looked down in shame. “I also think I wanted to take some credit for his change because he sees me through a rose-colored lens.  But he doesn’t know me. You do, Nathan. You see me and want me for who I am.”

Nathan shoved back his chair and lifted Cooper out of hers with a brute strength he’d never exhibited before. It was so sudden that Cooper forgot to breathe.

“I do see you.” Nathan’s voice was deep and hoarse. He cupped her face in his hands. “And I love you. You’re everything I need. Now and always.”

As his words washed over her, warming her through and through, she recalled how they’d first met. On a beautiful early spring day, she had run headlong into Nathan in the hall of the high school where Hope Street Church held its worship service.

The man she loved stood before her just as he had on that day. His eyes were filled with the same strength, humor, and kindness. His hands steadied her just as they had a year ago. Grammy was right when she’d told Cooper to reach for the man who loved her for who she was, not who he wanted her to be.

Nathan was that man.

“I love you, too,” she whispered. “Please forgive me.”

He kissed her cheeks, her mouth, her forehead, the lids of her eyes, all the while murmuring, “Apology accepted. Forgive me, as well. I’ll never make such a foolish mistake again. There’s only you.” His lips sought her mouth. “Only you.” His breath mingled with hers.

• • •

Later, they sat on Cooper’s sofa, talking about everything and nothing while sharing a bowl of microwave popcorn.  The kittens raced from one lap to another, purring and sniffing the bowl. Cooper had named the male cat Moses because he’d fallen into the toilet within the first few hours of entering the apartment.

“Moses means ‘drawn from the water,’” she told the wet cat after rescuing him. “And since you have a biblical name, I’ll call your sister Miriam.”

Moses and Miriam took to Nathan immediately. They scaled up his chest and pounced on the strings of his sweatshirt hood while he stroked them behind the ears. They attacked his long fingers with their tiny teeth and claws, purring in contentment when he pushed them off his belly and dangled one of their toy mice just out of reach.

“This is one of those times I regret living out in the sticks,” Cooper said after the popcorn was gone. “We can’t just run out for a bite to eat.”

Nathan tucked a lock of Cooper’s hair behind her ear. “I’ll go out and get anything you want. Just name it.”

Cooper laughed. “You sound like a genie. But it’s freezing and I’m too hungry to wait that long.” She grinned. “I know of an excellent restaurant within walking distance. I’m sure Mama would love the company. Let me call to make sure she’s got enough for the two of us.”

Maggie was delighted to have them for supper. “I have roast chicken with all the fixin’s. Plenty for all. Come on down. You and Nathan can set the table while I make the gravy.”

Nathan was meticulously placing forks and knives on top of paper napkins covered with designs of conversation hearts when Grammy shuffled into the kitchen. She stopped in her tracks when she saw Nathan and a smile blossomed on her face. She quickly regained control of her features and pretended to be assessing him with disapproval.

“You stop that women’s work and come over here and give me a hug!” she commanded, her eyes twinkling.

Nathan instantly obeyed. “I figured Mr. Lee wouldn’t mind sharing his three generations of lovely ladies with me,” he said.

Cooper’s father materialized behind Grammy and clapped Nathan on the shoulder. “I’d be thrilled to have you join us for every meal. It’s nice to even up the numbers a bit.”

Maggie served Nathan first, piling his plate so full of food that his eyes grew wide at the sight. Earl said grace and then there was a lengthy silence as the diners focused on Maggie’s roast chicken, greens, and wild rice. Grammy took most of the canned cranberry sauce for herself, but when she tried to pick up a thick slice of the jellied stuff with her fork, it slid onto her chest and down to her lap, leaving a red stain as it oozed down her sweater.

Grammy examined the mess nonchalantly. “I never liked this snowman sweater, anyhow,” she mumbled, plucking the wayward jelly from her lap and popping it into her mouth. “Why old ladies wear clothes with cutesy puppy dogs and snowmen is beyond me. I guess somebody thought it was a good idea to dress us like babies. Reckon it’s because we eat like babies as we get up in years.” She swallowed. “Do we have any more cranberry sauce, Maggie?”

Cooper volunteered to get more from the pantry. The moment she stepped in the kitchen, the phone rang. Maggie and Earl had a strict rule about ignoring telephone calls during mealtimes, so the speaker volume was turned down low. However, Cooper could hear Ashley’s stricken voice through the answering machine. Her sister cried, “If anyone’s listening,
please
pick up!” Cooper leapt for the phone.

“Ashley?”

“Cooper!” Ashley cried. “You’ll never believe this, but someone else connected to Lincoln’s dealership has been killed!”

Cooper closed the door leading to the dining room and whispered, “Who?”

“Maria’s son. She’s the title clerk at the dealership and just the sweetest soul on this earth! Always a smile for everyone, always a kind word to me whenever I stopped by . . .” Ashley sniffed. “Her son was murdered, Cooper! Shot in the back of the head.”

Cooper’s mouth went dry. “What was his name? Maria’s son?”

“Hector Gutierrez. You might have seen the story in today’s paper.” Ashley tried to calm herself. “Those policemen were back. McNamara and Wiser. Lincoln told them he’d only met Hector once or twice and very briefly, but that the young man had never worked for any of the Love dealerships. He couldn’t think of a single connection tying Hector and Miguel together, but the investigators are certain there must be one.”