When Perfection Fails (14 page)

Someone had identified Lenora's frantic voice on the 911 call, which resulted in a weekend interrupted by calls from the media. Lenora still couldn't believe reporters had the nerve to show up on their lawn Saturday. She was on her way to the boutique, when she realized that what she needed to do was to turn back around. Her first thought was to go throw herself into work, but that wasn't stopping the thoughts that clutched at her mind.

Lenora wasn't convinced Charmayne had committed suicide and hoped Detective Jackson would find some clue to lead the investigation in a different direction. Knowing she'd reached Charmayne, but not in enough time to stop her friend's death, deeply bothered her. Reminded of the shoe prints she had seen, Lenora wondered if someone else was there before her. It was possible someone could have set up the scene to make it appear Charmayne decided to take her own life. But who?

Despite Jonathan's protests that morning, Lenora decided she would return to the sanctity of her boutique. She normally didn't open the boutique on Mondays, but she had convinced Candace to come in to wrap up her wedding dress fitting. She hung the closed sign and locked the front door after Candace arrived.

Lenora observed Candace as she stood on the small platform in the dressing room. Her seamstress, Dorothy Muller, smoothed out the bottom of the dress to ensure all of the alterations were perfect. Dorothy was one of Lenora's mother's oldest friends. It was a comfort this morning to receive a hug from the short, heavyset woman who attended Greater Heights Church.

Dorothy had mirrored to Lenora what many other Greater Heights members were thinking. “Child, I'm so sorry about Charmayne. She was a special girl and grew up to be a special woman. I know being a PK and the daughter of Bishop Hudson was hard on her, but her death is such a surprise.”

Lenora blinked back tears and focused on Candace. The crème-colored wedding dress hugged Candace's small figure in all the right places and even made her appear taller. Lenora wiped her eyes and walked in the room. “You look stunning. Are you still planning to wear your hair up?”

Like the professional hairstylist she was, Candace pulled her hair up into a quick do. “I think so. I did tell Beulah I was going to leave my hair in her hands. She's the only one I trust to do my hair right on my special day.”

“Sounds like a plan because you don't need to be doing your own hair. It's your day to be pampered and dressed up. How does the dress feel?”

“Perfect. Now I just have to not eat for the next week or so.”

Lenora waved her finger back and forth. “No, darling. No skipping meals for you. Plus, you're going to need your strength for the day.” Lenora put her finger on her chin and looked thoughtful. “I believe you might want some energy left for that night too.”

Candace clapped her hands and howled in laughter. “You need to stop. But you're right.”

Lenora noticed her bride had teared up. “Honey, are you okay? Is that sadness I see?”

Candace shook her head. “I was thinking about my first wedding.”

This wasn't the first time Lenora heard Candace mention her first husband who had been deceased over four years. “You do know Frank wanted you to be happy. Why else would God connect you and Darnell after such heartbreak in both of your lives?”

Candace nodded. “Well, it's certainly not rebound. Lord knows I mourned Frank for so long. It just never occurred to me that he would be replaced.”

Lenora shook her head. “Not replaced. Honey, Frank, will never be replaced. What you are embarking on with Darnell is a new beginning.”

“You're right. Look at me. I'm really blessed. Can you believe I get to do this marriage thing twice?”

“Honey, you got God's favor all over you.”

They laughed.

Lenora said, “If everything is okay, let's let Dorothy get the dress packed and ready for you to take home.” Lenora went to her office to finish up some business. About fifteen minutes later, there was a knock at her door. She looked up. “That was fast.”

Candace walked in. “Well, I thought I would get out of Dorothy's way. Plus, I wanted to ask how you were doing. Charmayne's funeral is in two days.”

Lenora had tried to block out her thoughts and focus on Candace's upcoming wedding details, but she had failed miserably. “I'm still in a bit of shock.”

“I can imagine.” Candace sat down in the chair opposite Lenora's desk. “When I lost my best friend I was feeling like you.”

Lenora knew Candace was referring to her deceased best friend, Pamela Coleman. The defense attorney had been murdered two years before. While the tragedy could have brought more despair to Candace, Lenora and many others witnessed Candace's mission to find the truth. It was through this process Candace almost lost her own life, but here she was today, preparing to marry the detective from her friend's homicide case.

Candace continued, “Lenora, I'm not being nosy or anything. I just feel like you are probably trying to wrap your head around her death, and I want to help. Like today, I know we needed to get the dress fitting finalized, but you could've let Sarah help me. I would've understood.”

Lenora sighed. “Work is the best thing for me. I mean, didn't you continue to work in your hair salon after Pamela's death? You and I are the owners of very service-oriented businesses. You know personally taking a day off isn't quite that easy anyway.”

Candace nodded. “Believe me, I know. I did go back to work after Pamela's death. Frank's death paralyzed me. I really leaned on Beulah and the other girls in the salon for several months.”

“Well, I still like to have my nose in everything. I know I probably drive Sarah crazy, but I just felt like I needed some normal today. My world was turned upside down on Friday.”

“You know there's a lot of speculation about Charmayne's death. I'm sorry you had to be the one to find her.”

Lenora bit her lip, but she couldn't stop the tears. “I wish I had arrived sooner.”

“Oh, Lenora, don't go there. Guilt is so powerful. You have to know you did all you could've done. Thankfully, you went by her home. Who knew when someone would've found her?”

Lenora grabbed tissues from the box on her desk and wiped her eyes. “You're too kind, Candace, and I appreciate you coming to talk to me. I'm going to be fine, really.”

“Are you? Who do you talk to, Lenora?”

Lenora stared at Candace thinking she certainly couldn't talk to Jonathan. The gap between them seemed to have widened even more in a few short days.

Lenora really liked Candace. She was more than a client or even the mother of her son's girlfriend. She confided, “You know what's strange is you mentioned Pamela was your best friend. Charmayne and I were not the closest of friends. We had this on-and-off friendship. When she needed me, I was there for her, but I can't always say my needs were reciprocated. Like the way you and I are talking, I never had these types of conversations with Charmayne.”

Candace tilted her head. “It sounds like there was something that kept you loyal to her. I think she probably valued you as a true friend, but maybe she didn't know how to express it.”

Lenora thought of the last twenty-four hours of Charmayne's life. She admitted, “She was so strong-willed, which is why I don't think she would've done what she did on purpose.”

Candace leaned forward. “What do you mean?”

Lenora swallowed, not sure how much to tell Candace. Still, she needed a listening ear. “As you know, Charmayne reached out to me the day before she died. She had been agitated a few days earlier. When she came by the boutique she was the most stressed I had seen her in a long time. Since her father's death, she felt like everyone was against her.”

“So, you don't think
that
would have made her consider taking her own life? I mean, it sounds so horrible because she grew up in a Christian home and was the daughter of a prominent bishop, but our minds are pretty powerful forces, especially when we focus on the negatives or the trial before us. It's easy to get overwhelmed versus praying and leaning on God for answers. Did Charmayne strike you as being strong in her faith?”

Lenora shook her head. “She had moments. We all do when we get into this superwoman role. We know God is there, but life gets so busy and we are trying to be perfect.” Lenora weighed her next words carefully. “I'm finding it hard to believe, but Charmayne grew up under pressure to be perfect, and she rebelled. As she got older, she strived harder to be the perfect daughter, the candidate, the public servant . . . she liked to be in control.”

Candace asked, “What if she reached a breaking point mentally? There are so many questions.”

Lenora twisted her hands. “Yes, there are a lot of questions, and maybe I'm just in denial.” That's what she told Candace, but Lenora felt strongly that another force was at work behind Charmayne's death.

Darnell had called her earlier that morning to let her know there was a considerable amount of alcohol in Charmayne's system. That meant the investigation would probably lean toward suicide via carbon monoxide poisoning as the final cause of death. It wasn't looking too good, and Lenora could only hope Darnell dug up something from the past or followed the leads from the threats.

There had to be evidence in Charmayne's home and her phone. What about the shoe prints by Charmayne's living-room window? Who did they belong to?

Lenora grabbed another tissue. “Candace, I appreciate you listening to me.”

Candace stood. “Please give me a call if you need to talk—anytime.”

Lenora also stood, and then walked around the desk. “I really want you to concentrate on your upcoming wedding, but I do ask that you keep us in your prayers.”

The two women hugged.

Lenora broke away from the hug and said, “Now, let's get your dress.” She walked Candace back down the small hallway to the dressing room. Dorothy grinned as they walked in and went to the other side to pick up the long white box. “Here you go.”

Candace wrapped her arms around the box. “Thank you, Dorothy. I can't wait to wear this. I will feel like a queen that day.”

Dorothy clapped her hands. “You certainly will.”

Lenora reveled in the joy on her friend's face. For some reason, she was reminded of Charmayne standing in the boutique, also holding the box containing her wedding dress. The dress that her complicated friend never wore.

There were so many questions.

Lenora willed the swirling questions to disappear from her mind. “Let me walk you out, Candace.”

As they approached the front of the store, Lenora heard the tiny bell on the boutique front door jingle. Dorothy must have taken the lock off the door because no one was supposed to be able to enter today. Lenora stopped in her tracks as she recognized the person who just entered her boutique.

Serena tore out of the parking lot, conscious that she had a potential madman watching her every move. She was no closer to figuring out what Lance Ryan hoped to gain by her pushing the story, but from what she interpreted, he'd spent some time around the Hudsons. In what capacity, she would dig into later.

To refocus her thoughts and gain a bit of the story's direction she found herself pulling up in front of Lenora's Bridal Boutique. Her gut told her to look more into Charmayne's death which was still very newsworthy. It appeared that Lenora came into work although there weren't many cars in the parking lot. Serena exited her SUV and looked around to make sure no one else had the same idea she had. It was public knowledge that Lenora had called in to 911 to report finding Charmayne. It was obvious the woman was in a garage with the car running.

When Serena arrived at the boutique's door, there was a closed sign, but the lights were on. She pushed the door, and to her surprise, it opened. As she entered the boutique, Serena felt a physical need to gag. A former romantic, the sight of all these wedding dresses only reminded her she had no happily ever after going on in her life.

Weddings were overrated. All that money people spent for one day. She was thankful that the two marriages she had were pretty much debt-free. Unfortunately, being battered by the first husband and cheated on by the second one had left her bitter. Serena only needed a man long enough to get what she wanted, and then she was done with him.

Still, like every other woman, she had wanted that fairy-tale wedding. She reached out to touch a formfitting gown covered in lace, but quickly jerked her hand away when she heard voices. She watched as Lenora and Candace Johnson approached. Lenora laughed, not looking grief-stricken at all.

Serena bit her lip as she observed Candace. She folded her arms and watched the two women laugh. Candace was holding a large white rectangular box that Serena guessed held a wedding dress.

She was happy for Darnell, and like her coworker, Wes, she thought both men had met special women. Women that she was nothing like at all. Despite her looks, Serena had always been a bit too abrasive and aggressive. It didn't take long for her to spoil any good thing that came her way.

Both women stopped at the sight of her. Serena quickly unfolded her arms and let her arms fall to her sides. She looked directly at Candace, who returned a cool stare. For a brief moment, Serena forgot she was happy for Darnell and remembered her very brief interaction with the hot detective. Obviously, Candace wasn't too happy to see her.

“How did you get in here?” Lenora frowned.

“The door was open.”

Lenora glared at her and walked over to the door to check the lock.

Serena took a deep breath and moved toward Candace. She pointed at the box. “Hello, Candace. I see you're about ready for the upcoming wedding. Congratulations.”

Candace's mouth turned up slightly. “Thank you, Serena. I hope you're doing well.”

“Always,” Serena responded back.

Candace leaned in. “Don't upset, Lenora. Please!”

Serena stepped back and let Candace pass by.

Candace walked toward Lenora. “I will see you at the rehearsal dinner next Friday.”

Lenora stopped fiddling with the lock and turned to her. “I'm so glad this dress worked out for you. You're going to be beautiful. I will check with the caterer about the rehearsal dinner.”

“I appreciate you. I may try to make it to the funeral on Wednesday. Take care of yourself. Don't run yourself down.” Candace glanced back at Serena, and then left.

Lenora locked the door, and then yanked on it. She turned around and walked back toward Serena.

Serena hadn't realized how tall the woman stood. She wasn't a shorty herself, but Lenora stood close to six feet in heels. It struck her how regal she appeared in the pants suit.

Lenora placed her hand on her hip. “This really isn't a good time, Ms. Manchester. I've been trying to dodge media all weekend. If I entertain at least one of your questions, can you leave a sister alone?”

Serena had never met or talked to Lenora Freeman before, but she had to admit she liked her no-nonsense attitude already. “I'm sorry to drop in on you like this, and I do appreciate your willingness to let me ask some questions. I really want to help the public get an understanding of Charmayne Hudson's untimely death.”

“Well, that may not be possible.” Lenora walked away.

Serena frowned and followed behind her. “Why do you say that?”

Lenora kept walking until she reached what seemed to be the office area in the back. “Because it's looking pretty obvious that she may have killed herself. At least that is what the police seem to want to conclude.”

Serena followed Lenora into an office. Lenora went behind the desk and glanced at her. Serena noticed a flicker of sadness appeared in Lenora's eyes. There was something else odd about the way Lenora looked away briefly.

Lenora continued to stand behind the desk, so Serena stood across from her. She noted Lenora didn't seem to know what to do with her hands as if she was calculating what to do or say. “Ms. Manchester, you know what? This really isn't a good time.”

“Serena. You can call me, Serena. I'm so sorry for appearing insensitive. I understand Charmayne was a friend and you found her. I know that has to be very traumatizing. I'm surprised you're here at work.”

“Yes, it has been, and it doesn't do me any good sitting around at home. I did that all weekend. What do you hope that I can help you with?”

“Well, I met Ms. Hudson last week, and she was very adamant about moving forward with the Hudson Housing Development. She wanted to honor her father's legacy. It has clearly been reported how she fought for this project only to run up against opposition at city hall.”

Lenora frowned. “Yes, she was dedicated. I don't understand why you need to talk to me. I really don't deal with politics. I knew Charmayne was passionate about being a public servant.”

“That's just it.” Serena decided to sit down in the seat. “I have a difficult time believing that this woman killed herself.”

Serena watched Lenora flinch. She watched as tears flooded her eyes. Lenora reached up to wipe the wetness away. She reached over for a tissue and sat down. “That's because she wouldn't have killed herself.”

Stunned, Serena tilted her head. “Let me get this right. You don't believe she committed suicide.”

Lenora continued to wipe the tears that escaped down her cheek. “The woman who I'd known most of my life didn't cave easily under difficulties. She was a fighter. Her dad was a fighter. I have unanswered questions that will haunt me forever. Now Ms. Manchester, this has been a difficult few days and I don't know if this conversation helped you, but I need some space. I will walk you out.”

Serena couldn't argue with the woman. While she appeared strong minutes ago, her resolve had crumpled. When they reached the front of the boutique, Serena said, “I'm really sorry for your loss. I do have one more question, and I promise you I will then leave you alone.”

Lenora eyed her like an irate schoolteacher.

Serena rushed forward with her next question. “Does your husband plan to take Charmayne Hudson's place on the city council? I heard that he planned to run.”

The grief displayed by Lenora was replaced with a hardened look as the woman narrowed her eyes. “As I told you before, I don't deal with politics, and I certainly won't share my husband's plans. That's for him to share. If you want to do justice to Charmayne in your story, please remember to acknowledge her work and passion for the community she grew up in and loved. Now I have to deal with some mile long to-do lists for upcoming weddings.”

Serena nodded and opened the front door. She heard the door lock after it closed. While their conversation was brief, she felt enough conviction in Lenora's voice to solidify her thoughts.

Before Serena could get to her car, she heard the patter of someone's shoes walking fast behind her. She spun around, fully expecting the madman from earlier to pounce on her, but instead, she was met by an older woman. The woman stopped and clutched her shirt.

“I'm sorry, child, I didn't mean to scare you. I just wanted to catch up with you before you left.” The older woman glanced over her shoulder at the boutique.

Serena took a deep breath to get her bearings back. She looked down at her hands and realized she was shaking. “Who are you?”

“I'm Dorothy. I work in the boutique as a seamstress. I'm sorry; I overheard some of your conversation with Lenora.”

Serena folded her arms and stepped forward. She towered over Dorothy, who was short and wide in girth. Serena couldn't tell the woman's age, but she eyed the jet-black hair. It wasn't a wig, so it seemed Dorothy spent a lot of time keeping the gray out of her hair. “Did you know Charmayne?”

Dorothy nodded. “I knew her most of her life. She and Lenora grew up together, and both attended Greater Heights Church.”

Serena made note. She remembered Lenora mentioning she had known Charmayne most of their lives. “How would you describe their friendship, or better yet, what did you think of Charmayne?”

“I can answer both of those questions. Lenora has always been the stable one, Charmayne while she was the PK, or preacher's kid, she couldn't help but get into trouble. Anyhow, I just really came out here to tell you, I agree with Lenora.”

“Agree?”

“That Charmayne wouldn't have killed herself. That girl loved life. Nothing fazed her.” Dorothy looked around like she expected a boogeyman to show up. She moved closer to Serena. “I think she got caught up in something she shouldn't have. The day she came here, I overheard her say to Lenora that she had been receiving threats.”

Serena widened her eyes and turned her attention back to the boutique. Now Lenora didn't mention that to her, although she could tell the woman was thinking carefully about her answers. “Do you know what kind of threats or who?”

Dorothy shook her head. “No, no, but I think someone needs to know. Lenora has always protected Charmayne. Growing up, Lenora's mother didn't care for her daughter being friends with Charmayne at all. I just feel bad for Lenora having to go through this. Anyway I need to go before she notices I'm out here talking to you.”

“Thank you, Dorothy. Um, can I call you or talk with you again?”

Dorothy hesitated. “I guess. I don't really have anything else to add. I just want people to stop bothering Lenora. I also think it would help if someone found out the truth. Then maybe Lenora won't feel so burdened by Charmayne's death.”

Serena watched the woman enter the boutique, and then headed to her vehicle. Once inside, she locked the doors and started the engine. So there was something suspicious about Charmayne Hudson's death. If the deceased city councilwoman was receiving threats, was blackmail involved? Lenora didn't share that information with her, but did she tell the police? Surely Detective Jackson was investigating.

Threats. A staged suicide. A possible murder.

Serena drove off thinking about the man who brought this story to her a few weeks ago. She could visualize Lance Ryan playing a role. How and why, she didn't know, but that was what she was determined to find out.