The Graves of the Guilty (Hope Street Church Mysteries Book 3) (30 page)

Cooper smiled as she took note of her mother’s church outfit. Maggie wore a peach pantsuit, a string of pearls, and a pair of black, knee-high rubber boots. “You look so pretty, Mama, right down to your boots. And here I am, still in my jammies. If you’d come up here ten minutes ago you’d have found me dead asleep.”

Maggie shuddered. “Don’t you use words like that today, sugar. Your mama simply can’t take it.” She dabbed her eyes, sniffed, and then enfolded Cooper into a warm embrace. “Your daddy snuck in here around ten this mornin’. I made him come up, just to see if you needed anythin’. He said you were gettin’ what you needed most and I guess he was right.”

“What on earth did you bring?” Cooper pointed at the bags. “It’s only me.” She watched with interest as her mother spooned three-cheese macaroni onto a plate and then added a small mound of peas. “You make a dent in this while I brew coffee.”

Cooper dug into the macaroni and sighed with pleasure as she chewed the butter-soft, creamy noodles topped with a crisp cheese crust. “Just what the doctor ordered. What’s in the other bag?”

“Cookies,” Maggie answered as she dumped measured tablespoons of coffee into Cooper’s machine. “Three dozen Magnolia’s Marvels Comfort Cookies.”

“Yum. I haven’t had those in ages. I think the last time you made them was after Drew broke up with me.” Cooper speared peas with her fork, thinking of how wonderful it felt to not experience even the slightest pang of sadness when she thought of her ex. Now that she had Nathan, Drew had become a distant memory. “But three dozen? I won’t fit into my jeans!”

Shredding a piece of chicken breast for Moses and Miriam, Maggie laughed. “They’re not
all
for you! Your friends are cornin’ over after church. I begged them to get here in time for a meal, but they insisted it’d only be a brief visit.” She touched Cooper on the cheek. “They just need to see you with their own eyes and listen to your story, I suppose. We were so grateful to Nathan for fillin’ us in last night. Otherwise, we’d have been pacin’ the boards until dawn.”

Cooper’s food stuck in her throat. “I’m sorry. I never meant for you to worry.”

Maggie sat down at the table and took her daughter’s hands in her own. “When you love somebody and they’ve made a narrow escape from a real danger, you want to hold them so bad it hurts.” She smiled through her tears. “So you hug those folks hard when they get here, because they truly love you. You’ve some fine friends, Cooper, and a real keeper in Nathan Dexter.”

Nodding, Cooper said, “I know that now. And I promise, Mama, I’ll never make the mistake of forgetting that again.”

“Good.” Satisfied, Maggie patted her hand and stood, smoothing the wrinkles from her pants. “I’ll see you for supper.” She hesitated at the door. “And Grammy wants me to tell you that no matter what nonsense you got up to yesterday, you still have to take Columbus out for his walk.”

She left to the sound of Cooper’s laughter.

20

A few weeks later, the members of the Sunrise Bible Study met at LifeWay to peruse the large selection of studies. It was Nathan’s turn to choose and each member tried to influence his decision.

“Let’s do
Experiencing God
,” Savannah suggested. “I’ve heard it’s life-changing.”

“We haven’t done an Elizabeth George study yet,” Trish piped up, patting her striking houndstooth turban. “I think we should alternate between male and female authors.”

Bryant pretended to jab her in the ribs. “I have the perfect study right here. It’s called
The Peacemaker
.” He sighed. “I need to teach Jane’s kids a little conflict resolution. I’m not used to all the noise and the violence that defines sibling rivalry. I’m glad I’m an only child.”

Jake came forward with his choice. “I vote for
God’s Answers to Life’s Difficult Questions.
Kind of sums it all up, doesn’t it?” He glanced at Savannah with a smile. Sensing that he was looking at her, Savannah smiled back.

“How about this one?” Quinton thrust his choice on top of Jake’s. “This study teaches people how to get out of debt, invest, and decide what portion of your income should go to charity. Doesn’t that sound fascinating?”

“To a money man like yourself!” Jake exclaimed and placed his workbook back on the top of the pile in Nathan’s arms. “I’m a plumber with a mortgage. I’ll always have debt, and it’s easy to decide what to give away, because there isn’t much left over at the end of the month to dither about.”

“Well, Cooper?” Nathan grinned. “Do you have anything to add to this debate?”

She shook her head. “It’s your turn to choose. I’m sure whatever you pick will be great.”

Jake rolled his eyes. “If you don’t have an opinion, then side with me.”

“No!” Trish countered. “She’ll vote for the female author, I just know it. We girls need to stick together.”

Nathan halted the argument before it could get off the ground. “I’ve made up my mind. Now, let’s go out for pancakes!”

“Good!” Bryant slapped his hands together. “I’m ready for a short stack smothered in boysenberry syrup.”

• • •

Later, after the seven friends were seated at IHOP’s biggest table, Bryant held out a folded copy of the morning’s paper. “I see the trial against the Ivanovich siblings is well under way.” He looked at Cooper with apprehension. “Will you have to testify?”

She nodded. “Yes. Even though Rich Johnson heard most of what Alek said that day in the dealership’s file room, I’m a more objective witness. Both of us telling the same story should influence the jury.”

“What about your sister?” Savannah asked.

“Luckily, Ashley was out of the room when Edward was shot. She also missed most of the key statements. Lincoln doesn’t want her to appear in court, so they hired a lawyer and Ashley’s testimony will be a written statement instead.”

Trish seemed stunned by this announcement. “Wouldn’t the Loves want to do anything in their power to ensure those two are found guilty?”

“Believe me, Ashley wants to do her part, but she really needs to avoid unnecessary stress right now,” Cooper explained. “Like I said, it’s health-related.”

“Oh.” Trish’s expression became sympathetic. “I hope it’s nothing serious.”

Touching her friend’s hand, Cooper replied, “Nothing that can’t be treated by rest and a careful awareness of her body’s limits. Thank you for being concerned.”

Trish smiled and shrugged. “I almost wore a wig to meet you today, but every time I pick up the one with the long red hair, I picture Jake as Barbarella! If Ashley gets down, just send our two desperate housewives over to her place.”

“You’re more dashing in a turban, Trish,” Savannah said. “I can’t see you clearly, but I can tell that you’re wearing bright colors and sharp patterns. I can spot you more easily this way.”

The waitress arrived with a carafe of coffee and topped off everyone’s cups.

“Speaking of finding,” Quinton said once she’d left. “Did anyone track down those two women the prosecution needed for the trial? Maria and Nina?”

Nathan spoke up. “Unfortunately, no. Discovering their whereabouts is complicated because Maria’s used several fake names since she’s been in the States. Nina went by her real name, but she used a falsified employment history to get her job at the DMV, so she’s also hard to track.” He emptied a sugar packet into his coffee cup. “From what I read in the paper last week, the Mexican authorities are participating in the search, but finding two women in a big country within a month’s time can’t be easy.”

“And Edward? How’s he doing?” Jake asked, his glance keen as two waitresses appeared with their food.

“He’s back on his feet,” Cooper said. “At least that’s what Investigator McNamara told me. I haven’t talked to Edward since that day.” She thanked the waitress, who’d handed her a plate filled with scrambled eggs, bacon, and hash browns. “I’ve tried to call him, but his cell phone number is defunct. I think he’s lying low until he testifies on Monday. I’m supposed to go in then, too, so maybe we’ll get a chance to talk.”

Bryant raised the newspaper again. “According to this reporter, the prosecution has a strong case. From what I hear around the station, the informants Edward dug up combined with the paperwork trail you found have given the good guys the extra edge they needed to seal the deal.”

“Let’s pray that comes to pass,” Savannah said with feeling. The Sunrise members bowed their heads as she spoke grace and then devoted their full attention to their meal.

After a few minutes of hearty chewing and the passing of salt, pepper, and various flavors of pancake syrup, Quinton laid down his fork and leaned forward. “Not to keep dwelling on the case,” he whispered. “But how was the heroin brought into this country?”

Because Cooper’s mouth was full, Nathan answered. “Hidden compartments built into used cars. The cars came from the Ivanovich dealership in Kiev and were sold here dirt cheap for their parts. Some government agency seized the last incoming shipment and found the drugs. I can’t remember which one because so many agencies are involved in this case. The DEA, INS, local law enforcement—it’s a potpourri of guys with guns and badges. Anyway, it was a timely bust for the prosecution.”

“I’ll say!” Jake exclaimed as he carved into a stack of fluffy pancakes covered in whipped cream and strawberries. “I just wish we could have been more help.”

“You are always with me, no matter what I do,” Cooper assured him gently. “Remember, this whole thing started in my sister’s garage and the criminals were operating out of my brother-in-law’s dealership. For some reason, I was meant to handle this challenge.” She shot Nathan a quick smile. “I think I had to go through this ordeal in order to understand what’s most important in my life. Now I can check that off my list and get back to normal.”

Bryant grunted. “And what’s normal?”

Cooper slung her arm around Trish. “Trish kicking cancer’s butt, my sister listening to her doctor’s counsel, this court case concluding with a long jail sentence for Alek and Albion, peace in the eastern part of the city, and the seven of us starting a new study.”

“Oh, that’s all, eh?” Jake laughed. “No peace on earth and goodwill toward men?”

“I’m always hoping for that,” Cooper said and threw a sugar packet at Jake.

“Amen!” Savannah shouted and several of the other diners turned and smiled.

• • •

After a long run in the country, in which the sharp March air infused Cooper with a sense of renewed vigor and health, she prepared to feast on yet another large meal. Lincoln, Ashley, and Nathan were joining the Lees for supper. The next day, Cooper would have to appear in court.

“I’d like a few minutes in the limelight before Cooper Lee becomes a household name in this city,” Ashley had said over the phone earlier in the day. “And you’re sure you haven’t let the cat out of the bag to Mama?”

“I haven’t told a soul!” Cooper had protested. “Not even Nathan. And you’re not allowed to get worked up, remember? You’re supposed to spend the next seven and a half months in a state of calm.”

Ashley had issued a heavy sigh. “I hate being a high-risk pregnancy. I don’t mind sitting around or eating a balanced diet or the frequent doctor’s visits, but I mind the fear. Every day I wake up half expecting that something horrible has happened during the night.”

“You’re going to be a great mother,” Cooper had said by way of comfort. “Just focus on the present. The future will take care of itself”

“Thanks, Coop.” Ashley’s voice was bright once more. “See you tonight!”

After her run, Cooper changed into jeans and a warm wool sweater and parka and escorted Grammy and Columbus out to the field so the hawk could grab himself a late-afternoon snack.

“This is his favorite time to hunt,” Grammy said. “Day’s meltin’ into evening and all the critters are scramblin’ to get home. Not all of them will make it back, though, hee hee.”

Cooper put an arm around her grandmother. It was always a shock to be reminded of Grammy’s fragility—her thin frame was made of light bones, her sharp shoulder blades, and her tiny hands. For a moment, the sun lit her white hair, infusing it with touches of gold, and Cooper caught a glimpse of the young woman who still lived inside her grandmother’s aged face.

“I love you, Grammy.” Cooper squeezed the petite body and caught a whiff of baby powder and lavender.

“Nearly dyin’ makes you awful sentimental, Granddaughter.” Grammy scowled, though her cheeks flushed with pleasure. “Try to keep your nose out of these kinds of messes or you’re going to sound like one of those
Chicken Soup
books.”

Just then, the sound of a car on the gravel driveway alerted the two women that Ashley and Lincoln had arrived. Cooper and Grammy waited patiently for Columbus to devour the rodent he’d captured during his outing, and then turned back toward the house.

Another set of tires rolling over the layer of gray-blue rocks announced Nathan, and by the time Cooper had returned Columbus to his cage and helped Grammy out of her coat, everyone had assembled in the kitchen.

Ashley was beaming. Cooper had never seen her sister look so beautiful. Her skin was radiant, her hair was a bright blonde halo, and her blue eyes sparkled like a pair of Caribbean lagoons. She carried a light blue gift bag stuffed with tissue paper in her right hand.

“What’s in the bag?” Grammy asked as she got settled at the large farm table. “Is it somebody’s birthday?”

Cooper looked from face to face and willed the next few moments to move slowly. Her parents were standing side by side, their shoulders touching as they waited for their younger daughter to speak. Lincoln had his arm around Ashley’s waist and was glowing every bit as much as his wife. Nathan stood in the middle of the two couples wearing a nervous smile.

“I hope not,” he spoke to Grammy in a loud whisper. “Because I didn’t bring anything.”

Grammy responded by pinching his cheek.

“We have an announcement to make!” Ashley declared as though Grammy and Nathan hadn’t said a word. She handed Maggie the gift bag. “Open it, Mama.”