Justice at Dawn

by Valerie Massey Goree

  In the center of the room, Dad stood. “Welcome everyone. Let’s begin with prayer.”

  Dad’s husky voice always had the ability to calm and encourage her. KC allowed his words to minister to her soul.

  After a time of praise, Brian Jackson, a longtime attendee presented the lesson. “Please turn to Proverbs chapter twenty-six. I’ll read verses eighteen and nineteen.” He paused as pages rustled. “‘Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, ‘I was only joking!’”

  Convicted! KC squirmed. Could Brian read her mind? Hands tightly clasped, she soaked in the preacher’s words.

  Twenty-five minutes later, Demetrius sang the Doxology to conclude the service, his deep baritone in stark contrast to his soft speaking voice. I love him so much.

  People milled about the living room and kitchen while KC and her sister-in-law, Vivian, arranged the catered food on the long dining table. They had a hard time convincing Mom to let others prepare the feast, and even now had to shoo her out of the kitchen.

  “I want to help,” she said.

  “How about pouring tea and punch. Vivian already has ice in the cups.” KC pointed to the sideboard where the beverages were set up.

  While the house echoed with chatter, laughter, and children’s squeals, KC set bowls filled with potato salad next to the pinto beans and arranged the green salad beside platters laden with brisket, sausage, and chicken. She inhaled a deep breath. Nothing could match the enticing aroma of smoky barbeque.

  Every time the front door opened, she checked to see if Coop had arrived. Even after the guests filled their plates and sat outside on the shaded back patio or in the living room with TV trays, she kept watch.

  All to no avail.

  She’d been avoiding George, but after collecting empty plates and dumping them in the trashcan set against the far fence, he sneaked up behind her and tapped her shoulder.

  “Hey, kid. Have you found out anything yet?”

  She spun around. “No. I’ve only been there a day and a half.” KC twisted her charm bracelet. “I don’t think I can go through with it.”

  “Why not?”

  “Didn’t you listen to Brian’s sermon? I don’t want to deceive my neighbor. Or my boss.”

  As tall as KC, George held her gaze. “But you won’t be deceiving anyone. You’ll still do agenty things while you research—”

  “That’s not the point. I’m joining IRO under false pretenses.”

  “Mom said you went on an assignment yesterday. Did you do your job?”

  She flexed her stiff fingers. How could she forget? “Yes.”

  “Well, then. Do what you’re told, and when you get a chance, you can take care of the other business.”

  “Daddy, daddy.” Little five-year-old Pricilla tugged at George’s hand. “Naomi won’t play with me.”

  KC took advantage of the distraction and headed to a blanket spread on the lawn where she sat with legs outstretched. She jiggled the rattle left behind by Tanya, Brian’s wife, when she carried their baby inside. David took this as an invitation to perch on her knees. She bounced him up and down, and soon Pricilla and Naomi had to have a turn. Almost kept her from watching for Coop and thinking about deceiving the people at IRO.

  The tame game morphed into a wrestling match, which only ended when Mom called from the kitchen door.

  “Dessert’s ready. We have pies, brownies, and ice cream.”

  The kids skedaddled inside, along with the other guests.

  KC, sprawled on the blanket, yanked her straight skirt down to her knees. Good thing Mom didn’t see me tussling with the kids while wearing a dress. Not that she displayed too much skin, but the mere fact she hadn’t shown decorum would have elicited a tsk-tsk. She traced the climbing rose tattoo over the scar on her left shin.

  “Hi, KC. Your mother said I’d find you out here.”

  Coop.

  Hours waiting for him but now all she could think of was her conversation with George. She might as well have ‘Deceiver’ tattooed on her forehead. Her cheeks burned as she bent her knees and tucked her legs to the side. Of course, Coop would show up at that particular moment. With her legs at an awkward angle, she couldn’t rise without her skirt hitching up. “Hello.”

  He stood in front of her, hands low on his hips. “And I didn’t even use the stop sign.”

  “What?”

  “That’s the first time you’ve spoken only one word to me.”

  Gabbing too much was not high on her priory list right now. How could she stand without embarrassing herself? In slacks, she’d have jumped up the instant he arrived. She got to her knees, but if she set one foot on the grass, way too much leg would show. Wearing three-inch heels didn’t help either. If he’d move, she could make it since there was no one else outside. She glanced at him in time to see a smile disappear. Uh-huh. He knew she was in a predicament. Why’d she wear a tight dress and heels anyway? To impress Coop? More heat infused her face. Swallow your pride. “Please help me.” She extended her hand, only one finger remained taped.

  “I thought you’d never ask.”

  He pulled her up as if she weighed as little as her niece.

  Brushing bits of grass off her skirt, she said, “Thanks.”

  “All in a day’s work. Rescuing damsels in distress is my specialty.”

  “IRO works in fairytale land too, I see.”

  “Yes. We also battle ogres and trolls.” Crinkle lines formed at the corners of his eyes. His smile softened the contours of his face.

  Dressed in khaki slacks and a fitted brown shirt, his tall, solid presence so close to her did a number on her heart rate and body temperature.

  “Whew, it’s hot out here.” KC fanned her face. “I’m glad you made it. Would you like to eat? There’s plenty of food.”

  “No, thank you. I came by to meet your family. Which I’ve done, all without your help.”

  “No fair. I expected you much earlier.”

  “I would have been here an hour ago, but I had to polish my suit of armor.”

  She burst out laughing. “Sir Coop. No, no. Sir Callahan. Has a nice ring.” Suddenly tongue-tied and loaded with guilt, KC picked up the blanket and shook it. She draped it over a chair. Twirled her bracelet. Played with her earring.

  “You have a great family. Very interesting.”

  “Yes, I do.” Enough silliness. “Let’s sit on the patio. I doubt we’ll be able to hear each other inside.”

  Settled in a lawn chair, she made sure her skirt reached her knees. Mom might step out any minute. “Did you meet everyone?”

  “Except the kids.”

  “They’ll probably be back out as soon as the ice cream’s finished.”

  “I admire your folks for adopting three children.”

  KC’s pulse sped up. She huffed out a breath. Twenty years and the pain of knowing that a woman who carried her for nine months couldn’t or wouldn’t raise her still stung. But she didn’t have to stay there. Just skim the surface, for now. “Yeah, when my parents married, they decided since they were of different races, they’d adopt babies of mixed birth. They changed their minds when they found out that older kids were often overlooked. Isn’t it great they took us instead?”

  “Yes. Your mother is cute. Redheaded, freckles.”

  “And she talks a mile-a-minute. That’s where I get my chattiness from. People say George and I could pass for blood siblings. Tall, same color eyes. And we both kinda look like our dad.”

  “I can see that.”

  “If I ever get married, that’s what I want to do.”

  Confusion clouded his face.

  She added, “Adopt kids. Lots of kids.”

  “If?”

  She waved a hand as if brushing away an insect. “Long story.”

  The screen door banged open. A troop of children swarmed out, each intent on bellowing the loudest.

  Good opportunity to change the subject. “The girls in yel
low dresses are my nieces. Pricilla is five, and Naomi seven. Mom prefers girls to wear dresses, so we oblige when we visit, particularly on Sundays.” She rolled her eyes. No sense deluding herself. Pleasing Mom was only one of her reasons for wearing a dress today.

  “And your nephew?”

  She searched the mass of moving bodies. “The little guy trying to climb on the bench. David is four. Why so interested?”

  Coop shrugged. “I miss my family. Wish we lived closer.”

  “Sorry, Coop.” She glanced at him as he stared off into the distance.

  “That only leaves Demetrius. He’s a big guy. What does he do for a living?”

  “You’d think something requiring his strength. But he’s an elementary school principal.”

  “Strength of a different ilk. Heart and soul. I’m sure his students love and respect him.”

  How could Coop know that? “You’re right. He’s been awarded Principal of the Year twice. I call him Bear.”

  “As in Teddy?”

  “No. As in Kodiak. Demetrius, dear man, is soft-spoken, but as big and dark as a bear.”

  Coop’s phone rang. And rang. Finally, he checked the screen. “It’s Bowen.”

  KC’s heart sank. Had Bowen changed his mind? Why did she automatically expect rejection? She stood and walked to the edge of the patio.

  Coop’s expression grim, he rose and approached her. “Bowen has accepted a new case, an emergency assignment. I hate to take you away from your family celebration, but he wants to see us both.”

  Not fired yet.

  But then, her stomach knotted. Why did Bowen want to see her?

  7

  Bowen called again before Cooper reached the highway. He activated the hands-free device.

  “Don’t bother coming to the office. The situation requires your immediate response. I’ll text KC the client’s address. Here’s the deal. Edith Appleby’s son has been diagnosed with aplastic anemia. He found out today that no one in the immediate family is a bone marrow match. Edith wants us to locate her estranged daughter, Mary Dawson, to see if she’ll consent to be tested. A few more details—ooh, there’s that pain again.” Bowen paused and huffed out a breath. “Edith is sixty-eight years old, has multiple sclerosis, and is under hospice care.”

  “We’re on our way.” Cooper shared the details with KC.

  She set her phone to provide verbal directions to Edith’s apartment.

  During the drive, he answered KC’s rapid-fire questions about IRO and her co-workers. More than once he wished he’d brought his stop sign, but, in the end, gave her full reign. After all, the more she knew, the more she’d fit in.

  “Will this type of assignment require intensive online research?”

  “Yes. We have a great IT department. In fact, Sadie, Bowen’s wife, is the head of our program. She developed new software to enhance our search engines.”

  Straightening in the seat, KC whistled. “Talented. Will she conduct my tech training?”

  “No. She works part-time right now. Her assistant, Gabe Sanchez, will. He’s a whiz.”

  “Oh.” She sounded disappointed. “It’s interesting that both Bowen and Sadie work for IRO. Is that where they met?”

  “Sort of.” Their history was no secret. “Sadie was a client. She’d been in the Federal Witness protection program, and when her identity was compromised, Bowen was the agent who protected her.”

  “Awww, how sweet.”

  “Bowen was also instrumental in finding Sadie’s daughter. The daughter she thought was dead.”

  “No kidding. Do tell.”

  Cooper followed KC’s instructions and turned on to Kettner Boulevard, their high-rise destination looming to the right. “Before Sadie was admitted to WITSEC, her husband and then four-year-old daughter were killed in a car accident. Or so she thought. Three years later, her brother-in-law saw a child who resembled Hannah, and with IRO’s help, the bad guys were imprisoned, Hannah was returned to Sadie, and she resumed her former identity.”

  “Cool.” KC beamed. “That’s what I want to do. Create satisfying outcomes for people.”

  “Not all our cases have happy endings.” Cooper entered the packed parking garage and searched for an open spot.

  “I’m sure. But at least you try. Right?”

  “Certainly.”

  “What about the baby?”

  “Baby?”

  “In the photographs on Bowen’s desk.”

  On the top floor, a sedan reversed out of a corner space. Cooper squeezed his heavy-duty pickup into it and set the parking brake. “Sadie and Bowen married several months after Hannah was found. She’s now nine, I think, and their son, Zach, was born, um, six, seven months ago.”

  “I can’t wait to meet Sadie.” KC opened her door, but Cooper’s large vehicle was too close to the neighboring car. “I can’t squeeze through this small space.”

  “Climb over the console.”

  “You’re no help, Coop.”

  “Do you want me to back out?”

  “No, I’ll manage. Close your eyes.”

  Next thing he knew, she prodded him in the back.

  “Hold my shoes, please.”

  The tan, pointy things had deadly spikes for heels. How could she walk on them?

  “Are your eyes closed?”

  He nodded and stepped away from his door. She grunted, muttered under her breath, then tapped his arm.

  “OK, shoes please.” She slipped them on her feet and walked ahead of him. “That’s the last time I’m wearing this dress. Why’d I think I could pull off a straight skirt anyway? And heels? No more.”

  Smiling, Cooper followed her to the elevators. She kept up the stream of negatives until she punched the up button. Meanwhile, he admired how the straight skirt hugged her body and the way her slim hips—

  Take a breath, Cooper.

  He studied his boots all the way up to the eighth floor, and then made sure he either walked next to, or ahead of her as they navigated the hallway to Edith’s apartment.

  A nurse, clad in floral scrubs, opened the door to his knock.

  He displayed his credentials. “Agent Cooper Callahan, and KC Briggs, from IRO. We’re here at Mrs. Appleby’s request.”

  “Good afternoon. She said they would be sending an agent. I’m Nikki Holt and please call her Edith. This way.”

  They followed Nikki to the living room where a silver-haired woman sat in a wheelchair facing the large window.

  Nikki settled in the armchair next to Edith and patted her arm. “These are the people Mr. Bodine sent.”

  Edith attempted a smile. One side of her face seemed paralyzed. “Thank you.” She dabbed a tissue to her mouth. “Sorry. Words get…hard time talking.” Edith pointed a bony finger to the coffee table.

  The nurse handed Cooper a folder. “Edith dictated this information. Please read it and see if you need any more details.”

  “Thanks.” Cooper accepted the folder, removed a page and scanned it. Daughter’s name. Date and place of birth. Last known address and phone number. Occupation—math teacher. “When did you last see Mary?” He glanced at Edith, but she nodded toward the nurse.

  “Six years ago,” Nikki said. “I’ve worked with Edith a long time, first as a home health provider, and now as a day nurse with hospice. Over the years, she told me a lot about her family.”

  “Has anyone checked to see if Mary uses social media?”

  “Yes. Vince, Edith’s son, tried all that. If she has a presence, she’s not using her real name. But we know Mary’s moved. All mail addressed to her has been returned.”

  Cooper jotted down the facts.

  KC crossed her legs. “What happened to cause the rift?”

  Edith slowly turned to KC, and a gleam brightened her pale eyes. She pointed to KC’s shin. “Pretty.” The woman pawed at Nikki and then at her own blouse.

  The nurse drew the pink fabric back from Edith’s shoulder and exposed a faded rose tattoo.

  �
�Your ink is pretty, too. We have good taste.” KC smiled as Edith bobbed her head.

  “Due to Edith’s condition, she made out her will after her husband passed away. Mary felt it favored her brother.” Nikki jutted her chin to the far wall. “Those pieces of art are the culprits.”

  Two beautiful landscapes mounted beside each other commanded the entire wall. Since Cooper knew little about art or artists, he had no idea why someone would maintain a family feud over a couple of paintings.

  A sad expression crossed Edith’s face. Maybe she regretted the part the pictures had played in the rift.

  On her feet, KC examined the works. “These are magnificent. I’d say some of Robert S. Duncanson’s best landscapes.” She studied one more thoroughly then shrugged and sat.

  “Pride…j-j-joy.” Edith’s head bobbed again.

  Was KC’s general knowledge limitless? Cooper lassoed the conversation back to the daughter. “Is there anything else you can tell us about Mary to help us locate her?”

  Edith shook her head. “Find, please.” Tears trickled down her cheeks. “For Vince.”

  “I have a photo for you.” Nikki left the room and returned seconds later with an eight by ten headshot. “According to Edith, this was taken about ten years ago.”

  “You’ve provided the info we need. It shouldn’t take long for our tech folks to find Mary. Do you want us to tell her why you’re looking for her?”

  “Yes.” Edith dabbed her eyes and hung her head, shoulders shaking.

  Nikki stood and soothed her patient. “Can you show yourselves out, please?”

  “Sure. I’ll be in touch as soon as we make contact. Good-bye, Edith.” Cooper slid the photo into the folder and headed toward the door.

  “God bless, Edith. I’ll pray for your son, and your reunion with Mary.” KC waved to the client and stepped into the hall.

  As they approached the elevators, she yanked on Cooper’s sleeve. “The paintings are fake.”

  He halted. “What?”

  “Yup.”

  KC surprised him at every turn.

  The elevator door dinged open, and they entered the crowded space.

  “Tell me about the pictures when we’re alone.”