Fate of the Fallen

by Ellery Adams

  “Well, did you hear that Daddy got a new camera?”

  “That’s fun! He can take pictures of Hannah!”

  “It was stolen out of my truck.”

  Ashley made a sad face. “That’s terrible, Coop . . . Although now that you mention your truck, I think Mama did tell me something. Somebody smashed your window, right? And ran over some poor man in the street?”

  Cooper explained the whole situation as Ashley slowly ate her leftovers, relishing every bite.

  “Wow! What a horrible night! But you said you’d been at a festival all day. Was that fun, at least?”

  Cooper couldn’t help but chuckle.

  “What?” Ashley asked. “Did I say something funny?”

  “You really haven’t talked to Mama and Daddy much, have you?”

  Ashley dropped her fork. “Oh, no. What happened at the festival?”

  For the next half hour, Cooper filled her sister in on Sinclair’s murder, the hunt for a suspect, and Christine’s arrest. Ashley’s eyes grew wider at each piece of information, until Cooper was sure they couldn’t possibly open any more.

  “Christine should be released later today,” Cooper concluded. “And then we can focus on finding who actually killed Sinclair, unless Kenneth’s wrong and it was suicide. That’s what’s been happening lately.”

  Ashley choked down a piece of chicken that had been sitting in her mouth for several minutes while she’d listened, too enthralled to chew and swallow. “I’ve missed so much!”

  “Yes, but what you’ve been doing is so much more gratifying than what I’ve been doing. I envy that, just a little bit.”

  “One of these days you’ll have a little one of your own.” Ashley tickled Hannah, eliciting a grin. “Then our kids can get together on Sunday afternoons and play, while we eat lunch together and discuss the latest news. Can’t you just picture it?”

  Cooper’s heart nearly broke. She swallowed back her tears. “Say . . .” she began, looking for some way to change the subject. “Do you know who Grammy’s friend is?”

  “What friend?”

  “The one who picked her up yesterday morning and didn’t bring her home until after supper.”

  “Maybe. It’s probably someone from her church. What did she look like?”

  Cooper shook her head. “Not a she. A he.”

  A devious little smile spread on Ashley’s face. “A he friend? She got herself a man? Go, Grammy!”

  “I take it you don’t know him.”

  Ashley leaned forward, resting her elbows on the counter. “Tell me everything.”

  “I don’t have much to tell, unfortunately. I was hoping you might know something. All I know is that he has white hair, and they were gone all day. When Grammy came home, she hurried off to her room, so I didn’t get a chance to talk to her.”

  “That is curious. Did you ask Mama and Daddy?”

  “They said that Grammy isn’t their teenaged daughter, so they don’t keep track of her schedule, and it’s her business, not theirs.”

  “That’s silly.” Ashley waved her hand in the air, as if brushing aside their comments.

  “I agree. She’s our grammy, after all. Shouldn’t we be concerned?”

  “I doubt that we need to be concerned, but we do need to find out what’s going on. If Mama and Daddy don’t know, then it’s up to us. Keep your ears open, and if you hear anything, give me a call. I’ll do the same.” Ashley took her empty plate to the sink and rinsed it. “Speaking of older men, did I tell you what happened at church last week?”

  For the next hour, Ashley and Cooper’s conversation ranged in topic from church to politics and from men to jobs. Cooper mostly listened, trying to work up the courage to tell Ashley about the possibly life-changing opportunity in her immediate future. Meanwhile, she was glad to know that Ashley was happily part of a committee again, this time helping the church-run shelter. Ashley had friends and confidantes aplenty. Knowing that would make leaving a little easier.

  They moved out to the living room, and Ashley continued to talk. She said that Lincoln was doing well at work, cutting back on his hours as much as possible to spend more time with family.

  Finally, Ashley asked, “So how are wedding plans progressing?”

  “Slowly,” Cooper replied. “But they’re coming along. I’ll be dragging you with me to go dress shopping one of these days.”

  Ashley clapped. “Yay! And how are post-wedding plans? Where are you going for your honeymoon? And what are you gonna do after you’re married? Will you move into his place or will you find a new house?”

  Cooper hesitated.

  Ashley continued. “Not that there’s anything wrong with the house he has, of course. But he’s lived there for a few years, so it might be nice if the two of you bought a place together. That way it won’t be his house. It’ll belong to both of you.”

  Cooper drew in a deep breath. “Ashley, you have to swear you won’t tell a soul.”

  Ashley’s face lit up. “You’re pregnant!”

  “No!” Cooper shot her sister a dirty look. “I am not pregnant. We’re waiting until we’re married for . . . for that.”

  “Sorry, sorry. I just thought that maybe . . .”

  Before Ashley could finish her statement, Cooper said, “Nathan got a job offer. It’s a secret. I shouldn’t be telling you, but I just have to talk to someone about it.”

  “Coop, that’s great! I thought he liked doing his freelance work, but if he got a good offer, then go for it!”

  “It’s in California.”

  Ashley’s excitement subsided. “California? As in . . . that state on the opposite side of the country?”

  “That’s the general location.”

  “Then, for heaven’s sake, don’t go for it!”

  Cooper shook her head. “I need some serious advice, sis.”

  Ashley thought for a moment. “Is he actually thinking of taking it?”

  Cooper stared down at Hannah, who was drifting off to sleep in her arms. The baby nuzzled close to her and yawned. At least with Hannah sleeping on her, Cooper couldn’t cry; she couldn’t risk waking her niece. “The employer wants to fly him out for a trial run,” Cooper said quietly. “It’ll last a few months. Nathan wants us to use that time to find someplace to live and start planning a new life together in L.A.”

  “Are you saying that Nathan just went ahead and made the decision? Because that’s abominable!” Ashley clapped her hand over her mouth, realizing she was speaking too loudly. She watched Hannah. When the baby didn’t stir, Ashley relaxed. “He should have talked to you before he accepted!”

  “He did, Ashley. He’s waiting for me to tell him what I think . . . And by the way, I think abominable is a bit strong.”

  “Do you really want to leave Richmond? Do you want to move across the country, away from your family? Away from your friends?”

  “Of course not!” Cooper began to rock back and forth with Hannah. “I don’t want to go. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I don’t want to leave this place. Richmond is home. It’s my family’s home.” She carefully stood with Hannah and began to pace, continually bouncing the baby in her arms. “But this is a huge opportunity for Nathan. He’s so excited. I can’t be the one who holds him back, who keeps him from his dreams. He’d resent me, and I wouldn’t blame him for that.”

  “Then what will you do? Do you still want to get married?”

  “I’m not calling off my wedding.”

  “All right. You still want to marry Nathan.”

  “Yes. I want to marry him and spend our lives together . . . here in Richmond. I want our kids and your kids to be best friends and play together on Sunday afternoons while we gossip. I want Grammy to spoil our dogs. I want to be able to see a display case of Magnolia’s Marvels cookies at the store and tell everyone that Magnolia is my mama.”

  Ashley rested her chin on her fist. “If you want to marry Nathan, but you don’t want to leave, then there’s not much cho
ice. Cooper, you have to tell him you don’t want him to take the job.”

  She felt ill. “How can I do that? I don’t want to stop him from seizing this opportunity. The day will come when it won’t be easy to take chances; I know that. We’ll have kids and a mortgage, and we’ll want to know for certain where that next paycheck is coming from and where it’s going. If he doesn’t do this now, he may not get another chance. He might regret it forever.”

  “I see your point.” Ashley quietly scurried down the hallway and returned with a pad of paper and a pencil.

  “If you have something to say, you can tell me to my face. You don’t have to write me a memo.”

  “No, silly! We’re going to make a list of pros and cons. That way, when you figure out what to say to Nathan, you can back up your point with concise, thoughtful statements.”

  Cooper was impressed. “Not a bad idea, sis. When did you get so smart?”

  “After a few years of marriage and a few big fights that turned out to be total miscommunication, you eventually learn how to talk to men so they understand you. You just have to streamline what you’re saying.”

  Cooper laughed. “I’ll go put Hannah down in her crib. Then we’ll work on streamlining.”

  They talked for two more hours. All of Cooper’s fears and doubts rose to the surface, and they mixed with her tears as she poured out her heart to Ashley. She’d known she needed to talk with someone, but she hadn’t realized just how badly she’d needed to. Ashley, for her part, offered all the support and encouragement Cooper could possibly ask for.

  They never actually got around to filling in the pro and con columns on paper, but by the time the hum of the garage door signaled Lincoln’s return, Cooper had found a much-needed peace. And something told her that when she saw Nathan again, she’d know what to say to him.

  With a grateful hug to Ashley and a soft kiss on Hannah’s forehead, Cooper left for Nathan’s to celebrate Christine’s release. She drove to his house, expecting to find him, Christine, and the entire Bible study group waiting. Instead, she found her friends standing outside his front door.

  “What’s going on?” she asked, joining them on the porch. “Why aren’t you inside partying?”

  “I think we beat them here,” Trish said.

  “Nathan did say Christine would be released late afternoon,” Jake said, looking at his watch. “We thought we’d give them a few more minutes before we start bothering him with phone calls.”

  Cooper took her cell out of her purse. “You all are much more patient than I am.” She hit her speed-dial. A few rings later, Nathan picked up. “Hey, stranger!” Cooper said. “The whole group is waiting for you. What time are you picking up Christine?”

  “I’m not. They aren’t releasing her.”

  “What?” Cooper’s stomach lurched. “What do you mean they aren’t releasing her?” All eyes turned to her. “They have to, Nathan. They can’t hold her any longer without pressing charges, and McNamara said . . .”

  “It isn’t up to McNamara,” Nathan replied. “It’s up to the prosecutor. And he’s charging Christine with first-degree murder.”

  12

  The Sunrise Bible Study Group carpool pulled up outside the Richmond police station, and together they marched inside to Inspector McNamara’s office. Cooper’s eyes immediately went to Nathan, seated in front of McNamara’s desk, his face pale, his fingers nervously drumming on the arm of his chair.

  McNamara was on the phone, but he saw the group before Nathan did and waved them inside. If he was at all surprised at the arrival of the entire posse, he didn’t let it show.

  Nathan rose and greeted Cooper with a heavyhearted embrace.

  Cooper held him close. “How did this happen?”

  “I don’t know.” Nathan’s gaze never left McNamara, even when he hugged her. “He’s talking to the prosecutor now. Apparently they know each other.” He looked past her to the rest of the group. “You all didn’t have to come.”

  “You couldn’t’ve kept us away,” Savannah said.

  Jake glanced over at McNamara. “They don’t have proof that Christine did anything. How can they do this? How can they keep your poor sister locked up?”

  “They don’t need to prove Christine committed murder,” Quinton explained to him. “That’s what the trial is for.”

  “He’s right,” the inspector said, hanging up his phone. “The prosecutor doesn’t need to prove Ms. Dexter killed the victim, not yet anyway. He just has to prove he has enough of a case against her to indict.”

  “What happens now?” Trish asked. “What do we do?”

  “You don’t do anything,” McNamara replied. “The prosecutor will present his case to the judge first thing tomorrow morning. It’s the earliest time available for the arraignment. In the meantime, she’ll talk with her lawyer.” He eyed Nathan. “You do have a good lawyer, don’t you?”

  “Christine has a friend who’s a lawyer,” Nathan replied. “He’s taking the case.”

  “Good. I know the prosecutor. He’s—let’s say shrewd—when it comes to practicing law. He’s not a bad guy, but he tends to get his way in the courtroom.”

  “Are you trying to tell us that Christine’s chances aren’t good?” Cooper asked. “Didn’t you say she was going to be released today?”

  “I thought she would be. Ms. Lee, I assure you that I made those statements in good faith. I had to arrest Ms. Dexter. It’s my job. But I really didn’t believe the prosecutor would push for an indictment on so little evidence. It really goes back to her relationship with Mr. Gordon, a relationship she failed to disclose. That, combined with the circumstances surrounding his death . . .”

  Nathan closed his eyes and shook his head slowly. “This nightmare won’t end. Can this guy really get an indictment?”

  McNamara hesitated. “With any other prosecutor, I’d say it was doubtful. With him, it wouldn’t surprise me.”

  “Come on, Inspector!” Jake said, throwing his hands in the air. “You know us. All of us. You know Nathan’s sister didn’t do this. How can you let this happen?”

  “My job is to enforce the law,” McNamara replied. “Not just when it’s convenient for me, but all the time.” He turned to Nathan. “I truly am sorry about this, Mr. Dexter, but my hands are tied.”

  “What if we prove her alibi?” Bryant asked. “What if we can prove she wasn’t in the woods when Sinclair was killed?”

  “Then you’ll have ensured that the charges against Ms. Dexter are dropped. No judge will keep her locked up if she has an airtight alibi.” The inspector crossed his arms over his chest and looked at them, each in turn. “I won’t bother reminding you again that you’re not on the police force, and you shouldn’t be investigating. I doubt it would make any difference in this case, anyway.”

  He came around his desk and sat on the edge, crossing his arms over his chest as he met Nathan’s eye. “Your sister’s lawyer will explain all this to you, but I’d like to give you some advance warning. You need to know that there’s the possibility your sister will be indicted. If the prosecutor didn’t think there was, he wouldn’t be pursuing an indictment. If this doesn’t turn out how you’re hoping . . .”

  “We get her out on bail, right?” Cooper asked. “The judge sets bail, and Christine will be released.”

  McNamara shook his head. “Not when the charge is murder. If the judge decides to indict, then Christine will be transferred to the county jail, where she’ll stay pending trial or further arraignment hearings.”

  “Wait a sec,” Bryant said. “Further arraignment hearings? Why would there be more arraignments?”

  “If the prosecutor decides to bring other charges against Ms. Dexter, she’ll be arraigned for those charges, too.” His phone rang again, and he answered with a gruff “What?” He listened for a moment, hung up, and turned his gaze back to Nathan. “I have to go. Mr. Dexter, I really am sorry about this.”

  When the Bible study group reached the parking lot,
Nathan leaned against his car, arms folded over his chest. “I don’t know what to do,” he said, his voice breaking. “I don’t know how to help her. I don’t know what to tell our parents. I talked to the festival organizers. I tracked down the juggler. I’ve tried everything I can think of to prove Christine’s alibi. Short of finding out who killed Sinclair or proving it was suicide, I can’t . . .” He stopped, shaking his head.

  Cooper put her arms around him and leaned into him. “We’ll figure this out.”

  “How? Can you prove Christine was watching that juggler when Sinclair died?”

  He didn’t snap, but his tone was dismal. Cooper hugged him more tightly. “Wish I could. I remember that juggler. I think I took a picture of him. If I still had my camera, I might be able to provide the proof we need.”

  She felt Nathan tense. He put his hands on her shoulders and held her away, looking into her eyes. “What did you say?”

  “I said if I still had my camera, I might have the proof we need.” She could see the wheels in his head turning. “Why?”

  “A lot of people were taking pictures that day.” Nathan began to pace, rubbing his hands together with increasing excitement. “There were professional photographers there, too. Remember?”

  “Yeah, but I don’t see what that has to do with . . .”

  “You said you might have gotten a picture of Christine. With all those cameras around, someone had to have gotten a photo of Christine.”

  Jake and Quinton exchanged a look, and Quinton stepped closer to Nathan. “That’s a great idea,” Quinton said. “But how do you get the pictures?”

  “Social media,” Nathan replied.

  “What?” Savannah asked.

  “Social media. Networking sites. Photo sharing sites.” With every word, he became more animated, and Cooper felt the energy surge through the entire group. His enthusiasm was contagious. “I can go onto the sites and tell people that I’m looking for pictures of the juggler.”

  “Will you tell them why?” Trish asked.

  He thought for a moment, and then shook his head. “That might not be a good idea. I don’t know how it might affect Christine’s case if I advertise her situation to the world. If I can get pictures of the juggler with the time and date information, though, I can sort through them to find the ones that are from the time of Sinclair’s death.”