by Christina Li
“Me too,” she replied. Then, “Ivy, can I ask you questions for my research too? I’ve never met a real live sketch artist before.”
“Of course. I can’t let you sit in while I’m working with a client, but I can give you a tour of the local police department and show you some of the tools of my trade.”
“That sounds amazing.” Violet’s eyes sparkled.
“Hey, in fact, why don’t we meet up tomorrow? I could give you a tour then we could get lunch.”
“That sounds amazing! Didn’t I just say that? Oh well. That sounds amazing! I would love to get together with you tomorrow. The real estate agent is on vacation and can’t meet until Thursday and the lawyer is scheduled for Tuesday. I have to go through all of my uncle’s stuff, but I’ve got two weeks and really, how long can it take?” Violet ran out of breath.
Sam chuckled at Violet’s enthusiasm. The more he spent time with her, the more he wanted to keep spending time with her. She had a vibrancy for life he found magnetic.
Chapter 8
When Violet woke up the next morning and got dressed and ready for the day, she decided she didn’t want to tackle her uncle’s house just yet. Instead, after her morning Bible reading and prayer, she chose to go over to the Coffee House and do some on-line research before meeting Ivy. Yes, she knew she procrastinated, but comforted herself with the idea of working on her book. This constituted work after all.
Before guilt and the never ending tyranny of the ‘shoulds’ stopped her, she grabbed her laptop and jacket and headed out the door.
When Violet stepped into the Coffee House that same warmth as in the church and in the Givens’ home wrapped around her. More than just a place to get coffee, this place exuded peace and welcome and comfort. She loved it. And, spying Mrs. Givens herself behind the counter delighted her still further.
“Violet, how are you this morning?”
“I’m fine, Ma’am. Your Coffee House is wonderful. I just love the aroma!”
“I’m glad. Would you like to have today’s special? It’s a caramel mocha.”
Violet’s mouth watered just thinking about it. “That sounds terrific. Can I get one of your famous muffins too?”
“Of course, Dear.” Mrs. Givens got her the coffee and pulled a muffin out and handed it to her.
“Thank-you.” Violet would have liked to chat a bit more, but several other customers waited to be served. So, she turned around and chose a booth off to the side. The place had quite a few people, but no one spoke loudly. As she gazed around the room, she decided that somehow, she simply must use this setting for at least one of the scenes in her latest book. Suddenly filled with ideas, she set down her coffee and muffin, opened her laptop, and got to work.
After spending several minutes answering her e-mail and making comments on her author page on FaceBook, she decided to Google for information about how the police force worked in Rolling Hills. She had often found in her research if she did a little on-line research before doing her physical research (interviewing people or checking out locations), she found the physical research much more meaningful. Also, most people respected intelligent questions. They loved being the ‘expert’ and usually included wonderful extras that she wouldn’t have thought of adding. People opened up more when someone showed genuine interest in them and their work.
Violet enjoyed researching new things. She always learned so much. It especially excited her to find and download a pdf file of police procedure during an investigation. She saved it on her ‘desktop’ to print it out later. Apparently, 21st century police officers had some pretty stringent rules about how to investigate and protect a crime scene. Violet positively vibrated with anticipation to tour a real police department here. Right now, only her imagination and Google images showed how it might look. How perfectly wonderful to physically observe with her own two eyes real police officers all walking around, doing their jobs, and solving important cases!
When she finally looked at her watch, she made a small squeak of surprise. If she didn’t hurry, she would be late! Quickly, she gathered up her things and waved a hurried goodbye to Mrs. Givens as she rushed out the door.
The drive to the police station provided no obstacles (And she didn’t get lost!). Violet gave thanks to God for that before she got out of her car. As she breezed in, she took careful note of her surroundings. The large building rather intimidated her, with its dark colors. She supposed that was done on purpose. She walked up some steps in order to get into a large bay area where everyone worked. Desks faced each other in squares. No cubicle walls separated anyone. Only a few people had offices off to the side. Violet assumed the police chief and other higher officials occupied those rooms.
Violet noted the odor of the place as well, cleaning fluid and disinfectant. If one could smell energy, however, that’s what she would be detecting right now. The sounds were definitely energetic, but not too loud. In one area, Violet observed a group of police officers discussing something quite passionately but too low for her to hear. Several people were on telephones or clicking away at computers. There was even a whiteboard with pictures and writing on it. Violet would have dearly loved to have gone over and studied it, but she didn’t want to get kicked out before she had a chance to tour the place with Ivy. She especially didn’t want to get Ivy into trouble.
Sight, sound, smell, Violet went over to the wall and put her hand on its hard, concrete surface. The original creators built it to last. She thought about bending down to touch the floor, but instead contented herself with wiggling her toes and pushing down slightly with her feet. Her sense of this place’s ambience was hardness and unyielding, a place of judgment and ferreting out truth from lies.
The last sense was taste. Violet figured she might ask Ivy for a cup of coffee later. That was a police officer’s favorite drink, wasn’t it? Or was that just a silly stereotype? She wanted to be sure and ask, but that wouldn’t be her first question.
Just then Ivy, seeing Violet, waived her over.
“I’m so glad you made it!” she said. “Are you ready for a quick tour?”
“I can’t thank you enough for this,” Violet said.
“No problem!” Ivy replied. She stood and gestured at the large bay area surrounding them. “This is our ‘all purpose room’ where most of our detectives do their desk work. You can see that team over there at the white board. We have several and they’re all on wheels so we can share.” She pointed at her desk and said, “My area is off to the side mainly to give witnesses a little more privacy.” She invited Violet to sit down so she could show her some of her computer software. “As people give me their descriptions, I can program them into the computer and get some terrific faces. It’s funny, though, sometimes, I just have to go old school and use my sketch pad and number 2 pencil. I think people find the sound of a pencil scratching away on a piece of paper soothing somehow.” She smiled at Violet. “People have to relax if they are going to give me a good description.”
“You seem to really enjoy your job.”
Ivy was thoughtful as she replied. “It took me a long time to figure out what to major in at college. I drove my family nuts. Jesse always knew what he wanted to do and Sam’s only problem was figuring out what to specialize in in medicine. For me, I always loved to draw, but I wasn’t sure what to do with it. My parents wanted me to do something that would make me be able to support myself. I was pretty good at math and science, but I didn’t really love either one. Finally, I just got down on my knees and prayed, asking what the Lord would have me do with my life. He led me to major in art. At first, my parents weren’t very excited about the idea. My mother understood business and my father, medicine. How would I ever pay the bills with an art degree? I told them the Lord had led me to do this, and I had to trust Him to lead me to the next step. By this time, Will was already a police officer working towards the rank of detective. He suggested I check out what it would take to become a sketch artist. I pra
yed about it, and here I am. I love my job. I’m really helping people and I wouldn’t trade this for the world.”
“That is so amazing. I’m sure the police department loves you.”
“Some days are rather thankless, but for the most part, it’s terrific.” Standing up, she said, “Let’s get on with this tour.” She led Violet to one of the rooms along the side wall and said, “I also can use a conference room if I need to.” She opened the door so Violet could see inside. It had glass windows with curtains pulled down for privacy. Besides a rectangular table with chairs all around, there were a couple of comfortable, leather couches facing each other with a coffee table in between.
“Come on,” said Ivy. “I’ll show you our interrogation rooms next.”
Violet grinned at that. “I hope I never have to be in one of those,” but the thought of getting to see them filled her with delicious delight.
The interrogation rooms were bright, stark and rather ugly. There was only a table and three chairs, one on one side, two on the other. On one wall was a large mirror. “Is there another room on the other side of that mirror?” Violet asked.
“Yes, there is,” answered Ivy. “I’ll show you that next.”
The observation room was rather small and dark set with several chairs all facing the window, giving a perfect view of the interrogation room. Violet shivered thinking about it all.
“These are really the most interesting rooms in this place. Otherwise, we have an archive down in the basement, filled with old case files. There is also the morgue where Sam works, but I can’t bring you down there without permission. You wouldn’t want to see that would you?” Ivy looked hesitant about asking. “Poor Sam. Women get freaked out by his job, dissecting dead bodies all day and being on call a lot. He loves his job though.”
“Actually, I would love to see the morgue. In my genre, I have at least one dead body to deal with in every book. This research is invaluable to me,” Violet replied.
Ivy beamed. She suspected Sam liked her and thought maybe Violet returned the sentiment. She would love to see her brother get together with someone special. Perhaps the Lord had brought Violet up here for more than just the house.
“I’ll have to ask Sam for permission. It would be best if he gave you a tour himself though. He can explain all the tools of his trade.”
“I would really love that,” Violet replied.
Ivy took her around to a few more places and introduced her to some of her co-workers. Will was out on a case, so Violet didn’t get to meet him yet. However, she felt like a celebrity the way Ivy went on about how she was an author doing research. She was even able to ask some questions about police procedure that seemed to impress the detectives.
Finally, Violet and Ivy had to admit that they were starving. “Do you like burgers? Or would you rather go over to Mom’s Coffee House and get a bite to eat there?”
“I love your mom’s Coffee House, but I’m flexible and I’m new. Whatever you suggest would be all right with me.”
Ivy was so impressed by this sweet girl. “You are so easy to please. God bless you!”
As the two girls walked out to their cars, Ivy leaned in and said, “It’s kind of crazy, but my favorite place really is Mom’s Coffee House. I’m glad I don’t plan on moving to another state anytime soon. I would miss Mom’s cooking too much!”
“Well, I went there this morning for coffee and a muffin and I can certainly see why. Of course, Sunday’s lunch was phenomenal. If her sandwiches are even close to the meal we ate at your house, I know I’ll love it!”
“You wouldn’t mind going back there again? I mean, you were just there this morning.”
“Not at all. That place is special. The atmosphere was inviting and wonderful. The free wifi made it possible for me to get good research done for my book and the food was great too. I couldn’t ask for better.”
Ivy smiled and hugged her. Violet was definitely a keeper. Too bad Violet’s stay here was going to be so short. In spite of that, she hoped something would develop between her and her brother. They would make a good couple, she decided.
“Let’s go.”
Chapter 9
When they arrived at the Coffee House, the first person Violet caught sight of was Sam. He had the nicest dimples. Violet wondered how she would describe them in her latest book’s hero. She had to also figure out a way to describe that melting sensation in her brain or those warm tingles up and down her arms. That would be perfect for her heroine. Of course, she wasn’t going to be here long enough for anything real to develop with Sam, but oh, it was wonderful to make a new friend. Some girl was going to be very blessed someday.
Violet noticed that Jesse and another guy were sitting with Sam too. She hoped that they would all sit together.
Sam saw them and waved. He mouthed that they should sit with them as soon as they got their food. Standing at the counter waiting, Violet asked, “Ivy, who is that with Sam and Jesse?”
Ivy turned and looked. “Oh, that’s Will. He’s been Sam’s and Jesse’s best friend since they met in the four-through- six-year-old class in Sunday School. Mom calls them the Three Musketeers.”
Violet barely heard Ivy’s small sigh. Turning, she studied her new friend. Yep, Ivy had it bad. Violet wondered if it was a sore subject for the girl. Their food arrived then and Violet decided she would ask her about it later.
“Hey, how did you like the police station?” asked Sam. “Ivy gives a terrific tour,” she answered.
“Violet does want a favor from you, Sam,” said Ivy.
Sam looked at her and, of course, she blushed. Eventually, she did manage to speak though, “I’d really like a tour of the morgue. I hope that doesn’t sound too weird.”
“Wow, Sam,” said Will, “you should keep this girl. She’s actually not freaked out about your job!” Turning to Violet, he said, “Hi, I’m Will.” He reached out his hand to shake.
“Nice to meet you,” Violet said, sitting down. She hoped her face wasn’t the color of Mr. Johnson’s ruby-red apples.
The guys pulled two tables together, and everyone gathered around comfortably, Violet across from Sam, Ivy next to her and across from Will. Jesse moved and sat on the end.
“So, Sam says you’re a writer. What’s your latest story about?” Will asked.
“It’s about a female author who writes mysteries and ends up finding a real dead body in a dumpster, sort of like a mystery story come to life. So far, all of my mysteries have been set in the time of Sherlock Holmes and Jane Austen. It’s a bit different having my setting be in the 21st century, but I love it. I have to come up with a good way to kill someone that wouldn’t be immediately obvious. I’m considering stabbing the guy, but doing that after he’s dead to make it appear that was how he died rather than the real weapon which is poison.”
“Violet, that sounds a little strange,” said Jesse.
Ivy and Sam both glared at their brother, but Violet laughed. “It is. My poor aunt had to put up with a lot over the years. I scared her half to death once trying to act out a scene in one of my books where my murderer sneaks up behind his victim and stabs him with a knife. She was in her room, getting ready for something. She saw me out of the corner of her eye holding a spoon above my head and nearly went through the ceiling. She told me I wasn’t too old to spank.”
Everyone laughed at that, even Jesse.
“I downloaded a couple of your books last night onto my e-reader,” said Sam. “I thought they were really good. I especially liked that it was as much adventure story as mystery. In fact, I lost track of time and stayed up late reading until Colonel Brighton got himself out that scrape.”
“I’m glad you liked it.”
“I downloaded one of your books too,” said Ivy. “Miss Poole is my favorite character. I liked Jeffrey too. He seemed more the innocent one. Poor thing, he’s so in love with Miss Poole, but she doesn’t notice it at all.”
Vio
let smiled at this. She loved it when people made friends with her characters. It meant a great deal to her that people liked to read her stories as much as she enjoyed writing them.
“I’ll have to download a copy too. Can you get them from Amazon kindle?” asked Will.
“Yep. Look under Violet Carsten or Colonel Brighton Mysteries series.”
“Do you have them in paperback?” asked Ivy. “Mom and Dad might like to read them too. Mom is okay reading it on an e-reader, but Dad is still pretty old school.”
“Yes. I decided to go ahead and make them available in print through Amazon’s CreateSpace publishing. You can get that straight from the regular Amazon.com too. My aunt even talked me into making audio versions through TeachOutLoud.com. That was a lot of fun.”
“You’re quite the business woman,” said Sam.
“Not really. The bottom line is it’s something I love doing. It’s a gift the Lord has given me. My goal is to give people something fun to read and relax with as well as something real to reflect on.”
“I liked how you talked about the Lord in your books. It wasn’t preachy or anything, just very matter-of-fact,” said Ivy.
Sam smiled at Violet and that melty sensation took over her brain again. All too soon, everyone had to get back to work.
Violet really didn’t want to tackle going through her uncle’s house. It was rather large, but she hadn’t checked out all the rooms upstairs or seen the basement. She also wanted to give the house a quick vacuuming and dusting before meeting the lawyer tomorrow. If she got on it, she might have some time to do some more research and story planning in the evening. She really needed to work on some more back story for her major characters and she desperately needed a stronger motive for her murderer. She also needed some more motives for her various suspects.
The idea of story planning and research brightened her up considerably. The rest of the day and evening went quickly.
***
The next day, she woke up thinking about her coming meeting with the lawyer. He had arranged to meet her there at the house. She was glad because she didn’t relish trying to find his office in downtown Chicago. However, she did think it rather unusual that he should come all the way out here.
