Chris shrugged, his eyes on their joined hands. “I broke up with her and started hating the media as though my life depended on it.”
“What she did was reprehensible. She broke your trust.”
“When you asked my aunt to help you investigate Maurice’s murder, I thought you were doing the same thing. I thought you were using her to advance your career. But that’s not you. You care about my aunt and the case. You even stopped investigating Maurice’s murder when you thought it was going to cost your editor his job.”
“Little did I know losing his job was his plan all along. Luckily, it worked out for both of us.”
“But it shows you put people above ambition.” Chris searched Shari’s delicate features, mesmerized by the blush that highlighted her sharp cheekbones.
Shari leaned into the table and lowered her voice. “Thank you for confiding in me. It helps to understand why you were so suspicious of me.”
“Thank you for restoring my faith in reporters. You’re not all bad.”
Shari winked. “Only when we need to be.”
* * *
Sister Lou hurried through the Briar Coast County Sheriff’s Office Friday afternoon. The low heels of her beige pumps tapped against the gleaming silver marble tiled flooring as she made her way across the bright and cozy bullpen to Fran and Ted’s work area.
“Sister Lou, what a surprise.” Ted’s voice conveyed his disgust. His irritated gray gaze tracked her from behind his desk. “Did you hear that the suspect in your friend’s murder is dead?”
Sister Lou came to a stop beside Fran’s desk. “Jessica Jordan just called me, but she didn’t have any details.”
“So you thought you’d just drop in to chew the fat and pump us for information.” Ted looked at Fran and rolled his eyes. “We don’t have any details for you. Your friend’s killer is dead. That’s the ultimate justice.”
Why do I bother to communicate with the grouchy deputy?
Sister Lou turned to confront Ted. “Is it really the ultimate justice, deputy, or just one less responsibility for you?” Without waiting for an answer, Sister Lou questioned Fran. “How did Kevin die?”
Fran started to respond, but Ted cut her off. “Jeez, Sister, leave it alone.”
“Ted.” Fran’s voice was very firm. “Go get a doughnut.”
Ted scowled at his partner. He opened his mouth, perhaps to argue, but something in Fran’s eyes convinced him to go quietly, if unwillingly. The disgruntled deputy crossed to the coffee station where a box of cookies and a box of doughnuts stood beside what seemed to be a fresh pot of caffeine. Sister Lou recognized a faint acidic stench. Someone had recently burned a pot of java.
“Have a seat, Sister.” Fran waved a hand to indicate the polished oak chair beside her desk.
Sister Lou smoothed the back of her tan skirt before lowering herself to the seat. “How did Kevin die?”
Fran saved the document on her computer. She leaned into her desk and met Sister Lou’s eyes. Her voice was low. “We found his body lying at the foot of the main staircase in his house. It appears that he tripped and fell down the steps, breaking his neck. A preliminary screening showed his blood alcohol level at almost one point zero.”
Sister Lou gasped, pressing a hand to her chest. Yes, Kevin Appleby was suspected of killing someone Sister Lou held dear. Still, he’d come to a tragic end. She couldn’t celebrate that. She’d wanted justice for Maurice, not revenge.
“Will there be an autopsy?” Sister Lou folded her hands together on her lap.
“Yes.” Fran responded with patience and courtesy. “We want to understand what happened to Appleby. It seems that he’s been dead for a few days.”
Days? “Why do you believe that?”
“Because the body stank.” Ted had returned from the coffee station and had started eating his doughnut on the way.
Fran spread her hands. “Based on the lack of rigor mortis and the body’s decomposition, our preliminary guess is that he’s been lying at the foot of the steps for three days, four, tops.”
Good grief. “When will you have the autopsy results?”
Fran shrugged. “It could take weeks to get the official coroner’s report.”
So much for the authenticity of film and television police procedurals. In those programs, the autopsy results were ready right after the commercial breaks. “But you’re confident that Kevin killed Maurice?”
“We found the murder weapon in his office.”
The wooden bear sculpture that Alvin Lyle had shown her. “Were there any other prints on it?”
Fran gave her a curious look. “No, Appleby had wiped the statue clean. What are you getting at, Sister?”
Sister Lou’s brow creased with confusion. “He wiped the statue clean of his prints and then put the statue in his desk?”
“Looks that way.” Fran seemed to accept Kevin’s odd behavior.
Sister Lou couldn’t comprehend it. “Why didn’t he get rid of it?”
Ted grunted. “Maybe the killer wanted a trophy.”
A wave of nausea rolled over Sister Lou at the image of the murder weapon as a trophy.
Fran continued. “The murder weapon was in his office. That’s the means.” She counted off the evidence with the fingers of her right hand. “He knew Doctor Jordan would be at the Sleep Ease Inn Hotel because his office manager made the reservation. That’s opportunity. And we believe his motive was fear that Doctor Jordan would expose the fact that he was embezzling from his company.”
Embezzlement was the presumed motive, but with Kevin dead, Sister Lou could never ask him. And she had so many questions.
Did you bludgeon my friend to death over money?
How much money? Tens of thousands of dollars? Hundreds of thousands?
Why were you embezzling from your own company?
And what did you do with that money, since from appearances you didn’t spend it on yourself ?
Fran interrupted the barrage of questions sprinting across Sister Lou’s imagination. “About Ted, he’s not a bad person. He just takes getting used to. Briar Coast is a quiet town. Most of our cases are petty thefts, bar fights, graffiti. Murder is out of his routine and requires a lot of paperwork, which he hates.”
Sister Lou gestured toward the deputy’s computer. “Is that why you do the paperwork while he rocks back on his chair?”
Fran’s smile was reluctant. “You’ve noticed?”
“It’s hard to miss.” Sister Lou pushed herself to her feet. “Thank you for taking the time to explain what’s occurred, Deputy Cole. I appreciate your understanding.”
Fran stood with her. “I know this isn’t the outcome you wanted. It doesn’t give you closure.”
“No, it doesn’t.” Sister Lou extended her hand to the younger woman. “With the case closed, I doubt we’ll have reason to see each other again. I wish you the best, Deputy Cole.”
“You as well, Sister.”
Sister Lou turned to leave. Suddenly, she was very tired. Understanding death was a challenge. Understanding murder was impossible.
Chapter 32
Sister Lou looked at Chris and then Shari as she repeated a version of the announcement she’d made to them hours earlier. “Kevin killed Maurice. The deputies have closed the investigation.”
Then why don’t I feel as though it’s over?
Sister Lou was sharing dinner with Chris and Shari in the motherhouse’s dining room. Their table cozied up to a window that was framed by a bright flower-patterned curtain. The sounds of merry conversation and the occasional bursts of laughter that surrounded them usually lifted her spirits. This evening, however, she was numb to the joyous sounds.
“A toast to Doctor Maurice Jordan. May he rest in peace.” Chris lifted his glass of iced tea and touched it to Sister Lou’s water glass and to Shari’s lemonade.
Sister Lou had called Chris and Shari separately to tell them the deputies had identified Kevin as Maurice’s killer. She’d made the call
s right before the deputies had found Kevin’s dead body at the foot of the stairs inside his house.
“Thank you, Chris.” Sister Lou sipped her ice water. “I’d like to propose a couple of toasts as well. To Shari. We’re glad you’re returning to the Telegraph. They can certainly use you. We’re especially glad that you’ll be staying with us in Briar Coast.”
Shari leaned forward to touch her glass to Sister Lou’s and Chris’s glasses. “Thank you for another warm welcome to Briar Coast. I have to admit, I was getting pretty nervous about my job prospects. I’m glad things worked out with the Telegraph.”
“So are we.” Sister Lou sipped her ice water. “And a toast to the best nephew on the planet. You didn’t want me to investigate Maurice’s murder, but you went above and beyond to help me. Thank you. I love you.”
“I love you, too, Aunt Lou.” Chris touched his glass to hers and then to Shari’s.
Sister Lou detected a new sense of peace surrounding the young reporter. She seemed happier and much more settled than when they’d first met. It went beyond her exterior trappings, although she looked very professional in her cobalt-blue, form-fitting pantsuit.
“Your editor must be happy that you’re returning with one of the biggest stories the Telegraph has run in years.” Chris returned to his meal.
Sister Lou noticed the look he and Shari exchanged. They seemed to have come a long way from distrusting adversaries, to cautious allies, to now on the verge of something more. She tried not to meddle in her nephew’s life, but after the disaster that was his last relationship, it would be an answer to her prayers if he found someone to love who loved him in return.
Shari swallowed a bite of pumpkin. “Sister Lou called us early enough for me to write the story in time for tomorrow’s paper. Diego said he’d put it on the front page.”
The mouthwatering scents of candied pumpkin, grilled turkey, and steamed broccoli wafted up from Sister Lou’s dinner plate. But in her current emotional turmoil, the meal tasted like sawdust.
“That’s wonderful, dear. It will bring an official closure to the case.” Sister Lou forced a smile as she tried, but failed, to find enthusiasm for the well-prepared meal. She wasn’t forking up her food as much as she was moving it around her plate.
“Then why don’t you seem happy, Sister Lou?” Shari gave Sister Lou a look of concern. “Your friend’s killer has finally been identified. You can rest easy now.”
“I’m happy that Maurice’s murderer was caught.” Sister Lou made an effort to shake off her lingering unease. “I wish the outcome had been different.”
Chris sliced into his grilled turkey. “Do you mean you wish Kevin was still alive?”
Shari looked surprised. “Why?”
Sister Lou stared blindly at her dinner plate as she struggled to put her unease into words. “The situation doesn’t feel finished to me.”
“But why not?” Shari persisted.
Sister Lou studied the reporter’s baffled expression. “There are questions I would have liked to have asked the person who killed Mo. I want to know how money could be more important than someone’s life, especially someone you claimed to have liked and admired.”
“I understand your frustration, Aunt Lou.” Chris gave her a sympathetic look. “But I’m glad that the investigation is over. Now I know you’ll be safe. I didn’t sleep last night because of the threat Kevin sent you.”
Sister Lou frowned. “How do you know Kevin sent it?”
“Who else would’ve sent it?” Chris shrugged as he cut into his turkey.
Shari lifted her glass of lemonade. “But how would he have gotten it into Sister Lou’s mailbox?”
Sister Lou sighed. “That’s another question we won’t be able to ask him.”
Chapter 33
Sister Lou followed the scents of baked goods and well-seasoned entrees into the motherhouse’s event room Saturday afternoon, more than a week after the deputies had declared that they’d solved Maurice’s murder. She paused just inside the entrance to appreciate the effort that had gone into planning and preparing this celebration of the new Congregational Leadership Team. The room was decorated in the congregation’s colors: blue, white and gold.
Sister Lou loved a party, and the Sisters of the Congregation of St. Hermione of Ephesus knew how to throw a good one. Good food and good friends were essential, and the room was filled with both.
Tim Bowman Jr.’s gospel hit “I’m Good” played at danceable decibels. Several sisters had cleared a space in the center of the room to better enjoy the music and burn off some calories. A sensible mixture of healthy proteins and decadent desserts was spread across two buffet tables. Red and white wines were flowing, along with pitchers of iced tea and ice water.
“Louise.” Sister Marianna must have been lying in wait for her. She looked very official in her double-breasted navy skirt suit and black low-heeled pumps.
Sister Lou smoothed the skirt of her tan coatdress, which she wore with brown flats. Hadn’t the invitations stated casual dress? A surreptitious glance around the room showed that most people were dressed even more informally than Sister Lou. She exhaled with relief.
“Hello, Marianna.” Sister Lou swept her arm to encompass the room. “The committee did a beautiful job on the party, didn’t they?”
“Yes, of course.” Marianna didn’t take her eyes off of Sister Lou. “Congratulations on being reelected to the Congregational Leadership Team.”
Sister Marianna’s sentiment was so lacking in warmth that it left Sister Lou yearning for a sweater.
“Thank you, Marianna.” She was willing to give the other woman points for effort. “And I’d like to welcome you as a new member to the team. I hope you find your term spiritually, personally, and professionally satisfying.”
“Do you intend to give up your extracurricular activities?”
Are we really going to do this again?
It had been almost a month since Maurice’s murder and eight days since the deputies had declared his homicide solved and the case closed.
But perhaps she was misjudging the newest member of their leadership team. “What extracurricular activities?”
“Your investigations. They’re a distraction, Louise.”
Sister Lou was disappointed by Sister Marianna’s response. The other woman would never know how much. “To whom?”
“To you, of course.” Sister Marianna folded her hands at her hips. “The congregation deserves one hundred percent of your attention. If you can’t deliver that, you shouldn’t be on the leadership team.”
“And yet, here I am, Marianna.” Sister Lou spread her arms. “The congregation elected me to serve another term. Isn’t that amazing?”
All around them, members of the congregation, their friends, and their families laughed, danced, and engaged in food and fellowship. The festivities were in sharp contrast to the charged conversation in which Sister Marianna had engaged Sister Lou. This was not the way in which Sister Lou had planned to spend her afternoon.
Sister Marianna angled her chin in an almost challenging gesture. “The members of our congregation have entrusted you with a lot of responsibility. I hope you don’t intend to take that honor for granted.”
Sister Lou allowed her gaze to sweep the room as she did a ten-count for patience. Her attention landed on Sister Carmen, Chris, and Shari, who were chatting near the dessert display. The scene made her smile. Leave it to Sister Carmen to hold court beside the chocolate mini cupcakes as opposed to the salad.
“Do you find my concern humorous, Louise?” Sister Marianna sounded as though she was on the verge of a minor meltdown.
“Humorous? No, not at all. Ridiculous and unnecessary? Yes, definitely. The leadership committee accepted my proposal for the community outreach project.”
“Don’t you mean Carmen’s proposal?” The gleam in Marianna’s eyes reflected her premature declaration of victory.
“Carm was a great help on the proposal. I couldn’
t have completed it without her, but she would agree that the bulk of the work on the proposal is mine.”
“I’m concerned that you’ll continue to be distracted by your little investigations while the needs of the congregation go unmet.” Sister Marianna’s cheeks grew flushed.
Sister Lou struggled with her own temper. “Rest assured, Marianna, that it’s my greatest hope and most heartfelt prayer that no more of my friends will be murdered.”
Sister Marianna tightened her lips. “That’s not what I meant.”
Sister Lou stepped around the other woman. “It wasn’t? Then let me know when you’ve figured it out. Excuse me.”
Sister Lou made her way toward Sister Carmen, Chris, Shari, and the decadent display of chocolate mini cupcakes. This party was the culmination of hard work, and she was going to enjoy herself, despite her recent and very unfortunate encounter with Sister Marianna.
Tim Bowman Jr.’s “I’m Good” ended. Sister Lou recognized the opening strands of Yolanda Adams’s “Victory.”
“Here she is, finally.” Sister Carmen greeted her with a hug as she joined them near the desserts. The hug was exactly what she needed to release the tension from her conversation with Sister Marianna.
“Congratulations again, Sister Lou.” Shari stepped forward to embrace her as well. The gesture startled and delighted Sister Lou. They’d come a long way in the three weeks that they’d known each other. In those early days, Sister Lou had never imagined Shari would let down her protective walls. But as time went on, and they got to know each other better, Sister Lou had noticed a few cracks forming.
She stepped back from Shari’s embrace and caught Chris’s gaze. “I’m so glad you both came. Thank you.”
“I’m happy for you, Aunt Lou.” Chris gave her both a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
Sister Lou swallowed the lump of emotion in her throat. “Thank you all, truly. None of this would have been possible without you.”
Shari selected a mini cupcake. “I told Diego I was covering this event for the paper. I’d like to get a photo of the leadership team and a couple of quotes before I leave.”
Mayhem & Mass Page 28
