The Wedding Caper

by Janice Thompson

  Janetta joined in. “I couldn’t figure it out at first, but he took a real interest in Jake. Said he wanted to make sure they were treating him okay and even gave me the name of an attorney he trusted.”

  “Whoa.” In a flash, I could see it all—Richard Blevins, sitting shoulder to shoulder with a young man who could’ve been his own son—offering counsel and moral support.

  “He was a blessing to our whole family, actually,” Janetta went on. “Really stepped in and helped when we needed it most. In fact, he’s the reason we came back to the church.”

  Okay, that made no sense to me at all. Richard Blevins was sending people to the very church he’d stepped away from?

  Almost as if she could read my mind, Janetta went on to add, “He’ll be back soon. You watch and see. I doubt he could stay away from that Sunday school class for long. He loves you guys so much.”

  Kristina’s face broadened in a smile. “Right. Remember that story he told us?” She went on to share a story of something that had happened in the Sunday school classroom years ago, something, ironically, involving Sheila.

  “I remember the day that happened,” I said with a smile. “Sheila knows how to make people laugh, for sure. But if I recall, Richard was pretty embarrassed that morning.”

  At this point, I felt a tiny hand slip into my own and looked down to see Amber standing next to me. Without saying a word, her little palm spoke volumes.

  “Well, hello pretty girl.” I flashed a motherly—or would it be grandmotherly—smile.

  Her face beamed as she looked up at me. “Hi.”

  That was the most I’d heard out of her since we’d met on Thursday night. I looked up to see Nikki approaching with a striking woman, about my age, at her side.

  “I see she found you,” Nikki said with a smile. “All morning long we heard about you. Mrs. Peterson this. Mrs. Peterson that. This daughter of mine seems to think you hung the moon.”

  I felt my cheeks warm as I responded, “I think she’s pretty special too.” Oh, if only the little doll to my right knew I suspected her mother of stealing money from the bank.

  Nikki took a moment to introduce me to her mother.

  “Carol Rogers.” The lovely blonde stuck out her hand and I grabbed it for a warm handshake.

  “Annie Peterson.” I made the rounds, introducing Carol to the crowd before me. Within minutes, everyone chattered merrily.

  A suspicious flush came over Jake’s cheeks as he glanced over at Nikki. Well, look at that. She smiled his direction and they began to talk about the barbecue. Carol, Janetta, and I chatted about the weather and ample assortment of red, white, and blue attire on attendees. At some point along the way, Amber took off for the swings, and we watched her with a smile.

  “Seems like just yesterday, my girls were that age.” I sighed.

  A sigh escaped Carol’s lips. “Where does the time go?”

  Janetta chuckled. “Well, if either of you figure it out, let me know. I’d like to reverse the clock, for sure. Nobody ever told me my body was going to take on a mind of its own when I turned fifty.”

  We all erupted in laughter and Sheila’s “menopause antennae” must’ve gone off from across the park because she appeared at my side in mere seconds. We introduced her to Carol, and before you knew it, Sheila was on a roll.

  “I have a hot flash for you,” she said with a grin. “Menopause is cool.”

  Janetta, who’d taken to fanning herself with the Get Out to Vote program in hand, shook her head in disagreement. “That one’s going to be a hard sell.”

  “No, really,” Sheila explained. “When you’re going through menopause, you can eat all the chocolate you want, and no one questions you.”

  “You can put on a few pounds,” I interjected, “and folks hardly notice.”

  “Yeah, but what about the bad stuff?” Janetta queried. “I saw this great infomercial for wrinkle cream—promised it would get rid of all your wrinkles—and I almost bought some.”

  “Why didn’t you?” Jake, who’d been fairly silent till now, popped up.

  Janetta shrugged. “Figured my whole face’d disappear.”

  Every woman within twenty feet lost it in laughter. And as we went on, talking about this stage of life we found ourselves in, I couldn’t help but think of Judy Blevins, and how beautifully she would’ve fit right in with all of us. I also wondered about the spiritual depth she would’ve brought to our gathering.

  In the middle of one of Sheila’s one-liners, my husband took the microphone and asked everyone to stand for the opening prayer. I glanced up at the stage, warmed by the sight of him with his red, white and blue hat, which he removed as he began the invocation. His words flowed, as always, like honey over my soul.

  He wrapped up and passed off the microphone to Sheila, who had apparently bounded from my side the minute she realized the program had started. I wasn’t sure why she felt the need to take the stage… until the music for the national anthem began. Oh my. Don’t tell me…

  She lit in, hands waving in the breeze. All around, folks joined in, singing their hearts out. Katie Stolzfus now stood next to Nikki, with one arm slipped around the younger woman’s waist and the other hand over her heart. She released it every few seconds to dab tears from her eyes. At about midway in the song, several of my husband’s co-workers from the bank grouped together, delving in harmony. Mayor Hennessey looked over the whole of us like a proud papa. And I… well, I couldn’t help but brush away a few tears, myself.

  On and on, Sheila sang, her eyes lifted heavenward. And I had to wonder if, somewhere up in heaven, Judy Blevins wasn’t dancing along.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Sheila always said life was like a roll of toilet paper…the closer you got to the end, the faster it went. That’s kind of how I felt about this little investigation of mine; it seemed to be taking on a mind of its own, barreling forward in some yet-unknown direction.

  With Warren and Richard off the hook, I’d hoped to focus on Nikki and the Mullinses, narrowing down my list one way or the other. But the information I’d acquired over the past several hours made me think I’d need to purchase new running shoes if I wanted to keep up.

  The Get Out to Vote rally ended midafternoon, just about the time a light rain started. We stuck around to help clean up, Warren focusing on the stage area, and me on the food pavilion. Janetta, who looked exhausted, worked like the dickens to gather up the remains of the food, then announced she was on her way to the Blevins home, along with Kristina, to hand-deliver the goodies. I asked her to give Richard our love, which she agreed to do.

  After tidying up the park, several of us piled into booths at the diner for coffee, apple pie, and a spirited political debate. Seemed like the rally always ended this way, though not necessarily with these players.

  I ended up in a booth with Amber, Nikki, and Carol. My daughters sat just across the way with their respective fiancées. My husband had opted to take a booth with Devin and Jake, and others friends and churchgoers filled the rest of the diner to capacity. Every now and again, Sheila’s laughter rang out above the crowd, bringing a smile to my lips. How does she do it, Lord?

  I tried to focus on the folks at my table, attempted to give them my undivided attention. It was tough, especially with the frenzied look on Shawna’s don’t-call-me-honey face as she tried to wait on all of us. She also definitely looked uncomfortable waiting on Nikki. Interesting.

  But not everyone in the place made her uncomfortable. I took note of Shawna’s occasional sideways flirtatious glances at Jake, and I also took note of Jake’s more frequent glances at Nikki, who sat to my left. Even more interesting.

  We talked for some time about the rally then the conversation shifted a bit as Sheila started a rousing chorus of “Happy Birthday” for someone on the other side of the room. As soon as the song ended, Amber looked up at her grandmother with a smile. “It was your birthday, too!”

  “That was weeks ago, honey.” Carol smi
led and reached over to squeeze her granddaughter’s hand. “Remember?”

  “I remember. We went to your house.”

  My antennae went up right away. That’s right. Nikki did say she went to her mother’s on the night before the money’s disappearance—for her mother’s birthday.

  “You were a very good puppy-sitter,” Carol said with a smile. “But next time you come, Grandma wants to stay with you. I miss you when I go away like that.”

  “I miss you too.” Amber nuzzled against her, face alight with joy.

  Carol turned to me to explain. “My husband took me on a weekend get-away for my birthday, and Nikki and Amber took care of my poodle for me. He’s quite a handful.”

  “We didn’t mind, really,” Nikki said. “Amber would do anything for her grandmother. Those two are like two peas in a pod,” Nikki nodded in her mother and daughter’s direction. “I’m almost jealous.”

  “Oh, pooh.” Her mother waved a hand in the air. “You know I’ve always adored you. And I couldn’t be prouder. You’ve turned out to be a beautiful young woman.”

  “After those crazy teen years, you mean.” Nikki’s gaze traveled to the table.

  “Oh well.” Her mother reached across to take her hand. “What’s done is done. And you’ve made a fine life for you and Amber. I’m very proud.”

  Nikki’s bashful smile warmed my heart. Have I jumped the gun? Is she really suspect material?

  “And, of course,” Carol added, “I’m tickled to death that Charlie was able to get you such a good job, though I wish it was a little closer to home.”

  “Uncle Charlie!” Amber let out a squeal. “He’s going to take me to Disney World for my birthday.”

  “Yes, he is.” Nikki smiled in her daughter’s direction. “Your uncle is too generous.”

  Ah. So, her uncle really did help her get the job at the security company.

  Here, Nikki turned to face me. “Oh! That reminds me. I was going to tell you about the car, what a miracle it was.” She paused for a second. “Well, a mixed blessing, really.”

  “Oh yes.” I couldn’t wait to hear. This would surely put my investigation back on track.

  Nikki went on to share a fascinating tale. “I’ve told you about my dad,” she started, “How he skipped out on us when I was little.”

  I noticed the look of pain as it registered on Carol’s face.

  Nikki forged ahead. “I saw him off and on when I was a kid, and I think he sent a little child support every now and again.”

  “‘Little’ being the key word,” Carol interjected.

  “Anyway,” Nikki’s brow wrinkled as she continued, “By the time I was in my teens, I’d pretty much given up on him. And I think I only saw him once or twice after Amber was born. Not that it really mattered to me at that point. I was used to not seeing him. But a couple of months ago—” Here, her eyes began to cloud over. “A few months ago, I got word that he was really sick. He was in a hospital in Philadelphia. I’m not sure what possessed me to do it, but I went to see him. Took Amber with me.”

  “I wasn’t sure it was such a good idea,” Carol threw in. “But she’s a grown woman now. Has to make her own decisions.”

  I nodded then leaned forward to hear the rest.

  “It was kind of weird,” Nikki said with a shrug. “He was a lot different than the last time I’d seen him. Not just physically. That too. But he was… I don’t know. Almost religious.”

  Here Carol interrupted once again. “The man always could talk a good game. So when I heard about this conversion of his, I told Nikki not to get her hopes up. He wasn’t the kind to make amends. Never had been.”

  “Ah.” What else could I say?

  “Anyway,” Nikki drew in a deep breath. “The hospital called me a couple of weeks later to tell me that he had died in his sleep.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry.”

  Nikki shrugged. “I felt bad, but like I said, I hardly knew the man. That’s why, when an attorney called a few days after that, I didn’t know what to make of it.”

  “Attorney?”

  Carol nodded, her eyes misting over. “Turns out, he’d had money all along. And I guess he must’ve had some regrets for not taking care of Nikki better as a child, because he named her as the sole beneficiary in his will.”

  Oh my, oh my.

  “It felt funny, taking money from someone I didn’t really love in the way a daughter should love her father,” Nikki explained with a hint of a shrug. “But he obviously wanted me to have it.”

  “Of course,” I interjected. “And you had every right to take it, especially with a daughter to raise.”

  “That’s what I told her,” Carol said with a nod.

  “Well, Amber certainly benefited, what with the new school and all.” Nikki glanced around the diner with a winsome look on her face. “And I needed a break from the second job. I hated to leave Noah and Shawna in the lurch, but Amber needed me in the evenings, and, to be honest, I was just exhausted from working both places at once.”

  Certainly couldn’t fault her there. “And the car—?” I asked.

  “Oh,” Nikki broke into a broad smile, “I’d wanted a car like that for ages. It was just a dream, you know? I never thought I’d live to see the day when I’d actually drive one. But I saw an ad in the Gazette, and it was a reasonable price for a car of that caliber, so I bought it on impulse.”

  Carol shook her head. “I told her to get an SUV,” she explained. “But kids these days—”

  “I know, I know.” Nikki giggled. “It was probably not the wisest decision I’ve ever made, but there will be plenty of time for mom-mobiles later.”

  “I love our new car,” Amber interjected. “We named it Daisy.”

  I leaned back against the booth and looked at the women who sat around me. Somehow, my case against Nikki appeared to have unraveled right in front of me. Her uncle really had helped her get the job—albeit with a shady company—and she really was in Lancaster on the night in question. What other proof did I need?

  A sigh escaped my lips. So… Nikki Rogers hadn’t stolen the money after all. The news should have had me overjoyed. Instead, I found myself a little depressed.

  I returned home after a long day of socializing, with only one thing on my mind. I had to read my next lesson. The ninth title, A GOOD INVESTIGATOR RETURNS TO THE SCENE OF THE CRIME, resonated with me, especially in light of today’s revelations. I must eventually go back to the night in question one more time, revisit the night deposit box and consider all of the facts. Just the facts.

  I thought about Jake, who had talked with my husband as if they were old friends. Every now and again, he had looked my way and smiled. A chill ran down my back as reality set in. Like it or not, I had to consider the possibility that the fine officers at Clark County Sheriff’s Office had pinpointed the right man all along.

  And like it or not, I had to consider the possibility that I’d pretty much wasted the last several weeks of my life chasing rabbits.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  They buried Judy Blevins on a Tuesday. I’m not sure why that registered so strongly with me, but it did. Richard decided to hold the ceremony at the church, with Pastor Miller leading the way.

  “It’s how she would have wanted it,” Richard shared privately with Warren.

  We all agreed. And those of us who had known and loved Richard for years were thrilled to welcome him home again. He sat near the front of the sanctuary with Judy’s sister—a healthier, slightly older version of Judy—seated at his side. Brenda. I’d met her the day before, in Richard’s living room. To her right sat her husband and three grown children, with their respective spouses.

  The woman’s face appeared a bit strained. I’m not sure I saw her cry, but I did notice Richard break down several times as the service progressed.

  I found it difficult to keep my emotions in check, as well. As Pastor Miller replayed scenes of Judy’s life, I realized what an impact she’d made, both in our co
ngregation and our little community. And though she’d never experienced the blessing of raising a child of her own beyond the tender age of four, she’d poured out her life for the children of the church, working in the elementary department for over twenty years.

  Somehow, thinking about Judy working with children got me distracted. I allowed my thoughts to roll back to the story Richard had told about losing his son. And I found myself looking across the sanctuary at Jake Mullins, who sat with the rest of his family in the pew behind Richard. A couple of times, I noted, Richard turned around to glance at the young man, a woeful expression on his face. They two had clearly made a connection.

  All in all, the funeral was everything I thought it would be, and everything I hoped mine would someday be. Funny in places, poignant in others, and deeply spiritual, pointing would-be seekers toward the God Judy Blevins had loved with her whole heart.

  For his text, Pastor Miller chose one of my favorite scriptures from the third chapter of Hebrews: “Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today,” he read aloud, “so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.”

  I tucked away, in the recesses of my mind, a reminder to encourage my husband and children before day’s end. While it was still today. I would count the moments, not let one slip by, unaccounted for.

  Near the end of the service, a slideshow with photos of Judy at various stages in her life was presented. I did pretty well until a childhood photo of a little girl in a frilly dress popped up on the screen. I could just see those skirts twirling now, as she danced across the clouds. The image brought a lump to my throat, and a bittersweet smile to my lips.

  The service came to a close and folks made their way to the front to visit with Richard. I noticed the Mullins family paused longer than most. Something about all of that still intrigued me, though this probably wasn’t the time or the place to wonder about such things.

  Warren and I finally found ourselves standing directly in front of Richard. His tear-stained eyes registered more pain that I’d ever seen in a man before. If ever he needed us, it was now. I reached out to embrace him and he thanked me at once for being such a good friend to Judy.