Alibis & Angels

by Olivia Matthews

  “I insist. I want to help. Please, let me do this for the woman I love.”

  You mean the woman you duped. “All right. It’s in my desk at work. The center drawer.” Kerry struggled to keep the anger from her voice. “If anyone stops you, just tell them that you’re checking on my key.”

  Jefferson crossed to her. “I’ll do that.”

  He bent, appearing intent on kissing her. Kerry was horrified. If his lips touched hers, she’d start screaming and wouldn’t be able to stop. At the last minute, she turned her head so that his lips landed on her right cheek. Jefferson straightened, giving her a questioning look.

  Kerry jerked her head toward the two-way mirror. “They may be watching.”

  Jefferson gave her the indulgent look that used to make her knees weak. He cupped the cheek he’d kissed. “You’re so modest.”

  “You should leave now. They’re going to lock the building soon.” Kerry fisted her palms until he dropped his hand.

  “All right. I’ll be right back.” Jefferson turned to hurry off.

  “I can’t wait.”

  Jefferson disappeared behind the door. Kerry let the tears flow, anger, sorrow, shame.

  The door opened again, allowing Heather, Sister Lou, and Shari into the room.

  Kerry lowered her eyes. Her voice was thick with tears. “How could I have been such a fool?”

  Heather stood beside Kerry, putting a comforting arm around her shoulders. “He tricked all of us.”

  Sister Lou pulled a fistful of facial tissues from her oversized purse. “You aren’t to blame for his actions.”

  The deputies announced their arrival with a knock on the door. Ted stood with his back to the group as though afraid to witness Kerry’s tears.

  Fran crossed into the room. “We should get going if we’re going to catch this guy in the act. Kerry, thanks for your help.”

  Heather helped Kerry to her feet. “Are you up to joining us?”

  Kerry looked at Heather, grateful for her assistance. She didn’t think her knees would support her. New tears blinded her. “No, I’m not. I’m going to ask Penny to come get me, but could you do me a favor?”

  “Anything.” Heather’s response was prompt. She guided Kerry past the deputies through the door. Sister Lou fell into step on Kerry’s other side.

  Kerry’s knees were shaking. Her teeth were starting to chatter. “Could you let Jefferson—or whatever his name is—know that I helped catch him?”

  Sister Lou’s hand on Kerry’s shoulder stopped her. “Kerry, we couldn’t have done this without you.”

  Kerry gave the older woman an unsteady smile. “Thanks. That goes a long way toward making me feel better. Now go get that sociopath.” She turned to Shari behind her. “And I want to read all about it in tomorrow’s paper.”

  Chapter 33

  Sister Lou’s muscles stiffened as Fran and Ted escorted the man they all knew as Jefferson Manning into the large conference room in the mayor’s suite on the third floor of the Briar Coast Town Hall.

  Jefferson’s arms were handcuffed behind his back. Sister Lou’s eyebrows arched in surprise. It was after five o’clock, but she could hear movement in the hallway outside of the room. How had the town’s government employees reacted to seeing two sheriff’s deputies lead their suspect into one of their conference rooms?

  The polished walnut wood table accommodated up to ten people. Heather was seated at the head of the table. Sister Lou was seated on Heather’s right. Diego was beside her. Shari sat across the table from Sister Lou on Heather’s left with Chris next to her. The deputies had brought Jefferson in through the door at the back of the room. Now they sat him on the chair at the foot of the table with Fran on his right and Ted on his left.

  Despite its lack of windows, the room was bright with eggshell walls and blue-gray carpeting. The temperature was comfortable. Sister Lou almost forgot that outside winter still gripped Briar Coast.

  Jefferson smiled mockingly at the five people arranged around the other end of the table. “Are these your bodyguards? Are they supposed to intimidate me, an old lady, an old man, and a boney chick?” He nodded toward Chris. “I’ll give that guy some credit.”

  Sister Lou glanced around the table. Her companions wore various expressions of irritation, annoyance, and anger. Sister Lou wasn’t angry or offended. There were plenty of days when she did feel old. Today wasn’t one of those days.

  Heather gripped the wooden arms of her black cloth chair. “Who are you?”

  Jefferson’s smile widened. “Don’t you recognize me, Madame Mayor?”

  Heather didn’t blink. “No.”

  Jefferson tsked. “I’m hurt.” He locked eyes with Heather. His expression mocked her. “In fairness, it’s been a long while since we’ve seen each other and my hair had been brown. I was ten at the time.”

  Shock moved over Heather’s elegant features. “Benji?” Her question was a disbelieving gasp.

  “Ben?” Diego spoke at the same time.

  “So you do remember me . . . both of you. How nice.” Their mysterious stalker’s gaze moved between Heather and Diego. “I prefer Benjamin.”

  Sister Lou shivered at the hatred that marred Benjamin’s otherwise handsome features. How did Heather and Diego know the young man?

  Fran narrowed her eyes. “Benjamin who?”

  Benjamin’s attention remained fixed on Heather. “Benjamin Irsay. My father was the former chief of staff to an El Paso councilman. Your esteemed mayor framed him for crimes she’d committed.”

  “I did not frame your father.” Heather spoke through her teeth. “Graham Irsay was guilty of abusing the position of his office—”

  “You’re lying!” Benjamin’s roar cut off Heather’s response and nearly shattered Sister Lou’s eardrums.

  Ted clamped a bearlike hand on Benjamin’s shoulder. “Simmer down there, tiger. You may not be a fan, but she’s our mayor. Show some respect.”

  Ted’s defense of Heather was a good sign. The last thing the mayor needed—personally or professionally—was to lose the support of the Briar Coast County Sheriff’s Office.

  “Respect?” Benjamin redirected his anger toward Ted. “Why should I respect a liar and a cheat?”

  Beside her, Sister Lou sensed Diego’s growing temper.

  The newspaperman shifted on his seat toward Benjamin. “I don’t know where you’re getting your information, but every word of it is wrong.”

  Benjamin jerked his chin toward Heather. “My father told me on his death bed that she made those deals with the development company. She framed him for the crimes she’d committed.”

  Diego started shaking his head even before Benjamin completed his last sentence. “The evidence showed otherwise. If you don’t believe us, ask the court to let you review the case files.”

  “I don’t need to,” Benjamin barked. “I know that my father wouldn’t lie to me, especially not with his dying breath.”

  Sister Lou felt sorry for the young man whose father’s deception had ruined both of their lives. “Why do you want Mayor Stanley to leave Briar Coast?”

  Benjamin’s eyes darkened with anger. He shoved his response through clenched teeth. “I want to end her political career just like she ruined my father and his career.”

  “I want to make one thing perfectly clear.” Heather never raised her voice. She leaned into the table, holding Benjamin’s eyes. “I never gave a thought to leaving Briar Coast, but even if I had, leaving this town wouldn’t have ended my political career.”

  “Maybe. Maybe not.” Benjamin’s brown eyes glowed with venom. “But one thing I’m certain of: leaving this town would have broken your heart the same way being blackballed from politics in the state of Texas broke my father’s. You love Briar Coast. Everyone knows that.”

  Heather shrugged. “I’ve never denied that.”

  Benjamin didn’t seem to hear Heather. “People here admire you. I’ve seen that and it’s turned my stomach. They treat you like
you’re some kind of local hero. I know that leaving this town would’ve killed you.”

  Heather didn’t respond. Her expression remained closed, but Sister Lou sensed that Benjamin’s words had found their intended target.

  Shari regarded Benjamin with open contempt. “In your obsession with Heather’s political career, you killed Opal Lorrie.”

  Benjamin frowned. “I grabbed her and she struggled. I told you I didn’t mean to kill her, although I did find some interesting information in her briefcase. She fell, but none of this would have happened if your mayor hadn’t framed my father.”

  Shari raised her voice in outrage. “Opal had nothing to do with any of this.”

  Benjamin shrugged. “Collateral damage.”

  His eyes were devoid of guilt or grief. Sister Lou’s heart broke for Opal, and her friends and family again.

  “Heather would never have left Briar Coast,” Sister Lou said. “She didn’t campaign to be mayor to advance a political career. She ran because she wanted to serve. Your plan failed because you didn’t understand that.”

  “Did my plan fail?” Benjamin gave Sister Lou a humorless, spiteful smile.

  Heather arched an eyebrow. “Did you miss my reelection announcement?”

  Benjamin nodded toward Shari. “What do you think will happen to your campaign once that reporter breaks this story and tells people what I tried to do and why?”

  “You’re missing the point, Benjamin.” Heather settled back on her seat, appearing as though she didn’t have a care in the world. “As Sister Lou said, regardless of whether I’m reelected, Briar Coast will always be my home. Nothing you can do will ever change that.”

  Benjamin’s face reddened with fury. “Get me out of here.”

  * * *

  Shari crossed into her cubicle at the Telegraph’s office Tuesday morning. She finished skimming her news story on the mayor’s accused stalker. The article appeared on the front page of Tuesday’s edition of the Telegraph. Shari was relieved that the copy was accurate and error free, despite the wild race to complete it before the news deadline last night. She also was satisfied with the accompanying photo, which Diego had taken. It showed the deputies escorting Benjamin Irsay out of the Briar Coast Town Hall. All in all, it was a solid news package.

  With a satisfied and somewhat relieved sigh, Shari reached for her CAN I QUOTE YOU? mug, which stood beside her computer keyboard.

  Her phone rang, interrupting her morning coffee. “Telegraph. Sharelle Henson.”

  “Sharelle, it’s Becca Floyd with Buffalo Today.” The voice that crossed the phone line was slightly amused and very familiar. “I had to call to compliment you on another great news story. I knew that if there was anything more to Opal Lorrie’s death than a simple fall, you’d find the truth.”

  Shari was a little uncomfortable with Becca’s enthusiasm. “I was just doing my job and following the story.”

  “That’s what good reporters do. They go where the news takes them and don’t give up until they get to the end.” Becca’s words were a verbal nod of approval. “I don’t suppose there’s any chance that you’ll change your mind about joining our team here at Buffalo Today?”

  “No chance at all.” Shari’s gaze moved lovingly over the Telegraph office’s aged carpeting and stained walls. “This town and this newspaper are home.”

  “Remember the door’s always open here if you do change your mind down the road.” Becca’s sigh signaled her surrender. “What’s next for you? Are you going to interview the mayor about that El Paso corruption case?”

  “That’s old news.” Shari settled onto her chair at her tan modular desk and turned on her computer. “The online version of the story has a link to the original article on the corruption case if anyone wants to read about it.”

  “Are you sure that’s enough? The case could become a campaign issue, especially since the threats were about her reelection.”

  Diego hadn’t asked Shari to interview Heather about the corruption case. Even if Diego hadn’t been the reporter who’d covered the trial, Shari bet he still would have recommended only adding a link to the original article. She couldn’t imagine him being interested in a fourteen-year-old case that didn’t have any relevance to their town.

  Shari logged on to her computer. “Briar Coast residents are focused on local issues: education, jobs, infrastructure, and access to health care. That’s the coverage the Telegraph’s going to give them. Anything else would be a distraction from the real concerns that are affecting our community.”

  “Then you wouldn’t mind if Buffalo Today covers this story?”

  “Actually, I would.” Shari sat back on her chair in frustration. She could really use another cup of coffee. “Have you read the original trial coverage?”

  “Not yet.” Becca sounded reluctant to make the admission.

  “Read that story first. I’m betting you’ll realize your resources would be better served on something else.”

  “I’ll take your advice, and I wish you all the best for your future.”

  “Thanks. You, too.” Shari smiled as she disconnected the call. Becca’s attention was flattering, but she hoped the managing editor had said her final good-bye. Shari was running out of ways to say no to the other woman’s job offers.

  “Who were you talking to? Did they ask you why you stole my story?” Harold’s questions came from behind her.

  Startled, Shari spun her chair to face her cubicle entrance and the rookie reporter. “How long were you eavesdropping on my call?”

  “Not long.” Harold waved his copy of the Telegraph. “But the real question is why did you steal my story?”

  “Your story? How are the threats against the mayor your story?”

  Harold scowled at her. “It’s about her reelection.”

  “Seriously?” Shari considered Harold. In his navy pinstriped suit complete with handkerchief in the jacket pocket, and black wingtip shoes, he looked as though he was on his way to a bankers’ convention.

  Harold’s expression darkened. “Of course I’m serious.”

  Shari shook her head in amazement. She glanced at her still-empty coffee mug. “I suppose that if you squinted, turned your chin to a certain angle, then stood on your head, you could interpret threats of bodily harm against another person as a reelection issue. However, the state of New York considers it a Class A misdemeanor.”

  Apparently undaunted, Harold shifted his glare to the newspaper gripped in his right hand. “I should have done a better job of keeping you off my beat. Then this article would have had my byline.”

  “I doubt it.” Shari crossed her arms and legs. She spun her chair from side to side.

  Harold gave her a sharp look. “It doesn’t matter anyway. You can take as many stories off of my beat as you’d like.”

  “That story wasn’t on your beat. As much as you’d like to think otherwise, I’m not here to do your work for you. You can—”

  “It’s not my work anymore. I’m giving up the newspaper business.”

  “You are?” Shari was surprised. “Why? Have you realized that you’re not cut out for it?”

  “It’s not cut out for me.”

  “What does that even mean?”

  Harold ignored her question. “I gave Diego my two weeks’ notice. I’m leaving the Telegraph and good riddance.”

  Shari bit her lips together and squeezed her eyes shut to keep from squealing with joy. They were three weeks into the Lenten season, but this news made it feel like Christmas morning. Should she pinch herself to make certain she wasn’t dreaming?

  She did, then opened her eyes. “You’re leaving the Telegraph?”

  “That’s right.” Harold nodded his confirmation. “You’re a really good reporter.”

  “Oh yeah?” Shari eyed Harold curiously.

  He grinned at her. “I don’t blame you for being suspicious, but I’m serious. You make it look so easy. I thought that if I could get a silver bullet like Sister Lou
, I could be just as good a reporter as you are. I was wrong. It’s not about Sister Lou. It’s all you. You’re really good.”

  Shari was overwhelmed. She’d never expected to hear such words from Harold. And she’d never expected them to mean so much. “Thanks, Hal.”

  He shook his head with a smile. “You’re never going to stop calling me that are you?”

  “It’s better than the other nicknames.”

  “Are there a lot of them?”

  “Oh yes.”

  “Do I want to hear them?”

  “Oh no.” Shari called after Harold as he turned to leave. “What are you doing to do?”

  The soon-to-be-former reporter gave her a smug look. “I’m going to be working on Owen Rodney’s communications team. I’m helping him with his mayoral campaign.”

  Shari blinked. “I didn’t see that coming. I hope you’ll be happy with your new job.”

  “Oh, I’m sure I will be.” Harold grinned. “You’ll have to come to me when Owen wins the election and becomes the next mayor of Briar Coast.”

  Shari laughed. “Do you really think Owen Rodney’s going to beat Mayor Stanley?”

  “Absolutely!”

  Shari collected her coffee mug and stood to leave her cubicle. “It wouldn’t be the first time you were wrong.”

  Chapter 34

  Sister Lou set down her glass of water. “What will you do if you don’t win reelection?” She asked the question of Heather who was seated diagonally across the table from her in the motherhouse’s dining area.

  “Isn’t it bad luck to ask a question like that?” Sister Carmen looked up from her seat across from Sister Lou.

  Sister Lou, Sister Carmen, Heather, Shari, Chris, and Diego were dining in the motherhouse Tuesday evening to celebrate successfully—and safely—resolving the threats against the mayor.

  Sister Lou gave her friend an indulgent look. The dining room was fragrant with the mouthwatering scents of the congregation’s main entrée: savory blackened chicken and spicy red beans and rice. Despite such temptation, Sister Carmen kept to her habit of delaying her main course in favor of starting with dessert. For tonight’s selection, Sister Carmen had chosen the apple pie à la mode and added hot fudge, caramel, and maraschino cherries from the ice cream station.