Always Yesterday

by Jeri Odell

  “Done.”

  “And, sir, will you not tell Delanie? I’d like to surprise her when I share my story.” He knew he should apologize to her for crossing the line the other day.

  “Deal. And welcome to the family.” The chief held out his right hand.

  Welcome to the family?

  “The family of God.”

  “Oh.”

  “You’re now my brother in Christ.”

  “Got it.”

  ❧

  The next morning Delanie arrived a few minutes late. Upon unlocking the office door, she found Eli humming. Humming! What in the world?

  “Good morning.” His greeting was exuberant.

  “ ’Morning,” she said, still bleary-eyed.

  “Before Mildred arrives and we have to focus solely on her, I wanted to apologize to you.”

  Delanie nearly dropped her coffee. She set it on the desk and slipped her purse off her shoulder. “To me? For what?”

  “I’m sorry about the other day, and it won’t ever happen again. I was out of line.”

  “I’m sorry, too, Eli. I way overreacted.” She forced her feet to remain planted, wanting nothing more than to run into his arms.

  “Then let’s forget it, okay?”

  “Done.” She settled at her desk, pondering what had just taken place. She booted up her computer, contemplating the change in Eli. He’d apologized, and he wasn’t the apologizing type. What gives?

  Soon both she and Eli stared into the video feed of George’s empty waiting room. She laughed. “Wonder what he’d think of his nickname Georgie.”

  Eli chuckled.

  Delanie sipped her coffee and waited, waited and wondered, wondered about the change in Eli.

  Mildred arrived at the office about ten minutes before eight, and she, too, hummed in the morning. Delanie wondered if she’d missed out on some phenomenon that was going around. She had zero desire to hum in the morning.

  A couple of hours later, a pregnant teen and her parents entered the office across the hall. Delanie glanced at Eli and he at her.

  Mildred greeted them. “I’m new, so you’ll have to bear with me. Is this your first visit?”

  “Yes,” the man answered. “Dr. Barnes sent us.”

  “Dr. Barnes, huh?” Mildred searched the desk. “Oh, here it is. I’ll need you to fill out this intake form, and Mr. Benavides will be with you shortly.”

  The gentleman took the form and returned to the seat next to his wife.

  Delanie already had the phone book open. “Dr. George Barnes,” she whispered. “An ob-gyn.”

  “Why are you whispering?” Eli asked.

  She laughed. “So they don’t hear me. Guess that can’t happen, can it?”

  “Not likely.”

  Eli took the phone book and found the listing. “Now the question is, how do all these young girls get connected with this doctor?”

  “Another missing piece of the puzzle.”

  When the attorney took the clients back to his office, Mildred searched some files. Every time she found another patient of Dr. Barnes, she gave a thumbs-up. Eli kept track of Mildred’s signals while Delanie listened in on the conversation back in George’s private office, jotting down a few notes as they conversed.

  “I think I may have found our link,” she whispered. She handed Eli a piece of paper with the name of a school guidance counselor scribbled across it.

  Eli acknowledged her lead and refocused on the monitor. “Shut the file cabinet.” Eli coached Mildred, though she couldn’t hear him. “They’re coming. Mildred, they. . .are. . .coming.”

  Mildred must have heard them coming down the hall, because she quietly closed the cabinet and whipped out a feather duster. She smiled at George as he escorted his new clients to the door.

  “You are good, woman,” Eli praised her. “You are good! Quick thinker, that Mildred.”

  “Are there any tasks you’d like done while I’m here?” Mildred asked George when the clients left. “I thought I’d dust, but is there any typing, filing, or anything else you need?”

  “No, but thanks.”

  “Am I doing the job all right? I’m hoping for a good reference from you to the temp agency, so I want to be certain you’re pleased.”

  “You’re doing fine.” He appeared distracted. “I have a luncheon appointment. I’ll be back later.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  He left the office.

  “What did you learn from eavesdropping on the meeting with George?” Eli questioned.

  “I’ll play it back for you.” Delanie hit a couple of keys on her computer and replayed the tape from a few minutes before.

  A very compassionate George Benavides explained the adoption process to the family. There was no mention of money. The only headway was a doctor’s name. The same referral name found in fifteen other files.

  Eli phoned and updated Sarge.

  Delanie spent a long afternoon watching Mildred dig through files and listening to her hum. Eli said he’d plant himself in the lobby so he could warn her when George returned. The day dragged on much as their time did watching Brandi.

  Delanie phoned Joe. “How late will you be there tonight?”

  “Sixish. Why?”

  “I just wanted to drop in and have a chat.”

  “Alone?”

  “Alone. I won’t make it until 5:45 or so.”

  “I’ll be here.”

  The day ended uneventfully, and Delanie headed straight for the department. Upon entering Joe’s office, she pushed his door shut.

  “One of those kinds of talks, huh?” Joe raised his eyebrow.

  Delanie sat on the edge of the padded chair. “When this case ends, and it may soon, I need a new partner.”

  “Eli getting to you?”

  “Not in the way you might think.”

  Joe frowned. “I’m not following.”

  “I’m in love with him.”

  “I thought so!” His face lit up, and he slapped his knee.

  How could he possibly be excited?

  “Not a good idea for two lovebirds to work together.” He resembled the cat who swallowed the little yellow bird.

  “I cannot be in love with Eli. You know what the Bible says about being unequally yoked.” The sadness weighing down her heart made it feel heavy in her chest.

  “I hadn’t thought that far ahead.” Joe rubbed his forehead with the tips of his fingers. “I guess I’d hoped, with all the time he was spending with God’s people, hearing God’s Word, a seed would have sprouted.”

  “Me, too.” Delanie sighed.

  “After this assignment we’ll figure out something. Hey, I already called Eli, but in the morning I need you two in here instead of the bank building. I got someone else to cover Mildred. You and Eli have a doctor’s appointment.”

  “But I’m not really pregnant. Don’t you think he may figure that out?”

  Joe winked. “I’ve got a plan, but”—he glanced at his watch—“I’m late. I’ll fill you in tomorrow.” He grabbed his jacket off the back of his chair and was gone.

  Delanie both dreaded and ached for this case to end. The sooner the better. Maybe then her heart could start to heal. Maybe Eli’s would, too.

  ❧

  Eli arranged to meet with Sarge a half hour before Delanie’s arrival time. When Eli got there, he closed the door. Sarge raised his brows but said nothing.

  “When this case ends, I need a new partner.”

  “I thought by now you’d have figured out she’s a decent cop.”

  “She’s better than decent,” Eli corrected.

  “What, then? Are you still on your ‘I won’t work with a woman’ kick?”

  “Not completely, but I’d still prefer my next partner to be a man. I believe Delanie is the exception rather than the rule.”

  “So you respect her as a cop. What’s the problem, then?”

  “It’s complicated,” Eli said hesitantly. He’d humiliated himself enough for o
ne lifetime and didn’t want to relive it for another human being.

  Sarge said nothing but gave Eli the eye as his dad used to years ago.

  “All right. I’m in love with her—but it won’t work. Are you satisfied?”

  “When the case closes, I’ll see who’s available.”

  Not a firm promise, Eli noted. “I’d like to put in for the drug detail again.”

  Sarge nodded.

  There was a single rap on the door. “Yo!” Sarge hollered.

  Delanie entered. She glanced from one to the other. Her eyes filled with questions, such as why she’d been left out of this powwow.

  Neither offered her an explanation.

  A second later a pregnant woman entered. She could have been Delanie’s sister—small, blond, but not nearly as pretty.

  “Delanie, Eli, meet Suzy Jones, aka Lanie Lucas—for today.” Delanie’s gaze met his. “Eli and Lanie have a doctor’s appointment in”—he checked his watch—“two hours. Turns out old Doc Barnes had a cancellation today. Delanie, you and I will attend the appointment from the parking lot, via earpiece. We can only wire Eli for obvious reasons. During the doctor’s exam he might stumble across the equipment.”

  “Wait.” Eli didn’t care for the sound of this. “I’m going in with her for an examination?”

  “Where’s cool, calm Eli?” Delanie teased.

  “We have it all figured out, and Suzy’s husband gave his blessing,” Sarge assured them. “It will be aboveboard. The appointment is for a consultation, so there shouldn’t be an exam; but in case there is, Eli will play the squeamish boyfriend and station himself at Suzy’s head. Should anything get personal, he can turn away and close his eyes.”

  Eli arched his brow. “And Mr. Jones isn’t going to hunt me down later?” He wasn’t liking this one bit.

  “No, he’s very mild-mannered. Anything for the force, you know.” Suzy patted her slightly protruding tummy.

  “How far along are you?” Delanie asked.

  Eli heard a tinge of longing in her question.

  “Five months. We just found out it’s a little girl, which is what we hoped for. We already have a two-year-old son.”

  “Nice.” Delanie smiled.

  Eli left them to their chitchat and ran down to get a body pack. He brought back the earpieces for Sarge and Delanie.

  “Let’s get this show on the road.” Sarge headed for the door. He led them to an SUV parked in the police lot.

  Y

  Delanie sat in the back with Suzy, and they talked about having a police job with a husband and kids. When Suzy and Eli went into the office building, Delanie joined Sarge in the front, claiming the passenger seat.

  They listened to Eli and Suzy as they signed in and filled out forms. Since it had been discussed beforehand, Delanie knew the couple would write that Eli was unemployed and Lanie worked at the Burger House. They would check the no-insurance box. And Eli would pay with cash. Joe had every detail covered. He always did.

  “Lanie Lucas,” a pleasant voice called out. Delanie heard shuffling, and then the voice said, “I’ll show you into the doctor’s private office, where he does consults.”

  Delanie heard the sound of shoes against a tile floor. The same voice said, “He’ll be in shortly.” And then nothing. Dead silence.

  After what seemed like forever, she heard a brief knock and the squeak of a door. “Lanie Lucas, I’m Dr. Barnes.”

  “This is my boyfriend, Ethan Farnsworth.”

  “Mr. Farnsworth.”

  Delanie could easily picture Eli’s expressions.

  “I see you two aren’t in great financial shape to pay for this pregnancy.”

  “No, sir.” Suzy came across as timid and unsure. “My parents aren’t exactly thrilled, either. They kicked me out, so we can’t count on their help.”

  “Have you considered adoption?”

  “Bingo!” Joe said.

  “Well. . .” Suzy hesitated.

  “That’s what I think we should do.” Eli spoke up.

  “You know,” the doctor continued, “you can often ask for the baby’s expenses to be covered by the adoptive parents, things like the doctor and hospital bill.”

  “How?” Suzy played the role well.

  “I know a lawyer.” There was a pause. “Here’s his card. I’d recommend you meet with him and weigh your options.”

  “If we meet with him, are we committed to adoption?”

  “Good job, Suze.” Joe gave Delanie a thumbs-up.

  “Not at all,” the doctor assured her in a good-old-boy voice. “You’re just checking out the possibilities, nothing more.”

  “I think I’d like that. At least, like the doctor said, we’d know what our choices are.”

  Eli’s voice brought with it a pang of regret for Delanie. How I wish we had choices.

  “Do we just call the number on this card?” he asked.

  “No. The appointment has to be made through our office. He doesn’t take walk-ins. If you’d like, I can have my receptionist set it up for you.”

  So that’s how it works.

  “Sure,” Eli agreed.

  “I don’t know.” Suzy was holding back.

  Delanie thought they did a good job of sounding conflicted, like a true couple might.

  “Remember—it’s only to see what opportunities are out there for both you and your child,” the doctor reminded her in a caring tone.

  “Smooth, very smooth.” Joe shook his head in disgust.

  “Excuse me. I’ll be but a moment.” They heard the click of a door, so Delanie assumed the doctor had left.

  The office was silent while he was gone.

  “I wish they’d argue like a real couple might, in case the place is bugged, which it probably is,” Joe commented amid the silence.

  The door squeaked. “Mr. Benavides has an opening tomorrow morning. Why don’t you at least pay him a visit and hear what he has to say?” The man’s solicitous tone grated on Delanie. “He’s expecting you both, and please take your picture ID.”

  “We’re in!” Joe yelled and high-fived Delanie. “Finally.”

  Chapter 13

  Delanie finished her jog and was walking her final mile to cool down. Today marked the beginning of the end. As they neared the finish line on the case, and she closed in on the termination of her partnership with Eli, she dealt with a plethora of emotions—anxiety, fear, regret, sorrow.

  “God, don’t let this heartache be wasted. Use it to reveal more of Yourself and to refine me. More of You, less of me.” That was the constant cry of her heart, but she had such a long way to go.

  Arriving at her town house, she fed her dogs and hopped in the shower. Tonight she and Courtney were meeting for dinner. Courtney thought they were discussing wedding details, but in truth Delanie planned an ambush. She’d invited a friend from high school to join them, a friend who’d married an unbeliever. She couldn’t just roll over without at least trying. When Courtney was fully informed and still chose Tad, that would be her business, but Delanie decided she needed all of the facts and felt God nudging her to supply them.

  She met Courtney at a restaurant in Sparks, one they hadn’t been to before. She’d picked up Mickie on the way. Courtney was already seated when they arrived. Her surprise was evident when the two of them showed up.

  “Courtney, this is an old friend from high school, Mickie Jordan, now Mickie Banks.”

  Courtney hugged Delanie and sent Mickie a smile. “I remember you.” She slid back into the circular booth. “You were one of Delanie’s brainy friends.”

  “Guilty as charged. We were on the debate team together.” Mickie adjusted her glasses.

  Delanie slid into the booth first, and Mickie followed.

  “Are you a wedding planner?” Courtney tried to piece the puzzle together.

  Mickie giggled. “No. Sadly, I have no right brain at all. Wedding planning would debilitate me. I could never do something so creative, though I wish I could.”r />
  “Mickie is a chemical engineer.” Delanie placed her napkin in her lap.

  “Oh?” The question mark in Courtney’s tone grew. Her gaze settled on Delanie; she obviously expected an explanation.

  Delanie picked up her menu. “Let’s order. I’m starving.” She wanted to wait until after the waiter came, figuring Courtney would be less likely to leave if she had food on the way.

  They perused the menus in silence, and when the waiter returned, they each placed their order.

  “Courtney, the reason I brought Mickie tonight has nothing to do with your wedding and everything to do with your groom.” Delanie paused to let the information sink in.

  “What?” Courtney’s gaze shifted to Mickie. “Do you know Tad?”

  “No, but I’m married to a guy just like him—a guy who doesn’t know God in a personal way.”

  Anger settled over Courtney’s features, and her face reddened. Glaring at Delanie, she said, “I don’t appreciate your interference. It’s none of your business.”

  Delanie wasn’t sure whether Courtney would stick around or not. Her posture indicated flight. “Courtney, please, please hear us out. I will never bring it up again, if only you will sit through this dinner with an open mind and open ears.”

  “Why should I?” The pulse in the side of Courtney’s neck popped in and out.

  “You told me I’m your oldest and dearest friend. If that’s true, then you know how much I love you.”

  Courtney’s expression softened the tiniest bit.

  Delanie inhaled a deep breath. “You say this is none of my business, but as your friend and your sister in the Lord, I have to, at the very least, arm you with all the facts. I have to be certain you understand the reality of saying ‘I do’ to a man who doesn’t share your faith.”

  “Fair enough.” Courtney rearranged her silverware. “I’ll listen if you promise this is the end of your crusade. From this day forward you’ll accept my decision and be happy for me. You’re my maid of honor, and the least you can do is share in my excitement.”

  Courtney was right. Delanie never should have accepted the position when she was so convinced of the wrongness of Courtney’s choice. Too late to turn back now. “I promise.” If Courtney plowed ahead, she wasn’t sure how she’d feign happiness, let alone excitement, but she would do her best. Nobody wanted a dour maid of honor.