by Ellery Adams
“Angela, you’re a confident and classy woman too.”
Angela smiled. “Oh, Coop, you’re so sweet. I am what I am, and I’m nothing like Mona. You wait and see.”
“How do you know Mona?”
“She and I went to the same schools growing up. Mona sort of took me under her wing. I was the odd girl out growing up and got bullied a lot back then. But never when Mona was around. One look from Mona and the bullies scurried like mice. We have a lifelong friendship forged in steel.”
Cooper cocked her head and looked at Angela. She was sad to hear that such a sweet person was bullied growing up.
“What does Mona do for a living?” Cooper asked.
“Mona works for a museum. She’s an assistant curator at an art museum in Charlotte.”
“I don’t even know what that means.”
Angela shrugged. “Neither do I. But it must be important. She flies all over the world for her job.” She looked up at the clock. “I’d better run. Her plane arrives in an hour.”
“If you’re busy, I’d be happy to pick Mona up for you. Part of the maid of honor special.”
“You’ve done enough already. Besides, I have to pick up Betty Boop at the groomers on the way.”
“How is Betty?”
“As sweet as can be. I bought her a little white tulle dress for the wedding. The groomer will paint her nails too. Organic paint, of course. She’s so excited.”
“Betty is coming to the wedding?” Cooper tried to imagine the Yorkshire terrier in tulle with a tiara on her head and nearly burst out laughing.
“Of course. She’s my baby girl. What mama leaves her daughter home on her wedding day?”
Cooper thought about Loretta and Alice. Some mamas did just that.
Angela put away her headset and locked up her desk. “I heard about all the work you’ve done preparing your yard and painting trellises and all. I have to say, Coop, you’ve been the best maid of honor ever.”
“It was all Ashley. She loves planning, and in her first trimester of pregnancy she’s always full of energy. I only hope they don’t put her on bedrest her last trimester. That nearly did her in last time. It’s like trying to tame a tornado.”
“That certainly describes your sister. You, too, for that matter. The Lee girls are both dynamos!” She pulled out a compact mirror, generously reapplied her lipstick, and smacked her lips.
“Angela, the reservations are all set for our spa day, but are you sure that’s where you want your bachelorette party?”
“Absolutely. I may be a bride on the outside, but inside I’m an old married woman. I don’t want to go clubbing. I’ve got my man, and I’m happy. A spa day with the girls sounds heavenly.”
“Okay. Then spa day it is. I invited Mr. Farmer’s sister, though she hasn’t RSVP’d.”
“I’ll fall over in a faint if she shows up, but now she can’t say she wasn’t included.”
The front door opened as one of Ben’s Document Security employees returned from lunch. The air movement sent a waft of delightful rose scent to Cooper’s nose.
“Wow, those roses smell wonderful.”
“Don’t they? They’re a gift from Mr. Farmer. Today’s the anniversary of the day we met. When I first came to work for him.”
“Really?”
“Uh-huh.” She paused from closing down her computer and smiled. “I remember it like it was yesterday. Mr. Farmer took the entire staff—although, then there were only three of us—to lunch to celebrate signing a big client. We went to Casa Grande. My gaze connected with his across the table, and I knew. I didn’t know it would take seven years for him to figure it out, but they say men are slower in that department than women.”
“Still, that is so romantic.”
“How are things coming along with that yummy chef? I hear he has the hots for you.”
Cooper blinked with surprise at her words. “How did you know about Jon?”
“Oh, I think Ashley might have mentioned it because your mama told her about him coming by and then coming by a second time, only to be put to work in the yard. That’s a sign of a real man. Willing to get his hands dirty for a woman.”
“I . . . Jon and I are friends.”
Angela laughed. “Oh, Cooper, you’re so cute.” She scooped her purse up from the floor and grabbed her car keys from the desk. “See you later.”
The moment Angela sashayed out the front door, her four-inch heels clicking on the linoleum, Mr. Farmer stepped out of his office. He glanced around. “Is she gone?”
“Angela?”
He nodded.
“Yes, she’s off to pick up Betty Boop and Mona Lister in that order.”
“I need your help, Cooper.” Mr. Farmer swiped a hand across his forward, pushing back his salt-and-pepper hair onto his balding head.
“Yes, sir. How can I help?”
“We’ve got to find the perfect wedding present for Angela.”
“We?” Cooper grimaced. Angela’s ring finger sported two platinum bands—one plain and the other a three-carat diamond. Wasn’t that present enough?
“Yes. You know Angela better than anyone.”
“You’re her husband, sir.”
“Cooper, I still haven’t figured out how a guy like me landed a gal like Angela.” His eyes pleaded with her. “I need help.”
Cooper swallowed. Now she had the responsibility for her boss’s marriage in her hands. Maybe now would be a good time to ask for a raise.
“I’m not good at this, and I don’t want my Angela do be disappointed,” Mr. Farmer continued. “See if you can find out what she’d like.”
“Okay, Mr. Farmer. I’ll do my best.”
Mr. Farmer smiled, his pudgy features brightening at her words. “Thanks, Cooper. I knew I could count on you. Remember, we’re getting married again in two weeks.”
“Yes, sir.” She headed to her office, plopped into her chair, and reached for her cell phone. It only took one ring for Ashley to answer.
“I was just going to call you,” her sister said. “We have a serious problem.”
“No. I don’t need any more problems, Ashley. Don’t even tell me right now. I don’t want to know.”
“You’re going to have to deal with it eventually.”
Cooper picked up her coffee mug and downed the cold remains from this morning. “Fine, what is it?”
“Angela wants her dog in the wedding. Her dog. In a wedding.”
“Oh, that. She already told me. Betty Boop is very well behaved.”
“That doesn’t change the fact that Betty Boop is a dog, Cooper.”
“It’s her wedding, and Ashley, in the scheme of things, does a dog really matter?”
“Cooper, I don’t think you understand. I’ve invited Richmond Bride Magazine to the wedding. They’re bringing a photographer and billing this as a country wedding. My reputation is on the line.”
“Richmond Bride Magazine? Why would you do that? A country wedding? This is a small ceremony held in Mama and Daddy’s backyard.”
“Mama and Daddy live in the country. Therefore it’s a country wedding.” She sniffed loudly, a sure sign that Ashley was on a roll and her hackles were up. “You’re the one who said I was good at this. I thought this wedding might be good for my portfolio.”
“What portfolio?” Cooper sputtered. “You said you’d think about my idea, and you definitely deferred until after little junior was born.”
“I reconsidered.”
Cooper bit back a snarky retort. Why was it that eventually everything always boiled down to Ashley and her highfalutin lifestyle? This was Angela’s wedding, not Ashley’s career launch.
“Aren’t you going to say something, Cooper?”
“I’m trying to figure out who stole Mindy’s painting and murdered her stepmother. Trust me, a terrier in tulle is not as important as you might believe at this moment. Besides, you’re supposed to relax. Do you want your doctor to put you on bed rest again?”
&n
bsp; “No. However, that doesn’t help my current situation. I don’t know if I should offer the wedding guests birdseed to toss at the happy couple or maybe put a dog waste station in the backyard.” She paused. “You don’t suppose guests will bring their dogs, do you?”
“Betty Boop is the only four-legged animal attending the wedding. Try to remember that this is Angela’s big day.”
“Fine.” She paused. “What did you need, Cooper?”
“Mr. Farmer wants me to find a wedding present for Angela. I don’t know what to suggest. Can you help me out?”
“What’s our budget?” Ashley asked.
“Mr. Farmer spares nothing for his Angela.”
“Oh! That’s what I like to hear. Let me get back to you. In the meantime, try to convince Angela that the pooch should stay home.”
“That’s not going to happen. Betty Boop is to Angela what your Hannah is to you.”
When Ashley sighed, remorse hit Cooper. Ashley was only being Ashley and she was doing all the planning on the wedding as a favor to her.
“How are you doing, Ash?” she inquired gently.
“Ugh. Don’t ask. Mindy asked me to go to her stepmother’s funeral with her Friday morning. How could I say no? I am not looking forward to this.”
“Does anyone look forward to a funeral?”
“No, but this is especially dreadful.”
Ashley was right, yet the mention of the funeral sparked an idea. “Could you do me a favor, and take notes on who attends the service?”
“Are you asking me to go undercover at a funeral? Cooper, that is so inappropriate.”
Cooper laughed. “Yes. I guess that is what I’m asking.”
“Why can’t you?”
“Ash, I have a full-time job, and I’m working on the wedding, along with looking into Mindy’s situation. Just keep your eye out. Use your phone and take a picture of the guest book.”
“All right. I’ll try, but this is very distasteful.”
“I agree.” She disconnected the call with Ashley in time to see another call come through.
Jon Eason. Not a good day to talk to the man whose mere presence confused her. Cooper let the call go to voice mail.
When she looked up, Josh and Bobby filled the doorway of her office. She glanced at the clock on her phone. “You’re just getting back from lunch?”
“Don’t we wish?” Bobby said. “Josh’s vehicle died. I had to pick him up, and we both went to his last appointment of the morning. That appointment went long, but we figured out the problem and left the customer satisfied.”
“Way to go. Are you two going to take a lunch break now?” she asked.
“We can’t. We both have afternoon jobs in about ten minutes.”
“You have to take a lunch break. That’s the law.” Cooper pulled up the repair schedule on her computer. “Josh, we can easily move the Copy Master appointment to next week. I’ll call and reschedule. It’s only routine maintenance.”
“What about that Busy Hands Daycare?” Bobby asked. “They sent an SOS this morning for their color copier.”
“I’ll take that. You two grab lunch. Josh, take the delivery van for the rest of today’s appointments. I’ll clear it with Ben. Be sure to get yourself a loaner vehicle for tomorrow.”
“Yes, boss. Thanks.”
Bobby gave her a thumbs-up. “I guess that’s why they pay you the big bucks, huh?”
Big bucks. Right. Mr. Farmer had given her a raise commensurate with her new position two years ago. Cooper shook her head. It was time to revisit her job description and salary.
Cooper called and rescheduled the appointment with Copy Master and then reached for her trusty toolbox, sitting in the corner of her office. She dusted off the red enamel lid and opened it up to be certain all her supplies were as she’d left them. Her spirits lifted as she recalled all the repairs she’d handled since she came to work for Mr. Farmer.
Things were out of control on all fronts of her life. But repairs, that was something she could control. This afternoon it would be back to basics. There was nothing like a drive in Richmond traffic with the Beatles playing loudly, and a repair appointment on the schedule, to clear her head. She printed a copy of the work order and headed out the door with a smile on her face.
Chapter Eleven
“Thanks for letting me come along,” Trish said from the backseat. She fastened her seat belt with a loud click. “You’ll probably think this is silly, but ever since you called me about that ice pick thing, I’ve been on edge. I’m the only one home this weekend, which kicked my paranoia into high gear.”
Cooper took a look back at Trish’s mansion. The place was huge. Who cleaned a house that big? was her first thought. How did you find the bathroom in the middle of the night? No, thank you. She was happy in her little studio apartment.
“Where’s your family?” Quinton asked as he guided the borrowed sedan down the other side of her horseshoe driveway. He signaled and pulled out into the perfectly landscaped neighborhood. Not a single weed in sight, anywhere.
“My kids are in Goochland, visiting Phil’s parents for the weekend, and Phil is out of town until Monday.”
“You don’t work on Saturday anymore?” Cooper asked from the front passenger seat.
“I hope I’ve learned something since my cancer diagnosis. I’ve slowed down to appreciate life. I let my junior associates handle Saturday and Sunday. Oh, occasionally I’ll go into the office on the weekend, if someone asks for me specifically or if it’s someone important.”
“Good for you, Trish,” Cooper said. “We’re glad to have you. The more, the merrier.”
“Yes. Good for you,” Quinton agreed.
“I brought disguises too.” From the backseat, Trish handed Cooper a shopping bag.
Cooper recognized the logo on the bag as being from one of the expensive boutiques where her sister shopped. “Disguises?” she asked.
“We’re undercover, aren’t we? I have more hats than you can imagine from my chemotherapy time. I thought we could put them to good use.”
“Trish, that’s absolutely brilliant.” She turned in her seat to see what Trish had on her head. “Oh, I like that.” The Realtor wore a large straw hat with a wide brim and with sunglasses. “You look like a movie star.”
Cooper dipped into the bag and pulled out an olive drab bucket hat. Then she dug in her purse for sunglasses. Next, she found Quinton a hat. “Here, put this on. You’re the wheelman, so you have to be well disguised.”
Quinton glanced down at the black wool slouchy beanie and grinned. “I’ve always wanted to be a hipster.” He donned the hat and pulled sunglasses from his pocket.
When he looked at Cooper, he started laughing. “Are those real sunglasses? Can they get any bigger? They swallow your face.”
“They’re my grandmother’s.”
“They look like it.”
They drove in silence for minutes until they reached Alice’s apartment complex. Quinton parked along the curb, close enough to be able to observe cars coming in and out of the parking area. “Now we wait,” Quinton said. He disconnected his seat belt and reached for a container of muffins at Cooper’s feet. “This will go nicely with our coffee.”
As soon as he removed the lid, the scent of lemon filled the car. “Lemon poppy seed muffins?” Quinton grinned and offered her the container.
“Yes, please.” Cooper carefully took one and handed the container to Trish.
“Oh, Quinton,” Trish said a moment later. “You outdid yourself.”
“I agree,” Cooper said around a mouthful.
“Thank you, ladies. You know, I got to thinking about Alice last night, when I was reheating my leftover boeuf bourguignon.”
“You made boeuf bourguignon?” Trish asked. “What are you, Mr. Julia Child?”
Quinton laughed. “As a matter of fact, our little rendezvous to Alice’s bistro inspired me. I ordered the double volume of Julia Child’s French Cookbook. It showed up t
his week, and my plan is to work my way through both volumes.”
“That’s just like that movie,” Cooper said. “Except the main character tried to do it in a year.”
“What movie?” Trish asked.
“Julie and Julia. You’ve never seen it?” Quinton asked Trish. “I love that movie, Cooper. I must have watched it a dozen times. When she finally learned how to debone a duck, I was giddy.”
“I’ve never seen it,” Trish said. “Perhaps the group should have a movie night sometime.”
“Good idea,” Cooper said. “Anyhow, you mentioned Alice, Quinton.”
“Yes, I got to thinking about Alice and then about Loretta. Coop, you said Mindy mentioned Loretta wasn’t exactly thrifty, and she was insistent that Mindy sell to a developer. So I reached out to some banking friends to do a little checking. I can’t mention numbers, but the bottom line is that Mindy was spot on. Turns out Loretta was busted. Flat broke. She’s two months behind on the rent for her fancy condo.”
“How is that possible?” Cooper asked. “She inherited Mr. Atwood’s estate.”
“I don’t know,” Quinton said. “Though I bet Alice does.”
“I’ve been thinking about that lipstick,” Trish said. She opened her purse and pulled out her own black tube, exactly like Ashley’s and Mindy’s and Loretta’s. “This brand is not cheap, and it’s only sold at a few select boutiques, which has made it not only popular but in short supply.”
“It makes me wonder who could afford to buy a tube just to grind nuts into it,” Cooper said.
“Did they buy a lipstick, or did they borrow someone’s tube?” Trish suggested.
“Good point,” Cooper said. Already she was creating scenarios in her mind.
“And if murder was the goal, why by nuts? They took her EpiPen, but she could have stopped at an emergency room on the way,” Trish said. “Why, she could have even had a backup device in the glove box. We do that for my daughter’s allergies.”
Quinton nodded vigorously. “My thoughts exactly. The whole setup seems like an elaborate plan to get Loretta out of the way rather than a plan to murder her.”
“Get her out of the way? Why?” Cooper asked.
“To steal the paintings,” Quinton said.
