Best Enemies (A Triple Trouble Mystery)

by Lynn Emery

  Ryan laughed again then grew serious moments later. “Family is too important. Sad to say it takes a tragedy to drive that home.”

  “Thank you, Ryan. Anthony is dealing with being a teenager and losing Jack has just been…” Willa closed her eyes against the sudden wellspring of emotion. When she looked at Ryan again he wore an empathetic expression.

  “I know, I know. Now I’m not trying to get in the way of your father or two brothers. Those guys are there for Anthony. I could see that at the funeral.” Ryan smiled.

  “Like I said, the more support Anthony feels around him the better.” Willa reached out, took one of Ryan’s large hands and squeezed it. “Thanks again.”

  “Hey, I’m looking forward to a few testosterone outings. I’m outnumbered by females,” he teased. “So, how is the business going?”

  “Pretty smooth actually. I was feeling lost at first, but Cedric stepped right up.” Willa relaxed into the chair as she let go of his hand.

  “Excellent. Of course even a right-hand man might not know everything. Jack and I talked business a lot. So if you need some advice, you know any loose ends, I might be able to help.”

  “Well, I really appreciate the offer. Cedric is on top of things. He’s been great.”

  “I’m sure he has, but in my experience there’s no substitute for family watching your back.” Ryan smiled at her.

  “I hear ya. Listen, if I think of anything I’ll— ” Willa blinked rapidly her mind working.

  “What?” Ryan tilted his handsome head.

  “You wouldn’t happen to know anything about Stafford, Inc. and a contract Jack had with them?”

  “Jack and I talked about the business in general. Sometimes he asked for my opinion on things. Maybe if you told me a little about it or let me read the file.”

  “That’s just it, we can’t find it. I’m going to get in touch with an employee who happens to attend Jack’s church,” Willa replied.

  Ryan frowned at her. “Jack hasn’t attended our family church in years.”

  “Uh, no. Apparently Jack had been attending the Abundant Love Tabernacle recently.” Willa watched Ryan’s expression turn from puzzled to faintly amused.

  “Jack became a holy roller? I’m trying to picture it.” Ryan shook his head.

  “You don’t believe he had a spiritual awakening inspired by Reverend Fisher?”

  “More like he awakened to a business opportunity.” Ryan laughed. “Let me know when you find out more.”

  “I will. And thanks for the thinking of Anthony.”

  Ryan stood. “We’re family, right?”

  Willa stood as well and looked up at him. “Yes, we are.”

  “I’ll give Anthony a call this afternoon about the time he gets home from school.” Ryan reached out and took one of Willa’s hands into both his. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. Really.” Willa smiled up at him. When he continued to hold her hand Willa gently pulled free. “I better get back to work. Being the boss is harder than I thought.”

  “I’m sure you’re up to it. Well, I’ll get out of the way and let you take care of business. Goodbye.” Ryan headed for the door.

  “Goodbye.” Willa walked him out to the lobby. Cedric came out at the same time carrying folders.

  “Cedric, have you met Jack’s brother Ryan?” Willa said.

  Cedric shook Ryan’s outstretched hand. “No, nice meeting you.”

  “Same here. Thanks for being such a help to Willa. The Crown family appreciates your loyalty. This business meant a lot to my brother,” Ryan said. “Good employees are a huge asset.”

  Willa pursed her lips. Ryan had expressed gratitude and reminded Cedric of his place. When she glanced sideways at Cedric his taut smile said it all. Willa wasn’t imagining Ryan’s condescending vibe. The Crown family superiority complex came through.

  “Jack and I had a great partnership. I’m happy to maintain the high standards we set,” Cedric replied without losing the smile.

  “Glad to hear it.” Ryan looked at Willa. “I’ll be in touch soon. Maybe Anthony can come out to the club for tennis and lunch this weekend.”

  “I know he’ll love that. Thanks again. Bye.” Willa smiled at him and waved. Then she exchanged a glance with Kay, who sat at her desk pretending to be busy.

  “What did Mr. Crown want?” Cedric said with enough salt in his tone to preserve a slab of beef.

  “Just stopped by to offer his help. You know, I think he might give us a lead on the Stafford contract.” Willa gazed at the door Ryan had just gone through.

  “Can we talk?” Cedric said crisply. He marched into her office before she could answer.

  Willa looked at Kay who gave a tiny shrug. She followed him in and shut the door. “What’s the deal?”

  “Are you close to your former brother-in-law?” Cedric crossed his arms.

  Willa blinked at him rapidly. “Um, not especially. He’s trying to extend himself now that Jack is dead. I mean he is Mikayla’s and Anthony’s uncle.”

  “But he didn’t exactly act all ‘we are family’ before. Jack told me they clashed a lot. Barely spoke.” Cedric frowned. “I’m just saying be careful. Jack and Ryan might have been brothers by blood but...”

  “I knew they had a sibling rivalry thing going as kids. But you make it sound like they hated each other’s guts.” Willa raised an eyebrow at him.

  “Look, I’m just saying don’t be taken in by that thick layer of charm over the snakeskin,” Cedric replied with heat in his voice. “I don’t know the details of what went down, but Jack told me Ryan was a backstabbing SOB. His words, not mine.”

  “Oh.” Willa stared at him, shocked by his vehemence.

  “I do know that Ryan sabotaged three lucrative contracts Jack went after. I’m just saying the dude is bad news.” Cedric stared at Willa. “And I think taking Ryan into your confidence about anything is a bad idea.”

  “Sheesh, don’t hold back on what you think of ol’ Ryan,” Willa blurted out.

  Cedric started to speak then took in and let out two deep breaths. He dropped his arms. “Sorry. I came on a little strong.”

  “Uh, yeah.”

  “But I don’t take back anything I said about Jack’s brother. Listen, we scrambled to build this business. That’s right, Jack and me. Ryan tried to wreck Crown Protection.”

  “I know Ryan and Jack always tried to one up each other, but Ryan has his own successful company. Why would he go after Jack’s business?” Willa tried to think back, to remember any outright hostility between the two men.

  “I’m telling you what I know and what Jack said. Their old man was always bragging about Jack being in control. That family has some strange dynamics.” Cedric shook his head slowly.

  “Yeah.” Willa could have said much more, but nasty or not the Crowns were family. Technically speaking. “Anyway, I tell you what. I’ll get more information from Ryan than I give. At least until I sniff out any impure motives.”

  “That’s all I’m saying. Be careful. Hope I didn’t overstep too far.” Cedric’s intense expression relaxed. “I care a lot. About the business.”

  “Right. And don’t worry, I appreciate the advice, I really do.” Willa’s smile of assurance covered her confusion. “Thanks.”

  “Just want to help. Really.” Cedric took a step closer to her. “I’ve got a couple of phone calls to make, but I’m free for lunch. We can talk about two possible new contracts. One is security at a construction site.”

  “Um, sure. Sounds good.” Willa went to her office door and opened it.

  Cedric took the hint. “Great. We can go to The Great Wall for Chinese. Their lunch menu is something else.”

  “Okay. Let’s meet up in the lobby at about twelve thirty,” Willa replied.

  Cedric smiled at her then strode away. The second he was gone Willa spun around to Kay.

  “What the…?” Willa put both hands on her hips.

  “All I know is Mr. Crown is fine,” Kay b
lurted out. “Uh, that’s not very helpful is it?”

  “Having been married to one of the Crown boys, I can speak with much knowledge. Don’t let a handsome face- ”

  “And delicious body,” Kay cut in and gave a shiver.

  “And delicious body make you stupid. A man’s true character is what counts,” Willa lectured. Kay’s dazed, hungry female expression told her the advice was lost. “Okay. I tried. I’m getting back to work.”

  But the rest of morning was a wash out. Instead of working Willa sorted through the puzzle of Ryan’s offer of help and Cedric’s fervent suspicion of that offer. If what Cedric said was true, then Jack wouldn’t have discussed his business with Ryan. On the other hand, Ryan seemed to imply Willa shouldn’t rely on Cedric. Willa didn’t know which man to believe. So she decided she’d keep an eye on both. Ryan was right about one thing, she should trust family. Her own, and that didn’t include the Crown clan.

  ***

  Sunday dawned into a beautiful day. Willa picked out a moss green suit to wear with a hat the same color. Church ladies worth their salt wore fabulous hats. Thanks to her aunts Ametrine and Beryl she had several to choose from. She got at least one from either of them each Christmas. Aunt Beryl would even scope out Willa’s closet so she could find a hat to match.

  Willa chose to drive Jack’s Jaguar to Abundant Love Tabernacle. She figured it would blend in. She was right and then some. Rows of luxury cars, foreign and domestic, seemed everywhere she looked. The huge church took up half a city block in a section of southeastern Baton Rouge. Directly in front of the church was a green expanse of lawn. Three crosses towered against the blue sky, the tallest one in the center. Above huge front double doors of the church was a stained glass window with praying hands depicted. Elegantly dressed worshippers streamed into the doors. Willa forced herself to stop gawking and pay attention to driving. Directed by one of her own security guards, Willa found a space on one of two adjoining parking lots. She got out and locked the car. The guard walked over to her.

  “Hi, Mrs. Crown.” He tipped his cap with Crown Protection in gold embroidered letters on it.

  “Hi, Gary,” Willa said, after reading his nametag.

  Gary laughed. “I know you don’t remember all forty of your employees. Don’t worry about it.”

  “Thanks for being understanding. But if I’m going to be a crack security business owner I need to work on that. Jack had a memory like a steel safe.”

  “Yeah, that party dawg could have a good time but he took care of business.” Gary gave an appreciative laugh.

  “Ah-ha.” Willa gazed at him steadily for several moments.

  “I mean he was a great boss.” Gary tugged on his collar and looked around. He spotted a lady trying to park in a narrow spot. “I gotta go help.”

  “She just made it in. See?” Willa nodded at the white Cadillac. “Now tell me about Jack’s party habits. Sounds like you two had some good times together.”

  “Um, well he’d treat some of the guys to a round of beers and hot wings. He didn’t act all uppity. Sure he came from a rich family, but he was regular.”

  “Ah.” Willa nodded and smiled at him. “Yes, Jack loved to mix and mingle. Ever went to any gentlemen’s clubs with him?”

  Gary rubbed his face hard with one hand, hitched his pants and looked around. “Ma’am it’s Sunday, and we’re outside the Lord’s house.”

  “Which means you should tell the truth,” Willa replied in a dry tone.

  “I’ve heard a few after work parties were held there,” Gary replied.

  “Where, specifically, did they go?” Willa tilted her head back.

  “Candy Girls over on Brookstown. They have happy hour for the working guys just getting off. Uh, that’s what somebody told me.” Gary glanced at Willa. “My wife is an usher here, ya know.”

  “Don’t worry. She won’t find out from me what you’ve ‘heard’ about Candy Girls.” Willa smiled at him. “I’m not passing judgment.”

  Gary let go of the breath he was holding. “Thank you, ma’am. Have a blessed day, ma’am.”

  “You do the same.”

  Willa smiled and nodded to him as a cute, short plump woman wearing a dark blue dress approached. Two outside speakers rang with the sound of electronic bells. From out of nowhere seemingly MiMi fell in step beside her.

  “Praise the Lord. We just happened to pick the same Sunday to visit Reverend Free Hands.” MiMi wore a champagne suit. The peplum jacket accentuated her curves. Several church brothers beamed at her as they walked by.

  “What the— ” Willa caught the curse word about to come out when she saw the shadow of one of the huge crosses. “You’re being here is no coincidence,” she hissed.

  “I called your house this morning to talk and Mikayla, sweet child, mentioned that she and Anthony were going to church with their great aunts, while you were going to the ‘Lots of Love’ church.” MiMi smiled and dipped her head demurely at another flirting male.

  “Sweet child indeed.” Willa was going to have a chat with her little fountain of information.

  “Reverend Free hands got Jack the hook-up with Strafford, Inc. So you’re not here for the sermon I bet.” MiMi spoke quietly as they entered the sanctuary.

  “If we weren’t in church…” Willa muttered through her tight smile. Another group of men hovered nearby glancing up and down at them.

  “Remember we’re practically family,” MiMi said. “Let’s sit here.”

  A tall gentleman impeccably dressed in a black suit and Kelly green silk tie strode down the aisle.

  “Greetings in the name of the Lord, sisters. I’m brother Hilton Sanchez. Reverend Fisher invites you to our Honored Guests section.” He pointed the way.

  Willa exchanged a glance with MiMi and hesitated. “I, uh.”

  “Why thank you, Brother Sanchez. We are so thrilled,” MiMi spoke up.

  She cupped Willa’s elbow firmly and propelled her along behind Brother Sanchez. They drew curious, even envious stares as they took the long walk. Moments later they arrived at the Honored Guests pew, three rows of cushioned pews upholstered in a deep red velveteen fabric. This in contrast to the deep blue fabric on the “regular people” benches.

  “Let one of our ushers know if you need anything.” Brother Sanchez pointed to a pair of women standing at the edge of the pews, apparently assigned to take care of that section.

  “Thank you so much. Blessings, my brother,” MiMi replied and beamed at him. When he nodded and walked away she looked at Willa. “Now this is what I call service.”

  “Yeah.” Willa glanced around. She saw local politicians, several local television personalities and prominent black business people.

  “They’re on their game putting us in the big dog section.” MiMi nodded at several women nearby. “How’d they know so fast that we were here?”

  “Closed circuit television. The cameras are positioned in the foyer. Fisher must have his staff well trained to spot ‘the right people’.”

  “You think?” MiMi looked at Willa steadily. “Wow. That’s kind of creepy. Like a cult or something.”

  Willa looked at her in surprise. “Good point. Fisher evidently runs a tight ship.”

  Both looked around. The ushers, deacons and choir moved into their positions with military precision. Organ music rolled out from speakers playing a popular gospel tune.

  “Smart though. Fisher identifies people with the deepest pockets. Makes them feel special and his collections increase,” MiMi said close to Willa’s ear.

  “Yeah. Everybody may be equal in the sight of God, but Reverend Fisher sure doesn’t see us that way,” Willa retorted.

  MiMi laughed. “Girl, you so crazy.”

  As the seats around them filled Willa and MiMi stopped talking. Willa looked at the imposing layout before her. A wide stage stretched almost the length of the huge sanctuary. The choir, dressed in deep blue robes with white sateen sashes, stood in back. Before them suited men and women
in white sat in three rows of chairs. The pulpit had a row of tall chairs, the largest in the middle. Rows of chairs for the deacons and deaconesses fanned out on either side of the pulpit. After three hymns and a prayer by a deacon with a dramatic basso voice, Reverend Fisher appeared. He entered from the right of the stage. Wearing a solemn, reflective expression Fisher strode to his seat. He stood as the choir sang another hymn, clapping his hands to the tempo of the lively song. Fisher began to rock as he clapped. The crowd around them began to respond with more shouts of “Amen!” Suddenly Fisher grabbed a microphone and started leading in a strong baritone.

  “Brother can sing,” Willa said.

  Indeed Fisher brought most of the crowd to their feet as he sang. Almost seamlessly he went into his sermon. The musicians punctuated his words. When he made a point the organist and pianist would chime in. Between Fisher’s dynamic preaching and the musical background the atmosphere crackled with excitement. People began to shout, “Preach it, Rev!” Willa had to admit she felt the electricity. Fisher wasn’t just handsome; he had a magnetism that radiated across the sanctuary. To blend in Willa stood and clapped with everyone else as his preaching reached a crescendo. Yet it wasn’t all pretense. Fisher had tapped into her love of the call and response of the good old southern black churches. Aunt Ametrine had introduced her to them not long after Willa was placed with Mama Ruby. From the first stomp and shout service Willa had been hooked. Now as she watched Fisher wipe sweat from his face, Willa knew why Abundant Love Ministries had grown, and why the Abundant Love Tabernacle was so resplendent. Fisher had the power of personality. All eyes were on him.

  The music swelled then died away to a quieter level. Fisher stood silent, head down for several minutes. Worshippers continued to shout out “Amen” and “Hallelujah,” but still he kept silent. Suddenly he lifted his head and hands up. Then he brought the microphone to his mouth again.

  “If you want to experience His joy, unspeakable joy that no man can take away. If you want to surrender all to a loving counselor, healer, provider and father, then come to His altar. You’ve been fighting this battle for too long. Come. Jesus is waiting to wrap you in his abundant love.” Fisher paced back and forth as he spoke.