Best Enemies (A Triple Trouble Mystery)

by Lynn Emery

  “At least he tried taking an interest in Anthony, and Mikayla, too,” Cedric replied. “For that reason alone I hope he wasn’t in too deep. The kids don’t need another loss.”

  “Don’t get too sentimental. Ryan thought Anthony might know where Jack stashed all that money. Let’s see if he wants to play the attentive uncle once he finds out Anthony doesn’t know anything.” Willa grunted, sure she knew the answer to that one already.

  “Even if Ryan goes back to being a SOB, Anthony will get on the right road again. He has a lot of love and guidance. Believe me that makes a big difference.” Cedric walked around her desk and sat on the edge of it. “And what about you?”

  “Me?” Willa shrugged. “I’m good.”

  “I know losing Jack hurt, even if you have moved on emotionally,” Cedric added quickly when Willa started to speak. “He was a father to both your kids.”

  “Yeah. I always had to give him credit for that. He didn’t deserve to die so young,” Willa said softly.

  “Losing him was losing part of your family. I understand.” Cedric put down the coffee mug and leaned closer to her. “I’m here for you. When you need me that is.”

  Willa looked into his eyes. Without thinking she grabbed one of his large hands and squeezed it. “I’m glad to have you around. But right now I’m not sure I can…”

  Cedric lifted her hand to his lips, kissed it then let go. “Understood. Take your time. I’m not going anywhere.”

  “No, let me be clear. I can’t give you any promises or a timetable. And I don’t expect you to wait around for me. I’ve got the kids to think about and— ” Willa’s voice trailed off.

  “I see. ” Cedric’s rich brown eyes gazed at her. “You’re not even close to being ready to try another relationship.”

  “Sorry,” Willa said quietly. To her surprise, and relief, after a few moments of silence Cedric smiled.

  “Nothing to be sorry about. Like I said, I’m not going anywhere in the near future. Maybe one of these days we’ll be ready at the same time.” Cedric winked at her then picked up his coffee mug and stood again. “Back to business.”

  “I’m glad you’re on my team, Cedric.” Willa smiled at him. “But what was that part about not going anywhere in ‘the near future’?”

  “You know I want to start my own business one of these days.” Cedric nodded. “We did talk about that.”

  Willa sighed. “Not that I don’t want you to succeed, but Crown Protection will lose a lot when you go.”

  “I won’t be far away.”

  Willa cleared her throat then shook her head. “Thanks. Okay, for the first time in weeks I can concentrate on business, and I’ve got some ideas. We should draw up a five year strategic plan with clear goals.”

  Cedric nodded and smoothly switched to all-business mode. “I agree. Jack had great ideas and kept the business going strong, but we didn’t have a long-range plan. The economic climate can change overnight.”

  For the next hour they brainstormed a vision and mission statement for Crown Protection. Cedric put his usual attention to detail to good use. Willa gaze at the outline on her computer. They had the building blocks for a solid strategic plan.

  “We’ve still got a lot of work to do,” Willa said as she read some of the goals. “I mean we need to increase business by fifteen percent in one year. Wonder if we can overcome the bad PR around Jack’s murder?”

  “We can expand outside this city, maybe even another state. ” Cedric relaxed in his chair, long legs stretched out.

  “Excellent point. Maybe I should work on a management degree. That would make me a better boss.” Willa tapped the keyboard, sending the plan to Cedric’s e-mail inbox. Then she rocked back in her chair. “Yeah, maybe I’ll come up with my own personal strategic plan.”

  “Sure thing. I did exactly that.” Cedric stood up and smiled at her.

  “Why doesn’t that surprise me?” Willa smiled back at him.

  “Speaking of which, I updated the schedule for this month so you can see every event and job. Check the calendar.” Cedric was about to go on when there was a knock on the door.

  Kay came in seconds later then closed the door behind her. “Reverend Fisher is out front. I told him you were in a meeting.”

  Cedric spoke before Willa could answer. “If this is about his security contract I could talk to him. After this stuff linking Abundant Love Ministries to Perez and his crew— ”

  “No, Cedric,” Willa said. “Something tells me he wants to talk about more than security guards at Sunday services.”

  “Even more reason I should stick around.” Cedric’s dark eyebrows pulled together.

  “The bad guys are locked up tight. I’ll do just fine on my own. Besides, surely a man of the cloth wouldn’t pose any threat.” Willa waved them both out as she came around her desk.

  “Later.” Cedric strode out wearing a stern expression.

  Kay stayed behind and lowered her voice to a whisper. “As for this man of the cloth, take my advice. Keep at least three feet of space between you. I hear he loves to lay hands on ladies, and not for healing or prayer either.”

  “Go out there and show the man in.” Willa struggled to control a fit of laughter before the door opened again.

  Reverend Fisher strolled in wearing a beatific smile. He spread his arms wide. “Hello, Mrs. Crown. What a blessing to see you have come through all these trials and tribulations.”

  Willa smiled back at him as she gestured to one of the chairs facing her desk. “Thank you, Reverend. Have a seat.”

  “I’ll bring y’all some coffee in a minute. I won’t be gone long,” Kay said with emphasis on the last sentence.

  “Thank you, sister.” Reverend Fisher beamed at her. He didn’t see the grimace Kay aimed at his back when he turned around.

  “How is the ministry going these days?” Willa sat behind her desk. The combination of space and a solid object between them would please Kay and Cedric.

  “Ah well, the news that a few of my flock strayed has been a trial.” Reverend Fisher’s bright expression darkened.

  “I understand the police visited your ministry office.” Willa was being polite of course. Detectives Miller and Addison had interviewed at least fifty church members. They had examined the records of the work program as well. If she knew them they weren’t through yet.

  Reverend Fisher gave a long-suffering sigh worthy of a saint. He shook his head slowly. “That has been especially difficult. Of course they’re just doing their job. But it’s disheartening to have so many of the good, hardworking participants painted with the same brush.”

  “Most of them do have criminal backgrounds. I’m sure having the police around is, uh, uncomfortable.” Willa gazed back at him.

  “True. Of course knowing that Ike Nelson betrayed my trust doesn’t help at all.” Reverend Fisher folded his hands together as if he would start a prayer. Instead he rested them on the slight bulge at his waistline.

  “I’m sure.” Willa studied him. Reverend Fisher might be a minister, but he was nobody’s fool. Not to mention he’d been a bit of a gangster himself back in the day. Willa had a hard time believing the good reverend had been so easily conned.

  “I knew Brother Nelson, Ike, for twenty years. We grew up in the same tough New Orleans neighborhood, the Ninth Ward. We found redemption at the same time you know.” Reverend Fisher sighed again. He gazed off as though looking into his past instead of the skyline outside Willa’s office window.

  “Really?” Willa wanted him to keep talking so she stayed quiet.

  After a few moments Reverend Fisher nodded. “Yes. We were in the same jail being counseled by Reverend Hezekiah Matthews. That man saved our lives. I wanted to be just like him.”

  “All it takes is one dedicated and sincere person.” Willa thought about Mama Ruby and Papa Elton. They’d saved her in more ways than one.

  “Exactly, and I wanted to be that person, Mrs. Crown.” Reverend Fisher stood and walked
to the window next to Willa’s desk. “I’m to blame for all this.”

  “You? How is this your fault?” Willa leaned forward in reflex to catch every word.

  “I expanded Abundant Love Ministries too quickly. I was so busy with the new programs that I relied on Ike, and others, too much. I took my eyes off the prize.” Reverend Fisher twisted one of the gold rings around his finger. “I’m afraid the sin of pride took control.”

  “Hmm,” was all Willa trusted herself to say. Obviously Reverend Fisher’s new insight into the sin of pride didn’t include getting rid of his bling.

  “Still I didn’t think Ike would hurt the ministry. Ike and me, we weren’t just close. We were like brothers.”

  “You must have been shocked.” Willa worked hard at keeping sarcasm from her voice.”

  “Wounded, my sister. Deeply wounded.” Reverend Fisher shook his head slowly. “The Bible teaches us that even someone as close as a brother can betray us. Just look at the story of Cain and Able, or the way Joseph’s brothers treated him because of jealousy.”

  “So you think Ike Nelson might have resented your influence and success.”

  “It happens, even in families,” Reverend Fisher replied.

  Nice act, Willa mused. There was one problem. She was from the ‘hood just like Reverend Fisher. She knew a good game when she saw one. Fisher was laying the foundation for why he wasn’t involved in Nelson’s lucrative scam. That last part he tried selling was good though, even if it was a bit theatrical.

  “How awful for you. So you didn’t know about Jack and Strafford, Inc. either I suppose.” Willa put empathy into her voice. At least she tried to anyway. Those gold rings and the Rolex watch made it hard for her to pretend.

  “I knew they were doing business, the same way we had a contract. Now I’m reading about money laundering and possible import violations. I believe Jack’s brother had some dealings in the same transaction?”

  Willa nodded. “The sin of gluttony is still going strong, Reverend.”

  “Amen. I suppose he’ll be questioned by the police. Or has he been already?” Reverend Fisher eyed Willa steadily. “Possibly even your own sister.”

  “I have no idea.” Willa gazed back at him. A flutter of unease settled in her stomach.

  “Terrible to find out someone so close could stab you in the back. Yes, truly a biblical parallel.” Reverend Fisher walked over and took Willa’s hand. “We have to be careful who we trust.”

  “Thanks for the advice.” Willa pulled free of his hot grasp.

  “I just wanted you to know that I fully intend to continue our contract. I have a lot of faithful church members who won’t believe lies and false accusations about Abundant Love Ministries. Our contributions have even grown.” Reverend Fisher’s expression brightened again.

  “Good for you. Thanks for coming by to show your support.” Willa smiled at him, the effort straining her facial muscles.

  Fisher had smooth moves no doubt about it. So far the police couldn’t directly connect him or his church to any crimes. Willa thought about Crown Protection’s contract with Abundant Love Ministries. They certainly couldn’t afford to lose such a well paying client right now. Was this her deal with the devil?

  “Have a blessed day, my sister.” Reverend Fisher’s sonorous voice rolled out as if he were an Old Testament prophet. With a flourish he pulled open her office door and swept out.

  “Thanks,” Willa murmured, feeling a chill as she watched him leave.

  Big phony. She thought over his words trying to tease out the answer to a riddle, and a biblical one at that. For the first time in her life Willa regretted not paying closer attention in Sunday school.

  ***

  Willa arrived at her parents’ home trying to regain the good feeling Felipe’s arrest had given her. Jazz had called and sounded quite confident. MiMi was back to dropping hints about owning part of Crown Protection. Well, she did have a kid on the way. And for some strange reason Willa didn’t hate her guts quite as much as a month ago. Mikayla had already decided she was getting a new sister. Even Anthony seemed to be looking forward to the baby. So maybe MiMi was family. Willa was still laughing about the crazy twists and turns of her life when Mama Ruby opened the door. Warmth and spices flowed out to meet her. Papa Elton’s deep laughter made Willa forget about hidden agendas and bad karma.

  “You don’t have to tell me. I can smell the gumbo and fresh hot cornbread. Now if you tell me you added oysters I’ll do a back flip,” Willa said as she took a deep breath in and let it out. She followed her mother down the hallway to the kitchen.

  “Just for you, sweetie.” Mama Ruby gave Willa a peck on the cheek then went back to her pots. The cheery green and yellow curtains, matching dish towels and gleaming white appliances said “home”, and that everything would be just fine. “I made potato salad and French bread, too. Beryl is picking up the kids and bringing them over like I told you.”

  “I wanna see that back flip,” Papa Elton said with a wink.

  Before Willa could make an excuse the back doorbell rang. When she opened the door she blinked at Jazz in surprise. “Uh, hi.”

  “Mama Ruby says she’s got gumbo so here I am,” Jazz said abruptly as an explanation.

  “Okay.” Willa stepped aside as Jazz came in then peered out and got another surprise.

  “Keep that door open,” MiMi shouted through the window of her BMW sedan. She pulled up into the driveway behind Jazz’s new tan Toyota Venza.

  Huffing and puffing MiMi extricated herself from behind the wheel. She slung a large leather purse over one shoulder then waddled toward Willa.

  “Don’t worry. I’m not about to get between a hungry pregnant woman and food,” Willa retorted as she watched her labored progress.

  “Wise decision,” MiMi shot back. “Hey everybody.”

  An hour later everyone was full and sitting around the big family room. Papa Elton had managed to ease the tension between Jazz and Mama Ruby, not that Mama Ruby didn’t try. Being nurtured did not come easily to Jazz. Yet at that moment past conflicts didn’t seem to matter.

  “Come on, mister. Let’s get the kitchen straightened up some.” Mama Ruby gave Papa Elton an affectionate pat on the shoulder.

  “Oh no,” MiMi protested. “You should let us wash the dishes.”

  “Ruby likes getting me alone anytime she can. The woman can’t keep her hands off me for more than an hour or so. She’s been restraining herself since you girls got here. Isn’t that right, honey?” Papa Elton laughed at the look his wife gave him.

  “Get in that kitchen before I take a swing at you, Elton Conwell Wilson.” Mama Ruby continued fussing as hoots of laughter followed them down the all.

  “Let me call Aunt Beryl’s cell and find out what’s keeping them. The kids will love seeing their Aunt Jazz.” Willa grinned at her sister who shrugged off the comment, yet still looked pleased. She tapped the keypad. “Hey, auntie, y’all don’t get here soon the gumbo will be gone-bo.”

  MiMi let out a groan at the joke while Jazz shook her head. Willa listened to her aunt complain about traffic in Baton Rouge and incompetent drivers. Her usually sweet-tempered disposition vanished once she got behind the wheel. As she listened Willa held the phone out from her ear so the others could hear Aunt Beryl’s strident rant.

  “Yes, but just calm down. Remember to turn the other cheek, ” Willa joked. “Say what? Alright, see you in a bit.”

  MiMi stared at Willa. “Something wrong?”

  “Ryan picked up Anthony to take him out to eat.” Willa squinted as she turned over the news in her mind. Something didn’t strike her just right.

  “Without calling to ask you first?” Jazz broke into her thoughts. She leaned forward.

  “Well, he did promise to spend more time with Anthony,” MiMi said.

  Willa felt that troublesome unease start up again in her stomach. She took out her cell phone again. “I’m going to just check in with Anthony.”

  MiMi
leaned over to Jazz. “I don’t get why we’re worried.”

  Jazz held up one hand and ticked off points on her fingers. “Ryan is desperate for money. Jack screwed up the barely legal deal that would have made him rich. Jack dies. Anthony was close to Jack. Jack has money in the Caymans, and Ryan doesn’t know where it is.”

  “He wouldn’t hurt his own nephew.” MiMi blinked wide-eyed at Willa. “Would he?”

  Chapter 16

  Willa sat straight on Mama Ruby’s brown leather sofa in her parent’s family room. Jazz sat next to her looking worried. MiMi pushed down the footrest of the recliner that matched the sofa and frowned at the stony expression on Jazz’s face.

  “Anthony isn’t Ryan’s biological nephew,” Jazz reminded MiMi.

  “First Anthony’s cell went to voice mail. Now the phone is off. Anthony never turns off his phone. Never.” Willa stood and started pacing the hardwood floor. “Where would they go?”

  MiMi stood up, found her purse and grabbed it. “Ryan belongs to the Camelot Club. They have a four-star restaurant on the top floor of the American Key Bank building downtown. They serve delicious steak and lobster.”

  “Thanks for the review,” Jazz replied. “Let’s go.”

  Willa pushed MiMi back down onto the sofa. “Uh-uh. You stay here pregnant lady.”

  “No way. Besides, I have daddy’s Camelot Membership Club Card.” MiMi searched her purse then waved the gold card at Willa. “I’m your way in past the security guy in the lobby. Let’s roll.”

  Willa looked at her sister, who merely shrugged. “Hey, all we’re gonna do is get Anthony and come home. Not like we’re doing a drive-by.”

  Unwilling to waste time arguing, Willa led the way down the hallway to the kitchen. Jazz, nimble as ever, came up with a bland excuse as to why they were suddenly leaving. Mama Ruby and Papa Elton seemed to buy it because they went back to putting away dishes. Three minutes later they were in Willa’s Honda Pilot.

  “So what are we going to tell Ryan about why we showed up?” MiMi said from the rear seat, her legs stretched out.