Heather held a forkful of red beans and rice. Like most normal people, including the others around the table, the mayor had chosen to honor custom by starting with her main course.
“It’s all right, Sister Carm. I don’t mind the question.” Heather gave Sister Lou a thoughtful look. “If I’m not reelected, I’ll return to practicing law. I’m not interested in corporate law anymore, though. I want to work with community groups, defending people whose rights are being violated.”
“I voted for you last time, and you didn’t disappoint me.” Sister Carm sipped her ice water. “But now that I know your other option, I don’t know whether I want you to win or lose.”
“Neither do I.” Chris smiled as he sliced into his blackened chicken. “I know of several nonprofit organizations that could use your legal services.”
Heather chuckled. “I want to finish the work my administration started for Briar Coast: balancing the budget, fixing the roads, improving Internet access. But I admit that my three weeks with the congregation have had a positive impact on me. Sister Marianna told me so much about the congregation and its mission. I had no idea how much good the sisters do in the local community and around the world. I’m inspired.”
The mayor’s words filled Sister Lou with a warm glow of pleasure and pride. “That’s very nice to hear.”
Sister Lou gazed around the dining area at the other members of the congregation. Their joyous laughter and lively conversations danced around the bright, cheerful room.
Sister Carmen swallowed another bite of apple pie. “Spread the word. We can use all the support we can get.”
Heather waved her fork toward Sister Lou. “If you need help with fund-raising, Sister Lou could consider charging for her sleuthing services. I bet she’d bring in a lot of money.”
Sister Lou shook her head with a smile. “I could never do that.”
“I didn’t think so.” Heather inclined her head. “Anyway, thank you again. I knew that I’d made the right decision in asking for your help.”
Sister Lou’s cheeks warmed with a blush. “Thank you, but I wouldn’t have been able to solve this mystery without you, Shari, Chris, Diego, and Carm. These investigations are always a team effort.”
“I knew from the beginning that Lou would get to the bottom of this.” Sister Carmen finished her pie and started on her red beans and rice. “If it weren’t for Lou, those deputies would have charged Kerry on the flimsiest of evidence.”
Heather sliced into her blackened chicken. “I never should have doubted Kerry. I feel terribly that I did, however briefly.”
Beside her, Diego squeezed Heather’s shoulder. “You had a moment of doubt, but you supported her when she really needed you, and you’re supporting her now.”
Shari was seated between Sister Lou and Chris. “How is Kerry?”
Heather expelled a heavy sigh. “She’s still blaming herself for trusting Benjamin.”
Chris forked up more of his beans and rice. “No one can blame her. Benjamin had planned to fit in. He wanted to be overlooked.”
Sister Carmen chuckled. “Little did he know that our amateur sleuth team doesn’t overlook anything.”
“No, we don’t.” Shari lowered her water glass and turned back to her main course. “I think we work pretty well together.”
Sister Lou swallowed a bite of the chicken. Its spicy seasoning exploded on her taste buds. “Fran and Ted may be challenging to work with, but they always come through for us in the end. This time, their participation was critical to our plan to catch Benjamin.”
Chris shook his head. “I can’t understand why Benjamin’s father would make a false deathbed statement. Didn’t he realize how much that would hurt his son?”
“Graham Irsay was a coward.” Diego’s voice was low with anger. “He went to great lengths to frame Heather for his crimes, and never admitted to any of his wrongdoings. I’m not surprised that he’d lie to his son on his deathbed.”
Sister Lou stared at her forkful of beans and rice. “Benjamin and his sister were Graham Irsay’s remaining legacies. In that context, it’s not surprising that a man like him would lie to preserve his legacy.”
A pensive silence settled over the group. Sister Lou sneaked several glances at her friends gathered around her. Working with them to solve this case had been rewarding. They’d all gotten to know each other much better. Chris and Shari’s relationship had been strengthened, and Diego and Heather had resolved old hurts. She couldn’t have asked for more.
Sister Lou set aside her empty entrée plate and drew her dessert closer. Like Sister Carmen, she’d chosen the apple pie à la mode, but without the hot fudge, caramel, and maraschino cherries.
“Working these investigations is obviously part of your charism, Lou.” Sister Carmen’s words startled her. It was as though her friend had read her mind.
Sister Lou let her gaze move over the table again, touching on Chris, Shari, Diego, and Heather before returning to Sister Carmen. “Perhaps. Especially in light of the Lenten season, the investigation reinforced for me the message that the sacrifices made for friends truly are the most meaningful.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
OLIVIA MATTHEWS is the cozy mystery pseudonym of national best-selling author Patricia Sargeant. A voracious reader, Patricia has been inspired by writers such as Walter Mosley, Dick Francis and Tami Hoag, who put ordinary characters in extraordinary situations. Her Sister Lou character was inspired by Catholic sisters whose courage, determination and faith have helped build communities and formed rich, lasting legacies. Patricia loves to hear from readers.
You can reach her at [email protected]. Visit her Olivia Matthews website,
AuthorOliviaMatthews.com, and sign up for her enewsletter to learn about upcoming releases and events.
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