A Good Excuse To Be Bad

by Miranda Parker

  “She finally made it.” His eyes twinkled.

  “Yes, she’s at home waiting for me. Whitney’s here with the kids. They’ll be at the pool for a while. Salvador’s coming.”

  “Coming to the church to swim?” Justus asked.

  “No, to my house. He’ll bring a warrant to search it for clues. He also wants to speak with my niece and nephew, but Mom’s handling the latter.”

  He rubbed his head. “I knew I should have canceled this meeting this morning.”

  “No, you did the right thing. I can handle Salvador. He’s a sweetheart.”

  “Didn’t seem like that to me last night, and it definitely doesn’t sound like that now.”

  “I didn’t sense that from him.”

  His eyebrow lifted.

  “What?” I shrugged.

  “How do you know Detective Tinsley’s on his way here?”

  “Salvador stopped by my house and told me he would be coming.”

  Justus folded his arms over his chest. “When?”

  “A few minutes after you left.”

  “What a coincidence.” He chuckled and shook his head. “That man is going to charm your sister’s conviction out of you so fast. You know what?” He walked back toward his desk. “I’m canceling the meeting. I’m coming with you.”

  “No, you aren’t.”

  He frowned. “Are you trying to tell me what to do?”

  “No, I’m not.” I pointed my index finger upward. “But He’ll agree with me. Handle the church business, and let me handle mine.”

  He pouted. “I’ll be there first thing after the meeting.”

  I nodded. “Yes, of course, Pastor.”

  “I flip a few flapjacks and now we’re back to you calling me pastor?”

  “No, just keeping the lines drawn.”

  He unfolded his arms and walked back to his desk. “I take one step forward and you push me two steps back.”

  “I’m sorry. I know you mean well. I’m just not used to it.”

  “You have a lot of people depending on you right now. Why don’t you allow Christ to take some of that burden from you? The church and I are here to do that. Stop making things so complicated. Get used to me looking out for you.”

  I should have known he wasn’t flirting with me. I wanted to kick myself for once again being selfish and thinking about myself instead of what’s best for the family. Why did I continue to think this man wanted me? I needed to get focused about today. The world was falling apart and my sister expected me to piece it back together for her kids.

  “I’m sorry. I won’t let my pride interfere again.”

  “No, you will.” He smiled. “But I hope you hand it over every now and then, and let the experts handle Ms. Pride.”

  “Okay.” I looked around the room. I didn’t feel comfortable enough to ask for help.

  “So what’s today’s meeting about?”

  “It’s about our fasting project. It seems that other churches would like to participate with us. We are meeting with the heads from those churches. Isn’t God good?”

  “Very.”

  “Now that you’re comfortable talking to me, are you participating in the fast?”

  No sense in lying in church. “I was fasting, but after what happened yesterday, I just can’t seem to meet my goal.”

  “Hmmm. I didn’t see your name on the fast commitment roster.”

  “I didn’t think I needed to put my commitment on display.”

  He sat down. “The only person who would’ve seen it was me.”

  Exactly. “I didn’t know you well enough then.” My cheeks were burning now, and if I kept this up, so would my soul. I sat down in a chair in front of his desk.

  He looked out his window toward the church’s water park. “So how confident are you with Bella’s swimming skills?”

  “She’s not good yet. This is her second set. Why?”

  “I remember overhearing how anxious you were when she began taking swim classes and how you didn’t feel that Craig Foster was old enough to train children.”

  “Have you been stalking me?” I asked.

  “No, nothing like that. But you must admit, before the events of the past week, you were a mystery here. You sit on the last pew. You’re the first to leave service. The only time we see you at length is when Bella participates in an activity or when you’re at the Ladies’ Communion and Brunch.”

  “I’ve caused so much drama in church in the past, I just don’t want to bring down any more unnecessary attention, especially the kind that could harm Bella. I keep to myself and lay low. So far, so good.”

  “I hate to burst your bubble, but you must know that you command a great deal of attention around here, even though you don’t try.” He cleared his throat. “Any man would spot you from a mile away.”

  “They would? I do?”

  He grinned. “You know you do.”

  Awkward silence from me. I lifted myself from the seat so I could peek at the kids through the window behind him. “Whitney is at the pool with the kids. She has lifeguard training, so I feel confident.”

  “I didn’t know that.” He turned back to me, then observed the clock on the wall above my head. “So what did your mother say that brought you over here?”

  I pressed my hair down again, then moved closer to his desk. Please don’t mention the pancakes, I told myself.

  His PDA buzzed. He looked down, then tugged one twist of his hair. “My meeting. Can we table this discussion for dinner?”

  “Dinner?”

  “Yes.” He stood up again. “The church is going to provide dinner and a prayer meeting for your family tonight if that’s okay with the family, unless Greater Atlanta is coming. Are they?”

  I shook my head. “No, and you didn’t have to do that.”

  “We want to. You’re grieving a heavy loss, and you’re family. Remember?”

  “Family . . .” I nodded. “Thanks for reminding me. I need to get back to mine. Salvador’s probably there.”

  “I’ll pray for your visit with the detectives, and I’ll come over soon as I can. Is there anything else I can do for you?”

  “Yes. No, I’m waiting for Willis or Big Tiger to call. Ava has to come home today or I’ll lose it.”

  “Big Tiger as in the guy who left you alone to fight that criminal Cade?”

  “Justus, it’s just as much my fault for not waiting and believing I could take him out alone. Besides Tiger can walk Ava out of the jail faster than anyone.”

  “Will he bring Ava to you?”

  “If I’m bailing her out, he’d better.”

  His eyebrow lifted. “The church isn’t paying her bail?”

  “To save face, I’m sure they will.” In my mind I wondered what the Board of Trustees was doing right now? Were they preparing for a press conference? Were they pondering over an appropriate interim pastor? Were they blaming me, hiding things I needed to clear Ava’s name? I sighed. “I don’t know.”

  “What about Elvis? Have you spoken to him?” Justus’s questions interrupted me.

  I jumped. My head throbbed. “Not yet. I wanted to meet him today, see what he can tell me about Devon and Ava’s daily routine, maybe feel him out, see what he knows, but I can’t. This Salvador thing has thrown me for a loop. Now there are so many things to do, not do, and not say.”

  “Why don’t I have Mrs. Lewis call them for you? Reschedule with Elvis for later this afternoon so I can take you.”

  Mrs. Lewis had been Sugar Hill’s office manager for over twenty years. She could handle church folk in her sleep.

  “That would be great. Oh, the reason why I came. I need some items couriered to the Dekalb County Homicide Division Office.” I pointed at the box that sat on the table. “I would’ve done it from my home, but there are some reporters lurking around. I don’t want them digging around, paying off the courier.”

  “Mind if I know what those items are?”

  I shook my head. “I’ve talked
about enough skeletons in my closet for one day.”

  “Maybe later, then?”

  I shrugged. “Maybe. I won’t lie in church.”

  He placed his hand on my right shoulder and looked deep down into me. “There is nothing in that box God or I would hate you for.”

  “So why do I hate myself?” My lips trembled. I didn’t want his empathy. I wanted to erase what was in the box. I wanted Devon alive. “I can’t fix this. It’s too late.”

  “Don’t cry.” He hugged me. “I believe that God didn’t bring you this far to leave you. If this case wasn’t personal, would you be able to solve it?”

  “Definitely not.” I wiped my eyes. “Okay. Maybe I can do this.”

  “Yes, you can.” He smiled. “Glad I could at least help you realize that.”

  “No, you’ve done more than you think. The kids thought your pancakes were a hit.” I winced. I wasn’t supposed to mention those.

  “Well, that’s something.” He chuckled. “Why don’t I bring my nephews over, too, tonight? They can play with the kids.”

  “Sounds good. We’re trying to keep them distracted, but it’s hard. Kids aren’t stupid. They know something’s up, and if Ava isn’t released today, the kids are going to lose it. They’re missing their mom and dad. And I have to find Devon’s killer like now. But I can’t because my house is a madhouse. Not only is my mom there now, but her new husband is on his way. My suggestion, of course.”

  Justus scratched his head. “Sounds like we’re two peas in a pod.”

  We both looked at each other in a way that made the hairs on the back of my head stand up.

  I looked away from him. “By the way, thank your friends for clearing the press out of the yard this morning.”

  “Oh, no problem. They said they would patrol your block today and tonight.”

  “That’s some good news for today.” I thought about Whitney’s request.

  “Maybe I should cancel my meeting. You don’t look so good.”

  “No, take care of church business. I need sleep and you do, too.”

  He came from behind his desk again. “Well, then I’m yours for the next forty-eight hours.”

  I gasped. If he only knew how those words sizzled in me.

  We hugged again, and this time I didn’t have any impure thoughts, more like fear. I was scared. What did my case have to do with Devon’s death?

  18

  Friday, 5:00 PM

  Before I walked back into the house, I forgot Elvis offered to bring food over tonight. I’d forgotten much since Bella was born. I wondered why pregnancy books never told you that you would lose brain juice after childbirth. Lord knows, I needed mine back in order to find Devon’s killer, to keep my niece and nephew in good spirits until Ava returned, and to deal with Mom.

  Having a catered dinner tonight would appease Mom for sure. I dialed Elvis’s number. There was no answer. I got his voice mail. I left him a message accepting his offer to feed us.

  Once inside, I found Salvador and a woman I assumed was his partner in my living room. They sat on the sofa while Mom pinched juleps into a pitcher of peachy tea in the kitchen. Had I not heard the police officers stomping around upstairs, I would have thought we were having brunch. I tiptoed through my foyer, hoping Salvador didn’t see me.

  “Ms. Crawford?” Salvador asked.

  I waved my hand. “Hi, are y’all comfortable?”

  “Yes, we are.” He nodded.

  The woman looked at me, but said nothing. She was a rude, little something-something.

  I wanted to say something smart to her. Instead, I said, “Give me a sec and I’ll be with you.”

  Salvador nodded; the woman stared. It took all the angels in heaven to keep my neck and eyes from rolling. I scampered toward the kitchen, peeked inside, and inhaled my once frozen key lime pie that was now sliced and set on saucers. I frowned.

  “Mom, what are you doing?” I hissed.

  “Being a gracious host.”

  “And what does that do outside of upsetting me, of course?” I took a seat on one of the island stools.

  “It convinced Detectives Salvador and Dixon that the kids were too young and too asleep to know what was going in their house last night. So they don’t feel the need to question them anymore.”

  I exhaled. “Thank goodness.”

  “And this nice evening tea that includes your pie also helped me stall for more time, so that you could get here and handle these people.” She leaned toward me. “How are the kids?”

  I bent backward to see the detectives chatting with each other. Dixon smiled, totally catching me off guard. “They’re having fun, but have asked me twice about their parents.”

  She pursed her lips, reached for a handkerchief that she had to have taken from my curio, and wiped the corners of her eye. “Have you heard from Ava?” she asked.

  “No, Ma. Have you?”

  She grabbed my wrist so tightly it burned. “How could I? You turned all the ringers on the phones off in here. Why?”

  “Because the phone had been ringing off the hook.” I removed her hold on me. “Mom, everyone wants a story. Besides, where is your phone?”

  “Including you?”

  I looked at her. “I’d been waiting for when you would blame this whole thing on me.”

  “I wasn’t, but you girls get yourselves in these situations with men that boggle my mind. This is a real doozy, baby, a real one.”

  “Speaking of doozies . . . Where’s my new daddy?”

  “He’s stuck in traffic. Where’s your man?”

  “I don’t have a man.”

  She lifted her left eyebrow. “Honey child, please. Do I need to go down to that little church to meet him?”

  “Ma, he’s just my pastor.”

  She looked me down and pursed her lips even tighter. “Uh-huh.”

  I shook my head and didn’t say a word.

  “Let’s get back on task before our children come home.” She picked up the tea tray. “I have a fresh batch of tea cakes warming in the oven. Get them out and come visit your friends.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me,” I said.

  Mom had already walked away. By now, I had rolled my eyes so much that my head began to ache again. Great.

  Mom continued her hostess diva routine in my living room, while I pretended to appear calm. I hadn’t heard a word from Willis or Big Tiger. Something was up, but I wouldn’t learn what it was until after the pinstriped detectives left my house.

  Francine Dixon, Salvador’s partner, wore a fierce black and lavender pinstriped skirt suit that made me envious for not taking a few laps around the pool today myself. She stuck her nose in the air when she looked at me. I scoffed. She didn’t have to bother with the theatrics. I knew she didn’t like me, but why I had no clue.

  “Have you found what you’re looking for?” I asked Salvador.

  His mouth was full of tea cakes. “We’re working on it.”

  I sat down in the love seat across from them. “Would you mind telling me what you’re looking for exactly?”

  “We’re not at liberty to say,” Francine snapped.

  She looked me up and down. Girlfriend looked like she was ready to fight. I didn’t have a clue what her problem was, but I had a feeling she had a gripe about me.

  “Detective Dixon, do you have a problem with me?” I asked.

  Mom stood beside Francine. She held the tray over her head, but wouldn’t say a word. The way she leaned into her hip in that mother defense stance told me what she was really saying was that Dixon better not have a problem or the food may fall on her head.

  Francine didn’t pay Mom any attention. “I don’t have a problem with you. I just don’t understand why my partner”—she turned to Salvador—“is giving you certain privileges.”

  Mom asked, “Did my daughter have to allow you inside her home?”

  Salvador looked up. His eyes widened. “Ma’am?”

  Mom didn’t move. “You
heard me. You were over here this morning. You drove off when I pulled up. You and my daughter sat right on that porch. I saw you. You could have gotten what you wanted then, but you come back with your salty friend here, who should have checked herself before she walked through the door. Privileges? Try rights.”

  Dixon turned to Salvador. “You were here this morning?”

  Salvador coughed. Tea cake spewed all over my dirty carpet. I wanted to crawl into Francine’s weave and melt.

  “That was a courtesy call,” Salvador said.

  “And me stuffing your face with cookies I only bake for my children—one of whom is sitting in that stank tank down at the jail—doesn’t seem like a courtesy. Does it to you?”

  “No, ma’am.” Salvador eyed me. “Detective Dixon is new to Atlanta. She isn’t familiar with Ms. Crawford’s past relationship with the police force.”

  “Well, you’d better get her up to speed.” Mom pursed her lips. “But before you do, my daughter asked you a question.” She referred to Francine. “Did you find what you were looking for in her house?”

  My mouth dropped. I had no words.

  “My apologies, Mrs . . . ?” Salvador waited for Mom to share her name. I wished he hadn’t.

  “Mrs. Crawford Curtis Carter, widow of Bishop B.T. Crawford of Calvary United Church of Atlanta, Georgia, widow of Reverend Dr. Augustus Curtis of Piney Grove Community Church of Lithonia, Georgia, and now wife of retired Fulton County Chief of Police, Carrolton Taylor Carter.”

  Francine’s eyes widened and so did mine. Carrolton Taylor Carter, what kind of name was that?

  “My apologies, ma’am. I came by earlier when the children were here and we—your daughter and I—agreed that the situation was inappropriate for them to see.”

  “It’s appropriate for me, so bring me up to speed. What are you accusing my daughter Avalyn of? And what are you looking for in Evangeline’s home?”

  I relaxed. Maybe this new marriage had turned Mom into the woman we had needed a few years back.

  “We’re looking for items your daughter may have brought with her when she came over last night. We’re bagging them now as potential evidence.”

  “Now, that’s more like it.” Mom smiled and walked back toward the kitchen.