The Dying Room: A Faces of Evil Novel

by Webb, Debra

  This was home.

  “Did you get the nursery decorated?” Lori asked.

  Jess sighed. “We decided to wait until we get back. There’s just been too much to do with settling into the new house and pulling together a wedding in barely three months.”

  “Don’t worry,” Sylvia said with a mischievous glance at Jess, “Katherine will probably have it done by the time you get back.”

  Jess waved a finger. “No sarcastic remarks or thoughts about my soon-to-be mother-in-law. I live by that rule now.”

  The laughter that followed her announcement warmed Jess. She genuinely cherished these women.

  Maddie licked the milk from her upper lip. “I want make-up now.”

  “Princesses always go first,” Gina said, tapping the little girl’s nose.

  “Before the make-up,” Sylvia announced, “we have massages, facials, and the removal of any unsightly hair.”

  This was the first Jess had heard about a mini-spa—not that she was opposed, mind you. “I hope I wasn’t supposed to schedule those.”

  The doorbell chimed. Sylvia smiled. “That will be Antonio.”

  Uncertain what to expect, Jess and the other ladies, including Maddie, followed Sylvia to the front door.

  “Antonio.” Sylvia opened the door wider. “You’re timing is perfect as always.”

  “It’s a pleasure to be at your service, Dr. Baron.” Antonio gifted Sylvia with an air kiss.

  “Come in, gentlemen.” Sylvia waved her arm and Jess along with the rest of the bridal party backed out of the way.

  Antonio, followed by four other muscular, good-looking men of Latino descent, swaggered into the entry hall.

  Sylvia hung an arm around Jess’s shoulders. “This is the bride, gentlemen. She needs a nice, deep massage before her facial.”

  “I want Sylvia to be my wedding planner,” Lori murmured.

  Jess smiled. Leave it to Sylvia to keep things interesting.

  Noon

  The sound of the doorbell echoed through the house.

  “That’s probably the delivery guy!” Lori shouted from the kitchen. “I’ll get it.”

  Jess was absolutely certain she could not eat—unless it was chocolate. Thankfully breakfast had stayed down, but if she dared consume a bite now she was doomed. Her nerves were frayed. She stared at her reflection and heaved a big sigh.

  “This is the happiest day of your life so far.” And it was. It really was. She wanted it to be perfect. She wanted it to be all that Katherine Burnett had dreamed it would be, and more importantly, she wanted it be filled with memories she and Dan would cherish forever. The facial and massage had been wonderfully relaxing. All would be exactly as it should be if her hair would only cooperate.

  “We’ll get it,” Gina assured Jess as she gazed over her shoulder and into the mirror. “I know what you’re going for.”

  “That’s what Lily said an hour ago.” Jess was going to be the first bride to stroll down the aisle at St. Paul’s who looked a mess.

  For some reason Lily and Maddie’s hair had fallen into soft, lush waves. Maddie wore the sweetest sparkly tiara. Lily’s hair was up in a French twist. Lily swore that sleeping in those massive rollers had given her hair just the right amount of fullness and body.

  Jess was reasonably confident her sister had made up that part.

  “I don’t know. Maybe I’ll have to go with an up-do like Lil’s.” Jess had really wanted her hair down since her gown was an off-the-shoulder one.

  She still remembered the one and only photo she’d ever seen of her parents’ wedding day. The small, framed photograph had sat on the bedside table in their bedroom. Her mother had worn an off-the-shoulder gown, and her long blond hair had draped her shoulders like a curtain of wavy silk. Jess supposed she’d been thinking of her mother when she chose her own gown.

  “Try not to worry.” Gina dug her cell phone from her purse. “I’ll call my stylist and see if I can get her over here ASAP.”

  Jess felt ill. Her nerves were twisted into a thousand knots.

  “Jess.”

  She turned as Lori entered the master bathroom. “Tell me you have a hair genie who can transform this...” Jess stared at her reflection again. “Oh, for heaven’s sake.”

  “Your aunt is in the living room,” Lori said gently. “She said she has something for you.”

  Jess frowned. Wanda Newsom had been invited to the wedding. She’d received her invitation. No question. Jess had gotten the RSVP. Had something come up? Was she here to give her regrets in person?

  Whatever mistakes Wanda had made in the past, Jess’s new motto was never to take family and friends for granted—or to hold their past transgressions against them.

  “I’ll be back,” she promised Gina.

  How was it that women like Gina and Sylvia could look so beautiful so effortlessly?

  Jess sighed as she tightened the sash of her robe and headed for the living room. Her hair didn’t have to be perfect. The gown, the flowers, and the cathedral would be perfect. No one was going to care what her hair looked like.

  “Besides you,” she muttered.

  Wanda stood in the living room admiring the Christmas tree. Jess paused at the door a moment and considered how nice her aunt looked. She wore a well-fitting skirt and jacket, both in a soft powder pink. Her gray hair was styled in an attractive fashion.

  Sensing Jess’s presence, Wanda turned around and smiled. The apprehension on her face warned that she worried she’d intruded or overstepped somehow by coming to the house.

  “Your home is just beautiful, Jessie Lee.”

  “Thank you.” Jess moved into the room, noting that Wanda carried a small white gift bag. “You didn’t need to bring a gift.”

  Wanda held the bag out. “I came across this as I was digging through a couple of old boxes I found in the attic. I thought you might want it for today.”

  Jess accepted the bag. “That’s very thoughtful of you.” She gestured to the sofa. “Won’t you sit down?” Jess wanted to shake Lil for not joining them. Lori had no doubt told her Wanda was here.

  “I know you’re busy. I don’t want to be in the way.”

  As much as Jess resented that Wanda had not been there for her and Lil when they had needed her so very badly, she simply didn’t have the heart to hold it against her any longer. “You’re not in the way.” Jess sat down with a plop. “Right now I’m so frustrated with my hair, I need a break anyway.”

  Wanda settled on the sofa, her back stiff as if she feared she’d chosen the wrong place to sit. “I’m certain you’ll be beautiful no matter how you wear it. You look so much like your mother.”

  The compliment caused a decided bump in the rhythm of Jess’s heart. “Thank you.” She opened the bag and reached inside. The delicate silver chain bracelet was adorned with small blue gemstones. “It’s lovely.”

  “It was my mother’s,” she explained. “Your grandmother’s. I wore it at my wedding and your mother wore it when she married your father. I don’t know how I managed not to lose it or... anyway, I thought you might want to wear it. It’s so delicate it’s hardly visible so it won’t clash with your colors, and it gives you something blue.”

  Her hands trembling, there was no way Jess would even attempt to fasten the bracelet around her wrist. “I’m so glad you found it. Thank you.”

  “You know,” Wanda knotted her hands together in her lap, “I fixed your mother’s hair for her wedding. Would you like me to try doing something similar with yours?”

  Jess thought of her mother’s wedding photo. “You know, that’s a wonderful idea. The half up, half down do my mother wore is what I wanted.”

  “I’ll give it a try, if you’d like.”

  Jess stood, the delicate bracelet clutched in her right hand. “I would really appreciate your help.”

  While she showed Wanda through her home, the doorbell rang again. This time it was the pizza. Surprisingly, Jess’s appetite had awakened. She might
have a slice after all.

  Chapter 4

  Cathedral of St. Paul Boardroom

  2120 3rd Avenue North, 3:30 p.m.

  Dan reached for his tux jacket. He slipped it on and adjusted the lapels.

  His father clapped him on the back. “It’s almost time, son.”

  Dan smiled. He was so grateful to have his father as his best man for this amazing moment. A few months ago he’d thought he had lost him, but Daniel Thomas Burnett, Senior, had survived his second heart attack as well as the brutal assault of a serial killer.

  “I’m ready.” Dan couldn’t wait to begin this journey with Jess. “You have the ring.”

  His father patted his chest. “Interior jacket pocket.”

  “You’re not getting cold feet on us, are you, Danny boy?”

  Dan glanced at the most recent addition to his lineup of groomsmen. “Not a chance, Corlew.”

  Buddy Corlew was Jess’s oldest friend. Dan’s cousin had ended up in the hospital earlier this week with acute appendicitis. Corlew was standing in for him. Fortunately, his cousin’s tux had been a perfect fit since it had been too late to order and tailor another one. Dan doubted Corlew had ever or would ever again be caught in a tuxedo. A former BPD detective and a little rough around the edges, Corlew made his living as a private investigator. He was a damned good one, Dan had to admit, even if some of his methods skirted the law.

  Frank Teller slid his cell into his pocket and held his hands up in surrender before Dan could remind him yet again to turn the damned thing off.

  “It’s off. I swear.” The man was one of Dan’s oldest friends and a highly respected Birmingham attorney. “You know how it is, there are some calls you just have to take.”

  “I guess I missed the bachelor party,” Corlew said, drawing Dan’s attention back to him. He leaned against the conference table. “What’d you guys do, discuss your financial portfolios?”

  “Funny, Corlew.” Dan adjusted his black bow tie. “My bachelor days have been over for a while.”

  “I figured as much.” Corlew grinned. “Don’t worry, last night I celebrated the demise of your bachelorhood for you. Umm-hmm. Not one but two strippers—twins—helped me celebrate. It doesn’t get better than that.”

  “Did you take pictures?” Frank wanted to know.

  “Don’t encourage him,” Dan advised. “Corlew, you’re the only person I know who would talk about strippers in the boardroom of St. Paul’s.”

  “Come on now. I’m just pulling your leg. I was on surveillance last night. I’m working a big case. It does, however, involve twins. They share an apartment and apparently don’t ever close the blinds. They did this little—”

  A rap on the door preceded Mary Green’s entrance. “Gentlemen, we’ll be proceeding to the sanctuary in five minutes.”

  Anxious to get started, Dan smiled. “Thank you, Mary.”

  “I’ll just have a quick look to make sure all is in order.” She surveyed each of them from their red rosebud boutonnieres to their well-polished black leather oxfords. “Very good, gentlemen. I believe we’re ready.”

  She flashed Dan a smile of approval and closed the door once more. Mary, the cathedral’s wedding coordinator, had kept his mother in line. Katherine Burnett had a tendency to go overboard. Dan had to give her credit though, she had done a wonderful job with the wedding. More importantly, she’d been respectful of Jess’s wishes. He’d worried about that in the beginning.

  “Have you and Jess decided if you’re running for mayor next year?” Frank asked.

  Dan had wondered how long it would be before his old friend would inquire about those rumors. Dan had been offered the position when Joseph Pratt had stepped down, but he’d decided to hold off. He liked being chief of police. He and Jess had been busy with their personal lives the past few months. Buying a home, getting settled, and preparing for the baby’s arrival next spring had been their primary focus. The timing simply hadn’t been right. The deputy mayor who had actually planned to retire stepped in until the next election. The powers that be were still leaning on Dan for an answer on the upcoming election. Jess insisted the decision was his. He wasn’t saying no just yet, but he was far from a yes.

  “We’ll consider the proposal in the spring.” The position of mayor required a tremendous commitment, personally as well as professionally. With the baby coming he wasn’t sure he wanted to spend more of his time away from home. They had a great deal to consider before he made a decision.

  “I spoke to Sylvia at the rehearsal dinner,” Frank said, “she mentioned that Nina is doing extraordinarily well at the new clinic.”

  Nina was Dan’s second wife and Sylvia’s younger sister. She’d suffered with mental illness her entire adult life. The outlook had been quite dire the past few years. Now, however, a new medication recently approved by the FDA was helping her to make great strides at an innovative facility in New York.

  “If she continues on her current path, she may be home in a few months. She’s made an incredible turnaround.”

  “It’s a miracle,” his father agreed. “Your mother and I are very happy for her family.”

  “Speaking of miracles and Barons,” Corlew said, “what kind of miracle would it take to get you to swap bridesmaids with me, Teller?”

  Frank raised a skeptical eyebrow. “I think Mrs. Burnett and Mrs. Green would have something to say about that, Corlew.”

  Dan grinned. It shouldn’t but the idea that Corlew was uncomfortable escorting Sylvia gave him just a little glee. “What’s the matter, Corlew? You afraid Sylvia might bite?”

  “I don’t think she likes me too much.” He shifted his attention back to Frank. “I’ll even throw in a bonus and teach that investigative team of yours some of my secrets.”

  “No way,” Frank said. “I’m not getting in trouble with Dan’s mom. I’ve been down that road, Corlew. Believe me, you do not want to go there.”

  Dan laughed. “You’d better listen to him, Corlew.”

  “I know I would,” Dan Senior agreed.

  Corlew shook his head. “Maybe you have a point. She’s been on my back all week about cutting my hair.” He shook his head. “I was afraid to go to sleep at night. The lady is persistent.”

  Dan hadn’t missed the wedding coordinator’s raised eyebrows at Corlew’s ponytail. Corlew was about as far from a good Catholic boy as one could be, but he was Jess’s friend. Back in high school, Dan and Corlew had been serious enemies, but those days were over. Dan owed the man. He was proud to have Corlew as one of his groomsmen.

  The door opened and Mary waved her arm. “This way, gentlemen.”

  His father placed a hand on Dan’s arm. “Just a minute, son.”

  “We need a moment,” Dan said to Mary.

  “We’ll be waiting for you.” Mary ushered Corlew and Frank into the corridor and closed the door.

  His father took him by the arms and smiled. Dan didn’t miss the sheen of tears in his eyes.

  “You’re a good man, Dan. Your mother and I are immensely proud of you, not only for the way you’ve served this city but also for the outstanding human being you’ve always been. From the time you were old enough to have a paper route you were kind and helpful to others. It makes our hearts glad to know that we had a little something to do with making you the man you are today.”

  Dan blinked back some tears of his own. “Thank you, Dad. I wish I could take the credit, but I have an excellent role model to follow.”

  His father smiled. “We’ve always respected your decisions, and never once have we doubted the plans you’ve made.” His father squeezed his arms. “I just want you to know that we are especially thankful you’re marrying Jess.”

  Dan couldn’t speak for a moment.

  “You and I both know your mother wasn’t so keen on Jess back when the two of you were kids, but she realizes now how wrong she was. Jess is a wonderful woman. We’re very pleased to be welcoming her to the family not only as your wife but as our dau
ghter.”

  “That means more than you can know, to both of us.”

  “We’re going to spoil your children every single day.” His father laughed. “I can’t tell you how grateful I am to be here for this day. Your mother and I are looking forward to many, many more wondrous events with you and your new family.”

  Dan hugged his father hard. “I love you, Dad.”

  “I love you, son.” His father drew back. “Today you’ll watch your bride walk down the aisle toward you the way I watched your mother walk toward me all those decades ago.”

  “I can’t wait.”

  “Right now,” his father laughed, “if we keep Mary waiting any longer, she’ll be calling your mother to come and light a fire under us.”

  Dan laughed. “We should go then.”

  He’d been waiting for this moment a very long time.

  Chapter 5

  Cathedral of St. Paul

  3:40 p.m.

  While Lily helped Maddie pick up the rose petals she’d decided to spread around a little early, Jess took a moment alone before the call to take their positions. She stood in the room that had been designated as the dressing room for the bride. When Katherine had first suggested having the wedding at St. Paul’s, Jess hadn’t been very happy. She hadn’t wanted a big formal wedding. She’d wanted a private ceremony with only close family and friends. Sometime during the past couple of months, Jess had changed her mind.

  This cathedral had graced downtown Birmingham for more than one hundred twenty years. It’s neo-gothic architecture and incredible stained glass windows made it awe inspiring. Jess had never been inside until the wedding planning began. If she’d thought the exterior was beautiful, the interior was breathtaking. The granite columns, vaulted ceiling, and arches soared high overhead to the ornate domed ceiling. Rich hand hewn wood floors filled the space with warmth. Something about the sacred beauty and history had changed her feelings about a big wedding. Knowing that Katherine and Dan Senior had taken their vows here had sealed the deal for Jess. This was another of the traditions she and Dan wanted to have in their lives.