Chapter Twenty-nine
Serena tore out of the parking lot, conscious that she had a potential madman watching her every move. She was no closer to figuring out what Lance Ryan hoped to gain by her pushing the story, but from what she interpreted, he’d spent some time around the Hudsons. In what capacity, she would dig into later.
To refocus her thoughts and gain a bit of the story’s direction she found herself pulling up in front of Lenora’s Bridal Boutique. Her gut told her to look more into Charmayne’s death which was still very newsworthy. It appeared that Lenora came into work although there weren’t many cars in the parking lot. Serena exited her SUV and looked around to make sure no one else had the same idea she had. It was public knowledge that Lenora had called in to 911 to report finding Charmayne. It was obvious the woman was in a garage with the car running.
When Serena arrived at the boutique’s door, there was a closed sign, but the lights were on. She pushed the door, and to her surprise, it opened. As she entered the boutique, Serena felt a physical need to gag. A former romantic, the sight of all these wedding dresses only reminded her she had no happily ever after going on in her life.
Weddings were overrated. All that money people spent for one day. She was thankful that the two marriages she had were pretty much debt-free. Unfortunately, being battered by the first husband and cheated on by the second one had left her bitter. Serena only needed a man long enough to get what she wanted, and then she was done with him.
Still, like every other woman, she had wanted that fairy-tale wedding. She reached out to touch a formfitting gown covered in lace, but quickly jerked her hand away when she heard voices. She watched as Lenora and Candace Johnson approached. Lenora laughed, not looking grief-stricken at all.
Serena bit her lip as she observed Candace. She folded her arms and watched the two women laugh. Candace was holding a large white rectangular box that Serena guessed held a wedding dress.
She was happy for Darnell, and like her coworker, Wes, she thought both men had met special women. Women that she was nothing like at all. Despite her looks, Serena had always been a bit too abrasive and aggressive. It didn’t take long for her to spoil any good thing that came her way.
Both women stopped at the sight of her. Serena quickly unfolded her arms and let her arms fall to her sides. She looked directly at Candace, who returned a cool stare. For a brief moment, Serena forgot she was happy for Darnell and remembered her very brief interaction with the hot detective. Obviously, Candace wasn’t too happy to see her.
“How did you get in here?” Lenora frowned.
“The door was open.”
Lenora glared at her and walked over to the door to check the lock.
Serena took a deep breath and moved toward Candace. She pointed at the box. “Hello, Candace. I see you’re about ready for the upcoming wedding. Congratulations.”
Candace’s mouth turned up slightly. “Thank you, Serena. I hope you’re doing well.”
“Always,” Serena responded back.
Candace leaned in. “Don’t upset, Lenora. Please!”
Serena stepped back and let Candace pass by.
Candace walked toward Lenora. “I will see you at the rehearsal dinner next Friday.”
Lenora stopped fiddling with the lock and turned to her. “I’m so glad this dress worked out for you. You’re going to be beautiful. I will check with the caterer about the rehearsal dinner.”
“I appreciate you. I may try to make it to the funeral on Wednesday. Take care of yourself. Don’t run yourself down.” Candace glanced back at Serena, and then left.
Lenora locked the door, and then yanked on it. She turned around and walked back toward Serena.
Serena hadn’t realized how tall the woman stood. She wasn’t a shorty herself, but Lenora stood close to six feet in heels. It struck her how regal she appeared in the pants suit.
Lenora placed her hand on her hip. “This really isn’t a good time, Ms. Manchester. I’ve been trying to dodge media all weekend. If I entertain at least one of your questions, can you leave a sister alone?”
Serena had never met or talked to Lenora Freeman before, but she had to admit she liked her no-nonsense attitude already. “I’m sorry to drop in on you like this, and I do appreciate your willingness to let me ask some questions. I really want to help the public get an understanding of Charmayne Hudson’s untimely death.”
“Well, that may not be possible.” Lenora walked away.
Serena frowned and followed behind her. “Why do you say that?”
Lenora kept walking until she reached what seemed to be the office area in the back. “Because it’s looking pretty obvious that she may have killed herself. At least that is what the police seem to want to conclude.”
Serena followed Lenora into an office. Lenora went behind the desk and glanced at her. Serena noticed a flicker of sadness appeared in Lenora’s eyes. There was something else odd about the way Lenora looked away briefly.
Lenora continued to stand behind the desk, so Serena stood across from her. She noted Lenora didn’t seem to know what to do with her hands as if she was calculating what to do or say. “Ms. Manchester, you know what? This really isn’t a good time.”
“Serena. You can call me, Serena. I’m so sorry for appearing insensitive. I understand Charmayne was a friend and you found her. I know that has to be very traumatizing. I’m surprised you’re here at work.”
“Yes, it has been, and it doesn’t do me any good sitting around at home. I did that all weekend. What do you hope that I can help you with?”
“Well, I met Ms. Hudson last week, and she was very adamant about moving forward with the Hudson Housing Development. She wanted to honor her father’s legacy. It has clearly been reported how she fought for this project only to run up against opposition at city hall.”
Lenora frowned. “Yes, she was dedicated. I don’t understand why you need to talk to me. I really don’t deal with politics. I knew Charmayne was passionate about being a public servant.”
“That’s just it.” Serena decided to sit down in the seat. “I have a difficult time believing that this woman killed herself.”
Serena watched Lenora flinch. She watched as tears flooded her eyes. Lenora reached up to wipe the wetness away. She reached over for a tissue and sat down. “That’s because she wouldn’t have killed herself.”
Stunned, Serena tilted her head. “Let me get this right. You don’t believe she committed suicide.”
Lenora continued to wipe the tears that escaped down her cheek. “The woman who I’d known most of my life didn’t cave easily under difficulties. She was a fighter. Her dad was a fighter. I have unanswered questions that will haunt me forever. Now Ms. Manchester, this has been a difficult few days and I don’t know if this conversation helped you, but I need some space. I will walk you out.”
Serena couldn’t argue with the woman. While she appeared strong minutes ago, her resolve had crumpled. When they reached the front of the boutique, Serena said, “I’m really sorry for your loss. I do have one more question, and I promise you I will then leave you alone.”
Lenora eyed her like an irate schoolteacher.
Serena rushed forward with her next question. “Does your husband plan to take Charmayne Hudson’s place on the city council? I heard that he planned to run.”
The grief displayed by Lenora was replaced with a hardened look as the woman narrowed her eyes. “As I told you before, I don’t deal with politics, and I certainly won’t share my husband’s plans. That’s for him to share. If you want to do justice to Charmayne in your story, please remember to acknowledge her work and passion for the community she grew up in and loved. Now I have to deal with some mile long to-do lists for upcoming weddings.”
Serena nodded and opened the front door. She heard the door lock after it closed. While their conversation was brief, she felt enough conviction in Lenora’s voice to solidify her thoughts.
Before Serena could get to her car, she heard the patter of someone’s shoes walking fast behind her. She spun around, fully expecting the madman from earlier to pounce on her, but instead, she was met by an older woman. The woman stopped and clutched her shirt.
“I’m sorry, child, I didn’t mean to scare you. I just wanted to catch up with you before you left.” The older woman glanced over her shoulder at the boutique.
Serena took a deep breath to get her bearings back. She looked down at her hands and realized she was shaking. “Who are you?”
“I’m Dorothy. I work in the boutique as a seamstress. I’m sorry; I overheard some of your conversation with Lenora.”
Serena folded her arms and stepped forward. She towered over Dorothy, who was short and wide in girth. Serena couldn’t tell the woman’s age, but she eyed the jet-black hair. It wasn’t a wig, so it seemed Dorothy spent a lot of time keeping the gray out of her hair. “Did you know Charmayne?”
Dorothy nodded. “I knew her most of her life. She and Lenora grew up together, and both attended Greater Heights Church.”
Serena made note. She remembered Lenora mentioning she had known Charmayne most of their lives. “How would you describe their friendship, or better yet, what did you think of Charmayne?”
“I can answer both of those questions. Lenora has always been the stable one, Charmayne while she was the PK, or preacher’s kid, she couldn’t help but get into trouble. Anyhow, I just really came out here to tell you, I agree with Lenora.”
“Agree?”
“That Charmayne wouldn’t have killed herself. That girl loved life. Nothing fazed her.” Dorothy looked around like she expected a boogeyman to show up. She moved closer to Serena. “I think she got caught up in something she shouldn’t have. The day she came here, I overheard her say to Lenora that she had been receiving threats.”
Serena widened her eyes and turned her attention back to the boutique. Now Lenora didn’t mention that to her, although she could tell the woman was thinking carefully about her answers. “Do you know what kind of threats or who?”
Dorothy shook her head. “No, no, but I think someone needs to know. Lenora has always protected Charmayne. Growing up, Lenora’s mother didn’t care for her daughter being friends with Charmayne at all. I just feel bad for Lenora having to go through this. Anyway I need to go before she notices I’m out here talking to you.”
“Thank you, Dorothy. Um, can I call you or talk with you again?”
Dorothy hesitated. “I guess. I don’t really have anything else to add. I just want people to stop bothering Lenora. I also think it would help if someone found out the truth. Then maybe Lenora won’t feel so burdened by Charmayne’s death.”
Serena watched the woman enter the boutique, and then headed to her vehicle. Once inside, she locked the doors and started the engine. So there was something suspicious about Charmayne Hudson’s death. If the deceased city councilwoman was receiving threats, was blackmail involved? Lenora didn’t share that information with her, but did she tell the police? Surely Detective Jackson was investigating.
Threats. A staged suicide. A possible murder.
Serena drove off thinking about the man who brought this story to her a few weeks ago. She could visualize Lance Ryan playing a role. How and why, she didn’t know, but that was what she was determined to find out.