Chapter Forty-five
Serena rarely felt guilty about anything. She hated to admit crashing Darnell and Candace’s wedding had shifted her guilt meter to a new level. A level of shame. While Mr. and Mrs. Darnell Jackson were introduced, Serena ducked behind a group of men whom she assumed were Darnell’s colleagues. For a brief second she contemplated what if she could have been Mrs. Darnell Jackson.
The thought left her as she refocused on her mission.
The woman she came to see was standing across the room hugging the wedding party. Serena thought hard about the best way to get near Lenora Freeman without causing any scenes. Serena just needed her for a few moments so they could talk in private.
Serena crossed her arms. Really, she could have waited to contact Serena on Monday. But something was driving the sense of urgency. For Serena, her interest in Charmayne Hudson’s death had long turned from being just another story. She wanted to know. Even more important, Serena was concerned that someone else was in danger.
She turned her head and noticed that a young man stood slouched against the wall. Serena guessed he was maybe fifteen or sixteen. His face looked familiar, and then it dawned on Serena that this young man was probably Lenora’s son. He looked just like his father. She slid closer to him.
“Hey, do you know where I could find Mrs. Freeman? I have a delivery outside she has been waiting on and I don’t know where she wanted me to put it.”
The young man pulled himself off the wall. “I’m her son. I could take it.”
“Oh no, I need her to sign for it. Can you let her know that I’m outside the office?”
The boy pointed to where his mother was standing. “She’s over there. I’ll go get her.”
“Thank you.” Serena watched as the boy made his way over to his mother. She didn’t want to be standing there when Lenora turned around so she sneaked out the door. Serena had been in the Victory Gospel Center for other events and headed down the hallway she thought led to the office.
She turned the knob and the office door opened. Serena walked inside and hoped Lenora wouldn’t decide to throw her out.
Soon she heard the tapping of high-heeled shoes coming down the hallway. Lenora Freeman stood in the doorway and peered in. They made eye contact; Serena could tell Lenora was not pleased. “Were you the one who lied to my son?”
“Yes, I’m sorry. I needed a way to talk to you without disturbing the festivities.”
Lenora put her hands on her hips. “And you couldn’t do this on another day?”
Serena stepped forward. “Look, I have been researching information the past few days about your friend Charmayne and I really need your help on getting some answers. I know you want to see justice.”
Lenora closed her eyes. When she opened them, Serena thought the woman would melt. Before Lenora walked away and completely dismissed her, she pulled her phone out and showed the photo. “Do you know this man?”
She watched as a lightbulb moment dawned in Lenora’s eyes. Lenora looked at her. “Why are you asking?”
Serena didn’t like that Lenora wouldn’t just come out and say what she knew. “Mrs. Freeman, it’s really important to know if you can identify this man.” Serena shoved the photo of the heavier set Lance standing next to Charmayne.
“That man was engaged to Charmayne.”
“What?” Serena thought she would choke on her own words. “You’re kidding, right? Him?”
Lenora nodded. “I only met him a handful of times, actually, more like two times. She seemed to think he treated her well, and believe me, Charmayne had her run of men. Most weren’t good for her or they became intimidated by her because of her father. I got the impression she liked him because he stood up to her father.”
Serena looked back at the photo and felt a tremor in her hand. She flipped over to another photo and held it up for Lenora to see. “Do you recognize him?”
Lenora frowned. There was a glimmer of recognition in her eyes. Then Serena watched as another emotion appeared.
She nudged. “What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost or something.”
“No. I’m confused. Is that the same man?”
“Yes. A lot thinner looking these days and without the chunky glasses.”
Lenora stared off into space as if she was trying to remember something. “I have seen him at least two times. He felt familiar to me, but I didn’t know where I had seen him before. Why are you asking about him?”
“Why didn’t Charmayne marry him?”
Lenora shook her head. “I have no idea. No, wait. I’m sure her father had something to do with it. She told me the bishop really didn’t like him, but still Charmayne was a grown woman. She could have made her own decision, and it shouldn’t have mattered.”
Serena rubbed her chin. She was still stunned that Charmayne had been prepared to marry this man, not the muscular cut man she had run into, but this incredibly large man whose eyes appeared huge behind the thick glasses. She asked, “Where have you seen the new and improved version?”
Lenora sat down in the chair against the wall. “I saw him at Pastor Jeremiah’s funeral. He looked familiar to me, but I am ashamed to say I couldn’t recall where I had seen him before. In this business, I meet so many people. I felt an urge to try to talk to him because he was staring at me. Anyway, he moved so fast, I never saw where he went.”
Serena watched as the woman paused as if she was recollecting the memory. Finally she continued, “The second time I saw him was at Charmayne’s funeral. I wasn’t feeling well, but he had walked up to me and we talked.”
Serena leaned forward. “What did you talk about?”
“I honestly don’t remember. I was so out of it with a fever that day. You still aren’t telling me why you have questions about this man. Do you think he had something to do with Charmayne’s death?”
“I don’t really know how he’s involved or what his intentions are, but I will say he was the one who brought me the story about Hudson Housing Development. He wanted me to look into the financial records. I have to say, I saw some discrepancies and I’m still not sure what to think.”
Lenora began twisting her hands. “Charmayne had been receiving threats after her father died. She told me that it seemed like everyone was against her all of sudden.”
Serena prodded, “The they Charmayne was referring to are the mayor and the other council members, right?”
“I guess. She wasn’t very specific. We didn’t have a lot of time to talk, and I wish I had asked her to let me see the threats. The police didn’t find anything. What do you intend to do with this information? How do you think this man . . . you know, I don’t even remember his name,” Lenora admitted.
“He’s been going by Lance Ryan whenever we talk.”
“Ryan?” Lenora looked away.
“You know something else?”
Lenora shook her head. “No, I just—” The woman stood suddenly. “I can’t do this right now. It’s been nice of you to come share this information with me, but I need to be getting back to the reception where I belong.”
Serena grabbed her arm. “Wait, you were about to say something else. What is it? I don’t know what’s going on here, but I believe this man, whoever he is, is a real threat. I think he wants to get to you.”
Lenora wrenched her arm out of Serena’s grip. “For what? I barely knew the man. I don’t really know what Charmayne saw in him, but there is no reason for him to be bothering me. I planned their wedding up until Charmayne called me and said it was over. No explanation. I filed all that work away.”
“Maybe something happened back then that you don’t remember.”
Lenora rubbed her temples. “I need to get back to the wedding reception.”
“Okay, fine.” Serena pushed her card into Lenora’s hand. “If you can think of anything else, please call me. I have been up and close with this man and something isn’t right about him.”
There was a haunted look in Lenora’s eyes that caused fear to slither up Serena’s back. She watched Lenora return down the hallway. When the door opened to the Victory Gospel Center, laughter and good times poured out, and then went silent once Lenora entered and the door closed behind her.
Serena thought, I don’t doubt this man had something to do with Charmayne’s death. What was puzzling Serena was why Charmayne would want to marry this man.
Is Lenora really sure she isn’t a target?