“You’re kidding, right?” Jennie gave her father an incredulous look. But he wasn’t kidding. Dad wouldn’t joke about something like that. “Reverend Cole?”
“We found evidence at the scene and in her apartment. She was in the building when the fire broke out.”
“Sure. At the board meeting.”
“No. In putting the pieces together, we discovered that the fire had been set just before the meeting. The board members were just coming in.” Putting a hand at Jennie’s back, he nudged her toward the sliding-glass doors.
“So it could have been any of the board members.”
“It could, but the evidence leads to Reverend Cole.”
“Is she here? Did you come to arrest her?”
“No. I came down to tell your mother. Didn’t want her finding out on the news or some other way.”
“Good idea, but I thought Mom was home.”
“She was for about three hours.” Dad punched the up button on the elevator with a little more vigor than necessary.
“Why did she come back? I thought someone was relieving her this afternoon.”
“Apparently no one else is as committed to this as your mother.”
“Dad …”
“You don’t need to explain. Your mother is doing what she feels she needs to do. Can’t argue with that. Humph. I feel bad even complaining about it.”
The elevator doors swished open and Dad mumbled, “I’ll talk to you later.”
Jennie caught her father’s arm. “Are you sure it was Marissa? What about the threatening notes she got?”
“That was the clincher for me, princess. Marissa sent those notes to herself.”
“But, Dad—” Jennie started to dispute the allegation. None of it made sense. Reverend Cole was a wonderful, giving person.
“I know you have a lot of questions. So do I, but this isn’t the time or place to discuss it. We’ll talk later—at home.”
They parted then, Jennie veering toward the emergency room and Dad taking the elevator up to the burn unit. At the emergency room, she caught up with Gary, who was trying to fill out some forms and hold the squirming Brian at the same time.
“Can I help?” Jennie extended her arms to Brian, who seemed more than willing to escape his father’s grasp.
“Thanks. I never noticed before how many hands you need to be a parent.” Gary tossed her a wry grin. “I tell you, I have a great deal of respect for moms these days.”
While Gary filled out the papers, Jennie took Brian to a corner of the room loosely termed the children’s play area. While part of her mind focused on watching Brian, another part drifted back to the day of the fire. The waiting room had been full then. Mrs. Beaumont and Mom were waiting to hear about Mr. Beaumont and Michael. Mr. Talbot had been there too.
Poor Mrs. Talbot. Jennie frowned. In all the worry over Michael and the business with her parents, she had forgotten about the school secretary.
“Brian Stanford?” A nurse stood at the emergency room door, a clip chart in her hand.
Gary, who’d finished his forms, snatched up his son. “Want to come in with us, Jennie?”
“Sure.” Jennie made a mental note to check on Mrs. Talbot and pay her a visit soon.
“Watch this, Jennie!” Nick shouted as he stood at the side of the Beaumonts’ pool and waved his skinny little arms. “I’m gonna jump in.”
“I’m watching.” She stretched out on the chaise lounge and sipped on a tall glass of pink lemonade. After such a hectic afternoon it felt good to vegetate and unwind. Upon leaving the Stanfords’ home, Allison and B.J. had invited Jennie, Lisa, their brothers, and Carlos over to swim. Jennie hadn’t hesitated to accept. She’d called home from Lisa’s and left a message on the machine, borrowed a swimsuit from Aunt Kate, and here she was. Lisa was lying on a chaise lounge beside her, and Allison and B.J. were inside fixing a snack.
Brian hadn’t needed stitches after all, and Jennie felt relieved that Gary was not the arsonist. All four of the girls agreed that he was much too busy playing Mr. Mom to be considered a suspect.
Jennie didn’t believe Reverend Cole was the arsonist either. Yet Dad seemed so certain. And they had evidence. Motive, means, and opportunity. Jennie could hardly wait to talk with her father. She also wished she could tell her friends.
“Come on, Nick. I’ll catch you.” Kurt stood chest high in the turquoise water, reaching for his younger cousin.
Carlos sat on a step at the shallow end, moving his hands back and forth and staring at the rippling water as though it held a secret.
“He looks so sad,” Lisa murmured. “I wish there was something we could do.”
“Maybe bringing him here wasn’t the best idea.” Jennie set her drink down. “It probably reminds him of his dad.” Jennie itched to tell him his dad would be released soon now that the police had another suspect. But that would have to wait until the police made Reverend Cole’s arrest public.
“I wonder what he saw that upset him so much.” Lisa lifted a hand to shade her eyes from the late afternoon sun.
“Me too.”
“Hey, great news!” Allison emerged from the house carrying a tray heaped with fruits and veggies.
“They made an arrest in the arson case and released Philippe?” Jennie piped up.
“No.” Allison gave her a have-you-lost-your-mind look. “Dad just called to say they got most of the inside walls framed today at our temporary school. They’ll do the wiring and Sheetrock tomorrow. He’s really pleased about the progress.”
“That’s great.” Lisa snagged a carrot stick from the tray when Allison set it down.
B.J. set down a plate of assorted cookies. “Aren’t you going to tell them the best part?”
Allison raised her eyes. “You mean the gym?”
“That and the pool. It’s almost ready.”
“Great!” Jennie felt a ton lighter than she had all week.
“Dad just talked to Coach Dayton,” B.J. continued, “and she wants us there tonight to finish cleaning the place up, then we’ll practice.”
“Tonight?” Jennie glanced over at the boys. Nick and Kurt had coaxed Carlos into the water and the three were playing catch. “You going?”
“Of course.” B.J. sank into one of the white metal chairs at the glass-topped table and bit into a chocolate chip cookie. “Aren’t you?”
Jennie shrugged. Much as she wanted to, with Mom gone there’d be dinner and dishes, not to mention watching the boys. She related those things and added, “I was planning to visit Michael and Mrs. Talbot tonight too. What time does DeeDee want us there?”
“Six-thirty. I was hoping you’d pick me up. I could get a ride, but I’d rather go with you.”
“I’ll have to check with my parents.” The sound of laughter dragged Jennie’s attention back to the pool. “Did you hear that?” Jennie whispered, not wanting Carlos to hear. “He’s laughing.”
Kurt had the ball balanced on his nose. Nick and Carlos were trying to knock it off. “My turn, my turn.” Carlos grabbed the ball and set it on his nose.
When Jennie arrived home at five-thirty, Mom was there fixing a salad. The kitchen smelled lived-in and warm. The bread machine beeped three times, letting them know the baking cycle had finished.
Mom hugged Jennie, then Nick and Carlos, and sent the boys out to feed and water Bernie. “He missed you today, Nick. Why don’t you take the ball out and play catch.”
“Come on, Carlos.” Nick took the older boy’s hand. “I’ll let you put the food in Bernie’s dish.”
Carlos had retreated again but seemed to like the idea of playing with Bernie.
“I didn’t think you’d be home yet.” Jennie peeked into the oven. Hot air perfumed with garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and whatever other spices Mom had used on the baking chicken warmed her face. For a moment life seemed almost normal again.
“Maddie offered to relieve me. I thought you might like to help work on the pool.”
“I do.” Jennie retrieved an apple from the freshly filled fruit basket. “Thanks.”
Mom smiled. “So how was your day? Did you get to talk to all the people you wanted to?”
Jennie crunched down on the apple and nodded. “Yep. We could have saved ourselves the trouble.” She told Mom about the interviews and her trip to the hospital. “Dad tell you about Reverend Cole?”
Mom gave Jennie an odd look, snapped off a piece of plastic wrap, and covered the salad bowl. “He did.” She set the bowl in the fridge and shut the door harder than necessary.
“I take it you don’t agree.”
Mom’s gaze met hers. “You have to ask?”
“Guess not. Did Dad tell you what evidence they had?”
“Not specifically.” Mom opened the oven and turned over the sizzling pieces of chicken. “I don’t care what your father or the DA or anyone else says, Marissa Cole is not an arsonist.”
“You think someone set her up?”
“What other explanation is there?” Mom backed away from the stove, her face red from the heat.
Jennie didn’t have an answer but she knew someone who might. “Carlos talked today.”
Mom poured herself a cup of coffee. “Really?”
“He didn’t say much, but it’s a start.”
“Why don’t you come sit with me at the table and tell me about it.”
Jennie straddled the chair, much as one would a horse, and complied. It felt better than good having Mom back home. When she finished telling her about Carlos, Jennie sighed and slouched in the chair. “I haven’t asked him about the fire yet. Guess I’m afraid he’ll stop talking again.”
“It’s best not to move too fast. He needs to feel comfortable with us and trust us. Maybe we shouldn’t talk to him about it at all. From what I know about these things, it’s best to wait until he decides to open up on his own.”
The comfortable mood remained all through dinner. Carlos and Nick giggled like old friends. Dad seemed in a better mood than he had all week. Mom was even looking healthier. Things were definitely looking up. Except for Reverend Cole. Dad hadn’t brought the subject up—probably to keep from upsetting Carlos—but while she was getting ready to leave for the pool clean-up party, Jennie caught the story on television.
“The investigation into Monday’s arson fire at a local church and school took a bizarre twist today when police arrested Reverend Marissa Cole late this afternoon. The DA’s office says they have strong evidence to support the case against the former missionary. Reverend Cole will be arraigned tomorrow morning at nine-thirty. Cole had little to say to reporters this evening. Friends and relatives are shocked. We’ll keep you updated on this story as it unfolds.”
“Better hurry, Jennie,” Mom called from the dining room, where she was washing off the table. “You’ll be late.”
“But this is important.” She sighed.
“We’ll fill you in when you get home,” Dad said.
Jennie kissed him on the cheek. “See you.”
She gave her mother a long hug. “Thanks, Mom.”
Tears filled her mother’s eyes, but she was smiling. “Scoot.”
Outside, Jennie stopped briefly to say goodbye to Nick and Carlos.
“Where you going?” Nick asked.
“To the school. I’m going to help clean up …” Jennie’s voice faded as she watched Carlos’ expression change from innocent curiosity to fear. “What’s wrong, Carlos?”
He wrapped his arms around Bernie’s neck. Silent again.