Chapter Fifty
Candace bit down on her lip, drawing a metallic taste in her mouth. Her mind spun from all the information he’d sprung on her. He really was withholding information. Some real doozies. Did Pamela know? Was this what her friend wanted to tell her?
All those years ago, during the trial, Frank had been stretched beyond the breaking point. He was a really good cop. Candace knew how much he thrived on following the rules. He’d never intentionally hurt anyone. No one knew all the nights Frank lay awake or chose to sleep in the recliner, haunted by that young man’s death.
All three officers were convinced the suspect intended to pull a gun out of his coat pocket. The boy ran several blocks from the police, so he was clearly resisting arrest. Why the boy ran and why he didn’t hold up his hands, instead of pulling out what was only a wallet, no one would know. Frank and all the officers paid their dues for the young man’s death.
Apparently, this Avante fellow didn’t think so. Candace shuddered. Was he the one who’d followed her last night? What if he had tried to push his way into the house? She didn’t want her children to ever witness the kind of violence she had seen as a child.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
There was another one of those Bible verses her aunt had had her memorize. She gripped the mug, gulping down the last remnants of coffee. God had truly shielded her from harm last night. Lord, I need to trust you now more than ever. You keep taking the rug out from under me, taking away people I love. She dropped her head into her hands.
“Candace, are you okay?”
She wiped her eyes. “Yes, Mama Beulah. Thanks for keeping me company.”
“Honey, I’m here until you kick me out.”
“I appreciate you. Did you ever get Tangie on the phone?”
“I told her what happened, and she said to take it easy. All appointments for today have been rescheduled. Candace, you are shaking. Are you cold?”
A chill penetrated her body. She wasn’t sick or feeling ill. “I guess I’m still shook up.” She laughed, weakly.
Beulah laid her arm across Candace’s shoulders. “I was scared for you last night. I don’t think I slept, either. It’s a good thing we closed the salon. We might have messed up some clients’ hair today.”
Candace giggled uncontrollably. “Beulah, you are a nut. What would I do without you?”
“Vice versa. Candy, you mean the world to me. How about a hug, sugar?”
Candace relished her dear friend’s bone-crushing hug. Despite the warm support, she still felt a bit like Chicken Little, except her sky had already fallen.
“I still don’t understand. This man has wanted revenge all this time. It’s not going to bring his brother back.” That was something she knew for sure. “You know, for the longest time, I hated my mother’s killer. But as time went on, it was best to let it go.”
Beulah shook her head. “Grief has an incredible crushing impact on one’s spirit. Especially when violence is involved. You’ve told me many times how your aunt Maggie raised you up believing in God. He will come through for us even when things get crazy. That forgiveness thing is an important piece to us staying sane.”
The wall-mounted phone shrilled from across the kitchen.
Beulah prodded Candace. “Why don’t you answer that? It’s going to be fine. No need to worry.”
Candace wasn’t so sure, but she answered the phone. “Hello.”
A nasally feminine voice inquired, “May I speak to Candace Johnson?”
“Yes. Who’s speaking?”
“This is Security Alarms. We have reports that the alarm went off at Crown of Beauty Salon. Are you the owner?”
“Yes, I am. Have the police been dispatched?” From the corner of her eye, she saw Beulah rush over and hovered beside her.
“They should arrive at the place of business within the next five to ten minutes.”
“Thank you.” Candace hung up the phone. “I need to go. The alarm system went off at the salon.”
“Wait, let me go with you.”
“No, Beulah, I need you stay here. It won’t take long. Besides, if I’m not back in an hour, I would like it if you could pick up Rachel and Daniel from school.”
“Are you sure? Well, shouldn’t you call someone to let them know where you are going?”
“There will be cops there by the time I arrive. It will be fine.” Candace brushed past Beulah and grabbed her purse from the table.
“Candace, wait. Before you go ... This doesn’t feel right. I think we need to pray.”
“No argument here.” She clasped Beulah’s hands. The older woman squeezed her hands back tightly.
“Father God, we want to thank you for bringing Candace home safe last night. Please send your angels to protect your precious daughter. Keep her safe under your wings. We ask these things in Jesus’s name, Amen.”
Candace looked into Beulah’s eyes. “I will be back soon.”
Dark rain clouds rolled in, along with a biting wind. Sweater weather had indeed arrived in the South. She had a strong urge to go back inside the house, where it was warm and safe.
It will be all right. She repeated the mantra over and over again as she started the car and then backed out of the driveway. The police would be there, and everything would be fine.
Lord, keep me safe.