"You shoulda had sons," Grammy growled at Earl, who rose to a.s.sist with clearing the dishes.

Earl walked to the sink, deposited a few dinner plates into the basin and returned to the table for more. Before refilling his hands, he placed one on the top of each daughter's head. "Not only did the Lord bless me with these two jewels, but he's brought me sons in His own way."

Lincoln and Nathan smiled shyly over being included in Earl's blessings. Maggie, who was p.r.o.ne to tears at the slightest provocation, dabbed at her eyes with her ap.r.o.n corner and placed a trifle cup under Grammy's nose. "Dig in, darlin'. We all know you're grumpy because that handsome boy you liked got voted off American Idol American Idol. You've been seein' red since Thursday!"

"And why not? That Simon doesn't know what he's talkin' about!" Grammy remarked heatedly, lifting a loaded spoonful of trifle toward her mouth. "I'd like to put him over my knee and give him a sound spankin'."

Lincoln laughed. "I'd pay money to see that!" He then turned to his wife, who was shoveling down spoonfuls of fruit and custard as though she were a partic.i.p.ant in a trifle-eating compet.i.tion. "Slow down, honey! You're going to have an upset stomach if you keep up that rate."

Pausing for breath, Ashley sat back in her chair, looking rather green. Suddenly, she put her hand over her mouth, whispered, "Too late," and jumped up from the table.

The sounds of her being sick echoed down the hall from the bathroom.

"I sure hope she ain't got the flu," Grammy muttered and continued to eat her trifle with salubrious gusto. "But I'll finish her dessert if she can't."

Cooper met Lincoln's eyes. "I hope she isn't contagious."

Brother- and sister-in-law exchanged covert smiles.

Monday came and went in a flash. Cooper interviewed the final three candidates for her new division and was now going to have to reach a decision over whom to hire. She felt that the day's first two interviewees were too inexperienced when it came to working with machines, but the third candidate was highly skilled in not only the repair of office machines, but of all makes of computers as well. Minutes before he'd arrived, Cooper had just been mulling over the possibility of expanding her division to include computer repair and tech support, thereby turning Make It Work! into a comprehensive remedy for all the problems Richmond businesses might encounter. So it seemed as though Donny Mahanoy, a good-looking, clean-cut twenty-eight-year-old, was exactly what she needed.

But I don't like him, she thought, frowning as she reviewed the young man's application once again. she thought, frowning as she reviewed the young man's application once again.

Donny had sauntered into the conference room, taken her hand with unnecessary firmness, and had then proceeded to brag about his "nimble fingers." Cooper had had a tough time asking him any pertinent questions because he'd continuously interrupted her. He also stated that he preferred to work alone because he'd never met a coworker who could comprehend his "mathematical mind" or keep pace with his "Einstein-like problem-solving abilities."

"You're arrogant, rude, and are definitely not a team player." Cooper made notes on Donny's application. "To summarize: Your nimble fingers, mathematical mind, and Einstein-like intelligence aren't worth it."

It was a delightful task to be able to phone the two men she planned to hire and welcome them to the Make It Work! team. Bobby was especially happy and thanked her effusively while his wife issued jubilant screeches in the background.

By five o'clock that afternoon, Cooper had finished all her work for the day and was in the middle of b.u.t.toning her coat when she looked up to see Angela leading a troupe of people down the hall.

"We were just lookin' for you!" Angela trilled. "This here is Mrs. Weller and her children. They've brought you a goodie."

"You're such a blessing!" Mrs. Weller cried and thrust a pie into Cooper's hands. The warmth of it soaked right into her palms and the smell of cooked apples and cinnamon permeated the tea towel wrapper. Cooper's stomach gurgled audibly. "Did you know Bobby was let go on Friday?" Mrs. Weller asked.

Cooper shook her head, but didn't get a chance to speak.

"Yes, indeed!" the woman declared breathlessly. "The garage had to make cutbacks and the other employee was the owner's son-in-law, so guess who got fired? We've spent a good part of the weekend on our knees and our prayers were answered by your phone call today." She crossed her hands over her heart. "I know this isn't professional, to come down here like this, but my heart was burstin' with joy and relief and I just had had to bake you somethin'. Bakin's all I'm good at, aside from makin' babies." to bake you somethin'. Bakin's all I'm good at, aside from makin' babies."

Cooper ran her eyes over the Weller brood. The children were all sandy-haired, freckled, and polite. They also looked hungry. "Would you come into the conference room and share this pie with me? I'd love to get to know you all a bit."

Angela treated the children to c.o.kes from the vending machine while Cooper brewed coffee for the adults. For the next half an hour, she and Angela listened to the Wellers as they talked, laughed, and argued with the boisterous harmony of a large family.

Later, her hunger stifled by a thick slice of pie and two cups of coffee, Cooper left the office and drove to the nearest grocery store in order to pick up yet another bag of cat litter and a six-pack of tuna fish. She was surprised, upon taking her place in the long express line, to find Investigator McNamara standing directly in front of her.

He seemed lost in thought, so Cooper tapped him lightly on the arm and he swung around abruptly, knocking the cans of tuna from her hands and spilling the baggie of red grapes he'd been carrying.

"Clean up on aisle ten," he joked and scrambled to collect the cans and capture the errant grapes before anyone could step on them. "Sorry about that. My mind was far away."

"Were you thinking about a case?" Cooper inquired, her eyes lit with curiosity.

"Indeed." He turned away in order to place his items on the conveyor belt and then, once his order was bagged, stepped aside to wait for Cooper. "May I carry that litter to your car?" the policeman offered gallantly.

"Yes, please," Cooper accepted and the pair stepped into the dark February evening together. "Can you tell me if there's been any progress in Miguel's case? Have you been in contact with ... Mr. Johnson?" She'd almost called him Batman and had caught herself just in time.

The ghost of a smile crossed McNamara's face and Cooper wondered if he was aware of his fellow officer's nickname. "Can we sit inside for a moment?" He gestured at Cherry-O. "This is a fine truck. An oldie but a goodie."

"She prefers the term vintage vintage," Cooper whispered in collusion and unlocked the doors. She turned on the engine and directed one of the dashboard heating vents toward McNamara.

"You played a dangerous game Sat.u.r.day night," he began without preamble. "Ivan is sure to suspect you. Even though he's been brought in for questioning in regards to Miguel's murder and may be detained overnight, he's got plenty of minions available to carry out his wishes." His eyes grew dark as he turned to Cooper. "One of his wishes might be to find and punish you you."

Cooper felt anger, not fear, sparking inside of her. "Just like he snapped his fingers and had Miguel killed? He doesn't know a thing about me."

Shaking his head in disgust, McNamara said, "Do not not underestimate him. I believe you were one of the last people to see Hector Gutierrez alive. It wouldn't take much for Ivan to discover you were snooping around the video store and Club Satin." underestimate him. I believe you were one of the last people to see Hector Gutierrez alive. It wouldn't take much for Ivan to discover you were snooping around the video store and Club Satin."

Cooper blanched. "So that was was the Hector from Doc Buster's? That man, that boy, was shot in the back of the head! He was Maria's son!" She felt sick to her stomach. Fumbling with the window crank, she fought back nausea while inhaling a rush of cold air. the Hector from Doc Buster's? That man, that boy, was shot in the back of the head! He was Maria's son!" She felt sick to her stomach. Fumbling with the window crank, she fought back nausea while inhaling a rush of cold air.

McNamara nodded. "Miguel, possibly Hector Gutierrez, and many others have been Ivan's victims. We're building a case against this sc.u.m. Very carefully. If there's a hole in it, Ivan will slither through it and escape. Again."

Ignoring the warning behind that latter bit, Cooper focused on his first sentence. "What is is the connection between Hector and Miguel?" the connection between Hector and Miguel?"

"Forged IDs and Love Motors," McNamara answered. "Investigator Wiser and I found their common denominator in Hector's room."

"Club Satin?" Cooper guessed.

"Yes. They visited frequently. To get paid, to run product, we don't have hard proof yet. We believe Miguel was a squirrel-a drug runner for Ivan. He probably skimmed from the take and was murdered because of his theft." He sighed. "We're not sure why Ivan would rub out Hector."

Cooper grabbed the policeman's arm. "Because of me? I I brought up Miguel's name. He mentioned the words China White. He said them in Spanish but he also warned me not to go near Miguel's boss." Tears filled her eyes. "Hector's boss overheard the warning, I'm sure of it. It's because of me that he's dead!" brought up Miguel's name. He mentioned the words China White. He said them in Spanish but he also warned me not to go near Miguel's boss." Tears filled her eyes. "Hector's boss overheard the warning, I'm sure of it. It's because of me that he's dead!"

"No, Ms. Lee," McNamara told her firmly. "Hector Gutierrez was killed because he was involved in the criminal underworld. He was an underling and his superior was disappointed with his job performance." After gently patting Cooper's hand, McNamara shifted in his seat, making it clear that the discussion was nearing an end. "These young men were dependent on Ivan. I can't prove that yet, but I will. They were small-time crooks, both looking to make it rich quick by serving a fickle master."

"Who clearly viewed them as expendable," Cooper said sadly, still distraught over the idea that she'd had something to do with Hector's demise.

McNamara's tone matched Cooper's as he muttered, "There are dozens of young men just like them waiting to fill their shoes."

"But why Hispanics? Is there something special about their ethnic background? Hector wasn't an illegal, was he?"

The question seemed to force McNamara into silence. Placing both hands on the dashboard, he stared out through the windshield. "I've only told you this much because I don't want to receive a call in which I learn that a beautiful, young woman has been murdered. I want you to hear me when I tell you to lie low until we've got what we need to put Ivan behind bars for good."

"It sounds to me as though you don't have enough proof against him. He's going to get away with murder, isn't he?" Cooper's anger grew hotter.

McNamara's jaw muscle tightened. "I'm warning you to stay out of this. You've helped, yes, but that's enough. Do not not jeopardize our case." He opened the door, stepped out of the truck and then leaned back into the cab. "If you jeopardize our case." He opened the door, stepped out of the truck and then leaned back into the cab. "If you truly truly want to see justice done, let us do our jobs. Show some faith." With that, he slammed the car door. want to see justice done, let us do our jobs. Show some faith." With that, he slammed the car door.

Cooper immediately backed out of her parking spot, drew alongside the policeman as he walked to his cruiser, and opened her window. "Tell me one thing."

The investigator said nothing.

"Is Ivan this guy's first or last name?" she asked.

"Last. His first name is Albion." He turned his back in dismissal.

Cooper wished him good night and drove away.

"Albion," she said and the name felt despicable on her tongue. As she thought about the vile man and the unspeakable acts he'd either committed or had set into motion, an idea suddenly took hold in her mind. At the next red light, she pulled out her cell phone and dialed Ashley's number.

"You need to pay another visit to Maria Gutierrez," Cooper informed her sister. "Immediately. And this time, I'm coming with you."

15.

"For I am about to fall, and my pain is ever with me.

I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin."

Psalm 38:17-18 (NIV) Ashley called Cooper on Wednesday to report that Maria Gutierrez wasn't answering her phone, so she'd been unable to schedule a visit with the grieving mother.

"It just rings and rings," Ashley stated in befuddlement. "I guess she doesn't have an answering machine."

"I can understand her not wanting to talk to people right now. Could you imagine fielding calls from telemarketers in her state?" Cooper finished cleaning the dirt from a copier drum and then set the soiled rag onto the floor. "Still, I must must talk to her. We'll just drive over there after I'm done with work today. This can't wait any longer." talk to her. We'll just drive over there after I'm done with work today. This can't wait any longer."

"Where's the fire?" Ashley whined. "I've got special plans with Lincoln tonight and I've just got got to be waiting for him when he gets home from work." to be waiting for him when he gets home from work."

"Why? Did you take the pregnancy test?" Cooper asked breathlessly.

"That's part of my plan. I'm going to take it while he's changing out of his work clothes. If it's good news, I'll serve him nonalcoholic champagne and we'll celebrate." Her voice held a smile. "I've even got a little baby plate to put on the dining room table." part of my plan. I'm going to take it while he's changing out of his work clothes. If it's good news, I'll serve him nonalcoholic champagne and we'll celebrate." Her voice held a smile. "I've even got a little baby plate to put on the dining room table."

Cooper paused and then said quietly, "And if the test is negative?"

Ashley sighed. "Then we'll just have to drink the real bubbly and try, try again." Her tone suddenly lightened. "Really, Coop, I'm not going to be upset. Well, maybe a little, but I won't wallow in self-pity again, don't worry. After visiting with Maria, I know there's greater suffering in this world than me not being pregnant."

"I'm proud of you, Ashley." Cooper wished she could express her admiration more clearly, but she couldn't stop thinking about the task at hand. "Can you at least come with me to Maria's house and introduce us? You can leave right afterward, I promise. Please, Ashley, this is important. I believe Ivan either killed Maria's son or had him killed and I need to know why. You see, I don't think Hector stole from him like Miguel did." Cooper struggled to verbalize her confused thoughts. "There's a specific reason Ivan uses Hispanic men to do his dirty work. If I can find out why, then maybe the lives of other men like Hector and Miguel can be spared their fate."

"Don't you think the police would have gotten that information out of her?" Ashley argued.

"Hector lived with his mother. Maria must have known how he made money and who he worked for, but maybe she was ashamed. She probably just told the police that he worked at a video store," Cooper reasoned.

"Then why would she tell you you the truth after lying to the authorities? You're a total stranger. Maybe you need to work on your humility, Coop." the truth after lying to the authorities? You're a total stranger. Maybe you need to work on your humility, Coop."

"There's no guarantee she'll tell me anything," Cooper admitted. "But I'm going to ask her to think of the other other mothers that could lose mothers that could lose their their sons." Hearing Ashley's in take of breath, she hurriedly added, "It's not a kind thing to say, I know, but this is not the time for delicacy." sons." Hearing Ashley's in take of breath, she hurriedly added, "It's not a kind thing to say, I know, but this is not the time for delicacy."

Ashley sighed again, but this time it was mostly theatrical. "I don't think Emily Post would approve of how you've decided to pay your condolences, but you're my sister, and I'll give you thirty minutes of my time. But if Maria's not home this afternoon, then you've got to drop this until I can get her on the phone and arrange a proper proper visit. Deal?" visit. Deal?"

"Deal," Cooper answered. "I'll be at your place by twenty after five."

Back at the office, Cooper hustled into the break room, hoping Ben and Emilio hadn't polished off all the egg rolls and fried wontons from the office's celebratory lunch. It had been Mr. Farmer's idea to treat the incoming staff members to a decadent takeout lunch from Peking Restaurant, and Cooper was nearly drooling at the thought of succulent sesame chicken served over a pile of fried rice.

Her new hires, Bobby and Josh, welcomed her with a smile. They had spent most of the morning filling out paperwork but would accompany Cooper on her afternoon maintenance rounds. As soon as the two men became familiar with the Make It Work! clients and the machines included on each service contract, Cooper would send them off on their own. Until then, she decided to mentor them for a week first.

"Where's the female addition to your team?" she asked Ben while pulling out a chair between him and Bobby. "And where's Angela?"

"Both chicks are in the locker room," Emilio answered through a mouth stuffed with egg roll. "Brandi said she needed to fix her lipstick before lunch and Angela's coolin' off."

Cooper raised her eyebrows. "Who made her mad?"

"Boss's sister-the freakin' Wicked Witch of the West End," Emilio muttered and then, mercifully, swallowed his food. "Told Angela she was bringin' Mr. Farmer down. That they were from different worlds and she should back the h.e.l.l off." He popped a fried wonton onto his plate and stabbed it with the end of his chopstick. "I heard the whole thing. It's like a d.a.m.ned soap opera around this place." He swallowed and then slapped Bobby on the back. "Welcome to Make It Work!, pal!"

Bobby smiled. "I've got three daughters, my friend. Every Every day's a soap opera in our house. Keeps things lively. I wouldn't change a thing." day's a soap opera in our house. Keeps things lively. I wouldn't change a thing."

Cooper threw him a grateful look. "Things are usually pretty quiet here. Excuse me, would you? I'm going to go check on Angela."

She nearly knocked Brandi over as she rushed into the locker room. More accurately, she nearly collided with Brandi's hair, which was as long as that of a pop princess, and dyed blonde with black tips. Brandi was bent over with her head facing the floor as she pumped copious amounts of holding spray through her locks. Sensing that someone else had entered the room, she flipped herself upright and smiled. She wore generous amounts of black eye shadow and liner and vamp-red lipstick.

"Hi!" Brandi extended a hand. Cooper tried to reach around her coworker's black and silver acrylic nails and, failing to do so, ended up shaking the other woman's index and middle fingers instead.

"Are you having a good first day?" Cooper inquired politely.

"It's totally awesome! Who wouldn't wouldn't, like, wanna tag along after Emilio?" She giggled and Cooper couldn't help but smile. If Emilio and Carla had truly called it quits, Brandi was exactly the type of woman he'd be quick to pursue.

"Ben's great, too," Cooper said, feeling as though the person responsible for hiring Brandi shouldn't be omitted.

"Oh, yeah! He is, like, soooo sweet." She lowered her voice. "I met him and his wife at an A.A. meeting. During our refreshment break a few weeks ago, I told him I wanted out of Reliable Office Solutions before they went under. I knew he worked here and even though it took me, like, three meetings to work up the nerve to ask, I finally asked him if y'all were hiring." She scratched her chin with her thumbnail. "He already knew me inside and out from our meetings. All my secrets, good and bad, and he still gave me a chance!"

Something Brandi had said triggered a thought in Cooper's memory about Miguel's case, but she needed quiet to figure out what it was.

"I'm sure you're very skilled and Make It Work! is lucky to have you," she told Brandi kindly, though she was impatient to find Angela. "Now you'd better get some lunch before there isn't so much as a fortune cookie left!"

Brandi jerked a thumb toward the bathroom stalls and lowered her voice. "I tried to talk to her, but I figure I'm, like, the new girl on the block. Still, she's pretty torn up about something."

"Angela's just experiencing a little b.u.mp on Relationship Road." Cooper guided Brandi out the door. "She'll be just fine."

"I'd like to run over that b.u.mp b.u.mp with a tractor trailer!" Angela shouted from deeper within the locker room. with a tractor trailer!" Angela shouted from deeper within the locker room.

Cooper waited on the bench in front of the employee lockers until Angela had composed herself enough to be seen. The office manager sat down next to Cooper and examined herself once more in her compact. Next, she removed a travel-sized perfume bottle from her purse and sprayed her wrists. After inhaling the fragrance on her skin, she exhaled loudly.

"Mr. Farmer gave me this scent for Valentine's Day." She sniffed and blinked back fresh tears. "It's called Pet.i.te Cherie and it came in this beautiful beautiful gla.s.s bottle with two angels on the stopper. Breathin' this in, I'm tryin' real hard to focus on him at this moment and not on that shrew who shares his DNA! That harpy in high heels! Medusa in a fur coat!" gla.s.s bottle with two angels on the stopper. Breathin' this in, I'm tryin' real hard to focus on him at this moment and not on that shrew who shares his DNA! That harpy in high heels! Medusa in a fur coat!"

"What is she after you about?"

"Oh, nothin' much!" Angela spat. "She just wants me to find another job and never talk to her brother again. That's all."

"But you and Mr. Farmer make one another happy. Is she jealous of that happiness?" Cooper asked.

" 'Course she is! Who'd wanna date her, no matter how much money she's got! Oh, I simply cannot cannot let her see how she can get under my skin! Time and time again I have ignored her nasty little remarks. Why, I've cooked supper for that woman for the past two Sundays and she has yet to thank me. Instead, she makes snide comments about my b.u.t.ter beans or my garlic bread or what-have-you!" Angela touched a sh.e.l.lacked lock of platinum hair to be certain that it was where it was supposed to be. "I'm just afraid that she'll turn my man against me, Cooper. The woman is gra.s.s-green with envy, and folks like that are capable of real cruelty." She threw her purse on the ground. "Just when I was feeling so secure, I stand to lose everything!" let her see how she can get under my skin! Time and time again I have ignored her nasty little remarks. Why, I've cooked supper for that woman for the past two Sundays and she has yet to thank me. Instead, she makes snide comments about my b.u.t.ter beans or my garlic bread or what-have-you!" Angela touched a sh.e.l.lacked lock of platinum hair to be certain that it was where it was supposed to be. "I'm just afraid that she'll turn my man against me, Cooper. The woman is gra.s.s-green with envy, and folks like that are capable of real cruelty." She threw her purse on the ground. "Just when I was feeling so secure, I stand to lose everything!"