Page 24 of Vows of Murder

“From your houseguest. I didn’t get along with my mother-in-law, but she’s gone now. She would have been so happy to hear that her precious son and I divorced a few years ago. But she didn’t live long enoughto celebrate.”

I chuckled. “Actually, I like Amanda. I think she likes me, but who knows. Anyway, I need two boxes of a dozen cookies each. Can you just charge my account?”

“Not marketing?” She grabbed a box from under the counter. When I shook my head, she pointed the tongs toward the case. “Anything specific?”

“Whatever you have the most of. I don’t want to leave you short.” While Judith set up my cookies, I checked my email to make sure I wasn’t missing anything wedding-related. I had a reminder from the bridal shop for the appointment to pick up my dress tomorrow. Everything else was confirmations of the place and time. I had an email from an author looking for a place to hold a signing. I forwarded that to Deek. He was my author whisperer.

Judith put a bag holding the boxes on the counter in front of me. She glanced at my barely touched coffee. “Are you staying around to drink that or do you want a fresh one ina travel mug?”

“You can put this in a mug, then just add more coffee.” I handed her the cup, then put my phone away. “I’ll be happy to have everything back to normal next week.”

“Then you’ll go off on your honeymoon and have to reacclimate again. But traveling is so worth it. Do you know where he’s taking you yet?” She finished off the coffee and put a lid on top of it before handing it to me.

I took the coffee and grabbed the bag. “Not a clue, and it’s making me a little anxious. I don’t know how to pack. Or if I need to go shopping. He’s being tight-lipped aroundthe location.”

“I’m sure you’ll love it, no matter where you wind up. You kids love each other, even a cynic like me can see that.” She waved up a new customer who was standing off to the side, not wanting to interrupt our conversation. “Have a wonderfulweekend, Jill.”

As long as I got my sleuthing done without Greg finding out, I just might have a wonderful weekend.

Jessica Fletcher never had these types of conflicts.

Chapter 10

I’d checked the Bakerstown Funeral Home’s website and saw that they had a funeral scheduled at ten this morning. I figured there were things that Doc needed to do afterward, so I decided to visit the college library first and see if I could find anything on the Matthews brothers or New Hope church. Now that I knew they were from Oregon, the search might be narrow enough to allow me to find relevant news articleson the church.

As I scanned the options that came back, I saw an article about a church burning. It happened over twenty years ago, but the Matthews name was attached so I clicked the link. It gave me a microfilm summary of a church fire that had been suspected to be arson. Joshua and Mary Matthews had died in the fire. Joshua had been the pastor of the church. I glanced at the name of the newspaper.Newport Free Press. Opening my photos from the New Hope file, the driver’s licenses showed that the Oregon addresses were in Beaverton. I looked up both on a map of Oregon. I thought Newport was on the coast, and that was right.But Beaverton?

I found it, and as I studied the map more, I realized it was near Portland. It might be a coincidence. I lived in California and I didn’t know people who lived in Sacramento. We were separated by miles and several thousand people. And yet, it felt like itwas important.

I put in a request for a copy of the article, paid the fee, and set it to go to my email account. I could have used Evie’s school account and saved a few dollars, but it all went to support the library, so I didn’t have a problem with paying a few bucks for a wild goose chase.

By the time I was done at the library, I had a few more pieces of information. Like where all three principals, Kane, Roger, andMaryanne, went to school. It was a small Christian college. Roger and Maryanne had been married in the school’s chapel the week after graduation. Maryanne’s family was listed in the article from the small town where the school was located, but the only family listed for Roger was his brother, who was also his best man.

Roger had graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and Kane had a bachelor’s in philosophy with a minor in religious studies. His discussion of the context in the interpretation of books including the Bible when I saw him at the open housemade sense now.

Maryanne had a business degree.

Between the three of them, they had what they needed to start a church. But why had Kane been their front man? He oozed charisma. Had it been assimple as that?

I printed off what I could and tucked the sheets into the folder I’d packed in my tote. Before I left, I sent the photos of the New Hope business application to the printer as well. Being an alumnus at the school had some privileges. Like cheap copies.

I headed back to my Jeep and hurried over to Bakerstown Funeral Home. As I’d expected, the parking lot that had been full when I drove by on my way to the college was now empty, except for Doc’s old blue truck and the newer minivan hearse he used for his business. As well as for any official business.

Carrie’s little green MG wasn’t in the parking lot. I assumed it was parked in front of Diamond Lille’s, where she worked. I didn’t know how long her shift would be, but my time to chat alone with Doc Ames wasnarrowing fast.

I went in the unlocked front doors, turned left, and headed to Doc’s office. I’d rather find him here than downstairs doing the nonpaperwork part of his job. Fingers crossed, I knocked on his partially closed door.

“Come in, Jill. What did you bring to bribe me to chat?” He smiled as I pushed the door open. He was sitting at his desk.

“How did you know it was me?” I handed him the box of cookies I’d brought.

After taking the box, he used it to point at his computer. “I put in a security system. I’ve had a few break-ins recently. Can youbelieve it? I’d like to think it was just kids daring each other, but some things have gone missing. This way, at least I know who’s robbing me. And the cops are alerted if it goes off when I have the system set.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” I sat down and put my purse on the other chair. Now I was glad I’d locked my Jeep. Greg had trained me to lock up, no matter where I was and how safe I felt. It made him feel better. Even though no one had tried anything for years. Since I’d moved to South Cove. At least with my car.

“I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I’m sure it was just random kids. But now with Carrie living here, better safe than sorry.” Doc Ames leaned closer. “Do you want some coffee? Or a cookie?”

“I think I’m coffeed out.” I smiled as he opened the box, holding it out for me to grab a treat. “And don’t tempt me with a cookie. I’m hoping my dress fits tomorrow. Wedding planning is stressful, and we all know I eat my emotions.”

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