Page 47 of Vows of Murder

The screen froze on a picture of Kane holding up a baby and looking to the ceiling, his words posted on the screen. “Welcome to our family. We’ve been waiting for you.”

“I think we’re going to get a time-share pitch presentation.” I looked around at the women who were standing now, their hands raised in the air.

“Welcome to New Hope and our celebration of the life of my brother, Kane Matthews.” Roger Matthews came on the stage and the picture changed from Kane with the baby to a pair of boys, arms around each other, grinning at the camera. Roger turned to stare at the picture. “That photo was taken three weeks before our parents were taken from us in a fire in their church. They gave their lives to serve. Was there any question what Kane and I wouldgrow up to do?”

The next thirty minutes were all about the story of Kane and Roger. And I could sense an underlying thread. The story of why Roger was the perfect choice to be the new leader of New Hope, no questions asked. I watched Maryanne, who sat on a chair to the left of the stage. She had a notebook and pen in front of her and she was either taking notes or writing down reactions. She saw me watching her and smiled at me. My presence had been noticed.

I couldn’t help but compare Kane’s uplifting and commanding presentation to the boring one presented by Roger. They’d picked well when they’d chosen Kane as the face of the church. Now Roger had to up his game. If it waseven possible.

Maryanne met us in the foyer after the service, as we were getting ready to leave. She put a hand on my arm. “Thank you so much for coming to support usin our grief.”

I glanced around the room. There were no weeping parishioners. Just a group of people serving coffee and treats to the gathered group. I felt Esmeralda’s hand on my other arm, bringing me back to the present. “I’m so sorry for your loss. If there’s anything I can do, please let me know.”

“Oh, we’ll survive. Roger is already stepping in for Kane in an amazing way, don’t you think? He’s sogood on stage.”

Esmeralda stepped in. “Oh yes. The brothers made their parents proud, that’s for sure. I’m sorry to bring it up, but Jill’s mother-in-lawis expecting us for a late lunch. She’s leaving town soon since the wedding is over.”

“Oh yes.” I glanced at my watch while I spoke. “We are behind schedule.”

“I was hoping to give you a private tour of the facility. Kane said you were very interested in our book collection. We have several other libraries on the property.” Maryanne reached over and plucked a book from a shelf.

I’d been drawn to the library in the foyer as we watched the circus happening around us. A group of men were watching us now. Especially since Maryanne had come to chat with us. “Well, maybeanother time.”

Maryanne pressed the book into my hand. Kane’s face was on the cover. “Please take this with my love. It explains all about New Hope and what we’re trying to accomplish. I’d love for New Hope to have someone who understands us to represent us in the local community. I know change can be hard.”

The men seemed to relax and stopped watching us. Had they expected Maryanne to blurt out some secret to me?

I tucked the book under my arm. “Thank you for your hospitality. I’ll let you get back to yourother guests.”

Esmeralda and I didn’t talk until we drove off the compound and were back on the highway toward South Cove. She turned to me, picking up the book from where I’d set it between us. “That was intense.”

“I felt overdressed and uncomfortable.” I rolled down the window in the Jeep. “And why give me the book? They’ve been here for over six months. Now they think they need a contactin South Cove?”

“I have a feeling that changes are coming to New Hope. I also get the feeling that Roger isn’t theone in charge.”

I met Esmeralda’s gaze. “You think Maryanne’s making a play for the role of leader, don’t you?”

“Politics inside organizations are often more cutthroat than those in the public eye. I think Greg needs to find out where Maryanne Matthews was on that Sunday morning.”

I laughed as we turned off the highway and back onto the road that would lead us to city hall and the police station. “The last thing Greg needs is more suspects. I just gave him a list last night.”

“If I know your husband, Maryanne’s probably already on his list, even if it wasn’t written down. The woman is crafty.” She went to toss the book on the back seat. “I’d trash thatif I were you.”

“I have a feeling there’s a clue in that book. I might give it to Beth to read, but there’s going to be a clue. We just have to find it.”

By the time Greg got home that night, I’d read most of the book. I was a fast reader and the writing wasn’t very dense for being a religious tome for the church. It read more like aPeoplearticle. He came in with bags of food from Diamond Lille’s. “Hello, dear husband. I guess I should have had apot roast on.”

“Esmeralda told me you were given homework at the funeral.” He set the bags in the kitchen. “Besides, Jim, Beth, and Mom are coming over for dinner. They’re leaving tomorrow morning.”

“Already?” I set the book down on the table and watched him head to the office to put his gun in the safe.

“I thought maybe you’d make some headway on these gifts,” he called from the other room. When he came out, he kissed me on the head. “Thank you notes must be sent promptly. Your aunt mentioned that to me a few times atthe reception.”

“I’m waiting for you to find a killer. Don’t think that something like murder is going to get you out of thank you note duty.” I rubbed his cheek. “You look tired.”

“I am. Marvin thinks I should have caught this fiend by now, even with the wedding.” He rubbed under his eye, which had started twitching. “Mom was going to stay around another week, but with the investigation and me pulling Toby from your staff, she understands. Besides, we’ll see them in June when we go out.”

A vacation I wasn’t looking forward to. A week in Nebraska. In June.

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