“That would make having a partner harder,” Malachi acknowledged, leaning forward.
“Hell, all she talks about is how we should make more money. She’s too damn greedy for there to be anybody else.” Jeff stopped, looking at his friend’s chiseled features. “There really ain’t nothin’ we can do?”
“Not without a lot more evidence.” Malachi contemplated his statement. “You know, there is one thing, but it’s a stretch.” His fingers clattered across the computer keyboard. “A while back, we were notified of a case in another state. Nebraska, I think. An email went out concerning an unsolved triple homicide involving kids and their father.” Malachi typed quickly, scrolling down a screen. “Here it is. It was forwarded by the Assistant Chief, Roland Charlsen, who transferred from Lincoln, Nebraska, early in 2002.”
Jeff sat upright. “Can ya tell me anything?”
“Only that the father was a pastor at the University Place Disciples of Christ Church. He and the children were found buried in the parsonage flower garden. It says here they’re looking for the wife, a Nicole Hansen, who apparently disappeared and—”
Jeff was out of his chair standing over Malachi’s desk. “Do you think she’s involved? Do you think she’s . . . a murderer?”
“Maybe, maybe not.” Malachi motioned for Jeff to sit back down. “A couple of other things. We don’t have an ounce of proof that Susannah Baker and this Nicole Hansen are the same person. To be honest, Jeff, that’s a pretty big leap.”
“But this woman just showed up one day with all these ideas to save The Road to Calvary. Like she knew the show was in trouble—”
“Jeff!” Malachi frowned. “As I said, is this suspicious? Yes. Do we have the necessary evidence? No. If you want to prove this woman is a killer, we can start by proving she stole Susannah Baker’s identity. To do that, I’m gonna need a social security number. A friend of mine works at the SSA, so I’ll give her a call. However, we still don’t have a case; and everything I’m telling you, I’m getting on my own, so this isn’t a top priority. I need you to be patient; it could take a while.”
Jeff’s shoulders slumped. Malachi was doing him an enormous favor. Much like setting a trap for the enemy in war, he would have to wait this out.
33
SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 2003 RICHMOND HEIGHTS, MISSOURI RAY’S HOME
Ray and Susannah settled on the first Saturday in May for a wedding date. The scent on an early spring breeze of blooming flowers and freshly cut grass floated through open kitchen windows. It occurred to Ray he had much to discuss with Susannah, not only regarding their impending nuptials, but their new life together. With The Road to Calvary gaining in popularity and Easter fast approaching, winter had thawed into the symphony of spring without Ray even realizing it. On this afternoon, Ray decided now was the right moment to share his good news.
Susannah made ham and cheese quiche for their lunch. Ray carried two plates of quiche, the smell of ham filling the room, while his bride-to-be brought a plate of succulent fruit and a pitcher of iced tea to the table.
“My gosh, Ray, it’s been forever since we’ve had a leisurely Saturday to ourselves,” she said, pouring the tea into glasses filled with tinkling ice.
“Yes, it has. In fact, there’s something I want to talk to you about.” He sat down at the table, and she pulled out a chair to join him.
“This sounds serious,” she teased, mock concern furrowing her brow. “Am I in trouble?”
He chuckled. “No, I have a few simple questions around the wedding and things to complete once we’re married. Wills, finances, things like that.”
“Umm, this sounds important.”
“It is, but we’ll get to that in a minute. I wanted to ask you a question about the wedding ceremony itself,” he said, taking a forkful of quiche.
“You cannot see my dress until I walk down the aisle. Besides color scheme, flowers, the music, and my matron of honor, what else is there?” The ice in her glass sparkled in the sun when Susannah took a drink.
“This quiche is delicious,” he said. He beheld her face, reaching for her hand. “I know we’ve talked about a small ceremony, inviting The Road to Calvary regulars. But I’m thinking that the way we’re growing, it would be unfortunate if we left anyone out.” Ray paused, basking in the beauty of her lovely face. “How would you feel about doing a special live broadcast of our wedding? I’ve spoken to KNSL, and they’re open—”
Susannah hesitated and pulled her hand away from Ray, bringing it to her mouth. “I confess, I’ve never considered televising our wedding. I see can both sides. Broadcasting a wedding will surely give ratings a boost, but we’re also giving up our privacy.” She reclaimed Ray’s hand. “I’m sorry, honey, but I need to think this over.”
Ray hid his disappointment behind a loving smile. “No pressure, but KNSL will want an answer soon.”
“Give me a week,” she said, squeezing his hand. “This is something I’ve never given any thought to.”
“Take your time, sweetheart. I was viewing this in terms of everybody likes a wedding, and it would give us greater exposure.”
Susannah frowned, putting her chin in her hands. “What do Buck and Jeff think? I know they’re always feeling I’m pushing too hard for exposure.”
He reached for her hand again and kissed it. “Buck and Jeff will find out when we tell them. This is our wedding; and if they’re opposed to it being on television, that’s too bad. Which brings me to my next topic.”
“My, you are just full of surprises, aren’t you? You have my undivided attention,” she said, wiping her mouth.
Ray put his fork down, folding his hands in a V-shape over the plate of food. “We realize already that we’re cramped for space. I’m proposing that after Easter, we meet with an architect and discuss ideas for an expansion of the building. Karl Wilcox gave us a building and three acres of land, so there’s room. We’ll still keep the building we’re in for Sunday school classes and other events, but I’m thinking we should undertake a capital campaign to build a larger worship space and hire additional staff.” His smile was both tender and content. “I can’t shake the feeling that this is what God wants our next step to be. It’d be a large undertaking, but your thoughts mean the world to me.”
Susannah said nothing for a moment, deep in thought on this latest information. “I love it. We could call it the ‘Growing in Christ Campaign’ and provide incentives for large donors. One option could be putting their name on plaques recognizing what they paid for. Oh, Ray, this is fantastic!”
His face radiated contentment and he squeezed her manicured hand. “I was counting on your ideas and input. But Buck and Jeff aren’t aware of this venture yet either. I wanted to talk with you first, seeing as how we’ll soon be partners in this endeavor.”
“I love how you say that—partners.” She blushed.
“I’ll tell them right after Easter, and I’ll want them both to have input on the design process. This leads me to another decision as we get closer to becoming husband and wife.” He drank more tea, setting down the glass. “One of the first things I should do is revise my will, because if something should happen—”