They both raised their hands, and Ruth motioned to Susannah. “Come with me into the kitchen, dear, and help me serve, will you?”
“Certainly,” she said, following Ruth out of the room.
Ruth had set out her best silver coffee service and china plates and cups. “Susannah, you cut the pie, and I’ll pour. Then we’ll serve off this silver tray.”
“What will happen to your beautiful house when you pass away? Of course, obviously, that’s a long way off.”
Ruth considered Susannah’s question as she poured. “I haven’t given it much thought. It’s paid for, so I imagine Emma would sell it and keep the proceeds. Why?”
“This is delicious,” Susannah said and licked apple filling off her finger. She went to the sink and washed her hands. “Here’s something for you to think over. Rather than keeping so much of your money in savings accounts with the bank, another option could be investing your money in a new fund the church is developing for members only. We’re calling it Jesus Saves Investments, which has both a secular and religious meaning. If you’re interested, I’d be happy to explain the particulars.”
Ruth placed the coffee service on a tray and carried it across the room, where Susannah added the plates of pie. “I would definitely be attracted to spreading my money around for a better return. We can discuss it tonight, if you and Ray have the time.”
Susannah glanced over her shoulder at her husband on the couch, flipping pages in a magazine. She smiled warmly at Ruth. “He is so busy with his regular ministry and this campaign; I hate to add more to his plate. How about you and I meet first, next week, say on Tuesday or Wednesday? Ray will be out of town, and I can give you further details about the fund and answer any questions. Let’s have lunch, and it will give us a chance to get better acquainted.”
Ruth studied the vivacious Susannah. Such a lovely, caring woman. “That sounds delightful!”
“Do you like seafood? We could go to Steamers. I can explain the benefits and the steps involved. The final decision, of course, is up to you.”
Ruth looked at the calendar on the wall next to the phone. “I love seafood. Tuesday is good for me. Say around eleven thirty?”
“That time is perfect,” Susannah replied. “I’ll pick you up. But for now, why don’t we keep this between you and me? Ray is meeting with an organization in Oklahoma City about possible national syndication, and I don’t want him under any more pressure.”
“How exciting!” Ruth exclaimed and put a finger to her lips. “I won’t say a word.”
44
TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 2003 ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI BUCK’S HOME
When Buck answered the jangling telephone, Seth’s frightened, panting breath filled his ears. “You gotta come quick, Buck! Cole’s real sick, and they’ve taken him to St. Joe’s Hospital, and he might die and—”
“Slow down, son! You called 911?”
“Y-yes,” Seth stuttered. “Cole wasn’t breathing when I found him, and there was vomit all over and—”
This was surreal. Buck felt his chest tighten, preparing for the ultimate disappointment. “When you found him, were there drugs near Cole?”
“No, no. Nothing. Some stuff was knocked over, like he was stumbling around the apartment. But there’s no smack anywhere. Cole won’t even take aspirin.”
“Alcohol? Maybe Cole went on a bender after our meeting.”
“Buck!” Seth shouted into the phone. “There is nothing here except some spilled orange juice.”
The police have got to be at the apartment. “Put the officer in charge on the phone. I’ll meet you in the emergency room.”
Malachi was seated on a vinyl sofa talking to Seth when Buck arrived. He excused himself to greet his friend.
“Thanks for coming,” Buck said, gasping for breath. He spoke fast, his sentences running together. “I can’t get ahold of Jeff. Have you talked to the EMTs? How’s Cole?”
“Let’s take a walk,” Malachi said, guiding him by the elbow into a hallway.
Buck ran a hand over his mullet, shaking his head apologetically. “Sorry. This has rattled me as much as the murders of those poor women. None of this seems real. You talk, and I’ll listen.”
“Cole’s in a coma. I had CSI bag all the foods in his refrigerator for testing, after you mentioned the orange juice. I’m speculating here, but given what you and Seth have told me, Cole could have been poisoned. The lab’s running every test imaginable. I’m on my way to the crime scene. Officer Buchner is taking Seth downtown to get his statement.”
“Goddamnit. I didn’t take them seriously enough,” Buck said, shoulders drooping under the strain. “You said Cole’s in a coma. How bad?”
Malachi patted Buck’s back. “The doctors indicated it will be a couple of days before the extent of the damage is known. But you did everything you could.”
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI RAY AND SUSANNAH’S HOME
Later that evening when Ray pulled into the driveway, he saw Susannah pulling weeds in the flower garden. Even dressed in overalls, her hair tied back, and covered in dirt, she was beautiful. He sat there for a moment just watching her, thinking how very lucky he was. In the driver’s side mirror, he caught his own reflection—wistful yet scowling. He needed to give her the news.
“Hello, my love,” he said, stepping from the car.
Susannah got up off her knees, wiping sweat from her brow with a gloved hand. “Whew! It’s getting warm out here. I think I’m ready for some iced tea.” She came to Ray and kissed him on the cheek.
Ray viewed the tall plants, spiked pink and yellow flowers with massive leaves at the back border of the garden. “What are your new plants?”
She peeled off her gardening gloves and slipped an arm through his. “Castor oil plants. I like them because they’re ornamental and give a nice balance to the rest of the garden. The drawback is the seeds are toxic if you eat them.”
They walked to the back door, Susannah entering ahead. “Well, so is the lovely oleander plant,” Ray said. “Gardening can be a dangerous business.”
Susannah laughed. “You are so clever.”
In the kitchen, Susannah poured iced tea from a pitcher. “Do you want a glass?” Ray declined, and she joined him at the table. She took a long drink, set down her glass, and reached out a hand. “Why did Doug Snyder want to see you? Did Seth and Cole get into trouble?”
Ray noted the sarcasm in her voice. He knew Susannah had never been a fan of hiring recovering addicts, worried that they might slip back into using or stealing from them. But he had found Seth and Cole to be hardworking, dependable employees determined to take their lives back and be productive members of society. That had made today’s events greatly disturbing.
“I’m not sure. Neither Cole or Seth came in today. That’s highly unusual behavior for them. This afternoon, Doug called me and said not to expect to see them again.”
Susannah mulled over the news, slowly running a finger around the rim of her glass. Her reply brimmed with contempt. “I’m not shocked. That’s junkies for you, Ray. After all you’ve done for Cole and Seth, we always knew they could revert to their drug habit any time.”