“Repeat the code phrase should anything go wrong.”
“Yep. ‘My sister called.’” Linda lined up the dishes on the counter.
“Phil and I were able to get access to a vacant condo, so we’re in the building. We can be at your apartment in seconds.”
It unnerved her ever so slightly that Malachi kept reminding Linda this in-home meeting had the potential for danger. But she thought that of every meeting with Susannah. Ray’s presence made her feel more at ease. “Listen, I need to get going. They’ll be here in less than a half hour.”
Malachi hung up, and Linda hid the phone.
She stacked the china on the counter rather than setting a formal table, so she would control who got what cup and plate. Linda had purchased a summer centerpiece and napkins for a festive, hospitable décor.
Ray and Susannah arrived promptly at six, and Ray carried a large portfolio under one arm. They settled in the living room.
“Your donation will be instrumental in helping us reach our goal. We’re excited to know what choice you’ve made.”
Linda didn’t want to drag this out. “I have decided to purchase a stained-glass window. How many are left?”
“Four,” Susannah said with mounting excitement.
“You’ll have to forgive me,” Ray said, looking over at Linda. “Susannah is handling finding donors for the windows and pews, as well as getting them ordered and made. We’ve split responsibilities. She has a gift for marketing ideas, in case you haven’t noticed. I let her take the reins and chair the Growing in Christ Campaign giving committee, while I handle all the logistics.”
“I’m not dealing with the land and meeting city codes,” Susannah said cheerfully, shaking her head. “I enjoy overseeing fundraising.”
Linda retained every word. And being in direct contact with the money. “Of course.” She looked at the couple with a hint of inquisitiveness. “This is a huge undertaking, and I can imagine you need to spread things out. What else does the committee do?”
“We’re also responsible for the land and making sure we meet other city requirements,” Ray said, spreading his hands out. “Our building and three acres of land were donated by Mr. Karl Wilcox. He and several parishioners with city hall connections assist us with building permits, code specifications, and such.”
Linda played ignorant. “Where are we in terms of raising money? It sounds as if we still have a ways to go until we can break ground.” She put on a face of mock unease. “Of course, it’s not any of my business.”
Ray grinned at Linda. “Yes, it is your business! You’re a member of this church.”
“Absolutely. Without the contributions of members like you, we wouldn’t be where we are!” Susannah once again pontificated on how the gifts of people like Linda were making this endeavor possible. The captain wasn’t buying.
Ray came forward on the sofa, folding his large hands across his knees. “You know we have to have half the money in place—in this case just over a million. Right now, we have donations totaling four hundred fifty thousand.”
Linda coughed. “Let’s get started. What are my choices for a window, seeing as there are now only four remaining?”
“You have several options. Some donors don’t care what scene their window portrays. These are larger, detailed photos than in the brochure.” Susannah opened the portfolio. “We also have a prototype, although it’s not to scale.”
The glass window gleamed under the bright lights of the room. Linda had to admit it was stunning.
For the next fifteen minutes, Susannah and Ray pointed out Jesus’s baptism, his walking on water, miracle at Cana, driving the moneychangers from the Temple, and other scenes for windows. Linda knew these stories from an education in Catholic schools, and she was getting antsy to finalize the deal. She decided to do just that.
“This is all very overwhelming with so many choices,” Linda said, interrupting the spiel. “I’ll tell you what. I trust your judgment implicitly, so why don’t you choose the scene depicted in my window?”
“We appreciate your faith in us,” Ray replied. He turned on the sofa toward his wife. “I think we should check with these other folks and make certain they want us to choose. After all, this is a large investment.”
From the corner of her eye, Linda saw Susannah’s eyes narrow at her husband’s statement. Ever the manipulator, in the next sentence, Susannah was cheerfully agreeing with him. “Certainly, we’ll double-check with donors on their selection. As Ray said, fifty thousand dollars is no small amount of money.”
Linda rose from the overstuffed chair and retrieved her purse from the open-concept kitchen, switching on the coffee maker. “Well, other members definitely trust you. What I wish to do tonight before indulging in some apple cobbler and coffee is to finalize my contribution.” She rummaged through her purse for a checkbook. “I’ll give you the check tonight, but if I decide in the upcoming weeks that I do want a voice in the selection process, can I still make the change, and how long would I have?”
Ray’s response was emphatic. “You certainly will have that option! It will be months before these windows are complete, right, sweetheart? And you won’t have to pay the full amount up front. I’m sure some folks will want to pay in installments.”
Linda wasn’t paying much attention to Ray, but to the scowl creasing his wife’s forehead. She does not look pleased.
“Susannah,” Ray said. “Linda asked us a question. There will be several weeks for her to decide if she wants to choose her window and a down payment will be fine.”
Linda looked at the reverend’s sincere face. Ray doesn’t seem to have any fraudulent intent; he appears to believe this campaign is legit.
Susannah shook her head, as if she were bringing herself out of a trance. “I am so very sorry. Yes, of course you can ask for input. Paying all at once means a nice tax break.”
Linda rose and handed her check to Susannah.
“Let me help you,” Susannah said, trying to follow her.
“You and Ray are my guests. Think of this as my inaugural hosting of friends.” Linda eyed the coffee cups and poured. She felt almost giddy as Susannah’s red lipstick made a perfect imprint when she took her first sip. Apple cobbler and ice cream were served.
It didn’t appear as though Ray and Susannah had discussed Linda in any depth beyond her divorce and subsequent move. When the reverend began inquiring about her family, she deftly turned the conversation toward the story of how Ray and Susannah met.
At around eight-thirty, well after Linda had hoped they would have departed, Ray and Susannah started saying their good-byes.
Ray stood, waiting for his wife. “Well, I think we should bid Linda good night and be on our way. Thank you for your hospitality and a most generous donation.”
“This was such a lovely evening,” Susannah cooed. She clasped Linda’s hand and spoke of her deep generosity again. She asked Ray to say a prayer before they departed.
The three of them held hands as Ray blessed the evening and their blossoming friendship, and Linda didn’t remember what all. She could barely touch Susannah’s flesh without squirming because she was confident Susannah Williams was their killer.