“Getting your stories lined up.”
“I’ll be talking to Reverend and Mrs.Goode as well. Do you want to imply your minister and his wife are liars, too? The fact is, my deputies and I will be talking to everybody who witnessed or had part in this business this morning. If I find there’s been any level of harassment on your part, I’m going to advise the Conroys to file a restraining order against you and whoever you’ve been using to dog them. You won’t like it. You’ll like it less if one’s filed and you cross the line of it.”
“You can’t bully me.”
“You’d know all about bullying, so you know that’s not what I’m doing. I’m outlining the situation. You may want to talk it over with your lawyers before you do anything you might regret. For now, I’m telling you to move along. Your wife looks upset, and embarrassed.”
“My wife is none of your business.”
“That’s the truth. It will be my business if you cause another ruckus.”
“Lincoln.” His color down again, his voice calm, Reverend Goode stepped forward. “I understand you’re in turmoil. I’m here if you want to unburden yourself. But I must ask you to take Genny home. She looks ill. I must ask you not to come back to this house of God with an unchristian purpose. Go home now, Lincoln, and tend to your wife. I’ll pray for you and your family.”
“Keep your prayers.” Blake strode away, leaving his assistant to help Genny down the slope toward the waiting car.
“You’re going to need some strong prayers, Reverend.”
Goode sighed. “We do the best we can do.”
* * *
She changed clothes three times.It was completely unlike her to worry about wardrobe unless it was for the purpose of establishing identity or blending in. Her research indicated that attire would be casual, unless specifically stated. But that could include a casual dress or skirt, neither of which she currently owned.
Now she felt she needed to acquire some.
If they succeeded—no,whenthey succeeded, as it did no harm to employ Brooks’s positive thoughts—she’d find use for a more expansive and varied wardrobe.
Now she settled on dark blue capris and a red shirt and sandals she’d rarely worn and only bought in a weak moment. She spent some time with makeup, also rarely worn since she’d become Abigail, as blending and going unnoticed had been the goal. But she had a good hand with it, if she said so herself.
She’d use that hand if—when—she transformed to Elizabeth, to cooperate with the authorities and give testimony against the Volkovs.
As she glanced to the monitor to watch Brooks come home, she put on John’s earrings, worn when she felt a need for confidence.
She went downstairs, found Brooks in the kitchen, scowling down at a can of Coke.
“Something happened.”
“Unrelated.” He popped the top, guzzled. “There was a to-do edging toward ruckus down at the Hillside Baptist Church.”
“Organized religion has an unfortunate history of fostering violence.”
He just rubbed the cold can over his forehead. “This wasn’t about religion. Blake’s been hassling the Conroys—and he took that to church this morning. He takes something that public, makes a fool of himself, he’s lost control. He’snot going to leave this alone. I’m going to have to talk to the Conroys about taking some legal steps to…”
He finally focused on her. “You look really good.”
“I have on makeup. I thought it was appropriate.”
“Really good.” When he smiled, the anger and stress she’d seen in his eyes warmed away.
“How do you do that? Relax so quickly?”
“I’m taking a pretty woman to a barbecue, and it sure takes the edge off my bad mood. Where’s the stuff you made?”
She took it, then a six-pack of beer, out of the refrigerator. “If you feel you should follow through on the problem now, I’m sure your family will understand.”
“You’re not getting out of this so easy. Colorful,” he commented, as he picked up the bowl. “Ready?”
“I suppose.” She clipped a leash on Bert. “You could brief me on the areas of interest of people who’ll be there. It would help me make conversation.”
