throat. “But I’ve never played in front of drug dealers and half-naked women before, so I might be a bit off my game.”
“Or you’ll focus so hard we’ll beat the tar outta the other players and go home with a wad of cash,” Edward countered and then stood up. “The competition is our cover. You’re gonna have to be the one to approach Albion. Word is he likes good-looking blondes. I’m afraid that rules me out.”
Gripping the arms of her chair, Cooper shook her head. “He’ll know something’s fishy if I talk to him. I can’t fool him into thinking I’m a heroin user!” Her heartbeat accelerated as she pictured the scene. “This is totally crazy, Edward. If this man is responsible for Miguel’s murder, we could get killed too! It’s time to bring in the police.”
“No cops!” Edward was at her side in seconds. “They’d blow our cover and then things will turn bloody. If we can get close enough to Albion to be sure he’s dealing China White, then we know where the kill order on Miguel came from. Albion can be the cops’ problem after that.” He reached out and touched the tip of her chin. “Trust me, Cooper. No one’s gonna harm one hair on your head.” He exhaled and backed away. “I’ll pick you up at nine. And wear what you had on last time we went out. Albion’s sure to like that teeny, tiny skirt. I know I did.” With an amused smile, he left the room.
Cooper stared at his empty chair for a moment, and then hastened to the locker room where she dug Mr. Johnson’s card from her purse. “Sorry, Edward,” she murmured as she opened her cell phone and began to dial. “I guess I don’t trust you quite that much.”
Afterward, she crossed Frankie Kepple off her list of potential candidates and awaited her last interview of the day. Josh Whitaker arrived out of breath, rumpled, and full of apologies.
“It’s okay. You’re not late,” she assured him.
He smiled in relief. “That’s good, because this old lady’s radiator was smokin’ and I just couldn’t pass her by. I know I look a right mess, but I just had to stop.”
Despite the oil stain on his tie and the strong smell of cigarette smoke seeping from his wrinkled sports coat, Josh was also a strong candidate for the job. He was able to present a glowing recommendation from his current employer—a mom-and-pop copier repair company that would be closing its doors by the end of the month—and colored with embarrassment when Cooper read select passages aloud.
“I’m sure gonna miss Mr. and Mrs. Peterman. They’ve been working for thirty years,” Josh explained. “And their kids both live in Florida. They wanna move while they can still pick up their grandbabies and bounce them on their knees.”
“Well, even though this is your first job since graduating high school, you sure have picked up a lot of skills working for the Petermans. They’ve written you a truly amazing letter.” She smiled. “In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if they were waiting outside right now.”
Josh’s young face flushed. “They fuss over me like I’m one of their kids. I’m sure gonna miss Mrs. P’s home-cooked lunches. I don’t even know how to scramble my own eggs.”
Cooper laughed. “You’re probably a lot healthier for not eating Subway and Burger King and Mexican takeout like the rest of us. And my mama’s a gourmet cookie baker, so I eat cookies every single day on top of all that junk.”
“They’re not Magnolia’s Marvels, are they?” Josh asked.
When Cooper informed him that Magnolia was indeed her mother, Josh fairly leapt from his chair.
“When Mr. P. was sick last year, he lost so much weight you could practically see through the man. For a whole week the only thing he’d touch were Magnolia’s Marvels oatmeal raisin and butterscotch clusters. Tell your mama she saved Mr. P’s life!”
Cooper promised she would pass the anecdote on and then wrapped up her interview with the enthusiastic young man. The last thing she did before packing her kittens into the new carrier was to call and confirm appointments with the three remaining candidates. If those men turned out to be as talented and friendly as Bobby and Josh, Cooper knew she’d be faced with some difficult decisions. Still, she left the office with a newfound confidence that made her feel ten feet tall.
“I am cut out for management!” she informed her mewling kittens as she eased