He turned his back in dismissal.
Cooper wished him good night and drove away.
“Albion,” she said and the name felt despicable on her tongue. As she thought about the vile man and the unspeakable acts he’d either committed or had set into motion, an idea suddenly took hold in her mind. At the next red light, she pulled out her cell phone and dialed Ashley’s number.
“You need to pay another visit to Maria Gutierrez,” Cooper informed her sister. “Immediately. And this time, I’m coming with you.”
15
“For I am about to fall,
and my pain is ever with me.
I confess my iniquity;
I am troubled by my sin.”
Psalm 38:17-18 (NIV)
Ashley called Cooper on Wednesday to report that Maria Gutierrez wasn’t answering her phone, so she’d been unable to schedule a visit with the grieving mother.
“It just rings and rings,” Ashley stated in befuddlement. “I guess she doesn’t have an answering machine.”
“I can understand her not wanting to talk to people right now. Could you imagine fielding calls from telemarketers in her state?” Cooper finished cleaning the dirt from a copier drum and then set the soiled rag onto the floor. “Still, I must talk to her. We’ll just drive over there after I’m done with work today. This can’t wait any longer.”
“Where’s the fire?” Ashley whined. “I’ve got special plans with Lincoln tonight and I’ve just got to be waiting for him when he gets home from work.”
“Why? Did you take the pregnancy test?” Cooper asked breathlessly.
“That’s part of my plan. I’m going to take it while he’s changing out of his work clothes. If it’s good news, I’ll serve him nonalcoholic champagne and we’ll celebrate.” Her voice held a smile. “I’ve even got a little baby plate to put on the dining room table.”
Cooper paused and then said quietly, “And if the test is negative?”
Ashley sighed. “Then we’ll just have to drink the real bubbly and try, try again.” Her tone suddenly lightened. “Really, Coop, I’m not going to be upset. Well, maybe a little, but I won’t wallow in self-pity again, don’t worry. After visiting with Maria, I know there’s greater suffering in this world than me not being pregnant.”
“I’m proud of you, Ashley.” Cooper wished she could express her admiration more clearly, but she couldn’t stop thinking about the task at hand. “Can you at least come with me to Maria’s house and introduce us? You can leave right afterward, I promise. Please, Ashley, this is important. I believe Ivan either killed Maria’s son or had him killed and I need to know why. You see, I don’t think Hector stole from him like Miguel did.” Cooper struggled to verbalize her confused thoughts. “There’s a specific reason Ivan uses Hispanic men to do his dirty work. If I can find out why, then maybe the lives of other men like Hector and Miguel can be spared their fate.”
“Don’t you think the police would have gotten that information out of her?” Ashley argued.
“Hector lived with his mother. Maria must have known how he made money and who he worked for, but maybe she was ashamed. She probably just told the police that he worked at a video store,” Cooper reasoned.
“Then why would she tell you the truth after lying to the authorities? You’re a total stranger. Maybe you need to work on your humility, Coop.”
“There’s no guarantee she’ll tell me anything,” Cooper admitted. “But I’m going to ask her to think of the other mothers that could lose their sons.” Hearing Ashley’s in take of breath, she hurriedly added, “It’s not a kind thing to say, I know, but this is not the time for delicacy.”
Ashley sighed again, but this time it was mostly theatrical. “I don’t think Emily Post would approve of how you’ve decided to pay your condolences, but you’re my sister, and I’ll give you thirty minutes of my time. But if Maria’s not home this afternoon, then you’ve got to drop this until I can get her on the phone and arrange a proper visit. Deal?”
“Deal,” Cooper answered. “I’ll be at your place by twenty after five.”
Back at the office, Cooper hustled into the break room, hoping Ben and Emilio hadn’t polished off all the egg rolls and fried wontons from the office’s celebratory lunch. It had been Mr. Farmer’s idea to treat the incoming staff members to a decadent takeout lunch from Peking Restaurant, and Cooper was nearly drooling at the thought of succulent sesame chicken served over a pile of fried rice.
Her new hires, Bobby and