Page 11

Greg took Thursday morning off from work to hang out with Jim. Sometimes he needed time to process away from the investigation. The girls headed into Santa Barbara to pick up my dress and eat at Amanda’s favorite Mexican restaurant. Emma went with the guys, who were hiking the trails at the mission where we’d be married on Saturday. I figured Greg wanted to be close by town in case something broke in the investigation. And by spending the morning hiking, he could clear his mind.

The bridal shop opened at ten, so we had time to stop at the beach when we got into town. Beth slipped off her shoes as soon as we hit the sand. “I’ll never get used to this. You’re so lucky to live here. I tried to talk Jim into moving after we make it official, but he’s tied to his job. Honestly, I think it’s his men’s church group he’d miss the most. They have weekly meetings and do monthly service projects. And quarterly, they do something over the weekend. They call them spiritual retreats, but I think it’s more about the fishi ng and hiking.”

“At least he has hobbies. My sister’s first husband didn’t leave the house for fifteen years, unless she was with him.” Amanda took her shoes off as well, using Beth’s arm to stabilize herself. The women had a bond. They were comfortable with each other. I was on the outside. They didn’t mean to put me there. It was just that they’d spent a lot of time together during Am anda’s illness.

At times like this, I wished I’d had a sister. Someone who knew my history. Who got bad jokes because she’d lived through those times too. Instead, I had my aunt, who had pulled me out of a bad situation and showed me what it was like to have a home.

“You both are always welcome here.” I joined their barefoot club and we walked down the beach. It wasn’t crowded yet. The cooler weather was keeping all but the fanatics and tourists off the beach. I wasn’t sure which grou p we fell into.

A few red roses washed up on the shore and Beth pointed them out. “Was there a wedding here earlier?”

I shook my head. “Not a wedding. Probably a burial at sea. They toss the ashes over the side of the boat along with flowers.”

“You know, I’ve thought a lot about death and what I’d want.” Amanda held up her hand as Beth started to say something. “Let me finish, dear. Talking about death is part of life, no matter if you’re sick or well. I’m not saying anything about my current health status. Anyway, I’m not sure what I want yet. So I guess either I can’t die, or I’m leaving the decision up to the four of you. Please don’t f ight about it.”

“You’re so thoughtful.” I grinned at Beth. “I’m sure the boys will be able to pull themselves out of their grief to make all the deci sions for you.”

“It’s the main reason to have children. To pass on your baggage.” Amanda put her arms around both Beth and me. “I’m so glad you two strong women are in the boys’ lives. I hope we’ll be doing another wedding soon.”

Beth blushed and dropped her gaze. There was definitely a story there. “Let’s just get through this wedding first before we start talking abou t another one.”

“You said you wanted to make it official,” I teased. “You’re right. I’ve never been this close to getting married. The last time I got married was on a whim and such a bad decision, so I had no thinking time. This time, with Greg, the countdown clock hasn’t stopped, yet. We’ve been a month out, but never three days. I’m thinking the world’s going to end just before the rehearsal dinner is a bout to start.”

Everyone laughed, but Amanda was quiet as we walked. She took my hand. “I’m sorry you had to put off your ceremony because of me. Twice.”

“I’m just glad you’re here for this one.” I leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “Let’s go get my wedding dress. I hop e you like it.”

As we walked back to the car I saw a familiar black Hummer pull into the parking lot. Men in suits got out, and then they opened the back door. Roger and Maryanne Matthews looked up at the sky as they left their vehicle. Roger was in shorts and a cotton shirt. Maryanne was in a cute sundress. Not the plain long-sleeved cotton dress that she’d worn during the visit to the fabric store. She was actually showing her legs and neck. They took their shoes off and started walking hand in hand down the beach. One man stayed with the vehicle, the other followed the couple at a discreet distance. In his suit on the beach, the guy looked like he was auditioning for a new Men in Black movie.

“Hey, Beth. Look at that couple to our left. That’s the new spiritual head of New Hope and his wife. I’ve never seen them in regular clothes before.” I met her gaze in the rearview mirror but didn’t start the vehicle. We sat there and watched the two walking down the beach for a while. Then I saw the man near the car turn toward us. He said something into his lapel mic and started walking toward the Jeep. “And it ’s time to go.”

After we’d left the parking lot, Beth looked at her phone. “I think I got a few good pictures of them. So that’s Roger and Maryanne Matthews ? You’re sure?”

“I’m positive. Even if I hadn’t recognized them, the black Hummer with the goons gave it away. Kane used to cruise Main Street in that vehicle. Maybe they’re considering doing a burial at sea for Kane and wanted to check out the view.” I turned onto the highway that would ta ke us downtown.

“I don’t know. From what I saw, they looked like any other couple in love on a beach. Maybe Kane’s passing didn’t cause much grief.” Amanda glanced over at me. “It’s we ird, isn’t it?”

“I’ll tell Greg tonight when he gets home. He can decide if it’s suspicious or if we’re just overthinking their grieving process.” I focused on driving to get my dress and not thinking about how upset Greg would be if Jim was killed. There would be no way I’d get him to take a walk with me on a beach. And if I did, he wouldn’t be smiling like Roger had been.

When we got to the bridal shop, both Amanda and Beth decided to buy new dresses for the ceremony while I tried on my wedding dress one last time. My runs with Emma must have toned me because it was just a little loose. The dressmaker who’d made the alterations pinc hed it tighter.

“I can take it in another half inch if you want. You’d have to pick it up Friday evening, though.” She sta rted to pin it.

“I don’t know,” Amanda commented. “I like the dress a little loose. It gives you some movement. If you tighten it more, you’d look terrific, but I think you look that way now.” Amanda brushed the woman’s hands away. “Look in the mirror.”

I studied myself. I loved the way the dress made me look soft and perfect. Then Amanda pulled the back and I felt it tighten. I took a breath in. I did look skinnier, but it didn’t change who I was. Or who Greg was marrying. “I think it’s beautiful the way it is.”

The dressmaker was smiling. “I do as well, but most brides, they’re so worried about being thin for their wedding day. And you are slender, don’t get me wrong. They want to look like children, not mature women. You look beautiful now.”

“Okay then. We’re good. And I don’t have to add a trip to Santa Barbara before my rehear sal on Friday.”

Beth giggled. “Which is the real reason you don’t want th e alterations.”

I put my hands on my hips and let the dress swirl around me. “I want to be able to enjoy the reception without changing out of this dress. I only get to wear it for a few hours. I want to be comfortable and enjoy it during the reception.”

After my dress was packed up and Beth and Amanda bought their dresses, we took all the packages to the car in the parking garage and walked to the restaurant. After we got settled with virgin margaritas, I turned to Beth. “Tell me everything you know about New Hope. When was it started? Was Kane Matthews the first leader?”

“Jill, this is your celebration lunch. Are you sure you want to talk about that cult?” Amanda put a hand on mine.

“Yes, if it’s all right, I’d love to know what Beth knows. I think we’re missing something by treating this like any other church. There has to be something that we’re not seeing. And it all starts with the beginnings of the church.” I turned toward Beth. “Please?”

“Okay, it’s your party. Besides, no one ever wants me to talk about this.” Beth grinned as she started explaining the history of the Matthews brothers and New Hope. Like I’d suspected, they’d started the church right after getting out of college. The small town had welcomed a new church, especially since it focused on updated music and a mission of serving others. There were no dues to pay to a larger organization, so all of the money stayed with the church. And Kane kept bringing more people into the fold.

Beth lowered her voice. “Then the whispers started. From what I read, there were rumors of improper relationships between Kane and quite a few of the followers. He liked his girls young. And it seemed like he might have crossed the line between legal and felony at least once. The church deacons voted to oust him, and he left—with the church coffers, Roger, Maryanne, and many of the true believers. That’s when they moved to California.”

“Were there actual charges filed?” Now I understood the creep factor I’d felt when I had been under Kane’s gaze. I’d felt stripped down, ju st by his look.

“None of the women or the parents would talk to the police, so they were able to just leave.” Beth took a bite of her shrimp fajitas, which had been brought during the discussion. “Amanda, you were right. Th is is amazing.”

I took a bite of my fish taco and almost groaned. The food here was tasty. But something in Beth’s story was bothering me. “I didn’t find any of this online. How did you find out?”

Beth set her fork down. “I went to Oregon and interviewed the former church members. The church changed its name after the trio left, of course. But it wasn’t hard to find people who would talk to me. They just weren’t willing to talk to the police.”

“There was an article about a pastor named Matthews who died with his wife in a church fire in Oregon. Any relation t o our friends?”

“Their parents, actually. The church had an electrical short and the Matthews couple lived next door. They tried to save the church records and perished. The church paid for the boys to go to college after that. Blood money, was the rumor. Apparently, the pastor had been complaining and asking for an electrician to come and fix some faulty light fixtures. The boys were at a Scouting campout for the weekend. When they came back, they were orphans.” Beth took a sip of her drink. “I’m surprised they decided to form a ministry after that. They had to b e heartbroken.”

I thought about the way Roger had looked when we saw them on the beach. Not heartbroken at all. He’d lost all of his family now except his wife. Wouldn’t that have affected him at least a little?

“Now, I’m insisting we change the conversation. I’m feeling sad for those little boys and I don’t want to cry while we’re welcoming my new daughter into the family.” Amanda passed me the empty chip basket. “Shal l we get more?”

I signaled to the waitress. “Why not? My dress still fits. Which is a miracle all in itself.”

When we got into the car to head home, my tummy was full of yummy food. And my mind was filled with questions. So the people who’d come to California with the brothers were true believers. And judging by Carlie’s disappearance into the group, it looked like Kane was still attracted to a younger crowd. Had he stepped wrong again? And had it been his brother who had ended his life?

Or had Molly found out what was happening and killed him to save her daughter? There were too many questions. As we drove back to South Cove, Amanda napped in the back seat and Beth was busy watching the scenery as we drove along side the ocean.

She glanced back to see if Amanda was still asleep, then turned to me. “Oh, I forgot about the F acebook group.”

“New Hope has a Facebook group?” I should have thought about that. But I didn’t even try to search the normal outlets. I’d gone straight to the research library and its powerful search engine.

“Not New Hope, but the families of people who have joined and left their lives behind. They’re always tracking the group’s movements. I hung out there for a while and interviewed people who would talk off the record. They were all so desperate to get a light shined on the community. They thought maybe that might bring their loved one back. It rarely happens. By the time the families find out where they are, the new member has been indoctrinated. They bel ieve the hype.”

Instead of dropping Beth off at the Castle, where she and Jim were staying, she waited at my house for Amanda to get ready for dinner. Beth and Jim were taking her out tonight. They’d asked me to come along, but I’d excused myself. The wedding was on Saturday, and I hadn’t fi nished my vows.

Tomorrow night was the rehearsal and dinner. My friends had a party planned for me at South Cove Winery after dinner and I’d invited Beth and Amanda to come along. Amanda had asked to just get a ride back to the house after the dinner. She said she’ d babysit Emma.

Jim had set up a bachelor party for Greg at the same time. They’d probably head to Bakerstown. Or maybe just stay at the Castle since Jim had also gotten Greg a room there for Friday night. Tonight would be the last night I’d have alone for a while. I wanted to put on pj’s and slippers and watch a sappy movie. All by myself. Well, m yself and Emma.

I’d also turned down dinner with Harrold and Aunt Jackie. I knew they thought with Greg working, I’d be alone. But what they didn’t know was I kind of liked being alone. I wondered if my aunt was worried that I’d be one of those runaway brides, so she was trying to kee p an eye on me.

Amanda came down dressed for dinner, and she and Beth headed out to Beth’s rental car. They’d decided to keep both Jim and Beth’s rental as well as Amanda’s while they were here in California. That way, both Jim and Beth would have access to a vehicle. When I’d asked Beth about the car situation, she’d shrugged. “I like knowing I have a car available, just in case. Being stuck is my wo rst nightmare.”

Pausing at the door, Amanda took my hands. “You can change your mind and come with us. We both know that Greg will be working late. Come and have a good meal. I wo rry about you.”

“Thank you, but I’m looking forward to some quiet time. It’s not that I don’t love having all of you around, but I’ve got some business to take care of and some vows to write. I should have asked Deek to write them for me. He’s so go od with words.”

“A local writer?” Amanda asked, trying to stay chill about it. Beth had already gone out to the car a nd was waiting.

“One of my staff. You met him, right? The one with the neon green cornrows?” I waved at Beth. “Anyway, I didn’t ask. Now I have to be elega nt and poetic.”

Amanda patted my cheek. “Just be honest. Speak from your heart. It’s ne ver failed me.”

I watched Amanda’s shiny blue compact pull out of the driveway with Beth at the wheel and I waved. I hadn’t exactly lied to my soon-to-be mother-in-law. I did have to finish my vows. Or at least give them a good edit. But the real reason I stayed home was to research Facebook for a family group. Maybe there was at least one upset parent who looked like he or she could ha ve killed Kane.

I also wanted to write down everything Beth had told me about the church and its history. If there was still time, I’d see what I could find out about the church fire that had killed the boys’ parents.

It was official. I was hooked on this amateur sleuthing role.