'How come they don’t just use the organ?' Noah asked.
Justin turned to answer. 'They have to get those pipes cleaned first. The abbot says all the dust in the air will mess up the chords if it isn’t cleaned before it’s used again.'
'What are you doing with the video camera?' Nick asked.
'I’ve been roped into filming the ceremony from the balcony ' he explained. 'Michelle’s father asked me. He’s already got a professional guy filming downstairs, but he wants all the angles covered I guess. I don’t mind doing it,' he added, grinning. 'He’s paying me a hundred dollars, and I can use the money. Besides that, he’s invited Mark and Willie and me to the reception, and we’ll get free food and beer. You coming to the wedding?' he asked Nick.
'Wouldn’t miss it,' he answered.
'See you later then,' Justin said as he raced on. 'I just hope the church is ready. We’ve got a heck of a lot of work to get done before seven.'
They moved out of the way again so Justin could open the wrought iron gate and go up the stairs to the balcony.
'Okay, what were you going to tell me?' Noah asked as he followed Nick to the back pew.
'It doesn’t feel right.'
'Brenner?'
Nick nodded. 'Maybe I’ll be convinced when I hear the reports. They’ve got a thumbprint, a partial anyway, and they’re working on a voice match with the confessional tape. When the results are in confirming Brenner’s the unsub, then I’ll relax. Until then…'
'You want me to stay.'
'Yes. I know Pete’s going to be calling you with another assignment-'
'I’ll try to fend him off. Besides, we’re going to hear what the techs have concluded by tonight. Tomorrow at the latest.'
'I really appreciate this, Noah.'
'If it doesn’t feel right to you, then of course I’m staying. Do I have to keep wearing this dress?'
Nick smiled. 'You probably should keep wearing it until you leave Holy Oaks. Too many people know you as a priest. Let’s leave it that way.'
He looked Noah up and down and then asked, 'Where are you hiding your gun? Ankle strap?' he guessed as he glanced down at Noah’s feet. The tips of his black tennis shoes were protruding from the hem of the long robe.
'Too hard to get to,' Noah answered. He lifted the full sleeve covering his left arm. The holster holding the gun was strapped just below his elbow. 'Thank God for Velcro.'
'Nice,' Nick said.
'Tell me something. Don’t you think you should tell Tom and Laurant you still have reservations?'
'What am I going to tell them? The evidence is pretty conclusive, and God only knows what else Wesson has on Brenner. Besides, Laurant and Tommy have been living under a tremendous strain, and Laurant’s been looking forward to her friend’s wedding. I want her to be able to enjoy herself tonight. You keep your eye on Tommy, and I’ll watch out for her.'
'No, I’m not going to work that way. You do what you want with Laurant, but I’m telling Tom to stay sharp. I don’t want him to relax until you’re convinced.'
Nick nodded. 'Yeah, okay.'
'Did you tell Pete how you’re feeling about this?'
'Yes.'
'And?'
Nick shoved his hands in his pockets. 'I’m not being objective because I’m too personally involved.'
'He could be right.'
'When the reports are in, I’ll stop worrying.'
'Then what?'
'We go home,' Nick said. 'Another day, another case.'
'You’re just going to walk away from her, aren’t you?' Noah sounded incredulous. 'She’s the best thing that ever happened to you, but you’re too chicken to take the chance. You’re nuts. You know that?'
Nick responded to the question by turning around and walking away from his friend.
Chapter 34
Michelle’s father returned from the abbey at a quarter of six to report that the scaffolding had been removed, and the red carpet had been rolled down the center aisle. The florist and her assistant were frantically working to tie the bouquets to the ends of each pew. It would be close, he told his wife, but he was sure the church would be ready when the wedding march began.
Michelle’s mother, a vision in blue chiffon, continued to worry, but the bride took all the last-minute wrinkles in stride. She sat on the bed with her back against the headboard and watched Laurant dress while she caught her friend up on the latest gossip she’d heard.
'They’ve got an APB or a ABP-whatever it is-out on Lonnie now. They’re going to charge him with arson and hopefully lock him away for the rest of his life. He’s gotten away with so much in the past couple of years. He deserves to rot in prison.' She paused to take a sip of lemonade. 'And everyone is still in shock about Steve. Don’t pin your hair up, Laurant. Leave it down.'
'Okay,' Laurant agreed. She picked up the peach silk dress she’d draped over the chair and slipped it on. She had her back to Michelle as she zipped the dress up and adjusted the bodice. Then she turned around, the full skirt floating about her ankles. 'What do you think? Does this work or not? I could wear the blue Versace, but I thought this color would blend better with the dark pink dresses the other bridesmaids are wearing.'
Mrs. Brockman walked into the bedroom to try once again to hurry her daughter along. She came to an abrupt stop when she saw Laurant.
Both mother and daughter appeared to be speechless. Laurant felt self-conscious under their close scrutiny. 'Say something Michelle,' she demanded. 'Do you like the dress or not?'
'You look like a princess in a fairy tale,' Michelle whispered. 'Doesn’t she, Mother?'
'Oh yes,' she agreed. 'My dear, you look exquisite.'
Michelle awkwardly scooted off the bed and held on to the post as she stood. Her mother noticed her grimace. 'Is the new brace still bothering you?'
'A little,' Michelle admitted. Her gaze was locked on Laurant. 'If I could look like that… Turn around and look in the mirror. Mother, Laurant doesn’t have any idea how beautiful she is. She doesn’t see herself the way the rest of the world does. I should make her wear a grocery sack over her head because every eye in the church is going to be on her.'
'No, they’ll be staring at the beautiful bride.' Laurant laughed then. 'Well, you will be beautiful as soon as you get your hair out of those ridiculous jumbo rollers and put some clothes on. Or were you planning to wear that old robe down the aisle?'
'Yes, that’s it, Laurant. Hurry her along. She won’t listen to me, and she’s going to be late for her own wedding,' Mrs. Brockman said as she turned Michelle around and gave her a gentle nudge. 'I’m too old for this stress,' she added. 'I was already old when I had Michelle,' she reminded them.
Michelle grinned. 'Yes, Mother. I was your change of life baby, and I changed your life.'
Her mother smiled. 'You’ve been a blessing. Now get dressed, or I’m going to send your father in here.'
Michelle tightened the belt on her robe and began to pull the Velcro rollers out of her hair.
'Laurant, your bra’s showing,' she said. 'Just below the straps.'
Laurant tugged on the bodice, but the white lace continued to show. 'I don’t have any other bras with me.'
'Then don’t wear one,' Michelle suggested.
Her mother gasped. 'Laurant will not go braless into the house of God.'
