The Way of the Guilty Part 12

"That won't be true for long!" Angela replied cheerfully as she examined her reflection in the compact that never seemed to be out of reach. "I'm gettin' an a.s.sistant. I can't handle the phones, the incoming orders, the inventory, gettin' an a.s.sistant. I can't handle the phones, the incoming orders, the inventory, and and the books, so Mr. Farmer's lettin' me hire a part-time girl to do the stuff I don't have time for." the books, so Mr. Farmer's lettin' me hire a part-time girl to do the stuff I don't have time for."

"Are you putting an ad in the paper?" Cooper asked.

"Yep. I only wish I could write 'cute girls need not apply!' I'm not lettin' any hot-blooded young things around my man. I aim to be Mrs. Farmer by this time next year-and I'll be a h.e.l.luvalot more pleasant than the other other Mrs. Farmer!" With that, Angela sashayed down the hall to her desk. Mrs. Farmer!" With that, Angela sashayed down the hall to her desk.

Over the course of the morning, Cooper visited her favorite elementary school to perform a quarterly service on their leased copier, tweaked the drum of a finicky Hewlett-Packard at the Bank of America, and completed a roller replacement in a laser printer at a podiatrist's office. She gulped down an Italian sub and an orange for lunch and spent a tidy pile of money buying food, litter supplies, and toys at PetCo. After that, she dashed to Mr. Farmer's office to cuddle her kittens before settling down in the small Make It Work! conference room to await Bobby Weller, the first of the day's three interviews.

Cooper reviewed the questions on her legal pad and tried to still the b.u.t.terflies in her belly. She'd never been on the hiring end of a job interview before and was surprised to find the reversal unnerving. After all, the two new hires would be working on her team, and her decisions would determine the overall success of her department. Not only that, but Cooper wanted to be worthy of the position and the praise Mr. Farmer had given her.

After reviewing Bobby Weller's application once more, Cooper decided to peruse the Times-Dispatch Times-Dispatch until he arrived. As usual, the front page was filled with gloom. The text decried a sinking stock market, a senator caught cheating on his spouse, and the emotional funeral service given for the young girl killed in the East End shooting the week before. It was quite a pessimistic montage. until he arrived. As usual, the front page was filled with gloom. The text decried a sinking stock market, a senator caught cheating on his spouse, and the emotional funeral service given for the young girl killed in the East End shooting the week before. It was quite a pessimistic montage.

Cooper sighed and turned the page, hoping for a shred of uplifting news, when a column detailing the slaying of a Hispanic man named Hector Gutierrez caught her eye.

Could it be the Hector that made me my fake license? she wondered, her heart thumping more quickly as her anxiety mounted. She read the spa.r.s.e account of the twenty-one-year-old's death. According to the reporter, Hector had been shot, execution-style, in the back of the head, and his body had been dumped at a construction site near one of Richmond's upscale shopping centers. The police were quoted stating they were actively following several leads but had no further information to share with the public at this point in their investigation. she wondered, her heart thumping more quickly as her anxiety mounted. She read the spa.r.s.e account of the twenty-one-year-old's death. According to the reporter, Hector had been shot, execution-style, in the back of the head, and his body had been dumped at a construction site near one of Richmond's upscale shopping centers. The police were quoted stating they were actively following several leads but had no further information to share with the public at this point in their investigation.

Cooper was frustrated by the lack of detail given in the article. "It's like Miguel's death all over again." She closed her eyes and whispered a brief prayer for Hector's family and for the members of the police force. As she concluded, she heard Angela's voice in the hall and jumped up from her seat in order to meet Bobby Weller at the door, but not before tearing the article from the paper.

I've got to find out more about this victim, she thought solemnly and then turned to greet her first candidate. she thought solemnly and then turned to greet her first candidate.

Bobby was in his mid-forties and had grease-stained fingers, an honest, open face, and a generous paunch. As he shook Cooper's hand, his eyes crinkled with good humor and, after holding out her chair, proceeded to answer her questions with a relaxed and confident air. Having repaired televisions, computers, and most recently, motorcycles, Bobby informed Cooper that he was ready for a job with consistent hours and more growth potential.

"I've got six kids, so the benefits package you're offering is mighty attractive, too." Bobby produced photographs from his wallet and pa.s.sed them across the table. Cooper looked over the smiling faces of the Weller brood and then pointed at what appeared to be a prom photo of Bobby and a woman who could have doubled as his sister, so similar were their builds and round, smiling faces. "Is this your wife?" she asked him.

"Yep, that's the missus. We were high school sweethearts. Went to the prom and never stopped dancin'."

Cooper returned the photographs, told Bobby she'd let him know her decision by the end of the week, and wished him a pleasant day. She made a few, quick notes on his application and wondered if the rest of the applicants would be as personable and qualified as Mr. Weller. "This could be tougher than I thought."

The next candidate was a man named Frankie Kepple. Cooper expected him to be waiting outside by the time Bobby left, but she had time to read the paper's movie reviews and complete the crossword before Angela knocked on the door again. The man she invited into the room was not the tardy Frankie Kepple, but Edward Crosby.

"I think your two o'clock's a no-show," Angela remarked while overtly ogling Edward. "But this this man insisted he see you man insisted he see you and and he comes bearin' gifts, so I had to let him in." Angela winked and walked out of the room. he comes bearin' gifts, so I had to let him in." Angela winked and walked out of the room.

Edward produced a sheepish smile and laid a bouquet of stargazer lilies on the conference table. "I tried to come off as the FTD guy, but that woman sized me up in two seconds and gave me the full Law & Order Law & Order interrogation. d.a.m.n. I told her my name, how I know you, and all about my jobs." He shook his head. "The CIA should recruit her. She's interrogation. d.a.m.n. I told her my name, how I know you, and all about my jobs." He shook his head. "The CIA should recruit her. She's good good."

Cooper grinned. "It's true. Angela's our gatekeeper and a woman of many talents, but you might have gotten past her had you not been dressed in your RoomStore delivery uniform."

He looked down at his embroidered s.h.i.+rt. "I tried to cover the letters up with the flowers. Shoulda bought a bigger bunch."

The conference room seemed to have grown smaller in size now that Edward was there. Cooper s.h.i.+fted on her feet and did her best to appear relaxed and in control. "So, other than pretending to work for FTD, what are you doing here?" She gestured at one of the vacant seats. "Did you find out who's dealing China White?"

Edward nodded smugly. "I got the name of the big fish. Guy named Albion. I've heard of him before, but since he operates in a different part of the city than I used to, we never b.u.t.ted horns." He laced his fingers together and stared at Cooper. "But I know where he spends his time. That's why I'm here. Check your calendar, 'cause we're goin' to Club Satin to pay him a visit Sat.u.r.day night."

Cooper blanched. "Club Satin! That's a strip strip club!" club!"

"Sure is." Edward seemed to revel in Cooper's discomfort. "But there's a pool tourney there this weekend, so there'll be other girls there besides the ones with bills hanging out of their panties. Can you shoot pool at all?"

"Yes." Cooper was angered by Edward's dismissive remark concerning the dancers. "I'm pretty good, actually." She cleared her 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 compet.i.tion 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 is responsible for Miguel's murder, we could get killed too! It's time to bring in the police." 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 will turn b.l.o.o.d.y. 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. turn b.l.o.o.d.y. 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 a.s.sured him.

He smiled in relief. "That's good, because this old lady's radiator was smokin' and I just couldn't pa.s.s 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 embarra.s.sment when Cooper read select pa.s.sages 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 b.u.t.terscotch cl.u.s.ters. Tell your mama she saved Mr. P's life!"

Cooper promised she would pa.s.s 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 am cut out for management!" she informed her mewling kittens as she eased the carrier onto the pa.s.senger seat. "I hope you two like the Beatles," she said, pressed the skip b.u.t.ton on her CD player until it reached 'With a Little Help from My Friends,' and motored toward home. cut out for management!" she informed her mewling kittens as she eased the carrier onto the pa.s.senger seat. "I hope you two like the Beatles," she said, pressed the skip b.u.t.ton on her CD player until it reached 'With a Little Help from My Friends,' and motored toward home.

She'd barely released the kittens from the carrier and changed into jeans and a periwinkle sweater when she heard a car pull into the driveway. Seeing that it was Nathan's car, she quickly brushed her hair and applied frosted pink lip gloss. By the time he knocked and entered the apartment, she was out of the bathroom and in the kitchen, filling a bowl with water for the kittens.

"Oh! More flowers!" she said by way of greeting when he presented her with a bouquet of fragrant white orchids.

"More?" Nathan looked confused. "I haven't given you any for ages."

Fl.u.s.tered, Cooper pictured Edward's grinning face above the bunch of stargazer lilies. Pus.h.i.+ng thoughts of Edward's visit away, she touched Nathan on the arm. "I'm glad you're here. I really need to talk to you."

She placed the orchids into a gla.s.s pitcher and popped the tops off two bottles of Miller Lite. After clinking rims, Nathan and Cooper sat across from one another at the kitchen table. Cooper put her bottle on the table and began peeling off the label as she talked. "Nathan, I don't know how what I'm about to say is going to affect our relations.h.i.+p, but I cannot keep this from you another second." She met his concerned eyes and hesitated. "Oh, I don't want to hurt you! I'd never intentionally do that! But Nathan, I've been feeling drawn away from you lately. I didn't plan it, but it happened." She gulped. "I feel tempted."

"By Edward?" he asked softly.

Cooper nodded and was about to explain that she and Edward didn't even know one another and that the attraction was of a baser kind, but decided that such a qualifier wasn't helpful and might only serve to wound Nathan's pride.

He reached across the table and took her hand. "Don't be angry with me, Cooper, but I'm going through the same thing. I came over Sunday night with the intention of telling you you everything I've been feeling, but Ashley and Edward were here and then we ended up talking about Miguel ..." He trailed off and took a swallow of beer. everything I've been feeling, but Ashley and Edward were here and then we ended up talking about Miguel ..." He trailed off and took a swallow of beer.

"You wanted to tell me about the weekend painting party?" Cooper guessed as a mixture of jealousy and disappointment began to stir in her heart.

Nathan's gaze never left her face. "Yes. I ran into an ex-girlfriend from college while I was up there. Her name's Melissa. She just, um, has some hold over me. Always has. In college she only paid attention to me when it suited her, but now she seems to be much more interested." He squeezed Cooper's hand as tears began to pool in her eyes. She balled her free hand into a fist as she tried to picture Melissa as some gorgeous seductress, languidly raising and lowering a paintbrush as she ran her tongue over her lips and gazed at Nathan with naked l.u.s.t.

"But that's all it is, Coop." He gently shook her hand to reclaim her attention. "A temptation. A pulling toward something shallow, impermanent. My heart belongs to you you and it took this stupidity on my part to realize it." and it took this stupidity on my part to realize it."

Cooper brushed away a tear. Nathan's words had penetrated through every ounce of confusion she'd been feeling as of late. "You're right." Suddenly, the fog surrounding her heart evaporated. "This stuff with Edward ... it's not real real. I mean, he's an ex-con, a guy who's lived in the shadows and moved in circles I only read about in the newspaper, but he's also someone trying to lift himself above his past. I think I just wanted to witness his transformation. I was in awe of him." She looked down in shame. "I also think I wanted to take some credit for his change and because he sees me through a very favorable lens." Sighing, Cooper took a fortifying sip of beer. "But it's a false image. He doesn't know know me. You do, Nathan. You see me. You do, Nathan. You see me me and want me for who I am." and want me for who I am."

Nathan shoved back his chair and lifted Cooper out of hers with a brute strength he'd never exhibited before. It was so sudden that Cooper forgot to breathe.

"I do see you." Nathan's voice turned husky. "And I want you." He cupped her face in his hands. "But it's more than that. I love you. You're everything I need. Now and always."

As his words washed over her, warming her through and through, she recalled how they had first met. On a beautiful early spring day, she had run headlong into Nathan in the hall of the high school where Hope Street Church held its wors.h.i.+p service.

The man she loved stood before her just as he had on that day. His eyes were filled with the same tenderness, humor, and kindness. His hands steadied her just as they had a year ago. Grammy was right. She'd known precisely what her granddaughter needed most when she'd told Cooper to reach for the man who loved her for who she was, not who he wanted her to be.

Nathan was that man.

"I love you, too," she whispered. "Please forgive me. You've been here all along, but I didn't realize how much I cared for you until now."

He kissed her cheeks, her mouth, her forehead, the lids of her eyes, all the while murmuring, "Apology accepted. Please forgive me, as well. I'll never make such a foolish mistake again. There's only you." His lips sought her mouth. "Only you." His breath mingled with hers.

Later, as they lay on Cooper's bed, talking softly, she introduced Nathan to the kittens. She'd named the male cat Moses, as the clumsy feline had fallen into the toilet within the first few hours of entering the apartment. Cooper had had to rapidly scoop him out of danger, for which he'd repaid her by shredding the skin of her hands and arms.

"Moses means 'drawn from the water'," she informed the mewling bundle of wet fur after he'd slipped into the toilet. "Suitable, don't you think? And since you've got an Old Testament name, your sister shall be called Miriam." She drizzled some water over Miriam's forehead and then gave the kittens a saucer of warm milk and a jar of Beech-Nut chicken baby food to celebrate their new names.

Moses and Miriam took to Nathan immediately. They scaled up his chest and pounced on the strings of his sweats.h.i.+rt hood while he stroked them behind the ears. They attacked his long graceful fingers with their tiny teeth and claws, purring in contentment when he pushed them off his belly and dangled one of his socks just out of reach.

"This is one of those times I regret living out in the sticks," Cooper said after her stomach grumbled for the second time. "We can't just run out for a quick bite to eat."

Nathan tucked a lock of Cooper's disheveled hair behind her ear. "I'll go out and get anything you want. Just name it and it's yours."

Cooper laughed. "You sound like a genie. But it's freezing and I'm too hungry to wait another minute. Luckily," she grinned, "I know of an excellent restaurant within walking distance. I'm sure Mama would love the company. I'll just call to make sure she's got enough for the two of us."

Maggie was delighted by the request. "I had the strangest notion I oughta roast a big chicken tonight. Good thing I heeded that inner voice. Come on down. You and Nathan can set the table while I make the gravy."

Nathan was meticulously placing forks and knives on top of paper napkins covered with designs of conversation hearts when Grammy shuffled into the kitchen. She stopped in her tracks when she saw Nathan and a smile blossomed on her face. She quickly regained control of her features and pretended to be a.s.sessing him with disapproval.

"Now, now, young man. You stop that women's work and come over here and give me a hug!" she commanded, her eyes twinkling.

Nathan instantly obeyed. "I figured Mr. Lee wouldn't mind sharing his three generations of lovely ladies with me," he stated while Grammy grinned at Cooper around Nathan's shoulder.

Cooper's father materialized behind Grammy and clapped Nathan on the shoulder. "I'd be right thrilled to have you join us for every meal. It sure is nice to even up the numbers a bit."

Maggie served Nathan first, piling his plate so full of food that his eyes grew wide at the sight. Earl spoke a short grace and then there was a lengthy silence as the diners focused on Maggie's roast chicken, greens, and wild rice. Grammy took most of the canned cranberry sauce for herself, but when she tried to pick up a thick slice of the jellied stuff with her fork, it slid onto her chest and down to her lap, leaving a red stain as it oozed down her sweater.

Grammy examined the mess nonchalantly. "Shoot, I never liked this snowman sweater, anyhow," she remarked wryly, plucking the wayward jelly from her lap and popping it into her mouth. "Why old ladies wear clothes with cutesy puppy dogs and snowmen is beyond me. I guess somebody thought it was a good idea to dress us gray-hairs like babies. Reckon it's 'cause we kinda eat more like babies as we get up in years." She swallowed. "Do we have any more cranberry sauce, Maggie?"

Cooper volunteered to get more from the pantry, and as she shuffled through sundry canned goods, the phone rang. Maggie and Earl had a strict rule about refusing to accept telephone calls during mealtimes, so the speaker volume was turned down low. However, Cooper could hear Ashley's stricken voice through the answering machine. Her sister cried, "If anyone's listening, please please pick up!" pick up!"

Cooper leapt for the phone.

"I'm here!" she quickly a.s.sured her sister and carried the receiver into the dining room.

"Oh, Coop!" Ashley exclaimed sorrowfully. "You'll never believe this, but someone else else connected to Lincoln's dealers.h.i.+p has been killed!" connected to Lincoln's dealers.h.i.+p has been killed!"

Stepping into the dining room, Cooper closed the door leading to the kitchen and leaned against the solid wood for support. "Who?"

"Maria's son. She's the t.i.tle clerk at the dealers.h.i.+p and just the sweetest soul on this earth! Always a smile for everyone, always a kind word to me whenever I stopped by ..." Ashley sniffed. "Her son was murdered murdered, Cooper! Shot in the back of the head like some-"

"I'm so sorry, Ashley." Cooper didn't want her sister to complete the image. "What was his name? Maria's son?"

"Hector Gutierrez. You might have seen the story about him in today's paper." Ashley was quiet for a moment. "Those policemen were back. McNamara and Wiser. Lincoln told them he'd only met Hector once or twice and very briefly, but that the young man had never worked for any of the Love dealers.h.i.+ps. He couldn't think of a single thread that could tie Hector and Miguel together, but apparently the investigators are certain there must be a connection."

"Except they were Hispanic men of about the same age and both met violent ends," Cooper surmised unhappily. "Do you know where Maria's son worked?"

"No, but Maria and Hector were from Mexico. Just like Miguel," Ashley confirmed. "Now the police have two two unsolved cases! But it's almost worse this time because we know that Hector has a family-someone will definitely mourn him and want answers about this senseless killing!" Ashley's anger fueled Cooper's desire to take action immediately. "Poor Maria! What can I do to comfort her? What words can I offer to a near stranger whose only child has been murdered?" unsolved cases! But it's almost worse this time because we know that Hector has a family-someone will definitely mourn him and want answers about this senseless killing!" Ashley's anger fueled Cooper's desire to take action immediately. "Poor Maria! What can I do to comfort her? What words can I offer to a near stranger whose only child has been murdered?"

Cooper could hear the sounds of Nathan and her family continuing their dinner. Laughter mingled with the clinking of silverware and Ashley's subtle weeping seemed incongruent with the companionable murmurs emanating from the next room.

"You'll do what women do during times like this," she counseled, keeping her voice strong in order to soothe her sister. "You'll bring Maria food and flowers, you'll sit with her and look at photographs of her son, and you'll pray for her." Cooper gripped the phone tightly in her hand. "And I haven't forgotten Miguel, Ashley. Edward and I are going in search of answers this weekend. We're on the right track with this China White stuff. I can just feel feel it." it."

"Will you come to Maria's house with me on Sat.u.r.day?" Ashley asked hopefully.

"I can't. The Sunrise members and I have committed to sprucing up a school in the East End." She paused. "Bring Lincoln. Comfort Maria together."

Her sister sighed. "All right. Can you put Mama on now? I want her to teach me how to cook her famous beef stew so I can bring Maria something I've made with my own hands." She chuckled once, dryly. "But I want it to be edible and for that, I need Mama."

"Sure. And Ashley? I'm not going to give up," Cooper said. "Miguel. Hector. I won't let their deaths go unexplained. They will not be lost in some police station file cabinet. I promise."

Ashley whispered, "I believe you, but I also want you to be really careful. This killer, whoever it is, places no no value on a human life. If he killed both Miguel and Hector, then he did something unspeakable and then tossed them away like they were bags of trash. Didn't even bother to hide their bodies." She paused for a moment. "Maybe those boys were supposed to serve as warnings, I don't know, but promise me you'll guard yourself. Promise me you'll be smart enough to stay out of danger." value on a human life. If he killed both Miguel and Hector, then he did something unspeakable and then tossed them away like they were bags of trash. Didn't even bother to hide their bodies." She paused for a moment. "Maybe those boys were supposed to serve as warnings, I don't know, but promise me you'll guard yourself. Promise me you'll be smart enough to stay out of danger."

Thinking about her recent conversation with Rich Johnson, Cooper was able to infuse her voice with confidence. "I promise. I'm not going in there alone, Ashley. Someone will be watching from the shadows."

12.

"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for G.o.d loves a cheerful giver."

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (NIV) Sat.u.r.day was Valentine's Day. Maggie had risen earlier than usual in order to make heart-shaped Linzer cookies, hazelnut meringue sweetheart cookies, and squares of raspberry truffle fudge. Her special treats had been custom-ordered and had to be delivered to half a dozen sandwich shops by mid-morning, so the house had been replete with the scents of baking cookies since dawn on Friday.

Cooper joined her mother a few minutes after seven and spent an hour packaging the cooled and decorated confections. By the time she had entered the kitchen, Cooper knew Maggie had already been up for three or four hours and would be in need of a break. Her kindness was rewarded with a tired but grateful smile from Maggie and an entire tray of raspberry truffle fudge.

"You take this to your Bible study friends. Y'all are gonna get mighty hungry fixin' up that school today." She drew Cooper into her pillowy bosom and squeezed her tightly. "Do you and Nathan have special plans for tonight?"

After breathing in her mother's familiar perfume of warm dough and cinnamon, Cooper released her and returned to the task of applying the gold-foil Magnolia's Marvels labels to each two-pack cookie bag. "We decided to celebrate tomorrow. The restaurants are so crowded tonight and I can't stomach the price inflation ..."