“Back at you. Your instincts are never wrong, Cy. Neither are TJ’s. This could be huge.”
He stood. “We’ll just keep pecking away.”
“Amen to that.”
Deep in thought after Cy left, Kit went to the conference room to meet with the FBI agent working on the LifeSpan accounting fraud. He added his input. After they concluded their meeting, he left the building for the Kingdom Hall Center.
* * *
AS SOON AS Natalie put Amy down for her nap at two, she went into the kitchen and called the nursing home in Denver. Today a service had been held for Amy’s great-grandmother. The older woman had been on Natalie’s mind.
“Cottonwood Nursing Home.”
“Hello. My name is Natalie Harris. I’m calling to speak to someone who handled the funeral service for Gladys Park earlier today.”
“Oh. That would be Mrs. Issac. I’ll connect you.” In a moment another voice came on the line.
“Hello? Mrs. Harris?”
“Yes. Thank you for answering. I want to know how the service went for Gladys Park. I sent flowers and wondered if you’d received them.”
“We certainly did. The carnations were just lovely.”
“I’m glad. Can you tell me anything about the service?”
“Well, the pastor said a few words and then one of the patients here spoke. Several of her friends from the church came. Also the podiatrist who took care of her sore feet right before she died. Gladys was well loved.”
“I’m so glad to hear it. By any chance was there a picture taken? I’d like to have one for my daughter’s scrapbook.”
“I did take some for the pastor with his camera. He wanted to post the photos at the church in Gladys’s memory and asked me to be sure I caught one of the floral arrangement with her name on it in gold letters.”
“I’d love to have copies. Could I have his phone number?”
“Of course. You left your information when you were here. I’ll email his number to you right now.”
“Thank you so much.”
“You’re very welcome.”
Natalie got off the phone and opened her laptop. As soon as she received the information, she phoned the number of Pastor Sidney Clark. Her call went to his voice mail. She left a message with her phone number and hung up.
She had no idea when she’d hear from him. Time was weighing heavy on her hands. Kit hadn’t called and he’d left early this morning. Amy had asked for him several times throughout the day, and every time the little girl said his name, it echoed in Natalie’s heart.
It was no good waiting for the phone to ring. She picked it up and dialed Jillian, but her voice mail picked up, as well. Colette would be at work, so it would be better to talk to her tonight.
Natalie went to her bedroom and turned on her TV. She skimmed through the channels. As she was trying to get interested in a program on supernovas, her cell rang. The screen indicated a Colorado area code. She reached for it and said hello.
“Mrs. Harris? This is Pastor Clark returning your call.”
“Thank you so much, Pastor. I spoke with Mrs. Issac from the nursing home and I understand you had pictures taken at the service for Gladys Park.”
“Yes. For the posting board in the foyer of the church. I like our flock to know and remember our church members.”
“That’s a lovely thing to do. She’s my daughter’s great-grandmother. I’ve made a baby book for her and I’d love to have copies of the photos. Would it be possible for you to send them to me?
“Of course. I’ll ask my secretary to forward them to your email address.” Natalie gave him her information; he promised to take care of it right away.
“You have no idea how much this means to me. Before we hang up, could you tell me how long you knew Gladys?”