The Wedding: A Faces of Evil Short Story Read Online Free

compliment caused a decided bump in the rhythm of Jess’s heart. “Thank you.” She opened the bag and reached inside. The delicate silver chain bracelet was adorned with small blue gemstones. “It’s lovely.”
    “It was my mother’s,” she explained. “Your grandmother’s. I wore it at my wedding and your mother wore it when she married your father. I don’t know how I managed not to lose it or... anyway, I thought you might want to wear it. It’s so delicate it’s hardly visible so it won’t clash with your colors, and it gives you something blue.”
    Her hands trembling, there was no way Jess would even attempt to fasten the bracelet around her wrist. “I’m so glad you found it. Thank you.”
    “You know,” Wanda knotted her hands together in her lap, “I fixed your mother’s hair for her wedding. Would you like me to try doing something similar with yours?”
    Jess thought of her mother’s wedding photo. “You know, that’s a wonderful idea. The half up, half down do my mother wore is what I wanted.”
    “I’ll give it a try, if you’d like.”
    Jess stood, the delicate bracelet clutched in her right hand. “I would really appreciate your help.”
    While she showed Wanda through her home, the doorbell rang again. This time it was the pizza. Surprisingly, Jess’s appetite had awakened. She might have a slice after all.

 
4
    Cathedral of St. Paul Boardroom
    2120 3rd Avenue North, 3:30 p.m.
    Dan reached for his tux jacket. He slipped it on and adjusted the lapels.
    His father clapped him on the back. “It’s almost time, son.”
    Dan smiled. He was so grateful to have his father as his best man for this amazing moment. A few months ago he’d thought he had lost him, but Daniel Thomas Burnett, Senior, had survived his second heart attack as well as the brutal assault of a serial killer.
    “I’m ready.” Dan couldn’t wait to begin this journey with Jess. “You have the ring.”
    His father patted his chest. “Interior jacket pocket.”
    “You’re not getting cold feet on us, are you, Danny boy?”
    Dan glanced at the most recent addition to his lineup of groomsmen. “Not a chance, Corlew.”
    Buddy Corlew was Jess’s oldest friend. Dan’s cousin had ended up in the hospital earlier this week with acute appendicitis. Corlew was standing in for him. Fortunately, his cousin’s tux had been a perfect fit since it had been too late to order and tailor another one. Dan doubted Corlew had ever or would ever again be caught in a tuxedo. A former BPD detective and a little rough around the edges, Corlew made his living as a private investigator. He was a damned good one, Dan had to admit, even if some of his methods skirted the law.
    Frank Teller slid his cell into his pocket and held his hands up in surrender before Dan could remind him yet again to turn the damned thing off.
    “It’s off. I swear.” The man was one of Dan’s oldest friends and a highly respected Birmingham attorney. “You know how it is, there are some calls you just have to take.”
    “I guess I missed the bachelor party,” Corlew said, drawing Dan’s attention back to him. He leaned against the conference table. “What’d you guys do, discuss your financial portfolios?”
    “Funny, Corlew.” Dan adjusted his black bow tie. “My bachelor days have been over for a while.”
    “I figured as much.” Corlew grinned. “Don’t worry, last night I celebrated the demise of your bachelorhood for you. Umm-hmm. Not one but two strippers—twins—helped me celebrate. It doesn’t get better than that.”
    “Did you take pictures?” Frank wanted to know.
    “Don’t encourage him,” Dan advised. “Corlew, you’re the only person I know who would talk about strippers in the boardroom of St. Paul’s.”
    “Come on now. I’m just pulling your leg. I was on surveillance last night. I’m working a big case. It does, however, involve twins. They share an apartment and apparently don’t ever close the blinds.