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

They did this little—”
    A rap on the door preceded Mary Green’s entrance. “Gentlemen, we’ll be proceeding to the sanctuary in five minutes.”
    Anxious to get started, Dan smiled. “Thank you, Mary.”
    “I’ll just have a quick look to make sure all is in order.” She surveyed each of them from their red rosebud boutonnieres to their well-polished black leather oxfords. “Very good, gentlemen. I believe we’re ready.”
    She flashed Dan a smile of approval and closed the door once more. Mary, the cathedral’s wedding coordinator, had kept his mother in line. Katherine Burnett had a tendency to go overboard. Dan had to give her credit though, she had done a wonderful job with the wedding. More importantly, she’d been respectful of Jess’s wishes. He’d worried about that in the beginning.
    “Have you and Jess decided if you’re running for mayor next year?” Frank asked.
    Dan had wondered how long it would be before his old friend would inquire about those rumors. Dan had been offered the position when Joseph Pratt had stepped down, but he’d decided to hold off. He liked being chief of police. He and Jess had been busy with their personal lives the past few months. Buying a home, getting settled, and preparing for the baby’s arrival next spring had been their primary focus. The timing simply hadn’t been right. The deputy mayor who had actually planned to retire stepped in until the next election. The powers that be were still leaning on Dan for an answer on the upcoming election. Jess insisted the decision was his. He wasn’t saying no just yet, but he was far from a yes.
    “We’ll consider the proposal in the spring.” The position of mayor required a tremendous commitment, personally as well as professionally. With the baby coming he wasn’t sure he wanted to spend more of his time away from home. They had a great deal to consider before he made a decision.
    “I spoke to Sylvia at the rehearsal dinner,” Frank said, “she mentioned that Nina is doing extraordinarily well at the new clinic.”
    Nina was Dan’s second wife and Sylvia’s younger sister. She’d suffered with mental illness her entire adult life. The outlook had been quite dire the past few years. Now, however, a new medication recently approved by the FDA was helping her to make great strides at an innovative facility in New York.
    “If she continues on her current path, she may be home in a few months. She’s made an incredible turnaround.”
    “It’s a miracle,” his father agreed. “Your mother and I are very happy for her family.”
    “Speaking of miracles and Barons,” Corlew said, “what kind of miracle would it take to get you to swap bridesmaids with me, Teller?”
    Frank raised a skeptical eyebrow. “I think Mrs. Burnett and Mrs. Green would have something to say about that, Corlew.”
    Dan grinned. It shouldn’t but the idea that Corlew was uncomfortable escorting Sylvia gave him just a little glee. “What’s the matter, Corlew? You afraid Sylvia might bite?”
    “I don’t think she likes me too much.” He shifted his attention back to Frank. “I’ll even throw in a bonus and teach that investigative team of yours some of my secrets.”
    “No way,” Frank said. “I’m not getting in trouble with Dan’s mom. I’ve been down that road, Corlew. Believe me, you do not want to go there.”
    Dan laughed. “You’d better listen to him, Corlew.”
    “I know I would,” Dan Senior agreed.
    Corlew shook his head. “Maybe you have a point. She’s been on my back all week about cutting my hair.” He shook his head. “I was afraid to go to sleep at night. The lady is persistent.”
    Dan hadn’t missed the wedding coordinator’s raised eyebrows at Corlew’s ponytail. Corlew was about as far from a good Catholic boy as one could be, but he was Jess’s friend. Back in high school, Dan and Corlew had been serious enemies, but those days were over. Dan owed the man. He was proud to have Corlew