Read Online The Graves of the Guilty (Hope Street Church Mysteries Book 3) by Ellery Adams - Free Book Online Page A

Cooper knew that her sister possessed a generous nature and truly enjoyed shopping for others. The sisters were polar opposites in that regard, for Cooper found the notion of spending hours in Richmond’s overpriced boutiques as pleasant as a root canal.
    Nathan cleared his throat and presented Grammy with a book on animal first-aid. She loved it and showed her delight by squeezing Nathan’s cheek. “All right, Granddaughter. Hand yours over and let’s be done with this. I’m tired and I need a Tums.” Grammy put her hands on her stomach.
    Because it was heavy, Cooper pulled the scrapbook from the gift bag and set it on Grammy’s lap. “Both your girlhood and wedding pictures were faded and in need of restoration, so I made you an album. It has all your old photos as well as some pictures of the animals you’ve saved over the years.” She watched Grammy turn the pages. “There are a few of us, too, even though we’re not as good-looking as that three-legged beagle or your blind raccoon.”
    Grammy flipped through the book in silence and then turned back to the cover, which showed her as a solemn bride. She ran her hands over the photograph, her eyes pooling with tears.
    “I didn’t mean to upset you.” Cooper covered Grammy’s brittle, weathered hand with her own.
    “You haven’t caused me grief, girl. There are just so many faces here my heart’s achin’ to see again.” She smiled and wiped her eyes with her thin forearm. “When you’re old as dirt, it can be bittersweet to think of those who’ve gone before you.” She tucked a lock of Cooper’s ash-blonde hair behind her ear. “Don’t worry. I don’t wanna leave you yet, and I will cherish this book until I do.” She placed the album on the table. “Now, it’s long past my bedtime. You young folks can keep the lights burnin’, but I’m goin’ to bed!”
    Maggie refused to let Grammy go without a hug and a peck on the cheek. “We love you!” she shouted as the birthday girl shuffled down the hall.
    Earl rose from his chair. “I’ll tidy up, Maggie. You outdid yourself with that cake.”
    “No, Daddy.” Ashley collected a pair of coffee cups. “You two go put your feet up. The kids will clean tonight.” As soon as their parents relocated to the living room and switched on the television, Ashley gestured for Lincoln to join her at the sink.
    “So? Do the police have any idea what happened to Miguel now that you’ve handed over all the paperwork you had on him?”
    Both Cooper and Nathan moved closer to the couple in order to listen to Lincoln’s answer. “They talked to the girls in Human Resources the most,” he said while loading the coffee cups into the dishwasher. “I think they have doubts about the authenticity of Miguel’s official documents—his social security card and driver’s license, for example.”
    “Was he an illegal?” Cooper whispered.
    Lincoln nodded. “That’d be my guess. In addition to collecting the paperwork, they interviewed Jason, one of the mechanics. Apparently, he was the last person to see Miguel alive. Jason says that Miguel seemed totally normal yesterday. He came inside for a soda, chatted with him about an NBA game, and said he was going to gas up some demo vehicles before calling it a day.” He closed the dishwasher and wiped his hands on a birthday napkin. “That’s the last anyone saw of him.”
    “Until I opened the trunk.” Ashley scoured Maggie’s serving bowls over and over again with a bristly sponge until Cooper reached across her sister and turned off the faucet. Ashley continued to stare at the soapy water. “I don’t want to sit around and wait for the police to figure this out.” She gave Lincoln a pleading look. “Can’t you start your own investigation at work?”
    He quickly shook his head. “I’m leaving this to the professionals. We should stay out of their way, honey.”
    On one hand, Cooper agreed with Lincoln, but she also understood the sense of