“I liked them,” Evie said. “I would have arrested them for murder if they were guilty, but still been sad the case had turned their way.”
Traffic was light this time of night, and they would be at the hotel soon. Evie gathered her courage to ask Rob a question, knowing she was going to send into a tailspin what had been a comfortable conversation. “I’d like to ask you about something.”
“Ask away.”
“Ann said you smirked when I did the dramatic puppet conversation for kids at church after flight 174 crashed. Do you remember?”
Rob glanced over at her, looking stunned. “Is that how I got crosswise with your friend?”
“Did you? Do you remember the event?”
She saw an expression in the passing headlights that she’d never seen before, embarrassment certainly, but more than that.
“Evie, I do remember.” He ran a hand behind his neck. “Guilty as charged,” he added with a sigh, “but it wasn’t as it might have appeared. I was listening to you, thinking about how positively and clearly you were able to explain even tragic death to the kids, and what life after death was like. Then I jumped from that to a mental back-and-forth with my mother, if she’d been listening to the way you phrased it, and I remember thinking, Evie’s got you there, Mom, felt myself smirk, and instantly regretted the dishonorable way I’d just thought about my mother. The Holy Spirit nailed me when I smirked. It’s not something I’m going to easily forget. And Ann saw that?”
“It’s made a lasting impression on her. She thought you were dismissing what I said or how I said it. Add to that the vast differences in our work lives, our personal lives, and she’s always hesitated over whether we’re a good long-term fit.”
“Evie . . .” He glanced her way again. “I will be the first to admit that God is still working on me—in lots of areas, but particularly how I respond to my mother and some of her remarks. If I thought I’d ever be treating you the same way, Ann would have a very good point. But, trust me, God is correcting me on it now. You can count on Him for that, even if you’re not sure of me. I won’t ever be thinking disrespectful thoughts toward you, nor my mother in the present or future. I’m sorry for what Ann saw. But with God’s help, it won’t be happening again.”
“I believe you.” Evie smiled at her own memories. “I know what it’s like having that inner voice check you on something. It’s reassuring to hear your explanation, Rob, and that you’re close enough to God that He could get your attention. Thanks.”
“It’s an embarrassing memory—doubly so given that others witnessed it happen. But the problem is mostly dealt with, I think. I’ve been a remarkably better son around my mother.” He sighed once more. “Any other questions?”
Evie shook her head, wishing she was as confident about how she herself was handling his mother. “We’re good, Rob.”
“Well, I’m glad you asked, rather than just wonder about it. And I will tell Ann what I just told you—I mean, if you think it would help.”
“Let me think about it, but that’s probably not necessary. As she gets to know you, she’ll write it off as an out-of-character moment and let it go.”
“Nothing else, then?”
There was nothing more she needed to ask, but there was something major she would need to tell him. But talking about her brother was not a simple topic to bring up. This wasn’t the time. “No, we’re good,” she repeated.
Rob parked at the front of the hotel, came around to her door, and slipped his arms around her for a long hug. Evie rubbed her hands along the back of his coat, leaning into the embrace. “Thank you. It means a lot that you came to get me at this time of night. I could have caught a ride with a cop, but this was better.”
“Much better,” Rob said with a smile. “Sleep in, then call me?”
“I will.” Evie walked into the hotel lighter in heart because of their conversation. She was going to be sorting out her personal life in the next few weeks, looking at those lists David made me start, she thought with amusement, but now found herself looking forward to Valentine’s Day. She would settle this by then in her heart.
Twenty-Five
Evie munched on cinnamon toast and held her cell at an angle so David didn’t have to listen to her eating a very late breakfast. He was still working out the press statement with Sharon, Evie listening in, mostly to enjoy the fact she didn’t have to write it.
She picked up the large coffee she’d brought into the office with her and headed inside. Shifting the cellphone to her shoulder, she pushed open the door. “I’m fine, David,” she said, “stay with Maggie. I’m just boxing things up today. John’s going to take Maggie’s fan mail, and the case boxes are returning to the archives. I need to finish up my final report, hand it off to the evidence clerk. Maggie needs you more than I do.”