Free When Rain Falls by Tyora M. Moody

dead. Sounds like you are in for a long, intense investigation. I’m sure you will need my help sooner or later. Have a good afternoon, Detective Jackson. I’ll be in touch.”
    Now, where did she get that information? The only person he could think of was Candace Johnson. Surely, the woman wasn’t knocking around Mitch Harris’s name to the media. She had been married to a cop and should know firsthand the importance of keeping a lid on information.
    Before Darnell could inquire about the source, Serena sashayed over to a group that included Pastor Jeremiah Freeman and several other official-looking people. Starting with Pastor Freeman first, Serena wasted no time shaking hands. To Darnell’s dismay, the next in line was Mitch Harris himself.
    A pair of eyes locked with his from across the room. Mitch’s glare was accusatory. Or guilty. Darnell loosened the knot on his tie and smiled. If Mitch Harris had something to hide, he intended on finding out and then nailing him.

Chapter Fifteen
    As quickly as it came, the storm passed over. The limo driver entered the parking lot and stopped outside the community center. Candace and her children waited in silence as the driver walked around to open the door. Candace watched as Rachel and Daniel climbed out. She sat inside the limo a little longer, observing the streams of people heading inside the building.
    â€œMom?” Daniel peered at her through the car door. He resembled his father more and more every day. His wiry body appeared strong and solid.
    â€œI’m fine.” Candace took his extended arm and stepped out on the sidewalk. The sun’s rays warmed her body, but she still trembled. She clung to her son’s hand for a moment and then let go.
    Rachel stood a few feet away, talking to a young man who looked familiar for some reason. Candace had become well acquainted with the North Valley High basketball teams over the past few years. The tall, athletic boy could’ve been a team member. With the new season starting in a few weeks, she looked forward to Rachel having a focus. Frank would’ve wanted his daughter to continue playing the game they both loved.
    She’d forgotten how Rachel’s eyes lit up when she smiled. The girl stayed so sullen most of the time. Typical teenage attitude laced with a deep sadness. Right now her daughter’s dimples were deep like her father’s as she grinned up at the boy. Candace tried to get a better look at his face, but all she caught was his side profile. Curious, she moved in their direction, but Rachel noticed her coming. The smile, along with the dimples, disappeared.
    Candace raised an eyebrow as her daughter shook her head slightly. She could at least introduce her friend. “Daniel, do you know who that is?”
    â€œNope. I thought we were going to eat,” he replied.
    Not wanting to argue with a hungry boy, Candace eyed her daughter as she walked past. Someone had to keep the peace. She could almost hear Pamela saying, “She’s growing up. Let her go.” Rachel might be almost seventeen, but she was still Candace’s little girl. Her children were all she had. Especially now.
    Several folks nodded in Candace’s direction as she walked by them. Some people looked familiar from Sunday service, but she couldn’t put names to many of the faces.
    As she stepped through the doors, she stopped suddenly, causing Daniel to bump into her from behind.
    â€œWhoa, Mom. Whatcha doing?”
    The new detective stood out from the crowd. Candace wasn’t sure why. Maybe because he was so tall. No, there were several men similar in height. Many of them wore expensive suits, but Detective Jackson’s suit seemed to fit him in all the right places. He must have sensed her stare, because he looked in her direction. Candace pulled her eyes away from the detective. Déjà vu. They had had this same staring match at the graveside, for goodness’