Ashes, Ashes

By Tamara Shoemaker

Ring around a rosie ... Leah desperately flees her past as a member of a gang and takes up youth work at a church in inner city Phoenix, Arizona. But when a coworker disappears and her brother dies of mysterious causes, Leah finds herself searching for answers in her past.


More lives are claimed, and each victim sports classic signs of a deadly virus - an aggressive form of yersinia pestis, otherwise known as the Bubonic plague. Leah panics as she realizes that each victim is linked to her past and a nursery rhyme with a dark history.


In spite of the danger, Leah must confront the one person she fears most and unravel the mysterious rhyme in order to save her life and the lives of those she loves most.


Ashes, Ashes is the third book in the Shadows in the Nursery series by bestselling mystery and suspense writer and Christian author Tamara Shoemaker. Her protagonists face the harsh realities of a dark world as they struggle with issues of faith, trust and forgiveness. But betrayal, secrets and evil surface in unlikely places; and tidy resolutions may not be realistic for these tortured souls.


Tamara Shoemaker has a gift for creating twisted plots that also speak to the heart of the human condition, trust and redemption.

• Language: English
• Publisher: XinXii
• Release date: Mar 5, 2015
• ISBN: 9780989238878

Tamara Shoemaker

Tamara Shoemaker authored the Amazon best-selling Shadows in the Nursery Christian mystery series and Soul Survivor, another Christian mystery. Her fantasy books include the Heart of a Dragon trilogy: Kindle the Flame, Embrace the Fire, and Unleash the Inferno, as well her Guardian of the Vale trilogy: Mark of Four, Shadows of Uprising, and Guardian of the Vale. In her spare time, she freelances as an editor for other works of fiction, chases three children hither and yon, and tries hard to ignore the brownie mixes that inevitably show up in her cabinets.

Book preview

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Prologue

The day he realized his mother hated him, the boy found solace among the garbage cans in the alley outside of their apartment complex. They were as dented and damaged as his battered heart, and their contents smelled almost as rank as the poison that slowly simmered in his soul like so much rotten garbage.

The glass of wine, filled to the brim with its limpid paleness had been drained and refilled three times before his mother had called him over. She had struggled to focus as he stood timidly before her.

You din’ get your room picked up like I said, she slurred, her blood-red fingernails clicking against the glass as she took another noisy swallow. You din’ listen to me, boy. What happens when boys don’ listen to their mamas?

The boy knew the answer, but he dreaded it just the same. He bit his lip.

Answer me, boy! the woman shouted suddenly. She hugged her glass to her chest, cradling it like she would a newborn.

His voice trembled as he spoke. They have to lick the bottom of their mother’s shoe. He looked down at his feet.

Tha’s right. The woman nodded laboriously. Slowly, she swung one foot out toward him, flexing it so the treads on the bottom of her clogs hid her swollen ankles from him. Lick away, boy.

The boy took a deep breath and leaned forward, tentatively touching the tip of his tongue to the base of her shoe.

All the way up, tha’s right.

His tongue reached the top of her shoe, leaving a wet streak up the center of the rubber sole, then suddenly, her foot kicked out, catching him on the side of the face. He fell heavily to the floor, his head crashing into a bar stool nearby.

Get outta my sight, boy. His mother focused slowly on the glass in her hand, her eyes soft as if gazing at a precious commodity. She croaked a laugh, took a long swallow, then she picked up the nearby bottle to refill the glass.

The boy pushed himself off the floor, manfully swallowing the tears that he knew would only make the woman angrier.

The garbage cans outside were green and non-judgmental, and he took refuge there. He sat against one, pulled his knees under his chin and buried his head against them. The long-repressed storm of tears didn’t come right away, but after awhile, one glistening drop slowly escaped the rim of one eye, then another and another.

The boy knew what love was not, and he knew that it was not his mother.

Chapter 1

Leah tucked the loose strands of her short black hair behind her ears and jogged up the steps into the brick building. April in Phoenix was already hot, and Leah wasn’t looking forward to the 120-degree temperatures she knew would hit the desert later that summer.

She pushed open the door into the game room, shut it behind her and leaned against it. Cole glanced up with a grin from where he stacked the pool balls on the table. Wanna go swimming later? he asked. I just cleaned our pool.

Leah blew her bangs from her forehead. Maybe. I’m pretty beat, though, so I’ll think about it.

Cole finished arranging the triangle, dropping the 8 ball in the center of it. We’re having several people over, he said casually, heading to the closet to grab the ping-pong paddles. Cookout and everything. You like grilled chicken?

Leah felt her mouth turn up into a half-hearted smile. You’re asking me out again, aren’t you?

Cole peered at her from around the closet door. Only if you’re going to say yes. Otherwise, nah. He twirled a paddle in his hand and headed over to the ping-pong table. Want to throw in a game while we’re waiting for the kids to show up?

Sure. Leah shrugged.

She walked over to the office door and opened it, tossing her purse on the secretary’s desk inside. She glanced at the adjoining office. Through the beveled glass, she could see the short form of Pastor Marcos pacing inside.

I’m here, Marcos, she called, then returned to the game room. Prepare to be whipped, Cole.

We’ll see about that. Cole’s boyish, green eyes glinted as he accepted the challenge.

He served the ball, putting enough spin on it that the ball bounced backward on Leah’s side of the table. She swiped it with the rubber on the front of her own paddle, pounding it across the net again and pinging it off the very edge onto the floor.

Beginner’s luck, Cole mumbled. Zero, one. I’m coming back. He served again.

Marcos stuck his head through the door. Hey, Leah, your mother is on the phone. What would you like me to do?

The ball bounced lightly off Leah’s side of the table and onto the floor. She didn’t move. Cole put down his paddle, his green eyes darkening as he watched her.

Leah drew a deep breath and let it out slowly. She didn’t say what she wanted?

No, Leah. I didn’t ask. The bald spot on the top of his head shone in the afternoon light from the windows. He ran his hand through his sparse hair. It’s your business, of course, though Melanie and I are here for you if you need to talk. You know that.

Leah swallowed hard.

Yes, I know. Thank you, Marcos. She slowly laid down her paddle and forced her feet to move toward the office door. She passed through the secretary’s office, then opened the door into Marcos’ office. After a moment’s hesitation, she left the door open.

The red light blinked on line one, and Leah stared at it, her fingers numb. She nervously rubbed them against her shorts, then again. Taking a deep breath, she picked up the receiver and hit the button. Hi, Mamá.

"Leah. It’s good to hear your voice again, mija. Elena Romero’s voice sounded tired. It has been too long."

Yes. Leah picked at the edge of Marcos’ desk. At last, she asked, How’s Papá?

Elena paused before answering. When her voice sounded again, it was clogged with tears. "He’s dying, mija."

A loaded silence filled the phone line between them. Leah sank into Marcos’ chair. The cancer?

"Sí, mija. You know he could never give up his cigarettes. So we pay for it now."

I’m sorry, Mamá. I don’t know what to say.

He wants to see you.

The tears that had hovered in the background rushed to the corners of Leah’s eyes. He does?

"I have been praying for a miracle, mija. Perhaps this is it."

Leah couldn’t answer. The tears streamed silently down her cheeks and dripped onto the desk. She sniffed.

"Un momento, Mamá."

She hit the hold button and snatched a tissue from the corner of the desk. Blowing her nose into it, she took a few seconds to get a firm grasp on her emotions. She put the receiver back to her ear.

When can I come?

He’s sleeping right now, but this evening might work. Do you still work at that church?

For the past five years.

"Ah, bueno. He will be pleased to hear, I think."

Leah pushed down a sob. So he’s not angry with me anymore?

Elena paused before answering. "Perhaps that is not the right question, mija. Perhaps we must say that your father is learning how to forgive."

Leah nodded, though she realized too late that her mother couldn’t see. "Gracias, Mamá. I’ll see you this evening then."

Till then, my love.

The line went dead, and Leah slid the receiver back into its slot. She buried her head in her arms and sobbed.

After a few moments, she felt a hand on her shoulder.

Want to talk about it? Marcos asked gently.

Leah sat up and reached for another tissue. Later, she said, as she blew her nose. Yes, I want to tell you and Melanie everything, but let me process some things first, okay?

You’ve got it. He squeezed her shoulder and started out the door.

May I borrow your car this evening? Leah asked his retreating back.

Marcos hesitated.

The kids are pounding on the door. Should I open it yet? Cole asked, appearing in the doorway of the secretary’s office. He glanced with concern at Leah’s wet face.

I’ll come, Marcos said to Cole and then turned back to Leah.

Leah, I would, but it has an oil leak, and I need to get it fixed. Right now, it leaves a trail of oil all over the road. I only use it to drive the one block from our house to the church and back.

What do you need? Cole asked. I have a car.

But you’ll need to get to your cookout, Leah said. I won’t be able to make it; I have some place I need to go.

Let me take you. His eager, green eyes met hers. I don’t have to be at the cookout. It’s just a few people anyway, and Brad can handle that himself.

Leah stared at him, then smiled grudgingly.

Okay, fine. As soon as Open-Rec is over, I need to go. She stood up and bypassed the two men. Cole’s musky scent subtly brushed her on the way by. A brief mental picture of herself curling up in his arms and laying her head on his broad chest popped into her head. She shoved it roughly away. He deserved so much better.

§

The music pounded in the warehouse, the bass line vibrating against Leah’s ears. The room was smoky and dim as couples swayed and gyrated in the middle of the cement floor. An open keg stood on a table nearby, and most members of the gang had already had too much. Leah groaned as her heaving stomach grew more insistent. She laid her head carefully on the table, wishing the room would stop tilting.

Mario stumbled by, then staggered to a stop as he recognized her. ‘Ey, Romero. Alberto’s been looking for you. You better go see what he wants. He swung his head toward the door at the far end of the warehouse.

Leah nodded, then lurched to her feet. Her knee caught against the table leg, and she fell against Mario. Both of them went down together. Mario struggled clumsily away from her. You’re Alberto’s girl, he managed. Get off me. I don’t want no trouble.

S-sorry, Leah managed, then giggled. It all seemed so comical. She rolled to the left.

Sorry, man. I’m going, she said. She pushed herself to her feet and weaved across the floor to the other side, opening the door into Alberto’s ‘office.’ He called it his office because he masterminded the gang’s activities in this room. Most of the time, he wanted peace and quiet while he thought things out, but now and then, he liked to have Leah come distract him from the pressure.

Hey, baby.

Leah looked around the old storage room. Alberto lay sprawled on a shredded, old couch, a cigar in one hand, a brown bottle in the other.

But the other occupant of the room was the one who caught Leah’s attention. She blinked in disbelief. Then her temper flew right out the window.

Daniel Romero, she shouted. What do you think you are doing here?

The light glinted off Daniel’s gold earring. He looked coolly up at her. Hey, sis.

Leah slammed the door behind her. Get your rear off that chair right now and get back home where you belong. What do you think Papá is going to say when he hears about this?

Probably about the same thing he said when you joined up.

Leah shook her head, turning to look over at Alberto. Alberto, you aren’t seriously going to let him join, are you?

Her boyfriend shrugged and took a swig of his drink. Why not?

Porque esto es mi hermano, that’s why not, Leah shouted. It would kill my parents to have two of us in a gang.

Daniel shrugged. They’ve still got four more at home. How much do you think they’ll miss us? He leaned against the chair back and folded his arms across his chest. Besides, it’s my decision. And nothing you say is going to change my mind.

Leah altered her tactics. She knelt awkwardly next to his chair. Please, Daniel, for my sake. They’ll do an initiation ritual, and they’re brutal. You don’t want this. She laid a hand on his arm.

Daniel stared at her for a second. Did you? Were you initiated?

Leah shuddered and nodded slowly.

Then I’ll be fine. He looked over Leah’s head at Alberto and raised his eyebrows.

Alberto stood up and stubbed his cigar into the plate on the window sill.

Okay, hermano. Initiation in one week. Meanwhile, welcome to our turf. If you make it through initiation, we’ll hook you up with a place to live. He nodded toward the door. Go on out and have a drink.

Daniel stood and headed to the door. He glanced at Leah on his way by, then disappeared through the opening. Leah stared after him, anger and hurt blooming in her mind.

§

Care to share?

Leah jerked as Ramón Sanchez’ voice cut into her thoughts. The rec center was crowded with kids and teens, all freshly out of school and packed with unspent energy. Both ping-pong tables were hosting a game, and the pool table was surrounded. The ancient Pac-Man machine in the corner had seven kids straining to see its screen, and the air-hockey table had a line.

Leah guiltily jumped off the table where she’d been sitting lost in thought. I’m not being so helpful, am I?

It’s okay, Ramón shrugged. We’ve got plenty of help today. He nodded at Cole who sat in the middle of a pack of teenage girls as he played a hand of cards with them. Cole, Marcos, Melanie, Juan, Kate. Brad might show up later, too.

Alisha may come, too, Leah said, but probably not until the evening activities. She can’t get off work until five.

Ramón nodded, but kept his attention on Leah’s face. You look like something’s bothering you, Leah. All I’m saying is, there are plenty of people to cover if you want to talk about anything.

Leah blushed. Ramón was a youth pastor at a church in North Phoenix, but he had been volunteering his extra hours at One Way Church and Ministries in Central Phoenix almost as long as Leah had been working there. He’d made his not-so-secret interest in her a matter of speculation for the rest of the church staff, and Leah was used to being ribbed after the youth pastor left each day.

Until Cole came, Leah thought suddenly. Now I don’t hear it as much. She glanced at Cole’s familiar figure, then back at Ramón.

I—it’s nothing, really. But thanks, Ramón. She smiled briefly, blushing under his close gaze.

Nothing? Ramón persisted. Or nothing you want to talk about right now?

Nothing I feel like discussing. Leah forced a smile. But thanks for asking.

Marcos turned the lights off, then back on again. Okay, everyone, he shouted over the hubbub. It’s five o’clock and time for all of you to head home. Please remember tonight is Friday night, and that means Teen Challenge starts at seven. Go tell your friends about it, and come back here at that time. Got it?

Got it, Preacher, one of the teenagers yelled back. You got that, Mendoza? he called across the room to a friend.

Whatever, his friend shrugged.

Cole had risen to his feet and was cleaning up the mess of cards on the floor. Leah left the table and walked to the door, stepping outside onto the top step. As each kid exited the building, she had a smile, a friendly word, or a hug for each one of them.

They trust you, you know, Melanie said as she came out to the railing to wave goodbye. She propped one foot up on the bottom railing and leaned her arms along the top. That takes awhile, especially with kids from the Projects.

Leah nodded, her gaze touching the school across the road, and the palm trees lining some of the streets nearby.

Do you think it’s because I’ve been where they are? she wondered aloud. They feel like they have something in common with me because I used to be from the South Side.

It probably has something to do with that, Melanie nodded thoughtfully. Marcos and I have talked about that. In the past, he has been so frustrated because he can’t seem to get some of the kids, especially the boys, to open up to him. When you came and they began opening up to you right away, I think he thought he was doing something wrong.

Leah shook her head vehemently. "No. Marcos is just the person that most of these kids need in their lives."

Melanie’s mouth turned up at the corner. Well … besides Jesus, you mean.

Of course, Leah said and chuckled.

She turned to go back inside. Cole stood at the open closet door, replacing rec supplies, and Kate leaned against the wall, laughing loudly at something he’d said. Leah halted abruptly, then continued across the rec hall to the secretary’s office door. She opened it quietly and grabbed her purse. She yanked open the top desk drawer and pulled out her time card, filling in the latest shift she’d put in at the rec center, then carried it over to Marcos’ office and slid it into his mail slot.

Cole appeared at Leah’s side. I’m ready whenever you are, he said quietly.

Leah’s hands stilled; she dropped her head and prayed for strength. Okay, let’s go. Thanks, Cole. I owe you.

His shy smile lifted the corners of his lips, and Leah turned abruptly away, preceding him out the door.

§

Leah slid into the passenger seat of Cole’s car. He was already behind the wheel, and he leaned over and pulled some wadded up fast-food bags from the floor around her feet.

Sorry, he muttered. I need to clean out my car.

Don’t worry about it. Leah pulled the seat-belt across and latched it, then rolled her window down. It’s getting to be air-conditioning weather.

Yeah, about that, Cole grinned as he stopped at the exit from the parking lot. I need to get mine fixed.

You’re not going to survive summer in Phoenix without it. Leah