Cooper and the Detective

By Carlene Martin

What are your names?

Nelson and Jackson we're here to discuss your husband Cassandra. Standing by the kitchen, still holding the broom her eyes jumped when Marvis touched her shoulder as she was holding the mop. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. What's going on? Who are those goons?" Cassandra stated, "Is that what they are?"

We can't leave her alone with those two we need to get ahold of Cooper and your husband. We need to find out what they want here and make sure Ginny is safe. She looked at the mop and Cassandra's broom. Marvis touched her mop to the broom. "Are you with me?"

Cassandra understanding smiled "Damn straight, let's go, but be quiet and don't let them see us yet" Marvis nodded. The two of them armed with a mop and a broom snuck over by the stairs and hid against the wall by the dining room as Virginia spotted them and said, "Tell your boss, I said no thanks you know where the door is." Marvis responded "Call 911 let's get the cops here."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9781662459245

Book preview

cover.jpg

Cooper and the Detective

Carlene Martin

Copyright © 2022 Carlene Martin

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2022

ISBN 978-1-6624-5922-1 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-6624-5924-5 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Epilogue

About the Author

Prologue

Dean Withers stood at his office window, looking down at the four young men below who just graduated from the university's school of medicine. They were standing in front of the university's door with their diplomas in hand. He shook his head, thinking how close they had come in not graduating because of the pranks they had pulled. He thought it was narrow-minded of the board to be so adamant on making them examples. Withers figured, if he were a betting man, the members of the board had probably pulled a few pranks of their own. That was all it was, harmless pranks where no one got hurt. He wondered if anyone ever found President Owens's viper in that old walk-in freezer and how the hell they pulled it off.

He could honestly say the four horsemen, as someone had called them, definitely kept him and the others on their toes. Was he going to tell them that? Hell no! They were the thorn in his existence.

As he continued to watch them, he saw that they finally stopped talking and turned to look up to see him watching them. Cooper nudged Cody with his elbow, who nudged James, who nudged Timothy. Cassandra, who was standing next to Cody, just smiled and shook her head as the four of them stood at attention and saluted the dean. He saluted them back. Shaking his head, he turned from the window and sat down at his desk, picking up the next dossiers of the next new students.

As they watched him leave the window, they slowly turned to one another. Suddenly, each one of them knew this was the final chapter. With nothing more to say to one another, they then turned to their cars. After they had given one another hugs and slaps on the back, they vowed to keep in touch by planning on getting together once a year for a reunion, each one to designate a place to meet. Before getting into their cars, they stopped and looked over the tops of their cars at one another and gave a wave, finally realizing that this was it, that they were moving on, feeling sad but thrilled at the same time.

Chapter 1

Cooper drove his Porsche up to the gates, keyed in his code, and entered. He pulled up into the spacious circular driveway, stopping at the front of the huge two-story house that replicated the mansion of his mother's beloved South. Turning off the car engine, he just sat there admiring the house he and his sister were raised in.

After being away for so long, at medical school, he noticed his home never changed. He wondered if he did. He noticed the three-foot Grecian urns still stood at attention on the large veranda, holding his mother's favorite multicolored hibiscus. He knew on the south side of the house were his mother's prize roses, a gazebo on the north shaded by lilac bushes, and two oak trees. On the east side were the swimming pool, tennis courts, and patio, where his mother would have her breakfast every morning, as she loved watching the sunrise. As he sat, he felt almost like a stranger coming for a visit. It seemed like an eternity since he was away at school.

He wondered what the guys were doing, probably en route to their respective jobs. Cody and Cassandra, he knew, were heading back home to finish up some details before heading to Oklahoma, where Cody would be the new doctor at the Indiana reservation. He figured James was probably in the air by now, on his way to Ireland, to open an OB-GYN. Cooper hoped things would work out for him. He promised to send postcards and write. As for Timothy, last time Cooper checked, he thought New York was an amazing town. Town? Old Tim was in for a surprise. Tim definitely wasn't ready for New York, but again, was New York ready for Tim? That was why Cooper gave him his phone number. He told Tim he could call anytime. He told him he would need it. Trust him. As for himself, he was going to join his father's clinic. He had been excited; however, now that reality had started to set in, he wasn't sure, maybe a little nervous. He had heard the rumors; he was even sure the guys knew, but they never said anything. Sighing, he figured he better get out of the car and go in.

Cooper sat the suitcases down, smiled, and waved as he came around the car, walking over to George. George! It's great to see you! Cooper shook his hand, noting a slight tremor. I swear, you haven't aged a year since I saw you last, he said as he embraced the old man. Still tending to Mother's flowers, I see.

Yes, sir. Ms. Ginny sure loves her flowers. You want me to put your car in the garage?

No, George, but thanks. I'm going to see Dad, but first, I'm going in to see Mother. By the way, how's the family? I heard about Clovis. I'm sorry. How many years were you married?

We were married fifty-six years. Wonderful years they were. We had three children, all grown now, with kids of their own—George Jr., Cleta, and Maura. We have ten grandchildren and fourteen great-great-grandchildren. Thanks for asking. I guess I had better get back to work. Welcome home. George passed Cooper, heading for the rosebushes.

Thanks, George. Cooper didn't know if the old man heard him or not.

Cooper picked up his suitcases, walked up the steps to the veranda, and stopped at the front door to set his suitcases down. He was getting ready to open the door when it was opened by the housekeeper Mavis, who was a six-foot-two-inch-tall roly-poly black woman with a contagious smile and a hearty laugh. Her short wiry hair was still black, but he noticed some gray in it also. She was about his mother's age, sixty-something. She had been with his mother since she was sixteen, same age as his mother. So when his mother married his father, she insisted that Mavis come with her, and she had been with her ever since. Cooper thought that if anybody noticed, they wouldn't have been able to know that Mavis was sixty-two years old.

She stood with her hands on her hips, smiling at him. Well, Lordy, look who the wind blew in. The doctor has come home. I didn't think you were ever going to get out of that car of yours. Well, don't just stand there gawking, boy. Give ol' Mavis a hug. Your mama sure is going to be surprised as we weren't expecting you for another day.

Cooper laughed, grabbed Mavis, gave her a big hug, and planted a huge kiss on her lips. Mavis pushed him from her. Gawd, boy, you 'bout squeezed my innards out. Now you get in here and leave those bags to me. I'll be sure they get to your room.

When entering the main foyer, he looked around. Where's Mother?

Mavis nodded toward the patio. Over there, having breakfast as usual.

Cooper, smiling, shook his head. Some things never change.

Your sister is here too. Guess this could be what they call a family reunion. Only one missing is your father. You want me to let them know you're here?

No, I think I will surprise them.

Mavis laughed. Go on. I'll have George Jr. bring your things to your room. You get on out there with your mama. I'll bring you some breakfast. My goodness, you sure are scrawny. Didn't that fancy school feed ya? She walked away mumbling. Cooper only heard pieces of it. Probably didn't eat half the time at the school. Probably… I'll get him to fatten up…his mother…had to force food.

Cooper, shaking his head at Mavis, headed to the patio. He stopped at the sliding door, watching his mother and sister. From where he was standing, it seemed that his mother hadn't changed. Although she was sitting, he knew she was a tall woman, five feet nine and a half. She still wore her hair in a bun. Her hair was blond, but he saw a few grays in it. Even though she was pushing sixty, he knew she was a woman who could be domineering and outspoken. She was stubborn in her ways, didn't like change much. He knew what she was having for breakfast without looking, as she had had the same thing since Charlotte and himself were children. She might live in LA, but she still had the Southern gal habit. Every morning, grits and orange juice. His sister, Charlotte, was tall like her mother, only she was six feet, the same as Cooper. She had the same heart-shaped face as their mother and the same hair coloring. As they sat across from each other, he noticed the difference that he never noticed before.

Just as he walked through the patio door, Charlotte looked up spied her brother and squealed, Coop! Mother, Coop's home! She rose from the chair, walked over to him, and gave him a hug. He hugged her back.

Hey, Char, good to see you too. How's Kevin? And where's my niece?

Kevin's in Philadelphia on a court case. Masie's at day care. As I have a home decor appointment with the Van Adams at three, which I'm hoping for a big commission, so I thought since I was free, I would spend time with Mother. Come on.

Arm in arm, they walked back to the tables. He leaned over, giving his mother a kiss on the cheek.

Hello, Mother, you look fantastic as always.

Virginia Diane Parker van Aikel smiled at her son and gave him a hug. Sit down. You're giving me a crick in my neck. Have you eaten? I can ring Mavis.

Fine, busy as usual.

She reached over to pick up her glass of orange juice when Cooper noticed the fine tremors in her hand. He stole a glance over at Charlotte, who shook her head slightly. Mavis brought in coffee, a stack of blueberry pancakes, a bowl of fruit, and crispy bacon, all of which were Cooper's favorites. He stared at the food and looked up at Mavis's stern face. Her hands were doubled up on her hips. Charlotte and Virginia couldn't help each other as they smiled then laughed.

Cooper didn't know what to do or say; all he knew was, there was no way in hell he could eat all that food. He also knew by the look on her face that if he didn't eat it, she would probably feed it to him. He sighed as he looked at Charlotte and his mother, who thought it was damn funny. He had to say something. Ah, Mavis—he smiled—I can't eat all of this.

She still had her hands on her hips. Yes, you can and will, Cooper Allen. You're so scrawny. If you stood up sideways, I wouldn't be able to see ya. When I come back to get these dishes, you had better be clean as these plates I out them on.

Now, Mavis—Virginia figured she had better intervene, as she wiped the tears from her face from laughing so hard—Cooper is home now. There will be plenty of time to fatten him up, but not today.

Letting out a humph, Mavis turned around to head back to the kitchen, grumbling to herself, Just like his mama, forgets to eat and just as scrawny. Had to bully her to eat too. I declare. The three at the table laughed as Mavis left the room, knowing