The Way of the Wicked (Hope Street Church Mysteries Book 2) by Ellery Adams Page B

anythin’ unusual?”
    “You have two vases of roses today.” Cooper sniffed a cluster of beautiful saffron-colored roses, but they gave off no scent at all. She then smelled a bunch of delicate peach roses, which had a sweet, heady perfume.
    “The yellow ones are from Costco,” Angela explained. “There wasn’t a note on the peaches roses, but I suspect Emilio put them on my desk.” She said his name reverently.
    “Emilio?” Cooper was doubtful. “Why not Mr. Farmer?”
    Angela shrugged. “He only brings me flowers on my birthday. Why would he change now?”
    “He’s probably seen how you look at Emilio. Maybe he’s jealous.” Cooper firmly believed that their boss returned Angela’s affections but was too shy to express his feelings.
    Angela began to file her nails. “I’ve dropped plenty of hints that I’d like to be a whole lot more than Mr. Farmer’s secretary. Maybe it’s time to set my sights elsewhere.”
    Cooper disapproved of Angela’s pursuing Emilio because she didn’t think that he was a good match for her. She also didn’t want Angela to get hurt.
    “Just remember that Mr. Farmer is very reserved. He probably needs a little help coming out of his shell. Don’t give up on him.”
    At that moment, Emilio sauntered in from the parking lot, smelling strongly of musky cologne and gasoline. Angela wriggled in her chair. “Good mornin’, handsome.”
    “Good morning, sunshine.” Emilio smiled and winked at her. He then leaned on her desk, as though he planned on settling in for a leisurely chat. “What did you girls do this weekend? Go clubbing? Shake your stuff on the dance floor? Get a little wild ?” He threw Cooper a searching look.
    “Cooper volunteered at Door-2-Door Dinners packing food,” Angela said proudly. “I shopped, went to the doggie bakery with Betty Boop, and had a glorious brunch at the Jefferson Hotel with some friends.”
    “Who’s Betty Boop?” Emilio inquired, turning his attention back to Angela.
    “Oh, you really are a young thang.” Angela giggled coquettishly. “Betty Boop is my Yorkshire terrier. She’s named after the famous cartoon character from the 1930s. She’s funny, sexy, and has giant eyes, jet-black hair, and a body with hourglass curves. Kinda like mine.”
    Emilio blinked. “I’m not into cartoons. My idea of a good time is popping open a few cold ones and watching sports on TV. If there’s no game on, I’ll channel surf until I find a Stallone or Chuck Norris flick. Of course, it’s more fun to watch the tube with company. And my favorite company is the female kind.” He smiled disarmingly at both women.
    Cooper made a big show of checking her watch. “Time for work,” she mumbled and hustled off to the locker room. When she emerged from the stall, having changed into her uniform shirt, Emilio was tying his black work boots.
    “Do you like flowers as much as Angela does?” he asked, his back and shoulders pressed against a row of lockers. Cooper wondered if Emilio leaned on every piece of furniture at hand.
    “I love all plants.” Cooper checked to make sure she had additional rags in her toolbox. “Except poison ivy.”
    “You a rose girl, too?”
    “No. I like wildflowers better. I prefer nature in the raw.” Cooper glanced up as Ben entered the locker room.
    He looked like he’d slept poorly, but he still managed a smile for Cooper. She was certain he knew that she was the one who’d hidden a brochure for the loved ones of alcoholics in his locker a few months ago. She didn’t regret her decision, especially since Ben had seemed more like his old, happy-go-lucky self lately, and Cooper hoped that he and his wife were getting the help they needed.
    Ben went to the sink and began to wash his hands. Emilio said hello to him but kept staring at Cooper. “I like to pluck wildflowers,” he said, licking his lips.
    “How nice,” Cooper replied, grabbed her toolbox, and hurried out of the room. Things were getting