The Root of All Evil (Hope Street Church Mysteries Book 4) by Ellery Adams, Elizabeth Lockard

happened at the school today.”
    Edward nodded.
    “We’re working with the other Bible studies at church to provide Pastor Matthews with meals, so he can focus his energies on dealing with the situation. Care to jump in somewhere? We’ve got veggie chopping, meal packing . . .”
    “I need to talk to Cooper.”
    “Ah! Cookie making it is!”
    As Edward made a beeline for Cooper, Quinton returned to his work.
    “Want an apron?” Cooper asked.
    “No. I’m not good with this kind of thing.”
    “We’re making chocolate chip cookies.” Cooper pushed a mixing bowl in his direction. “They’re about as foolproof as baking gets.”
    But Edward pushed the bowl right back toward her. “I’m not here to make cookies. We need to talk. You know she’s in this, right?”
    Cooper thought fast, trying to figure out who “she” was and what “this” meant. “What are you talking about? I know who did what?”
    “You know that Ms. Donna is involved in what happened at the school.”
    Cooper stopped and stared at him. He wasn’t joking. She looked past him to the other Bible study members, who had also stopped their work to stare. Jake and Bryant burst into laughter.
    “Ms. Donna?” Jake asked through his guffaws. “Little, harmless Ms. Donna?”
    “She’s pretty terrifying,” Bryant jested. He turned to Savannah. “Did she scare you as much as she scared me?”
    Edward’s face turned red. Cooper could tell that Jake and Bryant didn’t realize that Edward was serious, but Edward just thought he was being mocked. He turned his back to the others and lowered his voice. “You know I’m right.”
    “How on earth would I know that?” Cooper asked, her tone and volume matching his. She could tell by his expression he was doing his very best to keep a level head; men like Edward didn’t take well to being laughed at. “Is it the security footage? Is she in it? Did the police see her?”
    “You found out about that, huh?”
    “I was there this morning when Pastor Matthews told the police, and I’m hoping it’ll be very useful to them. However, since I haven’t seen the footage, how do you expect me to know that you’re right about Ms. Donna?”
    “Because we have a . . . a . . .” Edward searched for the proper words. He snapped his fingers. “We have a rapport . We’ve worked together, you and me. You know I know what I’m talking about.”
    Cooper planted her flour-covered hands on her hips. “And you’re convinced that sweet little Ms. Donna broke into the church and murdered the art teacher?”
    “I’m not saying she killed anybody,” Edward clarified. “I’m convinced she’s involved, though. Somehow.”
    “Why? Why are you so quick to drag her into this?”
    Past Edward, Cooper could see that everyone was watching. The laughter had dissipated as the other cooks listened intently to their conversation. Now they all realized that Edward wasn’t joking.
    Edward turned his head so he could look at the rest of the Bible study members. He met each gaze in turn before he began. “When Ms. Donna came to your group on Sunday, she was sizing you up.”
    Before Cooper could dismiss the claim outright, Nathan jumped in. Rather than reprimand Edward for jumping to conclusions, he wore a thoughtful expression, as if he were willing to consider it. “What do you mean, sizing us up?”
    With that small encouragement, Edward straightened his shoulders, stood a little taller and explained. “She looked over each and every one of you—not the way a person does when they’re in a new location and they want to know their way around. This was different. She was studying your clothes, your purses, your jewelry. It was subtle, but she did it.”
    Savannah set aside the sandwich bag she’d been holding. “Let’s pretend you’re right. Why would she do that? To what end?”
    “My guess? Habit,” he said simply. “She’s a con artist. She was trying to figure out who you are and what you value. Once