February 25, 2025

Serena Manchester faces her most challenging case – she must fight to keep the man she loves from being ruined. 

Benny’s motives are unclear, but his presence alone is enough to stir the calm waters of Serena’s life. When Benny is found dead, a cloud of suspicion looms over Trey, casting a shadow on their impending nuptials. 

Serena “Rena” Manchester,” finds her life on the brink of a new beginning as she prepares to marry Trey Evans. But as they prepare for their wedding, the past erupts into their present with the sudden reappearance of Benjamin “Benny” Manchester—Serena’s ex-husband and Trey’s half-brother.

To clear Trey’s name, Serena takes a deep dive into her ex-husband’s life. Each clue uncovers a man who’d attracted danger and powerful forces to his life.

Chapter 1 (unedited)

Saturday, May 7 at 4:40 pm

Tears caught me off guard, pooling at the edges of my eyelashes. I quickly swiped my eyes, hoping no one had noticed. If someone did, I would blame it on being premenopausal. That would suffice as an explanation for those who didn’t care to dig too deep. The real truth – I’ve been on an emotional rollercoaster for so long, feeling genuinely happy felt foreign to me. 

It kind of scared me.

Take a breath, Serena.

So, I sucked in a breath, but I could still feel my heart melt as I witnessed true love. A love that I wanted. I love that I have right now.

I turned my attention to Trey Evans who sat next to me at the table. I bit my lip as my heart swelled with emotions at the tears streaming down his face. My strong, handsome fiancé didn’t even try to wipe them away. We, along with many others, were watching magic happen. It was his parent’s 50th wedding anniversary, and they had decided to renew their vows in front of a select group of family and friends.

The Evan’s immaculate backyard had been transformed into an intimate setting. Long tables draped in white tablecloths were arranged in a semicircle. Each table had a beautiful glass vase wrapped with gold ribbons, filled with an arrangement of gold-tipped white roses. We all sat in white wooden chairs adorned with gold satin bows. Robert and Margaret Evans faced each other, holding hands under the ornate arch, which had twinkling gold lights within clusters of yellow roses and baby’s breath. 

  Margaret’s silver-streaked hair had been styled into an updo, elegantly matching her flowing cream dress. She had always been a beautiful woman. Today she glowed, looking much younger than her seventy years. Robert’s eyes shone, and the lights caught his distinguished gray beard as he looked down at his bride of fifty years. When I saw Robert, I could envision how Trey would look in twenty years.

I felt Trey moved beside me. He’d taken a handkerchief from his inside his suit jacket and wiped his face. I touched his thigh under the table and he smiled at me before grabbing my hand. Only four months away, we would finally be married in September. It’s been a long time coming. Who knew my best friend from childhood would one day see me for more than a friend? Only took us almost thirty years.

Pastor Larry Walker guided Robert and Margaret through renewing their vows. I’d asked Trey why they chose not to do it at the family’s home church, Zion Baptist. His mother had insisted on it being intimate with only their closest family and friends. It was a good idea since the Evan’s large yard could hold about thirty people. 

Trey’s son, Joseph, sat on the other side of him. Today he reminded me so much of his father at that age, looking just as debonair in his suit. He must have felt my gaze, because he looked over at me and grinned. This was soon to be my stepson, a young man who I’d already developed a good relationship with over the past few years. It was refreshing that the teen stuck around to witness his grandparents renew their vows when there were other places he could be.

After the renewal ceremony, the happy couple were seated as two women dressed in black aprons served them. My table also included my sister Bev and her husband, Clay. 

As we stood in line, I admired the elegant buffet spread laid out on tables draped in white linens. There were two pans of meat, one included grilled chicken breasts glazed with herbs and lemon, and the other had grilled shrimp skewers drizzled with garlic butter. A crystal bowl held fresh green salad with all the surrounding fixings and dressings. 

My sister commented, “This is really lovely, Trey.”

“Mom and Dad deserve something special,” he said. “Mom’s friends did all the decorating and worked with the caterer. All I had to do was keep dad out of the way.”

I laughed. “They did a wonderful job with the yard. I barely recognized it. And this food spread is almost too beautiful to eat.”

Bev grinned. “Rena, you can get some ideas from this for you and Trey’s wedding.”

I glanced over at Trey, who winked at me. I sighed inwardly. It was an easy decision to ask my sister to be my wedding planner. Hospitality was right up her alley and the first two times I walked down the aisle, there was no fuss. Both times were at the justice of the peace. No family. Both marriages didn’t last long either.

I touched my sister’s shoulder. “Bev, let’s keep the focus on the Evans today. We have plenty of time to discuss wedding plans.”

I’d learned the number three was a special number of God so I prayed it would be the number for me.

Bev cooed, “But there are such good ideas here, especially that arch.”

I rolled my eyes as my sister babbled. Bev tended to not hear me when she got something on her mind. As we headed back to our seats, she inquired who setup the centerpieces. The two older women sitting at our table were on the decorating committee and close friends to Margaret. Since arts and crafts were not my thing, I ate in peace as snatches of conversations pertaining to silk flowers, ribbons, and gold paint floated over my head.

Thankfully, by the time Bev turned her attention back to me, I’d demolished my grilled shrimp skewers. “Clay said you’ve been mainly taking on work for him. I’ve been meaning to ask if you miss the bigger cases?”

I rubbed my hands with the white cloth napkin in my lap, considering her question. “Sometimes. But I’m enjoying the change of pace. I thought everyone wanted me to slow down, anyway. You know, stay away from dangerous situations.”

Bev nodded. “Absolutely. It’s good that you’re keeping safe. Especially after… well you know ..”

“After I got shot.” I finished what I thought my sister was trying to say.

She looked away, growing quiet for a few minutes. My injuries from my last fall often did that to people. It caused me to pause all the time, grateful God had allowed me to escape death. Again. 

The first time I’d been almost fatally injured was when someone pushed me down a flight of stairs. After a long stay in the hospital because of a brain injury, I left Charlotte and returned home after twenty-five years. It took me sometime to get on my feet after losing my career as a reporter. Manchester Investigations was born, and I’d got myself into some hairy predicaments, but the outcomes mattered. 

Bad guys received justice.

Bev peered over at me. “I haven’t seen Amir. Is he still around helping you out?”

“He’s got his own business to run, but if I need his technical expertise, he’s there for me.” The young cybersecurity expert had become like a younger brother to me. While we weren’t working on any major cases together, he stayed in touch. Amir had hinted that he’d been dating someone, which I was happy to hear. I couldn’t wait to meet her.

“Leticia mentioned she might want to help this summer when she’s home from college. She’s good at doing background checks, which is mainly what I’ve been doing lately. That should free me up and ….” I cringed. “I’ll be available when you need me for the wedding stuff. ”

Bev clapped silently like a kid. Then she leaned in, lowering her voice. “Sorry, I still worry about you.”

I glanced around and noticed Trey was talking to his parents. I’d turned forty-five in March, my life heading in a new direction. It was time for me to be happy for a change.

“Is that who I think it is?” Bev whispered. Her fork stopped halfway to her mouth as she stared past me.

My ears perked up at the sudden quietness around me. All chattered had ceased. Only Al Green’s singing “Let’s Stay Together” in the background. 

I don’t know why, but my first instinct was to look at Trey. Trey wasn’t a man who often showed anger on his face. In fact, he was really good at appearing neutral. I told him he should learn poker. The hair on my arms stood as I watch Trey’s face harden into a mask of anger. I eyed his parents. The look of shock on Margaret’s face was quite opposite from the wide grin on Robert’s face. The older man seemed oblivious to the emotions warring on his wife and son’s face.

So before I could confirm with my own eyes, I knew. I don’t know how.

I turned and saw an unwelcome ghost from my past. 

Benny Manchester.

Trey’s half-brother.

My ex-husband.