Scottsdale Silence: a fun, romantic, thrilling, adventure... (Laura Black Mysteries Book 9)
Page 26
Ouch.
I know I should have felt more empathy for what Benny was going through, but I couldn’t. He had laughed with joy when he’d used his stun-gun on both Danielle and me.
I also knew he’d planned on shocking me several more times before committing even worse atrocities. If you balanced everything out, removing him from society was probably a good thing.
I then walked over to the corner where Gabriella was standing guard.
“Hi,” I said. “I’m glad you’re here. I didn’t expect to see you tonight.”
“Max say he not need me, but Tony and Johnny both insist. They remember what happened at last wedding.”
“Hopefully, this one won’t be as exciting. Can I get you a coffee or a dessert?”
“You are kind, but I never eat while on duty. Max gave me the report you were able to find on Viktor. The information seems solid. I do not know how you were able to obtain such government intelligence, but thank you for helping me.”
“It’s no problem. Sophie was the one who ran the database requests. We’re both worried about you and want to help.”
“The report is good. Even if information is out of date, it lets me know where he has been seen and where his base of operations is. It will be enough to start.”
“When do you think you’ll need to head out there?”
“Soon. I need to finish planning, but then I will go.”
“Thank you for helping to rescue Danielle. I know it put your life in danger.”
Gabriella shook her head and let out a snort of disgust. “The only one who put my life in danger was Largo. He lead us into trap. It is mistake to have someone else in command when Max and me are better. From what Max say, you were the one who rescued us.”
“All I did was help Roberto with the guard and let some fresh air into the room where everyone was passed out. But I’m glad I was there to do that much.”
~~~~
The after-dinner activities were starting up. Everyone in our group watched and clapped from the table.
One of the moms walked around the room holding a baby that Kristy had placed a “Baby New Year” sash on. She was adorable, and everyone was taking pictures.
Bob’s older brother had on a “Father Time” robe and was holding a plastic scythe. He was happily playing it up as he took pictures with some of the younger women.
Sophie asked Milo to get her a drink, and as if by telepathy, all the men at the table got up and walked to the bar.
“So, what do you think?” Sophie asked the three of us when the men had left. “Are any of you ever going to do this again?”
“What?” I asked. “You mean getting married?” That was a good question and one I wasn’t going to answer unless I had a few more drinks in me.
“I don’t know,” Gina said. “I’m just getting used to the idea of dating somebody. Getting married again seems like a pretty big step.”
“I wouldn’t have a problem getting married again,” Danielle said. “As long as he doesn’t mind that I have a rather active career.”
“I don’t know if I ever will,” Sophie said. “I might be able to live with a guy, assuming he likes to cook and do housework. But I get the feeling whoever I’m with would want to have kids. I don’t think I’ll ever be ready for that.”
Gina and I looked at each other.
“I don’t think I’m cut out for children,” Gina said. “If I ever do anything like that, I’d probably adopt someone a little older.”
“I’d love to have children,” Danielle said as a broad smile lit up her face. “An entire house full. I couldn’t think of anything nicer than that.”
Sophie looked at me. “Well?” she asked.
“Don’t look at me,” I said. “I’m not ready to have children.”
But even as I said this, I felt a slight tug at the back of my mind. Realizing this was a shock. I stopped taking the sip of champagne, even as the glass was pressed against my lips.
Oh, damn.
“Are you okay?” Gina asked.
I came out of it and finished my sip.
“That was weird,” Sophie said. “You sort of froze for a second.”
“I’m fine,” I said. “I’m hoping they get to the cake soon.”
~~~~
By midnight, some of the crowd had already taken off, but most had stayed to ring in the new year. The DJ led the group in a countdown, and everyone shouted out, “Happy New Year!”
Party poppers had been freely handed out, and the room was quickly awash in streamers and confetti. Max and I were still on the darkened dance floor, the slowly rotating disco ball providing most of the illumination.
He bent down to give me a wonderful new year’s kiss. As he did, I felt it tingle all the way down to my toes.
“How long do you want to stay?” he asked.
“I’m ready now. The wedding went perfectly, and I think Kristy can handle it from here.”
“Do you want to come back to my place?” he asked.
I shook my head. “I’ll need to stay at the apartment for the next few days. The building super ordered a new door, but it will take a couple of days before he can install it. Besides, with Grandma being gone, Marlowe will want some extra attention.”
“What about you?” Max asked. “Will you need extra attention for the next few days?”
“Definitely,” I said. “Although, whoever’s paying attention to me may need to spend the night. Know of any volunteers?”
“I might be willing to help you out,” he said as he gathered me into his arms for another passionate kiss.
Yes!
About the Author
Halfway through a successful career in technical writing, marketing, and sales, along with having four beautiful children, author B A Trimmer veered into fiction. Combining a love of the desert derived from many years of living in Arizona with an appreciation of the modern romantic detective story, the Laura Black Scottsdale Series was born.
Comments and questions are always welcome.
E-mail the author at LauraBlackScottsdale@gmail.com
Follow at www.facebook.com/ScottsdaleSeries
Twitter: @BATrimmerAuthor
Copyright Page
SCOTTSDALE SILENCE
Copyright © 2021 by B A Trimmer
All Rights Reserved
Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in, or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without prior written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, incidents, and dialogues are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmosphere purposes. Any resemblance to actual events, companies, locales, or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.
Editors: ‘Andi’ Anderson and Kimberly Mathews
Composite cover art and cover design by Janet Holmes using images under license from Shutterstock.com and Depositphotos.com.
ISBN: 978-1-951052-29-4
Saguaro Sky Media Co.
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E-mail the author at LauraBlackScottsdale@gmail.com
Follow at www.facebook.com/ScottsdaleSeries/
Twitter: @BATrimmerAuthor
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