Countdown

by Carey Baldwin

  Everyone was dressed for a wedding, and from the looks on their faces, they were still expecting one.

  “You take the big guy. I’ve got Caitlin,” Gretchen told Dutch who, strangely enough, had a box of baby wipes tucked under his arm. Gretchen pulled Caitlin in the direction of the cabana where the moms awaited. Arlene swept open the draped doorway, and Spense heard a sharp intake of air from Caity.

  He had a hard time controlling his breath, too, when he saw what was inside.

  “Oh my goodness. You brought my wedding dress to the beach.” Caity’s eyes brimmed with tears.

  “And Spense’s tux and a hairbrush. Shoes. I’ve got your makeup kit and a mirror. Spense can get dressed first, and then you’re up,” Gretchen said.

  “But how did you manage all of this?” Caity asked.

  Spense, too, was dumbfounded they’d pulled something like this together—even a cabana so they could dress on site.

  “When Dutch told us what was going on . . .” Agatha beamed proudly at Spense. “. . . Arlene and I figured you wouldn’t make it back in time. So we called the concierge at the hotel, and he was eager to help—since you two are local heroes and all. He arranged to have the cabana delivered, and the gendarmes are going to look the other way, because I hate to tell you, but we don’t have a permit for this tent.”

  “You two deserve a magical wedding, and we just wanted to be sure you got it.” Arlene motioned for Spense to hurry up. “That’s what moms are for, isn’t it?”

  He pressed his fingers to his eyes, speechless, for once.

  To say he was the luckiest man alive didn’t cut it.

  He was the luckiest man who’d ever lived.

  Fifteen minutes later, he stood before the preacher, in front of the moms, Dutch and Gretchen, and a handful of gendarmes. When he looked up, there was Caity, gliding over the sand in a white satin gown—the most beautiful bride he’d ever seen.

  Her makeup was flawless.

  But from where he stood, he could see a twig she’d missed, sticking out of her hair.

  Perfectly Caity.

  My Spense.

  “Did this really happen?” Caitlin asked her new husband.

  Spense’s arm came around her waist, and he drew her in close and planted a soft kiss on her forehead. “Yes, ma’am.”

  She held his gaze for as long as she could, but she was afraid if she kept on looking at him, her heart would explode. When she looked down, she literally saw it pounding in her breast, above the sweetheart neckline of her wedding gown.

  She placed her hand on her fluttery stomach and willed herself to breathe.

  “The photographer’s here,” Gretchen called out.

  Caitlin shaded her eyes as the wedding photographer the moms had found approached. She elbowed Spense and laughed softly under her breath. “Is that the same guy?”

  He nodded.

  “Think so.”

  The very same photographer who’d been taking photographs of Tommy and Rose on the beach.

  Click. Click. Click.

  He was already snapping candid shots and never broke stride. If he recognized Spense and her he didn’t let on. The man was a professional.

  She liked that.

  “Okay, then. Everyone get in a line. Bride and groom you’re in the center. Moms on either side. You two . . .” The photographer indicated Dutch and Gretchen. “Split up on the ends.”

  It seemed like a thousand photos, and then he said, “Time for the money shot. On three, everyone jump.”

  “You mean in the air?” Agatha asked, her mouth slightly agape.

  “I do,” he replied.

  “Ready?”

  “Well. . . .”

  Spense drew his mother into a hug. “She’s ready.”

  “On three then. One . . . two . . . three!”

  Catlin’s feet hit the ground, and she doubled over laughing. Not only had Agatha jumped, she’d actually clicked her heels. There were other poses in various groupings, and then it was time for the bride and groom photos.

  By now the sun was low in the sky, and it was growing dusky.

  “You’re welcome to stay and watch,” Caitlin told no one in particular, “but please don’t feel you must. We’ve made arrangements with the hotel dining room. Order all the drinks and appetizers you like and Spense and I will join you in less than an hour.”

  After waves and hugs, the family loaded up into Dutch’s car.

  Spense and Caitlin mugged for the camera. There was the hand-holding stroll down the beach. The obligatory shot of the bouquet and the rings. The bend-over-backward kiss . . . and then . . . Spense shed his shoes and nodded, pointing to her wedding sandals. She kicked them off, smiling, unsure what he had in mind until he lifted her off the ground and carried her in his arms toward the shoreline.

  “Spense!” she cried. “You can’t be serious.”

  “Oh, but I am.” He bent his head, and the sight of him smiling down on her made her heart stop in her chest. “As long as you’re okay with it. I haven’t forgotten the look on your face when Tommy carried Rose into the water, before all hell broke loose.”

  It was true. She’d thought a trash the dress photo shoot was wild and bold and wonderful. “I do think it would make an incredible memory. A great way to start a life together. Just the two of us, throwing away convention.”

  Then to break the spell he’d cast on her, she gazed out at the ocean . . . and gasped.

  Straight ahead, a pair of dolphins leaped from the waves.

  “I think that’s a good omen.” Spense nuzzled her neck.

  “Me, too.” There was no reason at all to let Tommy Preston and Lilly Parker stop them from having their wedding day any way they wanted it.

  “You in?” He pressed his lips to hers for the millionth time.

  “All the way.” She sighed against his mouth.

  He crushed her protectively to his chest and waded into the ocean, then dropped her with a loud splash into the shallow waves. She scooped water and shoveled it over his head. Laughing, he chased her around and around as the camera clicked and her wedding dress turned into a memory.

  Chapter 36

  Six Months Later

  FBI Field Office

  Dallas, Texas

  Dallas was the Bureau’s nearest field office to Riverbend, Texas, and that gave Dutch, the special agent in charge, jurisdiction over the Tommy Preston financial crimes case. Caitlin was grateful he’d invited Spense and her to the wrap-up meeting—not only to satisfy her curiosity, but also because she was eager to check in with Rose. While they waited in the conference room for Dutch and Rose to make an entrance, she drummed her fingers on the long glass table.

  Spense took her hand and stilled it. “Impatient much?”

  “Just a little antsy.” Caitlin had a case of nerves for Rose’s sake. From the beginning, she’d had a strong sense of empathy for the woman, and she wanted to be there to lend support when Rose learned the final disposition of the case.

  In addition, Rose had suffered quite a loss.

  Rose loved Lilly.

  A great deal of her identity had been tied up in being Lilly’s sister and protector—to an unhealthy extent. And the way Lilly had turned on her had to have been devastating. Now, in exchange for a full confession to the murder of Tommy Preston, and reckless endangerment by tampering with hives and a rope anchor, Lilly had been sentenced to life, but with a chance of parole.

  To be served in a prison outside of Papeete.

  Lilly had declined to put Rose’s name on her approved visitors list, doubling down on her position that she never wanted to see her again. That couldn’t have been easy for Rose to hear, but in the end it would accomplish one good thing: It would give Rose a chance at the honest life she longed for—and a chance to be her true self.

  Maybe now she could learn to relate to people without filtering everything through the warped lens of the Parker clan code.

  She only had to open her eyes to find that a wh
ole new world awaited her.

  Rose had a number of legal issues of her own, both with the Tahitian government and the FBI. In exchange for her full cooperation and as a bonus for exposing Tommy Preston’s money laundering schemes, a deal had been made, but Caitlin didn’t yet know all the details.

  She did know Rose had spent the past six months under house arrest in Dallas, and had been cooperating with Dutch on Tommy’s financial crimes case. Caitlin was privately hoping Rose would get off with time served.

  Caitlin held her breath as she heard footsteps approaching.

  The door creaked open, and Dutch entered the room with Rose at his side. He pulled out a chair for her.

  Rose acknowledged Spense and Caitlin with a nod, and then took her seat. “Thank you for being here.”

  “We wouldn’t miss it,” Spense said, then aimed his gaze at Dutch. “I’m not one for small talk so please don’t keep us in suspense.”

  Caitlin had to smile.

  Spense might truly be impatient, but she suspected this was more about him looking out for her. She’d barely slept last night, and he knew she was on the edge of her seat.

  “Rose Parker, you’re okay to proceed without your attorney present?” Dutch asked.

  Again, Rose nodded.

  The deal had already been hammered out with counsel, but apparently Dutch had additional information he wanted to present in person. “The FBI has wrapped its investigation into Tommy Preston and his criminal dealings in Texas. I’m afraid that for you, his widow, the news isn’t good.”

  Rose’s face blanched. “Am I criminally liable for his actions? My attorney said I had plausible deniability.”

  Caitlin braced herself. She knew Tommy’s crimes were extensive, and the FBI had even found evidence implicating him in the deaths of several women due to heroin overdoses over the past decade.

  “You won’t be charged as an accessory to any of Tommy Preston’s crimes.”

  Rose let out a long breath. Her shoulders visibly relaxed.

  “The bad news I’m referring to is this: Your husband’s amassed fortune is tainted with ill-gotten funds from illegal drugs, extortion, human trafficking, the works. Though he didn’t participate directly in those endeavors, his partners did. The government is seizing all his assets. The bank accounts, the house . . .”

  Her eyes widened. “What about Vader? He’s been with me since Tommy’s death, and I worry what would happen if he’s sent to a shelter. I don’t know if you know, but black dogs aren’t adopted as often as—”

  Dutch put up his hand and smiled. “Vader’s all yours if you want him.”

  For the first time since she’d entered the room, a smile crept over Rose’s face. “Thank you.”

  “No problem,” Dutch said.

  Caitlin leaned forward. “So you were saying Rose won’t be charged with any financial crimes . . .”

  “Or other crimes uncovered in the future that Tommy committed, as long as she had no direct involvement in them. We’re also granting her immunity for any wrongdoing related to her father, George Parker’s, dealings. Uncle Sam is very appreciative that Rose delivered the SADIE file into our hands. We’ve forgiven far more in exchange for far less.”

  “And the Tahitian government?” asked Spense.

  “Not interested in pressing charges against Rose.” Dutch turned his attention to her. “However, your immunity at home is conditional upon your keeping your nose clean for the next five years. That’s part of the terms of the agreement. Did your lawyers explain this to you clearly?”

  “They did,” Rose said. “And believe me, there’s nothing I want more.”

  Caitlin reached out and touched Rose on the wrist then drew back her hand. “That’s what we all want for you.”

  “I don’t look at these terms as a burden, I look at it as assistance. Someone helping me to break old habits.”

  Dutch tapped his fingers together. “We want to see you break those habits, too, Rose. We want you to succeed in your new life.” He smiled broadly. “Which is one reason I’ve been cooperating with the insurance companies in their investigations. And this is the rest of the news I brought you all here today to share.”

  Caitlin had been wondering how this whole life insurance mess would play out. It seemed complex enough that the insurers would have grounds to protest any claims Rose might make. But since Rose’s father’s assets and Tommy’s had been seized by the government, Rose would be left with no financial resources to make a fresh start.

  “First off, Lilly will not be entitled to any proceeds from Tommy’s policy—since he died by her hand. Also, the company has canceled the policies that Rose and Lilly hold on each other.”

  “I was prepared for that,” Rose said. “In fact I don’t expect anything from anyone. I can’t see how I deserve a windfall from someone else’s tragedy. The money should go to Heather Preston. Tommy would want her to have it.”

  “Which is exactly why he provided a policy for Heather. Tommy’s adopted mother has already received a three-million-dollar payout.”

  Rose nodded. “I’m glad. I really liked her, and I feel sad that we can never have a relationship again, after what happened with Tommy and Lilly . . . with Tommy and me, too.”

  “But—” Caitlin started.

  “I wouldn’t be too sure about that,” Spense interrupted. “Heather Preston’s been in contact with us since we returned from Tahiti. She mentioned something . . . I don’t want to misquote.” He looked to Caity.

  “Mrs. Preston said she felt terrible. She said she misjudged you. I think you should give her a call.” One thing Heather and Rose had in common: they were both alone in the world. And from what Caitlin could tell, they both had big hearts. “But what about the policy Rose held on Tommy? That’s what I’m waiting to hear.”

  “Be patient, Caitlin. I was just about to tell you,” Dutch said. “The insurance investigators believe there are grounds to contest Rose’s claim to her husband’s benefits. Even though it was Lilly who caused his death, Rose did shoot him underwater on their wedding day.”

  “I understand.” Rose looked down at her hands like a child who’d just received a well-earned slap.

  “But, I pointed out to them that argument didn’t hold water—pun intended. Not only did Tommy not die due to that gunshot you inflicted. We believe that your ripped wedding gown and your statements as to what occurred along with your record of truthful testimony in the other matters before us, support a finding of self-defense. I also made it clear that by Lilly’s own statements, you made every effort to dissuade her from shooting Tommy. I explained I would testify as to your intent to find a law-abiding solution to Tommy’s threats to you when you messengered over the SADIE file to Dr. Cassidy. Given that set of circumstances, the insurance company believes that if the matter went to court, a judge would likely rule in your favor. They don’t want the bad publicity surrounding a refusal to pay a legitimate claim.”

  As Dutch spoke, Caitlin watched Rose’s face change from resigned to hopeful to something she couldn’t quite read.

  “What I’m telling you, Rose, is that as Tommy’s widow, you’ll receive the full three-million-dollar payout from his death benefit.”

  She covered her mouth with a trembling hand and shook her head. “I don’t deserve it. I want to do the right thing, but I’m not sure what that is.”

  Silence filled the room.

  Was it possible Rose would truly refuse the settlement, and with it her best chance for a clean slate, a fresh start?

  Rose pushed her chair back from the table. And then her face brightened as though someone had suddenly opened a curtain and let the light into her life. “I’m going to take the money. I know exactly what to do with it. I still love my papa, and my sister, too, though I know we haven’t lived our lives as we should have. Papa’s code . . . the one that says anyone who gets conned out of his money deserves it, because it’s his own greed that brings him down—that’s bull. My papa was small-time com
pared to Tommy. Papa conned folks out of around a million dollars collectively. And with this insurance payout, I can hire an investigator to track down as many of our marks as possible. I’m going to do more than say sorry, I’m going to pay them back every last penny.”

  Caitlin had had enough of being objective and professional. “I’m so happy for you, Rose. I think this is a wonderful idea. You told us you always wanted a normal life. So I say go get it.” She jumped up and went around to Rose and put her hands on her shoulders. “And there’ll be enough money left to open up that yoga studio on your own if you want. Please don’t forget about your own dreams . . . because you deserve to make them come true.”

  Acknowledgments

  Thank you, readers! I am so grateful that you take time out of your busy lives to read my books. I really hope you enjoy them. I love hearing from you, so don’t hesitate to e-mail me. You can find my contact information and sign up for my newsletter at www.CareyBaldwin.com. I welcome your feedback and appreciate your reviews.

  As always, I want to thank my family, Shannon, Erik, Sarah, and Bill. You guys are my world.

  Thank you to my wonderful friends Leigh LaValle, Lena Diaz, Tessa Dare, Courtney Milan, and Brenna Aubrey for always being there for me.

  K and T ladies: Sarah Andre, Diana Belchase, Manda Collins, Lena Diaz, Rachel Grant, Krista Hall, Gwen Hernandez, and Sharon Wray—you are all amazing and talented, and I can’t thank you enough for all your support.

  Carmen Pacheco, my beta reader, I am truly grateful for your help and your friendship.

  I’d like to thank my amazing editor, Nicole Fischer. Nicole, on this story in particular, you have done an incredible job in guiding me. So thank you again . . . and again.

  And finally, a huge thank-you to my fantastic agent, Liza Dawson, and to Caitie Flum and everyone at Liza Dawson Associates for all your help and support.

  About the Author