She could handle this. She really could. She peered into the shiny surface of her computer to see if the liver spot on her nose was noticeable. She was startled to see that the makeup she’d applied to cover the spot had worn off.
Celeste banged her gavel. “Call your next witness, Counselor.”
The next two hours crawled by, then it was time to take the noon lunch break. “Court will reconvene at one o’clock. We will go dark at two o’clock according to Judge Jones so everyone can get ready for Judge Rhodes’s retirement party, so, Counselors, make that one hour work for you or we’ll be revisiting this case on Monday morning.”
“All rise!”
Celeste ran to her chambers, shed her robe, then reapplied her makeup. She fluffed up her hair, grabbed her purse, and raced to her sister’s chambers. Eunice was waiting for her. “Peter and the president were in my courtroom. He looks the same, just older. He glared at me the whole time. I stared him down. Listen, Nessie, stay calm, okay. We can handle this. We really can. Smile a lot. Remember, we are beyond delighted to be welcoming our brother back from the grave. I don’t care if it kills you, Nessie. You smile, and you don’t stop smiling until I tell you to stop,” Celeste said in one breathless gasp. She took a deep breath, and continued. “If you screw this up, I will personally kill you myself. Do you understand, Nessie?”
“I’m really getting sick and tired of you telling me what to do, Cee. I really am.”
“I’m sorry, Nessie. I saw the panic on your face when the clerks were telling us what to do. I know you can carry it off. If it’s any consolation, I feel like there is an army of ants crawling around my stomach. Come on, time to beard the lion.”
Eunice gave her sister a sour look. “You better hope that lion doesn’t decide to roar for the media.”
“Just follow my lead and try to look happy,” Celeste snapped.
Celeste saw it all in one glance: the television camera, the reporters from the Post, a gaggle of court staff, all nine judges, and, of course, her brother, the president of the United States, and the phalanx of Secret Service agents. In that one quick searching glance, she looked for something that might indicate forgiveness in her brother’s expression. She didn’t see it and knew that this was not the Peter of yesteryear.
She was in midstride in her rush, Nessie at her side, so she couldn’t have stopped her momentum even if she tried. Arms outstretched, what she hoped was a joyous expression on her face, she squealed her brother’s name, Nessie echoing her. They both started to babble about the miracle they were experiencing along with the rest of the world.
The twins wrapped their arms around their brother to his chagrin as they played to the media. And it was all captured on film. The tearful, starry eyes of the twins, the grim face of the dead brother come to life, and the president looking on, smiling benignly.
Maggie and Ted approached and demanded a few words from each of them. She had to shout to be heard, what with the bogus Secret Service agents shouting orders to which no one paid attention.
Ted was in time to hear Eunice saying, “Ohh, Petey, we have so much legal work to do to give you back all that is yours. When can we do it? Can we do dinner this evening? We need to make this all right as soon as possible.”
“Can I quote you on that?” Ted demanded.
Eunice blinked. She started to stutter. She was left with no recourse but to say, “Of course you can quote me.”
“Peter,” Celeste gushed, “I’ll even cook. Who knew cooking would be one of my talents? All of your favorites, whatever they are these days. Oh, darling brother, I can’t believe you’re here standing right in front of me after all these years. God has been so generous in sending you back to us.” She gave another bone-crushing squeeze to her brother. Nessie did the same thing before they stepped back to look up at their brother.
He’s not buying into this dog and pony show, Celeste thought, a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Maybe she should have cried like Nessie, but if she had cried, her makeup would run and the damn liver spots would show up.
Oh, God, I’ve never seen such cold eyes. He hates us. He doesn’t believe one word either of us uttered, Nessie thought, wondering how Cee was going to make everything come out right.
Ted tried to elbow his way past the TV reporter, only to be shoved back. Espinosa captured the twins’ dismay when they stepped backward. He had the perfect caption racing around in his mind. He angled forward and to the right so he could snap photos of Peter Ciprani. He captured disgust and disbelief. Neither boded well for the twin judges in his opinion.
Dennis West had somehow managed to inch his way until he was behind the judges. He tapped Celeste on her shoulder and asked if she was going to deed the four boot camp properties back to her brother, and transfer the hundreds of millions the properties had taken in over the past years.
Dumbfounded, the twins froze in place. Peter grabbed Dennis by the arm, and said, “This isn’t the time or the place to discuss this, but I will talk to you when this is over. Say, one hour at the Dog and Duck.”
“Yes, sir, I’ll be there. You can count on me. You absolutely can count on me, and I will give you as much time and space in the paper as you want. One hour. I’m going there now, so I won’t be late. Thank you. You are a prince, Mr. Ciprani.” Then he hissed just loud enough for Ted and Maggie to hear, “Your sisters are not princesses.” He continued to hiss in the man’s ear, “What I can tell you will curl your hair, but I can see that your hair is already curly. So, I’ll just blow off your socks. I’m going. I’ll see you there. Are you bringing the president? Never mind, that’s not my business.”
His face red as a beet, Dennis backed up until Ted grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and dragged him outside. Petrified, Dennis winced, expecting a dressing-down by his idol. “Nice going, kid.”
Inside, Maggie was patiently waiting for Peter Ciprani to respond to his sisters. His voice was soft, gentle. “I’d love to have dinner with you both. Don’t fuss. I’m used to eating whatever is put in front of me. I’d like to bring my lawyer if that’s all right? The president has other plans, I’m sorry to say.”
“Lawyer? At dinner? Can’t we arrange that for next week? Monday would be perfect. Nessie and I were hoping for a family reunion, just the three of us. Time to catch up and get to know one another all over again. Lawyers will interfere with our private time.”
Peter didn’t give his sister an inch. “I have time now. We could go to your chambers and discuss the legalities, but I have to call my attorney first. We should be able to discuss everything and draw up papers in three hours or so until it’s time for me to escort the president to Judge Rhodes’s retirement party. I’ll contain my appetite for a late-night dinner with my two favorite sisters. What do you say, ladies?”
Like you are really going to tell me what to do. “Well, that can’t happen today, Peter. Nessie and I both have commitments we can’t cancel. As I said, Monday will work just fine and give us time to gather everything together so you can present it all to your lawyer. Look, we have to go now. Let’s just leave it if you can manage to come to dinner, you’ll come. If not, we’ll meet on Monday.”
Nessie rushed in and hugged her brother a second time. “Do your best to come tonight so we can catch up. It is soooo good to see you again, Peter.”
“Judge! Judge!” Maggie shrieked. “Give us a comment for tomorrow’s paper.”
“Sorry,” Nessie called over her shoulder. “Another time perhaps?” Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Cee crushing her brother to her chest.
Back in Celeste’s chambers, both women collapsed against the wall as they struggled to get their breathing under control.
“That did not go well,” Nessie gasped. “Oh, God, did you see his eyes?”
“I did. He’s out for blood, Nessie.”
Chapter 25
Dennis West bounded down the street and around the corner to where the Dog and Duck bistro was located. He’d eaten there before
with friends but had never been impressed. Bar food was just that: bar food. He liked to wrap his lips around good solid food by way of a hamburger and fries and a milk shake. He wasn’t into spring rolls, stuffed mushrooms, curly sweet potatoes, or deep fried vegetables. What he liked about the Dog and Duck was the outside patio and portable bar. In cooler weather, like now, the manager turned on the gas heaters on poles spaced around the tables. It was like eating at the beach. He opted for outdoors when he saw the gas heaters were in operation. He flopped down on a chair and wondered if he should order a beer to appear worldly or go with a soft drink. Coffee would be good, too, but the Dog and Duck’s coffee was awful. He finally decided on a ginger ale.
Dennis spent the next fifty minutes watching the few pedestrians meander up and down the street, wondering what kind of lives they led in private. There were few customers to observe since it was past the lunch hour. He drummed his fingers on the tabletop, scratched at his neck, took deep breaths, then yawned. He almost blacked out when he saw Peter Ciprani approach the table. Dennis was quick to note that the man looked weary. Frail, actually. He stood up, shook hands, and motioned for the older man to sit.
“Dennis. It’s Dennis, right?” Dennis nodded. “I wonder if I might ask a favor of you. I’m not sure if you know this or not, but I just got released from the hospital a few weeks ago. I’m on the mend, but I tire easily, and right now, I am very tired. I am supposed to avoid stress, and I’ve had a stressful day. You see I had a deadly parasite that they were not able to treat in Peru, and that’s why I came back to the States, to Georgetown, where I received excellent treatment. Having said all that, I was wondering if we could postpone our talk until I’m feeling a little stronger. I promise to give you . . .
I believe the term is an exclusive. I’ll be honest and tell you anything you want to know because if nothing else in this life, I am honest. Sometimes to my own detriment.”
Dennis took only a moment to make a decision. He liked this man, he really did, and he did look tired and worn. “Sure, Mr. Ciprani. I understand. Do you need help getting back to where you’re staying?”
“I was staying with a friend, but the president said she would get me a room at the Harbor Inn. My friend that I was staying with promised to take my things there earlier today. I think I’ll just move in there until the doctors cut me loose, but to answer your question, I could use a ride if you have some wheels. I don’t think I can make it on my own. Plus, I forgot to take my noontime pills.”
Dennis pressed the number two on his phone. Ted answered and Dennis explained what he needed. “Be right there, kid.”
Fifteen minutes later, Ted, Dennis, and Espinosa had Peter Ciprani settled in a suite of rooms directly below where the ladies of Pinewood were staying. While Ted made sure the man took his meds, Dennis raced out to the closest deli and brought back a ham sandwich, some chips, and a container of potato salad, along with some pickles.
“That should hold you until the party tonight, Mr. Ciprani.”
Peter’s eyes were starting to droop, but Ted kept him awake by saying, “This medicine says you need to eat when you take it, so please, sir, eat this sandwich. We aren’t leaving you until you do.” Peter obliged.
The boys helped him into the bedroom. The last thing Peter said before dropping off to sleep was, “Are my sisters as bad as everyone says they are?” He was asleep before any of them could respond.
“Nice old guy,” Ted said.
“I don’t think he’s that old, Ted. I think his illness has drained him. I think he’s just a few years older than his miserable sisters,” Espinosa said.
“He promised me an exclusive,” Dennis said jubilantly. His mood turned sour in an instant. “He is going to be okay, isn’t he?”
“Yeah, kid, he’s going to be okay. Today was a game changer for the man. Plus, I think he’s falling in love with the prez.”
“Wow!” Dennis said, making sure the door locked behind him as he left the room.
Annie summed it up when the party was over. “For such short notice, we did a hell of a job with this party. Judge Rhodes was in his glory, especially when Marti asked him for the first dance. What a memory for that kind old man. I’m so glad we did it, Myra, aren’t you?”
“And the best part was we both were able to attend in our disguises so no one would associate us with the Vigilantes. None of our plans seem to be working out. Have you noticed that, Annie? We don’t need the legends Charles spent so much time creating. Marti’s being who she is has helped us immeasurably. The rest just seems to be falling into place for us.”
“Except for Mr. Tookus’s striking out. I really didn’t see that coming; did you, Myra? Once I heard Switzerland bombed out on us, I knew without Abner needing to confirm it that the Caymans would go the same way. We’ll just have to sweat those twins to get the account numbers. With what we have in mind, I feel confident they’ll part with the information once we set the wheels in motion. Did you see that coming?”
“Can’t say that I did, Annie. He’s never failed us before. But you know what they say, there is a first time for everything. This is our first. It pains me to say this, but we almost didn’t need Charles for this mission. Aside from Avery and his people, of course. I agree a hundred percent that we can make the twins talk and give us what we need. But we are not capable of the cleanup like Avery’s people are.”
“Where did Nellie and Pearl go?”
“They were in the party bar with Judge Rhodes, playing catch-up. I think it’s a judge thing. Judge Rhodes was in no hurry to leave. I suspect he’s lonely since his wife passed away. I heard him say he’s going to take his housekeeper with him to Hawaii. If there’s anything to get out of him in regard to the twin judges, Pearl and Nellie will ferret it out.” Annie wiggled her eyebrows as much as to say, just because there is snow on the roof doesn’t mean there’s no fire in the chimney. Myra burst out laughing. “I hope they have a wonderful time. I’m ready for bed, Myra.”
“Me, too. The others don’t need us to tuck them in when they get here. Annie, when do you think the twins are going to take off?”
“I’m thinking Sunday. They have to go out to the boot camps tomorrow for the governor’s command performance. This is just my opinion, but I think they’re going to brazen it out and wait for just the right moment to take it on the lam. I’m sure they have a plan. I’m also sure that they had to know this day might come. Meaning, of course, they had an exit route planned.
“Well, that day is here now. Avery’s people have them under surveillance, so we’ll know the moment they make a move of any kind that’s out of the ordinary.”
“Do you think Peter is going to go to dinner with them? I think I might be afraid to eat anything they cooked.”
“I don’t know any more than you do, Myra. If I had to guess, I’d say no, he didn’t go. He was cozying up to Marti when you and I came upstairs. Right now, I think she’s his top priority. I so hope that works out for both of them. It doesn’t appear to me that he’s in any hurry to sit down and talk to his sisters. He’s also wise in wanting a lawyer with him. I almost bit my tongue off when he said that. I don’t think the twins were expecting that.”
The old friends said good night to one another, with Annie mumbling that she couldn’t remember the last time she’d gone to bed at nine o’clock, and Myra’s responding that morning would arrive before they knew it.
Eunice Ciprani paced around the exquisitely set dining-room table. She gazed at the priceless table settings, the splendid crystal, and the heirloom silverware. The peach-colored candles only had an inch and a half to go before they burned out, the melted wax was pooling on the silver candleholders. The ice in the wine bucket had melted earlier and had been replaced.
“He’s not coming, Cee. We should clear the table.”
“Do you want to eat, Nessie? We went to a lot of trouble to cook this dinner. It’s a shame to throw it down the disposal.”
“I couldn’t eat, Cee, if my
life depended on it. We were such fools to think Peter would actually show up. He sounded so sincere.”
“As sincere as we sounded to him. No, I’m not surprised. In a way, I’m relieved. Let’s go into the office and finish up the paperwork. I’ll call a messenger service to pick it up tomorrow from our letter box for delivery to Peter on Monday morning. If things work out, we’ll be . . . never mind,” Celeste said, mindful of the possibility of bugs in the condo. Nessie bobbed her head to show she understood.
“Quit claim deeds on the properties our father left to Peter that we took over after we declared him dead.” Mindful of the possibility of the bugs, she rushed on. “The properties should be returned to Peter as per our father’s wishes. We did the paperwork for revoking the death certificate. Everything is in order. From there on in, it’s Peter’s problem. We’re doing the right thing. So, let’s get to it so I can package it up and put it in our letter box. I’ll send a text to the messenger service to alert them to the pickup. Then we can go to bed, get up, and go out to that damn jamboree. I’m thinking, Nessie, that we should drive up to Waterton after the jamboree instead of coming back here. What do you say? Or if you don’t want to go to Waterton, we could go to Washington, D.C. We haven’t been there in a while. Let’s leave our options open, okay?”
“Good idea, Cee. Okay, let’s get the paperwork out of the way.” Playing to the unseen ears, she continued. “I am so disappointed Peter didn’t come over. I think he would have liked the dinner we prepared. He looked frail. Don’t you think? But he still looked like the old Peter, and he has all his hair. He always was handsome. I wish he’d acted more like a big brother to us when we were growing up.”
Celeste crunched her face into a look of disgust. “I wish that, too,” she said sweetly.
Twenty minutes later, Eunice deposited the package for messenger pickup in their letter box. She leaned against the wall and fired up one of what Cee called her funny cigarettes. She wished that she could turn back the hands of time. She’d lost count of how many times in the past weeks she’d wished for the past. Eventually, she ceased to care about anything as the pot dulled her thoughts. She stubbed the roach out on the wall and stuck the butt in her pocket. On wobbly legs, she made her way to the elevator that would take her back to where her sister waited for her.
Blindsided Page 25
