“Tell me the truth, Teddy. Can Maggie trust you?”
Ted scrunched his face into a grimace. He’d never lied to his mother. “Well…more or less…about as much as I trust her. That’s a no, Mom.”
“I’m going to call your father now, Teddy. You can talk to him for a while. I’m sure you’ll do the right thing.”
Ted suffered through a long monologue on his father’s knee condition, the crooked politicians in Washington, and the spring rains that were plaguing Indiana. When his father finally stopped to take a deep breath, Ted said, “Okay, Dad, I’ll call again in a few days. Keep taking your medication. ‘Night.”
Damn. I knew I should have called Jack. Maybe tomorrow.
With nothing else to do except watch television, Ted opted to head out to an all night grocery store to stock his pantry. He tried to shift into neutral and make a grocery list but his thoughts were on Maggie and his bad-ass attitude.
His list in hand, his portable shopping cart in the other, Ted locked his door and headed for the stairs and the all-night market around the corner. He hated the creaky, old elevator that didn’t work half the time.
He almost didn’t see her. Actually, he heard her before he saw her. Maggie. Sitting on the top step crying her eyes out, her shoulders shaking.
“Maggie, what are you doing here? I thought you left.”
Maggie sniffed. “Yeah, well, that’s where I was headed but I…twisted my ankle and it hurts like hell. That’s why I’m crying. Where are you going at his hour?”
“Liar. You didn’t hurt your ankle. I was going grocery shopping.” Ted sat down on the steps next to her and said, “Maggie, why don’t we call a truce and go back to where we were before we decided to partner up? It was more interesting when we didn’t trust each other and kept trying to get over on one another. Since it was my story to begin with, I’m not giving you back the tape. You okay with that?”
“Do I have a choice? Okay. What about the personal…you know…”
“That’s up to you, Maggie.”
“Okay, I’m all for it. Want me to go shopping with you?”
“Well, sure.”
Maggie reached for Ted’s hand. She squeezed. It took Ted a moment before he squeezed back. He was glad now he hadn’t called Jack. He was doing okay on his own. Maybe someday he’d write a book on what men didn’t know, would never know, about women. He knew in his gut that Jack Emery was already working on such a book and the damn thing would probably be a best seller.
Chapter 9
Nikki Quinn paced her bedroom at Pinewood. She felt jittery at having told the others about Jack. Even more nervous about not confiding in Myra and Charles. Wasn’t there some kind of saying about chickens coming home to roost? Whatever it was, she couldn’t remember it. She jammed her hands into the pockets of her khaki slacks.
She eyed the rocking chair by the window. How still it was, as though it waited for an occupant. Barbara’s rocker sat under the high casement window whose sheer curtains were billowing gently in the warm spring breeze. “I could use a friend right now,” Nikki said quietly.
The rocker started to move slowly. Nikki automatically reached for Willie and tossed it toward the rocker. Willie seemed to float and then settled in a nebulous grasp. “I’m here, Nik. Got your panties in a wad, huh?”
Nikki stopped her frantic pacing and sat down on the edge of the bed so she could face the rocker. “Yeah, pretty much. I told the girls about Jack being my source. I had to. I was kind of surprised that they were okay with it. I haven’t told Jack yet and that’s bothering me. Not to mention this is all a big secret from Myra and Charles.”
“Is it because you think too many people now know about the Sisterhood?”
“Of course.”
“You don’t have to worry about Jack. Those two reporters are becoming a nuisance. That stunt you pulled in the parking lot was pretttttty clever. Don’t get cocky now because you snookered that reporter. Once she spills her guts to Ted Robinson it will turn on you. They know, Nik.”
“Yes, I know they do, but they don’t have solid proof. It’s hell trying to stay one step ahead of them. Short of kidnapping and muzzling them, I don’t know what to do. I should have some kind of plan but I don’t. I’m afraid to tell Charles for fear he’ll sic those gold shields on them again and it will all end up in Jack’s lap. Jack can’t do anything. As it is, he’s stuck his neck out as far as it will go. He needs to be kept safe and out of this little problem. Barb, he could be disbarred, jailed, God knows what else, if he’s found out. Ted and Maggie know about him. There’s no such thing as friendship coming first when there’s a scoop of this nature in the offing. I have to do something where those two reporters are concerned but I don’t know what.”
“Why don’t you and the others take the bull by the horns and scare the daylights out of them?”
Nikki laughed, a gruesome sound. “If those special guys of Charles’ didn’t scare them, what makes you think a bunch of women can work that particular miracle?”
“You just answered your own question, Nik. You’re women. Run it by the others, see what they come up with. Mom has clout. Tap into it.”
Nikki looked down at her watch. “I have to go, Barb. Charles called a meeting for ten. Hey, before I forget, how’d it go in Spain? Myra told me she spoke with you.”
“It’s as lovely as when we were there as teenagers. I was sad to see how Aunt Annie has changed. Grief can make you old before your time. I think, if the time ever comes, you would be quite content to live there. I know I would.”
Nikki whirled around. “What are you saying? Is that a warning?”
“Nikki, it’s ten o’clock. You know how cranky Charles gets when you girls are late. You better run.”
“All right, but we aren’t finished with this conversation.”
Nikki galloped down the stairs just in time to fall into line behind the others on the way to the command center.
Isabelle reached behind her to grasp Nikki’s hand. A show of comfort. How astute she was. Nikki squeezed back, her thoughts going in a hundred different directions.
Myra wasted no time once she called the meeting to order. Charles towered above them, busy at his bank of computers. Lady Justice appeared on the three television monitors. For some reason, Nikki always sat up straighter when she looked at the blindfolded Justice.
“I’m happy to report that my old friend, Anna Ryland de Silva has agreed to help us. Because nothing about the Sisterhood is secret among us, I want to tell all of you that I had to tell Annie about the Sisterhood. I realize I probably should have consulted with all of you but I took matters into my own hands. I allowed myself that privilege since I’m the one who started the Sisterhood.”
Nikki felt her stomach muscles start to crunch up. Was Myra’s confession some kind of veiled threat? Was it possible she knew about Jack? She looked up at Lady Justice and suddenly wanted to cry. She bit down on her lower lip as she continued to listen to Myra.
“Annie gave me the keys to the house in Manassas. Actually, it’s more than just a house. It’s quite a large estate, similar to Pinewood, even larger. There is security and a part time staff that sees to the maintenance. Annie is in the process of pensioning off all of the staff. We will be taking it over. Temporarily, of course. At some point, Annie will return to the States. What that means is we will be relocating the first day of next week. Charles will stay here but he’ll be in communication with us at all times.
“Now, let’s get down to business. Charles and I have some ideas but we want to hear from all of you, especially you, Alexis, as this is your mission. Before we do that, do any of you have any questions?”
“I have a question,” Alexis said. “Are we all going to Manassas? What about Isabelle and the Barrington farm? Can she take the time off? Sorry, that was three questions.”
“Isabelle will come and go. Alexis, you will be with us but out of sight. Kathryn and Yoko will be front and center. We have to be ca
reful because Isabelle’s pictures have been in the paper quite a bit. Gillespie and Sullivan know you, Alexis, so you have to stay out of sight until the right moment when you confront the couple. Nikki has a choice to make. Charles wants her to sort through Spanish law but she can do that in Manassas or here where the computers are at her disposal. Now, let’s start talking this to death. Alexis, what do you really want us to do?”
Alexis cleared her throat. “I want both of them stripped of everything. I want them to go to prison and not for just one year. When they get out, whenever that may be, I want them to have nothing. I don’t want anything to happen to Mr. Sullivan’s wife or children. It’s not their fault Mr. Sullivan is such a sleaze.”
Myra looked around the table. “I think it’s all doable. Do you all agree?” The women nodded.
“All right then, this is the plan. I am going to pretend to be Anna Ryland de Silva. Alexis will alter my appearance just enough so that I don’t resemble myself. We’re going to pretend to be looking for a new brokerage firm because the old one is just too stuffy and conservative. We’ll start out with a simple phone call, followed up by a fax. We’ll be unavailable for a while after they get back to us. Kathryn and Yoko will be my assistants.
“Charles has outdone himself, as usual, in preparing a dossier on Annie. It is so impressive it made my eyes water just reading it. Those two…ah…smarmy people will be drooling and salivating when they read it. Just the thought of possibly taking over Annie’s account will make them delirious. Their greed will be their undoing.”
“Then what?” Kathryn asked bluntly.
“Before we get to the ‘then what part’ Charles thinks we should monitor their telephones, offices, and their cars so we can be one step ahead of them. That means we will have to have someone plant some listening devices that we can monitor. The ‘then what part’ is where we allow them to bamboozle us. That’s when Annie will arrive and take up residence once we depart. She will accuse them of attempting to defraud her and of course press charges. Of course it will make the front page of every financial paper in the world. At which point…they’re…toast. Just for the record, I look nothing like Annie. Charles has scoured every publication, every media outlook and there are no pictures of Annie anywhere. The aging process this time is in our favor. I think, Alexis, I can arrange it so you’re at the prison when the bars clang shut for the first time. What do you think, girls?”
“I’m okay with it if it’s what Alexis wants,” Kathryn said. The others nodded in agreement. “I think we were starting to get used to the more…ah…physical punishments. You know, action.” The others nodded again as they looked at Alexis.
“It works for me as long as their lives are ruined. I can live with this.”
“Then it’s settled. We have a few days to work out the finer details of this mission. The house is being readied for us as we speak. To quote Charles, we are pulling out all the stops to make this a success.”
Myra handed out folders that contained Anna de Silva’s dossier. Included also was a map and directions to the Manassas estate.
“I think, girls, we should each go separately to Manassas and keep a sharp eye out for anyone who might be following. If there’s no other business, we’re adjourned for the day. Nikki, Charles wants you to stay behind so he can explain what he wants you to do. Can you clear time from the office?”
“It’s not a problem, Myra. I’m down to working fifteen hours a week at the office. Things are running smoothly so I’m good to go here.”
Leaving Nikki and Charles behind in the war room, Myra followed the others to the kitchen. She smiled, loving the feeling of being part of the girls’ social life. She enjoyed listening to them ribbing Yoko about her plan to snare one Harry Wong into, as Kathryn put it, her web.
“So, let me get this straight?” Kathryn said. “You are actually going to show up at the Dojo for your first lesson but before you get dressed to participate in the drill, one of us is to call you saying there is an emergency and you have to leave. Leaving Harry Wong with his tongue hanging out.”
“Yes, yes, you have it right. It will make me look important and that I am not interested even though I am much interested. It is a good plan, isn’t it?”
Alexis thumped Yoko on the back. “What would be an even better plan is for you to waltz in there, strut your stuff, and wipe up the floor with all of them. Do some of those high-air whirly-twirly things you do, and then do some of that jabbing and kicking. They’ll lick your feet in surrender.”
Yoko looked puzzled but only for a moment. “Are you yanking my foot?”
The girls, even Myra, burst out laughing.
“That’s yanking your chain or pulling your leg,” Isabelle said.
“Let’s take a vote,” Alexis said. “All in favor of Yoko strutting her stuff or canceling out at the last second, raise your hand.”
“Four in favor of strutting your stuff. You go, girl! Call us and let us know how it goes,” Kathryn laughed as she made her way out to her truck. She turned around and called over her shoulder. “Wear something skimpy.”
“Oh, yeah,” Alexis drawled.
“A leotard will do nicely,” Isabelle said in a motherly tone. The motherly tone turned prim. “With a loose flowing jacket.” She wagged her finger for emphasis. To her dismay, Yoko laughed but she nodded.
The kitchen seemed incredibly empty and quiet when Myra poured herself a glass of apple juice and sat down at the table. Her thoughts took her back to a time when Nikki and Barbara were eleven. The house rocked with sound, young people, dogs and cats and even a canary who could sing several bars of the Star Spangled Banner. The good times. The wonderful times. The happiest times of her life. Tears welled in her eyes at her memories.
“C’mon, Mom, lighten up. Make it a fun day the way you used to.”
Myra whirled around so fast she almost spilled her apple juice. “Darling girl, is it really you?”
“It’s me, Mom. Don’t be sad. Smile for me. I always loved it when you smiled for me and Nikki even when we did something bad. After the punishment we knew you’d give out popsicles and smile at us. Why are you sad, Mom?”
“I’m not sad now that you’re here. That might not be quite true. I do tend to get a little nervous before we…we exact a particular revenge. So many things can go wrong. I guess once a worrier, always a worrier.”
“I know, Mom. It’s okay. Relax. Spain was nice, wasn’t it? I knew if anyone could get Aunt Annie to bounce back, it was you. I was so proud of you, Mom. I had no idea you could be so feisty.”
“Oh, dear, I didn’t overdue it, did I? I need to know something, dear. If…if…it ever comes to us having to go there, will you…will you be there? I don’t think I’d be able to go if you say no.”
“Wherever you are, Mom, I’m right next to you. I have to go now. I hear Nikki. I love you, Mom.”
“And God alone knows how much I love you, darling girl.” Myra wiped at the tears in her eyes.
“Myra, what’s wrong? Did something happen?” Nikki asked, concern ringing in her voice.
“There’s nothing wrong, dear.” She probably should have mentioned her conversation with her spirit daughter but she wanted to hold the moment close to her heart and not share it. Perhaps later. “You missed the funniest thing, Nikki.”
“Oh, what’s that?”
Myra told her about Yoko, a smile on her face. When Nikki didn’t respond, Myra felt a tinge of alarm. “Don’t you find it amusing, Nikki?”
Nikki picked up a bright red apple from the bowl on the table. She shined it on the sleeve of her shirt the way she used to when she was a little girl. “Actually, Myra, it scares the hell out of me. There’s no way you could know this, but Harry Wong is one of Jack Emery’s best friends. He’s got a black belt. He teaches the police officers martial arts three days a week. It’s mandatory. He even schools the cadets at the FBI Academy. The man is a legend in his own time.”
“Oh dear,” was all Myra could
think of to say. “Yes, oh dear. We have to stay on top of that little situation.” Nikki bit into the apple with a loud crunching sound. Juice dribbled down her chin. Myra, always a mother, automatically held out a napkin.
“It seems like there’s one more new thing to worry about every day. I hope we can keep it all straight.”
“I hope so, too, Myra.”
Nikki finished the apple. “If you don’t need me for anything, I’m going to go for a run.”
“Run along, dear. I’m just going to sit here and…and drink my juice.”
“And think about Barbara’s visit?”
Myra just nodded.
Chapter 10
Jack Emery held the phone away from his ear at the mixture of Chinese and Japanese invading his ear. “Harry! Harry! I only understand English and a smattering of Spanish. What the hell is wrong with you? God dammit, Harry, English or I’m hanging up. That’s better. What do you mean she’s there? You want me to come to your dojo NOW? Yeah, I know I owe you. All right, all right, I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”
Jack mumbled and muttered to himself as he changed out of his suit and into jeans and a tee shirt that said “Wong’s Martial Arts” on the sleeve. He thought it was a nice touch to show support for Harry whom he respected immensely. As he tied his Nikes, he wondered if Harry was in some kind of trouble with a woman. To his knowledge, Harry had never been involved in a serious relationship. His excuse: no time for frivolity. Obviously, things had changed.
A light drizzle was falling when Jack left the house and headed for his car. He looked around but didn’t see anyone of interest except an elderly couple walking their three Golden Retrievers. Still, just because things looked normal didn’t mean conditions were normal. Only a fool would believe something like that and Mrs. Emery hadn’t raised any fools.
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