“Oh, even in this office, I can hear the sounds of those powerful engines. And I can hear those four hundred three women cheering for you. In case you aren’t getting it, they are really looking forward to seeing you tied to the back of those race cars. Vengeance, gentlemen, is a dish best served up cold, and tonight is the coldest night so far this month. So what do you say?”
Sadly, there were no fools in the group.
The three Chessmen stepped forward, gave up their codes, and watched as their money moved laser fast around the world, then came to a stop. Abner looked around, his eyes glassy at what he’d just done. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Philonious was going to be so proud of him. Then he laughed; twice he could feel the big man’s fingerprint while the blizzards of numbers moved around the world. He continued to laugh; that’s what friends were for.
“Shoot, I was hoping to drive one of those babies out there,” Kathryn grumbled.
“What’s stopping you? Go for it!” Maggie laughed.
“Someone should call Avery. Our job here is done,” Nikki said.
“Don’t you just love it when things work out according to plan, Annie? And the cherry on the cake is you didn’t have to shoot anyone.”
“I’m going to really love it when we start to give all that money away, and when Starry gets to meet her daughter for the first time.”
Outside, in the brisk October air, the sisters stood in a straight line and waved toward the bleachers, where Abner was handing out his second set of checks. The women were crying and shouting and shaking their fists. All from happiness.
Out of the corner of her eye, Myra saw Starry Knight run across the track as Avery was leading the Chessmen, the Speaker, and Bradford Holiday toward an eighteen-wheeler. She shouted to him to wait.
“Oh, God, what is she going to do?” Annie whispered.
“I have no idea,” Myra whispered in return. “She’s saying something. I wish I could read lips at this distance.”
“Well, I can. I know exactly what she’s saying.”
“What?”
“Checkmate, boys!”
Epilogue
“It’s going to be strange tomorrow not to have Thanksgiving here at the farm,” Myra said as she looked around at the others, who appeared to feel like she did.
“Tell me again how this happened. We’ve always had Thanksgiving here. Each of us had our little jobs, which Charles assigned us. I’m going to miss peeling the potatoes,” Nikki grumbled.
“I’d like to know whose idea this was, anyway. No one even asked us if we were okay with going to the Daisy Wheel for Thanksgiving dinner. Charles just said we’re going. Period. I have a good mind not to show up,” the ever-verbal Kathryn said angrily.
“If it will help even a little, Charles and Fergus are there at the Daisy Wheel right now, helping Starry prepare our dinner, so both he and Fergus will be hands-on. I don’t know why I say this, but I think the two of them are up to something. I’m hoping it’s a surprise of some kind that will make us all happy. Charles is very good at surprises, as you all know.
“Let’s just look at dinner at the Daisy Wheel as almost the same thing in a different location. Starry wanted to do this as a way to thank all of us for helping her. We all need to remember that. Besides, there was just no way I could say no,” Myra insisted.
“We know, we know,” Maggie said. “It’s just that . . . it’s supposed to be here, just like Christmas is supposed to be here. It won’t be the same is what we’re all trying to say.”
“It will be whatever we make it. Thanksgiving is about being together to give thanks. The place shouldn’t matter,” Annie said. “So now, let’s move on.”
“Hard to believe almost a whole month has gone by since we ended our last mission. Aside from parceling out the rest of the Chessmen’s and Holiday’s monies, we can put this one to bed,” Nikki said.
“Yesterday, Lizzie sent me, by overnight mail, the closing papers on Starry’s old property in the Adirondacks. She said when she approached Bradford Holiday’s investment group about buying it, they jumped at the chance to unload it. So she bought it, using the Chessmen’s monies, for five million. The group took a hit of forty-five million. Soon after they bought the property, but too late to do anything about it, they realized that it could never be developed because of the cemetery. That was quite a coup, if you ask my opinion,” Jack said. “It reminded me of something I read a little while ago. Seems this Ponzi scheme swindler used a portion of his ill-gotten gains to buy property in the Adirondacks. But when he went to develop it, they found a pair of nesting bald eagles. And that was the end of that.”
“Are we really giving the property back to Starry?” Ted asked.
“Yes. Lizzie said it was the right thing to do. Got all the paperwork, along with the deed, right here, and Lizzie even put a red ribbon on it. We’re to give it to Starry tomorrow, after dinner. I think she’s right,” Jack said. The others nodded in agreement.
Myra fingered the pearls adorning her neck. “For some reason, I expected more blowback after we closed the mission. There was barely a ripple. The media didn’t run with it for days and weeks. Like I said, hardly a ripple. They barely devoted a day to the Speaker of the House’s resignation, saying good old Buzz was going to try to woo his wife back because he realized he didn’t want a divorce, and taking a run for 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue wasn’t worth losing his family. A day, that’s it. The six o’clock news, then the eleven o’clock news. The twenty-four-hour cable stations mentioned it at the top of the hour, and then the next day, they were on to something else.”
Annie laughed out loud. “I did like the coverage they gave the demise of the Chessmen’s law firm—Queen, King, Bishop, and Rook. One mention was all I saw, and it simply said the prestigious law firm was emptied out overnight, and a sign was on the door saying they were closed. Of course, there was an uproar from the associates and staff, but it fizzled out within hours. Before you can ask, I do not know what happened to the files or the furnishings or the clients.”
“No one was interviewed, not even the clients. No one asked where the Chessmen went. I rather thought the media would run with foul play or something, but they didn’t,” Maggie tossed in, a bemused expression on her face.
“I think, and this is just a guess on my part, but I suspect that, as a whole, the District was really glad to see them go,” Ted said, a big grin on his face. “I suspect that a lot of attorneys are breathing a sigh of relief knowing that they will never again have to go up against the Chessmen.”
“While we are on the subject, Lizzie has the Chessmen’s power of attorney and is seeking buyers for the racetrack, the race cars, the chess club, and that wilderness outfit. Those monies will go to Mrs. Queen, Mrs. King, and Mrs. Rook. They’ve been mum on the subject of their husbands, giving out no interviews.
“I can’t be sure of this, but I think Avery paid them each a visit and clued them in about what their husbands have been doing all these years. I also think they’ve all moved on. And, no, there has been no word on Josh King or his wife. Avery said it’s better to just let that be,” Annie said.
“So we’re all good here then?” Yoko asked.
“We are better than good. Charles told me when we meet up next week, he will have a complete file on all the monies. Abner is helping him. People, we deserve to pat ourselves on the back. All that money is going to be put to such good use. I don’t think we missed even one charity.
“Lives will be richer and more rewarding, not only for people but for the animals cared for by all the animal-welfare organizations we are helping. We’ve added two new ones—Wings of Rescue, where these pilots who have old planes fly animals from shelters to other states, where they find what they call Forever Homes. We’re buying them new planes and helping in any way we can. And we also added another new organization called Have a Heart, where they volunteer spay and neuter. We bought them several mobile traveling vans. It will all be in Charles’s rep
ort next week,” Nikki said happily.
“What ever happened to Livinia Lambert?” Alexis asked.
Nikki shrugged. “She’s called the office many times. I did not return her calls.”
“And Amy?” Myra asked.
Nikki shrugged again. “She went to ground. Her husband is saying nothing. I called him over a dozen times, and he does talk to me, but he says nothing. Avery and his people are trying to find Amy. How wonderful it would be if she showed up for dinner tomorrow. But I guess that’s too much to hope for, or else it goes under the heading of miracles, because it isn’t going to happen. It will at some point.
“And on that note, I think Jack and I are going to call it a night. It’s been a very long day. We’ll see you all at the Daisy Wheel, tomorrow at three.”
The good-byes were short and quick, after which they all headed out to their cars; then it was just Myra and Annie in the quiet kitchen.
“Want some tea, Annie?”
“I-do-not-want-tea! What I want is a triple shot of Kentucky’s finest. Will you join me, Myra?”
“Yes,” Myra said smartly. “Hold the ice!”
“You rock, Myra. You really do!”
* * *
The Daisy Wheel was alive with laughter, talk, and smells that, as Dennis said, were out of this world. The tables were decorated with autumn leaves and mini pumpkins in honor of the holiday. The blinds were closed on the plate-glass windows and door. A sign in colorful script read, CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
“Any more news, Avery, on Amy?” Annie asked.
“We’re following up on a substantial lead that just came in, but that’s about all we have. Sooner or later, we’re pretty sure, she’ll head to her husband, since we are assuming that the divorce was a ruse to help her worm her way into Nikki’s law firm. We’re watching him around the clock, and since Livinia returned home, her too. We’re also hacking their phones. Just be patient. I haven’t failed you yet, have I?”
Annie smiled, and not because she believed the old spy implicitly. She wasn’t exactly sure why, but something about the way he said what he did made her think that he had a trick up his sleeve. “We were all hoping for a big reunion for Starry today of all days. We’re a patient group, as you well know.”
As a whole, the group hooted their opinions. Everyone knew Annie didn’t have a patient bone in her body, nor did they themselves.
“What is so funny?” Starry said as she entered the dining room. She was untying her apron, and had a scowl on her face.
“What’s wrong, Starry?” Myra asked gently.
Starry tried for a smile, but failed. “For starters, those two pretend cooks in the kitchen banished me. They said they would finish up. Charles said there was no way I could carry the platter with that big bird without dropping it. He said that was a man’s job! Ha! And that other one, the guy with the Scottish brogue, he kicked me out of my own kitchen. What’s worse, I’m out here! Now I’m not even hungry.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to . . . It’s just that . . .” Starry’s eyes filled with tears. “I hoped . . . wished . . . wanted today to be perfect. And it is for all of you, and I’m happy that I could make that happen for you guys. It’s just that nothing has gone my way since that . . . that awful time so long ago. When you all swooped in like avenging angels, I thought all my prayers would finally be answered. My knees have calluses on them from kneeling and praying for what I call my own personal miracle.”
Starry burst into tears and sobbed so loud and hard, the women all ran to her. They cooed and whispered all the words that women from the beginning of time knew to give comfort and solace. The men simply stared, their eyes moist at what they were seeing, knowing instinctively that if it was possible to make this all right, the sisters were the ones to do it.
A bell tinkled from somewhere in the kitchen. They all stopped talking when Charles poked his head out the doorway and instructed everyone to take their seats so they could get the full effect of the magnificent turkey that Starry had spent all day cooking. “Drumroll, please, people!”
“We don’t have a drum, Charles!” Dennis said.
“Okay, everyone clap and whistle.” The gang obliged until Charles called a halt.
“It is now officially Thanksgiving, and here comes the bird!”
Charles held one side of the swinging doors, Fergus the other side, to allow a young woman dressed in a long white robe, with a crown of flowers, wheel the turkey into the room and push it to the head of the table, where Starry was sitting.
The silence in the room was so deafening, so thunderous, it was as though the heavens above had opened their golden doors to reveal the pearly gates.
“Mama, I’m Amy. Can I please, please, sit on your lap? All my life, all I ever wanted was a mother to hold me close and tell me everything will be all right. Will you do that? Will you say that?”
Starry Knight held out her arms, and Amy slid into them. As Yoko said later, it was a perfect fit.
“Oh, myyyyyyy God!” Annie whispered.
Myra and the others reached for the napkins at their plates to stem the flow of tears, with Dennis West crying the hardest.
“I think we need another chair,” Jack said, breaking the moment as he hurried to the far end of the dining room to fetch it.
“How did you do that?” Nikki hissed to Avery.
“I just found her and told her what she needed to know. The rest was Amy’s idea. I don’t think I’ve ever seen two happier people in my life.”
“All right, people, it’s time to partake of this wondrous meal. Who wants to say grace?”
“I will,” Dennis said.
Every head in the room bowed. The words were soft, gentle, and full of meaning.
Ted wheeled the serving cart to where Charles was seated and handed him the carving knife and fork. Charles bowed, waved his tools in the air, then proceeded to slice into the huge, golden bird. He was rewarded with shouts of pleasure, but once again held up his carving tools.
“Don’t tell me you’re going to give us a speech, dear. We’re starving here,” Myra said.
“Not really. I just want to thank you all for coming. I want it said right now that while Fergus and I helped, it was Starry who prepared this magnificent dinner. I am now ready to carve, and then we are going to devour this succulent bird. One other thing—we have already prepared trays for all the dogs, and they can be picked up on your way out.”
An hour later, the only thing to be heard were groans and happy sighs as belt buckles were loosened all around the table.
“The best part of all this is that Starry has people coming in to clean up. We can just take our doggie bags and our leftovers and leave. How cool is that, boys and girls?” Charles twinkled.
“I don’t have a dog, Charles, and I don’t see any turkey left on that carcass, either. I was hoping to have another Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. I love stuffing and gravy, and it’s all gone,” Dennis grumbled.
“That’s true, but Starry, Fergus, and I anticipated this might happen, so we roasted another bird with all the trimmings. Your leftovers-togo bag has your name on it in the kitchen. Trust me when I say you will be eating turkey throughout the weekend.”
Dennis beamed. “Well, okay, then.”
Dessert was served. Pumpkin pie, pecan pie, and, of course, apple pie with homemade ice cream on top. Coffee flowed by the gallon. More groans of pleasure were heard as belt buckles were loosened still another notch.
“A champagne toast to all of you,” Starry said, standing up, her brand-new daughter at her side. She tapped her wineglass with a spoon. “I want to thank you all for coming today. I don’t have the words to tell you how much I appreciate all you’ve done for me and my daughter, whom I have just met and plan to never let go. Although I will consent to share her with her husband, if that is her choice. I want you all to know that, and if and when I ever open up the Daisy Wheel again, you all have carte blanche. So here’s a toast to the people who right
wrongs. All of you!”
The toast made, Myra looked at Starry, and said, “If and when you open back up is what you said. Are you thinking of not reopening the Daisy Wheel?”
Starry looked up and down the long table at all her new friends. “I don’t know. There’s something I have to do. I suppose it will depend on how long it takes me. I guess my answer is perhaps.”
“Can we help?” Nikki asked as she fished for whatever it was Starry had to do.
Starry laughed. “What I have to do is quite different from what all of you do in your war against evildoers. Tomorrow I am driving up to the Adirondacks. I am going to clear more than twenty years of forest from Trinity’s cemetery. The people who bought the property can’t develop it because of the cemetery. I don’t think anyone knew that, least of all me. Once I left, I never had the courage to go back there. I need to do that now. It doesn’t matter that strangers own the property. I doubt they’ll mind if I clean up the cemetery, and if they do mind, then I’ll hire a lawyer to deal with them. Amy is going to help with the cemetery.”
“Well, hold on just a minute now,” Annie said as she rummaged in her carryall under the table. “This is for you, Starry. We bought the property back from the investment group. A friend of ours out in Nevada handled the purchase. It’s all yours again, so you can do whatever you want with it. Speaking strictly for myself, I’d be honored to go with you tomorrow and help clear the grave sites. Truly, I would, Starry.”
And then everyone was on their feet volunteering their help as Starry sobbed with joy into a wadded-up napkin, her daughter’s arms around her shoulders.
“Drive? I think we should fly! I can have the Welmed plane ready at noon tomorrow. What about tools? I can get those in the morning and have everything loaded on the plane, and we even get to take our leftovers with us,” Dennis said, excitement ringing in his voice.
Harry clapped Dennis on the back. “Then, kid, that’s exactly what we’ll do.”
“I think we should think of this as a sort of back-door mission,” Annie said.
Crash And Burn Page 23
