Shadows of Deceit (A Series of Shadows)

by Mell Corcoran

  “Yeah, peanut butter.” A voice confirmed from somewhere in her room, giving Lou such a start that it made Angus leap off her chest and head for the hills.

  “Sorry but we had to get you up somehow!” Lou recognized the second voice as her mother’s.

  “What the hell?” Lou sat up, feeling her ribs protest a little less than they had before. “Momma?” She blinked and focused, finally seeing her mother and Abby sitting on the loveseat at the foot of her bed. “What the hell?” She repeated herself.

  “Abby did it.” Shevaun ratted the redhead out with a chuckle.

  “I did!” Abby grinned wickedly as she confessed. “I thought it would be a sweet way to get you up! A hell of a lot of fun to watch, too!”

  “You put peanut butter on my nose so Angus would lick it off and wake me up?” Lou wanted to be clear on their torturous plan.

  “Yup!” The culprit said proudly.

  “Joe and I want to go to brunch. Since you are clearly in no shape for golf.” Shevaun informed her. “You’re going with us so get up and get dressed.”

  “Is Abby coming too?” Lou groaned as she threw the covers off.

  “Yup!” Abby repeated. “We are all ready and it’s after noon so you need to get yourself up and at it so we can go!” Abby got up from the loveseat and skipped around to help Lou out of bed. “I have your clothes all ready so let’s get you in the shower and all pretty so we can enjoy the day.”

  “Pretty?” Lou snorted. “Good luck with that.” Lou noticed she could hear music. “What’s with the music?” She asked as she forced herself upright and Abby stuffed the crutch under her armpit.

  “Frank is introducing Joe to the wonders of the iPod and how it can be piped through the house sound system.”

  “He didn’t know he could do that?” Lou seemed surprised.

  “Apparently not.” Shevaun confirmed with a shrug. “The man spent how many thousands of dollars on that system and he still doesn’t know everything it does.”

  “That’s hilarious.” Lou grinned. “I bet you fifty bucks Joe has music going twenty-four, seven now that he knows.”

  “Sucker bet.” Shevaun clearly agreed with Lou. “Go get cleaned up. I’ll wait for you downstairs while I try to get Joe to peel himself away from his new discovery.”

  “I’ll hurry best I can.” Lou assured her mother. “What am I wearing?” She asked Abby as she hobbled in to the bathroom.

  “It’s going to be hot today so I found a pretty long sundress that will hide your knee brace.”

  “I own a sundress?” Lou was stunned.

  “It was in there!” Abby grinned as she reached in and got the water ready for her. “Now get in the shower. I’ll blow your hair and get your bruises covered when you ‘re ready for me.”

  “Thanks Abby.” Lou smiled and did as ordered.

  It was nearly 1 p.m. by the time Abby had decided Lou was sufficiently ready for public consumption. Lou was worried they were taking too long and knew that they stopped serving brunch at the club at 2 p.m.

  “We have plenty of time!” Abby assured her as she gathered their things. “Let’s get down stairs and tear Joe away from that damn iPod dock!”

  “At least he’s playing good music.” Lou acknowledged as she checked herself in the mirror. “I actually look like a normal girl!” She chuckled.

  “Of course you do! Silly.” Abby grinned.

  “I wonder where the hell this dress came from.” Lou had never seen it before in her life. It was a pale peach, gauzy sundress that swept to her ankles in a soft and flowing A-line. The cap sleeves were almost fluted, like her arms were shooting out of petunia flowers and Abby had found a pair of ballerina flats in the same exact peach color. “I do not color coordinate things like this. It had to be my mother or Caroline.”

  “You look beautiful so what does it matter?” Abby insisted as she tugged gently on Lou’s arm. “We gotta hurry.” She gave Lou a pouty look. “Your fine! Let’s go!”

  “OK but I thought you said we had plenty of time.” Lou headed for the door, acknowledging she was too hungry to miss the amazing brunch that the club put on every Sunday.

  “I said that, yes.” Abby acknowledged. “But I’m hungry so move it!”

  “I’m moving it! Just not as fast as I’d like!” Lou grinned. As she hobbled for the stairs, she debated in her mind if she should have the eggs benedict or struggle through the buffet with her crutch and have a little bit of everything. Her stomach growled at the possibilities.

  Though Lou’s pain was lessened, she was still slow. Abby had skipped far ahead of her and was already down the stairs and out of sight by the time Lou made it just to the landing. It was frustrating to say the least. By the time she made it to the bottom, Joe had Coldplay blaring through the entire house and she knew no one was going to hear her yelling that she made it and was at the door. Lou knew they were still in the kitchen and had to be at the control panel for the sound system so she headed around the corner and down the hall. When Lou rounded the corner and through the doorway to the kitchen, she nearly fell over when she saw what was waiting for her.

  “Surprise!” The hoard that was gathered shouted all at once and in unison they all began singing “Happy Birthday to you....”

  Everyone was there, in her house and spilling out the open doors to the patio. Her parents, Abby and Frank, Caroline and her man de’jour, Lou’s uncle Seamus, her aunt Nora and her cousin Liam. All the guys, Niko, Finn, Yuri and Connor. Sandra Arthur and her husband were beaming smiles and Jane Michaels was there, out on the patio holding a very happy looking Luna. Her husband, Mathew standing right beside her, waving with a grin. Vinny was clapping and singing next to his extremely pregnant wife, Vera with Dillon singing and laughing right along side of them. There were dozens of others, both friends and people Lou considered extended family. The emotions just welled up inside her and she struggled to maintain. It was when she caught sight of Max though, that the tears started flowing. Lou had no idea how they pulled this off at all, especially Max being able to make it back from Africa in time. But there he was. There they all were. For her. The magnitude of Lou’s blessings overwhelmed her and she broke into a mixture of giggles and sobs.

  “Aww! Honey!” Shevaun wrapped her arms around her. “I guess this means you were surprised?”

  “That’s an understatement!” Lou laughed as her mother lead her out to the patio where the party officially got underway.

  Lou took in the spectacle with awe. She had no idea how they did it. There were a dozen round tables set up all over the lawn with bright floral table clothes and enormous centerpieces with the same bright flowers bursting out of terra cotta vases. There was a huge buffet set up off to the side of the yard and waitstaff wandering with trays, passing goodies that Lou could smell along with all the blooms. Colorful paper lanterns were strewn on rope, swagged every which way across the entire expanse of the yard and the pool was filled with bright balls that matched the colors of not only the lanterns, but the flowers and table cloths as well. It was all color coordinated for the best of spring.

  “How did you do this?” Lou gawked as her mother sat her down on the chaise by the pool. She noticed on the other side a band was set up on an elevated platform and they began playing Leslie Gore’s “It’s My Party”.

  “Abby worked her magic while you were knocked out all morning.” Shevaun grinned.

  “You helped!” Abby insisted as she patted Shevaun on the back. “A ton!”

  “A little.” Lou’s mother clarified. “Abby is a machine.”

  “It was a blast to do!” The red-headed sneak beamed a bright smile.

  “I don’t know what to say!” Lou was at a serious loss. “Thank you does not even come close!”

  “Oh shush!” Abby leaned down and gave Lou a hug. “Anything for my new sister.” Lou looked at her with reverence and tears resumed falling. “Stop that!” Abby admonished her. “This is a happy day! No more tears! This is a party!” Abby rea
lized the chorus to the song was contradicting her and Lou took the perfect opportunity to sing along with it.

  “...I’ll cry if I want to!” They all laughed.

  The procession of guests quickly gathered to wish Lou a happy birthday and the party officially kicked into high gear. It was a beautiful afternoon, warm but mild at the same time. The blue sky canopied the festivities with the occasional puff of white drifting by. Mimosas and sangria flowed along with the endless variety of food that had been prepared. Laughter and music echoed through every corner of the McAllister compound as the day went on. It was perfect.

  Throughout the course of the day, Lou had touched bases with Dillon, Niko and the rest of the guys but they all insisted that work could wait. When Lou finally made her way through the dance floor and found Max chatting with Vinny and Vera, she couldn’t help but notice they were laughing hysterically. Even Max was wiping tears from his eyes, he was laughing so hard.

  “This can’t be good.” Lou was sure they were laughing at something she had done and her words only made the three laugh harder. “Alright, what gives?” She demanded.

  “I was just telling Max about the time you got stuck in that pay-toilet, chasing that crackhead.” Vinny could barely get the words out without busting up.

  “I was trying to stop him from flushing evidence!” Lou tried to explain but they only laughed harder.

  “I showered for an hour and made Vinny get the car steam cleaned. Do you have any idea how filthy those bathrooms are?” Lou tried to justify her behavior but they all just kept laughing.

  Lou decided it was time for a little payback and began recounting a few of her own stories where Vinny was the star. Needless to say, the laughter only increased and as the light of day grew to a close, everyone’s sides hurt from all the hilarity.

  Later on, when Lou’s good leg gave out and she was forced to sit, the band leader broke in and requested everyone turn their attention toward her. Lou’s own attention was drawn to Niko and Abby who were emerging from the house carrying a giant cake in the shape of a huge band-aid with far too many candles for her liking. As they approached everyone started singing once again. They set the cake on the coffee table in front of her chair and Lou once again marveled at the celebration. Her heart was so full she thought it would surely burst. When the singing was done, and the applause began, along with the chants for Lou to make a wish, Lou only had one wish she could possibly ask for. Silently she closed her eyes and squeezed tight, pulling as much air into her lungs as possible. As she blew, she made her single wish, that she and her family always be as happy as they were now. Not a single candle was left aglow and the guests cheered with approval.

  After the cake was cut and everyone was served, gifts were brought for Lou to rip into. There was no shortage of gags. A pair of orthopedic shoes from her cousin, a folding cane from one of the guys in forensics, a gift certificate for a life-time supply of ibuprofen from all the deputies in booking, the laughter continued on and on. There were also some beautiful and very thoughtful gifts. A pair of pearl earrings from her uncle and aunt, an amazing pair of leather boots from Abby and a digital picture frame from Vinny and Vera that was much like the one Casius Arcano had but hers cycled through photos of her and her family, extended and immediate, some from many many years back. Lou was once again driven to tears. The last gift had been reserved for Max and Lou could scarcely imagine what he could possibly give her that he hadn’t already. He had saved her life, twice, after all.

  She watched the guests quietly make room and noticed that Marta and Jane Michaels were assisting him. Apparently she was the only one that didn’t know what he was giving her. The band began playing something, but it was quiet, not too ruckus. Lou noted numerous guests started coughing and clearing their throats at the same time as Max emerged carrying the giant box, with an equally giant bow affixed to the lid. Someone, Lou couldn’t tell you who, pulled the coffee table out of the way and Max laid the box at Lou’s feet. She looked at him sideways.

  “Hurry up and open it!” He insisted with a huge grin on his face.

  The box was easily a three by three foot square and the bow was at least a foot in diameter. She reached to lift the lid and could have sworn the box moved, as if helping her get it open. When she removed the top and saw what was inside, she froze and her heart nearly burst on the spot. Two squeaking white puff balls clamoring to get out. They were the most adorable puppies she had ever seen. Barely the size of footballs with fluffy white fur and chocolate brown eyes. Noses like halved black olives and tiny pink tongues hanging out. Lou began to sob.

  “Noooo!” She cooed as she slid to the ground and scooped the two little dumplings into her arms. “You are adorable! My babies!” The floppy puffs immediately began smothering her face in sloppy wet puppy kisses as she snuggled them close. Max watched in utter triumph as the crowd ooh’d and awww’d. “What are your names?” She struggled to get a closer look at them but the kisses got in the way, causing her to giggle profusely.

  “Dumb and Dumber.” Frank snorted from off to the side.

  “Oh shut up!” Lou admonished him. “They are not dumb! She insisted as she talked to them in baby talk. “You are not dumb, are you my precious? No! You are geniuses! Right?” Frank rolled his eyes.

  “I felt it best to let you name them.” Max told her, beaming with pride that she was so happy with his gift.

  “Well you need names? Don’t you, my little dumplings?” Lou gushed at them. “Let’s see...”

  “Marta has them pretty well house trained already.” He informed her. “She’s been sneaking them into your room while you’ve been out so they are familiar with the lay of the land. Angus actually thinks they’re fun.”

  “Really?!” It hadn’t even occurred to her how Angus would react to his new family but she was thrilled that he was accepting of them.

  “That’s why I had to put the peanut butter on your nose this morning.” Abby confessed. “It was the only way to get him away from Marta’s door where we had the babies stashed. He’s been camped out there since we brought them in.”

  “What kind are they?” Lou had never seen puppies like these.

  “They are Labradoodles.” Max answered. “A cross between a Labrador Retriever and Standard Poodle. They will get big. Big enough to run around here without being threatened by your other wildlife.”

  “My doodles!” Lou cooed some more, making everyone laugh. “A boy and a girl?” She had observed, she thought.

  “Yes.” Max grinned.

  “Well, I think I know what your names are then, right?” Lou gushed and pulled them closer to her face, one puff ball gnawing on her nose. “You little heart thieves! I think we should name you Bonnie and Clyde!” Lou giggled some more.

  Max smiled at the name choice as it was exactly what he had taken to calling them while they were hiding with him in the guest house. It just seemed to fit the rambunctious pair.

  “I adore them!” She looked up at him with a huge smile on her face. “Thank you so much!”

  Lou asked Abby if she would take the bundles and Abby was all too happy to oblige. Once she was able to get off the ground, Lou hobbled over to Max and hugged him tight, wrapping her arms around his massive trunk and pressing her cheek tight against his chest.

  “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” She whispered. “So much to thank you for.”

  He scarcely knew what to do but managed to wrap his arms around her and kiss the top of her head. His heart was surely going to explode. The smell of Lou’s hair in his nostrils made him almost dizzy. God how he loved this woman.

  “We have a puppy play-pen for them!” Shevaun announced, breaking the two out of their embrace. “We can let the other guests have their crack at the love-fest.” Shevaun scooped one of the lumps from Abby’s arms and led her off to the side where they indeed had a pop-up playpen set up complete with chew toys and balls where the puppies could frolic in safety.

  Lou took a step back and looked
up at Max. “I mean it.” She was adamant. “Thank you for so much. Not just those two adorable things.”

  “You never have to thank me, Lou.” He beamed down at her. “Anything for you.”

  She knew, in that look that he was giving her, in that instant, he meant it. More importantly, he cared for her too. Really and truly. What she was going to do about that though, well that was a puzzle for another time.

  The party went on into the night and the lanterns that Abby had hung were able to glow their myriad of colors for quite some time. Lou struggled against the pain as long as she could before she had to take her pain medication and sometime after 10 p.m. she grew too weary to fight any longer. She had to make her apologies and say goodnight to her guests. Abby and her mother helped her upstairs, Bonnie and Clyde, and all their accoutrements in tow. When Lou finally made it to her bed, she saw the new puppy steps in place that would allow the puffs to get up and down on their own. She also noticed a fake piece of grass had been placed just outside the door of her balcony.

  “We tested it already. They will go out there, even if they are on your bed, if they have to go.” Abby assured her when she saw that Lou had noticed the new furnishings. “No worries! They won’t pee in your bed!”

  “At this point I’m so tired I don’t think I would care.” Lou admitted as she snuggled under the covers and her two new family members wrestled up next to her. To Lou’s shock and awe, Angus appeared out of nowhere and settled in to his side of the bed. The two puff balls immediately abandoning Lou for him, snuggling in to his fluffy fur and calming instantly. “Well would you look at that!” Lou was amazed.