How wonderful Jack looks, Nikki thought. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Yoko wave to Harry. He smiled in return and wiggled his fingers.
Jack was angry. The women could hear it in his voice. “So, what’s it to be, Charles?” he demanded. “You sending your posse over here or are we on our own?”
“Can you handle it, Jack?” Charles asked evenly.
“It depends on the time constraints and the game plan. Do you have a game plan, Charles?” He spoke in a voice Nikki had never heard before. She shivered at what she thought it could mean.
“Not at the moment, Jack. I need a few hours. Nellie, you spoke to Justice Barnes. Did she give you any idea how terminal her situation is? With all her security, how are you to get in touch with her?”
“She wants it all yesterday. She was scared out of her wits, Charles. For her to come out to the farm in the middle of the night proved it. She didn’t say how we were to get in touch. I would think anything and everything would be suspect. Perhaps we could get in touch through her daughter, Beka. Or I could call her and arrange a lunch date with Grant. Jack and Harry could be dining at the same restaurant. Or maybe Maggie could offer to do a piece on her for the Post. Lizzie could go to the art gallery where Beka works. We have avenues to explore but I don’t think we have much time. A week, possibly a few days longer, according to Pearl.”
“I don’t know if I need to remind any of you of this,” Jack said, “but Grant Conlon, Justice Barnes’s longtime significant other, is the brother-in-law of Elias Cummings, the new director of the FBI.”
“Grant is as committed as Pearl is to her…her cause,” Nellie said.
“What exactly does Pearl want or expect us to do?” Myra asked. “Does she want us to spirit her away? Does she want us to kidnap her or the ex–son-in-law, Hughes? Then the jig is up and the world knows what she’s done. Or does she want us to…uh…take care of Hughes so she can go back to her life without fear and worry? We need more to go on, Nellie. What about the women and children stranded in Oregon?”
Lizzie Fox made her presence known. “How many people know what Hughes knows? Do we know what it is he wants her to vote on? I can have a profile of him within an hour. I’m willing to put my ass on the line to get to him if you think that’s what’s needed. Plus, I know the guy. He’s an egotistical son of a bitch. He’s also very smart. The crafty conniving kind of smart. I heard, but I don’t know if it’s true or not, that Justice Barnes paid through the nose to get him out of Beka’s life. Seven figures,” she said sourly. “High seven figures. Guess he went through it all already. He’s a high-dollar spender. There are also whispers that he’s a gambler. He’s the type that likes to be seen and talked about. A mover and a shaker. Most people think he’s a bit of a joke.”
Maggie Spritzer raised her hand. “How about if I interview him? I can say I’m doing a profile, talking to everyone in Justice Barnes’s life, and that includes an ex–son-in-law.”
“Well, it appears we have options,” Charles said. “We need a time frame. How soon can we get that? Nellie?”
“It’s five o’clock in the morning here. At seven o’clock I can call and invite Pearl and Grant to brunch in town. But inviting Grant might be a mistake since Pearl said he doesn’t know about Hughes’s threat. As you know, brunch is big in this town on Sunday. Jack and Harry can be there. Everyone goes to brunch on Sunday so I don’t think it will throw up any red flags. What that means is if Lizzie and Maggie want to go, I don’t think it will cause a stir of any kind. The big question is, what do I tell Pearl and what do I promise her?”
Nikki spoke for the first time, her eyes on Jack. “If you do that, Nellie, it’s an admission of guilt and we’re caving in to her threat. I don’t think we want to do that, do we? We all know you can never get out from under a blackmailer. We could, however, work undercover and try to stay out of sight. It’s just a thought,” she said.
Jack smiled for Nikki’s benefit. “Nik’s right. We need to kick this around a bit more. Worst case scenario, I’m sure Harry and I can figure out a way to snatch the justice. We’ll need a little backup but I think we can pull it off. That will halt any threat to us by Justice Barnes, at which point we’ll put all our efforts into Hughes and the people he’s working for.”
“I like that idea,” Annie said, excitement ringing in her voice. She turned around and fixed Myra with a wide grin. “I’d gladly pay money to see the expression on Pearl’s face when we pull her bacon out of the fire. She always thought she was smarter than we were. In a nice way, of course. Ha!”
“We also need to find out if the women and children at the underground stop in Oregon are in any kind of danger,” Charles said. “We’ll shut down for now and reconvene in three hours. With the time difference it will still give you time to do a brunch if you think it’s a viable plan.”
Before anyone could say good-bye the plasma screen went dark. Lady Justice once more looked down on the women. Nikki bit down on her lower lip. She felt like crying. She risked a glance at Yoko, who had tears in her eyes.
“Well, this is certainly something to chew on,” Kathryn said. “Let’s run this up the flagpole and see if anyone salutes. I say we head home to help out. Our little group back in Virginia is top-notch but I don’t think they’re up to a gig like this one. Alexis, shift gears and tell us how you can get us back to the States with the aid of your Red Bag of magic tricks. This might be a good time for you, Annie, to haul out that spiffy yacht you have in dry dock and make it work for us.”
“You’re a thinker, Kathryn. I like that. So while you’re thinking, try to come up with a crew for my spiffy yacht that won’t draw attention to us,” Annie said smartly. “A yacht is not the way to go if one is in a hurry.”
“Annie’s yacht, the Moonraker, is being readied as we speak,” Charles said quietly. Myra smiled. Why had she doubted even for a moment that Charles would have things under control?
Back in Virginia, Maggie Spritzer and Lizzie Fox were now wide-awake as they waited for Nellie or Jack to speak. Nellie leaned forward and started to speak as Jack flopped down in his chair next to Harry Wong, the number two martial arts expert in the world.
“In my opinion it’s dangerous for the others to cross the pond,” Nellie said. “I do admit I would feel better if they were here, but if there is any way we can do this on our own, I don’t think we should jeopardize the others. If they get caught again there’s no one left to help them. They’ll go to prison and there won’t be a thing we can do. Do any of you have any suggestions?”
“I say you go the brunch route,” Jack said. “We’ll all be there as lookouts. Justice Barnes will have security. I think we need to get as much information as possible about Hughes, so, Lizzie, dig up all the info you can on the guy. Maggie, see if you can get in touch with Justice Barnes’s daughter. I know it’s Sunday, but try to make an appointment to speak with her tomorrow at the art gallery where she works. If she agrees, make it as early as possible.”
“I guess this means we’re the first string this time out. Are we up to it, Jack?” Harry asked. “Does that mean the second string is on the bench warming up in case they have to pull our fat out of the fire? I like things like that explained to me.”
“Yeah, that’s what it means, Harry.”
“Second string? I don’t think so!” Lizzie stood up and glared at the others around the table. “I resent the implication, gentlemen. Now you’ve pissed me off. You don’t ever want to piss me off, Jack.”
Jack thought the lawyer was one of the most beautiful women he’d ever seen. Delectable eye candy. She was probably also one of the smartest. He shuddered when he remembered all the sleepless nights and nightmares he’d had in the past when he had to go up against the Silver Fox, as Lizzie Fox was referred to by her colleagues in the courtroom.
“Resent it all you want, counselor. This isn’t a courtroom where you can bewitch the jury and the judges, not to mention the media, with your short skirts, cleavage
and all that sex appeal you toss out there.”
“Gee, Jack, I didn’t think you noticed. Just for the record, I resent that, too,” Lizzie snapped.
“This isn’t a game, Lizzie. We could all go to prison if we make a wrong move. We’re being watched 24/7. One false move and it’s all over. Think of this as our maiden voyage and then remember Murphy’s Law. What can go wrong, will go wrong. The others are seasoned. I don’t think we qualify as the second string, but we’re up to bat. Now, if you don’t have anything constructive to offer, sit down and shut the hell up. You aren’t in charge here. In fact, you’re low gal on the totem pole.”
“I second that, Goldilocks. I’m not real anxious to go to prison so let’s proceed in an orderly manner or I’ll personally slice your tits off. Are we clear?” Harry snarled.
“I always do what I’m told,” Maggie dithered in case a preemptive strike was going to be delivered in her direction. “Hey, I’m okay with all this…this spook stuff. So is Lizzie. In case you hadn’t noticed, we haven’t had any sleep and we’re cranky so let’s just start over.”
Lizzie was magnanimous in her apology. “You’re right, Jack. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again. How’s this for starting fresh: what do you want me to do?”
“Be a team player,” Nellie said.
“You got it, Judge,” Lizzie said quietly.
Nellie looked around for her gavel and seemed surprised that it wasn’t on the table. She grinned sheepishly. “I think we need to be open and up front with each other. I admit to some misgivings. Prior to…to all this,” she said, waving her hand, “I just helped out. Myra was in much the same position I find myself in right now. She used me as a sounding board and I was only too glad to help. This situation is quite different. Having said that, I will now call Pearl to see about a brunch date. Jack and Harry, you will be in the restaurant with me watching and observing. The moment Pearl leaves, join me for coffee. Lizzie and Maggie, if you can join us, please do. We’re adjourned for now.”
When no one moved, Nellie snapped, “What? Adjourned means the meeting is over. What?” she repeated.
“We have to call Charles with our decision. He wants us on video, doesn’t he?” Harry asked.
“Yep. I’ll do it, Judge. Twenty minutes and we’re out of here.”
Ten minutes later, Jack said, “You’re on, Judge!”
Nellie cleared her throat and spoke forcefully, so forcefully the others looked at one another. This was a new Nellie. One they hadn’t seen in action.
“Charles, my little group has decided, since we’re the first string, we’re going to act like it and go for the gusto. I’ll check back in later today after our brunch. At the moment I see no reason for the others to risk a prison sentence to come here. We have excellent backup with Harry’s friends.”
Charles listened attentively before he spoke. “I’m glad to hear that. In the meantime we’re having Annie’s yacht readied. Just in case, Nellie.”
“That’s ridiculous, Charles. If I need you I don’t plan to sit around sucking my thumb while you sail the high seas. Do you know how long it will take you to get here? Thank you for the offer but I’ll manage with my people, thank you very much.”
“Atta girl, Nellie,” Annie could be heard chortling in the background.
The moment the plasma screens turned black, Jack said, “Well, damn, Judge! I bet that’s the first time anyone has stood up to Charles Martin. I liked the way you referred to us as your ‘people.’ Now, if we screw up, and there’s no reason to think we will, we’ll have no one to blame but ourselves. So, let’s get this show on the road.”
Nellie was the last to leave the command center. She was almost to the door when she turned around and walked back to the table. She sat down and dropped her head into her hands. Who was she kidding? There was no way in hell she could ever fill Charles Martin’s shoes. Talking up a plan of action and carrying it through were two decidedly different animals. Well, she’d give it her best shot and hope for the best.
Swiping at her damp eyes, Nellie struggled to get out of her chair. When she felt a pair of strong arms lift her, she whirled around. “Jack!”
“If it’s any consolation, Judge, I pretty much felt the same way you’re probably feeling right now my first time out. I didn’t know if I was going to wet my pants, faint or drop dead on the spot. Somehow or other, instinct takes over and you know it’s survival of the fittest. You got it going on, lady, so settle in and take the ride. If one of us goes down we all go down and I’m not going to let that happen. Trust me, okay, Judge?”
The relief on the retired judge’s face brought a smile to Jack’s face. “Okay, Jack. I really need a cigarette.”
Jack laughed, a genuine sound of mirth. “Me, too. Let’s go, boss.”
In spite of herself, Nellie laughed. She linked her arm with Jack’s and followed him up the steps into the main part of the house.
“Where’s brunch?” Jack asked as he slipped into his windbreaker.
“Wintergreen’s,” Nellie said. “I’ll call you if Pearl turns me down, which I don’t think will happen.”
The phone was in Nellie’s hand the moment the kitchen door closed behind Jack Emery.
Chapter 3
The women settled themselves on the terrace with the last of the coffee. The day was beautiful, the kind of day resorts tout in their high-dollar glossy brochures to entice guests. Clear blue sky, cotton-candy clouds, golden sunshine. The slight breeze whispered among the trees as birds rustled and foraged for food. The scene all looks so peaceful, Myra thought, but she knew the girls were feeling anything but peaceful. Out of the corner of her eye she watched the younger women as they fidgeted and squirmed in the colorful Adirondack chairs.
Myra brought her coffee cup to her lips as she continued to watch her five chicks. That’s how she thought of Isabelle, Alexis, Kathryn, Yoko and Nikki. They were unhappy, but she’d known that for a long time. She wasn’t at all surprised when Nikki bounded out of her chair and announced that she was going for a run to work off the bountiful breakfast she’d consumed. Within seconds the others joined her.
“Something’s going on,” Annie said quietly.
“A revolt is imminent would be my guess. You notice they didn’t ask us if we wanted to go for a run,” Myra said quietly.
Annie gasped in horror. “Dear, dear Myra, surely you don’t think we could keep up with them, do you?”
“No, but it is nice to be asked. They could have said they were going for a walk and invited us along. We can walk, Annie. Sometimes I think they think we’re not…What’s that term I’m looking for?” Myra asked fretfully.
“Kathryn would say we aren’t cutting it. Holding up our end. If that’s what you think, you’re wrong. If you and I disappeared from this little group, they’d be lost without us. They look to us for direction. Not all the time, but we are the glue that holds us all together. Listen to me, Myra, getting caught has had a psychological effect on all of us. We’ve been forced to give up our lives as we knew them. We say we’re adjusting but we’re not. We just keep repeating the lie over and over and sooner or later we’ll begin to believe it.”
Myra shrugged as she fingered the pearls at her neck. As she stared off into space she said softly, “I’m so glad you agreed to join us, Annie. I feel I have an ally in you. Why do I feel like I need an ally? Us against them in a manner of speaking. I don’t understand where these feelings are coming from. I don’t like feeling like this and it’s starting to worry me.”
Annie, her eyes downcast, contemplated the crimson polish on her toenails. “I’m new to all of this, Myra, but I have to admit, I love it. I’m having the time of my life. The isolation up here on the mountain doesn’t bother me at all. I’ve lived here a long time so it’s home to me. It’s different these days but it is still home. However, I understand what you’re saying. Let’s face it, my friend, we’re old. The girls are young. When you’re young you think you’re infallible. You and I have
lost children and we’ll never be the same again. We both know that, so it has to be factored into our feelings. Did any of that make sense, Myra?” she asked anxiously.
“Yes,” Myra said, patting her old friend’s hand. “Now, what do you think they’re up to?”
“This is just my humble opinion…”
“Just stop it right now, Annie, you don’t have a humble bone in your body.”
“That’s true,” Annie responded airily. “So, it is my opinion the girls are scheming and plotting to find a way to go Stateside and not on my yacht. For the life of me I do not understand why Charles wants to take that boat to sea. It takes forever to cross the Atlantic. We might as well swim. At the risk of repeating myself, the girls want some action, sexual and otherwise, and don’t look at me like that, Myra. You really have to stop being such a prude.”
Myra got up and started to pace the confines of the terrace, all the while fingering the pearls at her neck. “I’m afraid for Nellie and Pearl. For all of them, actually. Backup is all-important. We were so cocky early on. We thought we were infallible. We weren’t, Annie. Our backup was Jack and Harry. Nikki knew it but the rest of us didn’t. You also have to factor in all of Charles’s old friends from his spy days. We’re half a world away from Nellie and the others. I guess what I’m trying to say is I want to be there doing whatever I can to help. Backup support is crucial.”
Annie joined Myra at the railing of the terrace. She propped her elbows on it and looked down the mountain, then her gaze went to the sparkling blue ocean. She whirled around and said, “Then let’s do it, old girl!”
9. Hokus Pokus Page 3