Last Ride on the Merry-go-round

by Judith Rochelle

  'Mac’ McWilliams opened his mouth to say something but Monica Mackall gripped his arm.

  "Shut up, Mac. This is so much speculation. They have no proof of anything, so don't give them any."

  "On the contrary, Mrs. Mackall.” The director's smile had a decidedly wintry yet self-satisfied look to it. “After you left your office we had men dismantling your shipping and receiving department. Imagine our surprise to find four antiquities stolen from the museum in Baghdad in a carton marked electronic parts."

  The director droned on but Jennifer finally tuned him out. It was all more than she could process. Apparently, there were fourteen people in all involved in this, all members of the museum board. They'd been making huge sums of money for years, buying on the black market, shipping in through the museum and selling to carefully selected buyers.

  While the police commissioner was the muscle, so to speak, the mayor of Detroit, grey-haired and distinguished looking, was the ring leader. It was he who had put the group together to begin with and found the street dealer through contacts made when he was in the service. He, the commissioner, Monica Mackall, and gallery owner Patsy Morgan formed the inner circle.

  No one said a word when the director finished his little tale, nor did they speak when he read the warrants for the arrest of each person at the table. McWilliams looked permanently stunned and Mackall's face had drained of all color. It was the women who looked ready for a cat fight.

  As they were led away to be processed, Patsy Morgan stopped beside Jen, her face filled with hate.

  "You think you're out of this scot free, don't you, you little bitch? Just be sure to keep looking over your shoulder for the rest of your life. You never know when one of us will be there."

  "I wouldn't make threats I couldn't keep, Mrs. Morgan,” the director told her. “You and your friends will be a guest of the federal government for so long you won't even know where to find Mrs. Sutherland, when and if you ever taste freedom again."

  One of the men in suits grasped her arm and literally dragged her from the room.

  The nameless man turned out to be the attorney who had accompanied everyone. Called hastily by the senator, he had requested a meeting with the director. One of the suits pointed him toward an office across the hall. He disappeared into it and then there were just four of them in the room.

  "Well, Ethan,” the director said, “have I sufficiently done penance for the unwarranted invasion into your files?"

  "Yes, I'd say so. You were the only one who could have dug up the information to pinpoint Douglas's employer. And who had the clout to pull this off today."

  "It always saddens me when people who have everything feel the need to have even more, and to get it by illegal means. Greed has brought down many, many people."

  "They thought they were smarter than everyone else,” Ethan commented. “But you and I have known a lot of people like that."

  The director nodded. “Too many.” He turned to Jen. “You're a very courageous woman, Mrs. Sutherland. And smart to head directly to my friend, Ethan, here. I hope that life will be much brighter for you from now on."

  "I intend to see that it is,” Dino broke in.

  The director allowed himself a tiny smile. “Very good then. Ethan? I have some projects I think we need to discuss. I'd like to stop by your place on my way back to Washington."

  Now it was Ethan's turn to smile. “Any time. I'm happy to hear what you have to say, only—"

  "I know,” the director broke in. “No promises. Well, we'll see what happens. Now I'd better make sure those warrants are air tight and see if we've left anyone out."

  He was gone and Jennifer stared from one man to the other. “So that's it? It's all over?"

  "Finished, cara," Dino told her. “You have your life back."

  "My new life,” she reminded him.

  He nodded. “Absolutely."

  "Mike should be at the airport waiting for us,” Ethan said. “I had him bring our own plane up here, figuring we might need a ride home. Let's go, kids. I don't know about you, but the faster I get out of here the better."

  * * * *

  The scandal gave the media something juicy to feast on for several days. The arrest of fourteen very wealthy, prominent, and well-connected people was all anyone could talk about. The aftershocks were felt everywhere, especially when the extent of the operation was revealed.

  The phalanx of high-priced lawyers retained by the accused were good for daily sound bytes, but the picture most often shown was of Monica Mackall throwing a screaming fit at her arraignment hearing, looking for all the world like a harpy.

  Jennifer and Deanne stayed safely hidden away at Ethan's, invisible and unavailable to even the most diligent members of the media. Dino was back in Key West, attending to things both business and personal. He and Jen spoke at least twice a day.

  "Thanks for letting us stay here,” Jen told Lisa over coffee one morning. “So much has happened I can't even think what I'm going to do next. You have no idea how much I appreciate you letting us intrude this way."

  Lisa gave her a warm smile. “It's no intrusion, believe me.” She poured her own coffee and sat down at the table with Jen. “Have you made any decision about where you're going from here?"

  Jen felt a blush heat her cheeks. “Ethan's being kind enough to handle things in Michigan for me. Apparently, John had a will, which Ethan's arranged to have someone take care of. He found a buyer for the house once probate is complete, and had someone pack up my clothes and Deanne's as well as a few other things I thought she should have. He has a friend storing them until I decide where to ship them."

  "You're not going back up north."

  Jen shivered. “Not in a million years. That place holds nothing but bad memories for me.” She felt herself blush again. “I'm thinking of heading further south."

  Lisa grinned. “Would I be overstepping here by asking if there's a special reason for that direction?"

  "I think there is. I hope so. We ... he ... hasn't said anything specific but we're making some plans. I need a little space right now and he's willing to give it to me.” She laughed. “But he says as long as it's no further than a block away from him."

  "I'd say anyone looking at the two of you together wouldn't have any questions about your future."

  Jen fiddled with her coffee cup. “Remember, I have Deanne to consider. I need a situation that's permanent for her. Stable. I'm very lucky she's survived what's happened as well as she has."

  "I definitely agree.” Lisa's face sobered. “Have you decided what to tell Deanne about Ethan?"

  Jen took a long swallow of coffee, then set her cup down very carefully. “Ethan and I talked about it.” She shook her head. “I can't believe I'm discussing this with his wife. You're a very unusual woman."

  "No, I don't think so. Just one who's very secure in her marriage. So, did you come to any conclusions?"

  Jen hesitated before she answered. “We've decided to tell her the truth. For a lot of reasons, secrets have a way of coming out when you least want them to. If she found out accidentally the impact could really be negative. And the two of them seem to have bonded while she's been here."

  "Ethan and I also discussed it,” Lisa said, “and decided we'd follow your lead. He's changed so much in the past couple of years, and family has become really important to him. And we'd like Jamie to know that he has a sister.” She sipped at her coffee. “When do you plan to tell her?"

  "Today. In fact, I'm going to talk to her in a little while. And if things go well, then I'd like Ethan to join the conversation.” She looked at Lisa hesitantly. “If that's okay with you."

  "Absolutely."

  "But first I need to let Dino know what I'm doing.” She rose from her chair. “In case it changes what ... how he feels. About me. Us."

  "I don't think it will,” Lisa assured her. “Anyone who knows him can see he's crazy about you, but you're smart to do it this way. And Deanne's a super kid, Jen
. You've done a fantastic job with her."

  "Thank you.” She finished her coffee and looked at her watch. “Dino's supposed to call in a few minutes. He's been working on something for me and he thinks he has good news."

  Lisa stood up, too, and Jen found herself being hugged. “Whatever happens, I wish you the very, very best. And I hope you and Dino find the same thing Ethan and I have."

  "Me, too,” Jen told her, returning the hug. “Cross your fingers for us, okay? I want to be finished with riding life's merry-go-round and missing the brass ring."

  "Oh, I don't think you need crossed fingers anymore. I think Dino's got everything well in hand for the three of you."

  Jen's cell phone rang and she flipped it open, smiling as she heard Dino's voice. As she listened to his words her heart thrummed with pleasure. The merry-go-round was about to stop after all.

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  Epilogue

  Jen sat on the porch of her rented bungalow, rocking on the wooden swing that hung from the ceiling, and sipping a glass of iced tea. The sun was finally sliding toward the horizon and Dino and Deanne would be returning shortly. He'd been teaching the little girl to fish, taking her to quiet coves to learn. Deanne was beside herself with excitement. Sometimes Jen went with them but today Dino had told her it was a special trip for the two of them.

  She didn't mind. Dino and Deanne got along very well. She related to him much better than she had ever related to John Sutherland. For the first time in longer than she could remember, Jen saw her child relaxed and happy, the nightmare behind her and every day filled with pleasant memories.

  Telling her about Ethan had been easier than she'd expected. It was a lot for a seven-year-old to swallow, and she'd been full of questions, including why they wouldn't all be living together. Jen and Ethan answered everything honestly, and after two days the little girl seemed to settle into the situation. Dino supported Jen's decision completely, but let it be known he intended to keep his place in Deanne's life, also. Now Jen and Ethan were discussing a visitation schedule that would work for everyone.

  They'd been in Key West a month now, staying in a bungalow Dino had found for them. He was as good as his word about not pushing her, but he'd made sure the house was only two doors down from his.

  "Very convenient,” she chuckled. “How much did you have to pay the guy to move out so we could stay here?"

  "You wound me, cara,” he told her, but a grin played at the corner of his mouth.

  Having a child around, one they wanted to make sure felt included in their lives, didn't give them much private time. Luckily Deanne found a friend five doors away and the occasional sleepover was like a gift. Jen and Dino made every moment together count, their lovemaking sensual and heated and very soul satisfying.

  They learned about each other, their quirks and habits, their likes and dislikes. And grew closer every day.

  Jen discovered she loved the pace of life on the island and found herself fitting right in. Dino had only taken out day charters the last few weeks, and Jen had begun putting together her graphics design business again.

  "It's all done via the Internet,” she told Dino. “And I do need to earn some money. Otherwise I feel like a beggar."

  He understood at once her need for financial freedom and didn't argue, just sent as many clients her way as he could. The money from the sale of the house and anything else left in John's estate went into a trust fund for Deanne, for college.

  Jen had to pinch herself daily to believe how well everything was turning out.

  Her reverie now was interrupted by the roar of the engine on Dino's motorcycle. Jen had nearly had a heart attack the first time he took Deanne out on it, but the little girl always had her helmet on, and Dino had drilled her on motorcycle safety. Besides, seeing the huge smile on her daughter's face smoothed away many of Jen's fears.

  The bike pulled into her driveway. Dino killed the engine, and he and Deanne hopped off.

  "Did you catch any fish?” Jen asked, hugging her daughter.

  "Not today, Mommy. We were too busy talking."

  Jen looked over her head at Dino, who had a mysterious look in his eyes.

  "Oh, oh. Are you two cooking up some trouble?"

  Deanne wriggled out of her mother's arms and looked up at her with an earnest expression. “Dino has something to ask you, Mommy. He asked me today what I thought about it, and we talked a long time. I said okay. I thought it would be a great idea. Now you have to say yes, too."

  "And exactly what would I be agreeing to?"

  Deanne took in a deep breath and let it out. “My friend, Leslie, has two daddies but only one lives with her, and she loves them both. Daddy Ethan lives with Lisa and Jamie so he can't live with us. And I think I should have a daddy who lives with me."

  It was the longest speech Jen had ever heard her make. Jen's heart was thumping at what she was sure was behind it, but she kept her voice as calm as she could.

  "And did you and Dino come up with a solution?"

  "Uh huh.” She bobbed her head. “I told him I'd like him to be my daddy, too, and live with us. Dino asked if he could marry us and I said yes. Now it's your turn.” She grabbed her mother's hand. “Please say yes, okay?"

  Jen looked up at Dino, whose eyes twinkled with mischief. “Figured you'd cover all the other bases first, did you?"

  He laughed. “I'm a careful man and always have a plan."

  "Well, Mommy?” Deanne hopped from foot to foot. “We wouldn't have to live in two houses. And you and Dino wouldn't have to make plans for me so you could be alone together."

  Jen burst out laughing. “How did you get so wise?” She looked up at Dino again. “You know, I thought I'd been around on the merry-go-round too many times already and I'd missed the brass ring completely."

  "You've had your last ride on it, Jen. And the ring won't be brass, it will be gold. Say yes and put me out of my misery."

  "Yes, I'll marry you, Dino.” She laughed again, a sound of pure joy.” Yes, yes, yes."

  All the anxiety smoothed away from Dino's face. He pulled Jen off the swing and enveloped both mother and daughter in a huge bear hug.

  "And soon, okay?” he asked.

  "Very soon.” She smiled. “Very, very soon."

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  About the author...

  It seems all my life I've been making up stories in my head, waiting for the time I could write them down. All my life experiences have added to the cartons of ideas stored in my head. I was the first female sports reporter on a college newspaper, managed rock bands and country singers, worked in retail, worked for newspapers, worked in public relations for two universities. Now I live in the beautiful Texas Hill Country with my husband and our three cats. Our children are all grown and are my biggest supporters.

  Visit Judith at www.judithrochelle.com

  Contact Judith at judithrochelle@judithrochelle.com

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