by Anthology
“Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll have plenty of opportunities before this is over.”
“Let’s kick some butt,” Kandice said. “I always wanted to be a badass.”
Madelyn stared at Kandice. “No you didn’t. You wanted to be a model from the day you were born.”
“Well,” Kandice said, waving around her expensive purse. “That’s true, but I wouldn’t mind being Wonder Woman for a day or two either.”
“Let’s go,” Laura said. “Time to rock and roll.”
Alex wanted to bang all their heads together.
Cynthia walked over to Cory. “Get up. Let’s go kick some butt.”
“Me,” he said, clutching his chest, his eyes the size of his monitor. “I’m an IT guy. I don’t fight.”
Cynthia crooked her index finger at him. “Come on, boss’s orders.”
“No, there is no boss here,” Cory insisted. “Except Alex.”
She stopped and stared at him. “Are you afraid?”
“No, no.” he stammered. “It’s just not what I do.”
Alex felt sorry for Cory being under the younger Avery’s command.
She put her hands on her hips and leaned toward him. “Well, Alex has agreed to help. That means you too. Get off your ass and follow us.”
“What,” Cory said in a panic. “Alex, tell them I’m just the IT guy.”
Alex took him by the arm. “Best you come with us. I might need you for moral support.”
“Oh, God. Don’t say that.”
Chapter 6
Thomas didn’t like the fact that neither his wife nor the housekeeper would speak to him at dinner. They were positively angry at him to the point he might as well be eating in the garage. “Everything will be fine. Alex is with them.” He tried to reassure Amanda.
His wife sliced into her roast beef and took a delicate bite. Nothing hurt him more than when she refused to communicate with him. They’d been a loving, caring couple since the day they met and the last thing he wanted was to argue. Amanda was better at than he was. She could be so heartless, like now.
“I’m sure,” Thomas said, trying to thaw out his wife’s demeanor, “the girls will be coming home, empty-handed and starving.”
Amanda looked pointedly at each place setting on the table. Five were empty, reminding Thomas of his fool-hearted attempt at teaching the girls to be persistent. At the moment they had no idea where the girls were because none would answer their phones, including Alex. They were teaching him a lesson, it would appear.
“By now they know you’ve deceived them, Thomas.”
While he was relieved Amanda was talking to him, he didn’t like what she said. “I’m sure they do. So why aren’t they home?”
“If I were them I’d stay away tonight to make you worry about my whereabouts.”
“That’s a rather cruel thing to do to their father.”
Amanda sent him a scorching look that nearly singed his eyebrows. “Serves you right, if you ask me.”
“I’m not asking, my dear,” he replied politely. “I’ve certainly learned my lesson.”
“That’s a good start.”
He put his fork down. “What do you mean?”
“I think it’s time you consider doing something else with your business besides leaving it to our daughters who don’t want a thing to do with that albatross.”
If he’d had food in his mouth, Thomas might have choked to death. “Albatross?”
“Yes, it’s rather a pain, don’t you think?”
Thomas reached down, snatched the linen napkin from his lap and tossed it on the table. “No, I do not think my company is burden to anyone. Especially you.”
“Thomas, I...”
“Not another word,” he bellowed, coming to his feet. “Allow me to remind you that everything you wear, eat and are surrounded by was provided by that business. I refuse to sit here and allow you to pass judgement on the very thing that’s sustained you and our children for forty years.”
“I think you misunderstand, Thomas.”
“I have not. You, my dear, have become quite the snob.” He lifted his chin. “I also blame that on my very successful business.”
He turned and left the room. While he would allow Amanda certain liberties to criticize him, Avery Security Service was off-limits. That business had provided this family with a damn good life, and it deserved the respect and admiration of the entire family.
At the door he put on his winter coat. Amanda came into the foyer. “Where are you going? It’s forecasted to snow.”
“I’m going to the club. No one here appreciates me.” He walked out and slammed the door, only to realize he had no way to open the garage door and get to his car. When he turned, Amanda stood smiling as she held the door open. Cocking his head, he nodded and headed for the garage.
Backing out his wife’s Mercedes, Thomas wondered if he’d been a little harsh. Perhaps, but it was time Avery Security Service stopped being taken for granted. He was proud of the company he’d started from nothing. They had no idea the money he made or the money they spent. He’d dedicated a large part of his life the company and he wasn’t about to let his hard work and diligence be insulted.
At the club he went to the bar and ordered bourbon straight up. Relaxing, he took a sip and allowed the smooth liquor to slid down his throat and spread warmth across his chest. He needed that.
Looking around at the Christmas decorations and hearing the holiday music playing softly over the PA system captured his attention, and guilt gnawed at his chest.
It was Christmas after all. And here he’d ruined everything. The girls weren’t home and they obviously refused to take his calls. They’d sent a clear message. It appeared they knew about his little scheme and were punishing him for trying to manipulate them and being deceptive.
“How’s it going, Mr. Avery,” Sam the bartender said, as he wiped down the counter. The young man with an excellent head of red hair was a friendly sort of fellow that knew when to start a conversation and when to be scarce. “I expected to see you last night.”
Thomas chuckled. “The girls were a day later than usual.”
Sam shook his head. “I have one child. I can’t imagine five.” He whistled softly. “And girls, no way. My wife and I would be insane by now.”
“Oh, it’s been an exciting life.”
“I bet they used to keep you and Mrs. Avery on your toes.”
“They still do.” Damn them. He wanted to shake them silly for making him worry so much. And why in the hell wasn’t Alex picking up his phone? They probably had him tied up somewhere, planning to hold him for ransom.
“You ready for Christmas? All the shopping done?”
“Everything’s wrapped up neatly and stashed underneath the tree.”
With the holidays, the club was nearly empty. People were home with friends and family while he sat there feeling miserable.
Sam waved to a departing customer and began washing glasses. “I bet you have a lot of memories of this time of year.”
He chuckled. “Way too many. I could have you laughing on the floor in a matter of minutes. You don’t have five daughters without drama, accidents and pranks. It comes with the territory.”
“My son is only three and already he’s excited about Santa coming.”
“Times before the teen years are magical. Then they hit puberty and your life changes...dramatically.”
“I’m not looking forward to that.”
Best he didn’t. Their whole house exploded into a nightmare as the girls grew older. They were all so different, and yet similar in strange ways. Aw well, he wouldn’t have missed it for anything. But he did worry about them.
Standing, he tossed a handsome tip on the bar and turned to leave. “Merry Christmas,” he called out. “And a Happy New Year.”
“Same to you and your family, Mr. Avery.”
Thomas got back in his car and headed home. He had fences to mend and apologies to make. Two
things he wasn’t good at.
Chapter 7
Laura went into the mall and came out loaded down with packages while her sisters, Alex and Cory waited for the robbers to jump out. She made it all the way to the car, stopped, prowled through her purse for her cell phone and made a fake call.
Chatting to no one, she leaned against the vehicle trying to look distracted. The only problem was this was their third attempt at that ploy and nothing had happened so far. The bell ringer for a local charity gave her the stink eye when she passed by her again and didn’t donate.
Laura wondered if the thieves might be working another spot, or even another mall? She didn’t practice criminal law, so she had no idea how their minds worked, but they fake shopper wasn’t working.
At the back of her father’s Escalade, she put her bags down and continued to pretend she was talking on the phone. What did a girl have to do to get robbed around here?
After ten minutes, they all agreed to meet up at a local coffee shop and discuss strategy. Alex and Cory reluctantly followed behind them. Everyone was convinced that no one would rob someone as obvious as they had been.
None of them had liked Laura’s idea from the start. Her sisters, and especially Alex, with his laid-back Texas drawl that dripped with honey, complained the entire time. He’d told her right off that coming to the mall and pretending to be a customer in hopes the two thugs would jump out to rob them had been foolish.
Now, as they left the mall, she realized how right he’d been and that made her madder. Not at him, but at herself for insisting she knew what she was doing when it was obvious she didn’t. What would she do if those two men had approached her? Laura thought she was annoyed enough to take them down herself without any assistance from the others.
Inside the crowded coffee shop, a miracle happened and they were able to pull two tables close so they could sit together.
Sipping hot chocolate, Cynthia propped her chin on her palm and sighed. “This is boring.”
“Isn’t it,” Madelyn agreed. “I’d much rather be home drinking eggnog.”
“I’m sure we all would, but then we’d be empty-handed and duped,” Laura reminded them.
“Listen,” Jacklyn said. “I’m a detective in New York and these rings of holiday robberies are tough to crack. My guess is those two men work in a much bigger group. They take turns hitting different shopping areas at different times.”
“That means they could be anywhere,” Alex said. “And tough to pin down.”
Laura closed her eyes, counted to ten then opened them. “What do you suggest?”
The amused looked on his face made her regret bringing him along.
“Go home. Tell your dad you’re wise to the set-up and enjoy the holiday.”
“And what do you think he’ll say?”
“My guess is he’ll apologize.”
“Not our father,” Kandice said. “He’d give us a lecture on how easily we gave up and that it took us long enough to discover his little trick.”
“She’s right,” Madelyn said. “Dad loves to rub things in our faces. He’s not mean about it, but he likes to prove how clever he is.”
Alex cleared his throat. “He is clever and this is his territory. You can’t get much by him in the security world. He’s on top of his profession.”
Laura stood. “That’s why we’re not giving up until we have something to show we gave this our best shot.”
“Okay,” Jacklyn said. “Let’s get back to work. We’ll stop for dinner in an hour or so.”
“What if you don’t catch the guys tonight?” Cory asked, putting a lid on his cup. “I mean, tomorrow is Christmas Eve.”
“With all this going on, I’ve almost forgotten about the holidays,” Madelyn said. “Even with all the decorations, the ringing bells and the children, I’m missing the most wonderful time of the year.”
They turned to glare at Laura.
“We’re all missing something,” Kandice said, “Home.”
Laura felt horrible. Her obsession to prove her father wrong had everyone blaming her for playing Nancy Drew. She wanted to go home too, but she wanted to be taken seriously more. “Fine, I’ll drop you all off at home.” She walked to the door, not waiting to see who followed.
As she sat behind the wheel of the SUV, Alex tapped on the driver’s side window. “You’re making the right decision. It’s best everyone goes home and puts this behind them.”
“I’m taking them home, but I’m going to continue searching.” As she rolled the window up, Laura showed him her perfect teeth in an insincere smile. “Merry Christmas.”
“Wait,” he shouted, putting his hand on the top of the window. “You can’t go alone.”
“Sure I can,” she said, raising her brows. “I’m all grown up.”
Alex knew this was a mistake and nothing, absolutely nothing, good would come from the situation. “Laura, I know you don’t like me, but if you’re determined to go through with this witch hunt, at least let me go with you.”
“It’s Christmas. Don’t you have better things to do?”
“I spend Christmas Day at my sister’s house. That’s the extent of my holidays until New Year’s Eve.”
“You’ve done all your shopping?”
“Sis does that for me.”
She stared out the windshield, and he knew she was trying to figure out a way to brush him off. Little did she know, but Alex was determined to stay with her, if for no other reason than to ease Thomas’s mind.”
“Follow me. I’ll drop off my father’s car, and we can go in yours.”
“I’m sending Cory home, too.”
She glanced at the geek who’d done little more than complain.
“Okay.”
“Are you having dinner first?”
“No,” Laura answered. “I’m not even going inside.”
He didn’t like the sound of that. “I’ll follow and be waiting in the driveway.”
Chapter 8
Laura pulled the SUV into the garage and watched her sisters get out of the vehicle. They were relieved to be home to a warm meal, a tree to finish decorating and a gloating father.
“You girls have fun.”
Kandice turned. “Aren’t you coming in?”
“I’m off to catch a crook.” She took her purse and shut the car door. Having no intentions of facing her father tonight, she said, “I’ll see you tomorrow sometime.”
“You always were the most stubborn of the five. Where are you going to sleep?” Kandice asked.
“I’ll get a room.”
Cynthia’s gaze turned to the end of the driveway. “Maybe you could stay with Alex,” she smiled shyly. “That would be a nice Christmas present.”
“Sorry to disappoint you, Squirt, but not going to happen.”
Jacklyn followed Cynthia’s observation. “You know, she’s kind of right. The man’s a looker.”
“Yeah, but I’m not looking.”
She tossed Kandice the keys and walked down to the end of the driveway and got into Alex’s car. It felt good not to be driving and away from her sisters. “You want to go to the mall?” she asked, hoping to get down to business and then find a room.
“After we grab a bite to eat. I skipped lunch and I’m hungry.”
“What about a quick sandwich? I’d really like to get this over with as soon as possible.”
What she wanted was out of his car and as far away from him as possible. Being an attorney in Dallas meant that on occasion they ran into each other doing business. But, she made it a point to rarely visit her father’s office or have much to do with the security company.
And he was the main reason for her avoidance. She tried to stay away from Alex. Looking at him, she didn’t imagine he cared much for her, either. The times her father had company parties and socials, Laura found a reason not to be there or made herself scarce.
Alex pulled in front of a very nice local restaurant and handed the keys to the valet.
“I made them while I was following you home.”
She didn’t like him being that sure of the situation. “And you magically got in.”
“I’m a regular. They didn’t have a problem finding me a table.”
“With the holidays, I assumed most restaurants were booked solid with family and out-of-town guests.” Laura looked down at her outfit and cringed. “I’m really not dressed for a place like this. Maybe we should hit the closest McDonald’s.”
“You look perfectly fine.”
Liar.
They were led inside and seated at a nice table. If the manager found her attire inappropriate, he didn’t say a word when he personally showed them to their seats. There had been a few looks here and there, but not enough to make her uncomfortable.
She opened the menu. “They should throw me out.”
He folded his hands on the table and ordered a bottle of wine when the waiter showed up. “I know the owner. We’re welcome.”
Another plus. He knows the owner.
How many could say that about a place of this caliber? The walls reeked of money and elegance. She’d often heard that this was the place visiting movie stars and singers came when they were in town.
The waiter took their order and she chose chicken and he decided on steak. They ate in an uncomfortable silence. She didn’t think it was a good idea for him to buy her dinner because she didn’t want to feel indebted to him. So when the check arrived she tried to wrestle it out of his hand. Hard stares from the other customers had her backing off, too embarrassed to continue.
“I really don’t want you paying for my dinner,” she hissed. “It’s not necessary.”
“Consider it a Christmas present.”
“I didn’t get you anything, so it would be rude of me to accept one from you.”
“Now you’re just being silly.” He stood, holding out his hand, which she refused. “Come on, we have a crook to catch, remember?”
Laura wondered who she was fooling. As they stood outside in the cold, dreary weather she wondered why Alex was doing this. He was a pro. That meant he knew the chances of catching these guys were slim to zero and yet he went along with her. Now he’d even stopped complaining and they’d kind of sort of enjoyed dinner.