A Few Good Women (Lexi Graves Mysteries, 9)

by Camilla Chafer

The waitress moved around the table, taking our orders, and finally, Lily tapped my arm. "Thanks for clearing up that business with you-know-who," she said. "I had no idea Jord was trying to help Diane. I totally understand the need for secrecy now; but I don't know why he didn't ask you for help. With the agency on your side, you could have provided all the security she needed. Poor woman."

  "I'm glad you're not worried anymore."

  "Not one bit," she said, pausing to wince and resting a hand on her belly.

  "Are you okay?"

  "I think I'm having false contractions again."

  "Have you had a lot of them?"

  "I don't know. They're coming every few minutes."

  "When did they start?"

  "Two hours ago."

  "Lily... do you think, maybe, you might be in labor?"

  "No. I already told this baby that arriving during dinner was a no-no." She winced again and her eyes widened. "Oh, no!"

  "What? What is it?"

  "I think my water just broke. And I didn't even eat the appetizer!"

  "Jord!" I yelled, reaching across Lily to grab his arm. "Time to go!"

  "What's happening?" shouted Serena as we began pushing back our chairs and grabbing our jackets. Lily doubled over and grasped the table’s edge.

  "Baby time," huffed Lily. "Sorry!"

  "Awesome," said Sam, looking under the table. "Where is it?"

  "Don't be silly," said Chloe. "Babies don't get born under the table."

  "This one might," said Lily, "if we don’t hurry! Let's go."

  "I'll get the car," said Jord.

  "No, I'll get the car," said Dad. "You get your wife."

  "You're coming too," said Lily, grabbing my hand and squeezing as another contraction overtook her. "You're going to be with me when this baby is born."

  "Seriously?" My mouth dropped open.

  "Yes!"

  "I'm standing at the head end," I told her. I knew a lot of things about Lily but I was pretty sure being on the business end of the birth would never be part of that.

  "Whose head?" asked Lily.

  "Yours!"

  "You're all leaving us?" yelled Serena.

  "I could give birth here," offered Lily. "Tell the waitress to boil some water and get some more napkins."

  Serena slumped into her chair. "Unbelievable!"

  "Baby, baby, baby," sang Victoria. "Pew, pew, pew."

  "Let's go," I said to Lily, barely able to conceal my excitement. This night initially seemed like a total strain. First, by ensuring Serena had her perfect party. Second, from my shocking realization that I wasn't the first to find Anthony. At least now he'd been arrested and his attention would be consumed by finding a lawyer instead of ruining my life. Trust Lily to make sure the night ended with something wonderful, and something none of us would ever forget. The life that involved Anthony Steadman was finally over, and a new life with a brand new baby was about to begin. Things couldn't be more perfect. "Let's go and meet your baby."

  Chapter Twenty

  "You can take the blindfold off now."

  My excitement was growing throughout the thirty-minute journey, starting from the moment Solomon handed me a blindfold, and insisted that I put it on before he opened the front door to our home. I tried to guess the location, following left and right turns and counting the time in between but to no avail. Wherever we had arrived, Solomon was careful to take a circuitous route clearly designed to confuse me so I couldn't possibly guess our destination. It was a day of failed guesswork already, right after Solomon brought me breakfast in bed. He told me he canceled the restaurant he booked for our engagement dinner and arranged something else I'd like much more.

  "Are you sure I'm not overdressed?" I asked, still blindfolded. My hands smoothed the satin skirt and I wiggled my toes in the vertiginous heels.

  "You are never overdressed," replied Solomon, adding, "never knowingly under-dressed either. You may take off the blindfold."

  I reached behind my head and teased the knot apart, letting the blindfold fall into my lap. I blinked a couple of times to adjust my eyes to the bright influx of light that streamed from a streetlight overhead, then frowned. "Why are we at Lily's bar?" I asked, my spirits falling. What kind of surprise was that? Maybe it was part of Solomon's plan, but, if so, why the blindfold and all the secrecy?

  "We need to pick something up. Come on."

  "Both of us?"

  "I asked Lily for a favor and she said yes, but only if we pick it up. Let's go. I don't want to be late." Solomon was out of the car before I could protest and inform him that my shoes were made for posing, not supporting me as well as any stuff I had to carry. I restrained the grumble when he politely opened the car door and offered his hand so I could climb out.

  "What do we need to pick up on the way to dinner?"

  "Something very special," Solomon said teasingly. "Lily put it in the back."

  "Great. Just great." I took his offered hand and we walked into the bar, past the Saturday night patrons happily preparing for their nights out. We aimed towards the back of the bar. "I think Lily said it's in here somewhere," said Solomon as he reached for the door handle. He pushed the door open into the private room that was swathed in dark.

  "Where's the light switch?" I asked, fumbling for it on the wall.

  Before I could find it, a light flipped on and a spray of confetti popped over my head, the streamers falling onto my shoulders and pooling around my feet. "You guys!" I yelled in surprise. Behind me, Solomon laughed, and a few voices even cheered.

  The decor made me gasp. Gone was the bland, boring space that was formerly the private room. Instead, here was a wonderland, and every inch of the room was stuffed with something interesting and beautiful to look at. Yards of white fabric were draped across the walls and ceiling, creating a tent-like effect, and dozens of tiny lights in the canopied ceiling resembled the stars. Pink rosebuds were sewn into the wall drapes, giving the illusion of a gorgeous garden. Chinese lanterns were intermittently placed to serve as anchors for the heart-shaped balloons, which rose towards the ceiling. More rosebuds were stuffed into crystal vases and scattered across the long table that was laden with finger food. Smaller posies were used as centerpieces for the standing tables. I turned around in disbelief and gasped when I saw the dessert bar, which was crammed with glass bon bon jars and various other sweet treats. My jaw dropped just as the violinist struck up a pretty tune.

  "Isn't this amazing?" said Lily, pressing a raspberry Bellini into my hand. "Diane created all of this! And to think I believed you when you said she was being stalked by an escaped criminal and asked Jord for his help in reporting it? You lied to me!"

  I grinned, still amazed that she'd fallen for the ruse I told her while she was recovering from childbirth. "Only to keep you from guessing the truth."

  "She decorated the entire nursery the moment Jord texted her and told her we had a girl."

  Having already seen the nursery, I knew what a fantastic job Diane did. She even sent Jord text messages with photos of the process every step of the way, which he forwarded to me. My gift to them was using Olivia's money to pay for it. "You told me Diane was asking for directions," I said, turning to Solomon, guessing the truth. He also knew Diane and was just as guilty of planning something as Jord was. "You didn't tell me she was doing this! I knew that dumb line about giving her directions wasn't true."

  "It was partially true. She needed directions on what you would like. It was just an unhappy coincidence that you saw us. At least the nursery was a great way to throw you off the scent. Do you like it?" He nodded toward the room. I looked around one more time, and noticed the silk butterflies seeming to flutter across the drapes. One was perched on the edge of the dessert table.

  "It's breathtaking. Thank you so much!" I tipped my chin up, straining to kiss Solomon. "This is amazing!"

  "It's really terrific," said Serena, stepping closer. "A really beautiful party. Congratulations."

  "Thank y
ou, but all the credit goes to Solomon and Diane," I said, seeing the events planner sitting in the corner. So much for a mystery woman! Now Diane was our go-to girl for any decorating needs or major events. Diane raised a glass and beamed before turning to my mother. When I overheard Mom asking about interior design courses, I mentally tuned them out.

  "It'll be a wonderful night," said Serena, raising her glass and encouraging everyone else to join in the toast. "To the happy couple."

  "To the happy couple!" the crowd chorused and I blinked back my surprise at how cool Serena was. She was understandably upset when her engagement dinner didn't follow her plan but since the events were far beyond anyone's control, she was remarkably poised about it. Delgado threw a barbecue in their garden a few days later, and turned a formal dinner into a super fun, informal garden soiree.

  "At least no one will give birth this time, or catch your criminal ex," Serena said, as she reached for another drink.

  "Do you think Serena will ever forgive me for going into labor during her engagement dinner?" asked Lily.

  "Nope."

  "At least I didn't give birth in Alessandro's! And she won't have to worry about the wedding. Can't give birth or catch you-know-who twice. Cheers!" Lily chinked her glass against mine and we cooed at the week-old baby nestled in her arms. Her name was Poppy Alexandra and I was already in love. The blanket was neatly tucked around her so only her tiny head peeked out. She puckered her lips and made little, sleepy noises. "Is this the end of an era?" wondered Lily. "I'm married and now I'm a mom. You're getting married. How did our lives change so radically?"

  I kissed Poppy's head. "We just grew up," I replied softly as Solomon slid his arm around my waist and smiled down at the baby.

  "Did we really?" asked Lily. "I still feel like dancing on tables sometimes."

  "If you do, I'll hold the baby," I offered.

  "That’s what friends are for. One day, they're holding your hair back when you've had too much to drink, and the next, they’re holding your baby! Excuse me, but Jord is making that signal again. Apparently, I hog the baby too much and he wants a turn. If he had boobs, he'd get more turns, but he said that's not fair so I can't use it against him."

  "Look! Your sister is here!" I told Solomon. I waved to Anastasia whom my dad had somehow cornered. She waved back and raised her glass in a toast to us. "Did your brother make it? I don't see him."

  "He had to cancel last minute but said he would be at the wedding whenever we end up having it," said Solomon. "Diane does weddings too. I already asked."

  "Book her now," I told him, smiling. If this was what Diane could create for an engagement party, I couldn't wait to see one of her weddings. I’m sure it would be fabulous. Perhaps I could even ask her for family exclusivity, to prevent Serena from hiring her too. Or maybe we could both hire her, and Diane could mediate?

  "We haven't set a date."

  "Good point."

  "Or a budget."

  "We don't even know what we want."

  "I only want you. Anything else is irrelevant."

  "So I get to pick everything?" I wondered.

  "Within reason."

  "We need to define the parameters of reason."

  "That's a conversation for another day. Let's circulate. You have nieces who want to be bridesmaids."

  "They almost certainly will. Lily too, and Anastasia."

  "My sister will be thrilled." He took my empty glass. "Another drink?"

  "Please."

  I circulated through my family, stopping to discuss the decor, coo over the new baby, and decline – (nearly choking at the very idea) — a double wedding with Serena. I reassured each of my nieces that yes, they would be my bridesmaids; and yes, their dresses would be very pretty.

  By the time I circled the entire room, my feet were tired and I felt hot. Slipping away from the festivities, I ventured out of the room, heading for the rear exit where I could grab a moment to myself. Just as I stepped outside, wedging the door open so I didn't lock myself out of my own party, my cell phone rang.

  "I only stepped out for a minute," I muttered, snapping open my clutch bag to retrieve my phone. It wasn't my family though. "Hi, Adam."

  "Hey," he said, "Sounds loud. Did I catch you at a bad time?"

  "No, I'm at an engagement party."

  "Anyone I know?"

  "Mine."

  Maddox paused. "Ahh," he said. "Okay, I'll keep it quick. I thought you might want the latest update on the Steadman case."

  "I was wondering why it all went quiet since your guys lifted it from MPD's hands. How many years is he looking at? Ten? Twenty?"

  "Somewhere between none and zero."

  Did I hear him right? "Say again?"

  "Steadman isn't going down. He did a plea bargain. And got a very good deal too."

  "Are you kidding me? He was arrested for fraud, theft, attacking me... and, and..."

  "I know. It's unfair. But the Feds want much bigger fry than Steadman so he offered to give them up in return for blanket immunity."

  "Who the hell could he have dirt on that the Feds would want to prosecute more than him?"

  "Remember the Irish mobster that he double-crossed? The one that wanted to kill him."

  "Yeah?"

  "Him and his crew for one. Apparently, Steadman has a whole bunch of dirt on them and their business transactions. The FBI can probably take the whole family down, eradicating a huge source of crime."

  "Does Anthony want to die?"

  "He probably wants to clear his debt primarily just to get them off his back. I suspect he'd give up his mother if he thought that would help him. There's good news too."

  "There is?"

  "Mmm-hmm. He's going into witness protection. He’ll live a nice, little life somewhere new and very far away from here. He insisted on that. He said, and I quote, ‘I never want to see Montgomery again.’ You'll never have to deal with him again. He is out of your life for good."

  "So you do have some good news!"

  "I wish I could say he was getting prosecuted but some things don't go entirely our way."

  "What about his wife?"

  "Olivia? She's getting a quickie divorce. Steadman couldn't contest it and she had a very good pre-nup."

  "Smart."

  "Plus, after we returned her money, she lost interest in prosecuting him. His girlfriend was prepared to testify against him but since there's no case..."

  "Which girlfriend?" I interrupted.

  "Chloe."

  "What about the other one? Brynn?"

  "The MPD said she claimed she was trying to return the money to Olivia! She also pleaded temporary insanity for all the things she admitted doing. She blamed Steadman, and said he coerced her into fraudulently selling the houses. We let her go."

  "And Taylor? I heard she got fired."

  "Yeah, she's cutting a deal with the DA too. Everything she knows about the break-ins, the clients, the money, and the gambling, in return for probation."

  "All these deals," I said, growing surprised.

  "Taylor probably wouldn't have gotten any deal if Steadman hadn't already arranged his. Prosecuting her isn't worth it, not without him; and since he's never going to see the inside of a jail cell, there's no point. She's a very, very lucky lady."

  "Why did she help him?"

  "She has a disabled sister with a lot of medical problems. She took Anthony up when he offered her money to access her keys. She didn't really care what he planned to do with the properties. I kind of felt sorry for her. She's not a bad person, but she got pushed into a corner."

  "I'm glad she didn't do it for outright greed. What about his mother?"

  "Cynthia Steadman is one cool woman. She lawyered up right away, and said she knew nothing, so we had to let her go. I can't confirm if she were involved or not but I don't think so."

  "He made so many women do just about anything for him."

  "I happen to know a few good women," said Maddox.

  "Like
me?"

  "Like you," he confirmed.

  "I'm glad it's all over," I told him. "I'm taking up yoga to reduce my stress level."

  "Good idea."

  "What about you? Already onto a new case?"

  "Actually, yes. I'll be out of town for a little while."

  "Again? Paris?"

  "Can't tell you that, but I can say it's going to be interesting. Want me to send a postcard?"

  I grinned. "Absolutely!"

  "Take care while I'm gone. Don't get into any trouble."

  I made a pfft noise, then thought better of it. "I'll try. You take care too." We paused for a long moment, reflecting on all the things we left unsaid, and then the line clicked off. Maddox didn't need to say goodbye. I knew I'd see him again.

  I stood in silence, away from the noise and chatter of the bar, looking up at the stars that were shining overhead. The moon, almost full and nearly perfect, continued to ascend. I wondered if it were a metaphor for my life. After all, when the sun sets we can always look forward to a sunrise.

  "What are you doing out here?" asked Solomon.

  I jumped, then laughed at my surprise. "Taking a quiet moment."

  "Room for two?"

  "Always," I replied as he slipped his arms under mine before circling them around me. I brushed his hands with my fingertips. One knuckle was scabbed over, and the tiny wound had nearly faded. I asked Solomon how it happened and he said he scraped it on a wall. I knew differently but I didn't press for the truth. It hung between us, unspoken. Did I care that he'd beaten Anthony? I was shocked at first, and saw Solomon with new eyes; but later, I remembered what he said, and the reason why he did it. He warned Anthony to stay away from me. He prevented the man who wanted to systematically ruin my life from ever approaching me again and Anthony complied.

  Maddox confirmed the message was received by Anthony; he was going far away, somewhere I'd never see him again. He would never return to Montgomery. Both Maddox and Solomon made that happen for me, each in their own way, and I was finally free.

  "Let's go celebrate," said Solomon. "Let's make this one of the best nights of our lives."

  I turned in his arms, raising mine to circle his neck. "It already is."