I shouted to Derek through the door. “The librarian from Sara’s college returned my call. Rod never called her and they hired an investigator to look into a rash of missing books from their collection. She said that Sara was one of the suspects. And Heather is involved. I don’t know how, but she is.”
“So Rod lied about calling the school,” Derek mused. “And Heather is somehow tangled up in it, too? Fascinating. I’ll get Inspector Lee on the phone to track them down.”
“Good,” I said. “Because they’re grifters and they’re liars.”
“And quite possibly murderers.”
* * *
• • •
Once Derek left the room, Laura was called back to touch up our hair and makeup. After she was finished, I stared into the mirror to make sure my veil was straight.
“That was rather invigorating,” Meg declared.
“It was,” Mom said. “Although truth be told, I’ve never been so scared in my entire life.”
I didn’t care about my dress as I grabbed her in a ferocious hug. “If you ever do anything like that again, I’ll . . . well, it won’t be pretty.”
“Oh, sweetie. Promise me that’ll never happen again.”
“I promise.”
I saw tears forming in her eyes and shouted for Laura. “Makeup! Don’t leave yet!”
“I’m right here,” Laura said, waving a hairbrush in the air. “And I’m not leaving. This is the best wedding I’ve ever worked on.”
“Yeah, we try to keep things exciting around here.” I sighed as the adrenaline rush subsided.
“You do lead an interesting life,” Robin admitted.
“What a day,” I muttered, glancing in the mirror again. “And it’s not even half over.”
“Look on the bright side.” China plucked an infinitesimal piece of lint from my shoulder. “The part where dangerous criminals attack the wedding party? You got that out of the way, so it should be smooth sailing from here on out.”
I laughed. “You always were a glass-half-full kind of gal.”
London sighed and rested her head on my shoulder. “You look so pretty, Brooklyn.”
I was grateful for her changing the mood. “I think we all look fabulous.”
“Can you believe I just sewed my hem this morning?” Meg said. “I’m lucky I didn’t tear it out, tangling with that scoundrel.”
“You and Mom were so courageous,” I said, and gave her a big hug. “But don’t you ever do that again. I’d much rather give up some silly book than have anyone get hurt.”
She took a deep breath and blew it out. “Oh, but I feel revitalized. That was fun!”
“Oh, no,” I moaned. “You and my mom really are twins separated at birth, aren’t you?”
Everyone laughed and London said, “Tell us what happened, Meg. How did you decide to attack those two men?”
“We hid in the bathroom stall,” Meg said. “We could hear every awful thing they were saying to you.” She turned to me. “Honestly, Brooklyn, we couldn’t let those horrible men have their way, so we plotted our attack.”
“Wow,” China said admiringly. “You really do sound just like Mom.”
“That is a wonderful compliment, China.” Meg patted her cheek. “Your mother is the best person I’ve ever met.”
China’s eyes began to water. London sniffled a few times and grabbed a tissue.
“Stop!” I said, feeling my own eyes about to fill with tears. “I can’t take any more crying. Let’s not talk about any of this until after I’m married.”
Chapter Thirteen
“Don’t be nervous, Brooklyn,” London said, giving me a quick hug as we waited in the side foyer for our cue to start walking out the door to the ceremony.
I smiled. “I’m not nervous at all.”
This was, without a doubt the most right thing I’d ever done in my life. It felt as though I’d been moving toward this moment with Derek since the first time I met him. He was perfect for me and I knew that our life together was going to be amazing. So nerves had no place here. All I felt was eager anticipation.
“I know,” my sister said, a puzzled frown on her face. “There must be something wrong with you.”
“It’s a little irritating,” China admitted. “When I got married I threw up all morning.”
“Trust me,” Savannah told her, “we all remember.”
“And Brooklyn is so calm and cool. It’s unnerving,” China mused, watching me.
“Welcome to my world,” Robin muttered, then grinned and grabbed my hand. “You ready, kiddo?”
“More than ready,” I said, and laughed. I felt downright joyful. I couldn’t wait to marry Derek.
My mother and Meg had already gone out to the garden to take their seats. Dad would be standing behind the chairs to walk with me down the aisle.
“May I have a moment with the bride?”
I whipped around. “Dad!”
“Hi, honey.” He wrapped his arms around me and gave me a gentle squeeze. “I’ve never seen a more beautiful bride in my entire life.”
I glanced around and noticed my bridesmaids had slipped into the hall to give me and Dad a few minutes alone. I chuckled. “Good thing no one else is around to hear you say that.”
He gazed down at me. “All of my girls are beautiful, but I’ve honestly never seen anything more exquisite than you today.”
“Dad, don’t make me cry.” I laid my head on his shoulder for a long moment.
“I’m afraid I’m making myself cry a little,” he said, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket. “Your mother told me I would need this.” He blew his nose and laughed. “She’s always right.”
“I love you, Dad.”
“I love you, too, my darling girl.” He grinned, his eyes still gleaming from the tears. “What do you say? Let’s get this party started.”
Dad walked out to the garden, and a minute later, the door opened again. At this rate, I would never be married.
“Hello, gracious.”
I turned. “Oh, Robson. I’m so glad it’s you.”
Robson Benedict was my parents’ guru and the head of the commune in Dharma where I had grown up. As a child I had called him Guru Bob, but now he was Robson, my good friend and a kind, lovely man. I was so happy that we had chosen him to perform our ceremony today.
“I had to take my turn wishing you well and happy, my dear.” He gave me a warm hug and then gently held me by my shoulders. “I couldn’t be more pleased that you and Derek have found joy together.”
“Thank you, Robson.”
After another quick hug, he said, “You look beautiful and the day is glorious. Savor it all.”
“I will. Thank you.”
He winked and turned to leave. “See you soon.”
I smiled as Robin and my sisters joined me again. We heard the music begin and they all gave a little squeal.
“That’s our cue,” London said. She went out first, followed by China ten seconds later and then Savannah.
Robin turned and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. “I’m so excited for you and Derek.”
“Thank you, Robin.” I pressed my forehead against hers. “I’m so happy you married Austin and officially became my sister.”
She sniffed. “Oh great. Thanks for making me want to sob.”
“No crying! Remember the makeup!” We both laughed, then Robin took a breath and squared her shoulders.
“Uh-oh, it’s been more than ten seconds,” she said. “Gotta go. See you soon.”
I gave her a thumbs-up. “I’m right behind you.”
As soon as the door closed behind her, I counted to ten slowly as I’d been instructed to do, then pushed the door open and walked out into the warm sunshine. Standing on the landing, my gaze went directly to the ribbon-and-rose-bedecked arbor
at the other side of the garden, where Derek stood waiting. Over the heads of all our guests, I saw him staring back at me, looking a little dazed. I gave silent thanks for the beautiful dress and my pretty hair and everything else that had helped put that stunned look on his face. Even from this distance, I could see the love shining in his eyes and I knew my love was reflecting back at him. I was willing to bet we had never been happier than we were in this moment.
Gradually the rest of the scene came into focus and I glanced around at all the guests, who were standing and watching me, smiles lighting up their faces. My friends and family members all looked so happy to be sharing this moment with me, and I knew it was impossible for anyone in the world to be more overjoyed than I felt. I couldn’t wipe the grin off my own face even if I tried.
I knew I had to take two steps down before I reached the ground. I had practiced going up and down these hard concrete steps in my three-inch lacy heels and now I told myself to be careful. But first I took one more quick moment to look around the garden, to stare out at the view, and to study the faces of my friends and family. I wanted to memorize this moment so I would never forget it. I saw my father standing and beaming at me from thirty feet away, ready to walk me down the aisle. Everyone in the crowd continued to smile as I prepared to move their way.
Then, as if in slow motion, their expressions turned to horror. A woman screamed. My father shouted, “No!”
What in the world? Had I suffered a wardrobe malfunction? Was my dress slipping off? Was my veil caught on something?
All of a sudden someone grabbed me from behind. He wrapped one arm around my neck and shouted, “Anyone comes close and I’ll cut her.”
That’s when I felt the blade of a sharp knife pressing into my throat. I could smell the vague stench of fear and panic wafting up from my attacker. All I could see was the anguished face of my father. And then I knew.
“Rod,” I said, and swore out loud. “Doesn’t it figure you’d show up where you’re not invited?”
Dad took a step and Rod yelled, “Stay back!”
Dad froze. His face had turned completely ashen and I knew he felt powerless to do anything. It broke my heart and in that moment I despised Rod Martin more than I’d ever hated anyone in my life.
“I’m okay,” I said as loudly as I could manage, and gave my father a weak wave of my hand. “Don’t worry, Dad.”
Derek walked cautiously but purposefully up the aisle followed by his four brothers and my two. Inspector Lee marched right behind Austin and Jackson, her hand on the butt of her gun, still holstered. Gabriel and Alex followed closely behind her. My stalwart bridesmaids came, too, and my mother, Meg, and John. The rest of the crowd stayed where they were but remained watchful.
They all moved to get within twenty feet of us and together they formed the most impressive show of force I’d ever seen. I couldn’t have been prouder to have them defending me. Unfortunately, I still had a knife shoved up against my throat, so it was a little early to be lauding my liberators.
“Don’t come any closer,” Rod said, clutching the knife more tightly.
From the corner of my eye I saw another man creeping toward us, and it threw me for a loop. It was the ex-FBI guy. What in the world was he doing here? Derek saw him, too, and flashed him a series of rapid hand signals. The guy responded in kind and remained partially hidden along the side of the building, out of the range of Rod’s vision. If Rod caught sight of the guy, he might lose control of the knife. And I might die on my wedding day—before I could even get married!
That was when I snapped.
“Listen, you creep,” I snarled. “You get one drop of blood on this dress and you’re a dead man.”
I was pleased that my voice sounded clear and deceptively calm despite the terror I was feeling inside. I knew my family shared that terror. Somehow I had to find a way to escape Rod’s grip on me.
His laugh was hollow. “Shut up. You’re in no position to make threats.”
“You wanna bet?” I countered, letting my gaze skim across the faces of everyone I loved. “Have you taken a good look around? You’re seriously outnumbered.”
“Yeah, but I’ve got you, don’t I?”
“You really think so?”
It struck me that he finally sounded like the blowhard I had always suspected he was. It was almost refreshing to see that he had dropped the nice-guy act. It had never suited him.
“Who’s the one holding the knife?”
“You’re right, Rod. You’re holding all the cards,” I said carefully. My throat was growing drier by the minute, but I kept my gaze on Derek and found the strength to keep going. “But here’s a word of warning. You cut me, you injure me in any way, and I guarantee you will not leave this place alive. My fiancé will kill you with his bare hands and then he’ll pass your mangled, bloody carcass over to his brothers and mine. And then Inspector Lee will shoot you in the head. And then—”
“All right, all right,” he said, and now his voice sounded a little unsure. As if everything I’d just said had gotten through to him. I hoped so, because the scenario I’d spelled out for him was just the beginning of what would happen to him if he hurt me in any way.
“I just want the damn book,” he ground out. “Hand it over nice and easy and I’ll be on my way.”
“You know, you’re not the first person to come here today wanting that book. Lenny and Squiggy showed up, too. Are those two knuckleheads friends of yours? Because I’ve got to say, they were kind of lame.” I forced a laugh. “My mom and my mother-in-law beat the pants off of them.”
“I don’t know who you’re talking about.”
“Sure you do. The two guys who kept freaking you out at the conference?” I felt his hand at my throat tremble a little at the memory of those two men. “The tall hairy guy and the short bald one? Remember how you threw yourself at me and cried like a baby? They were threatening you, right? They wanted the book, too, probably because you’d promised to sell it to them.”
Then I remembered something Thuggy had said. I glanced up and met his panicky gaze. “Oh, wait. You already had their money, didn’t you? That’s why they were so demanding and that’s why you looked so nervous all the time. Did they threaten to kill you if you didn’t give them the book? Because that tall guy is pretty scary-looking. No wonder you were so freaked out.”
He didn’t say anything, but then, he didn’t have to.
“Funny story,” I continued, despite my throat getting drier. “The tall scary dude shot himself in the foot while trying to fight off my mother. Isn’t that crazy? We laughed anyway.”
“Shut up.”
“Oh, and my new mother-in-law nearly blinded the bald guy with hairspray. It was a great fight. I’m really sorry you missed it.” I looked up at him again. “Because my family could have kicked your butt earlier, and right now, I’d be married and dancing with my husband.”
Rod bared his teeth at me. “You know, you’re just not that funny.”
“And you’re not that charming.” I managed to smile. “You never were. And by the way, I think I’m a laugh riot, but never mind. You’ll think about it later and laugh. All the way to jail, because that’s where you’re going. You killed Sara and now you’re threatening to kill me. In front of about a million witnesses. And a San Francisco Police Department inspector. That’s just not smart.”
“Smart,” he hissed, and I watched his jaw tighten. “You always thought you were so much smarter than me. Guess this proves you’re not.”
I laughed again as he lowered the knife a fraction of an inch. “Haven’t you been listening? Actually, this just proves how stupid you really are.”
“Brooklyn, love . . .” Derek muttered, sliding a bit closer to me and Rod.
“If that man touches my girl, I want three minutes with him. Alone,” my dad announced.
Rod glanced a
t him and visibly winced when Inspector Lee assured my father, “You’ll have them.”
I heard the side foyer door open and someone in the crowd gasped.
“Let me go,” a woman cried out from behind us. “I didn’t do anything!”
“Heather?” I whispered.
“Look who I found lurking behind the door.” It was Mitch, Derek’s associate, and he was pulling a woman across the steps and down to the garden.
“Tell them, Rod,” she insisted. “Tell them I’m not involved in any of this.”
“Oh, shut up, Cornelia,” he said derisively.
Cornelia? Not Heather? So this was the woman Thuggy and Leon were talking about. I guess I owed Heather an apology.
“Don’t tell me to shut up,” she snapped. “I just followed him here to make sure he got the book back. It belongs to the college.”
“So you and Cornelia, huh?” I whispered to Rod. “Sara must’ve loved you hanging out with her boss.”
“Damn it, Cornelia.” Rod was fuming and I was taking a big chance by provoking him. But I refused to give in to the fear. I was surrounded by people who loved me. Even with a knife at my throat, I felt somehow safe. And damn it, this was my wedding day.
Thankfully Rod managed to hold his temper, barely. I knew he didn’t want to kill me—or maybe he did but knew he would be in a whole lot more trouble if I died. With clenched teeth, he said, “Just tell me where the book is and I’ll leave you to your stupid wedding.”
“I’ll be glad to tell you, but I’m not sure you heard me a minute ago.” I tried to swallow despite the pressure against my throat. “I know that you killed your wife.”
His laugh was stilted. “Why would I do that?”
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