Ready for her, I smacked it to the ground.
Fab leaned in and roared in my face.
Impressive.
“Ladies,” Creole said with a grin. “As much fun as it might be to watch the two of you roll around on the ground, I’m taking the high road and offering my mediation skills.”
“You want to help?” Fab roared. “Get these off.” She jerked our arms out in front of us.
“The only way these are coming off is if someone responsible shows up to sign for you.” I tugged our arms down, which elicited an exasperated breath from Fab. “Since I know all the same people you do, I know there’s only one person that has the intestinal fortitude to deal with you.”
“This friendship is over.”
“Like you’re not going to miss my charming personality.” I stepped away, putting as much distance between us as the cuffs would allow. “Soon you’ll be back, suggesting we get drunk together.”
Her lips twitched.
Gotcha.
“Listen,” Fab said, managing to get her anger under control. “We can work this out.”
“What can I do to facilitate a truce?” Creole asked, enjoying every moment.
“Call Fab’s other half and tell him to hustle his backside.” I grinned cheekily.
“You need to stop whatever this is,” Fab said. “I thought we were best friends. Now I’m not so sure.”
I tried to clap, and Fab jerked my arm back. “The sad face is a good one. Needs a bit of work, which I can help you with.”
“At least tell me what’s going on,” Fab ordered.
“I’m waiting for Didier to get here so I don’t have to repeat myself.” I stepped forward and tugged on the cuffs. “Would you like to go inside? Or do you want to stand out here and continue to sweat?”
Creole had pulled out his phone and was talking and laughing, explaining the situation. “You need to hurry. Just in case there’s a fight. You wouldn’t want to miss it.”
“That’s so ungentlemanly,” I said when he hung up.
“Like you, I can’t behave all the time.”
Fab gagged. “If you two are going to start with the cooing sounds, please,” she yelled, “spare me.” She glared at me, yanked on the cuffs, then stepped backward and leaned against her car.
Minutes later, Didier roared down the street and parked. He climbed out of his Mercedes and assessed the situation. “Can’t wait to hear what’s going on here.” He grinned.
“We should go inside for a couple of reasons, and that it’s cooking out here isn’t one of them.” I wiped non-existent sweat from my forehead and flung it at her. Fab jumped back, and I stumbled into her. “I could use a cold drink, and that’s also where the keys are, if you want to get sprung from my side.”
“I’ve got them right here.” Creole held up the keys.
“You’ve had them this whole time?” Fab seethed and whipped our arms out in front of us.
“Not so fast.” I held up my right hand. “Didier, do I have your solemn oath that you’re going to keep an eagle eye on this woman? Your word is good; signing in blood seems over the top.”
“I swear.” Didier crossed his heart, then took the keys from Creole and unlocked the cuffs.
Fab made a show of shaking her wrist. “We’re going home.” She turned away, grabbing Didier’s shirtsleeve.
I jumped forward and fisted the back of her top. “You’re not going anywhere. Not yet anyway. No, go inside.” I gave her a shove. “I’m out of patience with you and the humidity.”
Didier put his arm around Fab. “I’m thinking I need to hang onto these.” He shook the cuffs.
“I’m going.” Fab stalked past Creole and into the house.
“Make yourself comfortable.” I pointed to the living room. “Beer?” The guys nodded, and I got two bottles of their favorites from the refrigerator and water for Fab and me. I sat next to Creole, across from Fab and Didier, immune to her glare. “Fab and I had a meeting today with her latest client, the insufferable Betsy Ridgely.”
“Name-calling is beneath you,” Fab said.
“Actually, it’s not. It’s my way of saying I’m hoping to never hear the woman’s name again.”
“If that’s all, we’ll be leaving.” Fab started to stand, and Didier pulled her back down.
“I’d like to hear the rest of what Madison has to say.”
“I went to great lengths today to make sure that Fab doesn’t end up in jail.” That was an exaggeration, but it wouldn’t be the first time. “Making sure that prison orange isn’t in Fab’s future requires Didier’s good influence. Do you want to tell them what this client wants or should I?”
“I’m not taking the case,” Fab said militantly.
“First I’ve heard you say the words.” I handed her my phone. “Call Snobby Betsy and tell her to take a hike. Also suggest she lose your number.”
“I’ll do it when I get home.” Fab pushed my phone away.
Sure. I told the guys about the lunch and how Betsy wanted to execute her plan, since Fab was sitting there with her lips glued together.
“Bad idea,” Creole said. “Snobby Betsy gets caught, and it’s highly likely that you’ll both end up in jail.”
Didier turned Fab’s face to his. “You’re not invincible.”
“I really wasn’t going to take the case,” Fab whined. “Granted, I didn’t come to the decision right away, but I got there on the drive home.”
Didier brushed her lips with his. “While I’ve got you in confession mode, did you leave the car chase to the cops?”
“Sort of,” Fab hedged. “I slowed and stayed well back as the chase unfolded. The cops slowed traffic, and we had a ringside seat as the driver jumped into the water. I’m guessing he didn’t see another way out. End of excitement.” She was clearly disappointed.
“He took a dive into Croc Lake,” I said.
Creole grimaced. “If he’s not found, they’ll know what happened.”
“Anyone know when the last croc attack was?” I asked and got no response. “Haven’t heard about one since I’ve lived here.”
“Can we count on you for an update on the case?” Fab asked Creole.
“I can do that,” Creole said. “Once they get this guy in custody or a body bag, they’ll have two more brothers to go. And the crazy mother needs to be brought in for questioning.”
“It’s hard to believe that Addy’s ignorant of what her offspring are doing and doesn’t know they’re murderers. If she does, not saying anything is as good as being complicit,” I said. “I suppose it’s possible to have your head parked that far up your backside.”
Didier tsked.
Fab stood. “Well, this has been fun,” she said, her tone saying clearly not. “We have to go.” She tugged on Didier’s arm. “I’m leaving my car here and riding with my husband. It’s the least you can do.”
“Just know I’m not responsible for any dust that gets on it from being out overnight.” I stood. The woman had to have her cars spotless or they wouldn’t run properly. I didn’t complain because, as a result, mine stayed clean as well.
Didier leaned in and kissed my cheek. “Don’t worry about Fab. Now that I have my prisoner in custody, she won’t be going anywhere.”
Creole laughed. “Good luck, buddy.”
Fab glared at Creole, then crossed the kitchen and went out the door.
“Are we still friends?” I called as she flounced out the gate.
“No, but I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Creole pulled me into his arms, and we waved as Didier shot down the street. “Fab’s annoyed, but she knows that you did her a big favor. She just needed a push to tell that client of hers to take a hike.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Creole scooped me up and, my feet resting on his, walked me into the living room and sat me beside him on the couch.
“I have one more step in the plan I cooked up to keep us out of trouble.” I leaned forward and grabbed my pho
ne off the table. “Do you mind if I call before I lose my nerve?” I scrolled through my phone and showed Creole the screen with Chief Harder’s name. His eyebrows went up. I pushed the number.
“I’m going to pull a Fab and listen in,” Creole said, and reached over to hit the speaker button.
I crossed my lips with my finger.
“Miss Madison,” Harder answered. “Are you needing bail?”
“Worse. I need a favor.” My stomach was a jumble of nerves, and I took a couple of small breaths to calm myself.
“I’m amassing a significant pile of IOUs with your name on them. I’m going to have to come up with something spectacular to whittle them down.”
“Does that mean you’re saying yes?”
“That means, young lady, that I’ll listen and let you know,” Harder said sternly.
“I’m going to need client confidentiality,” I said softly. “This involves a felony. But it hasn’t happened yet.”
“I suppose you want me to clean up whatever mess you’re about to confess to and wrap it up with a pretty bow so no one goes to jail?”
“You’re so smart.” I breathed a sigh at his laugh. “It involves an attractive woman—a blonde with a bad attitude—but maybe you can help with that too.”
Creole nudged my shoulder.
I told him about Fab’s meeting and that I didn’t want any of the three of us to end up in trouble with the law. More so me and my friend.
“Too bad Mrs. Ridgely’s husband isn’t alive to arrest,” Harder grouched. “I can’t make any promises. Give me the woman’s number, and I’ll call and invite her to my office for a sit-down. If she’s smart, she’ll allow herself to be talked out of her bad idea. I’ve done this once before, only it was a young man and he re-thought his felonious intentions and moved on with his life.”
“You’re the best.” I smiled at Creole.
“You and your friend were helpful in the apprehension of Mr. Clegg today. We would’ve got him eventually, but maybe not before he killed someone else.”
“I take it he didn’t get eaten by a croc?”
“Not today, thankfully. The officers were already unhappy about having to fish his wet behind out of the lake, but half-eaten would have made it really messy. Or worse, having to shoot the reptile to save that piece of… Happy to have him in custody.”
“Fab gets the credit for recognizing him from the pics you showed us. She may not remember names, but she’s good with faces.”
“I’ll let you know if I have any success with this client of Fab’s.”
We hung up.
“If I’d called, he would’ve laughed and hung up,” Creole said.
“He’s a good friend.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
It had been a quiet couple of days. Fab had called to tell me that she and Didier were going out on her father’s yacht. Having honeymooned on the luxurious Caspian—named after its owner—I was a bit envious, knowing the fun that was to be had.
Getting a call from Gunz surprised me, since he was one of Fab’s nefarious friends, until he grouched that he hadn’t been able to get ahold of the woman.
“Your coach is ready.” He laughed, finding himself amusing. “I’m at my office and we can swap out.”
Gunz’s office was the lighthouse, which he rented from Fab. He hadn’t hung out his shingle, and his car parked in front on rare occasions was the only sign he used the space.
I hung up and turned to Creole, who sat at the island, a pile of paperwork in front of him. “The Hummer’s ready for pickup.”
“I should go with you,” Creole offered. “This might be my only opportunity to meet the elusive Gunz.”
“Hmm…” I tapped my cheek. “I’m certain Gunz wouldn’t appreciate me bringing a cop with me, even if you’re no longer with the force.”
“What do you know about this guy?”
“That he’s been a friend of Fab’s forever and if you need something done, he can make it happen. Hence, the Hummer getting fixed. Gunz decided a while back to clean up his gangster act, and now he’s a private moneylender.”
“That’s all fun and games until someone borrows over their head and can’t pay it back.”
“If it makes you feel better, I haven’t heard of any recent deaths associated with him.”
“It doesn’t,” Creole grumbled.
“I’ve met the family, and he’s the normal one.” I laughed, walking away. I changed into the t-shirt dress draped over the end of the bed, pairing it with wedge flip-flops and wrestling my red mane into a hair clip. I twirled in front of Creole, and he gave me a thumbs up.
“What’s Fab going to say when she finds out that you’re driving your car without her permission?” he asked.
“Changes are coming.” I stomped my foot, which amused Creole. “I’m going to start driving once in a while, before I forget how.”
Creole had the keys to the loaner in his hand. He quirked his finger for me to lean in for a kiss, which I did eagerly. At the knock on the door, he burst out laughing.
There was only one person it could be.
“You knew, didn’t you?” I accused Creole as I opened the door to Fab and Didier.
“At least she knocked.” Didier shrugged. “I’d suggest that you change the security code to keep her from getting the gate open. Though I suppose she could climb over.” He peered down at her.
“Welcome back, you two.” I beckoned them inside.
“Were you planning on calling and letting me know that the Hummer is ready?” Fab asked.
I raised my brow, telegraphing How did you know?
“I called to find out when it was going to be finished. I didn’t ask what took so long because I know they do a first-rate job.”
“Since I thought you two were still out cruising around, no, I wasn’t.” I smiled at Fab. “Besides, you’d interfere with my plans for a long joyride— stopping at a greasy food stand, eating in the car, and dumping the trash in the back. Love that old-pickle scent.”
The guys laughed.
Fab had taken to ignoring me when she didn’t like what I had to say. “Good thing we stopped by or you wouldn’t know that the funeral boys called. They have an update on that last bag of remains found in Card Sound.”
I grimaced. “Yay. Since you appear excited, there must be pictures of, or heaven forbid, a close-up look at whatever was left.” I’d bet that neither of our husbands were going to volunteer to ride along.
“We’ll soon find out.”
“You two have fun.” Creole held out the keys, which I took and put in my pocket. “Are you going to tell Fab the new rules?” he asked, amusement in his eyes.
Fab stared at me. “What?”
“It’s a surprise.”
Fab groaned. “I hated the last one. You sure know how to make a girl squirm at the word surprise.”
Creole and Didier laughed again.
“It would be nice if you two stayed out of trouble.” Didier kissed his wife before she crossed the threshold.
“That’s the upside to hanging with dead bodies; their trouble-making days are over,” I said. Creole hung my bag over my shoulder. “I’m going to need coffee first,” I said, and followed Fab out to the car.
Gunz had left by the time we got to the lighthouse. Fab went in and swapped out keys while I walked around the Hummer, inspecting every inch. “The body guy is a master,” I said to Fab when she joined me. “This car has had the you-know-what smooshed out of it several times over, and you can’t tell.” I admired my reflection in the paint job.
Fab barely batted an eyelash when I slid behind the wheel and held my hand out for the keys. This was a day that called for an IV drip of caffeine, and since that wasn’t to be had, I swung through the coffee drive-thru, feeding our need, then drove the short distance to Tropical Slumber.
Fab’s phone rang as we pulled into the driveway. She looked at the screen and groaned. I parked under a tree across from the entrance and prepared t
o listen.
“Fabiana Merceau,” she answered in her snootiest tone, hitting the speaker button.
“This is Betsy Ridgely. I want to thank you for having Chief Harder talk me out of following through on my worst instincts.” She let out a little laugh. “You can’t imagine my surprise when he called and demanded that I come to his office. That caught me off guard, and my knees knocked so hard I was certain he could hear it over the phone. He was vague as to the reason but informed me, in that authoritative tone of his, that it would be in my best interest to show up.”
Fab arched a brow at me. I smiled back at her.
“I’m happy that the chief was able to convince you of all the ways your plan could’ve ended with you in jail,” Fab told her in a sympathetic tone.
“Richard was quite nice and took me to dinner. I made a friend, and he assured me that I could call if I started thinking about making another unwise choice.”
I shook my head.
“I do have a complaint about the woman you brought with you,” Betsy said in a superior tone. “She acted totally inappropriately and didn’t know her place, which, in my opinion, was to keep her mouth shut and let you handle the meeting.”
Fab sighed dramatically. “It became quite clear to me that day that the relationship wasn’t going to work out, so I fired her.”
“You really can find a better helper,” Betsy said. “Again, I want to thank you. You’ll be my first call if I have another job. Legal, of course.” She giggled.
“About that. I’m no longer taking clients, as I’m closing my business to devote more time to my family,” Fab said.
“Oh… That’s great. I wish you all the best.”
I waved at the phone as Fab disconnected. “You should give that helper of yours a good reference.”
“Probably not.” Fab sniffed. “Harder? Really?”
“Betsy chick’s stupidity not only put you at risk for incarceration, but me as well. I’m not risking my freedom for stinkin’ jewelry, and I don’t care how much it’s worth for a woman that insufferable…and that’s being nice.” I imitated Betsy’s snotty tone: “Harder was a perfect choice. He has a soft spot for a woman in distress, as long as said woman hasn’t already committed a felony.”
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